Two weeks ago Ryan Dinwiddie probably didn’t think he would be the centre of the Canadian Football leagues attention; such is the lot of the back up quarterback. He probably was banking on soaking up the Grey Cup atmosphere, should his Winnipeg Blue Bombers prove victorious, a chance to study, learn and enjoy the great festival that Grey Cup can be.
But in the amount of time that it takes to rush through an offensive line, Dinwiddie’s future became a whole lot more interesting.
As has been chronicled repeatedly over the last seven days, Kevin Glenn’s stellar year came to a sudden stop during last Sunday’s eastern final, when Kevin Eiben landed on Glenn’s left arm and knocked him not only out of the Eastern final but out of today’s Grey Cup.
From that point on, Dinwiddie, an unknown quantity to all but his team mates suddenly became the subject of the greatest obsession in recent CFL years, an examination of his less than prolific CFL career thus far and a non stop questioning of whether he has what it takes to bring a Grey Cup to Winnipeg.
It must be a bit overwhelming for him, having gone from no interviews to the subject of the media spotlight in the most important week in Canadian football.
His team mates, and coaches have done their best to insulate him from all the hoopla and background noise of the Grey Cup, Kevin Glenn has done his part, offering support, guidance and a bit of deflection for the media hordes.
But in the end, it will be what Dinwiddie can do between the lines on Sunday afternoon; he has the same arsenal that Glenn used all year, Roberts, Stegall and a host of others ready and willing to share the load of a rookie Quarterback thrust into the biggest game of the year.
There’s precious little film for the Riders to watch in preparation, instead they will have to concentrate on stopping the usual suspects of the Winnipeg attack. And of course pressuring the Bombers QB will be a priority for a rather intense rider front line.
In any sport, but especially in football the dream of every kid growing up is to be the one player that can make a difference to lead your team to victory, to throw the winning pass, score the winning touchdown.
Ryan Dinwiddie gets to live that dream on Sunday, an opportunity that has presented itself in a most remarkable fashion, should the Bombers leave Rogers Skydome victorious on Sunday night, the legend of Ryan Dinwiddie may be yet another chapter in a colourful CFL history.
One week ago nodbody knew who Ryan Dinwiddie was, in less than twelve hours he can do an awful lot to change that forever.
Winnipeg Sun--The Daily Dinwiddie
Winnipeg Sun--Bombers are sticking to their game plan with Dinwiddie
Winnipeg Sun--Can the kid be alright?
Globe and Mail--Backstage to centre stage
Sacramento Bee--Home Cookin': Dinwiddie seeks gold in Grey Cup
Montreal Gazette--Bombers' nomadic QB gets opportunity of a lifetime
Vancouver Province--Ryan Dinwiddie is more than a curious name
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