Inside the CFL: Wind was the difference in Winnipeg’s Grey Cup win

By Medicine Hat News on December 16, 2021.

“Blow ye winds, hi ho!’

Coaches make many decisions during a football game. Winnipeg’s Michael O’Shea made the biggest one when, after winning the coin toss, he opted to defer his choice until the second half, giving his team the wind in the fourth quarter. Although the hometown Ticats did everything they could to win, it wasn’t enough.

The wind was the difference. The team from Canada’s Windy City handled that capricious element better and won the 108th Grey Cup 33-25. With that fateful coin toss, the game was over before it began.

Neither team made many mistakes. Each had three turnovers. But timing is everything. Jeremiah Masoli’s interception in overtime ended the game giving Winnipeg the win. Same with penalties. Eight no-nos for 85 yards isn’t that bad in an exceptionally physical game. But on Winnipeg’s overtime possession with a second-and-7, Cat defensive lineman Julian Howsare was called offside. The Bombers made two yards and went on to score the winning touchdown.

On Hamilton’s first overtime possession starting at the 35, Don Jackson ran for 12 yards but holding was called on veteran Brandon Revenberg. Instead of first down at the enemy 23, they had to start over at the 45. Facing first-and-20, Masoli was forced to throw long and was intercepted.

That was a fitting way to end the game. During the regular season, Winnipeg’s defence surrendered an average of 13.5 points per game. They gave up a grand total of six points in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Adam Bighill won the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and should have been named MVP of Sunday’s game. As usual, the media gave it to a quarterback, Zach Collaros, who wasn’t even the best quarterback on the field. Rant completed.

Seven Bombers made the Western All-Star team on defence. In the second and final quarters they came up big in the shadow of their goal posts and forced Hamilton to kick field goals. If the Easterns had been more aggressive and scored touchdowns in those situations, the outcome would have been different. But Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer couldn’t risk it.

I think he should have tried the first time. But the Ticats were conservative. In the third quarter when Hamilton went up 22-10, in part because of aggressive defensive play limiting the Winnipeg offence, they became passive and soft on defence, playing off the ball. It seemed like they felt they could play prevent defence for a quarter and a half. That never works. From that point on, the Blue Bombers outscored Hamilton 23-6.

Coaches prepare their team as best they can but the players have to get it done. It is the job of the general manager to provide the coach with the best personnel. I have always believed success in pro sports begins in the front office. In 2019, Winnipeg boss Kyle Walters picked up the often injured Zach Collaros as quarterback insurance. When his starter, Chris Streveler got hurt, Collaros took over and ran the table. When Winnipeg couldn’t find a reliable kicker, Walters made a trade for B.C.’s Sergio Castillo who was perfect including five field goals Sunday.

Give credit to Hamilton. Masoli played well. Trailing by three with under two minutes remaining, he engineered a 69-yard drive ending in a Michael Domagala field goal that tied the game. Rush end Ja’Gared Davis was the best player on the field.

When the 2020 CFL season was cancelled, many feared the end of the league was near. The CFL has been at death’s door before but has always survived in large part because through thick or thin, for better or for worse, the Grey Cup has been its salvation.

This year saw a reduced schedule with no exhibition games, COVID ravaged the Edmonton Elks. Scoring was down, dull play was up. Poor attendance was the rule except in Winnipeg; the others lost a lot of money. But into its darkest hour came those marvellous East and West playoff games followed by a wonderfully entertaining Grey Cup decided in overtime.

If COVID had struck during Grey Cup week, I fear the league we love would not survive. All is not necessarily well for the CFL that ends well, but it’s a great start.