OTTAWA – The big man with the rolling shoulders, slightly askew ball cap and voice that should be trademarked by Cadbury chocolate loves them all, each and every one, as if they were his own kids.
Alex Singleton and Josh Bell. Jameer Thurman and Micah Johnson. Ciante Evans and Tommie Campbell and Shaq Richardson. All the rest.
His guys.
But there’s invariably one offspring in every family that, for various reasons, the patriarch takes a special shine to, is especially happy for when he/she excels.
“Wiggo,’’ replies DeVone Claybrooks. “Gotta be Wiggo.”
Derek Wiggan starts on the interior of the Stamps’ bounty-hunting defensive line today at TD Place Stadium in the 105th Grey Cup, entrusted with stuffing Toronto Argos’ tailback James Wilder at the point of attack and turning up the brazier on the ageless happy camper from Happy Camp, Calif., Ricky Ray.
A year ago Grey Cup-time, in Wiggan’s hometown of Toronto against Ottawa, Junior Turner held dibs on the inside spot beside Johnson, but the-then second-year man from the Queen’s Golden Gaels program rotated in often that afternoon.
“Honestly, I’ve never thought starting was that big a deal,’’ admits Wiggan. “I played a lot last year.
“The only thing different is that now that I’m the starter, not the relief pitcher, I’ve gotta set the tone. I know I have to come in hot right off the bat.
“This game, for me, is validation. For all the work I put in over this year, and all the heartbreak we experienced last year.
“That loss (39-33 in OT to the Redblacks) affected me. A lot. Just kinda kicked me in the stomach. We were supposed to be this all-world team but in football if you don’t execute the way you’re capable, you’re in trouble.
“That game, the way it turned out, kinda changed my mentality. Reinforced to me that you’ve gotta be prepared every time. You can’t just show up and win. You’ve gotta put in the work during the week and execute when it matters.”
Derek Wiggan stops Toronto’s Brandon Whitaker at McMahon Stadium back on Aug. 26. (Larry MacDougal/CFL Photo)
On a defensive line littered with individual accomplishments and star-power, Wiggan finds himself often overlooked.
“I heard Matt Dunigan or somebody mention his name on TV once and I was so excited,’’ Claybrooks confesses. “I’m like: ‘Finally! Somebody noticed. About time.’
“He’s been our Silent Assassin all year.
“You hear about Charleston, you hear about Micah, you hear about J.D. But (Wiggan) goes unnoticed on a lot of plays, taking on double teams so those guys can be 1-on-1 and able to do what they do.
“That’s why he’s our unsung hero. He’s taking on doubles and Alex (Singleton) is making tackles. He’s taking on doubles and those three guys are at nine sacks or over.
“The common denominator is him and he don’t get the respect or the credit he deserves. I think he’s one of the better nose-guards in the league.”
A lack of recognition isn’t a concern to the one being overlooked. Wiggan seems quite content to be a gear in the mechanism.
“I don’t need outside love to validate my play,’’ he says. “I know I’m out there with a lot of great players. It’s more about the collective.
“As long as we’re getting wins, that’s good enough for me.
“I’m just happy to be a part of this. You look at the amount of guys that came in and not only played, but played well, after injuries.
“When Mayo went out Malik stepped up, then Malik went out and Thurm stepped up. It was like that across the board. James Vaughters coming in. Tunde. This is such a deep defence.
“Everyone’s a part of the success.”
Defining success on Grey Cup day, as always, will be forged along the offensive and defensive fronts, in the trenches.
“Toronto,’’ praises Wiggan, “has a very good defensive line. What makes us different, though, in my opinion, is our hustle to the ball. We don’t just sack the quarterback and play the run well, we take off after screens, tackle guys downfield … effort to the ball, that’s what separates us from any D-lines and is going to be the difference in this game.”
No. 97, whether or not any outside love is forthcoming, will have his quiet say.
“Just goes about his business,’’ praises Claybrooks. “And that’s the highest accolade you can receive, believe me. No ‘Woe is me …’ He knows everything, acts as the quarterback of the D-line.”
Claybrooks flashes a mischievous, rabble-rousing smile.
“None of them know nuthin’ ‘cept for him.
“Always lugging his lunch pail. Always first one in, last one to leave. Never gripes. Listens, learns. Is anxious to improve his craft.
“As a coach, you can’t ask for a better player.”