Durant prepared for Blue backup role

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This article was published 21/01/2018 (3137 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Darian Durant knows exactly what his role will be with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and where he sits in the team’s current pecking order.

Durant, a 35-year-old quarterback about to enter his 13th CFL season and second team in as many years, was signed to a one-year deal by the Bombers Saturday. Sunday, he addressed the local media, making clear that despite having been a starter for much of the past decade, his primary job will be to support No. 1 QB Matt Nichols.

“I just want to come in and help out Matt as much as I can and have a role with the team — whether it’s in meetings, whether it’s short yardage. Whatever the case may be, just come in and bring my veteran presence and try to bring a Grey Cup to Winnipeg,” Durant said.

Durant is coming off a tumultuous season with the Montreal Alouettes, who finished last in the CFL in 2017 with a record of 3-15, throwing for fewer touchdowns (15) than he did interceptions (16). His inability to produce on the field led to off-field issues, with the Alouettes wanting him to restructure his deal — CFL-speak for take less money — or risk being cut. Durant, who signed a three-year contract with Montreal, was also due a $150,000 bonus, which he lost after Montreal released him the day before it was due.

“It’s a number of things,” Durant said when asked what went wrong during his time in Montreal. “I’m not going to sit here and get too much into the specifics, but it’s just been a tough time over there. There (have) been so many coaches, different guys in and out of the lineup. It’s just hard to build that stability when there’s so much change.”

Durant can take some solace in knowing he joins a stable team — Winnipeg is 23-13 over the past two seasons, and is expected to have much of the core back in 2018 — but he won’t be able to escape the effects of change.

It’s the first time Durant will enter a season as a definite backup since his early days with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

He started his CFL career with the Roughriders in 2006, took over the starting role in 2009 and led them to a Grey Cup in 2013. Beloved by Riders faithful, his relationship with Saskatchewan took a nasty turn when his camp and head coach Chris Jones couldn’t reach a deal. Durant was traded to Montreal prior to becoming a free agent, eventually reaching a deal with the Alouettes.

Durant said he has come to grips with being the No. 2 and had no hidden agenda when signing with the Bombers. He even called Nichols — a move that doesn’t always happen, and certainly isn’t expected — to ensure the relationship began on a positive note.

“I told him that I’m just coming in to support you 100 per cent — you’re the guy. You’ve helped build what is Winnipeg Blue Bomber football in this present day,” he said.

“I’m just coming in to try and help and do what I can. If my number is called then be ready, and until then be that veteran guy to help him as much as possible.”

While the plan is for Durant to get limited playing time — “I hope Matt stays healthy all 18 games,” he said — he does bring a fair amount of stability at the position, and is as good an insurance policy as there is in the CFL if Nichols does get hit with the injury bug. Nichols went through injuries late last season, which forced him out of two games and caused him to miss another, and the results weren’t pretty.

Neither Dan LeFevour, nor Dominique Davis proved to be a reliable Plan B. Davis is currently under contract and is expected to be the No. 3 in 2018, while LeFevour will likely hit the open market when free agency begins Feb. 13.

Durant should also be a quick study in the offence. He worked with offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice in Saskatchewan, where he also developed a strong friendship with Bombers receiver Weston Dressler — the two spending eight years together in Regina.

“Once we both departed Saskatchewan, we both felt like we had our run and we’d probably never be teammates again,” Durant said of Dressler. “Leading up to this process, I talked to him a lot and I texted him last night and told him I was excited to just talk football with him again. Those are the things you miss, not just his playmaking ability, but being in the meetings, talking football, talking routes and defences. I’m glad to be able to get that back.”

Having been on the other side of the Winnipeg-Saskatchewan rivalry, Durant seemed to enjoy the opportunity to face his former team wearing Blue and Gold.

“You always kind of wonder what it would be like on the other side, being the home team in the Banjo Bowl, being the road team during the Labour Day Classic. A lot of guys don’t get a chance to experience it from both sides, so I’m really excited about that.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @jeffkhamilton