Matt Nichols has not only seen this movie before, he’s played a starring role in it.

It’s a horror film, to be honest, where a quarterback gets injured and then misses significant time. And, in the case of Nichols, it not only cost him his 2013 season, but a real shot at a starting job during his days with the Edmonton Eskimos.

So, hell yeah, he was frustrated in that moment last month when he dropped in a non-contact play and felt something go in his right knee. And then there was the mental anguish that came with watching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers – his Winnipeg Blue Bombers – go 1-2 through the first three games of 2018, even as rookie quarterback Chris Streveler flashed so much promise in his place.

“It’s difficult because I had dealt with injuries in the past, mainly when I was playing spot duty or spot starts,” began Nichols on Thursday, not long after the club made official the news he would start this Saturday against the B.C. Lions.

“This is the first time that I’ve really been hurt and watched what I feel like is my team on the road. I kind of felt helpless when I was sitting at home… I had a pit in my stomach like I was doing something wrong. It’s something you’ve just got to deal with and bring a positive attitude here every day, even though you wish you could be out there.”

And so Nichols deep-sixed his anger and frustration – he said he started thinking about his return this Saturday not long after the injury occurred – and began focusing on the things he could control in his recovery.

He would prepare as he always would, holding his 5 a.m. sessions at the facility to keep himself mentally sharp and help Streveler get ready for his three starts. He would workout and rehab, rehab and then workout. As Andrew Harris revealed Thursday, the Bombers have a checkmark list in their workout room and Nichols’ name has been scribbled on that list more than anyone during his time away from the field.

Just as important, he didn’t want to pout or do the ‘why me?’ act at any time around his teammates.

“I felt like I still had an important job to make sure Chris was ready to go and help with the game planning and make sure my teammates still kept that positive mentality and not see me upset about not being out there,” said Nichols. “Everyone knew I was unhappy with not being able to play right away, but at the same time that’s what drove me to work as hard as I did to make sure I got back out here quickly.”

Nichols was removed from the six-game injured list earlier this week and got the thumbs up to start on Thursday. And with his return, the Bombers not only get their Most Outstanding Player from the past two seasons back, but a veteran voice in the huddle.

“It’s just his voice and he brings his attitude, his brain and his arm are things we all need in our offence,” said Harris. “Just having his voice back there… we’re excited to have him recover as fast as he has and we’re excited to see him get back in the game, make plays for us and help us win games.”

The silver lining to all this, even with the 1-2 start, is the Bombers appear to have found something in Streveler, the first straight-from-college quarterback to start in Week 1 in the Canadian Football League since Anthony Calvillo in 1994 with the Las Vegas Posse.

He’s flashed a dual-threat skill set and the same enthusiasm and fiery approach to the game as Nichols.

“Strev did a great job for us, and as he and I have talked, when Matt’s ready it’s his team,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “He understands that. He totally understands and agreed, and obviously, what we’ve learned about Chris Streveler is he’s going to work extremely hard and be ready for every play he gets.

“We went into every single game with Strev believing we were going to win the game and had the confidence in him to do that. Now, his role his changed. I’ll say this, the same as I say about a lot of guys, they’re not happy with their new role, but they’re going to work their tails off and thrive in it. You don’t want any pro athlete to be happy about not being the starter. You want him to be fiery about it, but you want him to accept it and understand it and own it.

“When he gets his opportunities, he will be well prepared and you’ll see that same fiery competitor out there driving our offence and leading them out there on the field.”

The Bombers have been productive offensively in the absence of Nichols – ranking first in points scored, first downs and rushing yards – but the veteran pivot’s experience will undoubtedly help up the production levels of the receiving corps.

Nichols said he is 100 percent, and stiff-armed any suggestion he might have some rust.

“I’ve played enough football that I’m not going to give myself any excuses to go out and miss throws,” he said. “I fully expect to go in and be sharp.”

BOMBER REPORT | July 5, 2018

The Bombers completed their final full practice today before Friday’s walk-through in advance of their Saturday night match-up with the B.C. Lions.

Here are some tidbits from today’s session…

BRACED FOR IMPACT:

Nichols will wear a brace on his right knee and showed no signs of the apparatus bothering him during the last couple days of practice.

“First time I’ve ever worn one in my life, but right away I started running around with it on and I don’t even notice it’s there,” he said. “It is what it is and I made it to 31 without having to wear any braces.”

ON THE HOT SEAT:

The offence isn’t blameless for last week’s loss to Hamilton, but the Bombers defence is again under the microscope. Here’s what Bombers Defensive Coordinator Richie Hall said about the state of his defence after the performance against the Ticats:

“I’m concerned with some of the mistakes we make, because they’re fundamental mistakes. I’m not concerned with the group of guys. It’s a matter of being consistent and putting it together week in and week out because from an emotional and execution state, it was different from Week 2 than it was in Week 3. We’ve got to be consistent because that’s the only way you get better.

“When I look at the game the other day it was pure focus, just their concentration. I wouldn’t say it was a lackadaisical attitude… I described it to the players as when you have an engine and it’s purring along and purring along, but then when you throw some sugar or water into it, it sputters. That’s how we were. We started off good, but then all of a sudden there was a sputter. When you look at the film, I give Hamilton all the credit in the world, but it’s what we didn’t do, were we where we were supposed to be? That’s what we want. You practice all week long but you get to the game and, for whatever reason, the focus wasn’t where it needed to be in order to be successful.”

FYI:

Bombers DE Trent Corney was back practising on Thursday. The club will need to add a Canadian to the roster for the injured Derek Jones… The Bombers have two back-to-backs upcoming – Saturday against the Lions, next week in Vancouver, then to Toronto, followed by a home date with the Argonauts.

DON’T GO THERE:

Andrew Harris is one of a handful of ex-B.C. Lions who will face his old club Saturday night. Harris is now in his third season with the Bombers, but this will be the first meeting against old friends for newcomers like Adam Bighill and Chandler Fenner.

Asked if he had any advice for his new teammates about going against their old squad, Harris offered this:

“It’s another team. You can’t get too caught up in the friendships and relationships you had in the past. You’ve just got to focus on the game and at the end of the game you can say hi to them and before the game you can say hi to them. But during the game and between the whistles it’s go time and you’re just trying to get the win.”