On Commonwealth ground

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Bombers receiver Brock Ralph (centre) spent four seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos and will have family in the stands when the Bombers begin the 2009 regular season at Commonwealth Stadium on Thursday. (RUTH.BONNEVILLE@WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.CA )

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Fred Perry is one of seven Bombers who will visit their old stomping grounds in Edmonton. (RUTH.BONNEVILLE@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

Siddeeq Shabazz let the smile creep across his face and then got cheeky as he answered a question about returning to Edmonton as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"They already know they're missing out, having traded me," said Shabazz, who played two seasons with the Eskimos and made a name for himself as a busy player with lots of energy.

"So for me it's not that big of a deal. But I really want to have a great showing at whatever that stadium is called."

The Eskimos play at Commonwealth Stadium, a fact Shabazz is more than aware of, but the organization's pride in the field and history open things up for a little ribbing from a former player.

Shabazz, traded to the Bombers in the off-season for defensive end Kai Ellis, said on Sunday that he can't wait to get in on the fun Thursday when the Blue and Gold meet the Eskimos, although he is still a question mark as he nurses an ankle injury. On Sunday, though, he was talking like he'll be suiting up.

"It's going to be fun to go out there and beat up on some of those guys. When you play on a team you always talk smack with one another and say, 'I would do this, I would do that,'... now we're going to find out who can do what," said Shabazz.

In all, seven Bombers are heading back to Edmonton where they once played or coached.

Defensive backs coach Rick Campbell is the son of Eskimos legend Hugh Campbell and Edmonton is a place he's called home for a long time.

Hugh Campbell was a star player with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, then a top-flight coach and shrewd GM with the Esks The elder Campbell won 10 Grey Cups, seven with the Eskimos, and is synonymous with Edmonton football.

In many ways, Rick grew up at Commonwealth Stadium. Prior to joining Mike Kelly's staff this past winter, Edmonton is the only CFL city Campbell has worked in.

"It hasn't been weird yet, but it might be weird walking into the stadium and walking to the other sideline," said Campbell, a 38-year-old with 10 years of coaching in Edmonton and three at the University of Oregon on his resume. "I've been doing this for awhile and I've been preparing for just another football game. We're so busy getting ready there's not a lot of time to think about it. Once you show up at the stadium, it might be a little strange. I've got a lot of roots there."

For Brock Ralph, who was born in Alberta and will be returning to not only play against his old team but in front of family, the trip to Edmonton has been on his mind for some time.

"It's going to be a lot of fun for me. It's one I've had marked on the calendar for quite a bit and I'm looking forward to going back and seeing family and some old teammates and hopefully getting our first W."

Ralph has played parts of four seasons with the Eskimos and came to the Bombers via trade, with safety Jason Nugent going the other way.

"It's special for me. Every time you're traded out of some place you want to show them what they're missing," said Ralph, a 28-year-old native of Raymond. "The atmosphere there is one of the best in the league. It's opening week, it's at Commonwealth, it's against an old team, the goal will be to keep the emotions in check and just treat it like any other game. But I'll try and use all that as motivation during the work week."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

BOMBERS REPORT C3

Shuttle service between cities

Thursday's CFL match between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos will feature players from both clubs fighting against former teammates. Here's those that have switched sides.

BOMBERS FORMERLY WITH ESKIMOS ESKIMOS FORMERLY WITH BOMBERS

Fred Perry, DE Kelly Malveaux, DB

Brock Ralph, WR Grahame Bell, FB

Siddeeq Shabazz, LB Kamau Peterson, WR

Keyuo Craver, CB Aaron Fiacconi, OL

Stefan LeFors, QB Kai Ellis, DL

Rick Campbell, assistant coach Jason Nugent, DB

Mike Kelly, head coach Willie Amos, DB

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 29, 2009 C1