Bombers show no signs of life in 32-3 loss to Eskimos

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This article was published 25/07/2015 (3758 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a problem. And it’s not just that there are once again doubts about the status of Drew Willy after their No. 1 ace was dropped again after another questionable shot missed by a CFL officiating crew.

No, their biggest problem is this: when Mike O’Shea & Co. pick up the scalpel and bone saw and begin the autopsy on their third loss of the season, a 32-3 spanking in Edmonton against the Eskimos Saturday night, they really won’t know where to begin to determine cause of death. After all, the corpse that was wheeled out of Commonwealth Stadium was oozing life from countless wounds across all three phases — offence, defence and special teams — and that’s a gory scene Bomber fans have witnessed already this season.

And so when the body is somehow jolted back to life again for next week’s home date with the B.C. Lions — yup, get your tickets now — there will again be countless questions about its collective health and its mental fragility after being embarrassed by a West Division foe which has owned them over the last few years.

Now, it could be said the Bombers, now 2-3, missed out on a glorious chance to grab a piece of first in the division after losses by Calgary and B.C. on Friday. But, truthfully, they staggered back to their corner after this one far more resembling pretenders than contenders.

QB DOWN… AGAIN

The Bombers were trailing 4-3 in the third quarter of an absolute snoozefest when Willy was hit high by Eskimo defensive lineman Marcus Howard — and low by Eddie Steele. He spent several minutes on the turf before needing to be helped off the field. Willy did not leave the sidelines, spending the rest of the game sitting on the trainer’s table with an ice bag wrapped around his right knee, and hobbled to the dressing room afterward.

“We’ll see the doctor and probably have to see him again (Sunday),” said O’Shea when asked for a health report on his starting QB. “We’ll let you know as soon as we know.”

Asked for his thoughts about the hit — remember Willy was injured earlier this year against Hamilton and Tiger-Cat defensive end Adrian Tracy was subsequently fined for his gruesome hit to the head on the play — O’Shea bit down hard before saying:

“I can’t answer that question. I’ll get fined.”

As to the question on everyone’s lips after this one — why didn’t third-string QB Robert Marve get a shot at the controls with Brohm struggling — he was just 9 of 19 for 71 yards with two picks — O’Shea said his No. 3 pivot is still dealing with an injury and was only dressed because new fourth-string QB Dominique Davis doesn’t have a grasp yet of the offence.

TEAM FOLDS… AGAIN

Willy was hardly moving the Bomber offence up and down the field before his departure — he was just 7 of 17 for 81 yards with no TDs or interceptions — but the club was still very much in the ball game. But, as was the case against the Tiger-Cats back on July 2nd, the Bombers showed as much resiliency as a wet paper bag after Willy’s injury. Brohm’s first pass attempt landed at the feet of Clarence Denmark and, on the ensuing punt, the special teams unit gave up a 53-yard return by Kendial Lawrence to their three-yard line.

Jordan Lynch scampered in on the very next play and the Bombers were wobbling like a punch-drunk tomato can.

“It’s just so disappointing,” began Matt Bucknor. “We come in at halftime down one point… and then we just let things snowball with one big play after another.

“Drew’s a great player and we have a lot of great players. That’s why we’re a team: it’s never going to be one player that’s going to win us a game or lose a game. Of course, you never want to see a quarterback go down — or any player go down — but when that happens you have to step up.”

IT RAINED, IT POURED… AND THE WEATHER SUCKED, TOO

Willy’s injury wasn’t the only concern post-game. Slotback Nick Moore, the CFL’s leading receiver entering the game, didn’t take a snap in the second half. Right tackle Devin Tyler pulled up lame as did linebacker Graig Newman.

But players are hurt in every game. And while Brohm struggled mightily in relief, again, the Eskimos responded positively with electrifying rookie QB James Franklin coming off the bench to replace Matt Nichols and complete five of eight passes for 83 yards, three of them for touchdowns.

But it was that Bomber response, or lack thereof, which had steam coming out of Chris Randle’s ears afterward.

“We need to handle adversity a little bit better,” said the veteran linebacker. “This is the second case where our leader, our quarterback, went down and we didn’t respond the way we’re supposed to.

“We are a better team than what we played out there. I know we’re better than that. Now we’ve got to go out there and prove it. It’s about understanding the situation. Our leader went down and so everyone’s level has to raise up. That just didn’t happen, on special teams, on defence, on the offensive line… but it has to.

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“When our leader goes down it’s on everyone else to fill that void.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait

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