Belated condolences

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/10/2015 (3626 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The wind howled and at times the rain came down in sheets during practice, adding further misery to a despondent occasion as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers returned to Investors Group Field Saturday afternoon.

The rain clouds were overpowered by a much darker cloud, one that made reporters’ post-workout questions even more uncomfortable for the players than the drills performed on the turf. That’s because the night before, a majority of the team watched as the B.C. Lions defeated the Toronto Argonauts, 27-25, in a game that ultimately ended any chance Winnipeg had at making a run for the Grey Cup this season. It’s a reality made worse by the fact during the next week of practice, the team will have to watch as the finishing touches are made to the stadium as the city prepares to play host for the Grey Cup on the final weekend of November.

“It’s really tough this year because the Grey Cup is here,” said veteran receiver Clarence Denmark after practice. “It’s our job, we have to (be out here), but it stings just to know we had a chance to be in it.”

With a record of 5-12 heading into this week, the Bombers needed both the Lions and the Montreal Alouettes to lose both of their remaining games. Only then, along with a win against the Argos in the Bombers’ season finale Friday, would the Blue and Gold be given — or rather, gifted — a chance to return to the post-season. Now, no matter what happens against the Argos, the Bombers will once again be spectators come playoff time, making this the fourth straight year and sixth of the last seven they’ve missed the post-season.

Why didn’t the Bombers make the playoffs this year?

“Our record, (it’s) not good enough,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “We had opportunities to win other games and we didn’t win them and we put ourselves in this spot. When you are relying on teams at the end of the season, you put yourself in a bad situation.”

Instead of preparing for what would have been the most important game of the season, the Bombers are left licking their wounds. And though the scars of yet another disappointing campaign will surely take some time to heal, in the meantime, most players have decided to look toward the positives rather than focusing on what will surely be a long off-season.

“It is what it is. We still got to finish,” said defensive tackle Bryant Turner Jr. “We’re professionals, this is what we get paid for, so we’re out here doing our job right now, taking advantage of the last week and trying and get the most out of it.

“You’re showing the coaches what you’re made of, your true colours, knowing you have to come out at this time of the year. This week, that’s what everybody is doing, working for a job basically.”

As for O’Shea, he’ll continue to evaluate every aspect of his team as the season winds down. And whether it’s the first game of the season or the last, for pride or for job security, he said he expects to get the best out of his team this week.

“There can’t be a letdown because of the circumstances we’re in, they’ve got to go out there and play,” he said.

Even if things do appear cloudy at the moment.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton