Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers head into the back half of a back-to-back series against the BC Lions this week when they travel to BC Place on Saturday night.
“For the most part, you sort of game plan for the two games right off the hop.” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said when addressing the media following practice on Wednesday.
Not every team is always going to be 100 per cent satisfied with the way their schedule pans out, especially this week, which sees two of the three games being rematches from last week.
“There’s still some stuff in reserve that’s been practised for two weeks,” O’Shea says. “There are a few things the coaches see that maybe they didn’t get to use the first time that they want to employ.”
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One topic of concern that O’Shea and the rest of his coaching staff were facing heading into Week 5 was the team’s ability of scoring points in the third quarter. Through four games, Winnipeg has scored a combined total of 31 points or more except for the third quarter, in which they’ve only scored 16.
“We didn’t spend any time today in practice saying ‘it’s the third quarter, start trying,” O’Shea said.
On whether it was something about how his team handled halftime, O’Shea said, “the other team adjusts too, right?”
Considering the series of events that the Bombers have seen themselves go through so early in the season such as the injury to their starting quarterback in Matt Nichols in training camp, the shocking performance of Chris Streveler, then the eventual return of Nichols, which came last week.
Through what may be considered an emotional rollercoaster for the Blue and Gold, Winnipeg has managed to get themselves out to a 2-2 record with the second of a back-to-back meeting with the BC Lions this Saturday, a team that hasn’t won since Week 1.
Needless to say, O’Shea states he’s quite satisfied with the performance of his offence and his player’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“It means other teams have to prepare for different looks and different players getting opportunities,” O’Shea says. “I think it’s a good job by LaPo(lice) and the guys that they get the players touches and more touches in different ways.”
Bombers offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice shares the same feelings towards how his offensive unit has been handling and performing despite what some may consider drawbacks.
With the amount of offensive depth the Blue Bombers have, it’s been tough for the coaching staff to ensure a game plan that enables all of their offensive weapons are getting touches when it comes to games.
“There’s only one ball,” LaPolice said.
“We always say, ‘you create a first down it’s another opportunity for someone else to touch the football,” the Bombers offensive coordinator said. “Usually, when we move the ball we have more plays for more guys to touch the ball. When you don’t move the ball and get two-and-outs it’s a frustrating process for everyone.”
Coach O’Shea sees it more so as having more talent than their playbook can utilize.
“We need more plays, is what it is.”
Winnipeg takes on the Lions for the second week in a row on Saturday night. The Bombers will hope to improve their record to above .500, which could shake things up in the West Division standings depending on the outcome of the two other games in Week 5.
Kick-off is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET at BC Place.
With files from BlueBombers.com
