They are healthier, re-energized, and eager to not just salvage their 2018 season, but extend their run deep into November.

That was the big-picture take from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they returned to work following their second of three byes this season with Weston Dressler and Jermarcus Hardrick both back at their posts and with the decision to start Matt Nichols against the Montreal Alouettes this Friday all but universal in the club’s offices.

The right-here/right-now take is much more concise: win now to stop the bleeding of a four-game skid that has not only dropped them to 5-7, but has them staring up at the rest of the Canadian Football League’s West Division with a third of the season remaining.

“There are six games left and that’s the reality,” began running back Andrew Harris after a spirited practice. “I think second place is still attainable and third place is still attainable, especially with the teams we’re playing” (the Bombers are four points out of second, but have already lost the season series to Saskatchewan and are down a game to Edmonton with two games against the Eskimos remaining).

“It’s crunch time. Every game means a lot and we’ve got to continue to get better and peak as we go through these next six games. The biggest thing is guys were challenged to take a look at what they could do to better themselves as individuals and better themselves as teammates. For us, it’s holding each other accountable with our own actions and our own responsibilities and delivering in practice on a daily basis and knowing your stuff and being focused.”

The Bombers entered the bye week after a Banjo Bowl loss to the Roughriders in which every mistake was magnified. Nichols threw two Pick-6s in the red zone that were returned for touchdowns in a game in which he and Chris Streveler were intercepted five times and still lost by just five points, 32-27.

“Obviously, it was a couple tough games for me personally,” said Nichols Monday. “But I think a little bit of a break from the game, step away from the game for a couple days has been awesome for me. The support from my teammates and coaches and stuff has been incredible.

“At some point, everyone is going to play a rough game or two in a row. It’s always about how you handle it and for me I’ve always handled everything the same way… it’s just tunnel vision moving forward. That’s the approach I’m taking. I know I’m a lot better than what I’ve played the last couple weeks. Bad games happen. The day after our game I watched Ben Rothlesberger throw three picks, Matt Stafford threw three picks and a Pick-6 to seal their game.

“… For me it’s forgive yourself and move past it and understand that’s not the player that I am and I’ll be better this week.”

Nichols is a football junkie, one who is almost always first into the building and the last to leave. But given the pressure mounting leading up to the Banjo Bowl and his own game under a microscope, even he readily admitted the bye came at a good time – both for the physical and mental rejuvenation it offered.

“Usually I don’t feel that way… I just want to keep moving along,” he said. “But with six games left here and so much opportunity here in front of us to go on a little run, when you can just step away from it for a minute and understand we’re still in a great position as long as, me personally, I go out and play better and help this team win, we can still be in a great position come the end of the season.

“You say flush it and move on all the time, sometimes it’s easier said than done but with the few extra days off you can really think through everything and make sure you’re not making the same mistakes. I think it’s been perfect timing for a bye week. I feel refreshed, rejuvenated.”

Immediately after the Banjo Bowl loss Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea would not confirm whether Nichols or Streveler would start this week against Montreal, indicating the coaches needed time to evaluate rather than make emotional or rash decisions.

He left little doubt on Monday that Nichols was the team’s clear-cut best option, saying ‘Matt’s the starter. Absolutely.’

“His body of work says he’s won a pile of games for us,” said O’Shea. “He’s played extremely well. He’s our leader. He’s going to lead our team to a victory.

“You know that if you don’t like what’s happened in the last couple of weeks… you just know that that’s not what his body of work shows as the norm. The norm is excellent football and leadership and competitiveness and drive. And so, that’s what you expect and I’m sure that’s what we’re going to get.”

Asked if he might have a shorter leash with his veteran pivot, O’Shea added:

“I don’t speak in those terms. I don’t think that way. When a guy is your starter you’re not talking about the end game… what it looks like when you pull him. You just arrive at that. I don’t ever talk about leashes. I would never include that in a conversation. That’s not something we talk about or think about, really. It’s not part of it.”

More news and notes on the Bombers first day back at work in this week’s installment of Need to Know…

OUCH REPORT:

Massive news from the Bombers sick bay on Monday as all-star right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick was back at his spot with the club’s O-line, while future hall of famer Weston Dressler was back in the receiving corps.

Hardrick’s return moved Pat Neufeld back to guard, while Dressler took Corey Washington’s spot with the No. 1 offence.

“It’s never fun being on the sidelines and watching,” said Dressler. “It’s hard to do when you’re used to being out there. You want to play, you want to help the team win out on the field on game day. It felt good to be back at practice today.”

Here’s Dressler’s take on what has been lacking from the offence during the four-game skid:

“I just feel like we’ve missed opportunities to make big plays throughout games. If we hit one here or there you get a little bit more energy, a little more momentum going and who knows what happens from that. Offensively we’ve just got to be more consistent moving the ball on first down and keep getting those opportunities throughout the game and making the most of those opportunities when we do get them.”

COACH JERMARCUS?:

No one was beaming more about being back in gear than Hardrick, whose daily enthusiasm is infectious. But the veteran tackle also took the opportunity during his absence to put on his coach’s hat as part of what he hopes is part of a future career.

“It was hard because I wanted to play. But the best thing about it is I want to be a coach in the future so I got the chance to work on some coaching and help out with some younger guys,” said Hardrick. “I just appreciate (Bombers offensive line coach) Marty (Costello) for letting me do a little coaching… he gave me the OK to say a few things. So it was good to do that. But I always want to be in there with the guys. There’s nothing like being in the huddle hearing ‘Break’ and just all the feelings that come with being involved.

“It helped me realize how hard I’ve been working and how much I want to be out here. But when I was coaching it also felt good to be that close.”

One more from Hardrick, who was asked if the Bombers looked like a down group after returning from the bye:

“I don’t see a down group at all. I see a lot of veterans… hungry, we know we’ve been killing ourselves. A lot of credit to the other teams that came here and whupped us or we went there and they whupped us, but we know we can be better and we have to be better. We can’t talk about it any more. The time is now.”

HERE’S JOHNNY:

The Alouettes confirmed Monday that former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel would start at QB this Friday against the Bombers. He replaces Antonio Pipkin, who struggled last week in a loss to B.C.

#Alouettes head coach Mike Sherman confirms @JManziel2 will start Friday, vs. Winnipeg

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) September 17, 2018

SPIRITED ENERGY:

The intensity level at Bombers practice on Monday, their first after the bye, was noticeable.

“It was live today, it was hyped,” said Andrew Harris. “There was lots of chatter, lots of intensity. As far as Day 1 (of practice) is concerned, we responded pretty good to it. Obviously, guys are excited to be back on the field and get a second chance, or get back on the field and make plays again and it showed well today.

“You’ve got to be able to compete in practice every day. It’s almost like you hate the defence during practice and when we get in the locker room it’s all good again. That’s the kind of energy and competitiveness that we need to maintain throughout the week so that it comes out on game day.”

NEW BLUE BLOOD:

The Bombers added five players to their practice roster on Monday, two of whom return after attending training camp. Brought on board are:

• DB Jacob Firlotte: (6-3, 216, Queen’s) was selected 58^th overall in the 2018 CFL Draft by the Bombers after spending four seasons with the Gaels. Firlotte suited up for 30 games at Queen’s, recording 49 solo tackles and adding three interceptions. He also got a look at weak-side linebacker during training camp.
• WR/KR Charles Nelson: (5-8, 170, Oregon) was also in training camp this spring. Nelson played four seasons for the Ducks, catching 124 passes for 1,555 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nelson also had 2,424 kick return yards and two kick return touchdowns during his time at Oregon. In 2014, Nelson received the Gordon E. Wilson Award for being Oregon’s top special teams standout and was given 1st-Team Pac-12 All-Conference honours in 2015.
• WR Kenny Lawler: (6-2, 203, University of California) was selected in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, spending time on their practice squad in 2016 and 2017. Lawler played three seasons with the California Golden Bears, catching 143 passes for 1706 yards and 27 touchdowns.
• LB Kache Palacio: (6-1, 237, Washington State) recorded 146 total tackles, 26 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks during his career with the Cougars, putting him 10^th on the school’s all-time sacks list. In 2016, Palacio signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, playing in one NFL game in 2017.
• DB Boobie Hobbs: (5-10, 180, University of Utah) spent three seasons with the Utes, playing in 50 games and making 47 total tackles. In 2016, Hobbs led the NCAA in total punt returns and was third overall in the Pac-12 with 274 punt return yards.