Nichols under pressure to save Bombers’ season
The headline in one of the local newspapers proclaimed “Season on Nichols' shoulders.”
The weight of the proverbial football world in Winnipeg is on the slightly- built individual who's been here less than a month, but that is the nature of playing quarterback.
“I can handle it,” insisted Matt Nichols, the recently anointed No. 1 for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “When you decide as a young man that you want to play this position, it comes with the territory.
“I've been playing quarterback for 20 years now and you always feel that.
“Obviously, there are a lot of things that have to happen around you, other guys doing their job, but to win your quarterback has to play well. So whether it's a must- win game or first game of the season, as quarterback you put pressure on yourself.”
There is no question that, at 4- 8, the Bombers' collective postseason lives are in jeopardy. They have to win more than they lose in their next six, starting with a stiff test — a date with the 9- 3 Calgary Stampeders Friday night at Investors Group Field.
Nichols, acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Eskimos Sept. 2, has taken the reins from ( in this order) Drew Willy, Brian Brohm and Robert Marve to try to find a suitable replacement for Willy, who's right knee probably won't allow him to return before the season's end.
But Nichols, who is well acquainted with the Stamps from his Esks days, is up for the challenge.
“I've played a few football games against this team and I know they have a good mix of talent and veteran guys that know each other very well,” the 28- year- old explained. “Since I've been in the CFL, I think we ( Edmonton) beat them once in 2011 and once in the playoffs in 2011 and since then we didn't beat them for a few years straight. Kind of lost to them every which way possible. … It's a tough team.
“When you play a defence … especially like Calgary, when plays are there to be made, you have to make them, plain and simple.”'
That's one thing the Bombers have not been able to do with regularity. As well, they've given up points on special teams which has repeatedly hurt them. That's part of the reason they're being considered 10- point underdogs by the oddsmakers.
“I bet you no one inside these walls knows that they're a 10- point underdog,” Nichols said. “We're playing in front of a great crowd, an awesome stadium and a great atmosphere and we're coming out fired up. It's professional football, it's not rocket science.
“It's making plays when they're there and not making too many mistakes.”
This is not just any game for the Bombers. For the final third of the season, this squad will be in playoff mode because it can't afford to take any week off, in particular against a team it has lost to twice this season — 26- 25 and 36- 8.
“It's very important,” beleaguered head coach Mike O'Shea said in agreement. “We need to win. We know we're capable of it. We played Calgary pretty well for six of eight quarters. We all recognize we can play well against a good team.
“We don't feel overmatched. Being around our guys, looking in their eye every day when they come into work, watching them on the field, watching their preparation through the week. They're ready, willing and able.”
“It's the reality,” pitched in middle linebacker Sam Hurl, a product of the University of Calgary. “We have to suck it up and play clean, sound football. We're determined to get it done and get after it.
“We've had close games with them. They're a team that's good at closing out games. We have to try to make sure we're consistent in all three phases of the game. When we do that, we win games.”
For left tackle Stanley Bryant, a former Stampeder, Nichols provides one more player the offensive line must defend.
“It's not too bizarre because you know the guys are leaders,” he said of the plethora of Bombers' signalcallers. “It's our job to keep those guys upright. As an offensive unit, we have to do better running the ball, protecting the quarterback … and then we can stick with one guy.”
Linebacker Ian Wild, cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers, has rejoined the Bombers and will at this point be used on special teams.