Stanley Bryant doesn’t count on any drop-off when backup quarterback Dru Brown takes maintain of the controls on Friday.
Brown is changing injured Winnipeg Blue Bombers starter Zach Collaros within the house sport in opposition to the Toronto Argonauts.
It’s the fifth begin for Brown since he was acquired in a commerce with the Ottawa Redblacks in late June.
“I don’t assume it’ll be an enormous distinction,” Bryant, the staff’s veteran left sort out, stated after Thursday’s walk-through follow.
“Mentally these guys are, I don’t need to say the phrase killers, however they’ve the identical mentality. They need to go on the market and win and have the massive performs. It’ll be good to have him on the market.”
Collaros suffered a head damage in a Sept. 12 win over Saskatchewan. The 38-year-old threw an interception after which fell whereas making an attempt to power the Roughriders’ defender out of bounds alongside the sidelines.
He additionally missed 4 consecutive video games this season with a neck damage. Brown went 2-2 in reduction, throwing for 1,148 yards with 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Brown stated he thought there was an opportunity heading into the staff’s bye final week that he’d be returning because the starter in opposition to the Argonauts, however he nonetheless used the downtime to recharge.
“I all the time attempt to be ready if the staff wants me,” he stated. “I feel a bye is the place you’ll be able to type of deal with issues body-wise and mentally type of get away somewhat bit.”
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Brown might be backed up by Bryce Perkins. Canadian Taylor Elgersma is listed third on the depth chart.
Blue Bombers working again Brady Oliveira is wanting ahead to having Brown within the huddle.
“He’s had an incredible week of prep and often that interprets to sport day,” Oliveira stated. “So I’m actually excited for him, and for him to command the offence, and hopefully we will go on the market and rating a number of factors.”
Toronto (8-6) has gained three straight and its defence leads the CFL with 33 sacks, together with 9 consecutive video games with two or extra. Winnipeg is tied with the Calgary Stampeders for final after giving up 32 sacks.
The Argonauts are coming off a 24-19 victory over West Division-leading Edmonton Elks final weekend, because of defensive again Tarvarus McFadden’s interception with 19 seconds left within the sport that snuffed out an Elks comeback try. McFadden is out this week with a hand damage.
Toronto clinched a house playoff berth with the win, which featured some doubtful numbers.
The Argos gained regardless of possessing the ball for under 21:15, working 37 fewer offensive performs, solely changing six second downs and dashing for a paltry minus-one yard.
The one different staff up to now 60 years that’s rushed for unfavourable yards and nonetheless gained the sport was the Birmingham Barracudas in 1995 (minus-two yards).
Toronto’s defence was a vibrant mild within the Edmonton sport. Linebacker Adarius Pickett registered a season-high 13 defensive tackles (tying his profession excessive) and added one sack and one go knockdown. It earned him a spot among the many league’s high three gamers of the week.
Argos quarterback Chad Kelly will not be afraid to sling the ball, placing up a league-best 4,777 passing yards. He additionally has probably the most touchdowns (31) and interceptions (22).
Winnipeg rookie cornerback Main Williams has one decide this 12 months and is raring to see what Kelly dishes out.
“Chad tends to interrupt the pocket and lengthen performs together with his legs and throws up balls to offer his guys an important alternative for the ball,” Williams stated. “I feel a number of these are 50-50, to allow them to go each methods.”
Winnipeg must get on a roll to safe a playoff spot within the tight West Division.
The Bombers (7-6) are in fourth place behind the Elks (10-4) and Saskatchewan (8-5). They’re tied with the B.C. Lions (7-6) and barely forward of Calgary (6-8). The Lions host the Riders within the late Friday sport.
Whereas the gamers are centered on Toronto, Oliveira stated the Bombers management their very own future and will end wherever from first to final.
“We’ve acquired to actually focus in your each day work after which put that into work on sport day after which let the chips fall the place they could,” he stated. “The West is loopy proper now, that’s for positive.”
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