BlueBombers.com
WINNIPEG — A year after taking his first CFL snaps, the three-down game may be starting to come to Alex Ross.
The Bombers’ sophomore quarterback says it’s night and day, the difference between last year in Kamloops, B.C. and now in Winnipeg, as he approaches Friday’s pre-season opener as the favourite to back up veteran Matt Nichols.
Ross signed with Winnipeg last month after throwing 12 passes in his first year in the league with the Lions.
“With the Canadian game as a whole I feel very, very comfortable with the game compared to this time last year in my first year in the CFL,” Ross told the team’s official website, BlueBombers.com. “It’s just easier to see things when the defence is lining up and bringing certain blitzes and playing certain coverages, it’s just a lot easier to see now than it was last year.”
Ross wasn’t expecting to be thrust into a potential backup role, but plans changed when veteran Darian Durant retired unexpectedly on May 10. Days after signing with the club, Ross, 25, was suddenly the front-runner to land the No. 2 job over rookies Chris Streveler and Canadian Zack Mahoney.
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Mike O’Shea and the Bombers were surprised by the sudden retirement of Darian Durant (BlueBombers.com)
Bryan Bennett was also added to the mix recently, marking his second stint with the club.
“I think they all look good,” said Nichols. “A couple of them are new to the CFL but I feel like everyone’s picked it up quickly with mini-camp, rookie camp, able to really start at the bottom.
“When we hit training camp I feel like they already had a good foundation for what the offence is.”
For Bombers fans, Durant was the safety blanket going into the season, the added comfort of having a veteran backup who’s qualified to step in should anything happen to Nichols.
Last year, when Nichols suffered a finger injury late in the season, the offence struggled in his absence. Then there was a heightened fear over the thought that the starter might not be available for the team’s Western Semi-Final date with Edmonton.
The Bombers have struggled over the years to develop young quarterbacks, but seem to have found a franchise pivot in Nichols. The next priority is finding a proven second option, and potentially ‘the next one’.
Ross may be a candidate to fill both of those needs.
“Looks athletic, arm is strong,” O’Shea said of Ross. “Once again I think with the quarterbacks, like with most guys, I really want to see them in game action.”
“I’m just coming out here every single day, I’m showing them I can compete in this league. If they feel like I’m the right guy for that job, I’m ready for it.”
Alex Ross on the Bombers’ QB competition
For Ross, now is as good a time as any to assert himself as a prospect with the upside of a legitimate starter. Durant’s departure has opened a new door, and there are now plenty of eyes on the quarterbacks in Bombers camp.
Though if he’s feeling the pressure going into Friday’s first pre-season game, the Coastal Carolina Univeristy product isn’t showing it.
“I’m just coming out here every single day, I’m showing them what I can do, I’m showing them I can compete in this league,” said Ross. “If they feel like I’m the right guy for that job, I’m ready for it.
“I’ve learned a lot of things,” he added. “Matt Nichols has taught me a lot of things, Coach LaPo and coach Pierce have taught me a lot of things. I’m excited about this offence and I’m excited about what we’re going to do.”
– With files from BlueBombers.com
