Willie Jefferson & Co. will look to extend the Blue Bombers win streak to three games tonight in Ottawa; photos by Smart Rosales
OTTAWA — The term ‘trap game’ came up occasionally in discussion with some members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers players this week.
And full disclosure: yours truly was one of the those trotting it out during those conversations as it seemed to fit the narrative.
After all, the Blue Bombers — having won two straight to get to 3-2 — now have some wind at their backs as they arrived in the nation’s capital to face an Ottawa RedBlacks side that is winless at 0-5, has uncertainty at the quarterback position and is truly looking to find some traction under new GM and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie.
Yet, the more the trap game term bounced around in my noggin — and the more we brought it up in the locker room — the less it seemed like a plausible angle. The Blue Bombers have their own story to write, their own issues to tend to through five games.
So, there’s no sense in fixating on the blemishes of others right now.
“We truly just worry about ourselves every single week,” said Brady Oliveira. “There’s things WE have to work on as a group and as an entire team. We come in here the days after games, win or lose, and we’re critical on our performances and constantly talk about what we have to do to get better.
“We respect our opponent, of course. What we can expect is they’re going to be prepared, they’re going to play a physical brand of football and we’re going to get their best. I don’t care what the records are — we’re lining up across a guy who is getting paid and will make some plays.
“We just worry about us in here.”
Good point, Mr. Oliveira. Consider that the offence ranks last in points scored, while the team is second last in the turnover differential at -4. The defence, while coming on of late, also ranks second last in the league in rushing yards against at 114.2.
On top of that…
“Winless teams are dangerous,” said defensive tackle Jake Ceresna. “They’re working so much to get that first win and they’re hungry for it. Usually the case is — and it’s that way with Ottawa — they lost a close game with Saskatchewan, which are near the top in the West — and so you’ve got to be prepared because they’re going to be ready. We’ve got to match their energy and physicality in the first quarter and be ready to go.”
The RedBlacks have now dropped 11-straight dating back to a 34-33 win over the B.C. Lions last September 5. That said. they were down just 16-14 in last week’s loss to Edmonton before the wheels came off completely in a 40-17 setback.
And the Blue Bombers have seen enough on film to be wary.
“You can absolutely turn your season around with a blink of an eye,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson Saturday. “This would be the best time for an Ottawa team — against a good team at home, you get your win and strike a fire.
“For us. a veteran-led team… we told the young guys this whole week this team is 0-5 but they do have some great players, some good coaches, and they’re trying to find a way to win. Most of their games have been close until the end and they haven’t been able to find a way to win and finish the game.
“We don’t want to be that team that comes in and gives them the chance to find that.”
More notes and quotes to help get Blue Bombers fans ready for tonight in this week’s edition of GAME DAY HQ…
MILESTONE WATCH
Blue Bombers star running back Brady Oliveira is just 68 yards back of Willard Reaves for third spot on the club’s all-time rushing list. Oliveira is now up to 5,855, while Reaves finished his career at 5,923.
Charles Roberts tops that list at 9,987 with Leo Lewis second at 8,861.
“Reaves is third all-time? That’s cool,” said Oliveira this week. “We talked about this a few weeks ago — I just have tunnel vision on the job at hand this week, the opponent and then after that game you fix the mistakes and then you’re on to the next opponent.
“I haven’t really had the chance to think about some of this stuff you tell me about. It’s more so when you step away from the game and everything. I have you to remind me of this stuff. It’s pretty cool”
NOTABLE
- Nic Demski is three receptions away from 450 in his career as a Blue Bomber. He sits fifth on the teams’ all-time list behind Milt Stegall (854), James Murphy (573), Joe Poplawski (549) and Terrence Edwards (469).
- One more on Oliveira — he needs 179 yards from scrimmage to pass Andrew Harris (7,986) for sixth on the Bombers’ all-time list.
- Rookie Major Williams recorded a team-high seven tackles last week. He ranks second on the team in defensive tackles (24) and defensive plays (32), while leading the club with six pass knockdowns.
- Ottawa has won two of the past three meetings at TD Place.
- Jake Maier is 1-7 against Winnipeg and McLeod Bethel-Thompson is 1-5.
QUOTABLE
“It’s going to be fun. Basically, he’s playing in a place that opened their arms to you but now you’re the bad guy, in a sense. He’ll just come in and play his game, do what he does best slinging the ball around the field to our guys and hopefully he can break a few hearts this week and it’ll be fun but at the same time bittersweet.
— Willie Jefferson on Dru Brown’s return to Ottawa
GAME DAY -1
