Carrying a couple of ornery 225-230-pound all-star linebackers a few extra yards in order to, say, move those chains or break the plane of a goal-line doesn’t sound like such an untoward imposition to Jerome Messam.

Right now, the big man toting the rock as well as anyone anywhere across this land reckons he could lash a concert-hall grand piano to his back and lug the blessed thing all the way to Toronto.

It’s time to leave tire tracks on the backs of all those blocking the road.

“I’m locked in,’’ vows the Calgary Stampeders T-Rex-sized tailback. “Dialed in. Ready.

“That ring, a Grey Cup championship … it’s what I’m missing in my career.

“I’ve dreamed about that my whole life.

“Man, I’ve watched my share of Grey Cup games over the years. The one I remember most? I’d say the one where Rocket Ismail took a kickoff back for a touchdown” – to the chagrin of his current employers, as fate would have it, back in 1991. “I must’ve been six or seven at the time.

“Growing up in (Brampton), Ontario, I was an Argos fan.’’ A resigned shrug. “Sorry.”

At 31, Messam enjoyed his finest season as a pro, nailing down his first CFL rushing crown, with 1,198 yards, setting career bests in both carries and yards, earning a chance to add a second Most Outstanding Canadian award to his curio cabinet as division nominee and, of course, finding himself two wins away from the ultimate.

Watching defenders attempt to deal with those rampaging 254 pounds this season has reminded you of a gaggle of vacationing city slickers trying to run with the bulls at Pamplona during the Festival of Sanfermines:

In grave danger of being trodden underfoot.

In Sunday’s Western Final at McMahon Stadium, though, a Stampeder ground attack that has immeasurably aided in unlocking defences for Bo Levi Mitchell’s air assault will face a litmus test.

Photo by David Moll

Knocking at their door, demanding admittance, are BC’s Unwelcome Wagon, backstopped by linebackers Solomon Elimimian, the 2014 CFL MOP, and Adam Bighill.

“Solomon and I,’’ muses Messam, “we’ve run into each other many times during my career. He’s a great player. So is Adam.

“I’m just glad it’s BC this week. They’ve given us our biggest challenges all year.  I also hope Edmonton wins the East.

“If you’re going to win a championship, you want to beat the best the rest of the way.”

It’ll be a chore. BC’s defensive front of David Menard, Alex Bazzie, Mic’hael Brooks and Bryant Turner is a tough enough nut to crack.

And only then do you reach the Elimimian-Bighill tandem, long established as the three-down game’s most effective and impactful.

It’s a partnership that shows no signs of levelling off. They did, after all, finish first and third in tackles this season (Elimimian 129, Bighill 108). Both savvy, voracious hitters and great moving side to side.

Count Calgary’s freshman in the middle, Alex Singleton, a student of the position, as one of a legion of admirers.

“They don’t do anything outside of what they’re supposed to do,’’ says the Montana State-developed linebacker. “That’s harder than it sounds.

“They do average things extraordinarily well. And that’s always the best way to play the game. They can drop back in coverage, make the tackle in front of them, on the guy running underneath or the guy running high, and neither of them ever quits on a play.

“Just two good, solid football players.”

Stampeder coach Dave Dickenson figures Messam is more than up to the challenge.

“He just has to be himself,’’ maintains the boss. “When the temperature drops, ball security is so important. He’s had a tremendous season.

“No need to change anything.”

Photo by Johany Jutras

Calgary’s offensive front has a masterful job over 18 games in keeping Mitchell’s uniform freshly pressed and providing Messam with the requisite room to run.

“Our unit, as long as we communicate, stick to the game plan, we’re going do what we always do – give our guys the chance to make plays, (Messam) included,’’ says its acknowledged leader, Derek Dennis.

“With Jerome, well, it’s a luxury to have such a big back. He does a great job of finding holes, keeping his legs going, making guys miss. You can’t arm-tackle him, I know that. He might just rip it off.

“If he gets into that second level with a head of steam … look out.

“Dicky and the coaches have given us a great game plan. So now we’ve got to make sure we do our job and make sure he gets the right reads. Give him some daylight, an opening.

“Then just let him do his thing.”

That’d suit Jerome Messam just fine. He’s never done ‘his thing’ better.

“All I’m concentrating on,’’ he says with flat determination, “is winning this game and the next one.

“That’s my sole focus.”

Elimimian and Bighill aim to have something to say about that.

“Like I said, those guys – Solomon and Adam – are great linebackers. They’ve got a lot of really good players on the defensive side of the ball.

“But we can’t really be worried about anyone but ourselves. We’re concerned with us, with playing Calgary Stampeder football.

“There’s a place we want to get to.

“And they’re in our way.”

His way.

Figuratively. And literally.