WINNIPEG 鈥� Chris Streveler will make his first start in almost five years, but the Blue Bombers quarterback isn鈥檛 feeling any nerves as the team continues to seek its first win of the season.
Streveler replaces Zach Collaros, whom Winnipeg head coach Mike O鈥橲hea said won鈥檛 dress for Friday鈥檚 home game against the Ottawa Redblacks (2-1) because of a thorax injury. He is 鈥渃lose鈥� to being ready, but Terry Wilson will be the backup.
鈥淭he temptation when the guys dress is to run in there,鈥� O鈥橲hea said with a laugh after Thursday鈥檚 walk-through practice. 鈥淪o I鈥檒l take that temptation away from him.鈥�
Streveler is excited to make his first start since Oct. 19, 2019. Winnipeg had acquired Collaros in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts 10 days earlier.
鈥淚 just really have an appreciation for these opportunities, for these moments,鈥� Streveler said. 鈥淗onestly, every day I get to put the pads on I just take a moment and feel thankful for getting to play this game. It's not an opportunity I take lightly.鈥�
Collaros was hit in the chest area by Stampeders defensive tackle Josiah Coatney late in the first half of Winnipeg鈥檚 22-19 overtime loss last Saturday in Calgary. It dropped the Bombers to 0-4 for the first time since 2012.
Streveler had thrown Winnipeg's first touchdown pass of the season, a 16-yard strike to Drew Wolitarsky that tied the game 19-19 with 37 seconds left in regulation.
On Winnipeg鈥檚 first possession of overtime, Streveler was hit while attempting a pass to Nic Demski in the end zone and the ball was picked off by Stampeders defensive back Demerio Houston. Rene Paredes then booted a 52-yard field goal for the Calgary victory.
Streveler, who was 4-8 as Winnipeg鈥檚 starter over two seasons, headed south after he and Collaros teamed up to help the Bombers capture the 2019 Grey Cup. He spent four years in the NFL in minor roles.
When he signed with Winnipeg earlier this year, teammates and fans welcomed back his high-energy, bruising style of play.
Wolitarsky knows Collaros and Streveler have different personalities and styles, but he has confidence in both their skillsets.
鈥淚 always describe Zach as kind of big uncle, Greek mobster,鈥� Wolitarsky said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 going to take care of business, but he鈥檚 going to do it quietly.
鈥淪trev is definitely an extrovert to the max. Energy guy, bringing guys up, taking hits, delivering hits. He鈥檚 going to be active in that sense.鈥�
He does hope, though, that Streveler dials it back a bit.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure we鈥檙e going to be saying, 鈥楬ey buddy, maybe use the slide a little bit, not headfirst this time,鈥欌�� Wolitarsky said with a smile.
Streveler promises he鈥檒l be smart.
鈥淚 play the game the way that I play it, but I do understand when I'm playing a full game it's not quite the same as when I鈥檓 getting eight carries and a wedge,鈥� he said.
鈥淪o there's an element of being smart at times. But again, I play the game the way that I play it and I'm not going to change that no matter what.鈥�
The Redblacks, whose plane was diverted to Brandon, Man., Thursday afternoon because of bad weather in Winnipeg, already defeated the Bombers 23-19 on June 13.
It鈥檚 the first time Ottawa has started a season 2-1 since 2019, but both wins have been at home. The Redblacks are currently on a seven-game losing streak on the road.
Ottawa starting quarterback Dru Brown may get a mixed reaction from Winnipeg fans. Brown spent the previous three seasons as a backup with the Bombers before being traded to the Redblacks in January and then signed to a two-year deal before he became a free agent.
Running back Ryquell Armstead has been a bright spot in Ottawa鈥檚 offence. He ranks fifth in the league with a 5.4-yard per carry average through three games after rushing 172 yards on 32 carries.
Bombers middle linebacker Adam Bighill hopes the defence will give Streveler more time on the field to excel.
鈥淚 know Strev is prepared for his opportunity to come out here and do what he鈥檚 done,鈥� Bighill said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited for him, excited for the offence. On defence, and as the rest of the team onlooking, we鈥檙e pumped for it.鈥�
OTTAWA REDBLACKS (2-1) AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (0-4)
Friday, Princess Auto Stadium.
DUBIOUS MARK: The Bombers are one of three teams this season with a 0-4 start. Along with the Edmonton Elks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, it鈥檚 the first time in CFL history a trio of teams has opened with four losses.
STOP THE BLEEDING: Winnipeg hasn鈥檛 started 0-5 since 1998, when the team finished 3-15 under former coach Jeff Reinebold.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2024.
Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
