After win over Saskatchewan, Bombers ask: ‘Who’s next’?

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This article was published 01/07/2015 (3754 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers exorcised more than a few demons last weekend in Regina. And now they’ll try to make their own park a bit of a haunted house for any visitors who dare enter.

The Bombers, 1-0 after their season-opening win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday, kick off the home portion of their 2015 schedule Thursday night at Investors Group Field against the 0-1 Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7:30 p.m.; TSN/CJOB).

“We beat Sask, but it’s just a win,” said Bomber defensive tackle Zach Anderson. “Now we move on to the next game. We’re going to treat every game the same again. We’re 0-0 and we’ve got to win this game… that’s how we’re looking at it.

“I’m not saying winning is not a big deal. It’s a big deal. But our attitude is, ‘Who’s next?’”

The Ticats figure to be in an ornery mood. They fell 24-23 in Calgary last week in a Grey-Cup rematch and the defending East Division champs opted to stay in Alberta before heading east for this game. Hamilton is on the road for their first four games of the season due to the Pan Am Games being held in Steeltown and Toronto.

“They’re well coached,” said Bomber coach Mike O’Shea of the Ticats. “Zach Collaros runs their offence well and he adds the dimension of being very, very slippery out there so he can buy more time on each individual play and as that happens defences can tend to break down and with the new rules, I would think there would be more penalties as the play breaks down.

“Defensively they are very good at disguising their coverage, they are very multiple. They play a lot of different coverages, they bring a lot of different pressures from different angles, different looks.”

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The Bombers have made three changes to their 46-man roster — the most significant being the return of safety Maurice Leggett, their top defensive player from 2014. He’ll replace Demetrius Wright, who started against the Riders. The other changes see rookie receiver Addison Richards added for Rory Kohlert (who was injured, but dressed last week) and Canadian D-lineman Ivan Brown, who takes linebacker Tony Burnett’s spot.

The Bombers might also be hoping for some good vibes to rub off from the 1990 Grey Cup squad, which will be honoured during the game. A collection of that crew will be at the Tailgate at the Plaza for two hours before kickoff signing autographs and then celebrated during a break in the third quarter. Members of that team, including Lyle Bauer, David Black, Bob Cameron, Terry Cochrane, Rob Crifo, Ken Hailey, Rod Hill, Rick House, Trevor Kennerd, Danny McManus, Stan Mikawos, Bob Molle, Dave Ritchie, Chris Walby and

Steve Zatylny is to gather at the stadium tonight in a private function to watch a DVD of the ’90 Cup win.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait