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By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CST Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011

'Bigger than biggest' To say Pierre-Luc Labbe is treating the Grey Cup as the biggest moment of his career would be an understatement.

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'Bigger than biggest' To say Pierre-Luc Labbe is treating the Grey Cup as the biggest moment of his career would be an understatement.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/11/2011 (5299 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

‘Bigger than biggest’

To say Pierre-Luc Labbe is treating the Grey Cup as the biggest moment of his career would be an understatement.

It’s bigger than ‘biggest,’ if that’s possible.

In fact, the French Canadian linebacker is so ready for the matchup with the B.C. Lions that he’s admittedly become one of those guys who drives his roommate around the bend.

“I’ve been trying to stay calm and keep everything level,” Labbe said after practice Friday afternoon. “Chris Cvetkovic is my roommate and I’ve probably been driving him crazy with my demands. Turn off your cell phone, turn off that light, turn down the T.V. — anything that would keep me awake. I need to be ready.”

Labbe has been in such a zone the last few days that he worries if he’s expending too much energy thinking about — or trying not to think about — the game.

“I wish I could just shut my mind off sometimes,” he laughed.

Labbe has reason to be jittery. Winnipeg defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke inserted Labbe as the starting middle linebacker and over the last month, Labbe has found himself as an important piece of the Bombers linebacker package.

Labbe said the promotion energized him.

“This is the most important game of my life,” he said. “Last week was the most important game of my life, the week before that was the most important game of my life. That’s how it’s been for the last month. I’ve been playing a lot on defence and my role has been increasing week-to-week.

“To have a letdown now, as a team and for myself, would be… I don’t even know what. I don’t want to think about that.”

ROSTER MOVES

Defensive back Brandon Stewart (ankle) is out. His starting spot will be filled by Deon Beasley, with Darrell Pasco coming on the roster as a backup DB. Receiver Kito Poblah also draws back in, replacing fellow Canadian Jade Etienne.

BIG GAME

Winnipeg offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte, on what playing in the Grey Cup means to him as a kid from the Prairies (he’s from Weyburn, Sask.): “This game is a dream. That’s the best way I can put it. I remember being in college and watching all the Grey Cups, and we’d sit there watching, wondering what it would be like. To finally get here, it gives you goose bumps.”

NINETEEN

Winnipeg has scored 19 points in the last two Grey Cups. In 2001, the Bombers lost 27-19 to Calgary. In 2007, they lost 23-19 to Saskatchewan. Bottom line for Sunday: They need to score more or less than 19 points.

DRY SPELL

Winnipeg has gone 20 seasons without a Grey Cup victory. The Bombers beat Edmonton by 39 points in the 1990 game in Vancouver, in case you didn’t hear that this week. The last time (the only time) the Bombers and Lions met in a Grey Cup was in 1988. Winnipeg beat the Leos 22-21 in that game.

EXTRA POINTS

Quarterback Buck Pierce, defensive back Jovon Johnson and punter Jamie Boreham are the only Bombers with Grey Cup championships to their names. The Lions have 16 players with rings…Since beating B.C. 30-17 at Empire Field (Aug. 13), Winnipeg is winless against West division clubs (0-4)…Vegas still lists the Lions as seven-point favourites. The over/under comes in at 50.5 combined points.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca