No quick fix in Bomberland

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/09/2010 (5540 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a familiar scene — and an all-too painful one for Winnipeg Blue Bomber faithful — as the Canadian Football League season briefly pitstops before gearing up for the race to the November finish line:

The blue-and-gold jalopy with the Bomber logo is up on blocks, leaking oil and has smoke billowing out from under the hood.

Same deal in 2009. And ditto in 2008 for a franchise that has had one winning season in the past six years and would have to go 8-1 in the second half to finish the campaign with more wins than losses.

Yes, following a sixth consecutive loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Sunday’s annual Labour Day Classic the Bombers have reached the midway point of the 2010 season at 2-7 and with many of the same questions and concerns that hovered over the team at the beginning of the year — heck, over the last few years — still unanswered.

“If I was to describe our team right now I’d say we’re an ‘effort’ team,” said Doug Brown after Sunday’s loss. “But work as hard as you want, if you’re not going to be able to put any games away it doesn’t matter.

“I expect more from myself and my teammates. It’s just a shame for how proud this team has been over the years, for us to be 2-7 at this point… it’s tough.”

Tough to be a part of, tough to watch. And, apparently, tough to fix for the third regime in three years.

“I’d like us be more consistent and I’d like us to get more consistent on the roster,” said head coach Paul LaPolice. “The players are playing hard. No one is as frustrated as they are about not winning football games. The bottom line is that’s our job to win football games. There’s no consolation in saying we play hard each week. Our record is where it’s at and we’ve got to find ways to get better.”

Now, with the Bombers at the midway point of their season at 2-7 — if the playoffs started tomorrow they’d again be spectators — we thought we’d check in on the 10 questions/issues we presented at the beginning of training camp as critical to the franchise getting back to the winner’s circle.

1. THE NEW BRAIN TRUST

Say what you will about the record, but the players believe in this coaching staff and its schemes. We’ve also heard repeatedly from those who have come to Winnipeg from other organizations that this is a talented squad and that credit should be given to new GM Joe Mack and his staff. But where are the results, even with the injuries? Why do the first-place Calgary Stampeders see something in Jabari Arthur that the Bombers did not? Why isn’t Yvenson Bernard being used or — if he’s never going to step on the field — dealt to another organization, even for a late draft pick? Same for Ryan Donnelly, a veteran offensive lineman on the nine-game injured list but who is practising?

Granted, this regime is paying for the sins of those that came before them — Romby Bryant is done? Really? — but this is a bottom-line business and business isn’t very good right now.

2. CAN BUCK STAY UPRIGHT?

His first two games in Bomber colours were spectacular. But he’s now exited games three times in the first half of the season. His season is in jeopardy, perhaps his career. Love his tenacity and his want-to, but if he can’t stay healthy…

3. NO MORE WOE IS THE ‘O’ STUFF

Winnipeg was last in scoring in 2008 and the numbers fell in 2009. The new offensive attack is creative and it’s balanced, even with its inability to finish in the red zone. But there is also an obvious need for another home-run hitter to offset Terrence Edwards and the inconsistent Adarius Bowman. Terence Jeffers-Harris could be that target, but has missed the last four games with an ankle injury.

4. THE CANADIAN CONTENT — MORE STAR POWER NEEDED

This doesn’t get fixed overnight, but remains a concern. There are some promising newcomers in Chris Greaves, Chris Smith and Cory Watson, but Doug Brown isn’t getting any younger and Brendon LaBatte may get an NFL look.

5. THE NFL GUYS — ANY HOPE OF A RETURN?

The most important piece — DB Jonathan Hefney — will remain in Detroit on the practice roster. Linebacker Derrick Doggett returned but was cut. The Bombers and receiver Titus Ryan aren’t on the same page as to his possible return and Dudley Guice doesn’t appear to be in the team’s plans.

6. PLUGGING THE HOLES IN THE AIR DEFENCE

Hefney is missed and so, too, is Lenny Walls — although he’s injured and hardly tearing it up for Edmonton and may have been a better fit at outside linebacker. Clint Kent and LaVar Glover were solid pick-ups and Brandon Stewart and Alex Suber have shown flashes. A work in progress.

7. IT’S ABOUT ALL THOSE CHANGES ON ‘D’… WHAT GIVES?

All eyes here go to the linebacking corps, especially with Barrin Simpson and Siddeeq Shabazz released outright. Where is the next Ty Jones, Greg Battle, James West, Paul Randolph….

8. MORE WEAPONS, PLEASE

The Bombers didn’t have a 1,000-yard receiver a year ago, a first dating back to 1998 and a far cry from the receiving corps of 2007 and 2008 that each featured three 1K men. As we stated above, this is an area of need on offence.

9. SPECIAL TEAMS QUESTIONS

The foot soldiers and specialists began the season with nightmarish performances — including surrendering a TD on the opening kickoff of the first game — but have since settled and have been improving considerably.

Punter Mike Renaud has been solid as have the kick-cover units since the start of the year. But there remain some unanswered questions: Alexis Serna was cut but his replacement Louie Sakoda, has yet to kick. Emergency replacement Justin Palardy has been good on four of his five tries. Jovon Johnson is an excellent threat in punt returns, but the Bombers give up too much yardage without a bona fide kickoff return man.

10. WILL THE DROUGHT EVER END?

Some day, one day, the sun will shine on this franchise again in late November. But the dark cloud still hovers.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca