Bombers prepare to tackle perennial powerhouse

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This article was published 06/08/2019 (2271 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Calgary Stampeders are the CFL’s gold standard. You don’t need to remind Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols of that.

The defending Grey Cup champions have played in seven consecutive West Division finals and haven’t missed the post-season since 2004.

Calgary has also compiled an astonishing 72-18-2 regular-season record over the past five seasons and is currently 5-2 and tied for first in the West, albeit with backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle at the controls of the offence.

“Organizationally, they’re good from the top down and they continually bring in good people and I feel like it’s every year everyone on the outside says, ‘Maybe this is the year that Calgary doesn’t play the same way they always do,’ and they just find a way to play good, clean football,” said Nichols, whose Blue Bombers are also 5-2 and host the Stamps on Thursday at IG Field.

“The guys that have stepped up there are guys that have been around the same system. They know what they like to do, they’re very good at it. You know what you’re going to get — it’s just a matter of going out and executing and beating them.”

Beating Calgary would be a big accomplishment, but Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea refuses to hang the fate of an entire season on Thursday’s matchup.

“It’s one game,” O’Shea said. “It doesn’t make or break your season. The season’s still so young. Obviously, both teams are preparing to win the game. Both of us expect to win. One of us will, one of us won’t. But neither side would ever say this is more than what it is.”

Nichols is quick to point out the Stamps and Blue Bombers are scheduled to face each other three times this season — Thursday in Winnipeg, Week 19 in Calgary and Week 20 back at IG Field.

“It’s big in the season series to get the first one to make sure you don’t have to win two in a row at the end of the year,” he said.

SUPPORT ROLE: With Jackson Jeffcoat’s availability for Thursday’s game in question, Canadian defensive end Jonathan Kongbo’s workload could increase.

The 23-year-old from Surrey, B.C., made his long-awaited pro debut in Toronto last week and that appearance came with some rookie miscues, including a pair of key penalties, as an injury replacement for Jeffcoat.

“Yeah, every practice I’m sure he’s learning something,” O’Shea said. “His work ethic is excellent. He runs extremely hard in practice and practises hard and works on his technique. As he learns more about our game, he gets better. As he gets more snaps, he gets better. His role will obviously increase.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14k