Bombers refreshed and ready

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This article was published 25/09/2015 (3961 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HEAD coach Mike O’Shea and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are taking a “fresh is best” approach this week.

The Blue and Gold will have just one full practice under their belts this week when they take on the defending Grey Cup Champions, the 9-3 Calgary Stampeders, tonight at Investors Group Field.

Read into that what you will, but if you’re curious what it means to a team that has won four games compared to eight losses, two of which have come at the hands of the Stamps, the emphasis on feeling fresh trumps any additional on-field preparation, no matter who the opponent might be. “No matter what you know, if you can’t do it physically, you have a hard time winning games,” said O’Shea following a walk-through at Investors Group Field Thursday.

It’s not exactly unchartered waters for the Bombers, who have played twice this season after a short week of preparation, and O’Shea noted limited time on the field doesn’t mean less time studying in rooms off it.

A short week worked against B.C. in Week 6, with the Bombers beating the Lions 23-13 at home, but not against the Toronto Argonauts, who defeated the Blue and Gold 27-20 two weeks later, also at IGF, outscoring Winnipeg 13-3 in the fourth quarter to clinch the win.

“I think the coaches did a really good job this week, especially on a short week of getting our mental prep up, but giving our bodies a little rest,” said defensive end Greg Peach. “Coach O’Shea has done it before, so he knows what our bodies need and I think we’re going to be as fresh as we were if (we had) eight days in between.”

Calgary has outscored the Bombers 62-33 this season, but one of those games proved a close affair with the Bombers losing, 26-25 in Week 4 at Mc-Mahon Stadium. Despite being a nine-point underdog at home, the Bombers still see themselves not only up for the challenge, but also on an even playing field with arguably the best team in the CFL.

“No, we don’t. I mean I don’t know if there is much more to say about it. We don’t feel overmatched,” O’Shea said. “Being around our guys, looking into their eyes every day they come to work, watching them out there on the field, watching their preparation through the week, just observing their attitude, they’re ready, willing and able.”

Former Bombers linebacker Henoc Muamba was scheduled to meet with team brass today, but something came up and his visit was re-scheduled.

Muamba was cut from the Indianapolis Colts prior to the NFL season and has been meeting with other NFL and CFL teams interested in his services. It’s still unsure where he’ll end up this season, but given the NFL is about to enter its third week and with just six games left for most CFL teams, one would expect a decision to be made soon.

QUOTABLE

“I think it would send a statement for us to ourselves that we can play the best in the league. This is a team that’s been the best in the league the last couple years. You go out and beat a team like this, it gives you confidence moving forward.”

— Bombers QB Matt Nichols on what a win over Calgary tonight would do for his team

BY THE NUMBERS

3-3 — Winnipeg’s record at Investors Group Field this season

1-5 — Winnipeg’s record on the road this season

24-5 — Calgary’s record when Bo Levi Mitchell starts at QB

1-12 — Winnipeg’s record against Calgary in the last

13 meetings between the teams

WILD STAT

THE CFL stats folks dug up a crazy statistic this week to mark the return of linebacker Ian Wild to the Bombers after he was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers: Wild had 54 defensive tackles for the Bombers in his final seven games of 2014, including a 14-tackle performance against the Montreal Alouettes last August that tied a franchise record.

— Hamilton/Wiecek