5 Burning Questions begging for answers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2010 (5812 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WEEK 15

BLUE BOMBERS (3-10) vs. LIONS (5-8)

Free Press football writer Adam Wazny breaks down Monday’s big game at Canad Inns Stadium…

THE 4-1-1

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.

The broadcast/telecast: CJOB/TSN

The point spread: Bombers by 3

Streaks: Bombers — 3L; Lions — 2W

Home/away: Bombers are 3-3 at home; Lions are 3-3 on the road.

The coaches: Paul LaPolice is in his first year as the Bomber head coach and is 3-10. Wally Buono is in his eighth season as the Lions coach and general manager. In 21 years as a CFL head coach, the future Hall of Famer has a 240-130-3 record.

FYI: If they can squeeze out a couple more victories and stay ahead of Winnipeg and Edmonton, it will be the 14th straight year the Lions have made the playoffs.

OF NOTE:

– Since their first meeting in 1954, the Bombers hold an 80-71-2 record against the Leos. Winnipeg has lost four straight against the Lions at home, however, having last beat B.C. at Canad Inns Stadium five years ago (Oct. 10, 2005).

– Winnipeg is 3-3 at home this season, with closeness of final score indicating the Winnipeg side. When the game is close, the Bombers lose; when it’s a blow-out, the home side wins.

Margin of victory in the three Winnipeg wins: 75 points.

Margin of victory in three Winnipeg losses: 17 points.

FIVE BURNING BOMBER QUESTIONS BEGGING FOR ANSWERS

1. Is Alex Brink the answer?

The Bombers have made a drastic move at the most important position this week, choosing rookie Alex Brink over Steven Jyles at quarterback. The move raised more than a few eyebrows, as the team still has a shot at the post-season and Jyles has put up some decent numbers. His win-loss record, though, is 2-6. Can Brink right the ship? Is the quarterback position holding this team back? As you can tell, there are more questions than answers this week.

2. How much scoreboard watching can one team endure?

With B.C. starting to win games, the crossover in the West has all but evaporated. That means the Bombers focus for the post season once again lies on Toronto and Hamilton — two East clubs who are struggling to put Winnipeg away. Realistically, the Bomb Squad needs to go 4-1 down the stretch and hope the Argos (or Ticats) to really stumble. There is no room for error in Winnipeg anymore.

3. Will Fred Reid play a bigger role in the rematch?

With Brink starting at quarterback, expect the Lions to get a healthy dose of Reid in the game. After touching the ball just 13 times (for 72 yards) last game, Reid — second in the CFL in the rushing race — should be raring to go. The Lions have the second-worst run defence average in the league (132 yards against per game) and are susceptible to a pounding run game. Backup RB Yvenson Bernard’s name has come up a lot this week, so the Bombers coaches seem to be subscribing to this theory, as well.

4. Does Greg Carr need to show he’s not just a one-game wonder?

After lighting the Polo Park area on fire with his two-TD, 184-yard debut against Montreal two weeks ago, the rookie cooled off in Vancouver last game. He caught seven balls for 84 yards, but his two drops had many thinking of the player he replaced in the lineup, Adarius Bowman. Carr, whose route running still needs some work, needs to prove that first game wasn’t a fluke if he wants to keep his starting spot.

5. When do Bomber fans start to ask “Where are the results?”

A loss by the Bombers Monday, and the team can do no better than the 7-11 record put together by the Mike Kelly circus a year prior. Among the many reasons Kelly was fired was the fact, simply put, that the team wasn’t good enough. Well, here we are now. The Bombers are faced with at a minimum a third straight losing season and another non-playoff campaign. Entertaining football is back in Winnipeg — no question — but where are the wins?

KEY MATCHUP

The combatants: Bombers kickoff coverage versus Lions kick return man Yonus Davis.

The storyline: Two weeks ago, the Lions dynamo had 244 yards on punt and kickoff returns, earning a player of the week honour. Last weekend against Winnipeg, Davis dialed up another 150 yards running back kicks — giving the struggling Lions offence great field position. Outside of kicking the ball into the third row, how do the Bombers limit Davis this time: “It has to be a total team effort to stop him,” Bombers special teamer Pierre-Luc Labbe said. “You want to get down there fast and force him to make a decision, but two or three other guys have to be there to wrap him up. We didn’t make the tackle (last game). We had chances to make plays and we just missed it. We can’t afford to make those mistakes with him. He’s one of the best in the league, alongside Chad Owens (Argos) and Jovon Johnson (Bombers).”

WHO HAS THE EDGE?

OFFENCE

Quarterback

Alex Brink vs. Travis Lulay. The Bombers are starting the rookie Brink in place of Steven Jyles, while Lulay makes his fourth start of the year. Just based on game experience, Lulay gets the nod here.

Edge: Lions

Running back

Bombers RB Fred Reid has 1,041 yards, good for second in the CFL; B.C.’s Jamal Robertson is averaging over seven yards a carry, but doesn’t see the ball enough.

Edge: Bombers.

Receiver

Coming into the weekend action, SB Terrence Edwards was first in receiving yards and dynamic rookie SB Terence Jeffers-Harris is back in the lineup. SB Paris Jackson is banged up, but the Lions have some weapons in Geroy Simon and Eric Arceneaux.

Edge: Even.

Offensive line

For the most part, Winnipeg’s O-line has been trending above average. The Lions have given up the most sacks (44) in the league this year.

Edge: Bombers.

DEFENCE

Defensive line

The Bombers line is one of the top units in the country. The B.C. group is no slouch, either. Phillip Hunt and Odell Willis have 22 sacks between them. Tough to ignore that stat.

Edge: Bombers.

Linebackers

The Bombers have had some issues in this area all year. The Lions linebackers get lost in the shuffle between a solid D-line and an outstanding secondary.

Edge: Even

Secondary

Playmakers and intangibles on both sides of the ball, so let’s defer to the numbers. Winnipeg has just 10 interceptions this season; B.C. has 16 picks.

Edge: Lions.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicking

Winnipeg’s Justin Palardy missed a key field goal last weekend which would have been the difference for the Blue and Gold. Punter Mike Renaud — who has been sick all week — averages 44.4 yards a boot, putting him among the league leaders. On the Lions side, Paul McCallum — the best leg in the land — has a bad hamstring and will not play. Sean Whyte gets the start.

Edge: Bombers.

Return game

Yonus Davis had 121 yards on punt returns, winning the battle with Winnipeg’s Jovon Johnson last week. The Bomber returner needs to be a difference-maker this time around.

Edge: Even.

Kick-cover units

See the last point. Winnipeg has to do a better job of containing Davis and not giving the Lions decent field position. B.C. did a great job against the Winnipeg returners last game, holding them to just 62 total yards.

Edge: Lions.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca