Weston Dressler talks about joining the Blue Bombers

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This article was published 27/01/2016 (3569 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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It’s a bit weird, Weston Dressler admitted. Maybe even surreal. But there was the newest member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, wearing his new team’s colours while sitting at a table bookmarked by two gold helmets emblazoned with the familiar white ‘W.’

Football is a change business, for sure, but it’s different when a guy gets released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders – the only CFL team he has ever known — and ends up six hours east with their prairie arch-rivals. And so, naturally, Dressler has already heard it from ex-teammates and Rider fans about his change.

“A lot of joking,” said Dressler with a grin at a press conference Wednesday trumpeting his signing with the Bombers. “Obviously the rivalry between these two teams has got a lot of history and a lot behind it. It’s a very unique situation to be in… I’m just trying to enjoy it and have as much fun with it as I can.

“Obviously a lot of my old teammates are joking about it were talking about it and about how weird it will be. But I don’t think it will take me too long to fall in love with this organization.”

Dressler is a Bomber today because the club made a lucrative offer to get him to sign, but also because of familiarity. He’s worked with new/old Bombers offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice before in Saskatchewan and does have a connection with quarterback Drew Willy, both of whom played instrumental roles in getting him to Winnipeg.

“There’s definitely more than one thing that you look at when you are trying to decide where you want to play next,” said Dressler. “There was just a lot more positives here than I was looking at elsewhere.”

In Dressler the Bombers get a veteran receiver who can still get open and be productive. He has pulled in 50 career receiving TDs en route to being a two-time CFL all-star. And, even with all the QB injuries and issues the Riders had last year, Dressler still managed to rack up 70 receptions for 941 yards and six touchdowns.

But new Rider coach Chris Jones opted to sever ties with both Dressler and defensive end John Chick, primarily for financial reasons. Chick has since signed with Hamilton.

Dressler’s girlfriend is from Regina and he was heavily involved in the community there. Those ties won’t be cut as he tries to put down roots here in Winnipeg.

“That was obviously a difficult situation for me,” said Dressler. “When you play somewhere for eight years there are a lot of good memories there, a lot of emotional moments. I’m still very connected to Saskatchewan and Regina and that community. I don’t believe that will ever change for me, that’s a part of my life now. But sometimes things happen for a reason and with all that going down it opened up an opportunity for me to become a part of the Blue Bomber organization and this community here.

“I’m looking forward to that part of this now.”

And converting his girlfriend and her family to Bomber fans?

“They were obviously saddened to see me not be a part of that organization any more. They’re obviously fans of the Roughriders. We’ll work on getting them into some blue and gold, though.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait