By Arash Madani,
CFL.ca
We know the story — kind of — by now. The former player raised an eyebrow at the former coach; the former coach, Adam Rita, and the former running back, who once dazzled, were contemplating whether the old man’s day was done.
And when the face twitching stopped, and the decision was made, Michael Bishop came off the bench and…
… rallied the Toronto Argonauts to a 31-27 playoff semi-final win over Winnipeg.
… advanced the Argos to the Scotiabank East Championship.
… got help by the Kelly Malveaux/Anthony Malbrough duo — so angry after being spurned for league honours earlier in the week that they forgot how to tackle.
… lifted the Boatmen to within a game of the 94th Grey Cup.
And, oh yeah, ignited a quarterback controversy for a franchise two wins away from its second downtown parade in three years.
Now? Well now…
… Coach Pinball Clemons, facial tick fixed for now, is adamant that the legend will start Sunday’s division title game.
… some Argo faithful, inspired by an injection of life into an offence that has required a defibrillator for weeks, are calling for Bishop to get the nod.
… one of the greatest pivots to ever play the game, quietly drips bland responses into Southern Ontario reporters’ notebooks.
This is where we are. Then, and now.
In the lead-up to Sunday’s East Championship game, Clemons does not have to flash a smile and defend his move.
Allen is the guy.
Allen is the starter.
Allen is who you go with.
Allen is who you back.
But Damon necessarily may not be the answer for the full 60 minutes. If he continues to falter deep into the game — against the weakest of the three Alouettes teams he’s faced in the division final in consecutive years — Bishop should remain ready on-deck.
A back-up script should be prepared to accommodate the tools of the 30-year-old reserve, who, don’t forget, was not even in the league as of early August.
Allen is your starter because, somehow, Toronto finished second in the East with him at the helm this year.
Allen is your starter because he has more experience in the post-season (30 games) than Bishop does in career CFL games played.
Allen is your starter because, even at 43, he contains an intangible no active player in the league has shown since Doug Flutie: when it is all on the line, he makes the plays you need. And he does it in the most incredible of ways.
The difference between Damon in Year 19 of playoff football with the ageless quarterback of, well, a couple of November’s ago? You can’t always count on his magic to appear every week.
But Allen is still your starter. So long as you have Bishop, who in a quarter of service last Sunday showed a glimmer of hope, waiting in the wings, ready to go in at a moment’s notice.
If the Argos struggle early at the Big O, take a glance at the Toronto sidelines. If Allen’s time is up, watch for the eyebrows.
Arash Madani is a sports anchor/reporter with A-Channel television in Ottawa
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
