Whitehead eager for increased workload

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This article was published 07/08/2019 (2224 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Slotback Lucky Whitehead exploded on the CFL scene earlier this season with a seven-catch, two-touchdown and 155-yard receiving game during a Week 3 Winnipeg Blue Bombers win over the Edmonton Eskimos, followed by a 104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Toronto Argonauts in Week 5.

Since then, the 27-year-old from Manassas, Va., has been quiet, never exceeding the six-catch, 55-yard output of a Week 6 game against the Ottawa Redblacks. Whitehead has noticed some closer attention from opposing defences.

“They watch film as well and it’s some good and bad things,” Whitehead said Wednesday. “It’s good for the guys around me. As much as I’d like to get the ball, it happens. I’m just trying to find a way — when it does come — trying to find a way to make a play.”

Winnipeg does not have a receiver ranked in the league’s top 18, with Whitehead leading the club with 297 yards on 25 receptions.

Has he felt frustrated in recent weeks?

“Of course,” Whitehead said. “I don’t like losing, the team doesn’t like losing but it comes with the game. I’m glad we’re back home. We get to play in front of our fans and come together.”

Ban the stat

Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols is vehemently opposed to the CFL’s standard of counting interceptions made on two-point conversion attempts as official interceptions.

When asked to explain his stand, he said, “Because there’s literally zero other stats on that play that could possibly happen. It’s not an attempt, it’s not a completion… there’s no stats on the end that say I’ve completed 20 two-point conversion balls. It’s been a weird thing to me, since I’ve been in the league, that’s been the case. I don’t understand it and I’m fully on board with getting that abolished.”

Ring ceremony

The Stamps are expected to informally present Blue Bombers wide receiver Chris Matthews with his 2018 Grey Cup ring prior to the game.

“That’s definitely the plan,” said Matthews, who signed a three-year deal with Winnipeg in the off-season after being a late-season addition for Calgary in 2018.

“My pops keeps on telling me, every time, ‘Did you get your ring yet? Did you get your ring yet?’ and I’m like, ‘No, pops, chill, it’s coming this weekend,’ and he’s like, ‘All right, don’t lose it before you get home.’ And my pops thinks I lose everything. I’m going to have to figure out something.”

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Will he be wearing the new ring in Winnipeg’s locker room?

“Hell, no,” Matthews said. “Outside the locker room, for sure.”

Noteworthy

Winnipeg kicker Justin Medlock has connected on a CFL record 85 consecutive converts from the 32-yard line… Medlock is also enjoying his finest year as a punter with a career-high average of 45.2 yards, which is fourth overall. Medlock’s net average of 37.2 yards is also fourth-best in the CFL. He also leads the league with six punts placed inside the 10-yard line… Nichols is 5-2 this season and 43-28 overall in his career as a starter but he is only 1-8 in nine starts against Calgary.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14