By Jonathan Anderson
Stampeders.com

Being a part of an offensive line that propelled the Calgary Stampeders to a 14-4 regular season record is a great accomplishment.

Being a part of an offensive line that helped carry Jon Cornish to yet another rushing title is a major accomplishment.

What needs to be recognized from both these achievements is this — the Stampeders offensive line this season was led by a fresh-faced rookie.

Brett Jones, at 22 years old, started at centre for 18 regular-season games, 10 more games than Jones had played the previous season with the University of Regina Rams.

Jones and his teammates ended up falling short of their ultimate goal of reaching the 101st Grey Cup in Regina, but the product of Weyburn, Sask., did achieve individual success, being chosen as the CFL’s West Division nominee for rookie of the year.

The 319-lb. big man was shocked when he heard about his nomination for the prestigious award, humbly stating, “It’s a pretty cool honour to be recognized for something like that.”

When he came to training camp in June, Jones insists that being nominated for awards was not a consideration.

“I just really wanted to play when I came here,” he said. “That was my main goal.”

Adapting to the pro game is no easy task, but Jones did so admirably. Paying extra attention to detail helped translate into Jones having a successful season. Jones saw the 2013 CFL season seemingly fly by as he studied opposing defences rigorously on a weekly basis.

“Each week was such a new challenge, nothing got old or boring,” he said. “Each week, we couldn’t relax so it didn’t seem too long compared to a CIS season.”

Jones attributes much of his success this year to the countless hours O-line coach Mike Gibson spent making sure Jones and his colleagues were always well prepared.

“The preparation is so much more here — each week, it’s a different game plan,” says Jones. “You have to make sure you watch each team really close to give your team a chance to win.”

The season may have not ended the way Jones and the Red and White faithful would have liked, but the rookie centre thinks this group of o-lineman is special. He says the bond with the other members of the line was a big part of helping him transition into an award nominee.  Whether it’s getting advice from five-year pro Jon Gott, studying with roommate Shane Bergman or playing bocce at the end of every week’s walkthrough, this group worked together to become a cohesive unit

“Whether it’s the meeting room, going out for dinner, just being together, that was the best part,” he said.

Jones knows it will be a long off-season and there is only one goal going into next season.

“Just to come back stronger and be more consistent,” he said. “I want to win a Grey Cup.”