- For the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers, everything old is new again.
At 1-6, the Bombers hope reinstating starting quarterback Kevin Glenn and veteran receiver Milt Stegall, who was out with a sore knee, will be the necessary spark to snag a win Thursday when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-5).
"There's still opportunity for us, and there's still time to wake up," said Bombers head coach Doug Berry.
In their last three meetings, the Bombers started backup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, who pulled off the team's only win so far this season, a 32-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on July 24.
But Dinwiddie wasn't able to carry it forward in the Winnipeg's next two meetings.
"We were looking for a spark to be able to bring the other guys up to a level we expect," Berry said. "When it became obvious that Ryan was having some of the same situations that Kevin was facing when he was quarterback, we made the decision to go back with Kevin Glenn.
"I think Kevin Glenn is ready to come back and be the starter... He's probably going to be calling 95 per cent of the game."
It's been exactly the opposite so far, as Berry says the bench had been calling 95 per cent of the plays. But it's not entirely new for the ex-Alouettes coach. For three years in Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo called his own game "95 per cent of the plays," Berry said.
For Stegall, who has only played one game this season because of knee surgery in the off-season, but is expected to be in uniform Thursday, it doesn't make a difference.
"Mistakes are going to be made, that happens no matter who's calling the plays. So, we're just going to go out there, and whatever (Glenn) calls, we're going to go run it to the best of our ability."
After Wednesday's walk-through, Glenn appeared confident about the prospect.
"That'll be something new, but at the same time we're just going out to play football, try and play football and get a win," Glenn said.
A new face - for the Bombers, at least - will be in Thursday's lineup. Kick returner Jason Armstead is expected to be in blue and gold for the first time.
It will be Armstead's fifth CFL team. He played with Ottawa Renegades in 2004 and 2005 before being drafted by Roughriders. Saskatchewan picked him third overall in the Renegades' dispersal draft when the team ceased operations in 2006. He was traded to Hamilton where he was cut before signing with Montreal.
Armstead was released by the Alouettes late last month. He had three receptions for 38 yards, 16 punt returns for 104 yards and 10 kick-off returns for 165 yards.
"It's just a new experience as a whole, a new opportunity to seize," said Armstead. "Basically, being put into the fire."
Ticats head coach Charlie Taaffe said the way the East Division is stacked, he told his players to have a playoff mentality.
"I expect it to be a war out here (Thursday) night," said Taaffe shortly after arriving in Winnipeg Wednesday afternoon.
The Montreal Alouettes top the East at 4-3 while the Toronto Argonauts are 3-4. In the West Division, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are leading at 6-1 while B.C., Edmonton and Calgary are 4-3.
At 1-6, the Bombers hope reinstating starting quarterback Kevin Glenn and veteran receiver Milt Stegall, who was out with a sore knee, will be the necessary spark to snag a win Thursday when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-5).
"There's still opportunity for us, and there's still time to wake up," said Bombers head coach Doug Berry.
In their last three meetings, the Bombers started backup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, who pulled off the team's only win so far this season, a 32-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on July 24.
But Dinwiddie wasn't able to carry it forward in the Winnipeg's next two meetings.
"We were looking for a spark to be able to bring the other guys up to a level we expect," Berry said. "When it became obvious that Ryan was having some of the same situations that Kevin was facing when he was quarterback, we made the decision to go back with Kevin Glenn.
"I think Kevin Glenn is ready to come back and be the starter... He's probably going to be calling 95 per cent of the game."
It's been exactly the opposite so far, as Berry says the bench had been calling 95 per cent of the plays. But it's not entirely new for the ex-Alouettes coach. For three years in Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo called his own game "95 per cent of the plays," Berry said.
For Stegall, who has only played one game this season because of knee surgery in the off-season, but is expected to be in uniform Thursday, it doesn't make a difference.
"Mistakes are going to be made, that happens no matter who's calling the plays. So, we're just going to go out there, and whatever (Glenn) calls, we're going to go run it to the best of our ability."
After Wednesday's walk-through, Glenn appeared confident about the prospect.
"That'll be something new, but at the same time we're just going out to play football, try and play football and get a win," Glenn said.
A new face - for the Bombers, at least - will be in Thursday's lineup. Kick returner Jason Armstead is expected to be in blue and gold for the first time.
It will be Armstead's fifth CFL team. He played with Ottawa Renegades in 2004 and 2005 before being drafted by Roughriders. Saskatchewan picked him third overall in the Renegades' dispersal draft when the team ceased operations in 2006. He was traded to Hamilton where he was cut before signing with Montreal.
Armstead was released by the Alouettes late last month. He had three receptions for 38 yards, 16 punt returns for 104 yards and 10 kick-off returns for 165 yards.
"It's just a new experience as a whole, a new opportunity to seize," said Armstead. "Basically, being put into the fire."
Ticats head coach Charlie Taaffe said the way the East Division is stacked, he told his players to have a playoff mentality.
"I expect it to be a war out here (Thursday) night," said Taaffe shortly after arriving in Winnipeg Wednesday afternoon.
The Montreal Alouettes top the East at 4-3 while the Toronto Argonauts are 3-4. In the West Division, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are leading at 6-1 while B.C., Edmonton and Calgary are 4-3.
