Courtesy Toronto Sun:

Michael Bishop has a fairly long memory, but when it comes to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he doesn’t have to devise a reason to want to beat them on Sunday.

A few weeks ago, Bishop had a poor outing against the Bombers, and he’s glad it will be the same club that arrives in Toronto this weekend for the Eastern. Though the Argos beat Winnipeg 16-8 on Oct. 27, Bishop hit on just 10 of 29 pass attempts, threw an interception and lost a fumble.

“I’m definitely happy,” the Argos quarterback said yesterday.

“On a personal note, I did not play well and there were a lot points I left on the field. I get a chance to redeem myself.”

That’s one way Bishop can look at the matchup, with the winner earning a spot in the Canadian Football League championship on Nov. 25 at the Rogers Centre.

In the bigger picture, the match will mark the first CFL playoff start for Bishop, who has relieved in past playoff games, including the 2004 Grey Cup, but never has been given this kind of responsibility.

Though Bishop didn’t compile what one would call bowl-you-over numbers in the regular season — his completion percentage of 52.1% was lowest among starters in the league — he said he never doubted he would land at this spot.

“Not really,” the 31-year-old said. “Every player wants to be the guy to go out there and lead the team. I’ve been in this situation before (in college) and knew it was just a matter of time.”

Argos brass likes the maturity Bishop has shown in the past 18 months, but coach Michael (Pinball) Clemons figures on having a few chats with his No. 1 quarterback in the coming days.

There’s a balance that involves not getting too jacked up about such a pivotal start, and Clemons wants to try to ensure that Bishop realizes as much.

Clemons was asked whether he thinks Bishop will be able to keep his emotions in check.

“No — let’s say the honest answer,” Clemons said. “He is going to be more excited than you want him to be. The wonderful thing about him is he has the ability to transpose that into something electric. In his first playoff start, will he be all those things you might think are typical (of a seasoned quarterback who has been here before)? No. Are we concerned about it? No.”

For Bishop, getting the ball off the first snap is a post-season change he is going to relish.

“The biggest difference is knowing I am getting an opportunity, and it is up to me to run with it,” Bishop said.

“In the past it was mop-up time or (coming in when) someone got hurt. It’s totally different and I am the guy everyone is depending on.”