Bombers in unfamiliar territory — 2nd place

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/06/2023 (815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s a new top dog heading into Week 4 action in the CFL.

The unbeaten B.C. Lions (3-0) rule the three-down castle after bullying the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-1) by a 30-6 score Thursday night. That kicked off the week’s slate of games, followed by another butt-whooping, with the Montreal Alouettes (2-0) earning a 38-12 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-3) on Friday.

Finally, there was some much-needed excitement Saturday, as Saskatchewan (2-1) and Calgary Stampeders (1-2) fought to the finish line, with the Roughriders prevailing 29-26 in double-OT. But it was a return to lopsided victories to close out the weekend, with the Toronto Argonauts (2-0) defeating the Edmonton Elks (0-3) 43-31 on Sunday night.

It was another busy week of news and drama on and off the field. Let’s dive into the most notable topics in the latest version of CFL Rundown.

1) This week will be the first the Bombers don’t find themselves in first place in the West since the start of the 2021 season. It was only the third home loss in the last 30 games at IG Field and the first home loss against a West opponent since the 2018 Banjo Bowl.

2) The biggest concern with the Bombers performance was the play of the offence, particularly the O-line, with QB Zach Collaros getting sacked seven times. What does it all mean? Probably nothing, but time will tell. I don’t feel good for the Alouettes, who now have to face an angry Bombers club.

3) B.C. looked good — like, really good. Especially the play of their defence. But I’m also curious about how much they’re buying into the hype. I noticed on Monday, four days after the game, the Lions were still celebrating the win on social media. Alexander Hollins, the Lions receiver who had a stellar game against the Bombers, made the post on Instagram, which included the caption: “We’ll walk in yo house and do whatever we want, on God!!!” There were several Lions teammates commenting, puffing their collective chests as if they won the Grey Cup. Kind of telling for a franchise that hasn’t won or played for a league title since 2011.

4) We’re now into the fourth week of wondering when Kenny Lawler will get the appropriate papers to work in Canada after pleading guilty to driving impaired back in April. I’m told the Bombers should be getting some clarity this week, but if doesn’t get figured out soon, there’s little chance Winnipeg’s all-star receiver will be back in the lineup in time to play Montreal.

5) Speaking of Montreal, after spanking the lowly Ticats to improve to 2-0, they boast a record nobody thought they would start the season. But are they good? They’ve played two teams that were without their starting QB, so the Bombers will for sure be their biggest test. But I like what QB Cody Fajardo has brewing with receiver Austin Mack; the defence hasn’t allowed a TD through two weeks; and Chandler Worthy is dangerous every time he returns the ball.

6) The Ticats are a mess. They look incredibly undisciplined and after pretty much buying a new team over the winter, none of it has come together. And it probably won’t with QB Bo Levi Mitchell on the 6-game injured list and Matthew Shiltz behind centre. Feeling like it’s going to be a long year in Steeltown, which has to suck for the fans in a year Hamilton is hosting the Grey Cup.

7) The CFL once again showed how spineless it is by giving Hamilton DB Chris Edwards a “maximum fine” rather than a suspension for his gutless stunt against Alouettes receiver Austin Mack. Edwards pretended to shake Mack’s hand, going as far as extending his arm for what seemed like an inevitable embrace, only to pull it back last second and deliver a two-handed sucker push, sending Mack barrelling to the turf. It’s not only extremely embarrassing for Edwards but for the entire CFL, as the stunt was caught on film and broadcasted over TSN. Edwards is also a repeat offender. He’s the player that jumped on to the concourse at BMO Field and took a swing at a fan following the 2021 East Final. He was given a six-game suspension for that, which was reduced to three following an appeal.

8) Brandon Banks spent the weekend in Hamilton and said he’s not yet retired. And while nothing appears to be in the works as far as a contract for this year, he noted he’s interested in returning to the Ticats. Not sure Hamilton would want to add another hot head like Banks, someone who is known for getting into verbal altercations on the sidelines, especially with this current bunch and nowhere near the player he was in Hamilton.

9) The Riders might have turned in a horrible season last year but that didn’t stop them from pulling out a big profit. Saskatchewan announced they made $7.2 million in 2022. More than half of that came from the Riders, at $3.9 million, with the other $3.3 million gained from hosting the Grey Cup.

10) The Stamps suffered a disappointing defeat to the Riders, but the biggest loss came earlier in the game when all-star receiver Malik Henry pulled up lame on a non-contact injury. The club’s greatest fears were later confirmed, as Henry was diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles and has been ruled out for the season. Calgary is already without receiver Reggie Begelton, who is one week removed from being placed on the 6-game. RB Ka’Deem Carey is also out long-term. Returner Peyton Logan was injured against the Riders, though we don’t know yet the severity. Needless to say, the Stamps are in big trouble. A small silver lining is they have the bye week now to heal and bring in some much-needed reinforcements.

11) A.J. Ouellette should start getting the attention he deserves after the Argonauts RB rushed for three TDs against the Elks. Ouellette is the perfect complement to Andrew Harris — another north-south runner who, at just 27 years old, has a lot of miles left in him. He’s getting a majority of the reps — the share of runs through two games is 75/25 in favour of Ouellette — but both bring a special energy to the huddle and are a big reason Toronto’s offence is flourishing under QB Chad Kelly.

12) You have to wonder how hot, if at all, the seat is for Elks GM/head coach Chris Jones, who is in the second of a four-year contract. Edmonton just lost an eye-popping 19th straight home game. And the misery isn’t just at home, either, as the Elks haven’t won a single game since Week 15 of last season — a stretch of seven consecutive losses. Jones is now 4-17 since taking over and the Elks look no closer to being a threat.

13) What’s more, the Elks have yet to name a starting QB for Week 4, not because of injury but owing to performance. Jones put all his cards on Taylor Cornelius, hoping that by surrounding him with talent at receiver and running back, he’d be able to flourish. Three games into the season, however, and it appears third-stringer Jarret Doege is set to start against the Ottawa Redblacks after getting a majority of the first-team reps this week. What a disaster.

14) The Big Pouty Baby award goes to former Elks QB Kai Locksley. I say former because Locksley was cut by Edmonton this week for what had to be over his immature behaviour during the loss to Toronto. After the Argos started to pull away in the third quarter, Locksley replaced Cornelius and on his first snap fumbled the ball. Jones decided to make an example of him, pulling Locksley from the game, only for Locksley to stand on the sidelines, with his arms crossed and several metres away from his teammates, for the remainder of the evening. It’s been reported that Locksley was called on to convert a short-yardage play but refused. That’s about as good a way as any to get cut.

15) The Elks are now on a short week, playing Friday against an Ottawa Redblacks club that should be feeling refreshed after having the bye week. Things aren’t going too well in Ottawa, though, as QB Jeremiah Masoli still isn’t fully recovered from the leg injury he suffered last season. Nick Arbuckle isn’t the answer, so the Redblacks will go with Tyrie Adams for Week 4. There’s still no guarantee that we see Masoli in Week 5.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton