Veteran receiver Denmark enjoying solid start to second stint with Blue Bombers

“Tough biz we deal with but this gives me the chance to slide to the peg to see my lil man on Father’s Day. See the good in everything,” Denmark said on Twitter after the Roughriders let him go.

Denmark, 30, had some good news to announce when Winnipeg re-signed him July 31 after more injuries to its receiving corps. Coincidentally, the call came while he was watching the Bombers (4-4) defeat Edmonton on television to start their current three-game win streak.

“I was just really happy to get the opportunity, an opportunity I never thought I would get,” Denmark said Monday after the Bombers returned to the practice field following a bye week.

Winnipeg travels to Montreal to face the Alouettes (3-5) on Friday.

Last year, Denmark played 18 games and had 57 catches for 1,080 yards and three touchdowns. When he was cut after the Bombers spent big money in the off-season, he’d amassed 306 receptions for 4,165 yards and 16 TDs in 88 regular-season games with the club and in 2014 was a West Division all-star.

After Saskatchewan released him, Denmark went home to Jacksonville and focused on remaining in game shape and financial shape with his clothing company. He started Made Fresh Clothing in 2012, an online business that sells casual shirts Denmark designs.

Denmark admitted the double rejections were a blow.

“I’m not going to stand here and say it wasn’t tough,” he said. “But I knew what I had to do, and I knew what I had to do if I ever got another shot to play.

“You have to come in and you have to perform.”

He’s definitely done that.

Denmark was inserted immediately into the lineup that was missing receivers Ryan Smith, Weston Dressler and Darvin Adams and made a huge impact in the next two victories.

In his first game back, he caught a touchdown pass just over three minutes into a 37-11 home win over Hamilton and finished with seven catches for 69 yards.

The following week, he again hauled in seven passes from quarterback Matt Nichols, but this time it was for a career-high 195 yards and two TDs in a 34-17 road win against Toronto.

Nichols has also made the most of his latest opportunity, guiding the Bombers during their win streak after replacing incumbent Drew Willy.

Nichols can’t put his finger on why he and Denmark are clicking but he does know the value the hard-working wide receiver brings to the team.

“He’s a guy that doesn’t talk a ton, but he’s always going to be doing the right things,” Nichols said of his new target. “He kind of leads in a different way, where guys can look to him and see what he’s doing and learn from him.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea didn’t have a return date for Smith and Dressler, but said it wouldn’t be against the Alouettes. Adams is out for a while with a suspected shoulder injury.

Denmark, who admits he’s a “thinker,” is thankful to have another chance with the Bombers and will take things as they come.

And he’ll keep negative vibes out of his tweets even if he’s having a bad day.

“It’s just about giving out positive energy,” Denmark said. “You want to share that. Twitter is something that lets you share whatever you want to.

“Why not put something positive out there, maybe that can help someone else out? It’s all about helping other people. Even if you’re reading it, you’re thinking positive at that time you’re reading that tweet.”

Notes — The Bombers added international defensive end Eric Martin to the practice roster Monday. He played 33 games in the NFL with New England and Cleveland.

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Veteran receiver Denmark enjoying solid start to second stint with Blue Bombers

This Week in Flyers

This Week in Flyers

Our Community