WINNIPEG — In just two days time Winnipeg football fans will get their first look at the new look Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a game situation. The Bombers will play their first exhibition game against the Montreal Alouettes on Wednesday at Investors Group Field.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea will approach it like any other game, as they will play to win while still trying to evaluate players at the same time.
“You go in with a plan and you constantly adjust that plan as the game goes on,” said O’Shea. “We approach it the same way. We want to win the games. I don’t know that there’s a team that doesn’t approach it that way. I mean certainly you want to evaluate and figure out how you’re going to put together that roster, what your team’s going to look like for week one. So the evaluation is a major part of it but the idea of winning and gaining some confidence is also extremely important.”
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The Bombers have a number of players nicked up and still haven’t finalized their roster. Linebacker Sam Hurl is unlikely to play while Weston Dressler will be a game time decision. In the CFL pre-season the home team has the option to dress as many players as they want and if a player is healthy they’ll likely dress on Wednesday.
“We’ll have another meeting and re-evaluate based on the injuries and based on more information sort of thing.” O’Shea said. “We’ll probably have it honed down at game time.”
Running back Andrew Harris will play in his first game in the blue and gold. It’ll be a chance to build some chemistry with his new teammates in the new offence.
“Obviously this doesn’t mean anything and it’s not quite the same but it’s still gonna be a big day for me and I’m looking forward to it,” said Harris. “The first pre-season game you don’t want to show too, too much. It’s just basically working the kinks out and knocking the rust off. You just want to get your legs under you and take those first real hits that are for real.”
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O’Shea still wouldn’t reveal his plan for his four quarterbacks on Wednesday but all should see at least a few snaps according to the head coach.
“I believe all four quarterbacks will play,” said O’Shea. “And we’ll certainly have to evaluate the battle for the third spot.”
Teams rarely use their starters past the first quarter in the first exhibition game but if Drew Willy is in the game, Harris wants to be lining up right beside him.
“As long as Drew is in there I want to be in there with him too, just getting timing down and obviously to protect him and you want to be with the starters in that role. I don’t know how much I’m going to play but as long as the starters are in I want to be with them as well.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
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