The title says it all. And good on Jermaine Copeland for answering the bell. The Stampeders receiver was much maligned through the first half of the regular season, and for good reason. He wasn’t playing up to Jermaine Copeland standards, plain and simple. He was dropping footballs, and he wasn’t being utilized in the offence the way he had in the past. But Cope has stepped up in a huge way, and he’s a big part of why the Calgary Stampeders sit on top of the CFL right now.

Clearly the number 1 option for quarterback Henry Burris is Ken Yon Rambo. There is not 1 person who will dispute that fact. The numbers speak for themselves, as Rambo and Burris have turned into a lethal combination, and they’ll only get better season after season. And the ability Nik Lewis has shown to bust seemingly impossible big plays this year, and his game breaking ability, make him the 2nd option. But Jermaine Copeland has been right there, especially the last 5 games.

Take for example Calgary’s far-too-easy win over Saskatchewan last week. Copeland made 6 points all by himself…okay, with Hank’s help…by doing exactly what a good receiver does. As Henry Burris was flushed out of the pocket by the Riders, Copeland recognized, finished his sit route, and then executed a perfect scramble rule. He saw a soft spot in the corner of the end zone, and made a line to it, where Burris would eventually find him wide open for a major. Most fans only see the catch…but what lead to that catch is what sets the good receivers apart from the average ones.

Copeland is also a big part of this team in a non pass-catching ability. He’s the vet in the receiving core, not only on this team, but career wise. He’s been everywhere, from the SEC, to NFL Europe, Dallas Cowboys camp, Montreal and now Calgary. He knows the battles, and what to do in tough situations. Plus, the guy can trash talk and pump up a team like no other. To me, he’s always driven this core of elite receivers. And after being criticized (and fairly so) earlier this year, he’s also driving this team with his play on the field.

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