Bombers plan to be horrible hosts to Calgary visitors

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This article was published 06/07/2017 (3070 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers haven’t beaten the Calgary Stampeders on home turf since 2009, a stretch of eight consecutive losses.

Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris would like that streak to end but he denies the Blue Bombers are using the Stampeders, a perennial CFL powerhouse, as a measuring stick.

“The whole league is competitive right now and every game’s a battle and we try to go out and get two points,” Harris said Thursday after the Blue Bombers completed their walk-through for Friday’s clash with the Stamps at Investors Group Field.

“For us, a measuring stick? I wouldn’t say so much that, but, I mean, it’s another week to go out and compete and get better.”

The Blue Bombers, who started the season 1-0 after a 43-40 overtime road win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 2, may have a more vulnerable Stampeders team this time around. Calgary’s defensive line will be missing three of its top five players, including the injured Ja’Gared Davis, Cordarro Law and star defensive end Charleston Hughes.

Tackle Micah Johnson is the lone D-lineman who is active after starting Week 2 with reserves Kashawn Fraser, Derek Wiggan and James Vaughters expected to start against the Blue Bombers.

“Yeah, anytime Charleston Hughes isn’t in the lineup that’s a big advantage,” Harris said. “He’s definitely a force out there. (But) Calgary always has a deep depth chart and they’ve got skilled guys all around the board. They’re a sound defence, so we’re expecting the guys to be in there to be as good.”

Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson isn’t sure what to expect.

“To me, Hughes is the guy we’ve leaned on for years and years and years,” said Dickenson. “You look at the beginning of the season, we kind of thought we had too many D-ends. Not only Hughes but Cordarro Law and J.D. (Davis) and we’re light right now. Those guys, (it’s a) great opportunity for them. Let’s see what you can do and it’s not like you already know who these guys are. They have to prove to you they’re worthy of playing time and they’re excited for the opportunity.”

Right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, part of a Winnipeg O-line that opened holes for 97 rushing yards against the Roughriders, wasn’t celebrating the absence of Hughes and Co.

“I’ve been here four years and I know what Calgary has done, so I’m not going to discredit that,” Hardrick said. “Basically, this is a plug-and-play league and you see guys fall off every week and you don’t see a change in their performance. So I know Calgary’s loaded over there, I’m excited to see who they’re going to put in. I know he’ll be ready to play… he gets paid also.”

Harris — who wears No. 33 — rumbled for 57 yards on 13 carries for an average of 4.4 yards per carry in Regina. The Bombers will need more of the same to beat the Stamps at home for the first time since a 42-30 win on July 10, 2009.

“I think we need to get three-three going and once three-three is going, everything else opens up,” said Hardrick. “But the biggest thing is we need to get three-three going, we need to get running. I don’t know the yardage but I know we need to be successful.”

Harris also caught six passes for 38 yards against the Roughriders, a scenario Winnipeg would like to exploit against the vaunted Calgary defence.

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“Andrew’s a great guy,” said Hardrick. “He’s really an O-lineman because he corrects a lot of mistakes we make and he’s in there for protection with us. Andrew’s one of the best backs I’ve been around. He can block, he can catch, he can run. He has reason to be confident.”

Harris is hoping for a large, vocal crowd at Friday’s home opener. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

“Well, it’s a home game for us,” he said. “The atmosphere was crazy in Saskatchewan and we want the same kind of environment here tomorrow night. I’ve heard ticket sales are going well and this stadium has been crazier than ever, so for us, we’ve gotta play to that home-field advantage.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14