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![\"JOHN](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4284618_web1_260510_bombers_05.JPG\")
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JOHN WOODS \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros always feels like he has something to prove.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
COLLAROS WATCH <\/p>\n
The Bombers look great on paper.<\/p>\n
They turned heads across the country with all their flashy signings and even made major improvements to the coaching staff by hiring veteran playcaller Tommy Condell.<\/p>\n
But at the end of the day, none of that will matter if quarterback Zach Collaros doesn\u2019t return to form.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old has established himself as a future hall of famer, but after back-to-back disappointing years, the University of Cincinnati product has something to prove heading into his 14th CFL season.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also in the final year of his contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always feel like I have something to prove. Always,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cI have always felt that way in everything that I\u2019ve ever done in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collaros completed 63-of-85 attempts for 680 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in his three meetings with the Stamps a season ago.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s only Week 1, but if Collaros \u2014 who is 10-9 all-time against Calgary \u2014 shows signs of his vintage self in one of the league\u2019s toughest places to play, his doubters won\u2019t have much to say heading into next Thursday\u2019s home opener against Hamilton.<\/p>\n
BRING OUT THE BROOMS <\/p>\n
Calgary had Winnipeg\u2019s number in 2025.<\/p>\n
The Stamps won all three meetings by a combined score of 106-63.<\/p>\n
It was the first time since 2016 they swept a season series against the Blue and Gold.<\/p>\n
After winning a total of 11 games through 2024 and 2025, Calgary rallied to win 11 last season en route to losing a heartbreaker to the Lions in the West semifinal.<\/p>\n
The addition of quarterback Vernon Adams obviously helped, but a key reason why the Stamps found their groove again was thanks to a stout defence that ranked second in points allowed (23.1 points per game).<\/p>\n
That entire unit, outisde of linebacker Jacob Roberts who signed with the Minnesota Vikings, is essentially back.<\/p>\n
And while they lost two of their best receivers in Damien Alford (New Orleans Saints) and Dominique Rhymes (retired), the Stamps are the real deal. Yet, you\u2019d be hard pressed to find someone picking them to win the West over the likes of Saskatchewan, B.C. or Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see it. We\u2019re not dumbfounded to it,\u201d Calgary defensive end Clarence Hicks told the Free Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like we\u2019re always the villain. Ever since I\u2019ve been here, I feel like we\u2019re the team that no matter what we do, we just never get our credit. We just got to win and we\u2019ll shut them up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n
\t\t\tSign up for The Warm-Up<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t BANGED UP STAMPS <\/p>\n At full strength, the Stampeders boast the best defensive line in the three-down loop.<\/p>\n Fortunately for the Bombers, Calgary enters Friday without two of their star D-lineman: Jaylon Hutchings (hamstring) and Folarin Orimolade (Achilles).<\/p>\n They were both cleared to practice this week, but the club has opted to play it safe and sit them out.<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean Collaros and Co. should sleep soundly the night before, though.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we still got, of course, No. 1,\u201d said Hicks, referring to his jersey number. \u201cWe\u2019re still good. Until they come back, we\u2019re gonna hold it down.\u201d<\/p>\n Hicks was the team\u2019s most recent nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player after recording 12 sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles.<\/p>\n The Stampeders will also be without trusty kicker Rene Paredes and star receiver Reggie Begelton as they\u2019re both starting the year on the six-game injured list.<\/p>\n With Paredes out of action, Calgary is turning towards Global kicker Jude McAtamney. The Derry, Ireland native appeared in five NFL games for the New York Giants between 2024-25 and was let go after going 10-for-13 on extra points.<\/p>\n Outside of losing veteran linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox for the year on the first day of training camp, the Bombers are rolling into Week 1 at full strength.<\/p>\n MEET THE NEW GUYS <\/p>\n It\u2019s finally time to see what the big five free-agent signings \u2014 Ceresna, right tackle Jarell Broxton, receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield and corner Jonathan Moxey \u2014 bring to the table.<\/p>\n Expectations for the group are sky-high considering the Bombers are paying them over a million dollars combined this season.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t BROOK JONES \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Jake Ceresna believes the team has the personnel to be great this season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s any pressure,\u201d said Ceresna. \u201cI\u2019m just ready to roll, make an impact and do what I can to help the team in any way that it is. I\u2019m just excited for the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bombers will also have two starters playing the first games of their respective careers: centre Tyler Elsbury and corner Major Williams.<\/p>\n Elsbury spent some time on the practice roster last year before leaving in July for personal reasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s going to do a great job\u2026 I know he\u2019s excited for the opportunity, and we have total faith in him,\u201d said Collaros.<\/p>\n Williams is a true rookie who played in the pre-season for the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago.<\/p>\n OLIVEIRA VS. MILLS <\/p>\n Who is the best running back in the CFL?<\/p>\n Most would argue it\u2019s Bombers tailback Brady Oliveira, but you can\u2019t discredit the weapon out of Calgary\u2019s backfield: Dedrick Mills.<\/p>\n In 2025, Mills led the league in rushing yards (1,409), rushing touchdowns (11), and was second in yards per carry (5.6) while leading in carries (250).<\/p>\n Those were the most rushing yards in a single season since Stamps legend Jon Cornish scampered for 1,813 in 2013.<\/p>\n Oliveira, however, is confident he can regain his throne.<\/p>\n \u201cVery good chance if, of course, offensive line stays healthy, I stay healthy, and the team is winning games,\u201d Oliveira said earlier in the week. \u201cI think if all those things happen, good things will happen not just for me, but a lot of my teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/taylorallen<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Taylor Allen Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree\/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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