Latest news with #DillonMitchell
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- 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.
CTV News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Clock ticking on Edmonton Elks to string together wins and get into playoff position
Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Dillon Mitchell (17) during second half CFL football game action in Hamilton, Ont. on Saturday, August 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power The Edmonton Elks are aware, with one-third of the CFL season behind them, that they're in must-win territory to have a chance at the playoffs. The Elks (1-5) at home to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-2) on Saturday are coming off a comeback attempt that fell short in Regina. Edmonton running back Justin Rankin, held to zero yards on three carries in the 21-18 loss to Saskatchewan Roughriders last week, said losing in no longer an option. 'It is starting to come up on some must-win games,' Rankin said. 'It sucks that we're behind the 8-ball right now, but there's nothing we can do about it. The past is the past and all we can focus on is the present. 'We have no other option but to win. That should be the thinking every week but now it's more than before. Every week is a must win.' Despite their disappointing record, quarterback Cody Fajardo said the team remains 'unshaken' and steadfast in the belief that success is coming. 'The message is simple,' the quarterback said. 'One third of the season is over, there's nothing we can do about the past. All we have now is two-thirds of the season ahead of us. There's a path for us. 'We have to get hot, but there is a path for us. By no means is this season over.' Fajardo's 346 passing yards and strong fourth-quarter performance last week earned him a second straight start against the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who have won their last five games. Obtained in an off-season trade with the Montreal Alouettes, Fajardo said the Elks can build off their fourth-quarter momentum in Regina when Edmonton outscored the Roughriders 14-0 and he threw for a pair of touchdowns. To carry that momentum into Saturday requires a better run game that managed just 25 yards against Saskatchewan, and 20 of that on Fajardo scrambles. The Elks led the CFL in rushing last season. 'It's just time to jell, time to trust each other, time to get used to running this offence together,' Rankin said. 'It hasn't been where we want it to be but we're trusting and believing in the coaches and everybody to get it back to where it's supposed to be.' To get back to 2024 numbers will take a stout offensive line, said centre David Beard. 'Our responsibility is pretty clear. We have to execute what's called and we haven't done a good enough job yet,' he said. The Elks had averaged 106 yards per game before a poor rushing performance in Regina, where a lack of first-down gains left the offence second and long multiple times. 'We have to execute better, that's the reality of it,' said head coach Mark Kalim. 'Teams play good defence but there are times when we could do better, and we have to make the most of those opportunities.' That won't be easy against a Hamilton team that gave up less than 55 rushing yards in three of its five straight wins. The offensive line often gets blamed for an ineffective running game. When it allows eight sacks, as Edmonton's did in Regina, the spotlight feels hotter. 'We know we can play with anybody, but the hard part for us, as an offensive line, is we feel if we had played better it may have been three points the other way,' lineman Mark Korte said. 'You can say it's a bounce or two … but we have to find a way to get a win.' The Elks will be without linebackers Nick Anderson (groin) and Michael Brodrique (shoulder), defensive back Royce Metchie (ankle) and wide receiver Zach Mathis (back). This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025. John Korobanik, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
No Mitchell, again, for Bombers
Dillon Mitchell must be the next man up, right? Wrong. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are down two receivers — Dalton Schoen (knee) and, most recently, Kody Case (leg) — and they still won't dress their prized free agent signing. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Despite the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' high-priced investment in the off-season and current injuries to starters, the club is yet to move receiver Dillon Mitchell (13) from the practice roster. Instead of rolling with Mitchell in Friday night's rematch with the Toronto Argonauts at home, the Bombers have opted to start rookie Canadian Joey Corcoran at slotback. Mitchell, 28, signed a one-year deal in the winter worth $148,000, including a $63,300 signing bonus, and has yet to play a snap for the Blue and Gold. 'What you pay a player to get them here doesn't guarantee them anything,' O'Shea said on Thursday. 'I think that is a misnomer you hear often in the media where, 'He was paid this much so he must be a starter.' I don't know why (that is) I have never even thought of that. We pay guys, and from there we look at what is best on game day.' Mitchell, a seventh-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2019 NFL draft, caught 58 passes for 727 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Edmonton Elks. He was brought in to help fill the void at the 'X' spot (wide receiver) left by Kenny Lawler who signed in Hamilton, but he struggled in training camp and lost the job to second-year Bomber Keric Wheatfall. 'I am sure he is not happy about not playing, but he is terrific as a pro, all the guys are,' O'Shea said. 'You don't want players that are just happy to not play. You want them to be hungry and work for it and all that stuff. We have a locker room full of those guys who don't get to play. It doesn't mean they aren't good players, but this is how we see the roster right now.' While Mitchell has mostly played wideout in his career, he does have experience with the waggle and playing out of the slot. Mitchell has been demoted to the practice roster and wasn't made available to chat to media on Thursday. 'We see Mitchell best suited for the position Keric Wheatfall is playing,' said O'Shea. 'And so, do you move Wheatfall to a position that he is not suited for either or do you put guys in a position where they are not, possibly, going to thrive as well?' Corcoran, a Montreal native, is a fifth-round pick out of New Hampshire where he had 459 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a senior. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Instead of rolling out Dillon Mitchell in Friday night's rematch with the Toronto Argonauts, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have opted to start rookie Canadian Joey Corcoran (81) at slotback. The 24-year-old caught four balls for 25 yards in last week's 31-17 loss in Toronto. He'll be backed up by former Manitoba Bisons standout Gavin Cobb. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Corcoran is (in because of) his desire and willingness to block, get his hands dirty and play special teams,' O'Shea said. 'It is the (style of) football we like.' It isn't a ratio thing. The Bombers already have eight Canadian starters in place and passed over Mitchell last week in favour of Case, a second-year player who had one catch for five yards in three games as a rookie. Regardless of what the reason is, Corcoran is motivated to make the most of the opportunity. 'I think we're all very talented receivers,' said Corcoran. 'I'm just happy they trusted me.' Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor 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.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dillon Mitchell becomes latest player to join Rick Pitino's squad at St. John's
FILE - Cincinnati forward Dillon Mitchell (23) looks to shoot during an NCAA college basketball game against Howard, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, FIle) Cincinnati forward Dillon Mitchell is the latest player to join Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino at St. John's, the Red Storm announced Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 Mitchell averaged 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds last season for the Bearcats. He ranked 10th in the nation with 66 dunks. Advertisement Before his single season with Cincinnati, Mitchell spent two seasons with Texas. He has averaged 7.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game over his career. 'We are thrilled to have Dillon Mitchell join our basketball family,' Pitino said in a statement. 'Pound for pound, inch for inch, (he is) one of the hardest working and most productive players in the nation. He brings great experience and talent to our team.' Earlier this week, the team announced that it had added North Carolina guard Ian Jackson. Mitchell and Jackson join Stanford guard Oziyah Sellers, Arizona State guard Joson Sanon and Providence forward Bryce Hopkins as notable players who have transferred to St. John's this offseason. Advertisement St. John's had one of its best seasons in Pitino's second year at the helm. The Red Storm went 31-5, matching a school record for wins, and finished first in the Big East at 18-2 before winning the conference tournament. St. John's earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and beat Omaha before losing to Pitino's old nemesis John Calipari and Arkansas. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell commits to St. John's
April 23 - Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell committed to St. John's on Wednesday for the 2025-26 season. Mitchell, a top 5 prospect in the Class of 2022, is the fifth player St. John's head coach Rick Pitino has snagged from the transfer portal. "We are thrilled to have Dillon Mitchell join our basketball family. Pound for pound, inch for inch one of the hardest working and most productive players in the nation. He brings great experience and talent to our team," Pitino said in a post to X. Mitchell joins fellow transfers Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Joson Sanon (Arizona State) and Oziyah Sellers (Stanford) at St. John's. Pitino also returns All-Big East forward Zuby Ejiofor from last year's team. A 6-foot-8 forward, Mitchell averaged 9.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 35 starts for the Bearcats in 2024-25, his first season in Cincinnati. He played his first two seasons at Texas. He averages 7.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in 107 career games (106 starts) for the Longhorns and Bearcats.
