Opportunity knocks in Bombers finale

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This article was published 24/10/2023 (720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Get ready for an influx of new talent in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lineup for the regular season finale this weekend.

With the Bombers having clinched the West Division with a 13-4 record, rendering Friday’s road game against the Calgary Stampeders meaningless in the standings, the plan is to sit or limit the playing time of several starters. The late-season roster shuffle creates a chance for key players to rest and/or recover from injuries, while others who have seen less or no game action this year get to step into the spotlight and make their presence felt.

While there might be a lot of moving pieces to figure out in the coming days, head coach Mike O’Shea’s hope is that things look no different from previous weeks. Though the end result won’t matter as much, the expectations for those who take field remain the same.

“I want the week to look like every other week in terms of sticking to the process. I want the preparation for the guys to be the same. I want us to stick to the things we value and evaluate,” O’Shea said. “And then whatever happens… obviously, everybody wants to win. But most importantly, it’s making sure we are consistent in what we do. What I’ve liked so far is there are some veteran guys that are most likely going to be watching and they’re out there working with some young guys, making sure they are very detailed in their process.”

Judging by Tuesday’s practice, decisions have already been made to sit quarterback Zach Collaros, who didn’t participate in the workout, joining the likes of receiver Nic Demski, offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick, defensive back Deatrick Nichols and safety Brandon Alexander on the list of non-participants.

More roster decisions are likely to be made in the coming days, as the Bombers coaching staff weighs the benefits of rust versus rest, with other factors, such as the salary cap, also playing a role in the decision-making process. The Bombers are used to this form of roster juggling, having dealt with similar situations the previous two seasons, as Winnipeg also won the West in 2022 and 2021.

“What hasn’t changed is taking a fresh look every single year as to what we’ve done, what we think we need to do now and if something needs to change, change it,” O’Shea added. “We’re not stuck in our ways and we’re not averse to changing. But we will always try to validate what we’re doing, in terms of the process and whether or not it holds water this year.”

Figuring out best practices by comparing different years is the job for the coaches. For players, especially those who have patiently waited for a chance to play this season, rest couldn’t be further from their mind.

Players such as offensive lineman Drew Richmond, who has had a roller-coaster tenure with the Blue and Gold. Richmond joined the Bombers late in the 2019 season, and returned to the club in 2021 as a backup after the lost 2020 campaign owing to COVID-19.

He finally got his chance to play in the final regular season game in 2021, under the same circumstances as this year. It turned out to be a memorable game for all the wrong reasons as Richmond suffered a serious knee injury that wiped out his entire 2022 season.

Richmond is back this year but has yet to see the field, making Friday his return.

“There’s going to be hard things that come in life, and I kind of hold myself to a standard during adversity,” Richmond said. “It’ll be a blessing to get out there with the guys and just see my hard work come to fruition.”

Then there’s rookie receiver Ravi Alston, who was signed in early September during the CFL’s window for an expanded practice roster. Alston, a 23-year-old who played last season at Montana State was able to impress over the last month, resulting in the release of Carlton Agudosi from the PR.

“Short and sweet, it’s a blessing,” Alston said. “I’m just really trying to make a name for myself, while earning the trust of my teammates and my coaches, show everybody what I can do. I feel like I belong here, and I can really help this team win.”

Not everyone will get the opportunity to rest, nor is every player looking to sit out. Missing Friday’s game will mean three weeks between a Week 20 win over the Elks last Saturday and the West Final on Nov. 11, which will be played against the winner of the B.C. Lions and Stampeders in the West semi-final Nov. 4.

The decision whether someone should play is ultimately made by coaches, in consultation with the club’s athletic therapists, led by Al Couture. Players are also consulted in the decision, as some really don’t want the extended break.

“I think as long as you take practice seriously and practise at a high level, as we do here, I don’t think anybody is concerned with the rust issue,” said Collaros, who will be replaced by No. 2 pivot Dru Brown against Calgary.

Collaros understands the kind of opportunity facing the less-experienced players. It was the chance to play late in his rookie season with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012, after several weeks watching from the sidelines, that led him to fall in love with the CFL game.

“I don’t think I’d be in this league if it wasn’t for my rookie season in Toronto,” the CFL’s reigning two-time most outstanding player said. “I remember after the game being like, ‘Man, that was so much fun.’ From sitting there for 17 weeks to actually playing, it was a good reminder of how much I love football. That led to me coming back (next year) and trying again. It’s a great week for that, for guys to get an opportunity.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton