Calgary Herald

Canadian Brescacin likely candidate for breakout campaign

- DANIEL AUSTIN daustin@postmedia.com twitter.com/DannyAusti­n_9

The Calgary Stampeders are confident about their Canadian receiver depth.

Anthony Parker has been reliably doing what he does for years now. Julan Lynch showed flashes during his rookie season last year and when Lemar Durant returns to the lineup he has all the makings of an elite CFL receiver.

Then there’s Juwan Brescacin, who seems poised for a breakout season. In only his second year with the Stamps in 2017, Brescacin worked his way into being a reliable option for quarterbac­k Bo Levi Mitchell.

After a strong training camp in 2018, there’s every reason to believe he’ll play an even bigger role in the season ahead.

“He’s done that the last couple of camps,” said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson. “I think sometimes you take him for granted, ( but) he’s a good player. We’ve got to move him around and make sure he’s a matchup problem. He’s got good size, good hands and gets up on top of defenders, so I’ve got to make sure I keep him more involved.”

With Durant still recovering from the torn ACL that ended his season last August, the Stamps are going to need Brescacin.

It looks likely they’ll be starting two Canadian receivers for most games with Parker and Brescacin the most obvious candidates to get starter reps.

If the Mississaug­a, Ont., native can build off last year, the Stamps should be in good shape.

In 15 games, Brescacin had 19 catches for 220 yards in the 2017 regular season and then added four catches for 33 yards in the Grey Cup game. While the 25-year-old is eager to see Durant back on the field and producing big plays for the Stamps, the early season playing time his teammate’s injury affords him could allow Brescacin to find his rhythm early and find his footing on the team.

“Last year, (Durant) was hurt, so that gave me an opportunit­y to play more,” Brescacin said.

“Coming into camp, I’m just embracing my role and doing whatever the coaches really want me to do. I’m not really thinking about Lemar, even though I do want him to come back, (so for now) it’s just carrying the load at Canadian receiver with Parker.”

That willingnes­s to do whatever the coaches ask is a hallmark of Brescacin’s game.

With the shoulder injury that hampered Mitchell late last season appearing to have fully healed, the Stampeders figure to have a passheavy offence with lots of touches to go around for its young group of receivers.

Whether that’s fully going to be on display during the pre-season game is debatable as Mitchell was only used on two series in the Stamps’ June 1 loss to the B.C. Lions and the team is still looking to evaluate the three backup QBs who are fighting for jobs this weekend against the Saskatchew­an Roughrider­s.

Against the Lions, Brescacin had only one catch for five yards and he admitted he might not get many more opportunit­ies against the Riders. He’s happy doing whatever the coaches ask, though.

“I’m expecting to play the same amount as in the first pre-season game,” Brescacin said.

“But I’m always ready to be the utility guy. I’m going in ready to play and whatever happens, happens.”

 ??  ?? Juwan Brescacin
Juwan Brescacin

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