A Case Of Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

Its a question Rider fans have asked in the wake of Sunday's soul-crushing loss. What happens if no penalty is called on Damon Duval's first kick. TSN's Paul Hoogkamp gives his rather accurate assessment....

Oh, what a difference one play makes.

On Damon Duval's second field goal attempt in Sunday's Grey Cup, the Montreal kicker split the uprights from 33 yards away to give the Alouettes a 28-27 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Calgary.

But what if the Roughriders had not been penalized for too many men on the field on his first attempt from 43 yards out? How would history have been changed if Duval's last kick of the season was wide right?

First off, RiderNation would likely just be waking up from the best party of the year. Actually, that may have been the case regardless of the outcome so that may be a moot point.

With two Grey Cup titles in three years, the Roughriders would be gaining the reputation as a team that can come up big when it matters most. Coming out on top of the heavily-favoured Alouettes would another feather in the cap of the little team that could.

Now, questions are being asked about how such a major gaffe could occur with the entire season on the line. Kudos to special teams coach Kavis Reed for stepping up after the game and accepting full responsibility, although there is plenty of blame to go around.

Darian Durant would be heralded as the quarterback of the future for many years to come after defeating Anthony Calvillo in the biggest game of the year. After going 4-0 as a starter last year, guiding the Riders to their first West Division title since 1976 and going 2-0 in the playoffs this year, he could have challenged Regina mayor Pat Fiacco in the next municipal election.

Now, he threw two interceptions in the second half, allowing the Alouettes to rally from a 16-point deficit and claim the title.

Wes Cates would likely be named the game's Most Valuable Player after compiling 91 yards on the ground and 34 more through the air, including a pivotal 26-yard scamper in the first half. Now, Cates' first half seems to be overshadowed by his lack of production in the second half, when the Riders needed a running game to put the game away.

Luca Congi would likely be named Most Valuable Canadian after connecting on four field goals in a winning effort. Now, he knows that he missed his first field-goal attempt, a 42-yarder that could have made the difference.

Receiver Andy Fantuz would be celebrated for his clutch catch before halftime at the 2-yard line that was challenged and overturned. It would be talked about as one of the plays that allowed Congi to provide the margin of victory in the end. Now, he is one member of the Canadian Air Force that was held in check.

For the Alouettes, it would have spelled the end to another disappointing season. After a 15-3 regular season and a 56-18 drubbing of the B.C. Lions in the East Final, the Alouettes would be heading home on a quiet flight Monday with little more than family and friends to meet them at the airport.

After seven appearances in 10 years, the Alouettes would have extended their Grey Cup losing skid to five games and have just one Grey Cup title to show for their efforts. And the term 'chokers' would be sure to gather momentum among fans across the league.

Now, there will be a parade down Rue St. Catharines and the victorious Alouettes will be the toast of the town.

Hall of Fame quarterback Anthony Calvillo would have been answering questions about his inability to win the big one. His record in Grey Cup games would have fallen to 1-6 and perhaps thoughts of retirement would have crept into his head.

Now, he seems prepared to keep playing now that the monkey is off his back and a number of personal records appear to be in reach.

Head coach Marc Trestman will still get some attention from the NFL but his chances would likely have been slimmer with the knowledge that he had come up empty in two trips to the Grey Cup. Now, he's a winner who should get a lot of phone calls from NFL general managers.

Finally, Damon Duval would be living through some of the worst days of his life after missing a long, but makeable, field goal in the dying seconds. Comparisons to Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood and his failed 47-yard attempt in Super Bowl XXV would surely be made. And more attention would be brought to his struggles in the punting game, including a 7-yarder that led to a Luca Congi field goal in the second quarter.

Now, he will be riding in one of the first floats in Wednesday's parade and heralded as the man who provided the winning points in the 97th Grey Cup.

Oh, what a difference one play makes.