Surging Calgary Stampeders brace for tough rematch challenge from Blue Bombers in Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a load at home on any given football day.
Article content
Their ridiculously successful record on their own field the last four-plus Canadian Football League campaigns is proof of that.
Article content
But throw in a pinch of motivation — such as the vengeance they're likely to have on their minds over being dominated two weeks ago at McMahon Stadium — and the Blue Bombers are potentially fuelled to bring even more bite than usual to play the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
Article content
Article content
'Yeah … I call it a challenge,' said GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, with a chuckle, looking ahead to the rematch between his Stampeders (4-1) and the Blue Bombers (3-1) on Friday at Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium (6:30 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).
Article content
Article content
'It's a super big challenge.'
Article content
How big?
Article content
Included is a 2-0 mark so far this season, after 34-20 and 36-23 victories over the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks, respectively.
Article content
'I mean … we understand what they're about,' continued Dickenson. 'But we're going to focus on ourselves. Just make sure we show up, play a solid game where we don't make mental errors and play with poise and understand taking care of the football is priority one.
Article content
'If we do those type of things, we kind of let the result take care of itself.'
Article content
Article content
That was the case when the Stamps surprised the Bombers two weeks back in the Stampede Bowl.
Article content
The Red and White got out of the gate fast and did nearly everything right in riding to a 37-16 stampede of the five-time division kings.
Article content
'Of course we don't expect them to like us (after that game),' said Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. 'But that's another great opponent coming up for us— you know … five-time West (Division) champions.
Article content
'And they're at home — sold-out crowd — and they're coming off a bye, so they're going to be fresh and ready to go. So we've got to bring our 'A' game.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Second chance sweet for Lawson Jr.
Dexter Lawson Jr. could be the scratch to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' itch. The 25-year-old defensive back had just finished up a two-week stint with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League — about two hours north of his home in Bloomfield, Conn. — when the Bombers rang his line. Lawson, who was in training camp with Winnipeg this spring, was doing anything to stay ready for another opportunity, even if that meant playing the arena-based game for the first time. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Dexter Lawson Jr. said the timing of his inking a deal with the club 'worked out perfectly.' 'I said, 'Heck, why not?' I'm still active and things like that, just want to continue to run around and put the pads on while I wait for another opportunity to come around,' Lawson said earlier this week. 'That was my first experience in arena. It was different. It was a culture shock, to say the least, but it was definitely cool — another experience, another step in the journey. It's something I'm definitely appreciative of, because it's a part of my story. That's just the way the cards felt, and I'm just so grateful that I am where I am.' Perhaps that experience made inking a new contract with the Blue and Gold recently even sweeter. It's a scenario that Lawson said 'worked out perfectly,' as his last game with the Pirates was on July 25 and the Bombers called two days later to bring him back. A week later, Lawson is getting extensive run at field-side corner with the Bombers' first-team defence, signalling that he could be in line to suit up for the Bombers when they travel to face the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m. CT). Winnipeg's defence is allowing explosive plays at an exorbitant pace and searching for some level of consistency at field cornerback. It's possible that they turn to the third-year pro for the fix. 'We're fortunate,' head coach Mike O'Shea said about Lawson still being available. 'He's in good shape. He had good eyes and made a nice breakup ball (Monday), and he had another one (Tuesday), and he lays off because it's going to be a hell of a collision if he tries to pick it. But I thought he had a hell of a break (on Tuesday), and probably could have got one, which would have been nice.' Lawson is maintaining a professional approach in his second stint with the club. 'I'll just try to make everybody else's job a lot easier, because I know what I can do, and I think that's my biggest asset, is just understanding the jobs of the people around me, so that way I can help where I need to and scratch where it itches,' he said. 'Wherever the guys need me to be at or however I could take some stress off of their plate, especially if I feel like my job is a little less tedious than theirs, I try to help them in that way.' Those are sweet words to halfback Evan Holm, who has watched a revolving door of players at field cornerback over the last two weeks. Marquise Bridges, who was cut on Wednesday, started the first six games of the year but was benched halfway through the Bombers' Week 8 road contest in Toronto. Rookie Trey Vaval replaced him but got nicked up, which forced Bridges back into action. Last week, amid several changes in the secondary, Jamal Parker Jr. started but exited the game early with a leg injury. Vaval once again jumped into action. Now it's perhaps Lawson's turn. He has the experience and the versatility that, Holm explained, have made for an easy transition. 'He's played half before, too, so he knows my struggles or things that are tough for me,' Holm said. 'So then he can play corner to help me out, and then that makes us stronger together, where new guys, you don't know what you don't know until you make those mistakes. So it's nice to have him. He's really smart, he's seen a lot of football, so he can play with his eyes a little bit more.' Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger said Dexter Lawson Jr. 'was one of the tough cuts in training camp' as the defensive back had made 'a lasting impression.' Lawson, who said his versatility is one of his best skill sets, made nine starts at field-side halfback and another seven at field-side corner during his two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 29 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one interception. His traits were evident in training camp as he pushed for a roster spot in a crowded defensive back room. Lawson was among the last round of cuts entering the regular season. 'It was one of the tough cuts in training camp,' said defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger. 'At the time, we were set with the people we had, but he made, obviously, a lasting impression. He was able to play at multiple positions, so he fits that mould of the type of player we like: easy to get along, does the work, self-motivated, has the skill athletically and, now, there was just a need.' A mutual interest remained. Lawson said he knew someone would eventually reach out for his services, and it was a bonus that it was the Bombers. 'It was a good feeling. Just going in, I knew that this team, it felt different throughout training camp. I even stayed in touch with the guys throughout the beginning of the season, just being positive about everything and things like that. So everything just kind of worked out how it was supposed to,' Lawson said. 'It's hard to explain. I think from day one, when I came here, just all the team camaraderie, everybody just being together and moving as a family, on and off the field, I think it's something that I like to be a part of and probably is the reason why we are so successful the past few years.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Lawson said he will be ready if his number is called on Saturday. Second chances like this don't happen for everyone. 'I like to think that no matter what opportunity I am given, I like to take full advantage of it,' he said. 'I'm understanding of this professional world that at the end of the day, all you can do is control what you can control, and then things after that, they fall where they land. We've seen plenty of guys who felt like they were good enough, or whatever the case may be, but politics are politics and some things that you just can't get away from. So as long as I'm putting my best foot forward, taking advantage of every opportunity that I get, I can't be mad at myself.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bombers' Mitchell putting in the work
Take it as a sign or take it as a tease — Dillon Mitchell is getting his most valuable practice reps of the year. The fourth-year receiver, whose exclusion from the starting lineup has been one of the great mysteries of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' season thus far, has worked with the first team offence out of multiple looks in practice this week. It's the most extensive look he's received with the top unit since the first day of training camp. Since then, the 28-year-old spent the first eight weeks of the regular season on the one-game injured list (healthy scratch) before being moved to the Bombers' practice roster ahead of last week's contest. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dillon Mitchell (13) has run multiple snaps out of the slot this week at practice, indicating the wide receiver might see his first start in Blue and Gold in Saturday's contest. Mitchell, who had 1,896 yards and 12 touchdowns on 130 receptions during the first three seasons of his career with the Edmonton Elks, was paid handsomely ($148,000 in hard money and a $63,300 signing bonus) to join the Bombers in the off-season and looked like a shoo-in to be one of the starting receivers. When he arrived at training camp, admittedly not as mentally sharp as he should've been, Mitchell was bumped down the depth chart and hasn't climbed back up. Now, after multiple injuries to the receiving corps, he's getting a good look with the starting unit again, which at least puts him in the mix to suit up for Saturday's road game against the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium (6 p.m. CT). 'I think he's a really good teammate, a good guy,' quarterback Zach Collaros said Tuesday. 'I'm happy that he's here, and I was happy when we signed him in the off-season. So I'm happy for the opportunity that he might have this week as a receiver, I think he does some really good things to the field and the boundary.' 'He's played at a high level for a long time in our league, right? So I think experience is something that definitely matters, being out there and not having that deer-in-the-headlights look, I think, is an important thing.' After Dalton Schoen went down with a knee injury in Week 5, Mitchell didn't get a sniff at joining the starting offence. Instead, the Bombers went with second-year receiver Cody Kase. Two games later, Kase suffered a significant ankle injury. Once again, Mitchell was passed on, this time in favour of rookie fifth-round pick Joey Corcoran. Offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan said he didn't view Mitchell as a slot receiver at the time, and suggested the receiver wasn't versed enough with the waggle to make the impact that the team needed, despite Mitchell having 14 games of experience playing in the slot. However, this week, Mitchell has run multiple snaps out of the slot, which could point to a change of heart from the Bombers' coaching staff. 'I think everybody on our offence gets moved around and has turns waggling and not waggling, motioning in and out, so I don't see it as they changed their mind,' said head coach Mike O'Shea. 'He's been good. He's been accurate. He's been attentive in meetings, and learning, and asking good questions, and working hard at it. He's been putting in the work.' If it is Mitchell's time, Collaros believes he has enough rapport with the receiver to produce in a game, despite them playing on different units for much of camp and Mitchell being on the scout team since the regular season started. 'Looking back at training camp, there was a lot of moving… parts, for sure,' Collaros said. 'I mean, I don't feel like I got enough reps with anybody, but you never feel you get enough reps. So that was a long time ago, but Dillon has done a great job of learning what we're doing here. He, obviously, has a great rapport with Jarious (Jackson, quarterbacks coach), too, from being in Edmonton with him for all those years. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released Marquise Bridges (9) on Wednesday, a week after the defensive back was placed on the practice roster. 'Some of the things — and I'm speaking for him — some of the concepts and routes that we run, we can just say, 'Hey, it's like you did it this way in Edmonton,' so I think that helps. I think just getting used to a new setting for him and being around our locker room for this extended amount of time has been good.' 'He's a great player, and if he gets this opportunity, I think he's gonna do a great job,' Collaros added. Bombers release Bridges The Bombers released defensive back Marquise Bridges on Wednesday. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The second-year pro started six games at field side cornerback this season, recording 16 tackles and two interceptions. Bridges was expected to make a jump in his second year with the Blue and Gold after CFL all-star Tyrell Ford was signed by Edmonton in free agency, but a stretch of miscues led him to being benched in the club's Week 8 game in Toronto and then moved to the practice roster last week. Rookie Trey Vaval and recently signed third-year veteran Dexter Lawson Jr. have worked with the first team defence in practice this week. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Calgary Herald
4 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Calgary Stampeders in CFL's Week 10: QB Vernon Adams Jr. returns, as do Bombers
Article content Article content Regardless of who lines up Saturday for the Bombers, the Stamps insist they'll be ready. Article content Not only does Week 10 offer a few more days between games compared to previous weeks, allowing the Red and White a longer rest after their first two-loss run of the schedule, but the extra time off gave them an added day of practice to prepare for the affair. Article content 'We've played Winnipeg twice already,' Dickenson said. 'Not to say that we don't need to do different things and do some things to scheme them, but (the extra day) was more about ourselves and work on ourselves — and not even really about plays. It was about techniques and trying to get better at little, small skills. Article content 'Yeah, we used it as like a training camp or an extra day and really try to work on drill work, but also skills and also a couple things like situational football. Hope it pays off for us. You look around the league, and things do pop up sometimes that you forget. So you should cover these things a little bit more in detail, so that — hopefully — when it does happen to you, you're ready to go.' Article content Article content Short yardage Article content LS Aaron Crawford (knee) was also limited in Tuesday's session … DL Jaylon Hutchings (calf), DB Adrian Greene (lower leg), DB Tyler Richardson and DB Ben Labrosse (hamstring) have not practised this week … The Stampeders signed Canadian DL Kyle Samson, a second-round 2024 draftee by the Blue Bombers, and placed him on their practice roster. Samson, who was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats earlier this year from the Bombers, was a two-time Canada West all-star and a two-time second-team all-Canadian with the U SPORTS' UBC Thunderbirds. He counted 76 career tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss, and added eight sacks and one interception and was part of the Thunderbirds' Canada West championship team in 2023 … American DB Bentlee Sanders has been released from the practice roster. Sanders played 16 games and made 10 starts as a rookie for the Stampeders in 2024, recording 45 tackles and one interception. He did not see any game action this season.
