GC Quote Board: Standout statements from Wednesday

CALGARY — After the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers arrived in Calgary on Tuesday, the pair of teams took to the field for their first respective practices ahead of the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw.

For their first days, the Ticats opted to stay indoors, practicing at Foothills Field. On the other side, Winnipeg took to Shouldice Field for an outdoor practice — keeping the word of head coach Mike O’Shea, who vowed that his team would not be practicing indoors.

Speaking of O’Shea, he and Ticats head coach Orlondo Steinauer opened the day at the Boyce Theater, where the pair sat down and answered questions from the media at the annual Head Coaches Conference.

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Standout Remarks from the Head Coaches Conference

“And for us, you know, it was made aware as we – we honoured Rob Hitchcock this year. He went up on the Wall of Honour. So there was a pretty good celebration for the 20-year, you know, reunion, which – so obviously there’s attention brought to it there. Outside of that, I’m not sure a lot of the guys on the team were – are really aware of that. It – the community is – is starving, absolutely. But I would say they’re more buzzing. I think the attention’s coming from some of the achievements that we’ve had throughout the season. I wouldn’t say it’s a focal point. I don’t think it’s an extra motivator. But I do think that there is a common respect amongst our football team for those people that came before us. And in our locker room, we have the years that there were Grey Cup champions, and there’s – there’s a bit of a gap. So I don’t know, I’m not sure they pay attention to it daily, but they are aware of it.”

– Orlondo Steinauer on ending the Ticats’ Grey Cup drought

“Oh. Yeah. You know, I think it’s just – there’s times when I’ve went over to, you know, when he was still living in Milton, you know, went over and had lunch and, you know, just talked about the season. You know, he’d ask my input on some things. This is – obviously he was, you know, in a different situation at that time. Sometimes it’s a phone call, sometimes it’s a text of encouragement, sometimes it’s a text of congratulations. I always looked forward to it, you know, to be honest with you. Checked my lo—my locker after the game. I – you know, it’s just consistent. But also – also say this, that there – there’s just such a common respect there that sometimes there’s nothing said, but it says everything. And I think that’s just kind of the bond and – and the appreciation and the respect we have for each other.”

– Orlondo Steinauer on the relationship between him and Mike O’Shea

“I think that sums it up. I think it’s, you know, he – he brings up his daughter Kiana, and she’s – and it’s – he’s being modest. I mean, I think last year she was top five in the NCAA in rebounding. You know, so, you know, I’m trying to get a – trying to get a t-shirt from the team. I’m thinking I – I got to wear one of these shirts, like, she’s killing it, you know. And we’ve just had – we’ve been around long enough with each other, we’ve seen our – our kids grow up. I mean, there’s something about that that’s – one, that we’ve lasted this long, and – and that we’ve – I think we’ve managed to raise good kids and watched each other do it.”

– Mike O’Shea following up on relationship with Steniauer

“I knew Steiny was always going to be a coach. And I think if – if we were to go back on record, look at the records, I would have said I would have never been a coach. And whether he was saying the same thing or thinking the same thing, I’m not exactly sure. But when real life strikes you as maybe not fitting anymore, you know, I was 15 months into another career, and out of the blue came a phone call from Jim Barker.”

– Mike O’Shea on becoming a coach after his retirement

“Yeah. This – this is all fun and this is necessary, and both organizations have earned this, you know, this attention. But I – I can tell you that, you know, after the coin toss, there’s no wave across. There – it’s – it’s going to be two physical football teams going after one goal. And you know, nine teams start off with the same goal. There’s only two teams working this week. So yeah, we want – we want to beat each other.”

– Orlondo Steinauer on how he and O’Shea will get along later in the week

Standout Remarks from Hamilton Tiger-Cats Practice

“I won a National Championship in Pop Warner for football in fifth grade. That was a pretty big game for a 12-year-old. We won 15-14 — real barnburner. In college, we played in a couple of bowl games and went 2-1. Those are probably some of the bigger starts.”

– Dane Evans on his championship game experience

“I do what I’m supposed to do. I’m a community guy, and that’s all I care about when I’m back in Hamilton. If you want to know how people feel about me, all you have to do is go to that community where the person is. Outside looking in, you can form your opinion, but in the community, that’s who knows the person. Outside, people that talk just talk. Football is a dangerous game; I don’t understand why people act like it’s so nice and people pat each other on the butt. It’s not like that; I didn’t grow up playing football like that. I get it, but it is what it is.”

– Simoni Lawrence on the perception of him on social media

“When they brought me in, I knew I was coming into a great situation, a great organization and a great D-line room. Given that we were being taught by a great, intelligent D-line coach, it was just a matter of time. … No matter who’s out there, we’re going out and competing and trying to be the best. Honestly, when I got here, it was just like I was leaving Calgary and coming to Calgary 2-point-0. It wasn’t even me stepping in to be a leader, it was me coming in and trying to fit in because I had great leaders on the team like (Lawrence), Speedy B, Masoli, Ted, (Adrian) Tracey and (Jamaal) Westermann here. I didn’t have to come in here and be like ‘oh, I have to be the voice, I need to be the guy.’ No. I just needed to come in and be a part of something great.”

– Ja’Gared Davis on making the move from Calgary to Hamilton

Standout Remarks from Winnipeg Blue Bombers Practice

“It’s about us. That’s definitely what we’ve been preaching for the last few years — going 1-0. We’re going into hostile territory and shutting up 30,000 fans was a great feeling. It’s been a great ride.”

– Andrew Harris on the Bombers’ mindset playing in Calgary again

“I’ve known Darvin since 2013 in Toronto, and he’s a competitive man. It seems like when the moment is bigger, he really ratchets it up and he really relishes it. I’m very confident in his abilities and I have been since I met him. He’s just a great guy to have out there.”

– Zach Collaros on receiver Darvin Adams’ play

“In 2016, when I got to Winnipeg, it was just about getting to know the guys and coaches, and it was such a great group of guys and such a great culture. Adapting to that, it was a lot different from where I was coming from in BC. As my role evolved and I became a leader, I got more familiar with the whole organization and it’s just been amazing every step of the way. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know the coaches and the players we’ve had and just how the city has embraced us and supported us. It’s funny because when we’re not doing good, they’re all over us. It just shows that they care. It’s definitely a great place to play and I’m definitely proud to be a Winnipegger.”

– Andrew Harris on his time with the Bombers