Blue Bombers to face Riders this Saturday with series of roster changes

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 3:01 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 10, 2015

Ready or not, here they come.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/09/2015 (3979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ready or not, here they come.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers wrapped up their final full practice in advance of facing the Saskatchewan Roughriders this Saturday in the Banjo Bowl with a pledge that a series of personnel changes this week will produce an improved effort against the Riders.

And that begins with a beleaguered Bombers offence, which will debut its fourth starting quarterback in five weeks on Saturday when Matt Nichols – acquired just last week in a trade with Edmonton – steps under centre.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Matt Nichols with Marcel Bellefeuille Offensive coordinator at practice Wednesday afternoon at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg. The Bombers are in preparation for the Banjo Bowl against the Saskatchewan Roughriders this Saturday. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

“We need to be better – obviously,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said Thursday afternoon at Investors Group Field. “We’re not scoring enough points, we’re not running the ball well enough – those parts of the offence we need to be better, absolutely.”

And the list of things that need improving also includes time of possession – an area that has plagued the Bombers all season and which saw them reach a new low in a loss to Saskatchewan last Sunday in which they had the ball just 22:15.

“That goes hand in hand – if we’re able to run the ball, our defence will be off the field,” said O’Shea.

In addition to Nichols, the 3-7 Bombers will also have a new starting left guard this week in Sam Longo – who replaces Chris Greaves, who was traded to Edmonton on Wednesday.

On defence, Maurice Leggett will move from safety to strong-side linebacker to replace Chris Randle, who is out for the season with a knee injury sustained in the loss to Saskatchewan. And Lin-J Shell will replace Leggett at safety.

Put it altogether and right tackle Pat Neufeld – a former Rider – says he’s optimistic the Bombers will give fans at IGF on Saturday the kind of game they deserve but too seldom have gotten to see in these parts.

“More than anyone, we want to win this game for our fans. They’re here supporting us all the time and we want to go out and get a win for them,” said Neufeld.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek