Normally on the bye week, Marquay McDaniel will head back to Virginia Beach, Va., for some home-style R&R.

During this stretch of down time, however, he’s decided to stay put, chilling here in Calgary.

“I am re-laxing,’’ announces the super-dependable slotback. “I definitely feel 33, man. Different than I did last year. I’m going to put some work in but mostly I’ll be resting up.

“I wish I was as young some of these other guys. So I’ll just be getting these ol’ bones ready for the second half of the season.”

A soft chuckle of resignation.

“It goes by quick. Just yesterday I thought I was 27. Today I feel 33.”

Eight snags, 77 more yards and two excursions into the Toronto Argonauts’ end zone in the Stamps’ final game before the bye?

We should all look so creaky.

Marquay McDaniel had eight catches in Toronto in the Stamps’ final game before the bye.

In this life, you can count on three, not the standard two, things: Death, taxes … and on the plus side of the ledger, Marquay McDaniel.

Which is why two weeks ago the stat line of no completions – read: zero – to Robo-Catcher had more than a few compulsive Calgary Stampeder watchers falling away in a dead faint.

In a 60-point offensive pig-out against the Hamilton Tiger Cats, no less.

Imagine seven-time AL batting champ Rod Carew going 0-fer at the plate. Or Larry Bird failing to swish a single three-pointer from the corner on the parquet at the old Garden.

“That’s just how it goes sometimes,’’ reasons McDaniel. “Some games I’ll have 100 (yards), some games just a couple of catches. Marken (Michel) had a big game, which that was great to see.

“As long as somebody’s making the catches, I’m good.

“Man, all I care about are wins. Especially after the way our season ended last year.

“The game” – versus the Tabbies – “got out of hand early, I came out in the third quarter and we were running the ball good, so why change?

“I don’t worry about it too much. The game went by so fast. I didn’t even realize it until I came out and someone said ‘Don’t think you had any targets.’ I heard I had a streak of something like 76 games (with at least one catch).

“Hey, Bo (Levi Mitchell)’s gonna take what’s there. He’s going to the open man. I’ve never played quarterback so I’m never gonna question him, even if I think I’m open.

“Bo knows.”

Well, on a conscious mission of atonement or not, the Argos paid dearly Thursday for the previous week’s blanking, McDaniel was back to his customary influence in a 41-24 beatdown at BMO.

On his second major, catching the ball down the left sideline, the frisky veteran slammed on the brakes, nimbly sidestepping DB Cassius Vaughn, who skidded awkwardly past, then out-legged Brandon Harris into the end zone.

Marquay McDaniel celebrates a touchdown in Toronto. (PHOTO BY CANADIAN PRESS/NATHAN DENETTE)

Sublime.

In the doing, the Stamps improved to 5-1-1 and are starting to flex their pecs with a key date at BC next  up on the itinerary, Aug. 18. Over the past two games, they’ve gone all crazy, flipper-fingered pinball wizard and made the machine Tilt!, gorging themselves on 101 points.

“I thought we played pretty good (against Toronto) but we sputtered a bit on offence,’’ McDaniel reasons.  “Could’ve put up some more points. They were hanging around there for awhile.

“Other than that, we moved the ball good. We’ve just got to do a better job of putting the game out of reach.

“Once you get up that big, you start wanting to manage the game, kill some clock.”

That restless sense of dissatisfaction, despite gaudy numbers, has become a hallmark of the Red and White offence.

“We’re always concerned with being better. That’s what I love about this group. Look at Bo. He’s the leader and he just constantly wants to improve. That trickles down.

“You watch film and say ‘I could’ve done that better…’ We preach that to the younger guys and they’re right on board with it.

“Doesn’t matter how old you are.”

Even, yes, at a spritely 33.

Quiet. Efficient. Clinical. After a one-game blip, Robo-Catcher has begun piecing together a new, formidable games-with-at-least-one-snare streak.

“You always,’’ says McDaniel, “want to head into the bye week with a win. Sure does help you enjoy the time off.”

Whether you’re chilling here, Virginia Beach, Va., or somewhere on the surface of the moon.