Matt Nichols (15) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the game against the Calgary Stampeders at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, MB. Thursday, July 21, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will make a quarterback change this week as Matt Nichols steps behind centre in favour of Drew Willy.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea will make the move official after practice on Sunday and in advance of this week’s game in Edmonton against the Grey Cup champion Eskimos.
The Bombers are 1-4 to start the season and the change is part of an attempt to spark an offence that is struggling to find some consistency, having been kept to under 20 points in three of the five games.
Nichols came off the bench with 8:53 remaining in the Bombers’ 33-18 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last Thursday, and promptly led the club to its only touchdown of the game with an 18-yard strike to Weston Dressler that was followed up with another completion to Dressler for a two-point convert.
The 29-year-old Eastern Washington product finished the night nine of 15 for 88 yards with the one TD and no interceptions.
Willy, meanwhile, was 23 of 33 for 234 yards with no touchdowns and one critical interception – returned 34 yards for a score by Joe Burnett – that prompted the in-game switch to Nichols.
O’Shea said immediately after the Stamps’ game he wanted to consult with his offensive staff and watch film before making a decision on who would get the start. But he did say this about Willy’s pick six:
“He tried to force that ball in there on that touchdown… he’s trying to make plays, right? He also had some good throws. He threw that one down the sideline to Darvin (Adams). He made some plays and then he had one where he wants to have it back because he’s trying to force the ball in there.
“You can’t fault him for trying, though.”
Nichols was acquired from the Eskimos last September for a seventh-round draft pick after Willy was injured in a loss in Hamilton and following the ineffective play of both Brian Brohm and Robert Marve.
He was 2-5 as a starter in Winnipeg, while the Esks were 5-2 in games in which he started before the trade. He finished last year with 3,245 passing yards with 19 touchdowns against 17 interceptions.
Thursday’s game will be his 20th in his career as a starter.
Willy, meanwhile, has put up decent passing totals – albeit somewhat misleading. His 1,473 yards is among the CFL leaders, but a good chunk of his totals have come late in games and with the Bombers well behind on the scoreboard.
He is now 12-21 as a starter. The Bombers are 11-18 in games in which he has started, but just 2-10 when he has not been available.
More updates to follow late after practice on bluebombers.com.
