Big Blue need co-ordinated effort Sunday

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This article was published 08/11/2022 (1035 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers knew they were scheduled to work Sunday afternoon but weren’t sure whether they’d be lion-taming or horse-training.

The uncertainty cleared up in Vancouver last Sunday with B.C.’s 30-16 victory over Calgary in the West Division semifinal, giving Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce and defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall the rest of the week to prepare for the Lions’ visit.

Indeed, the stage is set for Sunday afternoon’s West Division final at IG Field as the Bombers welcome their foes from the coast, with a trip to the Grey Cup in Regina on the line.

On Tuesday, Pierce and Hall — responsible for helping devise a plan to beat B.C. — spoke to the media via Zoom. And, not surprisingly, much of the discussion was devoted to Lions quarterback, Nathan Rourke. The Bombers are two-time defending CFL champions, however, Rourke is getting most of the attention around the league.

“All we know is we’re playing the B.C. Lions and this is what they bring to the table. We have to go out there and we have to play well if we expect to win,” said Hall.

“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. If we don’t play well, you can’t expect the results to be positive. All the conversation regarding all those other things are people — such as the media and other people, fans — building it up. For us, it’s a football game that we have to go out there and play well, regardless of who it is, and what we have to do.”

The last meaningful game between the squads was on July 9 at BC Place when each was undefeated. Oddsmakers had the Lions as 3.5-point favourites in that Week 5 matchup, but the Bombers ended up making that line look silly by leaving Vancouver with a convincing 43-22 victory. Rourke had his second-worst statistical performance of the season as he completed 16-of-25 for 278 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The two sides split a pair of games in October to close out the regular season, but the games had no impact on the standings.

“What did we learn? You can’t give up the big play, the explosions plays. ”

You have to play hard because he’s a very smart quarterback who gets rid of the ball quick. We’ve just got to play sound defence,” said Hall.

“Going into this game, what we’re asking our guys to do is nothing that we hadn’t asked them from Week 1.”

There’s a lot more at stake this time around and the environment will be completely different. The Lions no longer have the luxury of playing with a roof over their heads. They will quickly have to adjust to what it’s like to play outside in Winnipeg in November.

Pierce, who played quarterback for the Lions from 2005-09, said players north of the border are very familiar with that kind of an adjustment.

“It’s football. The majority of the guys on those rosters have played in cold games before. It’s not like it’s gonna be their first game outside, with potential inclement weather,” said Pierce.

“Most athletes at this level have played in cold games before and they’ve understood that. For me, I remember we played in some really cold games in Regina late in the season, even in my last year in the West semi-final there. We played in some cold games, but it’s just football.”

While the Bombers escaped last year’s West final at home with a 21-17 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Pierce said he would like to see a better overall performance from his offence. The Bombers turned the ball over six times (five in the first half) in that game but still found a way to win.

The Bombers’ starting offence hasn’t played a full game together since Oct. 8, but that doesn’t worry Pierce.

“Every opportunity that we get to get together, we make the most of it. Guys are getting quality reps, a lot of guys have been able to step up so we can see them in different roles. The continuity of this offence, quarterbacks, o-line, receivers, backs, all those guys … it’s not like they’re not seeing each other for a month,” said Pierce.

“They’re together all the time, working their craft and they’ll be ready to go. It’s not a concern for us.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31