Bombers, Alouettes looking for a lifeline

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This article was published 19/09/2015 (3904 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — Mike O’Shea didn’t want to get caught “crying wolf,” but he also underscored the weight of this game. So did just about everyone involved.

From the Alouettes’ Nik Lewis and Winnipeg’s Dom Picard calling it a playoff game, to Montreal’s Jonathan Hefney saying it was a “fight to stay alive,” the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes have heightened the hype for today’s match.

Both teams have just four wins heading into the final third of the regular season and the winner here will considerably improve their playoff outlook.

“You can’t tell them it’s as important as an elimination game, because when you’re actually in an elimination game you want to be able to go there,” said Blue head coach O’Shea. “We don’t like to cry wolf. This is an important game. It’s not lost on us there is that possibility of a crossover. So we’ve gotta take care of business here.”

Alouettes GM and coach Jim Popp concurred.

“Both teams have to be in playoff mode already,” said Popp. 

“We all know right now, and both teams probably feel the same way: Take care of your own business, and things will take care of itself. If a team gets hot, one of these teams that has won four games, or even three games, you’re going to be in the playoffs. Do you stay in your division or do you end up crossing over? We have to, to get back in our own division’s race.” 

There are any number of storylines heading into this game, with the impact it will have on the standings being No. 1. Right behind is the battle of two quarterbacks trying to make a name for themselves in this league.

The Bombers( 4-7) will turn to Matt Nichols, who will be making his second start with the club, while Montreal (4-6) will welcome the return of Jonathan Crompton, who was their Week 1 starter, but hasn’t played since due to a shoulder injury.

Crompton went 8-2 down the stretch for the Als last season, but not once did he throw for 300 yards in a game. Nichols lost his job with the Edmonton Eskimos this season before being traded to Winnipeg. Both have lots to prove.

Around the Bombers camp, word is Nichols has breathed hope into the team. Nichols got a win last week over Saskatchewan having had just a few days to learn the offence.

“I feel a lot more comfortable with the offence now. I feel like I’ve been in it for months and not weeks,” said Nichols. “You can’t play quarterback scared to make mistakes.”

The Alouettes are one of the league’s top rushing teams but have been terrible passing the ball. Popp says you can’t just demand balance, even if that’s the objective.

“You watch what the other team does, and then you go: These plays can potentially work against the other team,” said Popp. “Some may be more run-heavy than pass-heavy, or they could be equal, OK? But until you start seeing what they’re presenting to you or once you start running plays… it’s impossible to determine what you’re going to do.”

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The Alouettes ran on autopilot for more than a decade with Anthony Calvillo at quarterback. But since his retirement, the offence has sputtered, running through both quarterbacks and offensive co-ordinators. Calvillo and former Bombers quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie were promoted recently and are sharing the offensive co-ordinator work.

“I don’t think anybody imagines that you’re going to go through that many changes. I don’t think we imagined we’d have that many injuries at that position. I don’t think we imagined having as many co-ordinators that we’ve had,” said Popp. 

The other facet of this game to keep an eye on is the upward trend of the Bombers’ defence. It’s been excellent of late and last week’s performance in a win over the Roughriders was dominant. 

The Als have the second-stingiest defence in the league in terms of points allowed.

“Both these defences are solid,” said Lewis. “We’re going to try and keep our guys off the field and keep them fresh. Winnipeg will be trying to do the same. To me, that’s going to be the tale of this game. Which offence can move the ball. With these defences, the offence that can stay on the field will give its team an edge.”