We’ll pull positives out of it tomorrow.
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The Eskimos’ QB wasn’t as sharp as he wanted to be, but he hurt the Redblacks more with his legs, extending more than a couple of drives with draw plays and scrambles.
Ottawa was in black helmets but the Eskimos were the ones wearing black hats after Edmonton club president Len Rhodes complained to the league in advance about the Redblacks’ signature lumberjacks who for two seasons have chainsawed a logoed “cookie” off a log after every scoring play.
“Best place ever. unbelievable”. Some will retire, some will sign with other teams for financial or personal reasons, some will be released. “Great team, great guys in the locker-room. It’s our second one in Winnipeg and we had a marvelous time”, he said. “I’m so proud of them and what we accomplished here today”.
“It’s not about what I’ve been through personally, it’s what our team has been through”, Reilly said.
The Eskimos were able to survive Sean Whyte whiffing on two field-goal tries and a first-quarter kickoff fumble by Kendial Lawrence that set up Ottawa’s second TD. But we had ample opportunities to go down and put this game out of reach.
The RedBlacks made no excuses. End-of-season exit meetings with all players will occur Tuesday.
Jones declined to comment on rumours that he’s being pursued by the Saskatchewan Roughriders to take over as coach and general manager in Regina.
The last time an Ottawa team played in the Grey Cup was 1981, and a questionable pass interference call late in that contest foiled their chances of upsetting the Eskimos.
“It’s awesome. This is why you do it”, said head coach Chris Jones. “We’re extremely excited for the future in Ottawa. It’s still a little bit fresh, but that’s part of life and part of sports, and we’ll get back up and keep working”. On Thursday, head coach Rick Campbell (coach of the year), quarterback Henry Burris (outstanding player), receiver Brad Sinopoli (top Canadian) and SirVincent Rogers (lineman) were honoured at the league’s awards banquet.
The 30-year-old passer returned from a knee injury to guide the Eskimos to 10 consecutive victories culminating in the title clincher, in which he did not toss an interception against the CFL’s second-ranked defence.
Jordan Lynch scored from a 1-yard sneak with 3:17 left as the Edmonton Eskimos rallied to beat the Ottawa Redblacks 26-20 on Sunday for their 14th Canadian football Grey Cup title.
Jones said on Sunday night that if Reilly had stayed healthy at the end of 2014 season, the Eskimos might have won the Grey Cup previous year. But we will be back.
“It’s something that’s special and something I’ll never take for granted”. “I can promise you that”.
Reilly, voted the game MVP, passed to running back Akeem Shavers for the two-point convert. He said the Eskimos’ approach to practice and the confidence that’s instilled in them in close situations is what’s led to their fourth-quarter success and their winning streak.
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But in keeping with the Redblacks sensibility, there was also a sense of accountability. I want to keep that team all my career long.
