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Published on Jul 3, 2024 • Last updated 1 minute ago • 4 minutes reading
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For the past two seasons, Winnipeg has been the most popular market in the CFL, with the Blue Bombers drawing more fans than any other team.
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If there’s a downside, it’s this: if they lose, the players will hear about it all over town.
When they lose four games in a row for the first time in twelve years to start the season, they hear a lot about it.
“Always,” running back Brady Oliveira, a Winnipegger, said Wednesday. “Whether I’m at the grocery store, getting gas, walking my dog. This city, this market is great. There’s a lot of great sports fans here. But they’re definitely quick to criticize. But that’s OK.”
There is plenty to criticize.
The Bombers play a weak offense ahead of Friday’s home game against Ottawa, performing well on defense and being decent on special teams.
When he encounters an armchairback, Oliveira tries to allay their concerns.
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“I just let them know I’m not worried about this group at all,” he said. “We’re going to turn it around. We’ve got the guys to get the job done. The games were really close, and we’re going to be OK.”
As one of the most prominent players, it is difficult for Oliveira to stay in the background and go unnoticed in public.
The same goes for linebacker Adam Bighill, another permanent resident who travels around Winnipeg with his name and number on a Chevy truck, a sort of billboard on wheels.
“Fans are definitely wondering what’s happening,” Bighill said. “I understand that everyone sees a loss as a loss. But when you’re that close to winning and you know what you’re capable of, more than just winning, it’s hard for anyone who’s not in the building to understand. I’ll just leave it at that.
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“I know they don’t understand the game of football as well as we do, and they don’t know how to be successful.”
No one has been as successful as the Bombers, with four consecutive Grey Cup appearances, making four straight losses all the more shocking.
It’s enough to make even a relatively unknown player like defenseman Evan Holm raise a concerned fan or two.
“A couple of times, which is surprising,” said Holm, a Minnesota native. “I don’t really look like a football player. But that’s OK. It’s like, ‘Go get a win. Keep working hard.’ Most of the fans are very supportive. It’s nice to have people who really care.”
Brandon Alexander, another permanent resident, says he’s heard nothing but support.
“A lot of ‘How are you doing? We’ve got your back.’ And that’s what’s supposed to happen,” Alexander said. “The fans are amazing. They’re going to come out here and they’re loud and ready to go.”
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Thanks to the noisy crowd, the Bombers have lost only three home games in the past four seasons.
They’ve already lost two this year.
“We’ve got to get going,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Our players have certainly given our fans a lot to be proud of lately. They’re eager to get back to that level of play that’s not only a source of pride for the fans, but more importantly, winning.”
O’Shea says the players don’t have to worry about the fans’ reaction. They have enough on their minds.
“I would never put that on their shoulders,” the coach said. “Let’s focus on what they can control. And how the fans feel, that has to happen naturally.”
A few wins would help.
Bighill assures them that the Bombers will bounce back.
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“And usually real fans are fine with that,” he said.
On social media, players encounter the nasty types.
Bighill says they rarely show their color in public.
“You must be very brave to come to one of us.”
COLLAROS, HOLM, DOUBTOUS
Quarterback Zach Collaros (chest injury) missed practice for the second straight day and is questionable for Friday’s game.
O’Shea says this doesn’t mean he won’t play.
“It never had to be that way,” the coach said. “Experienced players don’t really need the training. I’m sure he wouldn’t have.”
Holm (calf) also did not train for the second day in a row.
The 26-year-old gave an interesting standard answer to questions about his fitness to play on Friday.
“Yesterday was actually my three-year anniversary,” Holm said. “I just wanted to shout it out. That’s how I feel.”
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Under pressure, Holm stuck to his position.
“Again, I’m glad I’m married and I love my wife.”
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A BETTER BRADY
Oliveira says he is playing catch-up after missing the entire training camp due to injury.
“The more I run, the better I feel,” he said. “Not doing camp hurts. You don’t get a chance to build that resilience in the body.”
Last year’s leading rusher also didn’t accumulate many yards: just 128 in the three games he played.
He also hasn’t scored a single touchdown, despite leading the team last year with 13.
If Collaros doesn’t play, Oliveira sees potential in the combination of himself and quarterback Chris Streveler.
“The game plan can change,” he said. “Different quarterbacks bring different skills to the game. We all know the skills that Strev brings, and when we’re out there, it’s pretty exciting. And I’ve said there’s a lot of cool things we can build on with him and me out there.”
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