Blue Bombers losing streak continues

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This article was published 30/06/2024 (479 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY – The hits keep on coming for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Another week, another defeat, this time in a nail-biter to the Calgary Stampeders, 22-19, in overtime at McMahon Stadium Saturday night.

Not even a gutsy fourth-quarter comeback can take the sting away from this one, with the Bombers now a dismal 0-4 on the season and still in the basement of the West Division standings.

While the losing streak continues to grow, hovering above the CFL club like a dark cloud, the result was overshadowed after the game by the status of star quarterback Zach Collaros.

Collaros was on the receiving end of a heavy hit by Stampeders defensive lineman Josiah Coatney, who drove his helmet into the Collaros’ rib cage, ultimately ending his night at halftime.

Chris Streveler took over to start the third quarter, and with some late-game heroics, led the Bombers back into the game. His touchdown pass to Drew Wolitarsky tied the game with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

But an interception in the end zone by former Bomber Demerio Houston in extra time, followed by a 52-yard field goal by Rene Parades on the Stampeders ensuing drive, sealed the victory for the home side, improving Calgary’s record to 2-1.

The Bombers return home to lick their wounds and get ready for a Week 5 matchup against the visiting Ottawa Redblacks. It’s the second and final game between the two clubs, with the Redblacks earning a 23-19 home win back in Week 2.

But before we look too far ahead, let’s take a glance back at Saturday’s loss to the Stampeders in the latest edition of 5 Takeaways.

COLLAROS LEAVES GAME

Collaros remained on the turf for some time following the hit, in what appeared to be a classic case of getting the wind knocked out of you. That seemed even more probable once he got to his feet, jogged to the sideline and then anxiously waited the mandatory three plays before re-entering the game.

Collaros lasted two more plays, including one throw, before being pulled. The Bombers decided to keep him out after he was experiencing some issues breathing during the break.

The Bombers medical staff took a closer look at Collaros on Sunday, so we’ll know more this week when the Bombers return to the field for practice Monday or Tuesday. If it proves more serious than expected, that would be a massive blow to an offence already without all-star receivers Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen.

On the receiver front, help is on the way. The Bombers have signed Lucky Whitehead to a one-year contract, coming in under $100,000.

It’s going to take a few days to process his admission into Canada, so it’s unclear what Whitehead’s availability will be for this week against the Redblacks.

At 32 years old, and with a history of getting injured, we’ll see how much can be expected from Whitehead at this stage of his career. But given how thin the Bombers are at receiver, it’s more than worth the gamble.

NEED MORE FROM NO. 8

Who had Streveler throwing Winnipeg’s first passing touchdown of the season, let alone in Week 4?

While it would be catastrophic to lose Collaros, the reality is he hasn’t looked anything like the player he’s been the last few years. Collaros, who left Saturday’s game eight-for-12 passing for 55 yards and one interception, hasn’t thrown for a touchdown since Week 20 of last season.

Collaros has been off on several passes this year and hasn’t been able to find a rhythm with the offence. It doesn’t help that he’s missing his top two targets, as well as playing behind an offensive line that is clearly struggling, but that doesn’t change the fact that he simply hasn’t been sharp this year.

Credit to Streveler for bringing in some much-needed energy to the huddle and giving the Bombers a real chance at victory. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Streveler doesn’t have an accurate enough arm right now to be a trusted No. 1, and when Collaros is on his game, there’s no one in the league more dangerous. But Streveler proved he deserves a longer look and should factor into more offensive plays, especially if Collaros isn’t at 100 per cent.

OFFENCE STAYS GROUNDED

The Bombers went into Saturday with the plan to lean on Brady Oliveira and the run game. By the end, though, Oliveira had 10 carries totalling 26 yards, including just two carries for three yards in the second half.

The lack of touches for Oliveira in the final two quarters wasn’t overly surprising when you consider the Stampeders loaded the box to force Streveler to beat them with his arm. But, it is another example of the Bombers being forced to abandon their game plan, while failing to adjust well enough to what the defence is giving them.

Which comes back to play-calling. Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce, whether by design or necessity, relied too heavily on Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky, while seemingly ignoring the rest of the receiver group until their backs were up against the wall.

The Bombers finished with 297 net offensive yards. That’s the second time this season Winnipeg has failed to hit the 300-yard mark, with the best performance totalling 339 yards in a Week 4 loss to the B.C. Lions.

In 2023, the offence led the league in average rush yards (139.1) and offensive yards (414.7) per game. The Bombers entered Saturday averaging the sixth most rushing yards, at 78.7, and a league-worst 310.7 offensive yards per game.

Calgary has a good defence, but when has that been an excuse for this offence – a unit that’s led the league for years? Perhaps we’ve just been spoiled by their greatness, and this is the new normal for now.

A STRONG DEFENSIVE EFFORT

For a second there, it looked like Jake Maier had found his game again after a rough 2023 campaign, completing nearly 80 per cent of his passes through the first two games. But, the Stampeders quarterback was nothing close to being that effective against the Bombers defence, who had limited Maier to 239 passing yards despite attempting 43 throws.

Indeed, it was another solid effort from Winnipeg’s defence, especially after surrendering nearly 400 passing yards and 500 offensive yards to the Lions a week earlier. It’s even more impressive that the Stampeders were limited to just 307 offensive yards when you consider the Bombers are still decimated by injuries, including to several defensive starters.

The glaring issue on defence has been a lack of turnovers. The Bombers had two through three games, so two against the Stampeders is a promising sign.

However, given their trouble generating pressure from the D-line – Winnipeg didn’t register a sack against Calgary, with just three on the year – and a lack of ball hawks in the secondary, it was hard to see Houston reel in that interception in OT, giving him two picks in three games, and not think how badly the Bombers could use a player like him.

SPECIAL TEAMS ROUNDING INTO FORM

It was undoubtedly the best game of the year for special teams.

Sergio Castillo went four-for-four on field goals, saving his best for last. Castillo made good on a 60-yard boot in the fourth quarter, taking full advantage of a heavy wind behind him.

The kick puts Castillo in the record books, setting a new franchise mark for the Bombers and moving into second place for the longest field goal in CFL history. It wasn’t the right time to celebrate for Castillo, but that’s a pretty amazing feat, with the kick also a critical part of the fourth-quarter comeback.

Chris Smith also looks like the answer at returner. It was his second game since returning from injury and he did an admirable job, racking up 63 yards on four punts and 25 yards on his lone kickoff return.

Also deserving of praise was the kickoff and punt coverage teams. The Bombers limited the Stampeders to a 4.5-yard average on four punt returns, as well as an average of 23 yards on three kickoffs.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton