New season, new mindset for Big Blue

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This article was published 14/03/2024 (618 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The reality that longtime teammate Jermarcus Hardrick is no longer a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is starting to sink in for Stanley Bryant.

Hardrick, who started at right tackle for the Bombers from 2016-2023 and was one of the more outgoing personalities on the team, signed a significant free-agent deal with the Saskatchewan Roughriders last month.

Thirty-seven-year-old left tackle Bryant and quarterback Chris Streveler are in town for some promotional appearances and spoke to reporters at the stadium on Thursday.

“I was in the weight room thinking about that. It’s going to be very quiet, for sure,” said Bryant.

“He brings it every practice, every game, with the passion and energy. He’s a lovable guy and he’s the one who lifted the team up… Some practices when things were down, that was the guy to lift us up, but I think we’ll make a good adjustment and not try to find someone to replace him, but just come together as a team. He’s a family member, he left us, but it’s OK, we’ll figure it out.”

While one fan favourite has departed, another has returned in Streveler. After five years in the NFL, the dual-threat quarterback was all smiles Thursday. Streveler, who played a pivotal role in helping the team win the Grey Cup in 2019, is also here to get his work visa in order before training camp opens in May.

“It’s great, man. Good to be here. Flying in, getting back to the city… it feels real,” said Streveler, who recently vacationed in Mexico.

“It feels real that I’m coming back, and I couldn’t be more excited to see guys around the building right now. You can hear it in my voice. I’m just so fired up to be back around the people that I love.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea, defensive end Willie Jefferson, right guard Patrick Neufeld and receivers Nic Demski and Kenny Lawler were also in the building on Thursday.

“It’s been five years. That’s a long time. These are people that have still kept in touch, still supported me every step of the way. When you win a championship with people, that’s a bond that’s unbreakable,” said Streveler, now 29 and entering his seventh pro football season.

“I love those guys, and I’m just so excited to be back in this building. I feel their excitement, and I’m excited, and it’s important coming off a tough end to the season to have that fresh excitement for the season and that fresh energy going into training camp. I felt that when I’m talking to those guys, I feel that for myself. That’s what I’m excited to bring.”

According to Bryant, the tough end — a devastating 28-24 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in last year’s championship game — isn’t discussed when the guys are together.

“I haven’t really had a conversation with anyone about the Grey Cup. I mean, we may say some things here and there, but not really going deep into what happened, how we lost, why we lost,” said Bryant.

“I think a lot of guys just brush it aside and deal with it how they dealt with it.”

If the Bombers had won, Bryant admitted it was possible that he would’ve retired.

“But I guess things happen for a reason, so I guess it wasn’t my time yet,” said Bryant.

“I’m not going to say there’s unfinished business, just things that need to be handled.”

For the first time since his initial stint in Winnipeg, Streveler has some job stability and an idea of what his role will be. He learned from some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL — Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray, to name a few — and he believes that’s going to pay dividends in his highly anticipated return to the three-down game.

“Just getting to go down there and play with some of the best players in the world and have that experience really forced me to grow and elevate my game and my mindset. And I’m really excited to share that with the guys in this locker room, too,” said Streveler.

“Bringing back some of that knowledge and experience that I’ve gained and sharing it with this team will make everyone better.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31