Most people are familiar with a “Game Ball.” It goes to a player who played exemplary football; someone who went above and beyond. Fewer, are familiar with the “Jock,” an award that goes to an idiotic play.

Game Ball

Well, who do you like? Winnipeg put up 55 points on Edmonton securing their spot in the playoffs! For a team who’s offence has been up and down it was a stellar performance.

You could probably puck anyone there and you would not be wrong.
I like Collaros, throwing 6 touchdowns…6! “Collaros completed 21 of 26 pass attempts for a season-high 432 yards with the six touchdowns and no interceptions. His career best for passing in a game is 439 yards.” – source I would like those that said Collaros is too old and washed up to speak up…where are you?

That brings his total up to 9…yes, he only had 3 before that game.

I also like Lucky Whitehead who finally had a good return…I just with he would have trucked Edmonton’s kicker instead of going out of bounds.

How about Lawler who was back to his old ways of making circus catches look routine?

Or you could go to the other side of the field and look at the Bomber’s defense who brought pressure all night long. What I did not like about the Bomber’s defense is they allowed a lot of yards on those hitch-screen passes where Edmonton has a lead blocker – that’s two weeks in a row now. The question will be if other teams can execute that as well, and if Winnipeg can figure out how to defend it. The Bombers should stop trying to get in front of the blocker to get to the receiver and just blow up the blocker!

I am also considering the Bomber’s Offensive Coordinator…he made sure Winnipeg scored point through the whole game. This season we have seen Winnipeg score early, but not often, and win the game in the last minutes. While that is entertaining football, that is no way to go far in the playoffs.

Give them all Game Balls! But also give one to all the fans! In an day and age where sports is consumed differently with massive televisions in the comfort of your own home…the fans showed up! Not only was it another sellout, but the stadium announced said that the fans reached a new level of 111 decibels.

And believe me, Edmonton heard and felt the fans! At one point Moncrief was so upset that he slammed his helmet on the equipment cabinet and broke the plastic parts holding the face mask. That left Dan Rosnau, their Equipment Manager picking up the pieces – and if you have ever met Dan, he is a really nice guy!

Later in the game, Shawn Oakman was leaning on that same equipment cabinet with his back to the field and his head slumped down. The fans brought it, and Edmonton felt it.

For selling out the game, and doing your part to help the Bombers secure a playoff spot…all you fans in attendance, you get my Game Ball!

The Jock

And then we get the Jock. I will say it right off the hop…I am not giving it to an Edmonton player. While they got beat down, the effort was there, the execution simply was not enough. I consider giving it to Jarious Jackson, as he started MBT over Ford…and I think Ford should have started or at least came in after the first half. I can understand how a late second quarter touchdown pass gets MBT some more rope…but there is no way they should have kept him in. Edmonton needed a spark. They needed to put Ford in the game with time to see if he would provide that spark.

Instead the Jock will go to the officials/Command Centre – although for the most part they called a really good game. Command Centre’s new mandate is to fix clear and obvious mistakes. Near the end of the

first quarter there was a late hit on Lucky Whitehead…late and out of bounds.

I simply do not want to hear about player safety until these types of hits get called. Seriously, what is the point of the Command Centre if they cannot make that call?! And how on earth do the official miss that call?

For player safety continuing to be a joke, and the officials/Command Centre missing those clear and obvious calls…you get the Jock.

Maybe you have other choices; let me know after you watch the highlights.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.

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