Stampeders Enter Grey Cup Being Led Defensively by Thousand Oaks Native Joel Singleton
- Updated: November 24, 2016
The 104th Grey Cup is drawing closer and while there are those who are picking the Ottawa Redblacks as the sentimental favourite – there is a 40-year drought among CFL teams from Canada’s capital – there are some viable reasons to make the Calgary Stampeders this weekend’s favourite.
As superior as their 15-2-1 record in 2016 was, the Stamps know that they wouldn’t have excelled without the solid play of a few key players. One of which is a rookie linebacker by the name of Joel Singleton.
A native of Thousand Oaks, CA, Singleton had a year to remember this past season.
Photo credit: Calgary Stampeders
Singleton played in all 18 games for the Stamps this season – starting in 10 of those games – as he accumulated 65 defensive tackles, including five for three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four knockdowns in addition to nine tackles on special teams.
Despite being drafted sixth overall by Calgary this year, Singleton’s pro career actually started in May 2015 when, as an undrafted free agent, he signed with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks before spending some time with the Minnesota Vikings.
Yet, while many may not give the CFL credit it deserves – especially when being compared to the NFL – there is no denying that Singleton has made the most of his time in Calgary this season, already establishing himself as a star linebacker.
“He took his opportunity and ran with it,” Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson told the media on Wednesday morning. “We just felt like [making him a starter] was the right thing to do.”
Dickenson, a former CFL QB who led the Stampeders to two Grey Cup titles – and a third with the rival B.C. Lions – may feel an extra connection to Singleton and it is associated with, of all places, the state of Montana.
Dickenson was born in Great Falls, Montana – just a five-hour drive from Calgary – and attended college at the University of Montana where, in 1995, he led his school’s Grizzlies to the NCAA I-AA college football championship.
Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson
(Photo credit: Ryan Cowley)
Singleton also played his college ball in the Treasure State but for the Montana State Bobcats. So, while Dickenson’s and Singleton’s alma maters may have been rivals, there was no denying just how much of a force the native of Thousand Oaks would be for Dickenson and the Stampeders. After all, during his three years as a starter at Montana State, Singleton registered 246 tackles which included 31.5 tackles for loss and even four interceptions over his final two seasons with the Bobcats.
While it is special for any player to play in a championship game in their rookie season, though, Joel Singleton may feel extra excited about this weekend’s big game as his mother Kim was born in Toronto. This actually helped Singleton become a Canadian citizen last October.
The success of the 2016 Calgary Stampeders, however, is not limited to Joel Singleton.
While the old adage that defensive wins championships is very accurate, the Stamps can attribute much of their overwhelming success this season to their offensive game.
Fifth-year quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell led the way offensively for the Stampeders this season, throwing for 5,385 yards and 32 TDs while throwing just eight INTs, completing 68.0 per cent of his passes. In fact, the Eastern Washington alum was so good upon joining the Stamps in 2012 that he helped make former Calgary starter Henry Burris, who found a new home in none other than Ottawa with the Redblacks.
Ottawa Redblacks QB Henry Burris with the Grey Cup on Thursday morning
(Photo credit: Ryan Cowley)
But, while Mitchell led the way with his arm, Marquay Daniel carried the weight of his team with his exceptional receiving game as the wideout from Virginia Beach, VA, made 83 receptions for 1,074 yards this season.
Even the Calgary backfield had its share of success this season as one of the club’s elder statesmen, 31-year-old Jerome Messam, ran for 1,198 yards and 11 TDs on 206 rushing attempts in 2016. In fact, a win this weekend would be especially gratifying for the Calgary back as he is a native of Toronto.
Wednesday’s head coaches’ press conference, though, was wrapped up with a lighthearted tone as both coaches were asked about the matter of their players having sex before the big game.
Ottawa’s Rick Campbell received an uproar of laughter when he quipped, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. I guess that’s our motto this year for the Grey Cup.”
Dave Dickenson received just as many laughs when he quipped, “Keep it consistent.”
Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell
(Photo credit: Ryan Cowley)
Overall, it’s been a fun week, but a busy one. Speaking just for the Redblacks players, who attended a breakfast buffet on Thursday morning at their hotel, they were a loose bunch, not taking themselves too seriously and, in the risk of sounding cliché, being able to stop and smell the roses.
We are now just three days away from the 104th Grey Cup, so be sure to stick with CaliSportsNews on all the happenings until then.
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