WINNIPEG — In week six of the 2013 CFL season, Buck Pierce — then the starting quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — was benched in favour of Justin Goltz. Three years later, Pierce, now the quarterbacks coach for the blue and gold, is seeing the same situation that he was a part of unfold in front of him, as starter Drew Willy hands the reigns over to Matt Nichols.
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It’s the first time during Willy’s tenure with the Bombers that he’s been benched while healthy.
“I’ve been in Drew’s shoes. If you play the quarterback position long enough at this level you go through times like that,” Pierce said in response to the decision.
From the former BC Lion and Blue Bomber’s perspective, Willy has taken his change of role in stride, continuing to execute as best he can.
READ MORE: Matt Nichols set for first start of the season against the Edmonton Eskimos
For Nichols, a six-year CFL veteran, it will be his 20th career regular season start. From 2012-15 while with the Edmonton Eskimos, he posted a 5-7 record and is currently 2-5 as Bombers starter. While those aren’t jaw dropping numbers, Pierce says it’s his prior CFL experience that’s critical — something that not every backup in the league can say.
READ MORE: Winnipeg Blue Bombers to start Matt Nichols at QB vs Edmonton Eskimos
“When you have a number two with a lot of experience, I think it’s a bit different, ” Pierce said. “Matt’s played a lot of football in this league and he has an understanding of how this league goes week-to-week and how he needs to prepare.”
The bottom line when it comes to the pivot position is winning games, and Nichols believes he’s more than ready to step up on Thursday and end Winnipeg’s two-game losing skid.
“From week one that I was here last year it’s felt like home and when I’m in the huddle with those guys they have the belief in me and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we start winning some football games here,” Nichols said.
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