Corey Grant
CFL.ca
The East and West Finals are championship games and the Lions, Stampeders, Eskimos, and Alouettes have earned the right to be there, NOW IT’S TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE!
These are the biggest games of the year for the four remaining teams because they give each team a chance to go to the “Big Game”. In football like in any other sport the only thing an athlete/team wants is a chance to prove themselves on the big stage and the East and West Finals become just that, the big stage.
The stage is set for the big name players to do what they do… play great football and for the players who aren’t household names, it’s their opportunity to make plays when called upon because it’s going to take a complete team effort to win this weekend. All three phases of the game, offence, defence, and special teams must play as one cohesive unit with minimal mistakes to give the team a chance at winning. Once again, take advantage of your plays.
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan
To become a divisional champion this weekend teams are going to have to seize every moment of the game and make it count. There is no time for players to be saying, “My Bad” because you may only get one chance to make the big play which can change the outcome of the game. Remember in the playoffs each play is bigger than the pervious play and “My Bad” isn’t helping your teammates win the game.
Every team in the CFL sets out at the beginning of training camp to be playing this weekend… better yet; at the end of last season this was the goal because the East and West Finals are the only way to get a chance to play in the Grey Cup game. Now that you’re there, take advantage.
To the teams playing this weekend these are championship games and should be treated as such. I don’t believe in not touching the trophy because it’s not the trophy you want… remember if you don’t win this game there is no chance at holding any other trophy. If you get a chance to hold the East and West Division trophies, embrace them with pride and a sense of accomplishment because you have earned the right to do so. Let the following week be just that, the following week and enjoy the moment you’re in because you never know what the next week will bring.
Vince Lombardi said, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious”
To each team playing this weekend I say, “Leave it all on the field because I know four other teams that would love to be in your shoes. Every time the ball is snapped, kicked, handed off, thrown and caught… Take advantage because you never know what play is going to be the difference at the end of the game.”
Corey Grant is a 10 year CFL veteran who has played with the Ti-Cats, Alouettes and, for the last 7 seasons, the Roughriders. A Stoney Creek, Ont. native, Corey has won Grey Cups in 1999 and 2007. He was named the East Division Outstanding Rookie in 1999.
