WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS | THE 4-1-1
Kickoff: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. CDT, Mosaic Stadium, Regina, SK
TV: TSN
Radio: 680 CJOB
Home/Road: The Bombers were 4-3 on the road last year – 5-3 if you include their win in the Grey Cup. The Riders were 5-2 at Mosaic Stadium in 2021.
Notable: Tuesday’s game will be the first preseason tilt for the Riders. They were originally scheduled to play the Blue Bombers on Victoria Day, but that game was moved because of the labour dispute between the league and the CFLPA.
Cut-down day looming: All CFL teams must cut their rosters down again by 9 p.m. this Saturday, June 4th
7 Bombers to Watch
#6 Dru Brown, QB: His quality work in the first preseason game has made the fight for the No. 2 QB job way more interesting. Veteran Dakota Prukop is being pushed by Brown, who was the Blue Bombers No. 3 QB a year ago.
#54 Malik Clements, LB: Jumped out last week when he stepped in at middle linebacker after Adam Bighill got some snaps. He won’t unseat the CFL’s top defensive player, but he could land a roster spot with another solid night.
#93 Cedric Wilcots, DE: Had two tackles last week and the Blue Bombers have been impressed with his pass-rush skills as a possible depth playe behind both Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat.
#83 Dalton Schoen, WR: Caught everything thrown at him against the Elks and is in the right place at the right time. He’s among a collection of new receivers who have taken turns popping out during camp.
#97 Cole Adamson, DT : Winnipeg’s own will likely be playing his last game in Blue Bombers colours for now as he is planning to head back to the University of Manitoba in the fall. Had a sack and two tackles last week.
#35 Demerio Houston, DB: Dressed for four games last year with the Blue Bombers and had seven tackles, with three more on special-teams. The club is still looking for candidates to step up in the secondary, especially in the wake of the injury to Mercy Maston.
#36 Malcolm Thompson, DB: He walloped a few Elks last week and will attempt to go hunting again tonight. Thompson is a candidate to help fill in at safety until Brandon Alexander returns.
STAYING BEHIND
The list of Blue Bombers not playing tonight is, well, it’s long. Inhale here..
Not dressing against Saskatchewan will be QB Zach Collaros, Oliveira and Augustine as mentioned above, receivers Nic Demski, Drew Wolitarsky and Greg Ellingson, Stanley Bryant, Geoff Gray, Michael Couture, Pat Neufeld, Jermarcus Hardrick, along the O-line, fullback Mike Miller, Willie Jefferson, Jake Thomas, Cam Lawson, Casey Sayles and Jackson Jeffcoat on the D-line, linebackers Adam Bighill, Shayne Gauthier, Kyrie Wilson and Les Maruo, defensive backs Winston Rose, Nick Taylor and Deatrick Nichols.
FYI
The Roughriders roster for tonight’s game is missing some familiar faces, most notably QB Cody Fajardo, receivers Duke Williams and Kyran Moore, LBs Darnell Sankey and Larry Dean, DT Garrett Marino, DE A.C. Leonard, DBs Nick Marshall and Mike Edem, K Brett Lauther and OL Dan Clark and Josiah St. John.
BLUE BOMBER SPOTLIGHT
Keep an eye on receiver Brendan O’Leary-Orange, #84. O’Leary-Orange didn’t dress last week, but has been having an excellent camp as he attempts to take the next step in his career. A fourth-round pick by the Blue Bombers in the 2020 CFL Draft, O’Leary-Orange was limited to just three regular-season games and the two playoff contests last year due to injury.
He cut his weight over the winter from 225 to 210 and has had a lot of work with the 1s during camp. His size – 6-4 – also makes him a potentially intriguing target.
“It’s important for me to get out there and get my feet wet and get an in-game experience,” said O’Leary-Orange of tonight’s game. “I’m just excited I definitely think I’m one step closer to the goals I set for myself, but at the end of the day the ultimate goal is to win and be a team player and whatever that takes – whether it’s on special teams, whether it’s at any receiver position, whatever it is to help my teammates win. The ultimate goal is to go back and win another Grey Cup.
“I wanted to have the mindset that it didn’t matter what position I’d be playing in the receiving corps or whatever I’m doing on special teams – whatever they ask me to do and whenever my number is called I’ll be ready.”
