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STICKING WITH HIM

It doesn’t sound as if Rene Paredes has lost the confidence of his head coach.

Paredes took full responsibility for missing three converts in last Thursday’s game when he was asked about it a day later, and Dickenson reiterated that the Stamps kicker has the team’s support.

“I spoke with him, I know how it is to be scrutinized,” Dickenson said Tuesday. “What it is, it sto be mentally tough. You have to work through it and believe in yourself and have the support of the guys.

“We’re in the professional football business, we know we have to perform, all of us, so it’s nothing he hasn’t dealt with before.”

BACK AT PRACTICE

After taking the day off Monday to go through the CFL’s concussion protocol, Shane Bergman was back on the field Tuesday.

That doesn’t mean he’s 100% to be in action Friday in Winnipeg against the Blue Bombers, but signs are encouraging that he won’t be out longterm.

“Shane was out (on the field) today, feeling better,” Dickenson said. “But it’s a long process, so we just go with the advice we’re getting from our doctors, but looked better today which was a good thing.”

The Stamps are aiming to keep their ratio the same – they’ve been starting American Ucambre Williams at centre with four Canadians – and, as always with this team, are having to figure it out on the go as they deal with a seemingly neverending pile-up of injuries.

“It would be great to get through the whole year with who we want to, but it doesn’t work out that way,” said Stamps left tackle Spencer Wilson. “We have to work through, fill the spots, and overcome.”

KNOCK ON WOOD

For a moment early in Tuesday’s practice, it appeared that Jerome Messam might have gotten hurt.

With backup Roy Finch currently suspended after a positive drug-test, that would have been devastating, but fortunately it appears that everything was OK.

“He just got stepped on, he says he’s fine,” Dickenson said. “You never know, ultimately you’ve got to get yourself in the treatment area and make sure you’re good. I’d like to get him going this week.”

daustin@postmedia.com

Twitter: @DannyAustin_9