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VANCOUVER — With a smile, and a shake of his head, Janarion Grant says there’s nothing private for him about Sunday’s Gray Cup recreation despite the fact that the CFL’s high punt returner might be dealing with his outdated crew when the Toronto Argonauts play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Place Stadium.
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No ideas of revenge, possibly vindication?
“It’s not private,” Grant mentioned throughout Wednesday’s media day. “It’s one other Gray Cup recreation. I’m blessed to be a part of it. I’m simply able to go to work.”
Grant spent 4 years with Winnipeg, profitable Gray Cups in 2019 and 2021. In 41 regular-season video games the slippery 30-year-old from Fort Trilby, Fla., scored eight touchdowns on kick returns, making him the franchise’s all-time chief.
Even when the Bombers allowed Grant to turn out to be a free agent final winter he didn’t take it as a snub.
“It was a enterprise deal,” he mentioned. “It occurs. You simply transfer ahead.
“The blokes know the way I’m and the way arduous I work. They know I’m able to play.”
When Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie realized Grant was obtainable he inspired common supervisor Michael (Pinball) Clemons to signal him.
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“I didn’t perceive why he was a free agent (however) I informed Pinball, let’s get him in right here,” mentioned Dinwiddie.
Grant didn’t disappoint. He returned 67 punts for a league-leading 989 yards and three touchdowns in the course of the common season. He additionally was second in kickoff returns with 1,000 yards and a landing.
“He’s modified some video games together with his explosiveness on particular groups,” mentioned Dinwiddie. “Have a look at his season, it’s most likely three or 4 video games he actually impacted. If it wasn’t for his efficiency, we’re most likely not sitting right here at this stage.”
Grant performed a task in Toronto’s 30-28 win over the Montreal Alouettes in final weekend’s East Closing. With the Argo’s trailing 16-7 late within the first half, he picked up a bouncing ball off a punt and returned it 71 yards for a landing.
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Grant has a historical past of playoff heroics. As a Bomber, he returned a punt 92 yards for a landing in Winnipeg’s 2022 West Closing win over the B.C. Lions.
Per week later, within the Gray Cup in Regina, Dinwiddie had a front-row seat when Grant returned a punt 102 yards for a landing. The play, early within the fourth quarter, regarded to clinch the win for the Bombers however the Argos battled again for a 24-23 victory.
“It was undoubtedly a spotlight,” Grant mentioned about his Gray Cup landing. “I’m all the time pondering, each time I contact the ball, I can do it.”
Grant is a compact five-foot-nine and 157 kilos. He isn’t a bruising runner that plows by means of individuals. As an alternative, he makes use of his pace and stealth to go away tacklers greedy at air.
He says imaginative and prescient and endurance are necessary components for a returner’s success.
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“You must keep targeted, even when one thing dangerous occurs,” mentioned Grant. “Simply being on the market and make a special one play at a time. You understand the following play you’re going to make a distinction.
“There’s undoubtedly endurance. If one thing doesn’t occur proper approach, you take a look at movie. That’s why we’ve got the iPads on the sideline.”
The Argos completed second within the East this yr with a 10-8 document however head into Sunday’s recreation as heavy underdogs. With beginning quarterback Chad Kelly out with a severe leg damage, veteran Nick Arbuckle would be the starter.
For a person who could make numerous noise on the sphere, Grant is quiet and soft-spoken. Dinwiddie says he has the “finest smile on this planet.”
Toronto linebacker Wynton McManis believes that it doesn’t matter what Grant says publicly, he desires to make a press release in opposition to the Bombers.
“You simply need to win,” mentioned McManis. “You need to get again on the different crew at the back of your thoughts, however you don’t let that overcome you, don’t let it overtake you.”
Grant mentioned his focus is to win the Gray Cup. It simply occurs to try this, he has to beat his outdated crew,
“We received this far,” he mentioned. “We all know we will do higher. We’re undoubtedly not happy.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Nov. 12, 2024.
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