Just over Weston Dressler’s left shoulder stands Drew Willy, and once again, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback is staring into a row of cameras and reporters.
The days change for the Bombers’ embattled pivot but, it seems, the questions about the offensive struggles – and his own – do not.
“The quarterback position,” began Dressler, nodding in Willy’s direction after practice on Tuesday, “It’s not fun at times as far as the outside scrutiny goes.
“As a receiver, you make a couple of mistakes in a game and for the most part most people don’t even notice it unless you drop a touchdown ball. And for O-linemen, it’s only if you straight-up whiff on a block and then they get noticed. But those little mistakes that every other position makes don’t get scrutinized as much as the quarterback.
“That’s tough.”
Now, for his part Dressler would kill to change the narrative around these parts and a win over the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday would do wonders to quell the angry mob and, for one week at least, maybe dial down some of the heat on his teammate.
“I’ve been in locker rooms before going through the same thing. It can definitely bring guys together,” said Dressler on the outside pressure on Willy. “As teammates, as friends in the locker room, which way do you want to go with it? Do you want to read everything, listen to everything and just agree with it? Or do you want to fight back, defend your quarterback and prove them wrong?”
That’s the thing about all the criticism through a 1-3 start: the Bombers’ offence has been a lot of things this year, none of them consistent. They’ve struggled to run the ball, were anemic with their first-down production in last week’s loss to Edmonton, and have taken too many penalties.
The quarterback has to own some of that. But everybody on the attack side of the ball has to crank up their production to get the thing moving in the right direction.
“We’re close. We truly believe that and we’re confident in the things we’re doing.”
Weston Dressler
“It’s frustrating at times when we’re making those little mistakes that set us back in a game and make things harder on ourselves,” said Dressler. “It’s one of those things, when a defence is making plays you can’t afford to make plays against yourself, too.”
“It’s a lot of little things that add up. There’s just too many of them. You just continue to work hard and focus on them in practice. Now we have to find a way to transition it to a game.
“Chemistry obviously plays a big role in this sport,” added Dressler. “But, at the end of the day, each play at some point turns into an individual effort and an individual battle against the man across from you, regardless of who threw the ball or who snapped it to you. At some point it’s always about making the play.”
BLUE ON THE FYI…
The Bombers (1-3) welcome the Calgary Stampeders (1-1-1) to Investors Group Field on Thursday in the second of three straight meetings vs. West Division opponents.
Three things you need to know after the final full day of practice on Tuesday:
PASS THE MAYO
Thomas Mayo will be back in the offence against the Stamps, replacing the injured Ryan Smith. Mayo made his CFL debut in Calgary on Canada Day, pulling in five passes for 78 yards, including a 30 yarder, while filling in for Weston Dressler.
“I’m really confident, personally and as a unit that we come away with this win,” said Mayo. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
Mayo returned to the practice roster after his debut and with Dressler healthy – the club did activate receiver Gerrard Sheppard last week because of his work on special teams – but is now back in the lineup.
“It’s definitely frustrating at times,” said Mayo. “But at the end of the day I just have to keep my head up, and when they call my name just be ready.
“Drew (Willy) is confident in all of us. We just have to get out there and execute and run (routes) at the right depth, get open and trust that he’ll get us the ball.”
MORE CHANGES?
Trent Corney, the Bombers top draft pick, has been back at his post at defensive end this week and a decision on whether he gets the green light to return after hurting himself in Calgary will be made official on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Adrian Hubbard continues to get more snaps at the defensive end spot opposite Jamaal Westerman and kick returner Quincy McDuffie has been handling most of those chores again. Head coach Mike O’Shea said LB Kyle Knox and Jeff Keeping, both on the six-game injured list, will likely need a couple more weeks before they can return to practice.
CHIN UP
Last word today goes to Bombers safety Macho Harris:
“The guys believe and it says a lot about the coaches as well. We don’t have coaches who hide when the pressure is on. We’re following our leader and Coach O’Shea has done a good job of talking to us and letting us now that there ain’t no need to get discouraged. We’ve got the team. We’ve got to talent. We continue to believe that wall is going to break through. The players are buying in to the coaches right now. We’re fighting. We’re a 1-3 team, but we still believe.”
