Brown’s stock falls after win in Calgary

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This article was published 21/08/2023 (755 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s an adage in professional sports that good teams find ways to win when they’re not at their best, while bad teams find ways to lose in games they seemed destined for victory.

That perfectly summed up Friday’s affair between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders, as the Blue and Gold squeaked out a 19-18 triumph in front of 20,106 at a wet and windy McMahon Stadium.

Dru Brown, making his first start of the season for an injured Zach Collaros (neck), led an up-and-down effort by the offence, completing 17 of his 27 passes for a modest 171 yards to earn his first career victory. The Bombers offence put up 257 yards compared to the Stamps’ 245, while time of possession was nearly identical.

It was Winnipeg’s defence that carried a majority of the load, limiting Calgary to six Rene Paredes field goals and scoring a game-changing touchdown late in the third quarter, while special teams also chipped in their fair share, as Sergio Castillo was perfect on four field goals to round out the scoring for the visitors.

The win improved the Bombers to 8-2, keeping them atop the West Division, while the loss dropped the Stampeders to 3-7, leaving them outside the playoff line for at least another week. Winnipeg also clinched the season series after winning the first meeting of the year, 24-11, back in Week 5; the two Division rivals will meet for a third time in the final week of the regular season, on Oct. 27 in Calgary.

Before we look too far ahead, let’s dig deeper into Friday’s win in the latest edition of 5 Takeaways.

1) This was a massive opportunity for Brown to showcase his talents across the CFL, and while he certainly didn’t stink up the joint, he also didn’t take full advantage either.

Brown became the talk of the league after leading the Bombers to a come-from-behind victory over the Edmonton Elks in Week 10.

The fact is another strong game would have only further improved Brown’s stock and almost certainly would have had several teams across the league bidding for his services once his contract expires at the end of the year.

But following an effort where Brown didn’t look nearly as accurate or explosive as he was in Edmonton, there’s no doubt his perceived value right now is less than it was at this point last week.

There were certainly some factors at play for why Brown was off his mark more than usual, including a heavy wind that, when playing against it, created an added layer of difficulty throwing the ball. But while Brown can be commended for not making any critical mistakes, he also had some luck on his side, as there were a couple of throws in the game that seemed like certain interceptions.

With Collaros possible to return to practice this week and be a player for Thursday’s home game against the Montreal Alouettes, it’s unclear how much more opportunity Brown will get before the end of the season. If he doesn’t see much action over the next few months, what that will mean for his future in the CFL, only time will tell.

2) The Stamps just can’t seem to get out of their own way, and with a little more execution and fewer glaring mistakes, they could have easily earned a much-needed two points against a sluggish Bombers club.

Where to start? Dropped balls continue to be an issue in Cowtown, definitely playing a role Friday. Tommylee Lewis, who was a stud for the Stamps all night in the return game, dropped a deep ball up the right sidelines that would have put Calgary into field-goal range, while Luther Hakunavanhu bobbled a ball at Winnipeg’s five-yard line for an easy TD.

Tre Roberson, Calgary’s veteran defensive back, also dropped an easy interception, while Jake Maier threw a pick later in the game that completely shifted momentum in favour of Winnipeg, as Demerio Houston reeled in his league-leading seventh pick and returned it to the house to put the Bombers up by four points heading into the fourth quarter.

Calgary only committed four penalties on the night, but it was an egregious roughing the passer penalty by Julian Howsare early in the fourth quarter that helped lead Winnipeg to what turned out to be the game-winning field goal. Then there was the shoddy place kicking by Paredes, who missed twice, including a 50-yarder with fewer than two minutes remaining.

3) Buck Pierce has done a tremendous job since taking over as offensive co-ordinator in 2020, but Friday was not his best work. And while I’m always hesitant to question play calling, as there are often several factors for why something doesn’t work, there are a few things that are just impossible to ignore.

Dakota Prukop has been an incredibly reliable short-yardage QB for the Bombers, and there’s not a single player in the CFL that I’d be more confident calling on when needing a yard or two. Just look at what he did in the final moments of the game, pushing through a pile of bodies for a first down on a critical third-and-two from Winnipeg’s 17 that ultimately sealed the game.

But twice Pierce called on Prukop on first-and-10 and on both occasions it went horribly. Prukop fumbled on both plays, leading to a pair of sacks and failed drives.

Following the first fumble, the Bombers were called for a time-count violation on the very next play, leading to a punt. On the second one, after Brown completed an 11-yard pass to Drew Wolitarsky to set up a third-and-one, the Bombers were late to call on the short-yardage team and took another time-count violation, forcing another punt the other way.

But while those sequences raised some eyebrows, what seemed most perplexing was the decision to abandon the run after it worked so well in the first half. There was some frustration in the locker room after the game, with a few players feeling the game wouldn’t have been nearly as close had they kept pounding the ball.

Despite Brady Oliveira having 73 of his 80 rushing yards in the first half, the Bombers rushed just four times compared to 13 pass attempts in the second, before once again leaning on the ground game to run out the clock. When you have Oliveira, Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey all chewing up yards and an O-line creating holes, it seemed odd to abandon it for a passing attack that never seemed to find its rhythm.

4) It’s not like the Bombers needed any more proof as to the importance of having a reliable kicker, but this weekend sure provided plenty.

Sergio Castillo has come as advertised this season, connecting on all but one of his 24 field-goal attempts. He made good from 18, 24, 26 and 42 yards, with the 42-yarder coming midway through the fourth quarter on what proved to be the deciding points.

You got to feel for Paredes, as it’s not often someone kicks six field goals in a game and is still viewed as the goat for missing twice. But as good as Paredes has been over his career, the knock against him has always been his distance, and missing a 50-yarder with the wind at his back and the game on the line will just add to that narrative.

Then there was former Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio in full meltdown mode a day earlier, as he missed three field goals and a convert in Hamilton’s 24-10 loss to the Elks on Thursday. There’s no point in piling on, and it should be noted Liegghio was 19-for-20 prior to that game, but there’s no doubt Winnipeg is in a much better place with a kicker they can trust.

5) The Bombers are missing all-star returner Janarion Grant.

Greg McCrae dazzled with a 102-yard return off a missed field goal in a win over Calgary in Week 5 — a game he also had a 68-yard receiving TD. McCrae was quickly viewed as a rising star but hasn’t been able to do much ever since.

On Friday, McCrae returned one kickoff for 17 yards and had three punt returns that combined for just 26. He also fumbled one of his returns, but was saved by Nick Hallett, who was able to recover the loose ball.

McCrae, who is averaging fewer than seven yards on punt returns and 20 yards on kickoffs this year, does deserve a lot of credit for returning the ball out of the end zone on Paredes’ late 50-yard attempt. Had he taken a knee, it would have tied the game.

But when you compare McCrae to what Calgary was able to do in the return game, you see just how important it is. Lewis carved up the Bombers, returning eight punts for 146 yards — an average of more than 18 yards per return, which was three times McCrae’s average on the night — and was even more dangerous on kickoffs, registering 91 yards on three runs.

Grant has missed the last five games since being assigned to the six-game injured list with an ankle injury and it’s unclear what his current health status is. We should find out more this week when the Bombers return to practice for a Week 12 matchup against the Montreal Alouettes at IG Field Thursday night.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton