Moradabad News , Moradabad Business

Castillo a sure thing as kicker – Winnipeg Free Press

—

by

admin
in

[ad_1]

Sergio Castillo had no intention of leaving the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a different CFL club.

After drilling five field goals in the 2021 Grey Cup against Hamilton to help the Blue and Gold secure a 33-25 overtime victory, Castillo thought another NFL opportunity could be in the cards for him.

That didn’t end up coming to fruition, prompting Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea to ask the the all-star kicker if he’d be interested returning to Winnipeg for the 2022 campaign.



BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Blue Bombers kicker and punter Sergio Castillo (No. 14) helps out with drills during training camp. “It’s definitely good to be back. It just feels like home coming back here and seeing all the familiar faces,” said Castillo.

The answer was a resounding yes from Castillo and the two shook on it. However, the business side of the game ended up getting in the way. The Amarillo, Texas product couldn’t pass up a lucrative deal with the Edmonton Elks.

The Bombers couldn’t afford to match it, so they opted to go in a different, and much cheaper, direction with Canadian Marc Liegghio.

Everyone knows how that worked out.

So, when the Elks released Castillo a week and a half ago, the Bombers wasted no time. Just over an hour after hitting the market, Castillo was back under contract with Winnipeg.

“Your whole offseason your mindset is set on going to Edmonton. I had a lot of things planned out going over there, but it’s what we sign up for. It’s a part of the business, it’s part of sports. I’m just grateful to have a job, right? And I’m glad to be here, too,” said Castillo, 32, after Day 1 of training camp on Sunday at IG Field.

“It’s definitely good to be back. It just feels like home coming back here and seeing all the familiar faces.”

When the lights were at their brightest, Castillo brought his A-game. His departure created a void, and his arrival fills arguably the team’s only hole.

The Bombers acquired Castillo near the 2021 trade deadline in a deal with the B.C. Lions. Castillo had spent a few months in 2020 with the NFL’s New York Jets.

“Well, he’s a veteran. He’s been there and done that and on the big stage, he was perfect. When a guy like that becomes available, I’m sure he had opportunities to do a lot of different things, but you certainly want to have him in the building for that experience,” O’Shea told reporters on Sunday.

Liegghio, on the other hand, was the opposite. He missed a key extra-point convert and had a late field goal blocked in the team’s devastating 24-23 loss to the Toronto Argos in last year’s Grey Cup.

“I felt bad for him. He’s one of my boys. Ever since I met him in ‘21, we kept in touch. As one of my boys, I want the best for him,” said Castillo.

“… You know, I heard from him. It’s unfortunate, I’ve been in that situation myself as well where at the end of the game it comes down to you and you miss one.”

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Castillo’s return means Liegghio will have to punt his way onto the team. Liegghio said he’s still preparing as if he’s going to handle all three duties — field goals, punting and kickoffs — and stuck to his normal offseason schedule.



BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

If Mark Liegghio wants to play a third season in the CFL, the 26-year-old is going to have to outlast the other three punters in camp — American Devin Anctil, and Global players Jamieson Sheahan and Karl Schmitz.

“I think if you win or lose, you just kind of go and do the same thing. It’s kind of like you got to throw it out the window and move on to your next season. That’s how I looked at it,” said Liegghio.

“Obviously, there’s a little more fire in the tank because you don’t like ending on a losing end, but it’s the same routine and you keep it going.”

If Liegghio wants to play a third season in the CFL, the 26-year-old is going to have to outlast the other three punters in camp — American Devin Anctil, and Global players Jamieson Sheahan and Karl Schmitz.

“I met them more today and they all seem like really cool guys. I’m looking forward to working with them through camp. It’s just like having a couple more friends with us during camp,” said Liegghio.

“There’s going to be competitions at any camp you go to. Come out here, do your thing, and keep doing what you do.”