News that is dated but becoming more relevant by the moment: Dalton Schoen didn’t practice on Tuesday as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers officially began on-field preparations for Saturday’s West Final against the B.C. Lions.
That development has had Bomber Nation on edge since late last month.
And now news that could potentially send everyone into full panic mode if nothing changes leading into the weekend: Nic Demski also didn’t practice on Tuesday, meaning the club was without its two 1,000-yard receivers five days out from the epic showdown with the Lions and a berth in the Grey Cup on the line.
FYI, Greg McCrae, Brendan O’Leary-Orange and Janarion Grant all took turns in the offence on Tuesday and the club also has veteran Markeith Ambles available in the bullpen.
“We’re OK,” began wide receiver Kenny Lawler. “A big part of it is trust. Guys will come in if they have to and not skip a beat. Part of it is because we honour each other and trust each other.
“It’s always the next man up mentality no matter where you go, so the young guys are going to get their opportunity. They’re taking pride, they’re taking honour in it. That’s what I love about this – our young guys, our next man up guys, are ready.
“The rest of it is I’ve just got to focus on my job. I can’t worry about anybody else’s job. I can only control me. I’ve got to be my best at doing my job 100 percent and then help lift the other guys to do their job at 100 percent.”
The Blue Bombers were without Schoen for the the last two regular-season games after he was injured in the win over the Lions in Vancouver on October 6th. His potential absence could be massive as he is coming off a season in which he had 72 catches for 1,233 yards and a league-leading 10 receiving touchdowns. In his two years with the Blue Bombers, he has 142 receptions for 2,674 yards and 26 TDs in just 34 games. Demski was held out of the game in Calgary and is coming off his first 1K season, finishing with 67 catches for 1,006 yards and six TDs.
How do you possibly replace all that production? Good question.
“I would say this: ‘Replacing’ isn’t the right word because everyone has their strengths and weaknesses,” said Drew Wolitarsky. “That’s the game. It’s chess. You’ve got your rooks, your knights, your bishops, your queen and your pawns, and it’s how you use these guys to the best of their abilities. A bishop is not going to do the same thing as a rook, so why have him run the exact same way or put pieces in places that won’t help you win.
“So, it’s not ‘replacing.’ It’s putting you in different spots and rearranging things to take advantage of our strengths. That’s how you have to restructure when you lose something.
“This is an interesting time. We’ve had a lot of people have to step up. It’s made me step up and work even harder. The young guys coming up… we’ve had a lot of young guys make plays and you can see their growth and confidence.”
The Blue Bombers still have two full practices before Friday’s walk-through, and don’t have to declare their depth chart until the day before the game.
“We’ve always liked our depth,” said head coach Mike O’Shea in his media session on Tuesday. “The coaching staff and the players do a good job of making sure they understand the plays from all different angles and all different positions – concepts, rather than just one position. We thrived in the past because guys can jump in and do a whole bunch of different things for us with their versatility and understanding of what the offence is trying to do rather than just knowing their specific job. I don’t think that’s ever been our recipe here.
“… Guys have just stepped into those spots, and it’s never really been an issue. We move guys around all the time and when guys need a break, they go right into teaching mode. They’re locked in that way and make sure they stay in the practice, in the play, dialled in, by talking to all the guys that are running around.”
More notes and quotes from this week’s NEED TO KNOW — West Final edition….
THE FORECAST:
We all know how these things can change, but Environment Canada’s forecast calls for a high of -1C with clear conditions and an overnight low of -2C.
“Obviously you prepare for the elements the best you can during the week of practice,” said quarterback Zach Collaros. “We’ve had cold weather here now for a couple of weeks and we’ve had cold weather in the past. Everybody knows how to prepare from the game in that respect and try and stay as comfortable as you can and execute the game plan.”
Asked if the Blue Bombers have an advantage in practising in these conditions compared to the Lions, Collaros wouldn’t bite.
“Maybe so. At the end of the day, though, you’ve got to go out there and execute. Snow is just another element or factor that each team will be having to factor into the game.”
FYI:
The Blue Bombers secondary for much of practice Tuesday featured Demerio Houston and Jamal Parker at the corners, with Winston Rose’s shadowing both positions… Read into this what you will, but the CFL Simulation run by CFL.ca seems like to like the Blue Bombers chances this weekend and beyond… The Lions’ injury report, for what it’s worth.
