O’Shea: positive feedback may help extend hot streak

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This article was published 03/10/2018 (2587 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Blue Bombers are on a mini hot streak, winners of two straight after a four-game skid. How do they plan to build on that success heading into a game with the Ottawa Redblacks, the East Division’s top team?

“You show them the pictures, you show them the film,” said Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea, noting a repeat of Week 16’s dominant ball-hawking, seven-turnover game in Edmonton wouldn’t hurt. “You tell them again they’re capable of this, every single week.

“Because there were times last year and two years ago where we did have seven takeaways multiple times. So, you keep working at it, keep communicating and making sure players are communicating well with each other and studying hard and practising with good habits and come game day, play with great effort and physicality. Then these things are more likely to happen than not.”

Going on the road to crush the Eskimos suggests the Blue Bombers should be competitive with the Redblacks.

“Everybody else probably viewed it as a statement game,” said quarterback Matt Nichols of beating the Eskimos. “For us, it was just proving to ourselves what kind of team we have here when we do what we’re supposed to do. That’s two good weeks in a row. Our goal is to try to make it three weeks in a row.”

ON THE RISE: second-year Canadian receiver Drew Wolitarsky has made a speedy rise from unproven prospect in 2017 to a dependable target for Nichols in 2018.

Wolitarsky, a supplemental draft selection out of the University of Minnesota, dressed for only five games and caught one pass as a rookie, but after grabbing a starting wideout slot in training camp, he’s registered 37 catches for 501 yards and four touchdowns in 2018.

Nichols said Wolitarsky’s strong hands have helped to make him a dependable, go-to player.

He’s also shown versatility, moving inside to fill in for injured slotback Nic Demski in Edmonton and catching four passes for 51 yards.

“He just comes out and consistently makes plays — a heckuva receiver,” Nichols said. “Really, I think, just grew a lot in his knowledge of the game since last year. He’s a guy I have complete faith in. He played a completely different position for the first time last week and made some big-time plays for us.

“He’s one of those guys that can move around; he filled in for Nic (Demski) perfectly last week, and his versatility and his football savvy is something you look for in a receiver.”

NOTEWORTHY: Bombers defensive back Kevin Fogg was named one of the CFL’s top performers Tuesday after an interception, fumble recovery, forced fumble and three tackles in the victory over Edmonton. Fogg has a team-leading four picks this season…

Demski practised Tuesday and is expected to play against Ottawa. …

Running back Andrew Harris, O-lineman Pat Neufeld and defensive back Brendan Morgan were all spectators Tuesday. Harris was taking a maintenance day. …

O’Shea expects defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and linebacker Maurice Leggett, both out since Week 11, to play again sometime this season.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14