The Bombers' first preseason game is evaluation overload for the coaches

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Monday afternoon in Saskatchewan has a lot in store for many with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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With about 90 guys on the roster, there's a sense of information overload for the coaching staff.

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They were tasked with overestimating the CFL, which was limited to two games in the preseason.

For players entering the field, it's their first, and for some their only, chance to make a play that could make or break their shot at cracking the opening day roster.

“Obviously, what you want to see are guys who really understand how to play the game,” head coach Mike O'Shea said. “You've got to see them take all the reps they've had in training camp and apply it on the field.”

O'Shea has previously spoken about his understanding of preseason nonsense.

But at this time of the year, winning is more important than anything else.

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“You want to see guys play hard, regardless of mistakes, and not think too much about how good they are at what they're doing,” he said.

“There will be a lot of information to digest after this game, I don't know if we can list everything we saw. Some things aren't even listed, you just notice how the play goes and go, “Oh, that's interesting,” and then you mark it.

“There will be mistakes. There always is.”

O'Shea said the two games — the other at home in Calgary on May 31 — will be used primarily for evaluation purposes. However, there is an element of conditioning his players for Week 1.

And none of it should be taken lightly. There are jobs at stake and players will fight tooth and nail to find one.

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“You've got to make sure they're fresh enough to play, you've got to know what's going to be called and what they're going to be asked to do,” O'Shea said. “Don't overtax them because of this.

“We're not trying to hit them with stuff and see what comes out. We want them to feel good, to feel comfortable so they can show us what they can do. I don't understand why we destroy guys by overloading them for the sake of overloading them.”

This is not a test.

“No,” O'Shea said. “We want to see what they can do so we can line them up with what they can do and not miss some guy.”

O'Shea said Zach Collaros won't make the trip, so look for backup Chris Streveler to get a good snap.

Collaros took to the field early during Saturday's session, but soon left and returned in street clothes to watch the rest of practice.

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O'Shea dismissed concerns that Collaros was injured.

The dream that the fox is looking for will come true

You may remember this clip from a Fountain Tire commercial from the mid-2000s.

“I'm going to Winnipeg.”

That's what Myles Fox, a defensive lineman for the Blue Bombers, said last spring when the BC Lions cut him.

“As soon as I got that call, I wanted to come here,” Fox said Thursday. “It was first Sask and then Winnipeg. And I said, “Yes. I'm going to Winnipeg. »

Fox spent most of last season on the practice roster, but played in Week 21 and recorded three tackles and a sack against Calgary.

The 27-year-old from Georgia is looking to be a part of Winnipeg's deeper rotation on the defensive line this season, and he'll get his first snaps and film on Monday against the Riders.

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“Really important,” he said. “Every time you go out on the pitch, you want to do your best and just get the ball out. Because you will always be appreciated no matter what.”

According to Fox, the placement means the world will be 2022 BC after playing three games.

“I've waited a long time for this opportunity in any league,” he said. “I was very sick at that moment because I was separated from BC. But I really feel like God has put me in a good position. When I hear from the coaches that I have a chance to get this place, it means the world. It motivates me to be the best I can be every day.

“When I first came here, Osh approached me and told me a few things about my game, what I need to improve. I took it seriously. They won many football games. Many gray cups. If they believe in me, if they believe that I can be the man for the job, how can I not believe in myself? I'm really excited to go over there and do my thing.”

Buckeyes Hill section

The Bombers cut highly touted wide receiver KJ Hill on Saturday.

“His body just wasn't responding,” O'Shea said.

Hill had 2,332 yards on 201 receptions at Ohio State and 20 touchdowns in four seasons with the Buckeyes.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, Hill made his professional debut that season in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, but was waived before re-signing to the practice roster in 2021. His contract expired at the end of that season.

The Bombers signed him in February.

[email protected]

X: @scottbilleck

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