Coming out tonight, we were pretty patient and we were able to get that long pass to Rambo (Ken-Yon) and I think that really set the tone for things and we were able to make some things happen from there. But Edmonton played hard. They made plays early on, but that turnover our defence was able to get really put us in a good position and once we were able to get that touchdown it really opened things up for our offence. From there we were able to mix things up and keep a good balance of run and pass and we were able to put some points up.
It was good to keep building tonight. It seemed like once we got the ball in the scoring area, we were able to score seven points instead of getting three and that’s the difference now compared to earlier in the season. Now we told Rob (Maver) that we hope he can relax and just kick extra points. That’s our focus as an offence, try to make every trip down there count for points.
Luckily we were able to get it done tonight against a defence that was swarming all night. They made a lot of good plays on their side, but we were able to make more plays. With guys like Romby (Bryant) and Rambo and how they played tonight, we just need to keep riding our playmakers.
We’re playing opportunistic football. A defence is going to try to play a certain way and take certain things away and we just need to be patient and take what they give us. With Romby today, to see the way he came back after having that injury there in BC, it just shows you the type of player he is. He is resilient, plays with a lot of passion and he gets the job done. He was definitely due for a big game and thankfully it happened for him tonight.
Our defence really flies around. They fly around in practice and they do it the same way on game day. We compete hard in practice. If you watch the way we go after it in practice, it’s a big competition there and when they step on the field for a game, they turn it up even more. Those guys have done a great job and there are still things they can get better at. They talk about it all the time. We know there’s room for improvement in all facets and to see the way they don’t get complacent, it’s a mirror image for the whole team. We aren’t getting caught up in the record and all of that other hoopla, but it’s all about getting better game to game and trying to continue this feeling we have going now.
Throughout the game, we knew where Joffrey was at for the record and we’re pulling for him, but also, knowing the type of guy he is, it’s something that will happen when it’s going to happen. Right now, he’s splitting time with Jon Cornish and he’s fine with that. It allows his body to stay fresh, because as we know this is a long season and he knows that. As long as we’re winning games, that’s the most important thing and he knows that. I told him after the game that “we’ll get it for you next time,” and he said “it’s fine as long as we’re winning,” and that’s just the type of guy he is.
That was a special moment tonight when I was honoured for the club passing records. It was a different feeling because it happened during a game, when you’re trying to stay focused, but I was definitely thankful for it. To have it happen here in Calgary, where I started out of college and saw Jeff (Garcia) and Dave (Dickenson) playing ahead of me and was able to see how much the fans love the game out here, I really thought it would be special to be the starting quarterback here someday and now I’ve been able to do that.
Playing in both Saskatchewan and Calgary has been a special honour and to move past Dieter Brock for 10th on the CFL’s all-time passing list, that’s a special feeling. He’s a household name in the NFL, CFL and all of football and to be able to pass him is truly an honour. But again, let’s keep on chugging. Getting championships means much more to me, but that is definitely something I will reflect on when I’m done playing.
Staying focused for the rematch on Friday is not a problem. We know it’s going to be tough. That’s a team that plays with a lot of pride. We saw what they did against Saskatchewan up there and we know it’s not going to be an easy game. We were able to get the momentum here, but we know we’ll need to go up there and do the same thing. They’re going to go out and play with a lot of passion. They’re defence played tough tonight, but we were just able to get some plays. They’ll come out charged in front of their home crowd and it will be a tough game.
Henry Burris, #1
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