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“We have a relationship that goes far beyond football, so I do feel very comfortable having any conversation that needs to be done to put this team in a good position to win,” Oliveira said. “We are OK in having those conversations.”

Published Sep 04, 2025  •  3 minute read

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Bombers OliveiraWinnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira is tackled by the Saskatchewan Roughriders defence during the Labour Day Classic game at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post /Winnipeg SunArticle content

The Blue Bombers have one day of practice remaining this week, and who knows where Brady Oliveira will end up emotionally.

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“I have been practising pissed off (this week)” the Bombers feature back said on Thursday, noting he has some ‘extra juice’ in his step. “I am excited to get back out there, a statement game, or whatever you want to call it, to go out there and get back to ourselves.”

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The Bombers host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Oliveira is trying to stay calm and rationale, lest his candle extinguish at both ends long before the ball is launched into the air sometime after 3 p.m.

“Obviously, you calm the emotions, but when I put my helmet on and run out there for practice, it is like I still get filled with those feelings and emotions I felt after the game,” he said. “I understood the importance of that game, and now this one is even more important. So, we better buckle up and strap the helmet tight. This is an important one for us.”

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The Bombers are third in the West Division with a 6-5 record. Their six wins have come against teams with sub .500 records heading into league action on Thursday evening.

They lost three games to the Calgary Stampeders and one to the Roughriders, a 34-30 setback last Sunday. Another loss came via the Toronto Argos back in July.

“There are some great teams in this league, and we have been in some tight games when it comes to some western opponents, but we haven’t been able to finish,” Oliveira said. “(Saskatchewan) is a great opponent, a team that is going to go far and a team (beyond the next regular-season game) we will probably see again. It would be good to get a quality win.”

The Bombers lost by one point to the Stamps on Aug. 9 when Rene Paredes drilled the game-winning field goal with no time left on the clock.

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In that four-point loss to the Riders, vats of ink were spilled in reference to Oliveira’s lack of service on the ground and through the air. He carried the ball five times for 24 yards. His production through the air didn’t produce much better results, limited to just five catches for 30 yards.

Oliveira’s longstanding relationship with offensive coordinator Jason Hogan afforded him the opportunity to discuss his lack of touches in the hours and days following the game. Hogan was Oliveira’s running backs coach dating back to 2022.

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“We have a relationship that goes far beyond football, so I do feel very comfortable having any conversation that needs to be done to put this team in a good position to win,” Oliveira said. “We are OK in having those conversations.”

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The North Dakota Fighting Hawks product believes the team is difficult to beat when the offensive line is feeling the mojo and he’s cutting up field with the ball in his hands.

“We had a conversation after that Labour Day game, understanding what his thought process was calling five carries,” Oliveira said. “It is going to look different every week, and I understand that, but my thing is: When we lose games and you don’t have that big of an impact because there are fewer opportunities, you can’t change the game. And when you feel you can change a game, especially with the offensive line we have, it is tough.”

Oliveira feels at ease around Hogan, enough so to speak from a good place, with strictly winning in mind. There are no personal accolades needed as Oliveira has probably earned them in his time with the club.

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The No. 20 in blue and white doesn’t know if he could or would speak his mind to the extent that he does with another coordinator.

“Hogan is a guy who will be in my life when football is done,” Oliveira said. “So, it is almost like me having a talk with a big brother or a friend. I feel close to him. I feel comfortable going to have a conversation with him and we have had many good conversations as the season has gone on. I am glad he is our offensive coordinator, but if it was another offensive coordinator, I don’t know if I would do it.”

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