Courtesy Winnipeg Sun:

Troy Westwood and Doug Berry haven’t seen eye-to-eye much of the season, so why would they start now?

The Blue Bombers kicker and head coach had differing opinions yesterday on how Westwood has turned his game around.

“Maybe at some point he wasn’t as committed as he thought he might be,” Berry told reporters. “And the wakeup call, sometimes it’s the right thing to have. Troy found a way to rededicate himself to be the best. And it’s showing up right now.”

Informed of his boss’s analysis, Westwood paused for several seconds, contemplating his response.

“I have always been infinitely dedicated to performing at the highest level possible,” Westwood finally said. “That’s really all I have to say about that. I’m as dedicated and as motivated to perform at the highest level possible now as I was before training camp.”

And he’s changed nothing, he added.

“I’ve just been given an opportunity. And am dead-set on making the most of it.”

One thing the two agree on: Westwood has played well in Winnipeg’s two playoff games.

“Lately when we’ve called on Troy he’s been magnificent,” Berry said. “His field goal kicking has been right where we want it to be. The surprising thing to me has been his punting. Just this last game I walked over to him during the game and said, ‘What are you trying to be, our No. 1 punter?’ His ball is exploding off his foot.”

Pat Fleming, coming off a leg injury, did some punting in practice yesterday. But Berry says Westwood will do all the kicking against Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup.

No. 7 plans to exorcise a few more demons on Sunday.

“It was a hideous aberration compared to what I’ve done in big games in the past,” Westwood said, referring to the 2001 Grey Cup, in which he missed three field goals and the Bombers lost to Calgary by eight.

“Whatever I’ve endured during the regular season in ‘07 has made me both emotionally and mentally stronger. And much like the ‘01 Grey Cup, has made an impact that will only benefit in the long run.”