Alouettes, Bombers brimming with confidence ahead of Gray Cup rematch

WINNIPEG – Brady Oliveira is ready to help prove Montreal Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo wrong.

As Fajardo prepared for Thursday’s Gray Cup rematch against the Blue Bombers, the reigning championship MVP was brimming with confidence in his team that upset Winnipeg 28-24 in last year’s title game.

“I think we have the best team in the CFL,” Fajardo told reporters in Montreal earlier this week. “And I’ll always say that because I believe what this team can do.

“I watched this team work for three weeks (in training camp) and so I’m extremely excited to go out there and prove and try to earn that right to be the best team in the CFL.”

Leaders like Fajardo should feel that way about their teams, said Oliveira, who was the league’s best Canadian last season and the runner-up for most outstanding player.

The running back believes the same about the Blue Bombers and plans to get off on the right foot in the club’s season opener at the newly renamed Princess Auto Stadium.

“We’ll see who has the best roster,” Oliveira said after Wednesday’s practice.

“We’re going to go out there and compete, execute this game plan that the coaches have prepared. We are very excited about this and yes, let’s see who comes out on top and who has the best list from week 1. . It’s a long season.”

Oliveira, who rushed for 1,534 yards last season, missed training camp with an injury suffered during offseason practice but is back to normal.

“I feel really good, especially mentally this season,” he said.

The Bombers were rattled after Fajardo engineered the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of the Gray Cup, a 19-yard catch into the end zone by wide receiver Tyson Philpot.

If Winnipeg gets a win in Week 1 of the new season, it shouldn’t be any sweeter just because it’s against the Alouettes, Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said.

“You just can’t keep living there, can you? You can’t,” he said. “I think that should be removed so much.

“I’m not saying some players don’t feel it, but you just can’t keep moving forward if that’s all you do is look back with a vengeance. I do not know. it works for some guys, but I think most of the guys have moved on.”

Winnipeg starts the season with nine new starters from that Gray Cup game, five on defense and four on offense.

One of those is eight-year linebacker Shayne Gauthier, who moves in for middle linebacker Adam Bighill. The defensive captain was placed on the six-game injured list during training camp.

Gauthier filled in for Bighill last season and doesn’t think the defense’s level of play will drop.

“We have a lot of guys that came in this year and we have to fill those spots,” Gauthier said. “We lost some good guys, so it’s exciting to see what those guys can do.

“I think we’ll have another very good defense. First time for them (Thursday) to play to our standard.”

Bombers star wide receiver Dalton Schoen is looking forward to the rematch — for personal and team reasons.

The league’s top rookie in 2022 was a decision during the Gray Cup game after injuring an ankle late last season. The slotback did play, but recorded just three catches for 36 yards.

“More than anything, it’s just an excitement factor for me to be back out there and get to approach this season 100 percent healthy and hopefully do what I can and help our team be successful,” said Schoen.

Montreal returned most of its championship team, including re-signing Fajardo, Philpot and veteran linebackers Darnell Sankey and Tyrice Beverette. They lost starting running back William Stanback to Lions BC, but moved four-year running back Walter Fletcher.

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros predicts Montreal’s defense will again present challenges for Winnipeg’s offense, which includes new offensive linemen Liam Dobson and Eric Lofton.

“They’re a tough defense,” Collaros said. “They are physical, fast, relentless and it will be a great test for us.”

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (0-0) AT WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (0-0)

Thursday, Princess Auto Stadium

SEASON-OPENING SUCCESS: Winnipeg and Montreal have played six times in season-opening games since 1985, with the Alouettes winning each game.

EQUIPMENT UPSET: Thursday’s game marks the 105th game between the Bombers and Montreal. The streak is tied at 51 wins apiece, plus two ties.

ON A ROLL: Bombers wide receiver Nic Demski has a 51-game receiving streak this season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 5, 2024.

Judy Owen, Canadian Press