Winning one game no reason to party

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This article was published 08/07/2016 (3577 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HAMILTON — It would have been hard to blame the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had their collars been a bit looser, their smiles a tad brighter.

After all, Thursday night’s 28-24 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — on the road, no less — had stopped, at least temporarily, the bleeding of a season that, at 0-2, had many convinced was already lost.

On the surface, the victory was marginal, improving the Bombers to 1-2. But it’s much bigger when you consider it came against a formidable opponent in Hamilton, who even without No.1 quarterback in Zach Collaros, is a team expected to finish atop the standings. Not to mention the victory came inside one of the hardest places to play — Tim Hortons Field — the home of the CFL’s most raucous fan base.

It was a good excuse for the Bombers to feel good about themselves. Instead, the locker room feel resembled more that of a business office than an after-hours club.

There was no music blaring. No displays of celebration. Just focus.

“I’m extremely proud of the guys because there were times where we faced adversity and they didn’t let that affect their attitude,” head coach Mike O’Shea said after the game. “We got to put it into perspective, too. It’s one game.”

O’Shea’s choice to stay level-headed — just a week after losing his top, calling his team’s effort in a 36-22 loss to Calgary at times “garbage” — was a sentiment echoed by coaches and players. In the elevator on the way down to the dressing room were co-ordinators Paul LaPolice and Richie Hall, both of whom spoke only to give credit to their opponent.

Inside the locker room, players downplayed the victory.

“Nothing is going to change if you win one game and lose the next five,” said receiver Weston Dressler.

Not even linebacker Maurice Leggett, the guy who had the most reason to celebrate with two interceptions — one he returned 50 yards for a touchdown — five tackles and a quarterback sack, seemed satisfied.

“I just played loose,” he said. “And didn’t beat myself up.”

Leggett and the rest of the Bombers faced beatings through the first two weeks of the season, both on the field and from the fans who flooded social media and called into radio shows to voice their displeasure after each loss.

They were sick of the slow starts — Winnipeg was outscored by Montreal and Calgary in the first half by a combined total of 32-7 — and the late surges that served only to make the margin of loss more respectable.

Even with good numbers on offence — the Bombers had 777 yards, third best in the CFL after two weeks — quarterback Drew Willy looked ineffective. Through the first two games, the defence had allowed six touchdown drives of 69 yards or more, including four last week in Calgary.

Against Hamilton, the Bombers weren’t perfect. Not even close. But they showed improvement.

It was the closest thing to a 60-minute effort all season; a game they genuinely competed in, including a fourth quarter that actually mattered. The Bombers should have scored more points on offence, but they did manage to push the ball up the field. With six turnovers and four sacks, the defence finally showed some life, proving capable of carrying this team if needed. Even special teams, which despite an early hiccup in the form of a 120-yard touchdown return on a missed field-goal attempt, deserved credit.

It wouldn’t be until late into Thursday’s post-game scrum with O’Shea — after questions about the mood of his players, whether he felt relieved by the win, what extent the victory may mean for the entire organization — did he finally give in, kind of.

“We’re going to enjoy this one tonight, but the guys understand there’s going to be corrections to be made,” he said. “I believe once they do that they can have a clearer picture of the potential with the group we have.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton