Rose lands with Redblacks

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This article was published 11/06/2024 (646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dru Brown isn’t the only familiar face the Blue Bombers will be seeing in Ottawa this week.

The Redblacks signed former Bombers corner back Winston Rose on Tuesday. The two teams meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT.

“I’m just happy that he gets to play football again,” said Bombers safety Brandon Alexander after Tuesday’s closed practice.

“He’s a heck of a football player. He did a lot of great things for us.”

Rose, a 30-year-old from California, spent four years in Winnipeg before the club moved on this past offseason. His best year was in 2019 when he topped the league in interceptions with nine which earned him a spot with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.

“I think he really should’ve had 13 that year. He was balling,” said Alexander. “He’s a high energy guy, you can’t be mad around him. He’s always gonna make sure you’re laughing and everything. He’d always say he was the fun parent and I was more of a strict parent. He brought a lot of fun here… Ottawa definitely picked up a great person.”

Right after the Bengals cut him loose, Rose returned to the Blue and Gold in October 2021 to help the club win a second consecutive Grey Cup. His play dipped in 2022 but improved a bit in 2023. It was still far from his all-star form as he has just four picks in his last 30 games.

“Outside looking in, it probably did look like he had a downgrade in gameplay. But when you turn on the tape and film, it wasn’t there at all. We never felt like he was falling off or anything like that. He just didn’t have the interceptions that people usually saw him have, but the play was always there,” said halfback Deatrick Nichols.

“I leaned on him on and off the field. He’s a great guy and has been a pro longer than me. There were certain things where he was a guy I could go to and he’d give great advice… What he’d always say is ‘Stick to the script’ and do everything consistently.”

Rose didn’t have the perfect ending in Winnipeg as he was benched in last year’s post-season in favour of Jamal Parker. He told the Free Press at the time that he wasn’t going to pout about his demotion and that he would find other ways to contribute.

“He stayed fun. He didn’t want to check out. He had guys in front of him that needed help, and that was Jamal Parker who was in his second year,” said Alexander.

“He helped that guy out the best he could so he could play well for that game. I can’t say enough about Winston Rose, that’s my guy.”

Mitchell hopes to bounce back

Myron Mitchell didn’t field a single punt in two preseason games.

When Week 1 rolled around, he found himself as the team’s return specialist.

The gig was meant for fellow American rookie Chris Smith — who had a 109-yard punt return in exhibition action — but an injury forced the Bombers to release him and move to Plan B.

“Chris went down unfortunately and I was the only option. Coach believed I could get the job done,” said Mitchell.

“I definitely wish I could’ve got some more live reps in the preseason but it is what it is.”

In the 27-12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, Mitchell was bottled up on seven punts for 37 total yards and had a fumble that led to a touchdown for the visitors.

“I feel good. The butterflies are gone. I wish I could get that strip fumble back, but I plan to be better this week,” said Mitchell, a 25-year-old receiver out of UAB.

Mitchell was asked what can be expected from him in the future.

“Really just be somebody who’s not doing too much, trying not to force a play. Just try to catch the ball cleanly and get my team 10-15 yards on a punt return and 20-25 on a kick return,” said Mitchell.

“If I break, excellent, but first and foremost, it’s just about catching the ball cleanly and hitting the hole.”

Oliveira watch

Star running back Brady Oliveira hasn’t practised this week with a knee injury. His status for Thursday is questionable.

“We’ll see,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

“We’ll look at what goes on tonight and tomorrow morning and we’ll see. I’m going to ask him tonight how he’s feeling, I’m going to ask him tomorrow morning and then we’ll figure out what goes on from there.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31