3 Keys to Victory

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/09/2009 (5850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

1. IT’S CALLED ‘HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE’ FOR A REASON

Sorry to open up a wound which is still likely festering for some, but the last time the Bombers took to their home pitch they threw up all over the place. A 55-10 spanking in the Banjo Bowl featured ‘Fire Kelly’ banners, fans with paper bags over their heads and a ‘We want Reinebold!’ chant. Nice. Winnipeg is just 1-3 at home this year — the highlight a 42-30 victory over the Calgary Stampeders back on July 10. In the three home dates since then, all losses, the Bombers have been outscored 113-27, including a 19-5 snoozer to the Argos that had even the most chronic insomniac sawing logs by halftime. But with the meat of their home schedule still remaining the Bombers need to start taking care of business in their own backyard if they want to keep alive their faint playoff chances. Head coach Mike Kelly was speaking glowingly on Friday of the power of the 13th man, but that supposed intangible can also turn against you in a nanosecond if the product on the field ain’t getting it done.

2. DUDLEY, OTIS, ADARIUS AND BROCK — LAW FIRM OR RECEIVING CORPS?

The Bombers unveil their new crew of receivers tonight — minus Titus Ryan (reserve list) and Jabari Arthur (nine-game injured) and without Terrence Edwards (concussion). Otis Amey makes his CFL debut, Dudley Guice, Jr. dresses for his second game and Brock Ralph returns from a hip injury to join Adarius Bowman. It’s not exactly the corps fans were eager to see in action at the start of the season, a group that included three 1,000-yard receivers in Edwards, Romby Bryant (traded to Calgary) and Derick Armstrong (released). But, for what it’s worth, QB Michael Bishop and the offensive staff have been raving about the work these guys have done all week. The proof will be in the passing totals, fellas, and in eight games this year the Bombers haven’t mustered even 200 yards passing. That’s positively criminal in this league.

3. LASSO PICKETT AND ROBERTSON

As veteran Kerry Joseph sits and watches, the Boatmen have handed their starting QB chores to the 29-year-old Cody Pickett. He doesn’t overwhelm you with a cannon arm, but he moves around well and has a juicy completion percentage of 63.2. That said, his performance against the Lions last week — 11 of 23 with two picks — made him look like a rookie, as he was slow to pull the trigger and when he did made critical mistakes. The Bombers need to corral him — we’re using the clever cowboy analogies because the man is a legit rodeo guy and his dad is in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame — and shut down running back Jamal Robertson. It was Robertson who hurt the Bombers in the Argos’ win back in July, rushing for 101 yards and a TD while pulling in another four passes for 42 yards. If the Bombers can get to Pickett and limit the effectiveness of Robertson while getting some offensive production of their own, it might be enough.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of our Three Keys at winnipegfreepress.com.

Free Press football writer ED TAIT outlines how the Bombers could win tonight