Plenty of intrigue in Bombers-Redblacks rematch

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This article was published 16/06/2022 (1180 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — After going more than two years without playing each other, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Ottawa Redblacks will meet for the second time in as many weeks.

The Bombers managed to squeak out a 19-17 win last week at IG Field, the final dagger coming in the dying seconds in the form a 25-yard field goal. They’re now in enemy territory for the rematch, which goes down at TD Place Friday night, with the chance to improve to 2-0 on the season.

If that’s to happen, the Bombers are going to have to put forth a much better effort than they did last week. Indeed, Winnipeg looked nothing like a club coming off back-to-back Grey Cups, even if they still left with two points.

“More consistent play. I mean, better play, of course,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said when asked what he hoped to see improved this week. “You’d like to see just a higher level, more to our standard, throughout the full game instead of just fits and spurts and then just pull it out at the end.”

With that, here are five storylines to keep an eye on heading into Friday’s game.

1) The Bombers feel they got away with one last week, while the Redblacks no doubt feel ripped-off for their efforts. I asked Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice how long he stewed over the loss, given how well he game-planned against his former team, and he recited the old 24-hour rule where you take a day to lick your wounds before moving on.

I’m not totally buying it. The Redblacks made some crucial but fixable errors last week and I expect them to come out even more prepared this week. Especially for what will be the first game in front of a home crowd.

The Bombers also have plenty to prove. They weren’t using it as an excuse but said that there were some early-season jitters, the byproduct of not playing a lot of their starters during the preseason and the excitement of unveiling the 2021 Grey Cup banner before kickoff last week.

Both clubs have said all the right things. Now it comes down to who can walk the walk.

2) The Bombers defence took a lot of flak last week, and rightfully so. That’ll happen when you give up big yards to a team that finished in last place a year ago, even if Ottawa has several new pieces this season.

I’d argue it’s the offence that needs to pull its weight this week. Bombers QB Zach Collaros, the reigning most outstanding player form 2021, noted during Thursday’s media availability he hoped to be better with his reads and more accurate with his throws.

Part of that success will be based on whether Winnipeg can establish the run, which was pretty much non-existent in Week 1, with a combined 27 rushing yards between Brady Oliveira and Johnny Augustine. The Bombers also need better outings from veteran receivers Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey, a duo that is being leaned on even more this season following the departures of Kenny Lawler and Darvin Adams.

It all starts with the offensive line. That’s a proud group and you know they’re going to want to make up for a disappointing showing a week ago.

3) So, about the Bombers defence.

The new-look secondary had a rough debut, allowing Redblacks QB Jeremiah Masoli to complete 71 per cent of his passes for 380 yards. A significant chunk of that went to receiver Jaelon Acklin, who set a new career high with 143 yards on six catches.

O’Shea said LaPolice will likely incorporate a few new looks, but that he expected Ottawa to continue to test the Bombers deep down field. Masoli attempted eight 20-plus yard passes last week, connecting on four of them, with another deep throw — and sure touchdown — dropped by Acklin.

Winston Rose struggled to keep Acklin in check, while first-year Bomber Tyqwan Glass got beat for Ottawa’s lone touchdown. Expect a more composed unit Friday, with the focus at practice this week all about improving communication and limiting explosive plays.

The defensive line was able to stuff the run, limiting Ottawa to just 61 yards on the ground, but they were unable to get to Masoli quickly enough to prevent him from shredding the secondary. What should help in this department is the return of all-star defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, who missed last week with a sore ankle.

I don’t have too much concern over the Bombers defence, and here’s why: after giving up 243 yards of offence and 11 points in the first half, they gave up 188 yards and just six points, while also forcing three turnovers, in the second. The final 30 minutes was what we’re used to seeing from this group.

4) If you’re tired of hearing about the Bombers kicking situation, well, join the club. But the fact remains that until Marc Liegghio can find consistency and not put the team in a tight position with missed kicks then it will continue to be a significant part of the team’s narrative this season.

Last week, Liegghio made both of his field goals, and he deserves credit for coming through on the game-winning kick, but he pushed wide a convert that had the Bombers not found a way to drive the field late in the game, led by backup QB Dru Brown, then the night would have been for none.

There’s also an added wrinkle this week. With backup pivot Dakota Prukop added to the six-game injured list, the Bombers need a new holder. Brown might be the guy, or possibly rookie receiver Dalton Schoen, but either way it’s another moving piece in an already unstable operation.

5) With Prukop on the shelf for the foreseeable future, the Bombers have added QB Joe Mancuso to the roster and the 24-year-old product out of the University of Richmond will dress.

While O’Shea wasn’t willing to confirm his role for this week, it would only make sense that Mancuso will be leaned on for short-yardage duty. While I’m sure Brown is capable, there’s got to be a preference to use the 6-3, 218-pound new guy over Brown, who is 5-11 and 195 pounds.

I can’t imagine Collaros would be asked to play such a role, especially after last week’s scare, where he banged his head on the turf and was forced from the game by a league concussion spotter. By the way, Collaros is feeling just fine from the hit, no worse for wear despite a history of head injuries.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton