High hopes for Dressler

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This article was published 27/01/2016 (3522 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers got their man, announcing Tuesday morning they had signed free agent receiver Weston Dressler.

Dressler — a 5-7, 180-pound native of Bismarck, N.D. — had 7,797 receiving yards, 539 receptions and 50 receiving touchdowns in eight seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before he was released earlier this month.

Last week, the Bombers offered Dressler, 30, a two-year contract worth approximately $170,000 per season, but the receiver also had interest from other CFL teams, most notably the Calgary Stampeders.

Dressler was set to earn $240,000 in 2016 with the Riders before they released him.

Bombers GM Kyle Walters told a news conference Tuesday Dressler will make the Bombers a better team, on the field and off.

“He’s a proven receiver, he’s one of the best receivers in the league,” said Walters. “He’s a veteran presence. And he knows (offensive co-ordinator) Paul (LaPolice’s) system. He’s going to come in and show everybody on offence, across the board, what a winner looks like from a work ethic standpoint and just a leadership standpoint.

“And that’s what we talked about as well — to bring him in and just sort of raise the overall expectations and sets the bar for the entire offensive side of the ball.”

“I’m beyond excited to start my career as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber,” Dressler said in a statement.

“It’s widely known the loyalty their fans have, and the passion the city and province have for the Bombers. The stadium is hands down the loudest in the CFL.

“And there are great football people in the organization. We have a quarterback who I think is as good as anyone in this league, and some really solid pieces around him. I’m really looking forward to the days ahead.”

Dressler will be in Winnipeg for a press conference today at Investors Group Field.

Dressler will replace veteran slotback Nick Moore in the Bombers lineup in 2016. Moore earned $185,000 per season over the last two years but never did live up to Winnipeg’s expectations. Moore is set to become a free agent Feb. 9 and the Bombers are not interested in re-signing him, even at a reduced salary.

Dressler is considered a big-play receiver and his addition to the Bombers roster will give Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy the kind of dangerous aerial threat the Bombers have been lacking in recent years.

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Willy and Dressler played together during the 2012 and 2013 seasons when Willy was a backup quarterback with the Riders. Dressler played under LaPolice in Saskatchewan during the 2008 and 2009 seasons when LaPolice was the Riders offensive co-ordinator.

Walters said both Willy and LaPolice contacted Dressler as the team was lobbying to land the receiver.

Walters said Dressler will also do spot duty as a punt returner in Winnipeg, just as he did in Saskatchewan.

Walters also confirmed a Free Press report the Bombers will not hold a spring mini-camp in Florida this year. Instead, Walters said the club will invite the entire offence — veterans and rookies — to a mini-camp in Winnipeg to give LaPolice a head start on installing the new offence.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek