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‘Like a Nightmare’: Messam back on GC stage, haunted by last year’s defeat
OTTAWA — Calgary Stampeders running back Jerome Messam did not hide the pain of last year’s Grey Cup defeat when facing the media following Wednesday’s practice at the University of Ottawa.
“It was like a nightmare,” said Messam. “I had to deal with it for a long time after that.”
The bruising 32-year-old power back remembers the immediate on-field aftermath of last year’s loss to Ottawa.
“I just ran off the field, I didn’t want to be out there,” said Messam. “It’s a sucky feeling man — you work all season for it, and all offseason for it, and it was right there for us but we let it slip.”
With Roy Finch receiving more touches, the veteran Stamps running back sees Calgary’s balanced ground game as a positive.
“It just helps because defences have to play us a little different,” said Messam. “Roy’s more of a speedy, outside guy, and I’m more downhill between the tackles — for defences to have to face both (is tough).”
Gains on the ground against Corey Chamblin’s top-ranked Argos run defence will be hard to come by.
“(It’s) their D-coordinator, they have good schemes (and) a good front four,” continued Messam. “They got stout linebackers.”
Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell shared his running back’s painful memory of last year’s overtime loss on the CFL’s biggest stage.
“The feeling was indescribable — something you’ve worked tirelessly for months and months to get there, to have it close to your fingertips (then) let it slip,” recalled Mitchell, who stayed on the field to watch the REDBLACKS celebrate. “I wanted to turn around, focus on what was happening around me. (I watched) Henry (Burris) run across the field.”
With awards night, another day of practice and a Saturday walkthrough still to come, the Stamps will likely have to reopen the scars of 2016’s defeat again in the lead-up to Sunday’s shot at redemption.
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