Winnipeg Blue Bombers #23 Anthony Gaitor
He was described as a ‘Game Manager’ and truthfully, it wasn’t too long ago that Matt Nichols might have bristled at the description.
It’s a term that can be seen as having negative connotations, after all, what with the suggestion the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback doesn’t regularly serve up the spectacular, but instead limits his mistakes.
Well, how do you like him now?
Nichols not only leads the Canadian Football League with a quarterback efficiency rating of 126.0, but his 10 passing touchdowns is also the best in the loop. Oh, and there’s this not-so-little nugget: the Bombers are 4-0 this season and dating back to 2016, only Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell (42-10) has won more regular season games than Nichols, who is 34-14 over that span.
Nichols – whose wife presented two baseball hats with ‘Game Manager’ written on them on Father’s Day – can only chuckle at the description now.
“I’m not wearing (the ‘Game Manager’ hat) right now, but I rock it at least once every day,” Nichols said with a grin on Thursday. “I’ve talked plenty about it, but I’ve tried to take a better approach to the season that if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and laugh about it and have fun because that’s when I’m playing my best football and it’s already shown this year.
“So, for me it’s – no matter what’s happening, it’s just continuing to trust myself, trust my teammates and good things will happen.”
A student of the game and football junkie, Nichols is consistently hitting deep threats and spreading the ball around to a variety of receiving threats in the early part of the 2019 season. Part of that is he is now more than a year removed from the knee injury that felled him at the start of 2018 and cost him the first four starts of the year.
But there’s also a greater comfort level working in Paul LaPolice’s offence, as well as the sweat equity that just comes with hard work.
“It’s just putting in the work and working hard after practice, throwing extra routes here and there,” said Nichols when asked about his increased proficiency in throwing the deep ball. “It’s continuing to time up my drops and trust protections and those types of things and be able to strike when those opportunities are there and not miss on those opportunities.
“We’ve done a good job on that, but it’s only been four games so for us it’s continuing to be good in that department and if those things aren’t there, do everything we can to move the chains.
“We’re not worried about trying to hit four or five home runs in a game. For us, it’s whatever it takes to get points on the board and it’s just kinda happened a little bit this year. Who knows how each game plays out, it’s just about playing the picture in front of you.”
The Bombers and REDBLACKS have completed their final preparations for Friday’s game at IG Field. Here are some of the other news and notes from Thursday…
NOT THIS WEEK:
Chris Matthews declared himself healthy on Wednesday, but the Bombers will keep the veteran receiver out of the lineup against Ottawa and have moved him to the one-game injured list.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea was asked at his day-before press conference on Thursday if Matthews could be called a ‘healthy scratch.’
“I think that’s the way you want to word it,” he said. “I’m thinking there’s always a variety of reasons why you set the roster the way you do. I know for a fact that we’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of talent and guys who are working.
“I also believe that Chris Matthews is going to be a big part of why we win games further on down the season. One roster move, in one week, doesn’t tell a lot, really.”
The decision is also a vote of confidence for Kenny Lawler, who will stay in the lineup after replacing Matthews – who injured his hand in the win over Ottawa – in last week’s victory over Toronto.
“The coaches made a decision that they felt was best for the team,” said Lawler, “and we just roll with it.”
Bombers QB Matt Nichols offered up great praise on Lawler, who joined the club’s practice roster late last year.
“He’s evolved and I think it just comes from his work ethic and his want-to to be better,” Nichols said. “He’s taken major strides and made some big plays last week… he’s a big-time playmaker, big body, strong hands. I don’t know if anyone has shook his hand before, but it basically wraps up your forearm. He’s a special talent and I’m proud of the way he’s worked hard to get better and better in learning the offence is allowing his playmaking ability to show through.
“You probably could ask anyone about who has made the most crazy catches in training camp till now and I think everyone would probably say him. He’s made some unbelievable plays.”
IN, OR OUT?:
The Bombers have listed Adam Bighill as the starting middle linebacker – as was the case last week – but whether the veteran defender suits up Friday will be a game-time decision.
“We’ve been more on the cautious side of things, realizing it’s still early in the season and being smart,” said Bighill. “It’s been day to day and feeling the comfortability level. That still remains the case going forward.
“Osh (head coach O’Shea), at the end of the day, does have the decision on it so that’s where we’re at.”
Bighill hinted that if Friday was a playoff game there would be no doubt he would be in the lineup, but “… I need to do best for my teammates and my team and be available for the bulk of the season, especially Western opponents in particular. That’s where being smart comes into it and where this whole conversation is being had over this last little bit.”
If Bighill can’t go – and with Jesse Briggs moved to the six-game injured list – the Bombers do have some options at the weak-side linebacker spot, including Canadian Thomas Miles and rookie import Dale Warren.
“On this team in general we have great depth,” said Bighill. “We’ve got a great linebacking crew. You saw Jesse come in last week and do a fantastic job… unfortunately he’s had his injury. Thomas Miles has been productive in this league and took the reps this week and did a great job as well. Full confidence in a guy like him, he’s a true professional.”
BLUE DEBUT:
The Bombers have activated WR/KR Kenny Walker from the practice roster in place of Charles Nelson, who has been moved to the six-game injured list. Walker was a standout in the pre-season, and will handle the kick-return chores and possibly take some offensive snaps Friday.
“It’s always a waiting game, but I believe my players and coaches have prepared me for this moment,” said Walker. “I’m just going to go out there and do what I’ve been coached.”
Walker, FYI, also ran track during his days at UCLA, but hasn’t returned kicks since his freshman year.
“It’s just going out there and doing the best I can,” he said. “I know I can return, I’ve been doing it since high school. It’s a long time ago.”
Asked what he wanted to show Friday night, Walker grinned:
“Speed. You can see the rest when the game comes.”
