WINNIPEG – It’s a new season. There’s new faces. And a new feeling of hope among the city.
But despite all the new, there’s still something old among the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The team’s Grey Cup woes – the longest active drought in the CFL. The Bombers haven’t wont a championship in 25 years.
“The last couple of years, we had high expectations which we haven’t met,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.
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Winnipeg has missed the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons. During that span, the team won just 42 of 126 games. Players think this year will be different.
“I really believe we have brought in the right pieces,” said Bombers quarterback Drew Willy. “Everything is meant for us to win this year.”
Keeping their primary pivot protected will be key. Willy missed a good chunk of last year due to a knee injury.
“Last night was tough to sleep because I haven’t played since August,” said Willy. “It was fun to get out here and get warmed up. It was a good feeling.”
Sunday’s practice was the first time Willy faced a defence in nine months. He did pass the pigskin earlier this year at the Bombers’ offence only mini-camp. The team credits those workouts in putting it ahead of the game.
“The terminology we’re hearing today is not new to us,” said Bombers running back Andrew Harris. “We got a head start. It makes training camp go that much smoother.”
A total of 85 players are fighting for a spot on this year’s squad. Winnipeg will play two pre-season games before the first round of mandatory cuts. All nine CFL clubs must reduce their rosters to 65 players excluding non-counters by June 14. That number has to drop to 46 active players by June 18.
The Bombers kick off the regular season at home against the Montreal Alouettes on June 24.
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