411: Brohm a ‘no-brainer’

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This article was published 18/10/2014 (4063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BROHM A ‘NO-BRAINER’

Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea says his decision to start backup Brian Brohm instead of injured No. 1 starter Drew Willy tonight against the Calgary Stampeders at Investors Group Field was a “no-brainer.”

O’Shea said Willy worked out for Bombers staff Friday morning before practice but was unable to grip the ball hard enough to throw long passes, due to a hand injury sustained last Monday in a 41-9 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium.

O’Shea had still been hopeful as late as Thursday Willy might be able to play tonight despite not practising this week.

Brohm led the first-team offence in practice this week. He will be backed up by Robert Marve, who has been used this season in short-yardage situations. The club has also activated Josh Portis to serve as third-stringer.

CHANGES AT LINEBACKER

The quarterback moves are just part of a series of personnel changes the Bombers are making as they try to find a spark in the depths of a six-game losing streak.

The Bombers will also field a revamped linebacking corps tonight, with Johnny Sears and Don Unamba replacing Teague Sherman and Desia Dunn respectively.

Sherman is a non-import and O’Shea said the changes at linebacker are in part because the club has increased ratio flexibility this week with three non-imports starting on the offensive line instead of just two.

Non-import rookie Matthias Goossen is starting at right guard — which is just his second start this year. Import Jace Daniels is also getting his first CFL start this week at left tackle.

The other significant lineup change will see halfback Bruce Johnson once again starting after he was a healthy scratch last week.

ON RECORD PACE

Bombers kicker Lirim Hajrullahu is on pace to set a couple of field-goal accuracy records.

Hajrullahu currently leads the CFL in field-goal percentage at 91.2 (31-34) and appears likely to smash the franchise field goal record set by Justin Palardy at 86.7 per cent.

CFL statistician Steve Daniel says Hajrullahu is also on pace to set the CFL rookie field goal accuracy record of 86.96 per cent set by first-year Ticats kicker Justin Medlock in 2009 when he went 40-of-46.

Daniel says Hajrullahu can afford to miss two more field-goal attempts in Winnipeg’s final three games — provided he attempts at least five in that period — and still break Medlock’s rookie record.

BY THE NUMBERS

19 — Sacks given up by the Stampeders (1st)

58 — Sacks given up by the Blue Bombers (9th)

Plus-14 — Calgary’s turnover ratio (1st)

Minus-14 — Winnipeg’s turnover ratio (9th)

143.6 — Average yards rushing per game by Calgary (1st)

129.3 — Average yards rushing per game given up by Winnipeg (9th)

9 — Victories in a row by Calgary over Winnipeg

THOSE MADCAP RASCALS

Bombers mascots Buzz and Boomer will put on a show prior to the start of tonight’s game — the two are scheduled to rappel from the roof of Investors Group Field to field level just prior to kickoff.

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

O’Shea was asked by a reporter Friday if he’s enjoyed his rookie year as a head coach in what’s been a roller-coaster season for the Bombers that began with a 5-1 start, but has since seen the Bombers lose eight of their last nine games.

“I’m having fun every day,” O’Shea insisted. “Every day’s a learning experience so it’s a pleasure to come to work every single day. It’s very easy to get up and get going. There’s lots to do. And being around this group is pretty good. Every day is really good.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek