Dressler back as Bombers get ready to host Als

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This article was published 17/09/2018 (2574 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers received a major boost to their offence Monday with the return of Weston Dressler.

Dressler was back at practice as a full participant for the first time since Week 9, missing the past four games with a lower-body injury, all of which resulted in losses for Winnipeg. The veteran receiver pulled up lame early in a home victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and, despite being considered a game-time decision for much of his absence, finally looks ready to return to the lineup.

“It’s always hard, regardless of the situation of where the team’s at or how the team’s doing. It’s extremely hard to be watching when we are losing games,” the 33-year-old product of Bismarck, N.D., said after practice.

“It’s hard when you’re winning, too, because you just want to be out there.”

The Bombers (5-7) hope the injection of Dressler to what’s been a futile offence the past four weeks will help them break out from their current funk, beginning Friday night when they welcome the Montreal Alouettes (3-9) to town.

“I feel like we’ve missed some opportunities to make big plays throughout games. We hit one here and there and you get a little bit more energy, you get a bit of momentum going and who knows what happens from that,” Dressler said.

“Offensively, we just need to be a little more consistent, moving the ball on first down and keep getting those opportunities throughout the game and making the most of those opportunities when we do get them.”

The Alouettes, who are last in the CFL, might be the exact opponent the Bombers are looking for in a rebound game. Dressler, who was among the team’s most reliable receivers before getting injured, reeling in 28 receptions for 319 yards and two touchdowns in eight games, should certainly help the offence get back on track.

“I’ve been pretty vocal about how I feel about him. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever been around in terms of a football player and as a teammate,” Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols said.

“He’s a very smart football player, I think he and I have a really great rapport on the field together and he does a lot of little things in the huddle and on the sidelines that are irreplaceable. A guy like him automatically makes your team better.”

Bombers roll out $3 menu

Perhaps the Bombers are feeling the pinch at the ticket gate or maybe they just know a good deal when they see one — or both.

Whatever the reason may be, fans attending Friday’s game will be treated to a new $3 menu at stadium concessions. The team announced Monday the list of reduced items, which will stay at $3 the rest of the season and features hotdogs, perogies, spring rolls and a vegetarian chili bowl. Hot chocolate, coffee, bottled water and 12-ounce fountain pop will be available at $2.50.

In addition to lower food and drink prices, parking passes in the value lot will also drop in price by half, to $5.

Blue ink five new players

The Bombers have activated their 30-day window where they can increase the practice roster from 10 to 15 players.

On Monday, they added five bodies to the practice team: two defensive backs, including 2018 seventh-round pick Jacob Firlotte and import Boobie Hobbs; two import receivers in Charles Nelson and Kenny Lawler; and import linebacker Kache Palacio.

“All these guys we bring in are guys that our scouting department have looked at and gotten eyes on before and scouted and written reports on — and probably multiple reports — and tracked these guys,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.

“Then, we got to get them in front of the coaches to see what they can do… we’ll get a good evaluation and see where it goes from there.”

Firlotte and Nelson return to the Bombers after being released prior to the start of the regular season, while Hobbs, Lawler and Palacio are all with their first CFL team following standout collegiate careers.

Lawler and Palacio have spent time in the NFL, including stints with the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted Lawler in the seventh round in 2016. Palacio signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams before joining the Seahawks in 2017. In 2016, Hobbs led the NCAA in total punt returns and was third overall in the Pac-12, with 274 return yards.

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