Phew, Nichols a go
Bombers breathe sigh of relief as top pivot named starter for playoff tilt
The biggest question surrounding the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was finally answered on Saturday.
Matt Nichols, the team’s most outstanding player who has been battling a calf injury,
was named the starting quarterback for today’s CFL West Division semifinal against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Nichols has barely been able to practice since he suffered the injury on Oct. 28 and missed last Friday’s regular-season finale against the Calgary Stampeders, but he says he’s feeling good and is ready to lead his team in the first ever playoff game at Investors Group Field.
“It may seem to you guys like I’ve taken less reps this week but I’ve definitely put in more work this week than I have all season,” Nichols said. “I’ve really amped it up and any free time I have I’m hammering on film and the playbook and getting ready for this one.
“I feel really good, honestly. I’ve been moving around a lot and I’m fully prepared to go in and lead this football team. I’m excited to get out there in front of our home crowd. We’ve been preparing for this all season as a team and we’re ready for the moment.”
The Bombers and Eskimos both had 12-6 records during the regular season, with Winnipeg earning home-field advantage for this game by virtue of two wins over Edmonton.
However, most people see the Eskimos as the favourites, with their high-powered offence, led by league most outstanding player candidate Mike Reilly at quarterback.
The Bombers have injuries to some key players — cover linebacker Moe Leggett, receiver Darvin Adams and defensive end Jamaal Westerman are all out — and if Nichols had been unable to play it would have been devastating.
At least now they have a fighting chance, even if Nichols is not at 100%.
“I’m good to go for sure,” Nichols said. “Everyone knew that all week long on our side of it. I’ve played a lot of football the last couple of years, a lot of football this year and missing a couple reps here and there is not the biggest thing in the world to me.”
Nichols didn’t practice on Thursday because he was at the hospital while his wife Ali gave birth to a baby girl. But Nichols made it back to the stadium before the end of practice and showed his teammates once again how dedicated he is to the cause at hand.
“Aside from yesterday when I was at the hospital for a few hours, I’ve been here
from 5 a.m., to 6 p.m., every day, putting in a ton of extra work and getting ready for this game,” Nichols said.
“(Not playing) would have been tough. You don’t put in the hours and hours in the off-season and grind through a long season, going through the ups and downs, being there with your guys, to be held out of this game. You feel like ‘What did you do all that work for?’ This is the reason you are in this game … to play in games like this.”
Now the real work begins for Nichols and the Bombers. Just playing is one thing, but doing enough to beat a very tough Edmonton team, with the best offence in the league, is a very different matter.
The Bombers did not score a single offensive touchdown in three of the last four games, a concern that must be rectified on Sunday or the season will be over quickly.
“To me, everything that has happened before now doesn’t mean anything. I don’t care about what has happened the last few games,” Nichols said. “I care about us having a great week of preparation. I feel like we have a championship team in this locker room and we’re going to go out and play well tomorrow.”
In Nichols’ mind the game plan is pretty simple.
“You don’t turn the ball over, you don’t take penalties, you make some big plays in key moments … that’s how you win football games,” Nichols said. “When you’re playing against a team as good as this one, you just can’t give them anything.”
There is certainly speculation that Nichols may not be able to play the whole game. It will be cold (it’s expected to be -3 C at kickoff ) and it may be difficult for Nichols to get his injured calf loose. The Bombers have backup Dan LeFevour ready to go at a moment’s notice, although coach Mike O’Shea is certainly hopeful that Nichols can go the distance.
“I expect him to give us everything he’s got,” O’Shea said.