Lalama decides he can make it on his own

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/08/2019 (2215 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DJ Lalama is a betting man.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Tuesday evening the release of Lalama, a 26-year-old linebacker who formerly played for the University of Manitoba Bisons.

The Bombers were reassigning the Winnipeg native to the practice roster, but Lalama opted for his release instead. Lalama appeared in seven games for the Blue and Gold this season and registered one special-teams tackle.

“I made a tough decision today, but God has me on the right path. You only live this life once, so BET ON YOURSELF,” Lalama wrote on Twitter Tuesday night before thanking the Bombers for the opportunity and wishing the organization well moving forward.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea was asked after Wednesday’s walk-through at IG Field if he was surprised Lalama declined the move to the practice roster.

“No, I think it happens. We wish he would’ve stayed, but I don’t think that’s it for football for him,” O’Shea said.

● ● ●

There likely won’t be anymore football for former Bombers wide receiver Weston Dressler, who told the Bismarck Tribune last week he’s “definitely retired,” although the 34-year-old hasn’t officially filed his retirement paperwork. Dressler, who played with the Bombers from 2016-18 after spending eight seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, got a job as a senior community relations specialist at a hospital in his hometown of Bismarck, N.D.

Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols played three seasons with Dressler and he spoke very highly of his former teammate.

“Chris Streveler and I were joking around with (third-string quarterback) Sean McGuire the other day that he got cheated on his full CFL experience by not being able to play a season with Dress,” Nichols said.

“For me, the most important thing was seeing him play on another team for so many years and not understanding how this little guy could be running all over the field, making all those plays, and then getting to play with him and see how it happens, see his work ethic and how he goes out of his way to connect with everyone on the team. Just one of the best people I’ve ever been around. Overall, there’s just a lot of great memories of playing football with him.”

● ● ●

Andrew Harris is on the verge of making history. The Blue Bombers running back is 65 yards away from becoming the all-time leader among Canadian players for yards from scrimmage. Former Montreal Alouettes star receiver Ben Cahoon is in first place with 13,368 yards while Harris sits at 13,304 yards.

Harris downplayed the accomplishment Wednesday.

“Again, it’s the same thing as when we talk about these milestones. I mean, it’s a great accomplishment and I’ll appreciate it and enjoy it after,” the 32-year-old Winnipegger said.

“It’s one of those things you won’t be thinking of before the game, but just focusing on each play, each rep and just doing the best you can to be successful. But same thing I’ve said before, it’s an accumulation of good coaching, good teammates and it’s hard work, so it’s definitely something to be proud of, but I’m not trying to think about it right now.”

Harris is in his 10th CFL season and believes he still has a lot of football left in him.

“I don’t feel like I’m close yet. I’m just enjoying the ride and taking care of my body,” he said.

● ● ●

If Harris wants to stay in shape, he better avoid the “Walby Burger” the club revealed Wednesday morning. The burger — which weighs more than five pounds and features six burger patties, six chicken tenders, six hotdogs, six pieces of bacon, cheese, pickles, lettuce, fries, onions, tomatoes and a secret sauce — will make its debut at IG Field tonight when the Bombers host the B.C. Lions. The burger is being sold for $45 plus tax.

Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill said if there’s one guy on the team that could maybe tackle this monster of a burger, it would be offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick. Bighill said he’d be down to give it a shot himself, though.

“I don’t think I could do it, to be honest,” Bighill said. “You talk about six patties, six chicken strips and six hotdogs? I mean, you look at six patties and that might be doable. But if you throw in everything else, it’s like three meals in one. So, that might be a shareable.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.