Ashley Prest
Winnipeg Free Press

Jason Armstead was at his mom's 50th birthday party when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers called last week to offer the veteran kick returner/receiver a new job and a second chance.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity the Blue Bombers have given me. It's one of those situations that you're speechless at one point," said Armstead, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound Canadian Football League veteran who resides in Ocean Springs, Miss.

Armstead, who arrived Monday evening, practised with the Bombers on Tuesday at both receiver and kick returner. The 28-year-old will play Thursday when the 2-5 Hamilton Tiger-Cats meet the 1-6 Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium (7 p.m.). He will handle returns on kickoffs and punts with the possibility of providing depth at receiver as required.

"I liked what I saw of him today," said Bombers head coach Doug Berry after Tuesday's practice held during a steady rain. "When he came in last night, we met with him and one of the most impressive things about him was his character. He's certainly going to fit in well with this football team. Seeing him on the field was really exciting, seeing what he can bring with his speed and quickness. Also, he has to be somewhat intelligent because we put him through the grinder last night and he was out there actually taking some reps with the offence today."

Armstead began this season with the Montreal Alouettes but was abruptly released on July 21 after four games. In Montreal's 41-33 loss on July 19 to Saskatchewan Roughriders, he made two fourth-quarter gaffes which contributed to Montreal squandering a lead and losing the game. Although there were other factors contributing to that loss, as there usually is in these cases, it cost Armstead his job.

But on Tuesday, standing in the Blue Bombers' locker-room near a carpet emblazoned with the Bombers' logo and amid a flurry of post-practice activity, Armstead said this is a new beginning for him.

"The past is the past," Armstead said. "I'm very thankful for the opportunity that I have (here) so I will seize it and move forward."

Armstead played with Ottawa Renegades in 2004 and 2005 before being drafted by Saskatchewan Roughriders in the dispersal draft of Ottawa players. He was traded to Hamilton where he was cut before signing with Montreal.

"What happened, I like leaving the past where it is... for some reason that door closed so you move forward," Armstead said.

"The main thing is just getting back out and being able to produce. Give the same effort but secure the ball, that's pretty much where things lie. I just want to get out there and play the game the way I do, and that's being accountable and playing fast."

Joining a 1-6 team which also boasts a unproductive kick return game has the door wide open.

"It's a different situation but it's my second time coming into it. When I went to Hamilton (2007), it was similar situation," he said. "The term is that you just get in where you fit in. You just want to do whatever you can to help out. Just come out and make plays."

Armstead said his plan is to make a solid contribution on Thursday.

"It would mean a lot for me to come in and be able to show my teammates just what kind of player they've (obtained)."

As for his mom's birthday, he was a generous son and gave her some perfume and a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure.

Blue notes: Berry said receivers Milt Stegall and Derick Armstrong will be ready for Thursday's game while Terrence Edwards (ribs) is unlikely. Berry said he will stay with Alexis Serna as punter and placekicker against the Ticats.

Courtesy: www.winnipegfreepress.com