LaPolice defends QB Nichols

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This article was published 14/08/2018 (2582 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paul LaPolice is most often calm and collected when addressing the media, with his signature eye-roll being the peak level of emotion for the Blue Bombers’ offensive co-ordinator.

But there was a noticeable irk to LaPolice when asked Tuesday about the play of his starting quarterback, Matt Nichols, just days after a 29-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The question — what has he seen from his No. 1 pivot? — was prefaced with the observation that there’s been a lot of chatter about Nichols’ play Friday. And though it was never revealed which direction those conversations went, LaPolice knew exactly where the question was headed.

So when he first heard the criticism forming — Nichols completed just 54 per cent of his passes (13 for 24) for 180 yards against Hamilton, including two touchdowns, but has had mixed results since returning in Week 4 from a knee injury — LaPolice came armed with a blend of excuses and some notable statistics.

“Weston (Dressler), that ball to the end zone, was beautifully thrown by Matt. Weston graded himself with a drop on that. We miss one to Darvin (Adams) because he (Nichols) gets hit when he’s throwing it and then there’s one, I didn’t do a very good coaching job, because Darvin broke it off and Matt threw it deep. I have a hard time… we’d love for him to play better, but he didn’t perform a bad game.

“Now, let’s talk about the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. They’re the best pass secondary in the CFL. I wrote them down for you guys: they’re first in fewest passing first downs, lowest completion percentage… (Calgary’s) Bo Levi Mitchell had 47 per cent; (Ottawa’s) Trevor Harris had no touchdowns. They’re a good team.”

Nichols will face a much more statistic-friendly team in Ottawa at home Friday, with the Redblacks ranked among the middle or near the bottom of the pack in most defensive categories. They are sixth in net offence allowed per game (352 yards), eighth in offensive touchdowns against this year (20) and eighth in average yards surrendered on first down (seven).

BIGHILL EARNS TOP PERFORMER NOD: Bombers middle linebacker Adam Bighill has been named as one of three CFL top performers for Week 9.

Bighill registered seven defensive tackles and added a quarterback sack and a forced fumble against the Tiger-Cats. He is now 25th all-time in CFL tackles with 538, tied with Marvin Coleman, who played 10 seasons in the CFL, including his last three in Winnipeg.

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In eight games for the Bombers, Bighill has 49 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one sack and one forced fumble.

Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris and B.C. Lions running back Chris Rainey were also named top performers of the week.

INJURY UPDATE: running back Andrew Harris, defensive back Maurice Leggett and linebackers Shayne Gauthier and Thomas Miles all returned to practice Tuesday after missing Monday’s workout.

Dressler (lower-body) missed a second straight day and is doubtful for Friday’s home game against the Redblacks. O’Shea was asked about defensive back Brandon Alexander, who missed a second straight day. The coach said he expected him to play.

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

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.