The Clarence Denmark Redemption Tour will make a pit stop this weekend in Vancouver, which two short years ago was the site of significant moment for the Bombers slotback.

It was just before a game at B.C. Place in September 2014 when the Bombers announced a fat contract extension for Denmark, a three-year deal that was going to pay him upwards of $150,000 per season. He was in the middle of his first all-star campaign, en route to a 1,000 yard season, and life was good.

Then came 2015. The Bombers went through quarterbacks like most people go through underwear, and Denmark’s play suffered as a result. He caught 57 passes for 718 yards and three touchdowns, which isn’t bad. It’s not good, however, if you’re an import making well north of six figures.

The Bombers decided it was time to move on. They let Nick Moore walk in free agency and signed Weston Dressler to a similar salary. When they signed Ryan Smith to a free agent deal worth about the same amount Denmark was scheduled to make, well, the writing was on the wall for No. 89.

Bomber fans know what happened next. Denmark failed to crack the Roughriders roster during their training camp, and he was at home in Florida when the Bombers came calling in late July.

His return after being rebuffed was interesting enough, but how he’s played since his return makes Denmark’s story that much more intriguing. Denmark’s 572 receiving yards are second best on the team, and he leads the Blue and Gold with a career high seven touchdown receptions in only eight games. The rest of the team has 13 TD grabs combined.

The elephant in the locker-room, however, is how much more productive Denmark has been than Smith, the man who replaced him and who is making much more money. Denmark and Smith have both started eight games this season, and Denmark has more catches (43-38), more receiving yards (572-365), and more touchdowns (7-1).

Denmark’s numbers this year give an indication of just how ugly the team’s quarterback situation was in 2015, but the Jacksonville, Fla., has to bear some of the blame for the downturn as well. Denmark admitted getting a second chance has him playing with more urgency.

“I’ll say I’m a little bit more focused,” he said. “I just want to do well, and I’m putting pressure on that on my end. There’s a lot of great guys around me, and you have to give those guys credit.

“I guess I’ll say just (I’m) appreciating everything and not taking any play for granted.”

If the Bombers had a chance to do it all over again, would they still cut Denmark? Even if they think that way, head coach Mike O’Shea isn’t admitting it.

“I don’t know that you can ever go backwards like that,” O’Shea said. “I said from the beginning, when he came back, we always believed in his professionalism and his work ethic. We’re extremely happy for Clarence. It’s a good thing.”

Most humans in Denmark’s situation would be walking around every day saying, “Don’t you feel silly for cutting me?” — or at least thinking it. That thought has to be inside Denmark somewhere, but he’ll never admit it.

“That’s not what I’m thinking about,” Denmark said. “That’s not my focus at all. Just like I said from day one: I just want to come in here and be a part of it. I saw when I first got here that it was something great, and I just want to be a part of it.”

The Bombers are 7-2 since Denmark rejoined the team, and they are 6-2 when he’s in the lineup. No one knows what the future holds, either, as Darvin Adams’ expected return after the bye week will likely bump either Denmark or Smith from the roster.

“It’s been a crazy ride, man,” Denmark said. “I’m just happy that we’re winning some games.”

WESTERMAN ONLY CONCERNED WITH WINS AND LOSSES

Jamaal Westerman isn’t racking up the sacks like he did last year, but he’s more than pleased with how he and the rest of the Bombers defensive line are playing.

Westerman finished second in the CFL last season with 17 sacks, just two behind Montreal rush end John Bowman. It led to Westerman’s being named Winnipeg most outstanding player, defensive player and Canadian.

This year Westerman has seven sacks through 15 games, which leaves him tied for sixth in the league sack race. The defensive end isn’t sure why he’s not eating more quarterbacks for lunch, but he said he has received more attention from blockers.

“I guess I could tell you after the season,” Westerman said. “I think I’m still creating pressure. I think I’m still doing a lot of the things I did last year. I think we’re playing better as a defence as a whole and playing better as a team as a whole. I’d rather be on a team that’s winning games.”

The Bombers have the third fewest sacks in the league (30), and they are allowing five yards per carry, which is in the middle of the CFL pack. The defence has forced a league-best 46 takeaways, though, and the pressure from Westerman and Co. has contributed to that impressive mark.

That makes a sharp reduction in sacks easier to take for Westerman, who claims he never pays too close attention to stats.

“The way I look at it is always I think I’m a complete defensive end,” he said. “My tackles are going well. I’m playing my gap, doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

kpenton@postmedia.com

Twitter: @PentonKirk