Latest news with #NicDemski
CBC
9 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
Bombers' star RB Brady Oliveira still a question mark for rematch with Lions
Social Sharing Brady Oliveira was at the Blue Bombers practice on Monday, but the star running back was an observer rather than a participant. Coach Mike O'Shea had no update on whether the CFL's reigning most outstanding player and top Canadian would play in Saturday's rematch in B.C. against the Lions. "You know me, I'm always hopeful," O'Shea told reporters. Oliveira left the field early with an upper-body injury in last Thursday's season-opening 34-20 victory at home against the Lions. Some reports said he might have suffered a shoulder injury. After Monday's practice, Oliveira was casually throwing footballs with receiver Nic Demski. O'Shea was asked if that was a promising sign. "Tossing footballs and delivering hits are two different things," he said. Oliveira ripped off a 43-yard run during Winnipeg's first series against B.C. Bomber quarterback Chris Streveler then threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Demski in the end zone at 2:29. Oliveira left the field after the score and didn't return. He was replaced by rookie Matthew Peterson, who wowed the crowd with 23 carries for 130 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown. The University of Alberta product, whom the Bombers acquired in a trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on draft day this year, said he spoke to Oliveira after the game. "I just said, 'Everything for you,"' Peterson said after Monday's practice. "And he said, 'Good job, buddy."' The Brooks, Alta., native said his professional debut has added to his confidence and he'll be ready if called to action when the 1-0 Bombers face the 1-1 Lions. "Having that big of a game, it helps the confidence that much more," Peterson said. "But the reason why I have so much confidence is because of the five guys in front of me and the quarterback and all the weapons around me." Collaros back There will be a different starting quarterback for Winnipeg in Saturday's game. Zach Collaros had to miss the opener because he was serving a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Collaros watched the game from inside Princess Auto Stadium. "I'd be lying to you if I said that it wasn't difficult to watch the game from the locker room," he said. But it was interesting, too. "I was pacing the hallways there and the weight room, walking on the treadmill, so it was cool to watch it on TV," Collaros said. "You could hear the crowd erupting before something good happened, so that was cool to anticipate what would happen, but it was not a fun experience." He did see Oliveira after he exited the game. "Any time you have to come out of a football game like that, it's tough," Collaros said. "Going to get him a Gatorade and a protein bar was pretty much all I could do in that moment, and tell him it's going to be all right." Peterson's performance was "awesome" and his long TD run impressive, Collaros said. "Being able to watch that over and over again on TSN was really cool," he said. "The cut that he made to create some separation in the game there was huge for us, too." While Streveler made some great throws and executed the game plan, Collaros is ready to return to action. "I guess I am excited to get back out there," he said. "It's kind of the whole angst thing, as it is, leading into a new season. "It's been different for me, obviously. We had a bye week and then not playing, so I feel like we've been in camp for a very long time." B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke left last week's game midway through the fourth quarter with an apparent injury. He told reporters after the game something in his midsection felt off and made it hard for him to put power on his throws.
CBC
6 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Bombers, starting season without Collaros, hope to collar hometown appearance in Grey Cup
Dalton Schoen doesn't care who throws him the ball, he just wants to make a meaningful catch. The Blue Bombers' talented receiver will get that chance when he returns from a season-ending injury to face the B.C. Lions in Winnipeg's CFL season-opener Thursday. "It feels great," Schoen said after Wednesday's walk-through practice. "It's kind of hard to describe, you get so used to the process of it that when it's taken away you go, 'Wow, that goes quick."' Schoen suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the third game last season, nixing a chance to put up a trio of consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. His return to action will be key for a revamped Blue Bombers receiving corps. Schoen and 10-year CFL veteran Nic Demski will lead a group that's lost some veteran pass catchers such as Kenny Lawler and Drew Wolitarsky. Thursday's test will also include hauling in passes from quarterback Chris Streveler as starting quarterback Zach Collaros was suspended for one game after failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. "We've got some familiar faces, but we've definitely got some new faces," said Demski, who's in his seventh year with his hometown team. "We've got some guys stepping up into different roles, so everybody's just got to make the most of their opportunities and come together and play great." Lawler and Wolitarsky both left for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while Ontaria Wilson signed with the NFL New York Jets after catching 71 passes for 1,026 yards in his rookie three-down season. Winnipeg's starting five against the Lions (1-0) will feature Demski and Schoen with sophomores Keric Wheatfall and Kevens Clercius and rookie Jerreth Sterns. Hosting Grey Cup 'huge motivation' Dillon Mitchell was a big off-season signing after the third-year receiver was released by the Edmonton Elks, but he's on the one-game injured list. "We have pretty good chemistry in the room," Schoen said of his fellow receivers. "I think we communicate pretty well with each other and so I think it's going to be fun to get out there with those guys." Winnipeg's defence also has some new looks as the club aims to make it to a sixth straight Grey Cup and end a three-game losing streak in the championship game. Manitoba's capital city is hosting this year's Grey Cup on Nov. 16. "It's a huge motivation," Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson said. "To have the biggest game of the season to be in your home, it's an honour." Jefferson will have a different rush end on the line after James Vaughters was signed following four seasons during two stints with the Calgary Stampeders. "We got a chance to build our camaraderie, build that chemistry, a little bit of togetherness," Jefferson said of the defence in training camp. "Running new plays, new defences, new personalities and things like that. Now we've got the chance to put that work that we built during camp and put that out here with live bullets." The defence will be going up against Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who claimed the league's top offensive honour for Week 1 after throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 victory over Edmonton. While running back Brady Oliveira should be Winnipeg's workhorse again, the team signed tailback Peyton Logan. He's expected to return kicks, but is on the one-game injured list. Rookie defensive back Trey Vaval will get the chance to shine in that role against the Lions. Winnipeg fans will see another familiar face on the field Thursday, but on a different sideline. Former Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce left to become the Lions' head coach. "Probably a little of both," Pierce said with a smile when asked if he expects to be heckled or congratulated by Winnipeg fans. "But that's expected. The passion of the fanbase here and the excitement for a new season, I'm sure I'll hear both sides of that."
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Bombers look for another trip to the Grey Cup, this time as hosts
Dalton Schoen doesn't care who throws him the ball, he just wants to make a meaningful catch. The Blue Bombers' talented receiver will get that chance when he returns from a season-ending injury to face the B.C. Lions in Winnipeg's CFL season-opener Thursday. 'It feels great,' Schoen said after Wednesday's walk-through practice. 'It's kind of hard to describe, you get so used to the process of it that when it's taken away you go, 'Wow, that goes quick.'' Schoen suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the third game last season, nixing a chance to put up a trio of consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. His return to action will be key for a revamped Blue Bombers receiving corps. Schoen and 10-year CFL veteran Nic Demski will lead a group that's lost some veteran pass catchers such as Kenny Lawler and Drew Wolitarsky. Thursday's test will also include hauling in passes from quarterback Chris Streveler as starting quarterback Zach Collaros was suspended for one game after failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. 'We've got some familiar faces, but we've definitely got some new faces,' said Demski, who's in his seventh year with his hometown team. 'We've got some guys stepping up into different roles, so everybody's just got to make the most of their opportunities and come together and play great.' Lawler and Wolitarsky both left for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while Ontaria Wilson signed with the NFL New York Jets after catching 71 passes for 1,026 yards in his rookie three-down season. Winnipeg's starting five against the Lions (1-0) will feature Demski and Schoen with sophomores Keric Wheatfall and Kevens Clercius and rookie Jerreth Sterns. Dillon Mitchell was a big off-season signing after the third-year receiver was released by the Edmonton Elks, but he's on the one-game injured list. 'We have pretty good chemistry in the room,' Schoen said of his fellow receivers. 'I think we communicate pretty well with each other and so I think it's going to be fun to get out there with those guys.' Winnipeg's defence also has some new looks as the club aims to make it to a sixth straight Grey Cup and end a three-game losing streak in the championship game. Manitoba's capital city is hosting this year's Grey Cup on Nov. 16. 'It's a huge motivation,' Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson said. 'To have the biggest game of the season to be in your home, it's an honour.' Jefferson will have a different rush end on the line after James Vaughters was signed following four seasons during two stints with the Calgary Stampeders. 'We got a chance to build our camaraderie, build that chemistry, a little bit of togetherness,' Jefferson said of the defence in training camp. 'Running new plays, new defences, new personalities and things like that. Now we've got the chance to put that work that we built during camp and put that out here with live bullets.' The defence will be going up against Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who claimed the league's top offensive honour for Week 1 after throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 victory over Edmonton. While running back Brady Oliveira should be Winnipeg's workhorse again, the team signed tailback Peyton Logan. He's expected to return kicks, but is on the one-game injured list. Rookie defensive back Trey Vaval will get the chance to shine in that role against the Lions. Winnipeg fans will see another familiar face on the field Thursday, but on a different sideline. Former Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce left to become the Lions' head coach. 'Probably a little of both,' Pierce said with a smile when asked if he expects to be heckled or congratulated by Winnipeg fans. 'But that's expected. The passion of the fan base here and the excitement for a new season, I'm sure I'll hear both sides of that.'
