Bombers sticking with the program

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This article was published 02/11/2021 (1419 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have three regular season games left but they don’t have anything to play for.

Zip.

Nada.

Diddly squat.

That’s because their current 10-1 record has clinched them the West Division crown and guarantees they’ll play the West final at IG Field on Dec. 5.

This isn’t lost on head coach Mike O’Shea and his staff who are preparing to host the Montreal Alouettes (6-5) on Saturday. So, what’s the plan for the next three weeks then?

“The daily process is not going to change. That’s one thing I can promise you. We’ll stick to the same routine every single day, the same practice schedules, the same meeting schedules and we’ll come up with a plan as we go forward. We’ve already had a lot of discussions about how we want to proceed, but in terms of me sharing that with you, that’s not gonna happen,” O’Shea told reporters after Tuesday’s practice, the team’s first since the bye.

O’Shea was asked if he’d like to see backup quarterback Sean McGuire get a start in these final three weeks. As expected, O’Shea answered by, well, not really answering at all.

“Start a game? We’d like to be in a position, in-game, where he gets more reps. Everybody wants more reps and we want to see everybody on our team play. I don’t know how that will play out,” said O’Shea.

As for starting quarterback Zach Collaros, he was a bit more honest on the topic.

“We talked a little bit about that. Ultimately, it’s gonna be the coach’s decision, but I’ll have some input as well,” Collaros said.

“I would like to play every game and I think any competitor would want to but we’re gonna practise the way we normally would and we’ll see what happens.”

No Harris or Hardrick

Despite coming off a bye, running back Andrew Harris and offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick were spectators Tuesday. They both missed the team’s Week 12 game against the B.C. Lions.

New QB for Montreal

Montreal head coach Khari Jones confirmed Tuesday that Trevor Harris will start for the Als on Saturday. The 35-year-old pivot was acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Elks last month and made his first appearance with his new club last weekend in relief of Matthew Shiltz in a 19-14 losing effort to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Harris connected on 12-of-15 pass attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown while also running the ball three times for 31 yards. Shiltz is inactive with a knee injury.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31