Blue crew feel the love, manage the expectations

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/07/2011 (5495 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Drinks on the house — that’s always a popular play.

But perhaps it’s something simpler. A free car wash here, a second scoop of ice cream on the cone there, or maybe an extra blast of espresso in a coffee in the morning as a way of saying ‘Good job’ and ‘Keep up the fantastic work.’

Whatever the token of appreciation is, it’s a safe bet members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — sorry, the undefeated Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-0) — are feeling a lot of love from the fans who have sat through two terrible seasons and a Grey Cup drought that spans a generation.

Feeling Blue in Winnipeg has nothing to do with depression.

"Yeah, there’s been some free dinners," quarterback Buck Pierce laughed after the club went through a light workout at Canad Inns Stadium Sunday afternoon. "It’s always a perk. When you play well and you win in this city, people are more than charitable.

"We’re doing well and we’re enjoying the wins right now."

Though already the most popular Bomber thanks to his position and personable way, Pierce, asked by coaches to rest Sunday after taking a hard shot to his right thigh in Friday’s 22-16 win over Toronto, has seen the needle break off with regard to the interest level in the Blue and Gold product the last 48 hours.

This is how sweet things are in Bomberland these days: The coaches threw a little music on for the players during Sunday’s workout, just to keep the party going. The team has done that in the past during training camp, but do you think the playlist would be fired up if win-loss record were reversed?

The Bombers will be going for three straight wins when they take on the Calgary Stampeders (1-1) at Canad Inns Stadium Thursday (7 p.m.).

Last season, Winnipeg didn’t earn its third win until Sept. 12, the Banjo Bowl victory.

Consider this: With three of the next four games at Canad Inns Stadium, the Bomb Squad has a chance to better its four-win 2010 season before the schedule hits the Week 6 mark.

The last time the club started 3-0 was in 2003, the same year they started 2-0.

That was the same year they started 4-0 and finished with an 11-7 record.

See where this is headed?

This isn’t just a city-wide buzz on what’s happened over the past two games — it’s an anticipation of what could possibly come down the road. That’s the appetite for a winning football club in these parts.

How do you keep that in check?

Pierce said people mentioned terms like ‘undefeated season’ to him in conversations around town over the weekend.

Cheque, please.

"Everybody is excited — and they should be," Pierce said. "We still have a long ways to go but we’re working on it. The process is exciting. That’s the fun part about sports: It’s always a process; you have to enjoy the process of reaching those goals. We’ve handled our jobs the first two weeks, and we have another goal this week."

Right now, the good times are rolling. How long can it continue?

It could depend on how many free dinners come the Bombers’ way. Healthy portions of praise could really fatten a team up.

"I hope we’re smarter than that," head coach Paul LaPolice said, commenting on guarding against getting caught up in the extra attention. "This is a long season — you play 18 games and the only one that matters is the game this week.

"If you’re going to be (a good team) you’re going to have to play consistently well."

And maybe push away from the table before the dessert cart comes by. You know, at least once in awhile.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

CFL’s top storylines so far

THE Blue and Gold aren’t the only story in the CFL through the first two weeks:

 WHO’S HOT…

"ô The Bombers’ defence

They’ve allowed just two touchdowns. They’ve registered nine sacks. They’ve forced 10 turnovers. And it’s a good bet they’ll only allow the Calgary offence 16 points on Thursday.

"ô Montreal SB

Jamel Richardson

His 18 receptions for 276 yards and two TDs put him on pace for 162 catches, 2,484 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2011. Probably won’t happen. Right?

"ô Edmonton QB Ricky Ray

Coming off his worst year as a pro, Ray has already thrown for 682 yards (on 42-of-58 passing) and four TDs (he had 11 last year). Oh yeah — zero picks in 2011. Good start.

… AND WHO’S NOT

"ô Marcel Bellefeuille

The Ticats are 0-2 and have looked terrible in the process. If Hamilton loses to winless Saskatchewan this week, the head coach’s job security could be another storyline in Steeltown.

"ô B.C. ground game

The winless Lions have rushed for 92 yards in two games. Subtract QB Travis Lulay’s scrambles (seven for 55 yards), and that number falls to 37 yards on 12 carries. What does Wally Buono have against running the ball?

"ô Saskatchewan D

The Riders’ defence can’t stop anyone right now, having surrendered 866 yards against in two games. Anthony Calvillo and Ricky Ray have been the opposition QBs, but that doesn’t change the fact the Green Machine is in an 0-2 hole.

— Wazny