And it cost the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a shot at winning their last game in regulation, resulting in a critical overtime loss to Toronto that left them 2-6.
After initially labelling it a greedy call that he probably shouldn’t have made on Saturday, head coach Mike O’Shea says he’d call the same third-down gamble all over again, even with the potential game-winning field goal staring him in the face.
“I’d probably be greedy again,” O’Shea said as the Bombers returned to practice on Tuesday. “I like being greedy.”
The decision was to have bulldozer quarterback Chris Streveler try to plunge for a first down, allowing the Bombers to kill more time and kick a game-winning three-pointer with little or no time left.
Streveler came up inches short, and in overtime a wide Sergio Castillo field goal and a successful Argos one produced a 16-14 loss.
“Here’s the point,” O’Shea said. “If you have a choice of keeping the football or giving it back to Janarion Grant (Toronto’s dangerous kick returner) and an offence with time, you’re going to always bet on Streveler and the O-line, something that’s been perfect.”
They had been perfect on short yardage, and the hogs up front welcomed the chance to stay that way.
“We take pride in bully ball,” veteran lineman Stanley Bryant said. “Especially on sneaks or any short-yardage play. It’s like a guarantee to us. We know we’re going to get it.”
Bryant heard the play call and envisioned what would unfold, just like his coach did.
The Bombers weren’t thrilled with where the officials spotted the ball, but they’d missed the remedy for that.
“We just need to get more and not leave it in their hands,” centre Chris Kolankowski said. “Don’t leave any doubt.”
Kolankowski has no doubt about the call.
“Especially what we’ve done the last couple of years,” he said. “If we get in that situation again this week, I hope we don’t change a damn thing.”
The Bombers weren’t thrilled with where the officials spotted the ball, but they’d missed the remedy for that.
“We just need to get more and not leave it in their hands,” centre Chris Kolankowski said. “Don’t leave any doubt.”
Kolankowski has no doubt about the call.
“Especially what we’ve done the last couple of years,” he said. “If we get in that situation again this week, I hope we don’t change a damn thing.”
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