Blue receiver Dressler has Smith’s back

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This article was published 28/05/2017 (3084 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HE’S played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Despite a career that grossly exceeds that of the average player, the feeling receiver Weston Dressler gets at the start of every training camp aligns more with a rookie than a seasoned vet.

“It’s always kind of awkward first day back on the field,” Dressler said Sunday following the conclusion of Day 1 of Bombers camp at Investors Group Field. “Ten years in now and I still get a little nervous going into that first day.

“There’s just something about the competition every single play, having a guy across from you that you’re trying to beat every single play. It’s a little different from training, so it takes a little time to get back into a rhythm and the flow of things and break all that rust off.”

It was a surprising answer from Dressler, now on the eve of his second season since signing with the Blue and Gold as a free agent last January, but also not surprising. For someone who you’d think would know everything about the game, it’s knowing he doesn’t, that there will always be more to learn, that continues to drive him after all these years.

“There’s things you’re working on throughout an entire season so, I don’t think you just come in and think you have it all figured out at any point, at any day of the year,” he said. “Today is definitely no different.”

HAS SMITH’S BACK

Dressler, who turns 32 in June, will headline a group of Bombers receivers that will be missing a key piece from last season in Ryan Smith. Smith announced his retirement at age 25, citing injuries and an opportunity to join the business sector.

The news came as a surprise to Dressler, who was closer to Smith than any other teammate. The two played together in Saskatchewan, and when Dressler was cut from the Riders and signed shortly after with the Bombers, he convinced Smith to do the same. The two lived together during the season.

When Smith made up his mind to leave he called Dressler before letting the team know of his decision.

“I know it wasn’t easy for him,” Dressler said. “I think it was harder on him thinking maybe he was letting people down and letting guys in the locker room down. As players and teammates and friends, we try and let him know that’s not the situation, that’s not the case.”

Dressler said Smith never called seeking advice, nor did Dressler try to change his mind. Instead, he wished him good luck and hopes only the best for him in his next adventure.

“Any time a guy’s going through that and has to make a tough decision for himself it’s hard to do,” said Dressler. “As a friend, all you can do is support him.

“It’s definitely weird coming back here without him, but that’s football. It happens every year with guys coming in and out. You get new teammates, make new friends and try to keep in touch with your old friends.”

With Smith out, Gerrard Sheppard filled in at slotback on the No. 1 offence Sunday. Starting at receiver was Dressler, Darvin Adams, who is fresh off signing a three-year extension, Clarence Denmark and Julian Feoli-Gudino. Watching from the sidelines as he continues to learn was Kenny Stafford, the Bombers’ big free-agent signing at receiver who two years ago caught 47 balls for 732 yards and nine touchdowns on the Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos.

EXTRA POINTS

Second-year defensive back and punt returner Kevin Fogg and rookie defensive tackle Ian Marouf were both sidelined Sunday with injuries. Fogg, who injured his foot last season and was forced to miss the West Division semifinal against B.C., underwent an undisclosed surgery but is expected to return sooner than later. Marouf, who the Bombers took in the sixth round of May’s draft, is dealing with a lower-body injury and is likely at least a week away from hitting the field.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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