Rita Mingo
Calgary Herald

CALGARY -- Romby Bryant is certainly a man of few words.

But, then, the Calgary Stampeders probably weren't thinking of his loquaciousness when they were eyeing the veteran receiver. What with injuries to key people, experience and sure hands were no doubt at the top of the list of desired attributes and that appears to be what they have attained in Bryant.

The 29-year-old took part in his first practice as a Stampeder on Monday, the feature player in a five-man transaction with the lowly Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. Young receivers Titus Ryan and Jabari Arthur, along with defensive lineman Odell Willis, were shipped to Winnipeg for Bryant and fellow pass-catcher Arjei Franklin.

As well, the Stamps welcomed a pair of recent import signees to their practice roster: receiver Chris Davis and quarterback Adam DiMichele.

Bryant, wearing Ryan's old number 83, took the surrounding cameras and recorders in stride.

"It went well," he said of his Calgary initiation."I had a lot of help from the receivers; (Jeremaine) Copeland helped me a lot, and Hank (Burris), and the receivers coach(Pete Costanza).I didn't do much since I just played yesterday.''

The trade was a surprise for the 6-foot, 191-pound Oklahoman, who last season led the Bombers with 1,206 yards on 65 receptions and nine touchdowns.

"I guess it was for the best," he smiled."I didn't know anything about it until after the game. I'm still kind of getting used to it. First time I've ever been traded. I look at it as a new start, a new place, a new team.''

Bryant was on the team bus after Sunday afternoon's loss in Montreal, when he was summoned off and told he had been dealt.

"I'm just looking to go out and win," he sighed." As far as the success I had last year, that's last year. I just want to get out and help them win as much as I can.

"I'm just glad to be playing, man, no matter where it is. I'm glad Calgary gave me a chance. There aren't many places better than Calgary. I'm just trying to learn the plays and get on the field. Hopefully, I can fight for a position, that's all I'm doing right now.''

The prospect of having the ball thrown to him by Henry Burris rather than an array of ineffective QBs in Winnipeg has him covertly excited.

"Oh, yeah, I can't wait," Bryant claimed.

Franklin, meanwhile, is also coming off a career year in 2008, when he caught 49 passes for 566 yards. The diminutive 27-year-old from Scarborough, Ont.--he's listed at 5-foot-9 --ironically suffered an ankle injury in the July meeting between these two teams.

"To be honest, it's been nine weeks since I played, so I'm just happy to be running, period," the 27-year-old grinned." I've been watching the Stamps play for a while now and I've been impressed with everything they do. The way their offence works . . . I'm just happy to be a part of it.

"If I were to look at teams that I might wind up in, Calgary wasn't necessarily one of them. But Winnipeg is a prime example that things can change quickly. I learned that and I'm just happy that they thought about me. It's great to be on a contender. Just the feel of the locker-room; it's so different from what I've been used to the last little bit. That's no knock against Winnipeg; they were very good to me, but it's different here.''

Davis, meanwhile, had spent part of four seasons in the CFL, most recently with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This season, he had 34 catches for 440 yards and two touchdowns with the Ti-Cats, who released him on Sept. 16 -ironically mere days prior to the Stamps' loss in Hamilton.

"I didn't expect it,” Davis admitted. "But I'm glad that Mr. Barker gave me the call to come. Everybody seems to like the way I performed the first half of the season and my main thing is getting the opportunity, whether it's this week or next week.''

DiMichele, meanwhile, was a three-year starter for Temple --Henry Burris' alma mater. He attended training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year.

Courtesy: www.calgaryherald.com