A really good deal

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/10/2009 (5801 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The last time the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were in Montreal they suffered their third loss in a row and watched their record fall to 3-8. It’s called bottoming out and at the time few thought the club could climb out of the dungeon their poor play had locked them in.

A trade announced immediately after that 33-14 drubbing and a shift in offensive philosophy propelled the Bombers upward and they’ve won four out of five games since they ended their September swoon.

The unexpected win streak put the Bombers in a position to host a home playoff game with a win on the final weekend of the season over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

But before the Bombers get to that game, they’ll have a chance this Sunday to erase that last visit to Montreal and put a little more doubt in the beastly Alouettes.

"I think we hit rock-bottom right out here in front of our fans against Saskatchewan," said Bombers coach Mike Kelly, referring to his club’s 55-10 loss in the Banjo Bowl. "The next week in Montreal, we were still at the bottom of the river rolling around under the current."

Kelly and director of player personnel John Murphy worked out a trade with the Calgary Stampeders and it leaked out late in the Sept. 20 loss to the Alouettes that receivers Romby Bryant and Arjei Franklin were moving to Calgary in exchange for receivers Jabari Arthur and Titus Ryan and defensive end Odell Willis.

"The trade and its correlation to us starting to play well was a big deal," said Kelly. "We brought in players that have helped us, but it also had to do with a definite attitude adjustment after making that trade. I’m not condemning anyone, that’s just the reality of it."

Arthur, who many consider to be the centrepiece of the trade because of his potential and his non-import status, was injured, and the Bombers have shut him down for the season. This reality had many believing the Bombers staff had given up on the season and were readying for 2010. Not so, says Kelly.

"I have never at any point felt like ‘let’s just trash this season and try to hold it together and look at young kids and try to build for next season.’ I have always thought we had a shot to be in the mix like we are right now," asserted Kelly. "When we made that trade, it was to make us better now and it’s worked out that way."

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While Arthur has been sidelined, Willis has had a major impact on Winnipeg’s defensive line and has made a case to be considered the club’s rookie of the year. And Ryan has begun to pay dividends and will be a key target for quarterback Michael Bishop on Sunday with Adarius Bowman out of the lineup. Ryan had four catches for 140 yards and a touchdown last weekend and is the fleetest of Winnipeg’s receivers.

"Trades work out for different reasons. Romby just had a great game for Calgary so I’m sure they feel they got value in the deal," said Kelly. "And we certainly feel we got value."

Willis, who may break out gold cleats for Sunday’s game, has 11 tackles and three sacks in five games with the Bombers and is the flashiest player in the deal so far.

"The gold shoes are a little bit of a changeup. You mostly see the skill guys with a different look but I like to look good too," said Willis. "I might wear them for this game. Just to see what the reaction is. Maybe for the last home game. Just depends how I’m feeling. You all will know when the gold shoes come out."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca