Bombers agree first half performance needs to improve

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This article was published 23/10/2015 (3723 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A win on Saturday night, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers can breathe slightly easier. A loss, however, and the Bombers can start planning locker clean out day.

Truthfully, the Blue Bombers wouldn’t be eliminated with a loss this week, but they’d be damn close.

So, while this is a must-win game – three words seemingly etched into the fabric of every Bombers game in the second half of the season – execution was the word being thrown around as a big key to a successful Saturday afternoon at Investors Group Field.

“There’s been some execution issues,” head coach Mike O’Shea said following his team’s pre-game walkthrough on Friday. “Whether it’s some penalty issues, some drops, some missed assignments – there are points in games, early in games, where they killed drives.

“As a staff, we obviously factor everything we can into making sure we put them, the players, in the best position possible to and the players work their butts off all week to make sure they execute properly. It all has to come together at the same time.”

It has been the case, most of the time, as the 5-11 Bombers somehow sit on the precipice of a playoff spot.

Winnipeg will be looking to emulate their second half form in the first two quarters come game time. O’Shea sees a higher level of execution in the second half, as does his quarterback, and the one often held accountable for the mood swings, Matt Nichols.

“We just need to find a way to come out with that same focus from the start and try to be more successful in the first half,” he said. “For me, it’s staying true to my reads and not go off-script if I get a different look than we were expecting. Like I said, it’s staying true to what I’ve been taught to do and make throws when they’re there.”

The Bombers will be in tough. They’re currently 0-9 against teams with winning records this season.

Notes: The RedBlacks are pushing for their first 10-win season since 1978 …

RedBlacks’ pivot Henry Burris threw for 370 yards and a touchdown in last week’s meeting. The Bombers turned the ball over five times in the game … The Blue Bombers could theoretically make the playoffs without winning another game this season. Of course, they’d need the Montreal Alouettes and the B.C. Lions to lose all their remaining games … Former Texas Tech start defensive lineman Leon Mackey will make his CFL debut Saturday in place of Zach Anderson who is being sat due roster decision, according to Mike O’Shea.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

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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