Latest news with #Bombers
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers both expected to miss stars for rematch
VANCOUVER – Micah Awe feels like he's unlocked something new in his arsenal — and that could spell trouble for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this weekend. Midway through a game against the Bombers in Winnipeg last week, the B.C. Lions linebacker started to see everything in front of him differently. The run game simply opened up, he said. 'To be honest, probably for the first time in my eight-year career, I started seeing linebackers kind of like a painting,' explained Awe, who registered 10 tackles in the contest. 'It's kind of like art. You see the art differently (once something clicks).' The switch in perception came from working with Lions defensive coordinator Mike Benevides and playing behind defensive linemen Mathieu Betts and Sione Teuhema, Awe said. 'The difference with this D line, it's the physicality and the violence,' said the 31-year-old Texas Tech product. 'That allows me to play a different way that I don't think people have seen, that I haven't seen myself. Because I'm able to do it now, it kind of unlocks that next level of linebacker for me. 'If I was a Pokemon, this might be, like, the third evolution or something.' B.C. (1-1) dropped a 34-20 decision to Winnipeg (1-0), but Awe and the rest of the Lions will have an opportunity for revenge Saturday when the two sides meet for a rematch in Vancouver. B.C. knows the key to earning a different result this time out is shutting down Winnipeg's potent rush, Awe said. 'If we can't stop the run, they can do whatever they want to do. So, that's going to be our main goal,' he said, adding that all comes down to want. 'Play professional football long enough, you realize, 'OK, all right. This is what I'm supposed to do, but I've still gotta go do it.' Winnipeg's offence will be without a key piece on Saturday after the team officially ruled Brady Oliveira out with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old running back, who was named both the league's most-outstanding player and most-outstanding Canadian last season, contributed 49 yards on two carries last week before getting hurt. Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said he isn't concerned about slotting someone else into the running back role. 'We've got lots of ways to move the roster around,' he said. 'We've always been pretty comfortable with everybody in our locker room. The belief is if they're here, they're going to help us win football games this year.' The Lions, too, could miss a prime offensive player for the rematch. Starting quarterback Nathan Rourke picked up a core injury in last week's loss and left in the fourth quarter. He was limited in practice on Tuesday, and did not take the field with his teammates on Wednesday or Thursday, working instead with trainers on the sidelines. B.C. has listed him as 'questionable' for Saturday's game. Veteran QB Jeremiah Masoli is expected to start for the Lions. Every quarterback on B.C.'s roster is ready to play, said Lions head coach Buck Pierce. 'All the guys have now had time under centre. And whether it be, in training camp, whether it be out here each week, I'm a big believer in getting everybody reps. So they've been taking reps, they've been learning,' he said. 'Jeremiah has a lot of experience in this league, and he's seen a lot of things. He's got a great mind for the game. He sees things quickly, he processes information fast. So, I'm confident in whoever we have back there.' The Blue Bombers will also have a different starting quarterback on Saturday as Zach Collaros returns to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Pierce is uniquely primed to game plan for facing Winnipeg's usual No. 1, having worked with him for several seasons in his previous role as the Bombers' offensive coordinator. '(Collaros is) a hell of a player. I've got a lot of respect for what he's done,' the coach said. 'Obviously, I credit a lot of my success to him and he's dynamic, right? He's dynamic, he's tough, he loves to compete. 'So we're going to have to make sure that we understand his strengths and know how to play against him.' WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (1-0) AT B.C. LIONS (1-1) Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. B.C. Place, Saturday MR. 200: Collaros enters the game with 199 regular-season touchdown passes across his CFL career. Only 14 players have reached the 200 mark across the league, and Bo Levi Mitchell is the only active player to have hit the milestone. WINNER-PEG: The Bombers have fared well against the Lions in recent years, going 7-2 in matchups between the two sides since 2022. BACK TO BACK: Masoli believes seeing the same team two weeks in a row will be a boon for B.C. 'Obviously we weren't as successful as we wanted to be last game,' he said. 'So, we're just working hard to be able to make sure that turns in our favour this weekend.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Global News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Global News
No Brady for Blue Bombers for rematch against BC
The CFL's most outstanding player won't be in the lineup for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for Saturday's rematch against the BC Lions. Running back Brady Oliveira has been officially ruled out for the week three matchup with a shoulder injury. Oliveira missed all three practices this week after he left the season-opening victory early in the first quarter. The Bombers opposition could also be without one of their biggest weapons on offence. Lions starting quarterback Nathan Rourke has been listed as questionable with what's being called a core injury. He missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday after leaving last week's game in the fourth quarter. It's looking more and more like Lions backup QB Jeremiah Masoli will get the start instead. He completed seven of his 10 passes for 84 yards with one interception in garbage time against the Bombers defence last week. Story continues below advertisement The Bombers will look to keep him guessing after defensive coordinator Jordan Younger gave a number of new looks on defence in the season opener with middle linebacker Tony Jones even dropping into coverage. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'You never know,' said Jones. 'That's the thing I feel like why we can be such a great defence. You watch the game film and it's just like okay, he's doing this or he's doing that. But then when they play us, it's like OK, he didn't do that. He's doing a different thing. And now they're switching their kinda game plan up of OK, now you're doing this and that's when we switch it again. It's a chess game. 'To give opposing quarterbacks a different look, it might throw them off and make them hold the ball longer where our defensive line can go get a sack.' Bombers receiver Kevens Clercius is also questionable to play. He practiced on Monday but missed the final two practices of the week with a hip problem. Running back Peyton Logan, long snapper Mike Benson, and defensive lineman Jamal Woods will all sit out of the rematch the injuries. Kickoff on Saturday is at 6:00 p.m. in Vancouver.
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Bombers wrap arms around out-of-form Archie Perkins
Archie Perkins has lost his mojo, and Essendon coach Brad Scott is committed to helping the top-10 draft pick become a tackle-bursting midfielder again. Perkins endured a forgettable moment during Thursday's 41-point loss to Fremantle when he took his eyes off the ball and fumbled what should have been an uncontested mark while running into attack. The 23-year-old had started the game as the sub for a second straight week, and he looked despondent as he ran to the bench following his third-quarter blooper. There were big hopes Perkins would develop into an out-and-out midfield star after he was selected with pick No.9 in the 2020 national draft. But after producing a breakout campaign in 2023, Perkins looked like a player who lacked confidence last year, and it's continued into 2025. Scott is keen to help the 93-game midfielder reach his potential. "Perkins is a strong, powerful footballer who, at his best, is breaking through tackles, competing really strongly," Scott said. "He's a really strong aerialist. And right at the moment, he's doubting himself a little bit. "And so my job is to remind him of what he's really good at - go back and have a look at those things, "He's just making mistakes through hesitation at the moment. "It'll come for him. We've just got to persist. It's easy to criticise, but coaches aren't critics. They're there to help." Thursday's 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63) result marked Essendon's fourth straight defeat, leaving them with a 6-8 record heading into their bye week. The Bombers have already fielded an astonishing 11 debutants this season, and Scott is hopeful the worst of his club's injury dramas are behind them. Essendon currently have 13 players on their injury list. Kyle Langford (quad), Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Mason Redman (calf) and Zach Reid (hamstring) could all return after the bye, but Sam Draper (Achilles) and Nick Bryan (ACL) are among the players out for the rest of the season, while Ben McKay (foot) has no date set for his return. "We might get some players back after the break," Scott said. "We'll definitely get (Sam) Durham back, for example, from suspension, and there's probably five or six others that will be close. "But now we've got to balance, is it a risk to bring five or six back all at once? We'll have to assess where they're at. "Those players will have a really strong training session this weekend. "They won't have the same bye week that all the other players will have. So we've got two weeks really now to get them ready and then make an assessment as to whether we bring some back." Archie Perkins has lost his mojo, and Essendon coach Brad Scott is committed to helping the top-10 draft pick become a tackle-bursting midfielder again. Perkins endured a forgettable moment during Thursday's 41-point loss to Fremantle when he took his eyes off the ball and fumbled what should have been an uncontested mark while running into attack. The 23-year-old had started the game as the sub for a second straight week, and he looked despondent as he ran to the bench following his third-quarter blooper. There were big hopes Perkins would develop into an out-and-out midfield star after he was selected with pick No.9 in the 2020 national draft. But after producing a breakout campaign in 2023, Perkins looked like a player who lacked confidence last year, and it's continued into 2025. Scott is keen to help the 93-game midfielder reach his potential. "Perkins is a strong, powerful footballer who, at his best, is breaking through tackles, competing really strongly," Scott said. "He's a really strong aerialist. And right at the moment, he's doubting himself a little bit. "And so my job is to remind him of what he's really good at - go back and have a look at those things, "He's just making mistakes through hesitation at the moment. "It'll come for him. We've just got to persist. It's easy to criticise, but coaches aren't critics. They're there to help." Thursday's 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63) result marked Essendon's fourth straight defeat, leaving them with a 6-8 record heading into their bye week. The Bombers have already fielded an astonishing 11 debutants this season, and Scott is hopeful the worst of his club's injury dramas are behind them. Essendon currently have 13 players on their injury list. Kyle Langford (quad), Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Mason Redman (calf) and Zach Reid (hamstring) could all return after the bye, but Sam Draper (Achilles) and Nick Bryan (ACL) are among the players out for the rest of the season, while Ben McKay (foot) has no date set for his return. "We might get some players back after the break," Scott said. "We'll definitely get (Sam) Durham back, for example, from suspension, and there's probably five or six others that will be close. "But now we've got to balance, is it a risk to bring five or six back all at once? We'll have to assess where they're at. "Those players will have a really strong training session this weekend. "They won't have the same bye week that all the other players will have. So we've got two weeks really now to get them ready and then make an assessment as to whether we bring some back." Archie Perkins has lost his mojo, and Essendon coach Brad Scott is committed to helping the top-10 draft pick become a tackle-bursting midfielder again. Perkins endured a forgettable moment during Thursday's 41-point loss to Fremantle when he took his eyes off the ball and fumbled what should have been an uncontested mark while running into attack. The 23-year-old had started the game as the sub for a second straight week, and he looked despondent as he ran to the bench following his third-quarter blooper. There were big hopes Perkins would develop into an out-and-out midfield star after he was selected with pick No.9 in the 2020 national draft. But after producing a breakout campaign in 2023, Perkins looked like a player who lacked confidence last year, and it's continued into 2025. Scott is keen to help the 93-game midfielder reach his potential. "Perkins is a strong, powerful footballer who, at his best, is breaking through tackles, competing really strongly," Scott said. "He's a really strong aerialist. And right at the moment, he's doubting himself a little bit. "And so my job is to remind him of what he's really good at - go back and have a look at those things, "He's just making mistakes through hesitation at the moment. "It'll come for him. We've just got to persist. It's easy to criticise, but coaches aren't critics. They're there to help." Thursday's 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63) result marked Essendon's fourth straight defeat, leaving them with a 6-8 record heading into their bye week. The Bombers have already fielded an astonishing 11 debutants this season, and Scott is hopeful the worst of his club's injury dramas are behind them. Essendon currently have 13 players on their injury list. Kyle Langford (quad), Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Mason Redman (calf) and Zach Reid (hamstring) could all return after the bye, but Sam Draper (Achilles) and Nick Bryan (ACL) are among the players out for the rest of the season, while Ben McKay (foot) has no date set for his return. "We might get some players back after the break," Scott said. "We'll definitely get (Sam) Durham back, for example, from suspension, and there's probably five or six others that will be close. "But now we've got to balance, is it a risk to bring five or six back all at once? We'll have to assess where they're at. "Those players will have a really strong training session this weekend. "They won't have the same bye week that all the other players will have. So we've got two weeks really now to get them ready and then make an assessment as to whether we bring some back."
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bombers wrap arms around out-of-form Archie Perkins
Archie Perkins has lost his mojo, and Essendon coach Brad Scott is committed to helping the top-10 draft pick become a tackle-bursting midfielder again. Perkins endured a forgettable moment during Thursday's 41-point loss to Fremantle when he took his eyes off the ball and fumbled what should have been an uncontested mark while running into attack. The 23-year-old had started the game as the sub for a second straight week, and he looked despondent as he ran to the bench following his third-quarter blooper. There were big hopes Perkins would develop into an out-and-out midfield star after he was selected with pick No.9 in the 2020 national draft. But after producing a breakout campaign in 2023, Perkins looked like a player who lacked confidence last year, and it's continued into 2025. Scott is keen to help the 93-game midfielder reach his potential. "Perkins is a strong, powerful footballer who, at his best, is breaking through tackles, competing really strongly," Scott said. "He's a really strong aerialist. And right at the moment, he's doubting himself a little bit. "And so my job is to remind him of what he's really good at - go back and have a look at those things, "He's just making mistakes through hesitation at the moment. "It'll come for him. We've just got to persist. It's easy to criticise, but coaches aren't critics. They're there to help." Thursday's 16.8 (104) to 9.9 (63) result marked Essendon's fourth straight defeat, leaving them with a 6-8 record heading into their bye week. The Bombers have already fielded an astonishing 11 debutants this season, and Scott is hopeful the worst of his club's injury dramas are behind them. Essendon currently have 13 players on their injury list. Kyle Langford (quad), Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Mason Redman (calf) and Zach Reid (hamstring) could all return after the bye, but Sam Draper (Achilles) and Nick Bryan (ACL) are among the players out for the rest of the season, while Ben McKay (foot) has no date set for his return. "We might get some players back after the break," Scott said. "We'll definitely get (Sam) Durham back, for example, from suspension, and there's probably five or six others that will be close. "But now we've got to balance, is it a risk to bring five or six back all at once? We'll have to assess where they're at. "Those players will have a really strong training session this weekend. "They won't have the same bye week that all the other players will have. So we've got two weeks really now to get them ready and then make an assessment as to whether we bring some back."
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
West sizzles while East struggles
As a sports reporter, I'm fascinated by fandom — the intense emotion fans invest in a team, from pure bliss to undeniable disdain. I see it daily, whether encountering praise or vitriol on social media, or watching family members scream at the TV over a bad play. Unlike many, I don't have an allegiance to any team, in any sport. My career choice and journalism school lessons about objectivity ultimately stripped me of any interest in a team's results, leaving me both lucky and, at times, envious not to have my heartstrings tugged by every win or loss. This past weekend, while listening to 980 CJME's Green Zone post-game show in Regina after the Saskatchewan Roughriders' road victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the fan calls were striking. Despite improving to 2-0, callers weren't celebrating; instead, they were fixated on kicker Brett Lauther's terrible night. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Matthew Peterson (22) didn't miss a beat in the season opener against the B.C. Lions, replacing an injured Brady Oliveira. Lauther missed three field goals and an extra point, turning a comfortable lead into a narrow five-point win. But was it truly worth the collective meltdown and demands for his job? An emotional fan might point to last year's Week 11 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, where Lauther also struggled. Yet, I recall him making 28 of his next 29 field goal attempts to close that season. Sometimes, it's just a matter of perspective. Now, let's dive into the latest edition of CFL Rundown. 1) While Winnipeg beating B.C. wasn't a wild development — we've certainly seen crazier in the CFL — few would have predicted how they secured the victory over their West Division rival. Indeed, Chris Streveler outduelling Nathan Rourke wouldn't have been on many people's bingo cards, but that's precisely what transpired. Streveler looked poised and comfortable in the pocket, while Rourke struggled; had it not been for a few completed deep passes, his presence would have bordered on irrelevant. A lot of credit belongs to Winnipeg's offensive line for giving Streveler time and creating holes in the run game, and to the Bombers' defence for once again shutting down Rourke, who is now winless in five games against the Blue and Gold. The Bombers reminded the West that the road to the Grey Cup goes through Winnipeg, while simultaneously humbling a Lions club that might not be as good as first thought following their Week 1 triumph over Edmonton. 2) The Bombers losing reigning MOP, running back Brady Oliveira, after the first series made the win more impressive and again speaks to the stellar play of the O-line, as the offence didn't miss a beat. And it wasn't Streveler, who rushed just twice for nine yards, carrying the extra load, but rookie Matthew Peterson. In his first CFL game, Peterson rushed 23 times for 130 yards, including a highlight-reel 38-yard touchdown. With Oliveira expected to miss some time with a shoulder injury, many are wondering what Peterson might be able to do for an encore. Peterson has been working with the first-team offence so that suggests he'll get his first start this week in a rematch with B.C. on Saturday. But don't sleep on American tailback Quinton Cooley, who should also make the game-day roster. Cooley, who stands 5-7 but clocks in at 220 pounds, impressed with his physicality in the pre-season. The Bombers have been looking for an excuse to move him from the practice squad to the main roster, making him someone to keep an eye on. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Quinton Cooley (right) could also be a substitute for an injured Brady Oliveira going forward. The running back impressed in the pre-season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 3) The Redblacks dropped to 0-2 following their lopsided loss, 38-19, at home to the Montreal Alouettes. Ottawa didn't look competitive from the get-go, falling behind early and never once leading on the scoreboard. Patience is running thin in the nation's capital, with a portion of the fanbase calling for head coach Bob Dyce's job. While I understand the doubt creeping in — Dyce boasts a 14-27-1 record as the bench boss in Ottawa — it's still early. The Redblacks haven't had the best luck with injuries, with their O-line severely banged up and No. 1 QB Dru Brown also sidelined in Week 2. Furthermore, Dyce signed an extension over the off-season, leaving him under contract through the 2026 campaign. That said, Dyce needs to address his club's discipline, as the Redblacks are averaging more than 100 penalty yards through two games. 4) Three East Division teams — Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton — are still searching for their first win of the season, each starting 0-2. While all three have their issues, the Argonauts appear to be in the biggest trouble. Without quarterback Chad Kelly, the Argos have struggled to find an offensive rhythm and it's become clear that Nick Arbuckle doesn't have the same magic he showed as last year's Grey Cup MVP. This lack of offensive consistency has also magnified the growing pains on defence, a unit that saw significant turnover throughout the off-season. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is already indicating Kelly could miss another week, so we'll see if the Argos can spoil Saskatchewan's visit and their 2-0 record with mostly the same struggling group. 5) In the West Division, three clubs remain perfect through two weeks: Saskatchewan (2-0), Calgary (2-0) and Winnipeg (1-0). All three teams have had impressive showings, but Winnipeg has sent the biggest message to the rest of the league, despite playing just one game so far. Many people have been waiting for the Bombers to 'fall off' after five straight Grey Cup appearances, but this team looked in mid-season form in their win over B.C. Based on first impressions, they appear to be strong contenders for a sixth straight championship game. While it's still too early to tell, the West feels like it's going to be a battle all year long. 6) Two teams worth keeping a close eye on in the coming weeks are Calgary and Hamilton. The Stampeders have surprised many — starting perfect through two games — but it should be noted that their wins have come against an Argos team missing their No. 1 quarterback and a Ticats club that appears to be an early front-runner for bottom-feeder of the league. Calgary will face the Redblacks with Brown back under centre, and then has a run through the mighty West, playing Winnipeg and Saskatchewan twice each over its next six games; Montreal and another tilt against Ottawa will round out that run. We should know a lot more about the Stamps by then, but will get clues throughout, beginning with their toughest challenge this week. As for the Ticats, they're on their bye week, returning to play the Alouettes in Week 4. Then it's the Argos, who should have Kelly back by then. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Hamilton was still looking for its first win come Week 6. 7) A hearty congratulations to Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun and Judy Owen of Canadian Press, the local duo making up the Class of 2025 inducted into the media wing of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Both have contributed significantly to football coverage over their decades-long careers and both are extremely worthy of this honour. They'll be inducted with a special ceremony during Grey Cup week in Winnipeg later this year. Jon Blacker / THE CANADIAN PRESS Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle (left) doesn't have the same magic he showed as last year's Grey Cup MVP. The Argos are still looking for their first win of the season. Jeff HamiltonMultimedia producer Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University's journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff. Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
