Five storylines

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This article was published 23/07/2011 (5222 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — Five things to watch for when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Toronto Argonauts at Rogers Centre this afternoon:

1. Wear ’em down

The Toronto defence was on the field for 40-plus minutes against Montreal last week, an absurd number when you consider how valuable the unit is to the club’s success.

A good plan for the Bombers today: Keep them out there.

“I’d like us to execute a few more things and stay on the field,” head coach Paul LaPolice said. “That’s what you need to do against a good defence like the Argos.”

But can the Bombers do this? Winnipeg’s struggles on offence have been well documented; last or near the bottom in most categories.

Here’s one stat they do lead in coming into Week 4: Punts, 27, to be exact, six more than any other club.

2. Keep the intensity up

After closing strong in the first two weeks of the season — holding opponents to minimal points in the fourth quarter en route to victories — the Winnipeg defence suffered a letdown last week.

Calgary put up 11 points in the final 15 minutes, coming from behind and winning the game. DT Doug Brown says the mood of the Bombers D is still high, but he knows the group hasn’t proved anything yet.

Winnipeg needs to keep the heat on the Toronto offence.

“We’re starting to build an identity,” he said.

“You have to understand: This is a week in, week out process — you can’t take one off. Just as we are starting to create an identity, (teams) are getting film on us. It gets harder.”

3. Eighty-two?

In three games, SB Terrence Edwards has seven catches for 132 yards, a far cry from the 16 catches for 318 yards he had at the same point last season.

While considered one of the surest pass catchers in the CFL, the seven-year veteran is not even in the Top 20 for receivers.

For a team struggling to put some air into its pass attack, the solution seems obvious: Make Edwards a priority target this afternoon.

4. Be selfish

As in, don’t turn the football over if you’re the Bombers.

The numbers, they don’t lie: Winnipeg ends up victorious when they’ve won the turnover battle. Weeks 1 and 2 (both wins), the Bombers were plus-six in the turnover ratio. In a loss against Calgary last week, Winnipeg was minus-one.

If the Argos can’t take good care of the football, then the Bombers need to take care of it for them.

5. Run Fred Reid

Then run him again. And again.

Why? The Argos run defence is a little suspect, thus far, allowing an average of 126 yards against per game (second last in the league).

Running the ball. Can you think of a better way to give a quarterback protection?

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca