Bombers consider selves Grey Cup underdogs

One of the biggest comebacks in the CFL has one step left to take and Winnipeg Blue Bombers coach Paul LaPolice says the work ethic that got his guys to the Grey Cup will serve them well.

A day after the 19-3 East Division win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that got them to the final, he started prepping the team for Vancouver.

He says one of the things that has helped the team this year is the way he has been able to move people in and out of the starting lineup without a lot of grumbling.

Turning a team around from a 4-14 loser in 2010 to a 10-8 winner in 2011 required a lot of tinkering.

QB Buck Pierce is anxious to win the final game of the season in Vancouver, where he started his CFL career.

"Really, there's no motivation needed right now. It's one game away and one shot," he said.

"We're going out there with a purpose. It's a business trip for us, and we're excited where we are but it's not done yet."

But Pierce and LaPolice know they're the underdogs as they head to B.C. to face the Lions on their noisy indoor home turf.

"It doesn't really matter," LaPolice said Monday.

"These guys ... they're going to be excited just to be playing in the game, whether they're favourites or underdogs. Certainly B.C., being at home, is going to put them in a position of a lot more comfort for them. But we've certainly done well on the road this year."

The Bombers have one win in Vancouver this year and went on to beat the Lions in both their regular-season encounters.

The Bombers finished the regular season at 10-8 while the Lions were at 11-7, both atop their respective divisions.

The matchup also features the best defence in the east against the best defence in the west. But now is not the time to argue over who is No. 1 in the CFL, said Blue Bombers defensive back Jovon Johnson, a big reason why Winnipeg's secondary was such a force this season.

"At this point, it doesn't really matter. We're going into a game against them in the championship," he said.

"Maybe they were the best defence in the west [and] we were the best defence in the east. Two great defences going against each other in a big game, that's what we look forward to."