There are no surprises on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 45-man roster for their opening game as they make final preparations for Thursday’s home game against the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes.
The Bombers will have a total of eight new starters, plus one new returner and one new guard.
Of course, this is a rematch of the 110th Grey Cup, and while the Bombers have revenge on their minds, they are more concerned with starting the season off right with a win.
“We have new guys on our team,” running back Brady Oliveira said. “They have new guys on their team, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited. I'm looking forward to playing with them tomorrow and getting them out here and starting the season off the right way. This is the next game on our schedule,” quarterback Zach Colaros said. “I know it's the first game of the season, but to accumulate those two points means a lot.”
This week’s film room session brought back some unhappy memories of losing two straight Grey Cup games, but the head coach said it was time to move on.
“You can't live there forever,” head coach Mike O'Shea said. “I think you have to move away from it. I'm not saying some people don't feel that way, but if you just look back on it with hatred, you can't move on. I don't know. It works for some people, but I think most people have moved on.”
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Collaros has yet to play in a preseason game after missing two exhibition games, his first absence since the Grey Cup in November, but he doesn’t sound concerned about not being in shape three weeks into training camp.
“I feel good,” Collaros said. “Obviously, we play and practice at a fast pace and work hard. It’s hard to simulate the repetitive motion of a game. “But you know, I think we have a good plan. We’ll go out there and see what they’re doing, and then we’ll all go in there and try to make plays out there.”
The Bombers made six changes to their starting lineup due to player turnover and two more due to injuries.
Defensive end Celestin Haba and defensive tackle Miles Fox move to the defensive line, while Tyrell Ford and Terrell Bonds play in the secondary, with Jamal Parker missing six games with an injury. And Shayne Gauthier will start at middle linebacker in place of the injured Adam Bighill.
Even with all the changes, expectations remain high for this defense this season.
“It's going to be exciting,” defensive end Willie Jefferson said. “It's going to be thrilling. We're going to be fast. We're going to be dominant. We're going to be tough. We're going to be courageous. We want to win first down and get off the field on second down.”
Offensively, Eric Lofton and Liam Dobson will start at forward, while Ontaria Wilson will be the fifth new receiver taking over Rasheed Bailey’s old spot.
Michael Chris-Ike is the team’s new first-team linebacker, while on special teams, Myron Mitchell was assigned to the returner position in the first game and will fill a significant void left by the departure of Janarion Grant.
“He caught the ball very cleanly,” O'Shea said. “Showed good burst. Showed good grit and toughness in other areas. I don't know if it was perfect, but I think for young guys, they rarely do that.”
Kickoff is at 7:30 pm Thursday at Princess Auto Stadium, with the pre-game show starting at 5:30 pm on 680 CJOB.
