Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive tackle Gene Makowsky has already received his first blocking assignment for the Grey Cup in Toronto.

Beyond protecting quarterback Kerry Joseph from one of the CFL’s fiercest pass rushes, Makowsky will have to block out all the distractions that accompany the league’s showcase event — from national media scrutiny to the pressure associated with playing the biggest game of his career.

“It’s part of the job,” offered the soft-spoken Makowsky while watching a group of reporters circle fellow O-lineman — and media darling — Mike Abou-Mechrek. “Guys like Mike Abou, they relish that (spotlight). It’s part of what makes them tick. I’ve learned a lot from him this year. It’s something you have to deal with and it’s a part of being a pro. We have to really focus, but I don’t see that as being a problem with this team.”

It has been 17 years since the Roughriders last drank from the CFL chalice. Makowsky’s thirst is obvious, having spent his entire 13-year career tackling Saskatchewan’s playoff futility.

“You never know when you’re going to get there,” noted the longest-serving member of the Riders. “Who knows? We could get there the next five years (in a row) but you definitely can’t bank on that. It’s something you have to take advantage of, that’s for sure.”

If the Riders are successful, Makowsky can look forward to the end of an annual training camp ritual. Each spring, the veteran tackle is questioned about his ongoing playoff drought — and the seasonal odds of it culminating with a long-awaited Grey Cup title.

“It’s what you play all year for and what you do all the hard work in the offseason for,” said the two-time CFL lineman of the year. “To have it pay off (with a trip to Toronto) is a real sense of accomplishment. It’s just a great feeling in general to get over that hump.”

There’s one more major hurdle left to clear: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Makowsky’s focus shifted to Sunday’s opponent as soon as he returned from an upset win over the B.C. Lions in the West final.

“You have to start thinking about it (right away),” he said. “You don’t want to lose this opportunity. It’s very difficult to get there so you have to realize that it’s not the end. We want to win our final game.”

Makowsky had the same goal back in 1997, his only previous visit to the Grey Cup. That year, however, the Riders were huge underdogs against the Toronto Argonauts.

“I’ve had the benefit of perspective because I’ve been in the league a long time,” he said. “It has been a long time since being there so you realize how important it is. Looking back on it, we definitely overachieved to get there (in ‘97). We wanted to win but we ran into a powerhouse team.”

Upon further reflection, Makowsky conceded that — after orchestrating two straight playoff upsets in ‘97 — the Riders may have been happy to just play in the big game.

This time, they’re in Toronto to win.

“That was then, this is now,” added Makowsky.

“This year we were pretty good in the regular season and we did play a home playoff game so I don’t think it was a total shock for us to get there. Hopefully things will go our way this time.”