WINNIPEG – Despite the Blue Bombers’ final regular season game having little to no meaning, the club will still start Drew Willy at quarterback.
While the Bombers are risking injury of the franchise quarterback, head coach Mike O’Shea also realizes the importance of getting Willy as many snaps as possible to allow him to grow as a quarterback.
“I think it’s important for him to get in there and feel good about his game,” said O’Shea. “He’s played roughly 20 games. That’s not enough, not a lot, and this is all very valuable experience for him.”
Willy was sacked a club-record 10 times in the Bombers loss to the B.C. Lions on Saturday. The team has now allowed a CFL-worst 70 sacks this season to set another club record for futility, and there’s still one game left.
The old Bombers record of 67 sacks allowed in a season was back in 1988, but Willy doesn’t seem overly concerned, despite going up against a Stampeders team that has recorded 44 sacks this season.
“It’s important for me just to keep getting experience,” said Willy. “Being a younger quarterback in the league, getting as many snaps as possible, especially against a good defence. You know it can only help my growth as a quarterback, so for me, it just really comes down to just getting more reps, making sure we end the season on a high note.”
While O’Shea has committed to starting Willy there’s no guarantee he’ll finish the game.
O’Shea made it clear the team is playing to win, but he would also like to get backup quarterback Robert Marve a few snaps.
“Is he (Willy) going to play the entire game?” said O’Shea. “I’m note sure yet, but it’s important he gets the start and gets it going out there for us.”
With a playoff berth now officially out of reach, the Bombers close out their season Saturday against the Stampeders with kickoff at 3 p.m.
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