One quarterback has started for his team in 11 straight seasons, made seven Grey Cup trips and been league most outstanding player three times.
The other became the main man for his team this year and is participating in his first CFL title game.
Outside of their name recognition, you wouldn’t be able to tell which one was which based on their demeanours this week.
It’s not that Montreal Alouettes pivot Anthony Calvillo hasn’t shown the poise, patience and enthusiasm for having the spotlight on him during Grey Cup week.
It’s just that Saskatchewan Roughriders QB Darian Durant has done the same thing.
There was no evidence before last week’s West final victory over the Calgary Stampeders that the 27-year-old North Carolina product was up for the daily grind a Grey Cup appearance puts on a QB.
Durant answered all those questions about whether his play would measure up by knocking off the defending champions seven days ago.
Upon arriving in Calgary, Durant then answered thousands of questions about himself, the team, the league, his pre-game ritual … and in doing so answered the biggest question about his leadership.
“It’s part of the job and it comes with the territory,” Durant said during one of his five 30- to 45-minute media scrums this week.
“I don’t have a problem letting people know about Darian Durant. Not only is this for you guys, but it’s for the fans and anybody in the world who may get a chance to read about me.
“We’re always behind closed doors. To get what happened to you, your life story out there is a good thing.”
Calvillo had the same thing happen to him this week. Everything from his dietary changes to what happened to him in 1999 was discussed.
He’s been at the big show seven times in 10 years, so he knows how to play the media game. The 37-year-old has explained how in his first few Grey Cups, there were so many obligations from outside sources that he could often forget to eat.
Nine years after starting his first Grey Cup in Calgary, Calvillo is much more relaxed and confident in his ability.
It’s almost to the point now where it seems both quarterbacks will give their team a chance to win, and whichever team does, that QB will be the MVP.
The one thing that gets labelled on Calvillo is the 1-5 record in Grey Cups, but his teammates take responsibility for that.
“There’s been a lot of Grey Cups he’s played well and we just didn’t rally around to help him out,” said centre Bryan Chiu, who has played in each one with Calvillo.
“He is, by far, one of the best quarterbacks every to play this game. This whole team realizes the opportunity we have to ride the coattails of a future Hall of Famer.
“There’s no other quarterback in this league I’d want over AC. He’s the epitome of a professional and leads us like nobody knows.”
On every football team, the quarterback is supposed to be a leader. The Riders are clearly Durant’s team.
Although it was veteran left tackle Gene Makowsky who gave the team a post-practice speech yesterday at McMahon Stadium, even he agrees Durant will take the reins during the game.
“He’s a real mature guy,” Makowsky said. “A guy who gets it.
“He’s humble but confident at the same time. He’s wise beyond his years. He really cares about getting better and being a leader on the team.
“Guys follow him because of that.”
It would be heartbreaking to see Calvillo lose another Grey Cup, and it wouldn’t be for Durant.
Nobody knows if Calvillo will get another chance at one.
“If my career would to end today, I wouldn’t be disappointed with it,” Calvillo said. “How could you?
“You play for 16 years and you look back on things you accomplish that not many people have. I would walk away from this game a happy person.
“I’m fortunate to be able to have another opportunity to correct the record. It is a little blip on the radar chart. We’ve had many opportunities to bring the cup home and we haven’t done it.
“Overall, you are talking about six games of 250. I’m not disappointed with my career whatsoever.”
ian.busby@sunmedia.ca
