Terry Wilson during Blue Bombers training camp; photos by Cameron Bartlett
Almost a year ago to the day Terry Wilson was a wide-eyed Canadian Football League quarterback prospect in Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp trying to do something positive in his first preseason game to stake a claim for a roster spot.
Ultimately, he used a solid preseason stint and practice sessions to beat out the highly-decorated Eric Barriere — remember him? — while the likes of Darren Grainger, Bryan Scott, Jake Dolegala, and Shea Patterson have all rolled through the Blue Bombers clubhouse to take their swings at his gig on the depth chart alongside Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler.
And so, fast-forward to today and Wilson — with 18 regular season games to his name but just one pass completion for four yards over that span — is now still a prospect in Blue Bombers training camp and trying to do the same thing all over again.
“I feel great. I feel more comfortable within the offence. I feel more comfortable around my teammates and being able to encourage guys and help guys out that need help,” said Wilson in conversation with bluebombers.com after practice on Thursday.
“Overall, I feel like I’m growing as a quarterback. I’m learning how the CFL goes, the things I need to work on and the things I feel I’m excelling on. It’s knowing where you’re at with your game, knowing what you can do to help the team out.
“Last year I had some nerves and jitters going into the preseason game. This game I feel really good. I’m pleased where I’m at right now but still wanting to get better. But my confidence has been rising.”
The Blue Bombers have four quarterbacks available for Saturday afternoon’s first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Princess Auto Stadium in Collaros, Streveler, Wilson and rookie Chase Artopoeus, who comes to the club after playing his college ball at Tennessee-Chattanooga and UCLA.
The two tune-ups will be especially important for Streveler and Wilson, as one of them will get the starting nod in the season opener against the B.C. Lions with Collaros suspended for the first game.
And even though his live real-game reps are limited, a year in the building and practising has helped Wilson settle into his role. But anyone in the game will tell you that outside of a handful of stars like Collaros, Brady Oliveira, Stanley Bryant and Willie Jefferson, a guy really never stops looking over his shoulder.
“I’m seeing the defence a lot better and trusting the guys,” said Wilson. “My overall job is getting the ball to the receivers and let them do what they do. We’ve got a lot of special guys here. A lot of guys up front have been stepping up. It’s good to see, man. I’m ready to see what it looks like this Saturday and go out there, put it all on the field and trust what we’ve been learning and everything else will take care of itself.
“… A lot of guys are not expecting what (the preseason game) is going to be like. Speaking for myself, last year I didn’t know what to expect. I was just thrown out there and let it fly a little bit.
“It goes along with not pressing as much, especially being a quarterback. Just get in a feel, let it flow, trust your eyes and what you’re seeing, and the confidence will take care of everything else. I don’t want to press too much and just go out there and play ball and have fun.
“It feels good to be back out here. It came so quick. We’re going to be ready to go.”
FYI: The Blue Bombers will release their first preseason depth chart on Friday in advance of Saturday’s tilt. Head coach Mike O’Shea said teams can dress as many players as they like for home preseason games with likely only the injured players not in the lineup.
Not practising over the last few days have been Canadian DBs Josh Hagerty and Ethan Ball, receivers Gavin Cobb and Nic Demski while Stanley Bryant was in attendance and uniform, but not in gear.
SETTLING IN: It’s been a crazy month or so for LB Connor Shay, the Blue Bombers first pick in this year’s draft, what with his draft night being followed by rookie minicamp visits with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets before his arrival in Winnipeg.
Linebackers coach James Stanley with Connor Shay
“It’s been a chaotic month travelling all over the country. I’ve started to figure out the lay of the land here and got used to it as the days have gone on,” said Shay. “I really like all the guys here. The linebackers have been very welcoming — everyone on the team, including the coaching staff so I’m feeling very comfortable with where I’m at.
“As far as the field size and the differences in the game, it’s coming along. As I get reps I’m starting to learn. You’ve got to make mistakes before you get it down. I’m just trying to get better each day. It’s a different game with the field a lot longer and wider. You have to align differently — I had a play today where I had a screen and usually, I could beat it with speed and get under it but not today. I’ve got to take different angles because the field is so wide and running backs can run for days.”
Considered a national because his father was born in Charlottetown, PEI, Shay is in the country for just the second time in his life and still getting some of the ‘Canadiana’ down.
“I still have to learn the words to the anthem, but I’ve got to learn the playbook first,” said Shay with a laugh. “Once I learn that I’ll get the song down.
“My dad is a proud Canadian and still is considered a citizen. He’s lived most of his life in the States, though, and so I’ve been trying to tell him how it is here, how I like it and the differences — things like the ketchup chips. That’s one of the first things I’ve noticed.”
