Getting a little sick of seeing Montreal’s annual trek to the Grey Cup? You’re not alone.
Montreal has represented the East eight of the last 11 years, yet they have claimed just two Grey Cup rings in that span (2002, ‘09). Sunday will mark the Als’ third straight appearance in the big game.
A win over Saskatchewan would be the first time a team has won back-to-back Cups since quarterback Doug Flutie’s Toronto Argonauts pulled it off in 1996-97.
Ironically, the second half of that Double Blue double dip was achieved with a Grey Cup win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.
Rider revenge
The Saskatchewan Roughriders haven’t appeared in back-to-back Grey Cup games since 1966-67, winning the first but losing the second. The Roughriders are heading back to their second consecutive Grey Cup, seeking revenge for last year’s heart-breaking too-many-men penalty on what should have been the game’s last play. The 13th man gaffe gave Montreal’s Damon Duval a field-goal mulligan that sent the Riders and their faithful fans home feeling miserable (and hungover).
Cahoon almost finished?
Montreal’s Ben Cahoon could be making his final CFL appearance on Sunday. One of the finest Canadian receivers of all time, the 13-year veteran eclipsed Terry Vaughn for top spot on the all-time receptions list earlier this season. Cahoon also grabbed the Grey Cup game’s Top Canadian award in 2003 and ‘09.
Resumé building
Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in the CFL over 17 seasons, but he has some holes in his Grey Cup resumé, having won just two titles in five attempts. Calvillo has passed for 68,162 yards, just 4,220 behind leader Damon Allen on the all-time list, but what he really needs is another Grey Cup ring.
Coach shuffle
Ken Miller, 69, is rumoured to be stepping down as Saskatchewan head coach after the Grey Cup. The affable Miller, also VP of Football Operations, could wind up in the Riders front office. Across the field, Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman is once again considered a prime candidate for either an NFL head coaching job or a role with an NCAA team, possibly the University of Minnesota.
