Bombers 411

By: Ed Tait Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Saturday, Sep. 5, 2015

ROSTER SHUFFLE

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/09/2015 (3927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ROSTER SHUFFLE

The Bombers will make the shuffling official today, but expect at least seven changes to the lineup for the annual Labour Day Classic.

New QB Matt Nichols will dress for Robert Marve, who was placed on the six-game injured list Thursday; centre Dominic Picard returns in place of Thomas Griffiths, linebacker Jasper Simmons will be activated for Carlton Littlejohn; wide receiver Darvin Adams replaces Jhomo Gordon; receiver Mike Willie is on for Justin Veltung; running back Chevon Walker makes his Bomber debut in place of Tyler Thomas, while defensive tackle Nate Collins replaces Bryant Turner Jr., who sits down this week with a lower-body injury.

At right, Dominic Picard (68) and Sukh Chungh (69) at a Winnipeg Blue Bomber practice at Investors Group Field in June. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

VEGAS SAYS

The Roughriders are favoured by four points.

“Man, if we listen to the outside we wouldn’t even be prepared for a game,” said Bomber wideout Darvin Adams. “We’ll just do what we do and do what our coaches ask. We’re not worrying about what goes on on the outside. We’ll just keep it together as a team. We win as a team, we lose as a team. That other stuff doesn’t matter.”

STRANGE BUT TRUE

The Bombers have 17 points on first offensive possessions this year, ranking them fourth overall in the CFL behind Hamilton and B.C. (24) and Montreal (22).

FYI

The CFL’s scouting bureau released its first 2016 draft rankings Friday and Manitoba Bisons defensive tackle David Onyemata was ranked second overall, behind Iowa receiver Tevaun Smith. Michigan State defensive back Arjen Colquhoun, Calgary DB Elie Bouka and Calgary RB Mercer Timmis round out the top five.

SAVE WATER, DRINK BEER?

Sunday will be Bomber defensive end Jamaal Westerman’s first Labour Day Classic. But he’s already got a very accurate scouting report on what the game and the entire weekend brings.

“We do know it’s going to be a great atmosphere,” he said. “We do know the fans are going to be very hydrated… they’re going to get hydrated early. They’re a very hydrated group over there. So they’re going to start getting hydrated early in the morning and stay hydrated throughout the game.

“It’s going to be loud and it’s going to be a fun atmosphere. And so you’re going to want to lock in mentally. All the hootin’ and hollerin’, that’s maybe good for the first kickoff and then after that it falls back on your preparation for the game mentally and how you practice and focus.”

NUMBERS GAME

This from TSN 1290’s Darrin Bauming: of the 32 first team offensive reps taken by Brian Brohm, Dominique Davis and Matt Nichols on Friday’s final full practice, 25 were runs.

NOTABLE

Sunday will be the first time since 1999 Brendan Taman, relieved of his duties as the Riders GM, won’t be at the contest.

“The good thing (the Riders) have is if they lose, they can still blame Corey (Chamblin) and me,” Taman said with a laugh during a chat with Murray McCormick of the Regina Leader-Post this week. “There isn’t anyone in this league who deserves a win more than those guys in the locker-room and people in that organization. There isn’t any doubt about that.

“It will be the strangest feeling that I will go through in a long time Of course I’m going to watch it because I’m a football person. I won’t know what to do or where I’ll do it. Every day you get geared to go to that stadium and go to work. I guess I don’t go there anymore.”