Last-last-last-last chance

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2010 (5812 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Obby KHAN took a couple seconds to think about the question, doing the math before giving his response.

Question: How many last-chance-to-turn-it-around games do the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-10) have left?

“I think we’re on three of four right now, so counting backwards, I’d say this is it,” the veteran centre said after a spirited practice under the warm sun at Canad Inns Stadium Saturday afternoon. “Whatever the number is, we’re running out of chances.”

Yes, believe it or not, Bombers fans, your team is still very much alive in the chase for a post-season spot. With five games left on the schedule — starting with a matchup with the B.C. Lions (5-8) Thanksgiving Monday (3:30 p.m., TSN, CJOB) — the Blue and Gold can still conceivably catch the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division or earn a crossover spot over those same Lions when the dust settles on the 2010 campaign.

With that possibility — faint or real, depending how you look at it — the urgency has picked up.

“It’s been a little more serious and intense out here,” Khan added. “The mood is still pretty positive, all things considering, but guys are playing, or practicing, with a little more edge than previous weeks. There’s an anger out here lately… which can only help things, right?”

That extra fire was turned up significantly Saturday, when offensive co-ordinator Jamie Barresi and defensive line coach Richard Harris got into a heated exchange following an offensive set. It’s not often you hear two coaches yelling at each other, but that’s what happens when a team has lost eight of nine game, on its last breath regarding playoff football, and now turning to rookie QB Alex Brink to find some success.

“The nature of the whole situation itself has pressure — it is what it is,” Brink said, refusing to look at the big picture situation that underlines his first CFL start. “There’s no added pressure on me because of that. There are playoff implications, but that’s been the case now for a few weeks.”

Despite some struggles at practice after being named the starter, Brink says he’s all systems go for the Lions. Those expecting Winnipeg to show a limited attack with the new arm at the controls need not worry, as Brink said he’ll be drawing from the same playbook Jyles had at his disposal.

That falls in line with the way the Bombers are looking at this game — last playoff gasp or not.

Nothing changes, according to head coach Paul LaPolice — the goal Monday is to get two points and move onto to the next game.

There’s been little talk about “last chances” or “must-wins” this week.

“”I’ve told (the players) for two weeks in a row, ‘Don’t try to be a math expert; try to be a two-point expert,'” LaPolice said.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Math Men

Believe it or not, the Bombers can still make the playoffs. With a basement position and just five games left, though, they’ll need a lot of help from other teams to get it done. A look at the four clubs within reach and what they have left (home dates in CAPS):

— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-10, six points, fourth in East)

Games remaining: B.C., at Montreal, TORONTO, at Edmonton, CALGARY

— Toronto Argonauts (7-7, 14 points, tied for second in East)

Games remaining: HAMILTON, at Winnipeg, MONTREAL, at Montreal

— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-7, 14 points, second in East)

Games remaining: at Toronto, MONTREAL, at Calgary, B.C.

— B.C. Lions (5-8, 10 points, third in the West)

Games remaining: at Winnipeg, EDMONTON, at Calgary, SASKATCHEWAN, at Hamilton

— Edmonton Eskimos (4-10, eight points, fourth in the West) Games remaining: at B.C., SASKATCHEWAN, WINNIPEG, at Saskatchewan