Bombers hot out of the gate

Winnipeg Free Press

15 hours ago

One year ago, after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost their Week 1 contest at home to the Montreal Alouettes, head coach Mike O'Shea said he 'saw it coming,' noting he felt the defeat stemmed from a training camp that he mismanaged.
O'Shea shouldered the blame for not preparing his players well enough to hit the ground running, which showed in a lacklustre outing.
The veteran head coach was reminded of that moment shortly after the Bombers' 34-20 victory over the B.C. Lions at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, a performance that caught some by surprise and was a statement about the potential that exists for his team again.
'We had a much different camp,' said O'Shea, who was pushed to provide more detail.
'The guys were tuned in more. I don't know, I think we pushed them pretty good.'
The result was a terrific performance in all three phases, which saw the Bombers net 438 yards of offence, make life miserable for Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke and find a spark on special teams that was lacking last season.
'I don't think that they responded. I think it's the idea that we put the work in, and it showed,' said O'Shea. 'I don't know that it's an emotional response; I just think it's the amount of quality work that they put in.
'I think the easy thing to understand is — it's not always — but to give yourself a chance, if you work hard, you focus, you don't just put the time in, you freaking give it everything you've got, then you have a chance to win,' he added. 'I think it's just good practice, good result and good games.'
There were doubts about the way the Bombers would respond in this spot, beginning the season, at home, and starting a week later than every other club in the Canadian Football League.
For at least one more night, the club remained in the shadows of a third-straight loss in the Grey Cup and would begin their quest to return to the big game without the services of starting quarterback Zach Collaros.
If Winnipeg showed one thing, it's that the circumstances didn't mean a damn thing, and that they are fully equipped to compete once again.
The Bombers will take another run at the Lions on June 21, at BC Place in Vancouver, but before we look too far ahead, let's revisit Thursday's victory with the first edition of five takeaways.
This was a statement from Winnipeg from the get-go, one that can lead the mind down the path of 'what could be.'
The Bombers did not look like a team that was seeing its first piece of game action — especially without their starting quarterback and, for much of the night, the league's reigning Most Outstanding Player, running back Brady Oliveira.
This was thought to be a contest in which the team would need to bleed the clock with the run game and play sound defensive football in hopes of keeping close heading into the fourth quarter. The Bombers did find success with that game plan, eclipsing 30 points and 400 total yards on 33 rushes and 24 passes, and limiting the Lions offence for much of the night.
Consider this: entering their final drive of the first half, the Lions had amassed 56 net yards on offence, while running only 27 plays in their first seven series. From there, 176 of their 410 offensive yards were made on three plays — a 49-yard heave from Rourke to receiver Ayden Eberhardt, and tosses of 77 and 50 yards to Keon Hatcher.
Simply put, the Bomber defence forced the Lions offence into a boom-or-bust situation.
So, if they can do this in their first game without two of their best players on the field, what's the ceiling for this club?
If we're talking offence, then it must start with the performance of quarterback Chris Streveler, who tossed for three touchdowns and 246 yards while completing 15-of-24 attempts. While he did throw one interception late in the first quarter, the 31-year-old otherwise looked in control— something that many would've stopped short of saying in his past performances.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler stood tall in the home-opener against the B.C. Lions Thursday night, throwing for three touchdowns and 246 yards.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler stood tall in the home-opener against the B.C. Lions Thursday night, throwing for three touchdowns and 246 yards.
Streveler's speedy recovery from major knee surgery was a story all training camp. But performing on the practice field is one thing, it's an entirely different beast once live bullets are flying.
The pivot navigated pressure well, making a few throws on the run look much easier than they actually were. Streveler only rushed twice for nine yards, but he didn't mind relying on his arm.
'It's just how the game goes,' he said. 'I'm okay with that. Two carries, 20 carries. Done it both ways. So, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that scoreboard.'
It's never been more important to have a capable backup quarterback.
While long stretches without a starter can be detrimental to a team's success, having a guy who can come in to finish a game in a pinch or keep the offence afloat for a few games can be the difference between a top team and one that is scratching for a playoff spot.
Part of the doubt that surrounded Winnipeg entering Thursday's contest was because of the unknown.
Who would replace big-play receiver Kenny Lawler and ball-hawking corner Tyrell Ford? Is Streveler capable of carrying the offence? Who is the returner? And — after Oliveira exited the game — where is the running game going to come from?
Those questions were answered over and over again as the contest carried on.
Streveler, who finished with a 121.2 efficiency rating, answered the bell. The offensive wealth was spread around, as nine different players touched the ball.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Matthew Peterson (22) filled the shoes of an injured Brady Oliveira Thursday night at Princess Auto Stadium.
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Matthew Peterson (22) filled the shoes of an injured Brady Oliveira Thursday night at Princess Auto Stadium.
Rookie running back Matthew Peterson stole the show, racking up 130 rushing yards on 23 carries, including a highlight-reel 38-yard touchdown run that showcased his burst.
Oliveira is reportedly dealing with a shoulder injury that could sideline him for several weeks, so all of a sudden, Peterson has become an important part of this Bombers' offence.
At receiver, second-year pass-catcher Keric Wheatfall lined up at Lawler's old spot and paced the Bombers with five grabs for 127 yards and a touchdown.
On defence, second-year defensive back Marquise Bridges, taking Ford's old spot at field corner, picked off the Lions twice. Even on special teams, long-snapper Mike Benson suffered an injury, which thrust linebacker Shayne Gauthier into action for the entire second half.
There is an element of a threat in the return game that did not exist for the Bombers a year ago, and rookie Trey Vaval is the reason for that.
All that was missing from the 24-year-old's professional debut was a touchdown.
Vaval caught nine kicks for a total of 146 yards on Thursday. His first punt return went for 25 yards, as he started left, then cut right to break the Lions' containment and outrun several defenders up the sideline.
The next one was even more impressive, as he dodged one defender, then ducked under the arms of another as he cut upfield before breaking a pair of tackles to gain 16 yards of field position.
Vaval had another impact on special teams in the fourth quarter, recovering a fumble caused by a big hit from Michael Chris-Ike.
Winnipeg signed running back Peyton Logan (one-game injured list) to also use him as a returner, but now it looks as though he will need to beat Vaval for that role.
The Lions recorded two sacks on the night, but don't let those overshadow an otherwise rock-solid performance from the five men up front.
There were holes for Peterson — and Oliveira, before he was injured — and Streveler had enough time to throw more times than not. It was a good sign for an offensive line that was starting two second-year players in left guard Micah Vanterpool and right tackle Kendall Randolph.
The Bombers helped stymie Lions standout defensive end Mathieu Betts by chipping him throughout the contest, and his running mate, Kemoko Turay, was also a non-factor.
The fact that this was only the first game for this new-look starting five is promising for an offence that will return with its No. 1 quarterback next week.
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Joshua Frey-SamReporter
Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh.
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