Backup Ross: ‘Nothing changes forme’

Alex Ross (pictured) already knew he was going to get a chance to show his stuff on Friday night, so the fact that No. 1 quarterback Matt Nichols is injured doesn’t mean much. “Nothing changes for me,” Ross said Wednesday. “I’m out here to try and be the best player I can be. I’m out here to get better every day, to watch film after practice and see what I’ve done right and I’ve done wrong.”

Ross, who came into training camp as the favourite to be the primary backup to Nichols, is now in a battle with CFL rookie Chris Streveler for the No. 2 job.

Streveler had an outstanding 10-for-10 passing performance for 140 yards and a touchdown last Friday against Edmonton, while Ross went 1-for-8 for eight yards.

Ross needs a good performance for that reason alone, but there could a few extra eyes on the quarterback position after Nichols had to be helped off the field during Wednesday’s practice with what might be a knee injury.

“I’ve got the second pre-season game coming up and all I know is when my number is called I’ve got to be able to go out there and perform,” Ross said. “You have to learn from last week too. You can’t just sweep it under the rug, I watch my film from last week, I learn from my film, I get better and then I move on. For me, it’s always learning from my past mistakes and that’s what makes people better players.”