Winnipeg Blue Bombers name Chris Streveler starting quarterback

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will open the season with a rookie under centre.

The Bombers returned to practice on Monday after two days off and afterwards head coach Mike O’Shea declared Chris Streveler his starting quarterback for the season opener Thursday against the Edmonton Eskimos.

“We said it would be an evaluation of everything they’ve done up to this point and we just feel he’s won that competition,” head coach Mike O’Shea said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We said it would be an evaluation of everything they've done up to this point and we just feel he's won that competition," head coach Mike O'Shea said.

“I thought he did, obviously very well through camp, and played well in the games. I think he gives us a good chance to go out there and lead the team and win games.”

RELATED: Blue Bombers confident in other QB’s with Matt Nichols sidelined for four weeks

Last year’s starting quarterback Matt Nichols will miss the first four to six weeks of the regular season after injuring his knee last week in practice. Alex Ross was thought to be the front runner to replace Nichols after spending last season on the B.C. Lions’ roster.

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“I don’t think we were looking at guys jockeying back and forth at all,” O’Shea said. “I thought all the quarterbacks have shown strong points and shown areas where they need to work, and in the end I think Chris Streveler won the job.”

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Streveler is just 23 years old and came to the Bombers from the University of South Dakota. Streveler led the team to a pair of touchdown drives and completed all 10 of his passes in their first pre-season game against the Eskimos. In their second exhibition game Friday, Streveler completed just three of his nine passes for 44 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.

“He gets through the playbook and the plays that are called,” O’Shea said. “He gets through them very quickly. He retains the information. He makes good quick decisions and then comes the athleticism right.”

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According to the CFL’s Game Information and Statistics Operations team Streveler will be the first rookie quarterback to start week one straight out of college since Anthony Calvillo with Las Vegas in 1994.

“My number one advice, I even told him this morning, you’ve done this before,” receiver Adarius Bowman said. “Different level, definitely a pro level, but you’ve done it before, so get in your comfort zone.”

“We have full faith in Chris Streveler to get it done,” running back Andrew Harris said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We have full faith in Chris Streveler to get it done," running back Andrew Harris said.

“I thought he looked great in training camp, great in his pre-season games, and he steps into that huddle with a lot of confidence for a first year guy.”

RELATED: Blue Bombers fall in final pre-season game against Lions

Streveler is a rookie but he won’t be getting any special treatment.

“I’m gonna go tuck him in at night,” O’Shea joked. “He’s a pro athlete. He’s going to be just fine.”

The Bombers play their home opener against the Eskimos on Thursday starting a 7:30 pm CT.

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