The Winnipeg Blue Bomber have not played particularly well against the Calgary Stampeders this year. Dropping the inaugural Stampede Bowl 37-16 and then getting roasted the weekend after 41-20 by the Stampeders again caused me to ask the question, "Are the Bombers in trouble?"
If you are looking for a traditional preview article, then you are going to be disappointed at the end. I am not doing 'Keys to Win,' as the Bombers apparently do not listen to me anyway, and this season has been anything but predictable. A ball of a helmet for an interception, wet weather where they do not run the ball, huge defensive collapses, 2 kick returns for touchdowns. Nope! I am done...at least for this week with keys to a win.
Since that 41-20 loss the Bombers had against Calgary they also lost to Toronto 31-17, marking a three game losing skid. Then they narrowly beat Toronto in Winnipeg by a score of 40-31 in a game that they easily could have lost. So now what? The Bombers are heading to Calgary, Calgary already has the season series on the Bombers and apparently has a recipe to beat Winnipeg. Or do they?
Changes Coming To The Bombers
The Bombers are making a number of changes, some out of necessity and some because they believe it gives them a better chance to win. After getting beat bad numerous times, the Bombers moved Marquise Bridges to the practice roster and outright released him shortly after. And finally it looks like Dillon Mitchell may draw in to the starting line up. After the Bombers paid him a signing bonus north of $60K, and then he landed on the practice roster last week, I was sure that he was about to be handed an apple and a road map along with Bridges. But I was wrong. Mitchell is sticking around...at least for now.
Jamal Woods was able to get back to practicing after his stint on the 6 game injured list. Payton Logan looked like he might suit up this week as he was at practice - likely spurred on by the performance of Vaval and not wanting to lose his spot - but Logan was limited in the first practice of the week. However, Logan remains questionable as he did not participate in the second practice this week. It now seems confirmed that Bryant will be back this week.
IN:
- QB Zach Collaros
- LT Stanley Bryant
- REC Dillon Mitchell (starting at slotback)
- DB Dexter Lawson Jr. (starting at corner)
- RB Matthew Peterson
- DT Tanner Schmekel
OUT:
- QB Chase Artopoeus
- RB Quinton Cooley
- OL Eric Lofton
- WR Gavin Cobb
- DB Jamal Parker Jr.
No Bighill
Who is playing quarterback?
At the time of writing this neither the Bomber nor the Stampeders have released their depth charts - but now we know it will be Collaros starting. So a question remains should play quarterback for each team? Regardless of what the depth chat reads, this really is a question for both teams...and I have to wonder if there is any chess being played here.
Adams did practice this week for Calgary, as did Collaros for Winnipeg.
And when you listen to Adams it sounds like he is going to play.
If Adams plays it seems more likely that Collaros would want to play; and Winnipeg would also want him to. Phillip Walker was brutal for Calgary against Ottawa. But at the same point, Winnipeg has struggled in recent years playing against poor backup quarterbacks - with Winnipeg losing games they should have won. So if I am Calgary, I would consider not starting Adams if there is any question mark about his health. Just imagine a Walker vs. Streveler game based on what both of them did in their last outing.
Come on; how could that not be fun? Walker vs. Streveler in the 'Who can play the worst and still win bowl?' No? No takers? While we may not see that, the point that I am really wanting to highlight is that it does neither team any good to bring their starting quarterback back - or back again as in the case of the Bombers - too early. Fair, neither team is winning many games with their backup quarterback starting...but that is exactly what could happen if you rush your starter back. If I were either of these coaches, I may approach the other one with a gentleman's agreement - 'you play your back up, and we will play ours.'
And even if that would be better for both teams in order to give their starting quarterback more time as opposed to going best on best; it just is not likely to happen. While Saskatchewan sits out this week, they would be more than happy to watch both starting quarterbacks get rushed and rattled. For Calgary, they already have the season series against the Bombers. But, Winnipeg could tie Calgary's record - while still being in 3rd - moving them closer to gaining second place. With BC not that far behind - and Hamilton only narrowly beating BC two weeks ago - Winnipeg needs to be smart with who they play at quarterback this week.
Your Three Keys
Like I said earlier, I am not doing the 3 Keys thing this game...but you can. Put your 3 keys in the comments wherever you are reading this. In fact, if I like your 3 Keys to a Bombers win, I will message you on Facebook to get you to be a guest contributor next week as part of my preview article. So please, nothing lame like, 'Score more points.' You can comment that, but I guarantee I will not be reaching out to you for next week's article.
Pick The Winner
The CFL writers were not very kind to the Bombers this week in their choices. And with how the Bomber have played against Calgary I do not necessarily blame them.
Yet, some how, some way, I think the Bombers pull out the win. They have been a completely inconsistent football team, and that is part of the reason for my pick. If the Bombers had been consistent this year and dropped two games to Calgary, I could probably go along with the writes and agree that past performance is a good indicator of future performance. But it has not been that way. Just look at the two games Streveler started...very different performances.
So who is going to win this one? Call me crazy, but I am going with a Blue Bombers blowout!
Who do you think is going to win? And do not forget to put your 3 keys in as you may be selected to be featured guest contributor next week. Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.
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