ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
MISSISSAUGA – At 33 years of age, with over 9,000 yards on his stats sheet and two Grey Cup rings on his mantle, Jeremaine Copeland is hardly giving way to the notion that his best days as a CFL receiver are behind him.
Copeland, who was acquired in a trade last season with Calgary to bring a veteran presence, leadership and production to a young Argos squad, signed a contract extension with Toronto Monday morning and was forthcoming and to the point as to why he chose to remain in Double Blue.
“Truthfully, it just came down to the fact that I truly feel, deep down in my heart, that we can win a Grey Cup here in Toronto,” Copeland said. “I know that we, as a team, have the chance to be Grey Cup Champions and that’s what this game is all about – being champions.”
Copeland was a major piece of a team that quickly turned their fortunes around after two dismal seasons. The club went a respectable 9-9 last season and surprised many by making it to the Eastern Final only to be humbled by the eventual Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes 48-17.
It’s a loss that still stings and one that Copeland would like to put behind him. Last year’s playoff loss is something that the 10-year veteran won’t forget and he now uses it to fuel him as he prepares for next season.
“That made me a lot [hungrier]. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth; getting beat like that. It felt as if we didn’t even show up. My fire-burning energy this off-season is that you know who is the dominant team in the East. It’s time to dethrone that giant. They have been running for a long time and I really believe that the Argos can be that next one.”
With the disappointment of the Montreal drubbing still fresh in his mind, it is not the only thing that Copeland is using as fuel as he tries to get back the form that saw him put together 1,000-yard seasons in two of the three campaigns prior to joining the Boatmen.
Copeland was still trying to find his groove in the Argos offence as they hit the first third of their season before an elbow injury forced him to miss five games. The only thing that hurt the veteran more than the injury was not being out on the field and contributing.
Copeland addresses members of the media after signing a contract extension with the Argonauts on Monday morning. CLICK HERE to watch video.
“When I got hurt, it was the first time that I had sat out five games. It was the first time I have ever had to sit out and watch from the sidelines so it hurt me. I feel like I let the fans down and I feel like I let my team down a little bit, so I expect to come back better than I was last year.”
It wasn’t until he got healthy that Copeland started to find his place in the offence, more as a reliable pass catcher rather than a deep threat.
“I really think that once I came back from my injury I started making strides,” he said. “I think that is where we want to start from the get-go [heading] into 2011 training camp. That is the reason that I am not worried and I signed back here: Knowing that this year is going be better than last year and anyone who expects anything different is foolish because I am bringing it all.”
With a new contract and a new sense of optimism for next year, Copeland affirmed that he has no intentions of slowing down nor letting his teammates allow for complacency to set in after a solid 2010 campaign. In fact, he suggests that with a contract that will see him through until he is 36 years old, this is just the beginning.
“It’s about winning championships. That is what this league is about and that is what my career has been about. I have got three years here and I expect to win one and maybe even two, and if three comes along so be it.”