As the rumor wagon continues to roll along through the NFL preseason, Saskatchewan fans are tracking one very important story: the status of all-star receiver and punt return specialist Weston Dressler. After watching a lot of news and some discussion with Herbie Teope, the Kansas City Chiefs’ beat writer, it’s becoming clear that Dressler will probably be cut from the Chiefs’ roster and sent packing back to Regina.
For the average fan you couldn’t help but hope the “small guy with big heart” would land a starting job in the NFL; however, Teope reports “he is seeing limited looks in practice and no punt returning, making him not likely to be on the roster come the start of the NFL season”.
For the Riders, that is good news. Saskatchewan’s passing game has looked shaky, and Darien Durant’s numbers are sliding. However, if what we’re seeing on the other side of the border continues, we should see Dressler back in green and white by Labour Day.
Dressler will bring a much needed familiar face for Durant’s air attack, lacks firepower this year. In his six seasons with the Riders, Dressler averaged over 1000 yards receiving (stats from cfl.ca). The smaller Dressler (listed at 5’8″) is able to adjust his body while the ball is in the air to come up with acrobatic catches. He also is not afraid of running through traffic in the middle of the wider Canadian field to make a reception. His skills will draw coverage away from Chris Getzlaf, which would help the passing attack immensely.
Then we come to the Taj Smith story. The talented wideout has had serious off-field problems. After violating his release conditions, Smith was sent home from Ottawa and did not go to Winnipeg for last week’s contest. He was at practice on August 12th, so he may not be released by the team, but his fate is uncertain. With Taj Smith having problems, the Riders need all the help they can get at receiver.
Dressler will be just what they want, and he will be in game form and ready to go to work with his old friends Durant and H.C. Chamblin. It may take a while for him to learn this year’s playbook, but with proven chemistry between Dressler and his former team mates he should be up to game speed shortly.
We still have to wait for the dust to settle but after great coverage from Herbie Teope it looks as though come Labour Day, Durant will have a key weapon he is missing right now.
That also depends on whether the Riders are able to re-sign Dressler, too – and that’s a big if.
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