Grigsby cherishes chance to play for Grey Cup after release from Bombers

It’s a good thing Nic Grigsby’s first season in the CFL did not go as planned.
After starting the campaign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and then going unwanted, the 25-year-old Los Angeles native now finds himself in the 2014 Grey Cup. The rookie running back will suit up for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday against the Calgary Stampeders.
He wound his way to Hamilton after the Blue Bombers released him Oct. 21 after an apparent dispute between the players and management.
“It means a lot (to be in the Grey Cup),” he said after a practice Friday at BC Place Stadium. “I love being able to prove everybody wrong and being able to perform with the wrong kind of adversity. It’s harder for a running back because, running backs, you can’t just come in and just run. It takes time. You’ve gotta get your fits. You gotta get your feel for the game. It takes a lot of patience to be able to come out and perform the way you wanna perform.”
Grigsby helped the Tiger-Cats get into the Grey Cup by rushing for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in their Eastern Final win over Montreal last weekend. During the regular season, he ran for 146 yards and a touchdown for Hamilton on 30 carries.
He also racked up a respectable 744 yards with Winnipeg. But the Bombers decided to release him after he rushed 14 times for only 55 yards against Ottawa, which crushed Winnipeg 42-20. The contest was a must-win affair for the Bombers, who missed the playoffs.
According to reports, Grigsby asked for his release after learning he would be replaced in the next game. But Grigsby contended otherwise – without elaborating – Friday.
“I didn’t fall out of favour,” he said. “It wasn’t about playing time. I’m not even going to get into that. They wanted to do some things that I didn’t agree with. I’m only a player. A player doesn’t run anything. I just do my job. They all decided to do what they wanted to do, and we all got together, me and (general manager) Kyle (Walters) and (coach Mike) O’Shea, and it was the best decision for all of us. They let me go and they opened up a lot of doors for me. I just took my opportunity and ran with it.”
But he could have trouble Sunday against a Stampeders team that ranks first in defence against the run. Hamilton general manager and coach Kent Austin, said the contest will feature extremely complicated offensive and defensive schemes from both clubs.
In other words, Grigsby will have to work extremely hard to gain every yard that he can get. But Austin has no complaints about Grigsby's work ethic.
“He’s helped us a lot, quite a bit,” said Austin. “He’s had close to 100 yards the last couple games, and he had a lot to learn in our offence. He’s come to work every day, he’s prepared hard and he’s played hard, and he’s gotten better each game. I think it’s just because his understanding is better. He’s able to play faster, because there’s a little bit less thinking, and I think you’ve seen that, especially in the last game.”
As with all players, the next game will be Grigsby’s most important contest, and none are more important than this one.
When the 102nd Grey Cup begins, some will likely wonder what might have been if Grigsby had stayed with the Blue Bombers as he expected at the outset of the season.
“I was preparing for a Grey Cup, just like everybody else, with Winnipeg, and we all came out and we started off really hot,” he recalled. “A lot of injuries came up and things started going south down there. Everything happens for a reason.
“Still, at the end of the day, everybody’s goal is to get to a Grey Cup, and I’m here today.”

Dickenson pours coldd water on speculation about Lions coaching job

Dave Dickenson has ruled himself out as the next coach of the B.C. Lions, but it probably won't take long for other candidates to emerge.
Just when speculation on the likelihood of the Calgary Stampeders offensive co-ordinator replacing the fired Mike Benevides was heating up, Dickenson threw cold water on it.
“I’m going to be back in Calgary next year,” said Dickenson during a Stamps luncheon Thursday in advance of Sunday’s Grey Cup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“That’s my answer to that question – and it’s going to be the same answer tomorrow, the same answer next week.”
Dickenson’s comments came a day after Calgary general manager and head coach John Hufnagel hinted that the 41-year-old Great Falls, Mont, native would be his successor. Hufnagel pointed to a new three-year contract that Dickenson signed in November 2013.
Without getting into the specific job titles, Dickenson said he planned to honour the deal, which runs until after the 2016 season, while also pointing out that he loves being the offensive co-ordinator and getting a chance to call plays, like he did as a standout quarterback with the Stampeders and Lions.
Dickenson has a strong desire to be a head coach, but he also wants to make sure that he gets the right opportunity.
“I want to be a head coach, there’s no doubt about it, but I really just want to have fun,” Dickenson said. “I want to be part of a team, I want to work with people I like and enjoy, and be part of a system and a team that’s going to win. I think we work too hard to not enjoy things. I’m not going to coach if I’m miserable. A lot of stresses come with a head coaching position. It’d be a challenge, and I love challenges.”
Stressing that he is a loyal guy, Dickenson also, basically, ruled himself out as a candidate for the head coaching post at his alma mater, the University of Montana, following the retirement of Grizzlies field boss Mick Delaney.
“I love college — I think it’s great — and I love Montana, but for me, it’s about having stability with your family, making sure you have time with your family and, basically, don’t try to put yourself above what’s important,” Dickenson said.
“Sometimes, that’s what’s important, instead of just always trying to get to the top of the ladder.”
By ending some speculation, Dickenson has likely started more.
Many observers believe that former Winnipeg Blue Bombers coach Paul LaPolice, who is working the Grey Cup for TSN, has a chance to replace Benevides. During an interview with TSN 1040 Radio on Thursday, LaPolice said he also likes being an offensive co-ordinator.
He seems a better fit for that position with the Lions, although Khari Jones still has the OC post for now.
It says here that LaPolice is not a good fit as the next head coach of the Lions. He lacks natural ties to the organization that would attract fans when it is in danger of losing season ticket holders. While he led the Bombers to the 2011 Grey Cup, which the Lions won, LaPolice lost his job the next year and reportedly turned down a chance to become B.C.’s offensive co-ordinator last season.
Despite his increased profile due to his TSN gig, LaPolice does not stand out as an icon or exceptional leader the way Calgary’s Hufnagel, Hamilton counterpart Kent Austin and Lions general manager Wally Buono do. Austin, a former Lions quarterback, would be a better fit, but he is unlikely to leave Hamilton.
Recently, I suggested that Lions defensive co-ordinator Mark Washington could be a prime candidate, and fellow former defensive back Barron Miles, an assistant with Saskatchewan, might also get serious consideration. I still think Washington is in the running, and would be a good choice. So would Miles, but I’m starting to believe the Lions will lean more to an iconic type who is not necessarily a former B.C. player or coach.
On that note, I would not be surprised if, as some have suggested, former Stampeders quarterback Jeff Garcia, who was brought to the CFL by Buono, gets on the short list. Garcia joined the Montreal Alouettes in mid-season as an assistant of sorts and, tutoring quarterback Jonathan Crompton, helped the Als get to the playoffs and hammer B.C. 50-17 before they were ousted unceremoniously by Hamilton.
Although he does not have ties to B.C. or the team itself, Garcia is a high-profile type that the Lions need and, being the son of a coach, he understands the game thoroughly.
Another possibility seems unlikely, but makes at least some sense.
Former Lions receiver Geroy Simon, now an ambassador of sorts with Saskatchewan, has a desire to run a team within 10 years. He has strong ties to B.C., living here while commuting to work for the Roughriders. Despite his lack of coaching experience, he is used to mentoring young players – of which the rebuilding Lions have many. He is also a natural leader, a fan favourite, and extremely knowledgeable about the game. Simon would likely also be willing to keep most of the current assistants, he did commendable jobs in the face of considerable adversity this season, if he were allowed to choose one or two.
Alas, Dickenson threw cold water on speculation for a while, but it won’t take long to heat up again.