New Bombers QB eager for his first pro football start

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This article was published 13/08/2015 (4007 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Going about his business and rallying the troops.

Those are the words Mike O’Shea used to describe Robert Marve’s demeanour on the eve of his first professional football start.

“Nothing’s changed, even-keeled,” said head coach Mike O’Shea, referring to the 24-hour period since Marve was named Friday’s starting quarterback against the Toronto Argonauts. “I’m sure he’s a little bit excited inside but he’s a professional.”

Excited? No doubt. Confident? You betcha. Anxious to finally get behind the controls of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers? Oh, hell yeah.

“I feel like these days are just creeping right now; I’m about ready to play,” Marve said.

Short week be damned, Marve’s enthusiasm to lead this team was the most notable weapon in his arsenal on Thursday, evidenced further through his after-walkthrough work on broken plays with his receiving core.

“(I was) just getting my timing and seeing what (my receivers) think,” Marve said. “Everything looks the same on paper so we just wanted to get on the field and see how it looked.”

“He generally sticks around after every practice and throws up and down the field with the guys. I think he’s just sticking to his normal routine,” O’Shea added.

Normal routine, sure, but with a different purpose.

“It’s my first time, so let’s get this thing going,” Marve said.

Since being named the starter, the former Purdue pivot has felt the love from the guys around him.

“Those guys (the offensive line), more than anyone else around the team, has rallied around me,” Marve said. “I don’t feel any type of negative way at all. They brought me in right away – Dom (Pickard) brought me in, Jace (Daniels), Stanley (Bryant) and the rest of the guys. If anything, those guys have been the most positive group that came at me and said, ‘Hey, we got you and let’s make plays happen together.’”

So, how will Marve sleep tonight ahead of the big game?

“Very easily – just knock out.”

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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