Bombers still tinkering with lineup

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This article was published 30/05/2018 (2662 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hit the gridiron for Friday’s pre-season opener against the Edmonton Eskimos at Investors Group Field, the roster will feature a number key players expected to make a big impact this year.

Just how many of those players will hit the field — and for how long — remains a mystery as head coach Mike O’Shea as he and his staff continue to work out the final details before kickoff.

“Guys need work, so we’ll make sure that everything we see going on in training camp — the good stuff — is there, present, in the game,” O’Shea said, when asked about whether he plans to suit up a considerable amount of veterans.

As for veteran quarterback Matt Nichols, who said earlier this week he’d prefer to play all four quarters in each of the team’s two exhibition matches, with the second game in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions next Friday, O’Shea remained steadfast that he didn’t know how he plans to use his starting pivot.“He’s going play part of the game. How much I don’t know,” O’Shea said. “I guess the real question is: would I tell you?”

It’s no secret teams often play many of their veteran and projected starters at home during the pre-season, while away games are most commonly used to key on players still looking to carve out a roster spot.

Last week, the Eskimos, playing the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium, dressed all their healthy star players. As for the visiting Riders, they played many of their second- and third-stringers in a game they lost 35-12.

While the personnel might still need some tinkering, the meaning behind these pre-season games doesn’t change. O’Shea said he wants to see players rise to the occasion and prove they’re willing to battle for a roster spot.

Making plays during practice in relatively non-contact drills is one thing. Showing the same kind of production and without mistakes against a real opponent is another altogether.

“There’s that in between as far as what we want and what they need and what we think they need. Somewhere in there lies the number of reps that they’ll get,” O’Shea said. “I do like to ask the players, especially some of the guys on defence and special teams. Some of them like to play a lot.”

A TIGHT-KNIT GROUP: for someone in his 11th CFL training camp, you’d think Adarius Bowman would be ready to get things over with.

But Bowman, who returned to the Bombers as a free agent after seven years in Edmonton, has been all smiles since camp opened last week. Now 11 days in, the veteran receiver can’t seem to get enough of his time in Winnipeg and is already starting to build a strong chemistry with Darvin Adams, the Bombers’ other downfield threat.

“I like the word brewing, but there’s definitely something there. I’m just enjoying every moment,” Bowman said. “I’ve always been a fan of him (Adams). Being a receiver and watching receivers across the league, I’ve definitely been watching him.”

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Bowman has put together a strong camp, including Wednesday’s workout where he got behind the defence on a number of occasions for big plays. He said he came here because of a creative playbook by offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice, but to see it up close and how everyone just seems to gel has him thinking about the possibilities that are ahead.

“But just to see all the guys come together — because training camp is hard, no matter how many years you’ve been playing — it can be tough to process all the stuff,” he said. “The leaders we have on this team, to watch them out on the field, it’s kind of scary how good it is at times. Hands down this is one of the greatest groups I’ve been around.”

WALKING WOUNDED: fifteen players sat out of Wednesday’s practice. Notable absences included running back Andrew Harris, safety Taylor Loffler, right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, linebacker Ian Wild, defensive end Craig Roh and fullback John Rush. Linebacker/defensive back Maurice Leggett and running back Kienan LaFrance have yet to participate in camp.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.