CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders are acutely aware of their good fortune this week of not having to play against the CFL’s reigning two-time most outstanding player.
But just because Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros won’t be taking his usual spot behind centre when the two clubs meet for a Week 11 matchup at McMahon Stadium Friday night, the Stampeders aren’t exactly thanking their lucky stars for having to play against his replacement.
Dru Brown will make his first start of the 2023 season this weekend and just the second of his career since signing with the Bombers in 2020. But coming off a stellar performance in a come-from-behind victory over the Edmonton Elks last week, where Brown threw for more than 300 yards and four touchdowns to erase a 22-0 Elks lead, the Stampeders aren’t anticipating much of a drop-off.
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“It’s our job to make life rough on him (Dru Brown),” said Calgary Stampeders’ head coach Dave Dickenson.
“Dru came in (against Edmonton) and did some really great things and looked super confident,” Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said after his club’s walkthrough Thursday. “He’s been there three years. He’s not a rookie. He knows their system. They have a great system, great players and I’m sure he’ll feel very confident when he’s in there. It’s our job to make life rough on him.”
The Stampeders defence believes one way they can do that is to get pressure on Brown right away, making sure he’s not finding a rhythm early in the game. They’ve watched what he can do when he starts to heat up.
Brown had a quick two-and-out, including getting sacked, on his first series against the Elks. But he quickly found his groove from there, orchestrating a seven-play, 85-yard touchdown drive and a field goal over his next two series to cut the lead to 22-10 at halftime.
The 26-year-old would only get better from there, leading the offence to four consecutive TD drives in the second half. They would take the lead early in the fourth quarter on a beautiful pass to Kenny Lawler, who made an even nicer catch, reeling in the ball with one hand at the back of the end zone.
“You don’t want him feeling good after the first series,” Stampeders veteran defensive lineman Derek Wiggan said. “Us up front, we want to affect him. You want to make sure at least he has some doubts and is second-guessing himself, maybe see some ghosts and speed up his clock. That’s kind of our thing, speed up his clock, make him make a decision where he thinks something’s there and it’s not really there or he’s hesitating to pull the trigger.”
Sometimes when a team makes a change at QB, the replacement might have a different style than the other. However, Brown is built in a similar way to Collaros, as both are somewhat undersized — Brown is listed as 5-11, 191 pounds — has a strong arm and can use his feet to extend plays.
Given how long Brown has been with the team and his high football IQ, there will be very little, if any, adjustment to the playbook. And the Stampeders aren’t expecting a watered-down attack.
“We don’t expect anything different. He’s a great player and has also been learning from the two-time MOP, so he’s learning from a great player,” Stampeders defensive back Tre Roberson told the Free Press. “He’s just going to go out there and play. They’re not going to make the moment too big for him.”
As for the Bombers, while they hated to see Collaros go down, they feel they’re in very capable hands with Brown leading the offence.
Defensive end Willie Jefferson has seen the confidence in Brown all week, as he’s taken the reps with the first-team offence in practice. Collaros will also be at the game, limited to a supporting role on the sideline, ensuring that Brown sees everything on the field.
“We believe in him,” Jefferson told the Free Press. “This is his week to step up and show what he’s got. He’s got a lot of key pieces around him that will make it easy for him.”
Where Brown differs from Collaros is his quiet demeanor. But where they are a carbon copy of one another is how they prepare.
Brown’s teammates say don’t be fooled by his calmness. He’s got a fire inside and commands the huddle with a focus and ease that has endeared him to the guys around him.
“I see him when I get there in the morning, see him there when I leave,” O-lineman Jermarcus Hardrick told the Free Press. “We all got to play as a unit, win our one-on-ones, but the biggest thing is we’ve got to give him protection, run the ball well and go out there and have each other’s back no matter what happens.”
Brown has been itching for his opportunity to put his hard work into action. And he’s up for the challenge this week against a physical Calgary defence, treating it like just another game.
“I’m not a huge take the field and be super emotional. I don’t feel like I play my best when there’s a lot of emotion involved,” Brown told the Free Press. “A few years ago, I came to the conclusion that I practice really well, and I don’t get all crazy at practice. It’s just do your job and go out there and execute.”
Twitter: @jeffkhamilton
Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer
After a slew of injuries playing hockey that included breaks to the wrist, arm, and collar bone; a tear of the medial collateral ligament in both knees; as well as a collapsed lung, Jeff figured it was a good idea to take his interest in sports off the ice and in to the classroom.
