WINNIPEG — It’s hard for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers not to look to next season as they prepare for the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday and say goodbye to a stadium that’s been home for more than 50 years.
“Yeah, of course you have to think about next year, when you’re facing the record that we’re facing right now,” veteran offensive lineman Glenn January said Friday.
But he says that doesn’t mean they’re not focused on beating the East-leading Alouettes.
“We still have an opportunity to go out there and secure third place in the East, which may seem like a small thing but it’s still something we can hang our hats on.”
A win would bump the 5-12 Bombers above the 6-12 Hamilton Tiger-Cats, thanks to the 2-1 edge the Bombers have against the Ticats over the season.
Neither Winnipeg nor Hamilton will make the playoffs. The fourth-place team in the West Division will cross over to take the final spot in the East.
Bombers backup quarterback Alex Brink will get the start. He had one win in three starts when he replaced an injured Buck Pierce earlier this year.
Brink was later replaced by backup Joey Elliott and admits he doesn’t think he was given a fair chance. He’s anxious to get another chance to show what he can do.
“The biggest thing for me was how frustrated I was by that whole situation, that I never felt like I got a fair shake to develop and show what I could do,” he said.
The future of all four of Winnipeg’s quarterbacks seems to be on the line now that the decision has been made to keep both general manager Joe Mack and coach Tim Burke. Burke took over in mid-season when Paul LaPolice was sacked.
Burke and Mack say they know Winnipeg’s quarterbacking situation has to be resolved. Pierce started only seven games as he battled a foot injury and concussion symptoms for much of the season.