Omarr Morgan at Roughrider practice on Thursday.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post
REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders cornerback Omarr Morgan is off to a running start this season, but he also knows how to pace himself for the finish line.
"This is a marathon — it's not about how you start it's how you finish," offered the 10-year CFL veteran, who had two interceptions, six tackles and a fumble recovery in Saskatchewan's 28-24 season-opening win over the B.C. Lions on Friday. "I just wanna win a Grey Cup, by any means necessary. I'm out there playing as hard as I can. I may not practise as hard as everybody but I play like I'm never going to play again. Every time I'm out there, every snap, it's (like) my last play. I want to get a Grey Cup."
"This is a marathon — it's not about how you start it's how you finish," offered the 10-year CFL veteran, who had two interceptions, six tackles and a fumble recovery in Saskatchewan's 28-24 season-opening win over the B.C. Lions on Friday. "I just wanna win a Grey Cup, by any means necessary. I'm out there playing as hard as I can. I may not practise as hard as everybody but I play like I'm never going to play again. Every time I'm out there, every snap, it's (like) my last play. I want to get a Grey Cup."
The CFL's Holy Grail is one of the few prizes that has eluded the four-time all-star, who spent the first seven years of his pro career in Saskatchewan before joining the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent in 2007. It was during that season that Saskatchewan ended its Grey Cup drought, leaving Morgan out in the cold. The 32-year-old re-signed with the Riders last season but once again fell short of his goal when the team lost to B.C. in the West Division semifinal.
Morgan is well aware that his window of opportunity to win a championship gets smaller with each passing year. In fact, Riders head coach Ken Miller was alluding to those Grey Cup aspirations when he stated following Friday's game that Morgan was "on a mission."
Morgan is well aware that his window of opportunity to win a championship gets smaller with each passing year. In fact, Riders head coach Ken Miller was alluding to those Grey Cup aspirations when he stated following Friday's game that Morgan was "on a mission."
"He's highly motivated to have a really good season," said Miller. "Some of our players are nearer the end of their career than the beginning so I think he wants to get it right this time."
Morgan is certainly off to an impressive start. His two interceptions marked the best single-game output of his CFL career while also matching his total from the three previous seasons combined — none in 2006, two in 2007, none in 2008. Morgan's career high was five picks in 2002.
"I've proven that my hands aren't that good," he said with a smile, noting that he "dropped a couple" last season. "You get those two picks, I guess you show people, 'Well, maybe he can catch.' But it's an 18-game season. Hopefully I can keep it going."
Morgan has never been known as a ball hawk, but he does have a reputation as a lock-down defender. It has been suggested that Morgan's lack of interceptions is a tribute to the fact that teams have shied away from his side of the field in the past.
Morgan has never been known as a ball hawk, but he does have a reputation as a lock-down defender. It has been suggested that Morgan's lack of interceptions is a tribute to the fact that teams have shied away from his side of the field in the past.
The Lions decided to challenge the savvy veteran on Friday — and they got burned.
"Any time you can take the football away from the opponent, those are big plays," noted Miller. "I would anticipate that he would have several more (this season)."
Morgan is hoping that's the case, but interception totals aren't the numbers that drive him — or inspire him.
"Any time you can take the football away from the opponent, those are big plays," noted Miller. "I would anticipate that he would have several more (this season)."
Morgan is hoping that's the case, but interception totals aren't the numbers that drive him — or inspire him.
"I'm not concerned about individual statistics; it's about winning games," he added. "If we would have lost that game no one would have even been concerned (about his stats). (B.C.'s Ryan) Phillips had two picks and no one cares. They lost. It's about winning. I just wanna win."
gharder@leaderpost.canwest.com
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