Other key players gonzo

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/08/2015 (4040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BLUE Bombers fans will be properly concerned about the health of No. 1 quarterback Drew Willy, but he’s not the only front-line player going to sick bay for a long stay after Sunday’s one-sided loss in Hamilton.

Running back Paris Cotton will be sidelined for some time with a broken arm, and receiver Darvin Adams, off to such a promising start this season, will also be out multiple weeks.

“He’s out for a little bit of time; more than a couple of weeks,” head coach Mike O’Shea said Tuesday about Adams.

Adams was thumped from behind Sunday and could have neck or back issues.

In the backfield, O’Shea suggested Da’Rel Scott, the 27-year-old Maryland product, will likely come off the practice roster and into the lineup for Friday’s home game against Toronto.

For all the dark clouds, there was some optimistic news on a couple of other fronts.

O’Shea hinted strongly Tuesday he’s optimistic defensive linemen Bryant Turner and Greg Peach and slotback Nick Moore may all be healthy enough to face the Argos.

Only defensive lineman Thaddeus Gibson is doubtful for Friday, O’Shea said when presented with the names of those four players who were out last week.

— — —

On the surface, it’s a grim tale. The Bombers are coming off a 38-8 defeat in Hamilton and must face Toronto on a short week of practice, without their No. 1 quarterback.

That’s all in a day’s work according to O’Shea, who was asked Tuesday how he might rally the troops.

“It’s their job,” O’Shea said plainly. “They want to win. They want to play well. None of these players would offer any excuse as to who the starting quarterback is (being) why they may or may not have played well.

“I can assure you they’re all going to give great effort.”

The coach said he’ll be speaking to the team regarding those expectations, as a reminder Willy is out, but responsibility can be spread about the lineup.

“I don’t know that you need to say much, but you have to make them aware of the situation, obviously, when you have a quarterback coming in with limited game experience,” he said. “Players need to step up. They need to make it an easier transition. And it’s not just quarterbacks. We’ve got injuries in other spots where other players will get a chance to start. It’s up to the players with experience around them to make the transition easier for them.”

— — —

After sticking to just meetings and video Tuesday, the Bombers will be on the field today for their only full practice of the week.

Compounding the short week of preparation is QBs Brian Brohm and Robert Marve — one will start Friday — won’t have had a multitude of reps with the first-team offence before going into battle.

“We just went through that same process after the Edmonton game,” O’Shea said about coming back after a 32-3 loss in Edmonton and beating B.C. at home just five days later.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I consent to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies.

I consent to CASL agreement.

The Bombers had Willy for that victory over the Lions.

“We had a short week to B.C. and we narrowed the practices down to one practice, and we did the same this week,” the coach said. “We’ll have one practice (today).

“The coaches understand that it’s our philosophy that having the players fresh is better. Drew going down and having one day of prep — these guys understand their playbook. They don’t have to do a lot of that. We just have to make sure our players are fresh.

“They had meetings today and they have to learn through the book and through film mostly. The formula worked last time. We’ll make it work this time.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca