Everything around Terrell Bonds tells him something is different.
The temperature has dipped and all the sights and sounds swirling about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their film study practices are more focussed and more intense.
“It’s so exciting right now,” said the Blue Bombers first-year cornerback after practice Friday. “Me and Deatrick (Nichols) were talking about this a few days ago — I haven’t played in meaningful games in three years or so, probably since my days in Baltimore. And I haven’t had a chance to possibly win a championship since we were in high school.
“I’ve got an extra sense of urgency. We know we’re going to play against a good team. This is a great opportunity for us. Now we’ve got to go out there and bring it home.”
The Blue Bombers will spend the weekend continuing to prep for the winner of Saturday’s Western Semi-Final between the B.C. Lions and host Saskatchewan Roughriders, with the West Final going on November 9th at Princess Auto Stadium.
Bonds, in his first year manning the one cornerback spot opposite Tyrell Ford, grew up playing ball with Nichols dating back to their days in Pop Warner. They attended Miami Central High School together before heading their different ways in college — Bonds to Tennessee State, Nichols to South Florida.
Both bounced around football’s map before landing in Winnipeg with Bonds first turning pro with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football and then with the Ravens in the NFL. That was where he enjoyed his last playoff run, as the 2020 Ravens won a wildcard round before losing to Buffalo in the divisional round.
“You try to treat every game the same, but when the playoffs come you treat everything extra — you get extra film in, extra time after practice,” Bonds said. “It’s about being around your teammates more because all the intricate details matter more in the playoffs. That’s what Coach Osh has told us to hone in on, so that’s what we’ve been doing.
“The other teams in the league their seasons, unfortunately, ended last week. So, for us to go on the streak we did to get a first-round bye, we’re fortunate. The last week was crazy, but it turned out the way it did and put us in position to get a first round bye. We’re fortunate and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.”
TyJuan Garbutt has been here before, albeit mostly as a spectator after joining the practice roster last season and dressing for one game before watching the playoffs.
“I’m extremely jacked up right now because this year is different,” he said. “Last year I did what I could to help but I’ve been on the field this year and have actually been able to play and be out there with my teammates… I’m just so excited to be out there and be a part of something so big and so special. It just feels good to know I have a responsibility on my shoulders to do my part to help us to continue to get where we’re trying to go.”
Earlier this week Brady Oliveira spoke of how the Grey Cup losses in 2022 and 2023 have fuelled him, especially now as the Western Final nears.
Both Garbutt and Bonds feel that, too, although it’s different to watch it or hear of it compared to living through it.
“Last year is only brought up when it’s mentioned that we now have a chance to go finish something we haven’t been able to finish in the last couple of years,” Garbutt said. “It’s never really talked about in terms of expecting anything, it’s about earning everything.
“That’s the standard when you get here: play really hard and go compete for championships. That’s something they’ve done here for the past five years. We’re trying to continue that tradition. That’s why me and the younger guys are trying to do: uphold that standard.
“A lot of guys around here have been on both sides of winning and losing. Last year I was on the side I didn’t like. We all want to change that.”
Both Garbutt and Bonds have been solid in their first seasons as starters; Garbutt has part of a rotation at defensive end while Bonds has started every game at corner.
“Coach JY (Jordan Younger) stays on me about all this,” said Bonds. “I’m the newest guy in the secondary and he’s told me about how the last couple of years went in the playoffs and he wants me to understand the pain they went through in taking those Ls.
“But like I told you this earlier in the season — this is the most fun I’ve had in my pro career and to be closer to getting to the Grey Cup is great. It’s made it all worthwhile. I just want to end it the right way.
“We’ve still got a ways to go and next week will be one of the biggest games I’ve been a part of in my pro career.”