The Canadian Football League trade deadline came and went without even moving the needle, even just a smidge, inside the Winnipeg Blue Bombers locker room.
Of course, that alone isn’t all that surprising given the CFL deadline traditionally doesn’t generate the headlines the way the same event does in the NHL or NBA.
The Bombers didn’t add or subtract from their roster prior to Wednesday afternoon’s deadline, but other teams – notably the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Ottawa REDBLACKS and Montreal Alouettes – did acquire assets for a playoff push or stockpiled them as part of an offseason rebuild.
That isn’t to say the Bombers didn’t sniff around, but a couple of factors are likely in play here with respect to that inactivity: the club is pushed up against the salary cap and didn’t have the wiggle room to add more pieces, and as well, there is a belief the current crew can make a run into November.
And that second component isn’t lost on the men in the Bombers locker room.
“There were a bunch of guys kind of joking around about being nervous (about the deadline) and stuff, but for the most part the guys have a certain comfortability here,” said running back Andrew Harris. “I always say don’t get too comfortable, but there’s a certain type of comfortability within the locker room knowing that your teammates hold you accountable and you hold them accountable as well. I preach about a brotherhood and having a solid locker room and guys that gel… that’s great to know that no one was on that trade bubble or on that block.
“I’m not really in tune with what guys might have been available or what not but with our lineup and personnel, I think we have the right guys to win football games and be successful going into the playoffs.”
Timing is also likely a factor here. The Bombers entered the trade deadline on a three-game win streak – who knows what might have happened if the four-game losing skid that preceded the current run had continued – and the victories over Montreal, Edmonton and Ottawa likely had management backing away from the panic button.
“Honestly, I didn’t hear a lot of talk about the deadline and I didn’t think about it,” said linebacker Adam Bighill. “We’re happy with the guys in this locker room, though. They’re here for a reason. From my time here in Winnipeg I can tell we bring in the right kind of people, people that fit into this locker room, that have the right mindset and are ready to work. It’s a pleasure to go to work with guys with that mentality.
“It’s all about chemistry and the more reps you spend together on the field the more confidence you have in each other playing the game. There are always going to be instances where changes have to happen – injuries, or new guys have to come in. Gerald Rivers is an example of that. He’s come in and done a phenomenal job for us. But you want that chemistry as much as you can get it and you adjust when you have to.”
The passing of the trade deadline was also broached with cornerback Chris Randle, who first pretended to wipe sweat from his brow with a pronounced ‘Phew…’ before admitting:
“I didn’t even know about the deadline,” he said. “But I guess that says something about our organization and our team: they believe in us and in what we have. That’s a vote of confidence in where we’re at and what they think our team can get accomplished. Some of the guys here have grown up with this staff, me being one of them, and to see the growth the players we have, the talent we have, the depth we have… it’s a testament to the guys in the front office and the guys in here to go through the lows and highs we’ve had together and still be coming out swinging.”
All that said, the core of this current group is winless in its last two playoff appearances. And while the playoffs are still a month away, it’s not lost on a veteran like Harris that a veteran-laden team like the Bombers really must live in the moment. Winter is coming, after all, and in the CFL that means change.
“With the new CBA and guys signing one-year deals there’s no team that’s going to look the same at all next year,” Harris said. “It’s kind of sad because I really feel like we have something really solid here and the last three years being here and how it’s transformed and the growth and the trust. But this is the nature of the business and you have to deal with it as it comes. But right now we’re focusing on the goal and I feel with the nucleus and core we have here, plus the new additions, it’s a great vibe in here and I wouldn’t want to win with any other 44 guys.”
The Bombers completed their final full practice today behind closed doors in advance of Saturday’s matchup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Here are some notes and quotes from today’s media availability…
OUCH REPORT:
No update from Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea on the status of WR Weston Dressler – he got tangled up with Chris Humes on a pass play on Wednesday, left practice and later returned but did not participate. Thursday’s session was closed to the media, but O’Shea did say this of Dressler:
“I always err on the side of giving the veteran guys an extra day. Until he tells me he can’t, I’m going to believe that he can.”
TWO DOWN, ONE – MAYBE – TO GO:
The Bombers have lost both games so far this season to the Riders with Saturday’s matchup the third on the schedule. O’Shea was asked after Thursday’s practice if, given the Riders could also be a potential playoff opponent, there is ‘value in beating them once to overcome a mental hurdle.’
Said O’Shea:
“That’s to say there is one (a mental hurdle). I’m not saying there is one. The value in winning this game is making sure we’re on track to make the playoffs because there are still a bunch of games to be played and a lot of scenarios to be played out. We need to handle our business this game because of the importance of making the playoffs. That’s the main focus of this game: winning this game. There’s no other reason but winning the game.”
