Bombers believe they have a great opportunity when they meet the Redblacks

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This article was published 20/10/2015 (3734 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They’ve taken many more shots than they’ve landed, but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers – even at 5-11 – still plan to come out swinging this weekend in their pursuit of a CFL playoff spot.

The Bombers play host to the Ottawa Redblacks Saturday afternoon in what will be their final home game of the 2015 season. And, thanks to the CFL’s goofy playoff format, they remain very much in the postseason picture with the B.C. Lions and Montreal Alouettes, both 5-10, in the dash for the final spot available. Winnipeg has played one more game than B.C. and Montreal, but won the season series with the Leos while the Als need to finish with more points than either of the two West Division clubs to qualify through the crossover.

And that was a big part of Mike O’Shea’s message to the troops as they returned to work Tuesday morning.

“You let them know where we’re at. Today we talked, not necessarily focusing on where we’ve come from, but what lies ahead for us,” said O’Shea. “We’ve still got a great opportunity. And come game time they need to realize that. I’m confident they will. As an entire organization we’ve got to believe that we’re going to make the playoffs.”

The Bombers play host to the Redblacks this weekend, then have the bye next week before wrapping up the regular season against Toronto on the road.

Defensive end Jamaal Westerman’s face lit up on Tuesday when asked if, at 5-11, he can believe they are still in the playoff race.

“Yeah, I can believe it, man,” said Westerman. “I believe. There’s a lot of other guys still in the race, too. As long as we’re still in the hunt I’m happy. We have to keep going. We can’t look back at 5-11 because that doesn’t matter right now. It matters this game coming up.”

Three Bomber regulars were not practising on Tuesday with centre Dominic Picard and slotback Nick Moore in civvies watching, while left tackle Stanley Bryant was tending to a personal matter. The Bombers are hoping both Moore and Bryant are good to go against Ottawa while it appears Matthias Goossen will start again for Picard.

The Bombers also tinkered again with their practice roster, adding three imports: defensive lineman Ethan Farmer, running back B.J. Catalon and receiver Spencer Davis while releasing running back Steve Miller.

Farmer (6-3, 295, North Carolina) was a two-year starter with the Tar Heels and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention in his senior season after registering 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Catalon (5-9, 190, TCU) played three years with the Horned Frogs and finished with 1,600 yards and 16 TDs. He is also a kick-return specialist and was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Davis (5-7, 187, Southeast Missouri) played four years with the Redhawks and caught 35 passes for 464 yards and three TDs in his senior season. He also finished his college career with 2,800 kickoff return and 319 punt-return yards.

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