O’Shea happy to be back at work after backbreaking loss to Argos

It’s the first practice day after a backbreaking loss.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in a challenging predicament with four games remaining — starting Saturday on the road against the Montreal Alouettes (11-3) — that leaves their playoff aspirations far from solidified.

And yet, head coach Mike O’Shea makes his way behind the podium, looks out at a room of reporters and is grinning ear to ear.

Why so happy?

“We’re back at work,” he said with a smile on Monday.

According to those around him, that’s just how O’Shea operates.

And when times get tough, his even-keeled demeanour has a way of rubbing off on the locker room.

“In 2024, we sucked at the start of the year. And then we went on that stretch of winning eight straight. He stayed pretty calm and level-headed, and he knew that stretch was gonna happen,” said safety Redha Kramdi after Tuesday’s practice.

“At the end of the day, the head coach is the leader. You don’t want him to be too emotional, you want him to be in control of himself and the situation. But when it’s needed, and he needs to be vocal, he is. He’s the greatest to ever do it and the best coach I’ll ever have.”

Veteran kicker Sergio Castillo has been on nine teams across three different leagues. O’Shea is one of the very few he’s encountered who is calm, cool and collected more often than not.

“When I came back in 2023, after being in Edmonton in 2022, we were down 22 points in Edmonton. Zach (Collaros) goes down, Dru Brown comes in, and I’m looking around, and I’m expecting chaos — but it was chill. Everyone was. And it was because of him,” said Castillo.

“And my son will ask me ‘Dad, how come you never celebrate?’ And for me, it’s because I’m Zen, but he doesn’t understand that. And I kind of learned that from Osh. Whether it’s high or low, always try to be Zen, try to be in the middle and that way people can’t figure you out.”

O’Shea, however, doesn’t fully agree with the assessment. He is human, after all.

“I ripped (Castillo’s) ass when he (kicked) it out of bounds the other day… So, he’s being very kind to me. That’s not exactly the truth, but it’s almost the truth, maybe. For the most part, it’s the truth,” concurred O’Shea.

“He’s the greatest to ever do it and the best coach I’ll ever have.”

“Me letting my emotions take over wouldn’t serve them at all. It’s happened. There’s been a few games this year where I have not been pleased and they know it, but if it was a regular occurrence, I think you’d end up more inconsistent possibly.”

Don’t confuse composure for acceptance, though. After the Bombers blew a 21-7 lead last Friday at home to Toronto and lost 30-28, it’s not like O’Shea is patting everyone on the back and saying, “Oh well, maybe next time.”

“He was more vocal about it being unacceptable,” said Kramdi.

“The game happened, you’re emotional about the result, you watch it the next day, you correct it, and then eventually, you have to move on to your next opponent. If we’re still mad about what happened last week, it’s like we’re not paying attention on our next opponent. I think that’s the mindset that he has and that’s the mindset that I got because of him.”

For fans, it’s hard not to look ahead to next week, when the Bombers (7-7) host the Calgary Stampeders (7-8) in a pivotal matchup that will decide their season series and could ultimately determine who gets the final post-season spot when all the dust has settled.

But if you think anyone who gets paid to wear blue and gold is doing that, think again.

“I’ll tell you what helps the most: We take it game by game. He rarely looks too far ahead; it’s always, what is our process this week? What do we need to do to win this week? How are we gonna practice this week? What’s the game plan this week?” said Kramdi.

“So, that’s how he is, and I think that’s how you should be. I think that’s the best way to do it.”

CONDELL ON LATE-GAME WOES

Questions need to be answered when the offence closes out a game like that.

After a sizzling start, the Bombers gave Brady Oliveira just four carries and the pass attack generated a measly 15 yards in the final two quarters of action Friday.

“I do have the privilege, and it is a privilege, to be in front of you guys to be able to answer those tough questions,” offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell told reporters Tuesday.

Let’s start with an obvious one: What went wrong?

“We all know that when you have sacks, they’re drive-killers,” said Condell. “You can’t get any timing and rhythm in any of the offensive calls. You can’t get to things.”

Quarterback Dru Brown was sacked three times in the second half. The most damaging came with just over two minutes left, when the Bombers were clinging to a 28-27 lead. They faced a second-and-four near midfield after Oliveira scampered forward for six yards, but instead of giving it back to him, Brown was sacked by Argos linebacker Adarius Pickett.

A running play was apparently called, but after seeing how Toronto lined up, the Bombers called an audbile.

“We got another sack. With a seven-man protection,” said Condell.

“That’s not good enough. First I have to look at myself from those calls… are we giving those guys a position to be successful? It doesn’t go unnoticed.”

The Bombers have surrendered a league-high 36 sacks this season. Whether it’s been Collaros or Brown under centre, it has been an issue that has plagued them for the majority of the year.

“I’ve looked at all of them. Multiple times,” said Condell.

“You look at them and you see them, and unfortunately, every group has had a part of it… Obviously, it’s something and we’re attacking that challenge.”

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