Bombers look to avenge past playoff losses to Argos

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers should see blue and white confetti in their nightmares.

Despite being favourites on both occasions, the Bombers lost the 2022 and 2024 Grey Cup games to the Toronto Argonauts — not that anyone around these parts needs a reminder.

While they’ll never be able to rewrite history, the Bombers can at least get a taste of revenge Saturday when the rivalry adds another chapter with the two sides battling in the Eastern semifinal at BMO Field.

That’s got to add some fuel to the fire, no?

“Maybe now that you brought it up,” said running back Brady Oliveira after Wednesday’s practice.

“Maybe I’ll go home after this and really stew on that. And maybe it’ll motivate me a little bit more on Saturday.”

Believe it or not, those two losses haven’t come up among the veterans in the locker room this week.

“I haven’t thought about it much because every year feels different, and we’re so deep in the season and it feels like this season has been lasting for like three years on it’s own because it’s so long,” said safety Redha Kramdi.

“Six months of being away from home and playing football feels like more than six months. That’s why last season feels so far away, and then to talk about 2022 and 2024, it’s not even in my mind.”

The 2024 Grey Cup remains fresh in defensive end Willie Jefferson’s mind.

The future Hall of Famer terrorized the Argos by recording six tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. The 35-year-old Texan hasn’t picked off a Toronto pass since.

If it wasn’t overshadowed by a loss, Jefferson’s performance would be talked about for decades.

“I think about that game all the time because Jake Ceresna (who played for the Argos that season) is in the defensive line room,” said Jefferson.

“Every time we talk about Grey Cups, he brings up that Grey Cup. I tell him every time, just like I tell anybody else when we talk about that game, that I should’ve won MVP of that Grey Cup if we would’ve won. And then I tell him that (Argos quarterback) Nick Arbuckle should give me that trophy.

“But at the end of the day, it is what it is. We’re just trying to get back to it so I can recreate that and do better,” he added.

Jefferson’s history with the Boatmen goes back even further. With Saskatchewan in 2017, he crossed over to the East Division playoffs and helped the Roughriders beat Ottawa in the semifinal before losing to Toronto.

“It absolutely adds a lot of juice for me, personally,” said Jefferson.

Rather than dwell on the past, Jefferson and the Bombers’ defence must focus on stopping Argos quarterback Chad Kelly. Kelly first made a name for himself in the CFL when he replaced an injured McLeod Bethel-Thompson in the 2022 Grey Cup, leading Toronto to a stunning 24-23 victory. His 20-yard run on second-and-15 set up the game-winning touchdown.

Kelly signed a five-year extension earlier this week worth a total value of $5,555,250 in hard money and a total potential value of $5,805,250 if he reaches his performance bonuses.

“We all knew who he was from college when he came up here. And now he’s the highest-paid quarterback in the CFL and it’s well deserved,” said Kramdi. “He’s an amazing football player and I’ve said it more than once, but I like the way he plays.”

Kelly has thrown for 5,067 yards and 33 touchdowns this season. He is the first million-dollar player in the CFL’s salary cap era.

“That’s honestly amazing for the league,” said Jefferson.

More history could be made this season if the Bombers get past Toronto and then the Montreal Alouettes, becoming the first crossover team to reach the Grey Cup.

Revenge is sweet and all, but it would taste even better with the top prize in three-down football in hand.

“At the end of the day, that’s what we want to do,” said Jefferson.

Collaros still in street clothes

For the second day in a row, starting quarterback Zach Collaros (ribs) did not participate in practice.

Collaros watched in street clothes as Dru Brown worked with the starters on Wednesday.

“No real update,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Just not practicing.”

Vaval has chance to repeat

Bombers return specialist Trey Vaval was named one of three finalists for the league’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player award Wednesday.

Vaval won the award last season as a rookie. Since the honour was introduced in 1999, no player has won it in consecutive years.

The second-year Bomber is joined by Edmonton Elks kicker Vincent Blanchard and Calgary Stampeders returner Tyreik McAllister.

Vaval led the league with 2,868 total kick-return yards and scored two return touchdowns.

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