Pigrome breaks out in CFL debut

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This article was published 30/05/2023 (854 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tyrrell Pigrome certainly knows how to make a strong first impression.

In the thick of a battle for the third quarterback spot on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster, Pigrome made the most of his first taste of CFL game action, helping his new team earn a 25-23 road win over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday. It was the Bombers first preseason game of the year and a breakout performance for Pigrome, who rushed for two touchdowns while also making some plays down field with his arm.

“That was a great experience. Of course, you probably have a little jitters. You make sure you’re trying to do everything right,” Pigrome said Tuesday, as the Bombers returned to training camp after a two-day break. “I had some good plays and at the same time I felt like I had some bad ones. But it was the best opportunity just to be out there, have some fun with the guys and just come out with a win.”

Pigrome was the third quarterback to enter the game, behind starter Zach Collaros and No. 2 pivot Dru Brown. The Elks had just evened the score, 17-17, with a field goal early in the fourth quarter when Pigrome was called into action.

Things couldn’t have started much worse, either, with Pigrome’s first snap behind centre sailing over his head for a loss of 17 yards. Facing a second and 27, the 25-year-old remained poised, dropping back in the pocket and then planting his feet before firing a 34-yard pass to Jeremy Murphy for a first down.

“I was like, ‘Wow, man. Wow. My first possession.’ I learned nowadays you just can’t question God. So, then I just tell myself like I tell myself every day, just be calm, stay confident, just relax. And be patient. That’s what I did,” said Pigrome of his mindset after the botched snap. “When I got back to the huddle, I was saying those words. Coach called a great play; all the guys were in the right position for that defence. The post opened up, and I hit the post. And he made a great catch.”

“I took a timeout before that, too. If I knew he was going to do that, I wouldn’t have taken one,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said with a chuckle. “It was a lot of adversity to face and he made time with his feet, set up and threw a strike down the field. It was good. It was an interesting play that he made.” That wasn’t even the most impressive moment of the drive.

Pigrome would cap off the series by making an explosive play with his legs, finding an open hole up the middle for a 45-yard touchdown run and a 24-17 Bombers lead. It was Pigrome’s second rushing score of the game, after punching in a QB sneak midway through the second quarter to give Winnipeg a 14-4 edge.

Pigrome finished the day two-for-four passing for 43 yards, while leading the club with 71 rushing yards on five carries. It’s exactly the kind of performance the Bombers were hoping to see and the versatility they need in a short-yardage quarterback.

“That’s taking full advantage of your opportunity and good for him. You need guys that come in and can execute what we do,” Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler said. “Putting in the extra work so when your chance does come, you can make the plays. We got lots of guys going out there and executing and it’s great to see.”

As for Pigrome, he’s not getting too far ahead of himself.

He knows there is still lots of time to learn and improve, and he’s eager to do both under the guidance of Collaros and Brown. The Alabama native has enjoyed learning from offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce as well, crediting him for putting him in an opportunity to succeed.

He’s still in a fight for that No. 3 role, along with fellow newcomer Josh Jones, who was limited to just four minutes against the Elks. Pigmore and Jones will get another shot to show their stuff when the Bombers wrap up the preseason with a home tilt against the Saskatchewan Roughriders Friday night.

“You’ve got a lot of grass out here, a lot of room. A very spacious game. Coach Buck does a great job of trying to manage space, trying to spread us out good enough to put us in the best position to be an explosive offence,” Pigrome said. “He does a great job with the schemes and the staff he has around him. It’s a very great game. And with my tools, I feel like he can help me be in the best position to be myself and let me show my talents.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton