Former Bombers important to future of rebuilding Als

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This article was published 21/06/2018 (2691 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — Two former Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have a lot to say about the success or failure of the rebuilding Montreal Alouettes.

Middle linebacker Henoc Muamba, who flirted with a return to Winnipeg after being released by the cap-crunched Saskatchewan Roughriders in the off-season, and defensive end Jamaal Westerman were major additions for the Als — the CFL’s worst team in 2017.

A superior contract offer and a convincing sales pitch from Alouettes GM Kavis Reed were enough for Muamba, who also sat down with Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea in the off-season. The Bombers fell short on money.

“There was quite a few options,” said Muamba, who played his first three pro seasons in Winnipeg after being chosen first overall by the Blue Bombers in 2011. “B.C. was there. Ottawa came into the mix at one point, Toronto at one point, a few teams in the NFL as well.

“Coach (Rich) Stubler always says, ‘You should never regret anything in life if you look at your options and you make the best decision with the information available to you at the time.’”

Westerman, his 2017 season cut short by a torn triceps muscle suffered in the Banjo Bowl, joined the Als, in part because it was a chance to join his brother Jabar on the Montreal D-line. The siblings — Jabar is four years younger — haven’t been teammates since Jamaal’s senior season at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, Ont.

“There wasn’t one factor that I can say was the overriding factor… It seems so long ago now, but it changed, one was more highly rated one time, another time it was another one,” Westerman said.

“Just overall, it felt like a better fit for me, and career, and everything they’re trying to do here, and trying to revitalize the organization.”

CALLING AN AUDIBLE: Rookie quarterback Chris Streveler was all business on Thursday, and it sounded very much like experiencing Montreal at night was not a priority as he prepared for the first pro road start.

“I walked down the street and got some lunch, that might be the extent of my exploring today,” Streveler said. “We’re here to play a football game… Tonight I’ll be in the playbook and focused on what we have to do tomorrow.”

Streveler plans to continue to do the things that made him effective in his debut last week against the Edmonton Eskimos.

“I think I just need to continue to be decisive when I’m out on the field,” Streveler said. “And trust what we do in practice. You go through plays, however many times, and when you get out in games, trust your reads and go through your progressions, just like you would in practice.”

Montreal’s Muamba prefers facing a less-seasoned Streveler.

“We’re fortunate to be able to play him this early in his career, this early in his season where he hasn’t figured out everything,” Muamba said. “I remember being a rookie, and I knew what I was capable of but things were moving a lot faster. I’m sure it’s probably something similar for him as well.

“We’ll treat him with the respect he deserves. From what we’ve seen, he’s got a lot of potential.”

NOTEWORTHY: Veteran linebacker/defensive back Maurice Leggett was listed on Winnipeg’s 46-man active roster Thursday and he could be cleared to play against the Als.

“He’s very close to being ready to go,” O’Shea said. “We’ll probably make our decision one hour before game time as to what we’re doing.”

The Blue Bombers also added linebacker Ian Wild, running back Kienan LaFrance and quarterback Mitchell Gale. Dropped from the Week 1 lineup were receiver Ryan Lankford, quarterback Alex Ross, linebacker Kyrie Wilson and running back Johnny Augustine.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14