HEAD COACH DAVE DICKENSON ON OTTAWA REDBLACKS:

“We’ve got a great opponent. Watching that game (the Eastern Final), they played an outstanding game. They looked great on all three phases, they’re gelling, they’re playing really well. Ultimately we’ve had some good battles with them in the past, as well, and we know we’ll have to play better to beat them, so we’ve got to up our game and we’re looking forward to that opportunity.”

DICKENSON ON A DIFFERENT MENTALITY THIS GREY CUP:

“It has felt different this year, we’re working extremely hard – not that we didn’t (last year), but we’re trying to still find out who we are as group, trying to find out what the right mix is. I don’t feel like we’re maybe as scary on offence but we’re starting to find the right guys that still give us a chance to win. It may be a different feeling, there’s no overconfidence – and if there was it could’ve certainly been in the past … But we know we’re going to have to work hard and play our best to win, that’s how it should be in a championship game.”

BO LEVI MITCHELL ON LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST TWO GREY CUPS:

“I think we felt as if the West final was the Grey Cup and we could take care of whoever showed up that day. And learned a lesson. That’s the biggest thing – failure’s going to happen in life but as long as you learn from it you can change the future. Last year, I think we were very well prepared but just got outplayed.”

D-LINEMAN JUNIOR TURNER ON STAMPS D IN WESTERN FINAL:

“Coach Corey Mace got us right, he worked on some stuff that he thought would be good for us this week in practice. We did those little things that he wanted us to focus on and I think those were the difference in the game. We had a great game plan, a great week of a prep, Dickey had us locked in throughout the week – I think it’s just a testament to our coaches and going out and executing our game plan as a unit.”

DICKENSON ON HOME PROVINCE ADVANTAGE:

“We’re excited to have it in the west, it’s something that we’re familiar with … Should have a great chance for our fan base and anyone else who wants to get up there. We’re looking forward to a great atmosphere, but we’re looking forward to just trying to accomplish something this team has been striving for not only this year, but the last couple of years. We feel like being in Alberta should help us – I do at least.”

DB BRANDON SMITH ON TAKING OVER ESKS’ DRESSING ROOM:

“It’s gonna be great. We’ve never been in that dressing room. Just to go up there and play the biggest game of the year in that dressing room is gonna be a good deal.”

MITCHELL ON ALEX SINGLETON’S SURE HANDS:

(Smiling) “I was so frightened. I mean, as a football player you’re watching the onside kick and you’re trying to (figure) out where they’re going to kick it. I saw (Rashaun) Simonize and Darvin Adams come over to the boundary like that and I was like: ‘Oh, well, they’re definitely kicking it to those two.’ That’s the way they wanted you to think, then pop it up into the middle. A great play by a middle linebacker to catch the ball That’s Alex. He’s an MOP-type player who makes plays when they need to be made.”

SMITH ON HIS DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD MATES:

“We have a competitive DB group. We accept any challenge put out there. We’ve been tested the last few weeks of the season and going into these last few games we knew the games would have to be won in the secondary; if we limited the passing yards and the touchdowns we liked our chances. Everybody accepts their role. We’re out there working hard. We meet with each other and talk about scenarios, what we’re going to see and how we’re going to play certain situations. Everybody’s buying in and we’re gelling right now.”