Inside the Xs AND Os

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This article was published 16/10/2010 (5804 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE: Montreal by 11.5

BOMBERS VS. ALS: Winnipeg is batting 0-for-2 against Als this season — a 39-17 loss in Week 8 and the 44-40 defeat at Canad Inns Stadium three weeks ago.

THE FORECAST:

According to Environment Canada, Sunday in Montreal will see sunny skies and a daytime high of 11 C. It’s been pretty windy there the last couple of days, so that could play a factor in the kicking department.

ROSTER UPDATE:

After seeing time on the pine on Thanksgiving Monday, QB Steven Jyles returns to the starting lineup. QB Alex Brink will serve as the backup. No other significant changes for the Blue and Gold. LB Merrill Johnson is out with a knee injury. The old adage of not tinkering with a winning hand applies to the Bombers this week. Expect to see RB Yvenson Bernard on special teams and spelling RB Fred Reid again.

STOPPING CALVILLO:

As always, how to control QB Anthony Calvillo and the Montreal offence is at the front of the game plan. Said Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice: “It’s very hard to get to him because 1) he gets the ball out of his hands (quickly); 2) they do a lot of max-protection; and 3) he’s got some big receivers he can just throw it up to.” The most important aspect to stopping the Als’ attack, according to LaPolice: Wrap up on the tackle.

HOME AND COOLED:

Montreal has already clinched a post-season berth (15 and counting for the franchise, by the way). A win over the Bombers seals up a home playoff game, likely the East Division final (as it would be a miracle if the Argos or Ticats caught them at this point). When the Als do officially clinch the division, it will be the third straight time as division champ and the ninth time in the last 12 seasons they’ve ended the regular schedule on top of the East heap.

WATSON JACKED:

One player who’s looking forward to Molson Stadium is rookie WR Cory Watson. The Concordia grad is a Montreal native and says his first pro season began with a steep learning curve, followed by an understanding of the CFL game. “It was hard at the beginning of the year, adapting to everything around me,” he said. “I started right away, but I wasn’t really comfortable. Being on the sidelines, getting a chance to recover from my injuries has allowed me to relax and figure things out.” Watson, who battled groin and knee ailments this season, has nine catches for 149 yards. He should share time with WR Aaron Hargreaves on Sunday.

HOT TARGET:

With DB Jovon Johnson on the opposite corner, DB Deon Beasley has been tested often in the first quarter this season, as quarterbacks look to see if they can find an early mismatch. “I love it. Keep trying me on,” said a confident Beasley, who is generously listed at 5-foot-10. “I know what they’re trying to do, but it just gives me more chances to make plays. You play with fire like that, you’re going to crash down in flames.”

— Adam Wazny