Eskimos, Redblacks arrive in Winnipeg for 103rd Grey Cup
Edmonton coach hopeful mild temperatures stretch into weekend for big game
The Eskimos beat the Calgary Stampeders 45-31 on Sunday in front of a crowd of34,414 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.Earlier that day, the Redblacksousted the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 35-28, earning the team its first appearance in the CFL championship game since 1981.
The Eskimos arrived in Winnipeg at about 5 p.m. CST and weregreeted by agroup of reporters and camera people huddled on the runway atWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.
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Head coach Chris Jones was pleased to see Winnipeg is enjoying some mild temperatures.
"Well, I've been here. This is my second time to be at the Grey Cup here in Winnipeg and it was about 30 Cthe last time I was here. This is a little bit better," Jones said, adding the team is looking forward to Sunday.
Jones said he has been reflecting on the team's loss in the championship game last year. The team is keento replace those memories, he added.
"You're only as good as your last game," Jones said."We've got one more game to finish what we started."
Eskimos defensive endOdellWillis said he was excited to be in Winnipeg.
"This is where we always wanted to be at the end of the season," Willis said."We're going to stay humble and try to get this W."
Eskimos quarterback Mike Reillysaid the team hasn't come this far to let up now.
"At the beginning of the season when we put our goals down on the sheet, it's not to make it to the Grey Cup, it's to win the Grey Cup,"Reillysaid. "We've still got another game and it's the biggest game of the year and it's against a very good opponent."
Celebrations following last Sunday's win against Calgary were prettytame, Reillysaid.
"I think guys weren't really even celebrating that much," hesaid."They were happy to be playing in this game, but we want to win this Sunday."
'Ready to play a good football team'
TheRedblacks arrived closer to 5:30p.m. CST. Head coach Rick Campbell said he's excited to be in Winnipeg representing Ottawa.
"We're thrilled to be here, but at the same time we'vegot a work day tomorrow,"Campbell said. "We're hoping to strike that balance of enjoying being here and being a part of this whole process, and at the same time getting ready to play a good football team."
Redblacks fullback Patrick Lavoie said the team is treating the game as business as usual.
"We're preparing ourselves the same way we did last week," Lavoie said. "Just staying focused on the game, on our job."
The forecast for Sunday's big game is sunny and 3 C.
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