Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike OShea and offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice during the pre-season game against the Ottawa REDBLACKS at TD Place in Ottawa, ON on Monday June 13, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
They chase perfection, knowing that even at their most dominant, there will always still be flaws.
A football team could absolutely eviscerate an opponent on offence, defence and special teams, and a coach will bemoan the penalties, a missed opportunity for more, or even a stale note in the national anthem.
Consider that, then, when digesting this nugget from Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice on Wednesday when asked if he was worried about a lack of protection:
“I worry about everything. I worry about everything every single day,” said LaPolice. “I’m never happy. The things we didn’t do well in the last couple of games we worked on yesterday, we worked on today at practice.”
But before the ‘told-you-so’ crowd hops on its soapbox to wail about Monday’s 18-14 loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS, LaPolice added this:
“But I’m not losing sleep over what happened the other night.”
The Bombers finished the preseason at 1-1 and now have over a week to prep for their opener, June 24th at home against the Montreal Alouettes. The offensive numbers from the two units which started the games against Montreal and Ottawa have been spotty and the penalties and communication errors costly.
“We went over the film and plays were to be had,” said quarterback Drew Willy. “We just need to be better as a total unit. We did some good things but, obviously, it wasn’t enough. We’ll move on to Montreal and fix those mistakes.
“I’m just frustrated about the points… it’s not all about the numbers.”
Still, all this is commonplace in preseason football. And it’s fixable. It’s also worth noting there were some positive developments, too.
“(Drew Willy) threw more check-downs than I’ve seen him throw in two years on film. Part of our process with him is making quick decisions and getting the ball out of his hands. He did that,” said LaPolice.
“We’re still trying to install, but not game plan. That’s the hard thing when you’re facing somebody. You’re trying something you’ve installed, but you’re not really scheming against somebody.
“Early in the games, if we hit them, everyone is talking about Drew throwing two touchdown passes. Part of this process is getting Drew comfortable with the receivers he’s playing with and get him the opportunity to hit them downfield on shots.
“That’s what preseason is for, that’s what practice is for.”
Bombers offensive line coach Bob Wylie also spoke to the media on Wednesday, and bristled when the numbers from last year – 59 sacks surrendered – were broached.
“We let every sack? Are you positive about that?” said Wylie. “I’m not concerned about those guys at all. You guys don’t see the film the way we look at it. The problem with the offensive line is everybody’s involved in sacks, it’s not just the line. We’re going to get hammered for it. I can tell you the first year we gave up 71… we (the offensive line) only gave up 27. We’re going to get hammered for it and that’s part of the deal. We understand that. But everybody gets the sacks.
“We have to block our guy, the quarterback has to throw it the right depth, receivers have to run the right routes, the backs have to block the right guys. Everybody is involved in the thing. When it comes down to it, the offensive line coach is going to get all the sacks.”
BOMBER CAMP REPORT – JUNE 15
DEEP CUTS THE KNIFE:
The Bombers released six players on Wednesday, all imports, in defensive backs Johnny Patrick and Donald Celiscar, receiver Kevin Cone, defensive lineman Andrew Robinson and Nate Collins and offensive lineman Aundrey Walker. None of the six have been asked to take a practice roster position.
As well, three players were moved to the six-game injured list: OL Jeff Keeping (knee), WR Addison Richards (hand), and LB Kyle Knox (lower body).
Bomber coach Mike O’Shea said LB Ian Wild, who was banged up in the Ottawa game, should be good to go for next week’s opener as will SB Weston Dressler. CB Johnny Adams is also a possibility.
THE MORE YOU CAN DO:
Bombers OL coach Bob Wylie was raving about the versatility of the pieces he has along the trenches and why that is critical to any CFL team. When he coached with the Chicago Bears in the NFL, the club would dress eight O-linemen and try to have back-ups for tackle, centre and guard. But in the CFL, teams traditionally dress just six O-linemen. That’s part of why the club was so enamored with Michael Couture, drafted 10th overall, and continue to be impressed with him through two preseason games.
“We’ve got a good young guy,” said Wylie. “Mike… I like him. He’s a good young player. So, in a way, Jeff (Keeping) got hurt but he gives the younger player a better chance to step in. Now, do you want him to step in that quickly? No, you’d like to have him sit around and watch. But, hey, he’s going to get the reps and he’s going to get better quickly.”
