Has it been too easy for Winnipeg?

Have the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had it too easy this year?

Since arriving in Hamilton, that question has been asked of the coaches and players a number of times. Have they been through enough adversity to really prepare them for Sunday’s Grey Cup game that will be played in a hostile environment? “We faced our own adversity this year,” coach Mike O’Shve as

a said earlier in the week. “Not much as in other years.”

From the outside, it looks like there’s been a lot of smooth sailing. They lost just three games all season. Only one of their 11 wins was by fewer than 10 points. They scored the most points and gave up the fewest. Their quarterback was healthy and exceptional.

They have arguably the best offensive and defensive lines in the league. The roster is very similar to the one that won in 2019, offering rare continuity in a league that has a lot of player movement. And their star running back returned from injury just in time for the playoffs where he always seems to shine. Sounds about perfect. Who wouldn’t want that?

Except for one thing.

The accepted sporting wisdom is you have to fight your way through struggles and overcome giant obstacles to become your best and prepare for the inevitable bumps in the road to come. Ease does not lend itself to greatness. Strong metal is forged in fire, iron sharpens iron and all that stuff. You don’t need clichés to make the point.

Two years ago when these teams met for the Cup, it had been the first-place-overall Ticats that had roared into the championship game after a relatively glorious season, while the third-place-in-theWest Bombers had faced some tough times and some challenges. Then, in the playoffs, Hamilton had to play just one game — at home — against an Edmonton team with a losing record, while Winnipeg had to beat Calgary and Saskatchewan in nasty environments on the road.