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Nov 24, 2014

Ten players to watch in the Grey Cup

As part of our coverage leading up to the 102nd Grey Cup in Vancouver, TSN.ca takes a look at 10 players that figure to play a prominent role in the outcome of Sunday's game.

 

Bo Levi Mitchell
Bo Levi Mitchell

Quarterback, Calgary Stampeders

  • Comp/Att
    264/417
  • Yards
    3,389
  • Touchdowns
    22
  • Interceptions
    8
Mitchell's first season as a starter is already one to remember, it could go down in the history books if he caps it off with a Grey Cup win. Mitchell led the Stampeders to a league-best 15-3 record in the regular season before making his first postseason start last week against the Edmonton Eskimos last week in the Western Semi-Final. Any concerns of the third-year pro faltering in the spotlight were quashed when he went off for 336 yards and four touchdowns.
Zach Collaros
Zach Collaros

Quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  • Comp/Att
    279/424
  • Yards
    3,261
  • Touchdowns
    15
  • Interceptions
    9
Collaros' rise has been just as swift and effective as Mitchell's. After returning from head and back injuries and a stint on the six-game injured list, Collaros led the Tiger-Cats to an 8-3 second-half record and East Division title. Collaros was mistake-free in his first ever playoff game, throwing for 200 yards in Hamilton's Eastern Final victory over the Montreal Alouettes. Like Mitchell, he has a chance to get a jump on the recent crop of talented young QBs entering the league with his first Grey Cup win Sunday.
Jon Cornish
Jon Cornish

Running back, Calgary Stampeders

  • Att
    139
  • Yards
    1,082
  • Avg
    7.8
  • Touchdowns
    6
Cornish is the best running back in the CFL and has been for a number of years now. Despite playing in only 10 games due to injury this year, Cornish led the league in rushing by more than 150 yards. The former Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian will enter the Grey Cup in full health as he proved with his 174-combined yards and two- touchdown performance against the Eskimos in the Western Final.
Brandon Banks
Brandon Banks

Kick Returner, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  • Kick Returns
    30
  • KR Yards
    701
  • Punt Returns
    60
  • PR Yards
    618
  • Touchdowns
    2
No one player suiting up in the Grey Cup can change the momentum of a game faster than Brandon Banks. The part-time receiver and fulltime electrifying kick returner showed how much of a game breaker he can be against the Alouettes in the Eastern Final, returning two punts for touchdowns and having a third one called back. It's unrealistic to think Banks will be that successful Sunday against the Stamps, but he'll go a long way in helping Hamilton win the field position battle.
Shawn Lemon
Shawn Lemon

Defensive End, Calgary Stampeders

  • Tackles
    31
  • Sacks
    13
  • Interceptions
    1
  • Forced Fumbles
    0
Hamilton's offensive line has been shaky at times this season and Lemon will look to strike from his spot on the defensive line. Lemon was tied for second in sacks this season with 13, however, had it not been for an injury to teammate Charleston Hughes, who had eight sacks in just 12 games played, Lemon may have fallen to third amonst league leaders.
Luke Tasker
Luke Tasker

Wide Receiver, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  • Recpetions
    72
  • Yards
    937
  • Avg
    13.0
  • Touchdowns
    5
Tasker led the Tiger-Cats in receptions and yards during the regular season and was clearly one of Collaros' most-trusted, if not his favourite, target this year. The duo clicked again during the Eastern Final with Tasker leading all Ticats' receivers with five receptions and 80 yards. The one receiver that could challenge Tasker as Collaros' go-to guy is slotback Andy Fantuz. Fantuz suited up for the Eastern Final but played sparingly and was held without a catch. If he's ready to take on a bigger role come Sunday, it will be a big boost for Hamilton.
Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith

Defensive Back, Calgary Stampeders

  • Tackles
    85
  • Sacks
    1
  • Interceptions
    2
  • Forced Fumbles
    0
Brandon Smith leads a strong Stampeders' secondary that hopes to make Collaros' second career playoff start much rougher than his first. Smith is one of three West Division All-Stars in Calgary's secondary, alongside cornerback Fred Bennett and fellow halfback Jamar Wall. While both Bennett and Wall finished with more interceptions than Smith, Smith was the tackling machine, finishing third in the league with 86.
Simoni Lawrence
Simoni Lawrence

Linebacker, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  • Tackles
    78
  • Sacks
    3
  • Interceptions
    2
  • Forced Fumbles
    2
Kory Sheets had a lot to do with the Tiger-Cats poor showing in last year's Grey Cup. The veteran running back gashed Hamilton's defence for nearly 200 yards on the ground in Saskatchewan's 45-23 win. Now the assignment gets even harder with Cornish lining up in the opposition backfield. The Ticats defence is much improved from a year ago however, and Lawrence should lead a unit that has more success, even against a better back.
Rene Paredes
Rene Paredes

Kicker, Calgary Stampeders

  • Made
    33
  • Attempts
    45
  • Percentage
    73.3
  • Long
    47
One year after putting together one of the best professional seasons for a kicker ever, Paredes struggled mightily. His field goal percentage dropped 20 points (from 94.7 to 73.3) and he failed to connect on a field goal from 50 yards or longer. If the game is close, the difference could be between 2013 Rene Paredes or 2014 Rene Paredes showing up.
Delvin Breaux
Delvin Breaux

Defensive Back, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  • Tackles
    33
  • Sacks
    0
  • Interceptions
    1
  • Forced Fumbles
    1
Breaux doesn't have much statistics to highlight and that's a good thing. The shutdown defensive back isn't around the ball often because opposing quarterbacks don't dare to test him. With Mitchell coming off a huge game in the Western Final, the Ticats will have to rely on Breaux to eliminate one of Mitchell's targets on a consistent basis.