Five storylines to ponder heading into today’s game between the Roughriders and Bombers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/06/2015 (3757 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA — Five storylines to ponder heading into today’s CFL regular-season game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers:

1. The Bombers offensive line versus the Riders defensive line.

Bombers fans have been hearing for months about how a radically revamped offensive line is going to provide better pass protection and improve the run game in 2015.

But talk is cheap and that new O-line will face its first real test against a ferocious front four that includes last year’s sack leader in John Chick at one end position and former Bombers sack leader Alex Hall at the other end position.

Toss in arguably the best nose tackle in the league in Tearrius George and Bombers fans will be able to judge for themselves whether Winnipeg’s new O-line can live up to all the hype.

Key matchup — Hall will line up opposite Bombers right tackle Jace Daniels and right guard Sukh Chungh. If the Bombers new O-line is vulnerable, it’s on the right side and Hall will provide a major test for Daniels and Chungh.

2. Can Winnipeg shut down the Saskatchewan run game?

The Bombers had the worst run defence in the CFL last season and teams in the West Division — and the Riders in particular — simply ran the ball down Winnipeg’s throat as the season wore on.

The Bombers have a new defensive co-ordinator in Richie Hall and a much bigger front seven that includes a former NFLer in defensive end Jamaal Westerman. All of it is geared to be more effective against the run and it will be tested by a very good Saskatchewan run game tonight that includes Jerome Messam and Anthony Allen.

If the Bombers defence still cannot stop the Saskatchewan run game, it’s going to be a long night — and maybe a long season.

3. Can Winnipeg establish its own run game?

The Bombers struggled to establish a run game in 2014 and that put way too much pressure on young quarterback Drew Willy and an overmatched offensive line.

Paris Cotton, who took over tailback duties late last season, is back and the Bombers are hoping he can build on the flashes he showed in a small sample size late last year. In four starts last season, Cotton averaged 85.3 yards per game — the equivalent of a 1,534-yard 18-game season.

The Bombers would be thrilled — and their passing game would be exponentially better — if Cotton comes anywhere near to replicating those numbers in 2015. The first real indicator will come tonight against a Riders front seven that now includes premier middle linebacker Shea Emry, who was acquired by the Riders from Toronto in an off-season deal that sent DE Ricky Foley back to Toronto.

4. Can Richie Hall figure out Darian Durant?

No defensive co-ordinator in the CFL knows the Saskatchewan QB better than Hall, who was the longtime DC in Regina before the Bombers hired him.

Durant has been the Riders starting QB since 2009 and has feasted on Winnipeg defences, posting an eye-popping 11-2 record against the Bombers in 13 starts.

But Durant comes into the 2015 season with some question marks after a devastating elbow injury sustained during last year’s Banjo Bowl cost him the second half of the 2014 season. And if anyone knows the vulnerabilities of Durant, it’s Hall, whose defences practised against him the last four seasons.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

5. Can the Bombers figure out the Mosaic Field hex?

The Bombers haven’t won in Regina since 2004, an agonizing 0-11 run that has been sending Bombers fans home with their tails between their legs for over a decade now.

A run like that has to end sooner than later. Right?

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek