Stamps tilt a chance for QB Brown to make a lasting impression

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This article was published 24/10/2023 (720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It might be a meaningless game in the standings, but for quarterback Dru Brown, there’s a lot more at stake than two points when it comes to Friday’s regular season finale against the Calgary Stampeders.

Brown will be making his second start of the season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and potentially — barring an injury to No. 1 QB Zach Collaros — his last. Brown is on an expiring contract and given his success over the years with the Blue and Gold, he may be in line to compete for a starting job somewhere else in 2024.

None of that is top of mind for Brown, who is treating it like any other week. There’s no denying, though, that these reps are important for players such as Brown who don’t see a ton of game action over the season.

“To the outside, they may think this game doesn’t matter, but it’s two teams that are competitive and play to win,” Brown said after Tuesday’s practice at IG Field. “The goal is to not have any drop off (from the usual lineup)… Coach (Mike) O’Shea always talks about everyone in that room is here because they believe in us, that we can play at this level. Getting those reps is important for those guys in those positions to believe that he means that when he says it.”

Brown has some momentum heading into McMahon Stadium Friday. He replaced Collaros in the fourth quarter of last week’s 45-25 win, completing all seven of his passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

“Anytime I get in those circumstances, it’s always nice,” Brown said. “Being able to get some reps and cut it loose a little bit, but it has nothing to do with this week. It feels good to get out there, but we’ll continue to prepare for this week.”

“Just really proud with the way he carries himself… he’s a guy who loves football and works his butt off. I would consider him a brother, a really close friend of mine and I can’t say enough good things about him. I think he’s going to play for a very long time.”– Bombers QB Zach Collaros praising teammate and backup QB Dru Brown

Brown has been dressed for all 17 games this season, during which he’s gone 49-for-72 (68 per cent) passing for 705 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. His only other start this season was also in Calgary, where Brown led the Bombers to a narrow 19-18 victory over the Stampeders, on what was an unusually cold August day.

Collaros said he’s been impressed with Brown’s development since he arrived in 2021, and is not surprised with his success over the years.

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“Just really proud with the way he carries himself… he’s a guy who loves football and works his butt off,” Collaros said. “I would consider him a brother, a really close friend of mine and I can’t say enough good things about him. I think he’s going to play for a very long time.”

O’Shea shared a similar sentiment. Not one to gush about players, the Bombers coach didn’t hold back when praising his backup quarterback.

“He’s always been prepared; you know that and see it throughout the week,” O’Shea said. “He’s been spot on, precise and runs the offence extremely well. What’s most noticeable is there’s just a calmness, a stillness about him. Even after he’s taken the snap, there’s just an ‘OK, well, here we go.’ He’s certainly very professional and looks more like a seven- or eight-year vet than what he might be.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @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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