PREVIEW
REDBLACKS HOST BOMBERS ON FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
OTTAWA — While the Ottawa REDBLACKS should feel refreshed and well-rested, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers may still have some lingering adrenaline in their system.
The cross-division clubs meet Friday in the nation’s capital (7 p.m. ET, TSN) with the REDBLACKS fresh off a much-needed Week 6 bye and the Bombers on the back of an historic comeback victory over Montreal that included an onside kick and a touchdown on the game’s final play.
Both squads have slipped back from the leaders in their respective division and will see Friday’s matchup as a chance to make up ground as the 2017 CFL campaign moves into its middle third.
While the the Winnipeg Blue Bombers locker room was ecstatic with the outcome of last week’s comeback against Montreal, the Bomber defence was left with an emptier happiness. Coordinator Richie Hall’s Bomber defence allowed 531 yards to the Alouettes and Hall challenged his defence to be better this Friday in Ottawa.
“When your defensive coordinator calls you out a bit, you have to respond,” said Winnipeg corner Chris Randle. “We have to be better, do things the way we’re supposed to do them as far as our standard, our technique.”
It won’t be an easy task for Randle and the Bomber secondary against an elite Ottawa offence led by Trevor Harris.
“Knowing their threats, who they have — Ellingson in the receiving corps, Madu and Powell running it — they’re capable guys,” highlighted Randle. “We know what they’re capable of doing so we’ve got to go out there and just (execute).”
Winnipeg’s defence will be boosted by the return of linebacker Moe Leggett; the Valdosta St. alum missed the Bombers’ last two games with injury but co-led Winnipeg and the league in interceptions (7) last season.
With leading receiver Weston Dressler shelved on the six-game list, the Bombers will have to spread the ball around more on offence Friday night.
“You have to go out and put it in your head, ‘I’m not sure who’s gonna make the play, but we’re gonna go as fast as possible and get the job done,'” explained Bombers quarterback coach Buck Pierce. “At this level, things are never easy, (but) whatever the situation is, we’re going to get the job done.”
Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat aims to build on his breakout two-sack performance against the Als last week; the Texas product has registered seven tackles and an interception in addition to the two sacks over the course of his first three CFL games.
“I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable; the first day of camp I was a little bit overwhelmed (and I) had to get used to everything,” explained Jeffcoat. “I’m starting to get back into a groove, get going, and I just have to start growing from here.”
Things are not all roses in the nation’s capital.
Despite owning the best point differential in the East Division (minus-5) entering Week 7, Ottawa sits at 1-4-1 and it’s beginning to feel like now or never for the defending Grey Cup Champions.
On the flip side, while Ottawa’s record isn’t ideal, the REDBLACKS remain very much in contention for the East Division, sitting just three points back of the first-place Argos following Toronto’s loss on Thursday night.
“We’ve got to figure out how to win the close games,” REDBLACKS offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo told OttawaREDBLACKS.com. “We’ve got a group of guys with resiliency and toughness, now we have to find a a recipe to push through the fourth quarter.”
Echoing Head Coach Rick Campbell, the Ottawa OC referenced a handful of critical mistakes and their mental impact.
“You make one mistake, you start being cautious — you can’t play the game as a play-caller or a player that way,” reflected Elizondo. “We’ve been at our best when we’re a tempo team and going. We’ve got to get back to that formula.”
REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell — one of the league’s most successful coaches in terms of challenges in recent weeks — voiced his support for the CFL’s challenge reduction.
“I like it, I’m for less challenges,” said Campbell. “You’ve got one challenge, so the game doesn’t get won or lost, (and) you don’t have coaches and players on iPads on the sideline fishing for calls.”
As for Friday’s opponents, the Ottawa bench boss expects another entertaining contest.
“They’re an exciting team to watch, there are big plays both ways,” said Campbell. “You watch their last two games, BC and Montreal, (and) they’re pretty crazy games — it’s going to be evenly-matched.”
REDBLACKS defensive coordinator Mark Nelson knows Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols quite well from their time together in Alberta.
“I was in Edmonton when he was a young QB there, and over the years I’ve seen him grow into a starting quarterback,” said Nelson. “With their OC and scheme, he fits great — he controls the game, they kind of nickel and dime you, then take the big shot.”
By The Numbers
14 – Interceptions hauled in by Moe Leggett (seven) and T.J. Heath (seven) in 2016; the two have combined for five thus far in 2017.
22 – Combined pass touchdowns for Ottawa’s Trevor Harris (12) and Winnipeg’s Matt Nichols (10), first and third in the league respectively.
179 – Points allowed by the Bombers, second-most in the CFL only to Hamilton (201).
643 – League-high receiving yards for REDBLACKS receiver Greg Ellingson, who sits tied for second in touchdown receptions (three).
The Skinny
Welcome to the middle third of the season; the time for excuses is over and, especially for the REDBLACKS, it’s time to start performing.
Last year’s Grey Cup Champions are already three points back of first-place Toronto in the East and points aren’t awarded for being in close games deep into the fourth quarter.
For the Bombers, who trail three teams in the West by at least a game, the possibility of a crossover playoff spot appears to be a very possible one this season; if Winnipeg can continue to find ways to win close games, especially against teams from the East, there could very well be playoff football for the boys from Manitoba.
The ‘Battle of the Harrises’ could prove to be a deciding factor come Friday night: Andrew Harris’s dual-threat game for the Bombers vs. Trevor Harris’s gunslinging pass game.
Should be fun.
Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET and can be followed live via CFL.ca Game Tracker or seen on TSN and ESPN3.
