WINNIPEG – They may never admit it, but you can’t help but think the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are feeling a little nervous this week.
After all, they are in unfamiliar territory. A place called the playoffs.
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Winnipeg hasn’t played past this point in the year since its trip to the Grey Cup in 2011. Helping to guide the green members of the Blue and Gold are the team’s post-season pros.
“I’ve encouraged the guys that have been in the playoffs and have won championships to talk a little more,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.
“Stress the importance. How the speed ramps up and the intensity ramps up a little bit.”
The Bombers will travel to Vancouver to face the B.C. Lions in Sunday’s CFL Western Semi-Final. When it comes to history, it’s hard not to like Winnipeg’s chances. The Big Blue beat B.C. in both meetings this season. Winnipeg also won seven of its nine road games. O’Shea though calls those records irrelevant.
“The bottom line is, to get where we want to get to, you have to win games,” said O’Shea. “No matter where you are, no matter who you’re playing. I always look at it as it’s own event.
“We don’t need to beat them for the third time. We need to beat them once.”
O’Shea did not provide an update on defensive back Kevin Fogg’s injury. The rookie was forced out of Friday’s 33-20 win against the Ottawa Redblacks in the third quarter. Fogg returned four punts for 58 yards that night to set a new franchise record for best punt average in season.
THANKS TORONTO: The Bombers will select first overall in the 2017 CFL Draft after the Toronto Argonauts lost 41-17 to the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday. With the defeat, the Argos finish last in the league. Winnipeg acquired Toronto’s first round pick in the Drew Willy trade back in September. The last time the Bombers held the top selection, they chose linebacker Henoc Muamba in 2011.
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