Winnipeg Blue Bombers eager for first test

WINNIPEG — The two-a-days are now done and players on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are raring to go for the first pre-season game. When the Bombers tangle with the Montreal Alouettes on Wednesday, it’ll be the first opportunity for the coaching staff to make a real evaluation of all the new players that were brought in over the off-season.

“They have to show that they love to play football and then you’re looking for guys that can make plays.” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "They have to show that they love to play football and then you're looking for guys that can make plays." said head coach Mike O'Shea.

Drew Willy will start at quarterback, but how long he stays in the game, whether it be a few series, a few quarters or even a half, still hasn’t been determined.

“I’m going to play as long as I’m told to play,” said Willy. “I’m going to give it everything I can when I’m out there and try to execute at the highest level and then when they tell me my day is done, try to help the younger quarterbacks.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "I'm going to play as long as I'm told to play," said Willy. "I'm going to give it everything I can when I'm out there and try to execute at the highest level and then when they tell me my day is done, try to help the younger quarterbacks."

“Drew is going to start and we’re going to give him the number of plays, the number of series that it takes to feel comfortable,” O’Shea said. “And then after that it’s all how the game goes. If you pin it down, if you say okay Drew is going to play 11 plays, how the game flows changes that.”

It will be Willy’s first game since last August’s devastating knee injury and he’s not worried about taking that first big hit.

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“I’ve never been afraid to take a hit,” said Willy. “It’s just one of those things that after the first one it’ll be fine.”

WATCH: Drew Willy Pre-Game Media Conference

3:29 Drew Willy Pre-Game Media Conference

For veterans, the first exhibition game is to work out the kinks. For others it’ll be their first game playing with Canadian rules, but it will be the first chance to lay a licking on the opposition for all.

“I think that now I can actually hit somebody and not feel bad about it,” said defensive back Kevin Fogg. “And so that’s really what I’m excited about and just to have fun and compete.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "I think that now I can actually hit somebody and not feel bad about it," said defensive back Kevin Fogg. "And so that's really what I'm excited about and just to have fun and compete."

“It’s been over seven months since we’ve played an actual game and actually got to fully tackle somebody so it’ll be fun,” said linebacker Khalil Bass.

RELATED: Winnipeg Blue Bombers preparing for first exhibition game

There are 74 players on the Blue Bombers roster for Wednesday but Weston Dressler remains a game time decision. 12 players won’t play including last year’s starters Sam Hurl and Johnny Adams.

Kickoff on Wednesday is at 7 p.m.

WATCH: Mike O’Shea Media Conference – June 7

12:39 Mike O’Shea Media Conference – June 7

Blue Bombers Depth Chart vs Alouettes                                                                             

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