Weston Dressler won't relax with 500 career catches

Saturday’s loss to the Calgary Stampeders was a milestone night for Riders receiver Weston Dressler.

Even though the game wasn’t the outcome Dressler would have wanted, he won’t soon forget night after making the 500th catch of his career.

“When you hear 500, it’s kind of a moment to reflect,” said Dressler.

“I just feel really fortunate to been able play as long as I have and been as successful as I have. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything of those things without the guys around me. The players, the coaches, the management, this entire organization has treated me well.”

Before the game, Dressler was sitting on 497 career catches and it wasn’t until the milestone was announced in the stadium that Dressler knew he had reached 500 catches for his career.

To this day, Dressler still remembers his first catch.

“(It was) just down over there (by the Maxtron). A little screen (in) 2008, first game of the year.”

Going forward, Dressler admits he has no goals for how many catches he wants to make in his career. For him, it’s all about doing the right things every day.

Even though Dressler is an established veteran and likely a potential hall of famer, he still never stops working.

“That’s something that I respect from him. I’ve respected him anyway, as a receiver to a fellow receiver,” said receivers coach Jermaine Copeland.

“Being his coach, I respect him more because I get to see his work ethic out on the field.”

Copeland was still playing in the CFL when Dressler began his career.

Now that he’s now Dressler’s coach, Copeland has started to know Dressler every day.

“He’s here to work. He’s not taking four-and-a-half hours and letting it breeze by. He loves to work,” he said.

“(Dressler’s) here to work. He’s not taking four-and-a-half hours and letting it breeze by. He loves to work,” — Receivers coach Jermaine Copeland on Dressler

Now, Dressler’s work continues not only on the field but he’s also a mentor of sorts to a new crop of younger receivers that are beginning to make their mark in Saskatchewan.

“Even just watching film with him. Just watching how they watch their routes and how they set themselves up. It’s impressive. It’s pretty crazy to say that’s my teammate” said Demski.

It’s a role Dressler is glad to take on.

GETZLAF OUT

Receiver Chris Getzlaf’s return to practice did not last long.

Getzlaf left practice with the help of the trainers during individual drills not even an hour into Wednesday’s practice.

“All I know is he will be out for this game. I don’t know the length of time he will be out,” said Chamblin after practice.

Getzlaf was seen near the end of the practice on crutches near the team’s locker room.

Getzlaf missed last week’s game against Calgary with an undisclosed injury. The Regina native was testing that injury on Wednesday but it clearly did not react well.

NEWS AND NOTES

Safety Mark LeGree was also injured during practice but Chamblin suggested he could have returned but the team decided to hold him out. Canadian Matt Webster worked in his place.

Receiver Devin Wilson was limited on Wednesday. Korey Williams and Naaman Roosevelt replaced Wilson on offence.

Linebacker Nehemie Kankolongo returned to practice but spent most of the day on the scout team for defence and special teams.