So just how should everyone describe the humongous step backward this bunch has just taken? After all, this is the same team that manhandled the Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders 10 days ago and then struggled to find any kind of offence whatsoever in Saturday's 25-13 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The most apt description might simply be: growing pains.

And as any parent can attest, there is really no quick fix, other than holding on through the ups and downs while watching Junior look like a gifted athlete one week and then struggle to put one foot in front of the other the next.

The bottom line might just be this: Given the massive overhaul to the roster and the change in regime this winter, Bomber fans had better load up on the lager and the painkillers this season because 2009 figures to be a whole lot more of the same. One week they are the toast of the town, the next they are being cursed for causing a massive migraine.

So expect more inconsistency, more offensive struggles under a fresh-faced starting quarterback and a rookie head coach and, likely, more change.

And that change could cost a few more veterans their jobs.

Whispers across the Canadian Football League late Sunday had the Bombers shopping offensive guard Kelly Bates and defensive tackle Tyrone Williams -- both of whom came over from the B.C. Lions in the off-season -- and if they cannot find an interested suitor, they may be released outright. Williams missed the season-opening loss to the Edmonton Eskimos and played in the Calgary win.

But he was on the reserve list for Saturday's loss as the coaches opted to go with Dorian Smith, 13 years Williams' junior and an up-and-comer who already has two sacks this season. Bates, meanwhile, is a likable former CFL all-star but the Bombers do have vets Ryan Donnelly, Luke Fritz and Lorne Plante available.

Perhaps more pressing while Bomber management contemplates changes is the coaching staff's huddling up to find some solutions to an offensive attack that has been coughing and sputtering through the first three weeks. Among the concerns:

"ö Starting QB Stefan LeFors -- who was to have his non-throwing shoulder evaluated today by doctors -- has yet to complete even 50 per cent of his passes in any of the three contests this year. His three-game totals: 34-of-77 (44.2 per cent) for a measly 429 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

"ö Receivers Terrence Edwards and Adarius Bowman, who entered Saturday's contest as the top two pass catchers, were held off the stat sheet. To put those numbers in perspective, fullback Jon Oosterhuis and defensive end Riall Johnson (on a fake punt) had more catches -- one each -- than Bowman and Edwards vs. the Ticats.

"ö Romby Bryant, last year's leading receiver, has just seven receptions in three games.

"ö Linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz is tied for the club lead in touchdowns with two -- both on interception returns.

"ö The Bombers managed only 12 first downs against Hamilton, including just three in the second half when they generated only 55 yards total offence.

"ö Winnipeg's second-down conversion rate was just 28.6 per cent (six of 21) and a horrific 1-for-10 in the second half.

"ö The Bombers longest pass completion Saturday was just 19 yards -- to Oosterhuis -- and there has been only one completion this SEASON of over 20 yards. That was a 54-yard LeFors-to-Edwards strike in the opener.

"ö Without the establishment of a vertical threat, teams are able to concentrate on stuffing the run. Fred Reid finished with 88 yards on 16 carries, but 50 of that came on one run, meaning his other 15 touches were for just 38 yards. What's worse, in the second half he carried eight times for just seven yards.

"We just have to keep working on things," said head coach Mike Kelly. "I've got to do a better job designing some of our routes and patterns in order for us to move the ball down the field. That wasn't the kind of offence that I'm used to seeing. I've got to do a better job."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 20, 2009 D3