Written by: Andrew Parker
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to Vancouver to take on the BC Lions tomorrow night, and although it’s the top-ranked team playing the team tied for last, BC is building momentum by adding new talent and beating Saskatchewan last week for their first win.
The Bombers on the other hand, are currently on a three win streak and have already gotten more victories than in all of last season. A win tomorrow night would give Winnipeg a 6-1 record and the most points in the league, but Head Coach Paul LaPolice has other things on his mind.
“Our record means nothing. Any one of the eight teams in the league can win on any given night so we’re just focused on getting our two points and heading into the off week with a win,” said LaPolice.
Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce, who pulled off the CFL’s best play last week in the Bombers’ victory over Edmonton, commented on the matchup tomorrow.
“It will be special to go back to Vancouver where I spent the first part of my career, but a lot has changed since I left. I’m in a great position here in Winnipeg and the Lions are a different team now too. We played these guys a couple of weeks ago and with them coming off their first win, they’ll put up a good fight and we just have to make sure we’re prepared,” said Pierce.
One of the differences in the Lions that Pierce refers to is the addition of All-Star receiver Arland Bruce, who was recently acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Although Bruce has been off to a slower start this year, he and fellow receiver Geroy Simon have threatening potential that will surely be on the minds of Winnipeg’s Swaggerville.
Among other highlights, defensive back Jovon Johnson pulled down an interception in last week’s game during a fourth quarter that was owned by the Winnipeg defense. He has become a poster boy for the Bomber defense and the reputation they bring, performances that have gained both positive and negative attention in the league. BC veteran Brent Johnson commented on Swaggerville earlier this week, saying the players hadn’t earned the right to be selling t-shirts just yet, but Jovon wouldn’t go that far.
“Swaggerville isn’t meant to be cocky or arrogant, it’s just a term to define a group of guys who love playing together, who are confident in each others abilities and love to have fun on the field. We don’t ever get into trash talking or anything like that because we do our talking on the field by the way we play the game. If someone has a problem with Swaggerville, it doesn’t bother us because it’s something unique to us that make us who we are,” said Johnson.
The Bomber defense has allowed the least amount of points in the league, but LaPolice was quick to assert that everyone is coming out ready to play.
“Folks in the media can focus on Swaggerville, or the fact that Doug [Brown] won’t be playing but the reality is, our team will be focused and ready to play the BC Lions when the ball is kicked off on Saturday night,” said LaPolice.
The Bombers start out at 9 PM tomorrow night.
