By Kristen Odland
Calgary Herald

As one of the longest serving members of the Calgary Stampeders, Justin Phillips is a proven leader.

On special teams, the 28-year-old is versatile and a veteran presence.

On defence, the former Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawk is reliable as they come and another solid Canadian to add to their rotation.

But the one thing Phillips, apparently, needs to work on? His vertical.

Early in last Friday’s 42-27 win over the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders, Phillips — who had missed the first two games of the season still recovering from knee surgery — was, apparently, feeling superhuman on a Stampeders two-and-out and tried to do his best Nik Lewis impression, hurdling a player who had been blocked in front of him. Instead, it resulted in the trainers coming out to check on the seventh-year Stampeder who was slow to get up but back on the field shortly after.

“Yeah, my vertical is not what it used to be,” Phillips said sheepishly. “I got my feet clipped out and landed on my right butt cheek. It’s a little bruised but other than that, I’m all right.

“My ego though? It’s a little bit (bruised), that I couldn’t jump that high.”

Truth be told, the Stampeders do not employ Phillips for his hurdling skills.

That night, one of his duties on kick and punt returns was to be in the face of Saskatchewan returner Jock Sanders — and he did so, playing with a broken thumb, registering four special teams tackles and another four on defence.

It’s a nice change from where he was in 2012, undergoing two knee surgeries (virtually back-to-back) which limited the defensive lineman and special teams ace to eight games.

This year, in only four games after missing the opening two still recovering, he has recorded 10 special teams tackles to share the league lead with B.C.’s Rolly Lumbala and Saskatchewan’s Paul Woldu.

“Feels good to be out there again and contributing,” he said. “Believe it or not, some of the coaches say I look faster, which was shocking. I was never fast to begin with but faster is better than slower so things are going good.”

The Stampeders are understandably happy to have him back, too, as Phillips can play many different roles on special teams.

Mainly, he’s the hard contain player on kickoffs and on punts, he’s one of the fullbacks and a key player in protection.

“We, literally, use him all over the place,” said special teams co-ordinator Mark Kilam. “He’s an excellent blocker and knows how to move bodies.”

Being a veteran greybeard (with, surprisingly, no grey in his beard) is also an advantage to the group.

“It’s huge,” Kilam said. “When you have a veteran guy, you have a calming presence on the field. Whether there are some guys are struggling or we’re getting different looks or we need someone to take a leadership role.”

Phillips, a former everyday starter on the defensive line, is also back in the rotation along with fellow Canadians Eric Fraser and Junior Turner.

“Between all of us, we’re getting the job done,” he said. “Everyone wants to be the starter but at the same time, I’m comfortable with my role and I’m glad they trust me enough to play on defence and special teams. I’ve kind of taken a lot of leadership within the special teams group this year . . . I like where I’m at and I like where the team is at so just keep it going.”

Consistency, he added, will be needed again this week against the Lions who have been struggling on special teams and most notably on punt returns with an average of 4.7 yards.

Phillips says Lions main returner Tim Brown is a lot like Saskatchewan’s Sanders.

“He breaks tackles, he runs low to the ground, a change of direction kind of guy,” he said. “So, there are a lot of similarities between Saskatchewan and B.C.’s special teams. We just have to come out with the same effort, same intensity, and make plays.”