Sending A Message

It was meant as a spark, but it also served as fireball of a message to every player in Winnipeg Blue Bombers colours.

Yes, the decision to flip starting quarterbacks this week – moving Matt Nichols to the QB1 spot, with Drew Willy now in the bullpen – was made primarily to spark an offence which is averaging less than 20 points per game.

But the move has already served one purpose; it rattled the cage of anyone in the clubhouse who may be too comfy, especially in a 1-4 start.

“Every position is important, but the quarterback is a key component and when a team makes a change to a position like that, it sends a message to the whole team,” said Bombers running back Andrew Harris after practice on Monday.

“Quarterbacks are always going to get the brunt of the scrutiny and it’s not always their fault. It’s a team game and everyone understands that. So, if they’re willing to make a change at quarterback then that means they’re willing to make a change anywhere else.

“Hopefully that sparks some guys and it turns out well for everyone. I mean, I don’t know if that’s what they’re trying to do but from a player’s standpoint, from my standpoint, it is sending a message.”

It’s not that Willy’s numbers are horrible – he has a 71.7 completion percentage, 1,473 yards passing with five touchdowns against four interceptions – it’s just that the Bomber attack has struggled to find any kind of rhythm.

And, as head coach Mike O’Shea said Sunday, “We’ve always talked about the quarterback being in charge of winning.”

The Bombers have their fingers crossed the QB change does a couple of things for the attack: First, Nichols has been quick with his reads and in delivering the ball since he arrived here via trade last September. And second, a chance to step out from under the microscope might actually help Willy.

But as was suggested on Sunday, Nichols’ back story – the fact that he lost two full seasons with an ACL and broken leg – does mean he’s got a different approach to all this. A guy who has been kicked to the curb, after all, is often full speed ahead/damn the torpedoes when he steps behind centre.

“I can sense that from him,” said Harris. “He’s a serious competitor and a guy who will take chances and put his butt on the line for the team. In a situation like this, we need that and the more that take that approach the merrier.

“I still think we can go toe to toe with anyone in the league. Our talent level and compete level is right there with everyone else. It’s just that we haven’t been able to finish. It’s another week to challenge that and prove people wrong.”

BOMBER REPORT – JULY 25

THE NAME’S BOND… :

Travis Bond has been hard to miss since the first day of rookie camp back in late May. He is a bit of a human eclipse, after all, standing at 6-7 and weighing 356 pounds. The former Minnesota Vikings draft pick has been working with the Bombers No. 1 offensive line this week with Pat Neufeld (foot) and Sukh Chungh (lower body) both on the mend. At practice Monday he was at left guard, a spot he played at North Carolina and in his NFL stints.

“The wait always sucks because everybody wants to get out there to play,” said Bond. “So, I’ve just been watching the other guys playing and learning from them. I’m still new, I’m still considered a rookie here so I’m learning from Sukh and Jermarcus (Hardrick) and it all helps out.”

Just how big is Bond? It turns out big enough to withstand a crash with a truck some four years ago.

“I was on my scooter and some guy, I guess he was drinking and driving, he hit me in a head-on collision,” recalled Bond. “Me and the scooter both went up in the air and I caught the scooter myself and got the worst of it when I broke my wrist. It sucked. There was a big dent in the truck. My face wasn’t in it, so that’s a good thing, but there were a few scratches.

“I’m trying to stay away from scooters.”

Travis Bond

Bond was pushing for work right out of camp, but Hardrick’s CFL experience likely helped give him the edge early in the season. With Neufeld injured, Hardrick has bounced out to right tackle and the Bombers are expected to go with three imports up front, with Canadian rookie Taylor Loffler replacing Macho Harris at safety.

“He’s taken a bunch of reps in there for us,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea of Bond. “We liked him in camp. We thought he could start for us, too, but from camp we’ve had a lot of good competition and depth there. You’re talking about a guy who is a massive human being who moves extremely well for his size.

“I just think he loves to play football. You pick up on the energy that he has through practice, even when he wasn’t playing. He’s just got a lot of energy and he likes to be out there.”

FYI:

Chungh, LB Garrett Waggoner and KR/WR Quincy McDuffie were all spectators at practice on Monday, but are expected to suit up on Thursday in Edmonton.

Tempers flared near the end of practice with SB Thomas Mayo and DB Kevin Fogg involved in a minor fracas. “It’s just a usual thing,” said O’Shea. “I don’t think it’s anything.”

The Eskimos have lost C Justin Sorensen (shoulder) and he’ll be replaced by Simeon Rottier. Another former Bomber, Chris Greaves, will step in at left guard.

O’Shea was asked about what mindset the Eskimos might have after blowing a big lead in Saturday’s loss to Hamilton. “I don’t think they’re labeling as blowing a 25-point lead. I think they’re looking at it series by series, play by play, as to what they could have done differently. Each guy on their roster is probably thinking of their one or two plays they wished they had back. I don’t think players talk in headlines. We worry about what we do and typically not about what’s going on in their end.”

OLD TEAMMATES, NOW FOES?

The Bombers have been working new defensive back Terrence Frederick at cornerback with Chris Randle injured and the former Texas A&M product could be facing a familiar face in Eskimos receiver Derel Walker – also from A&M – Thursday in Edmonton.

“I know D Walk… we actually train together and have been for the last two years,” said Frederick, who started three games with the New Orleans Saints three years ago before needing shoulder surgery that needed nine months of recovery. “I know he’s having a great year so far.”