Montreal Alouettes quarterback Kevin Glenn (5) throws the ball against the Ottawa Redblacks during first half CFL action on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Maybe it comes with being in the Canadian Football League for 16 years and suiting up for six different teams.
Yes, Kevin Glenn is comfortable enough in his own skin and has been around this wacky ol’ loop so long, he knows you should never be surprised by anything. And so when he got word Sunday night that he was on the move again – and back to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from the Montreal Alouettes – he was neither shocked, nor surprised.
In fact, given that he’s back in Bomber colours, he’s actually cool with it all.
“When you’ve been doing this for 16 years you always prepare yourself for these situations,” said Glenn Monday night, not long after arriving at Bombers HQ.
“My dad and – rest in peace – Jerry Maslowsky, would always tell me on the sly or behind the scenes, ‘You know you’re going to end up back in Winnipeg one day.’”
Kevin Glenn
I never took it serious, but sometimes that’s the nature of football – you stay one place and then you kind of venture off to other places. But I guess they knew something that I didn’t know.”
Glenn was acquired by the Bombers Sunday night from the Als for a fourth round draft pick next year, not long after Drew Willy was sent to the Toronto Argonauts.
In the process, the football club has not only landed a proven commodity to back up Matt Nichols, it is also bringing in a man who was this team’s starting quarterback for most of five seasons here (2004-08) and is third on the franchise’s all-time passing yardage list, behind only Dieter Brock and Khari Jones.
Glenn began the season as the Alouettes’ starter – he was one of the CFL’s top performers as recently as Aug. 19th when he threw for five touchdowns in a win over Ottawa – but as the Alouettes struggled since, the organization decided to hand the ball to Rakeem Cato, with prospect Vernon Adams also likely to get a look-see.
His exit from Montreal brought out some frustration on social media, both from himself and his teammates there, but Glenn opted not to go there upon his arrival in Winnipeg.
“There’s a number of things (that happened) and we don’t need to discuss that right now,” said Glenn. “The most important thing is that I’m here… back home, as everybody says. It feels good. It’s one of those things you know is right. You put everything into your faith and into the Lord and you say ‘just roll with it’ and ‘whatever happens, happens’ but it’s just one of those things that feels right.”
Glenn, who is 94-96-1 in his career as a starter and has a 94.0 QB rating this year after throwing for 2,547 yards with 13 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, prides himself on being a pro, a good teammate who won’t moan and groan about his place on the depth chart.
He’s also walking into a different situation with the Bombers, who are now 7-4 after racking up six wins, compared to the situation in Montreal where the Als are 3-8.
“People say ‘How can you go from one team to the next and play with that team?’,” said Glenn.
“Well, one thing that’s good about Winnipeg is I played most of my career here and I do have a special place in my heart for Winnipeg.”
Kevin Glenn
“We’re competitors, so whatever colour we suit up in and whatever guys are in that locker room, you want to go out and play well for those guys.”
Now 37, Glenn still feels he’s got lots to give to the Bombers. As a pocket passer with a quick release, his game doesn’t look a whole lot different now than it has over the last few years.
But again, having been around the block more than a few times means he is also mature enough to know what he needs to do to find a role.
“Right now, it’s anywhere I can help out, whether it’s on the sidelines or on the field,” he said. “Everyone will tell you, I’ve always been the complete team player. Whatever situation I’m in, whatever role I’m placed in I think I’m going to succeed in. That’s just my character, that’s just how I am. I’ve never had problems with players I’ve played with on other teams, whether it was defence, offence or special teams. I’ve never had a problem in the quarterback room, whether the team or the media was saying there was a quarterback controversy… I always looked at it as quarterback situations. I’ve always been the guy to support whoever has been playing.”
Glenn has been referred to as the best ‘insurance policy’ in the CFL, a term that former teammate Milt Stegall still trots out regularly.
“Milt has had a little bit to do with that… I mean, if we had an insurance business we’d probably make some money off that slogan,” said Glenn with a grin. “Being in this league and being a professional athlete for so long, all of that stuff is compliments.
“I think I’ve had a very successful career and it’s not done yet. There’s a lot of football out there for me. Those sayings and slogans… I don’t take personal. There’s memes out there now of my face on LeBron James’ body that says, ‘I’m coming home.’ It’s something about a book he wrote about coming back to Cleveland. All that stuff, I take as entertainment.”
What does Kevin Glenn have left to give, especially knowing that he is a free agent after this season?
“A lot,” he said. “Wins. Leadership. Experience. Mentoring the young guys. A complete team player. That’s what I was always built on, and that’s how I want to go out – as a complete team player.”
A day like Sunday, where the Blue Bombers, Argonauts and Alouettes get busy to make some significant trades involving two quarterbacks in Drew Willy and Kevin Glenn, three draft picks and a player who just served up a heckuva day on the field in T.J. Heath, means there are a lot of moving pieces and a lot of angles.
We’ve touched on the Glenn part of the story above, but here’s a snippet at some of the other key components of the trade(s).
DREW WILLY TO THE ARGOS
- What Toronto gets: A 29 year-old vet with a 12-21 record as a starter during his days in Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
Argos management, particularly head coach Scott Milanovich, loves Willy’s skill set, so much so that they parted with a first round pick next year and a third rounder in 2018.
“We’ve liked Drew for a while,” Argos GM Jim Barker told reporters in Toronto on Monday. “We’re playing to win a Grey Cup every year and we believe Drew Willy has the things that it takes long-term. My job is to give Scott options and I was not going to put us in a position where we’re in a stretch run, we’re hosting a Grey Cup and we don’t have quarterback options.”
The Argos, who are in Winnipeg this Saturday, did confirm that Dan LeFevour – who led the team to a win over Hamilton on the weekend – will take the first snap against the Bombers on the weekend.
But there’s no secret Willy, especially with Ricky Ray’s recent injury history, will soon move to the top of the Argo depth chart.
“I’ve been watching Drew for a while,” said Milanovich. “His first start in Winnipeg was against us and he played really well. I kept my eye on him. You get a feeling when you watch a guy play. You watch his skillset, his rhythm, his timing, his anticipation and, ultimately, his accuracy. All those things were appealing to me.”
“I don’t see Drew as a project. I see Drew as a bona fide, upper-tier starter.”
Scott Milanovich
Willy was actually watching the Argos-Ticats game at home in Winnipeg when Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea came to the door to break the news.
“Obviously there were some emotions… I’ve been through a lot with Coach O’Shea and I think so highly of him,” said Willy after arriving in Toronto early Monday. “But after that I got to talk to Mr. Barker and Coach Milanovich and I was pretty pumped to get out here to Toronto. They’ve done some great things with quarterbacks in the past and to be able to learn from a guy like Ricky Ray, who I have so much respect for and watching him ever since I got into the league… I think every quarterback would say how impressive he’s been.
“I’m just here to help in any way I can.
“I was surprised. But I’ve talked to enough quarterbacks around this league and they’ll tell you anything is possible at any time. I had just talked to Darian Durant after the game… you just try to stay focused and keep working and things will end up going the right way.”
Asked about what happened in Winnipeg, Willy – who tweeted out a thank you upon his exit – repeated the sentiment to Toronto reporters.
“We just got off to a slow start. We switched up some things and started playing well in all three phases, we’re getting a ton of turnovers on defence, taking care of the ball on offence and special teams was on fire. Things are going well there right now and a lot of those guys will be lifelong friends and I wish them all the best, all those coaches as well… management, support staff… everyone was good to me, along with the fans over there. I enjoyed my time in Winnipeg, the people were great. And now I’m looking forward to my time here in Toronto.”
THE TWO ARGOS DRAFT PICKS TO WINNIPEG
What the Bombers get: GM Kyle Walters was able to score a coveted first rounder in next May’s draft as well as a third rounder. Barring any future wheeling and dealing, Winnipeg will have two first round picks next year – this from a team that kept its first four picks from the 2016 draft in Michael Couture, Trent Corney, Taylor Loffler and Shayne Gauthier (currently injured) and 12 players from the last three drafts on its roster.
“Any time you can acquire draft picks,” said Walters, “that’s the currency in our league and we can continue to add Canadian depth.”
The Argos’ Barker on why he surrendered the two picks as part of the package for Willy:
“Any time you go get a quarterback you’re going to pay a price. We know the price was high. But the bottom line is you go out and you get what you have to get. Again, we’re trying to win Grey Cups here. We didn’t make this trade so we don’t win a Grey Cup or to throw us behind. We made this trade because we felt this is what makes us the best football team for now and in the future.
“Those are the decisions you have to make.”
THE BOMBERS’ FOURTH ROUND PICK IN ’17 FOR KEVIN GLENN
What the Alouettes get: At 3-8 Montreal has opted to move on from Glenn, as much to get answers about the other quarterbacks on their depth chart in Rakeem Cato and former Oregon star Vernon Adams as it was about creating some salary cap relief.
T.J. HEATH TO THE BOMBERS
What the Bombers get: Heath was spectacular in the Argos’ win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday – also his birthday – with seven tackles and two interceptions. He’s a versatile defensive back quick enough to play the boundary halfback position, but also physical enough that he took turns at the SAM linebacker spot.
Heath found out about the deal not long after the Argos win and was visibly upset as he told teammates post-game – with media still in the locker room. But he seemed cooler with the move on Monday.
And I can’t wait!!! https://t.co/E1iMv6dwiu
— T.j. Heath (@TjHeath34) September 12, 2016
If you thought I was on a mission before,just wait till I get into this blue and gold!!! #ImaBlueBomberNow
— T.j. Heath (@TjHeath34) September 12, 2016
“Losing T.J. was extremely difficult,” said Milanovich. “I love T.J., his teammates love him. I think he’s an excellent football player and a great person. When it gets right down to it, you’ve got to have great quarterback play to win in professional football and that’s all this is about. It had nothing to do with us not wanting T.J. – he’s going to be a great football player and we wish him the best. That what difficult to make that move, but you do what you think is right for your organization.”
