Big Blue look for first road win of season

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This article was published 26/07/2024 (422 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — It’s been a rough ride for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers so far this season, particularly when it comes to playing on the road.

The Bombers are a dismal 2-5 through seven games, with both victories coming on home turf. Three times this year they’ve ventured outside the friendly confines of Princess Auto Stadium and all three games have resulted in losses.

The Blue and Gold will look to buck that trend and get their season back on track when they take on the Toronto Argonauts in a Week 8 matchup at BMO Field Saturday night.

“Once the dust settles, usually, no matter where you’re playing, it’s just a game,” quarterback Zach Collaros said during the Bombers media availability Friday. “It just comes down to execution and scoring touchdowns.”

Meanwhile, the 3-3 Argos are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who earned their first victory of the year with a 27-24 triumph at Tim Horton’s Field. The Boatmen will be hoping to rebound at home, where they’re 2-1 this season and 11-1 dating back to the start of the 2023 campaign.

Let’s dive deeper into the game with the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

SPOTLIGHT BACK ON OFFENCE

It was another stinker last week for Collaros and the Bombers offence. The group showed signs of life in a thrilling 41-37 victory over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 6 but mustered just three field goals in a 19-9 defeat to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Friday.

Collaros went another game without passing for a touchdown — he has just two in six games — and threw another costly interception while in scoring position, bringing him to a league-worst seven picks. Winnipeg generated 322 yards of net offence against the Riders, marking the sixth time in seven games they’ve had fewer than 350 yards.

The struggles have certainly been weighing on the offence, especially after leading the CFL in almost every meaningful statistical category last season. It’s created angst among the fan base, too — a group that has been spoiled by such spectacular play from the offence for years and now expect nothing less.

Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce predictably threw his full support behind Collaros, adding everyone, including himself, needed to be better. It’s the obvious call to stick with No. 8, as Collaros still gives this team the best chance of winning.

SOMETHING’S GOT TO GIVE

If I had a nickel for every time Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea talked about how great the new receivers that were brought into camp this year are, I’d be able to make change for a toonie. Friday, when asked about the sudden and surprising release of Rasheed Bailey from the Toronto Argonauts and whether his return to Winnipeg could be an asset to the Bombers, O’Shea referred to the “damn good” group of new receivers they already have.

Let’s recap what is apparently solid stuff, according to the Bombers bench boss, who has opted to start three rookie receivers, including Ontaria Wilson, Josh Johnson and Kevins Clercius. The trio has combined for 39 catches for 521 yards and one touchdown.

Those modest numbers look a lot less impressive when you consider Wilson accounted for 13 of those catches, 201 of the yards and the lone touchdown in the victory over the Stampeders. This isn’t meant to pick on these players, nor question O’Shea’s confidence in their talent, but something eventually has to give.

The Bombers have veteran receiver Lucky Whitehead on the practice roster itching to get into a game and management has reached out to Bailey’s camp following his release. Another lame performance by the offence and fingers need to be pointed at the head coach rather than the QB.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME

What’s become abundantly clear this season is with a lack of an aerial attack, the blueprint to beat the Bombers starts with stopping the run. Winnipeg needs to change that if they hope to make the playoffs.

Brady Oliveira has played well since returning from an injury earlier in the year. He leads the club with a combined 586 yards, including 415 rushing and 171 through the air. Twice this season he’s been the team’s leading rusher and receiver after a game, including last week versus the Riders.

There’s been some success running the ball; Winnipeg is averaging 101 rushing yards per game, putting them third in the CFL behind Toronto (129) and Calgary (102). That number is somewhat bloated from a few standout performances, meaning the Bombers need to be more consistent and not rely on beating up on the teams that struggle containing the run.

On that note, the task ahead won’t be easy, as the Argos rank second in the league, allowing 58 rushing yards a game. A big part of that success, however, has been from the play defensive tackle Jared Brinkman, who just landed on the 6-game injured list.

As with the entire offence, there’s plenty of blame to go around. Getting back to that bully style of football will take a complete effort, and will be key to a lot of the issues currently ailing the Blue and Gold.

TWO’S A CROWD

The Argos will start quarterback Cameron Dukes under centre, but don’t be surprised if there’s a QB shuffle at some point in the game.

Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said he hoped to play both Dukes and fellow pivot Nick Arbuckle, adding there’s a risk when considering playing two quarterbacks, as it can be tough to find a rhythm on offence. He did the same thing last week, in the loss to the Tiger-Cats, replacing Dukes with Arbuckle late in the game.

Dukes has been hit and miss since taking over the No. 1 job from Chad Kelly, who remains sidelined for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy. Arbuckle came in last week and looked reliable, able to push the ball down field with better success.

As for Dukes, who will likely get a majority of the reps, he’s a lot more dangerous with his feet than Arbuckle, able to take off at a split second. Combined with running back Ka’Deem Carey, the Argos lead the league in rushing, averaging 129 yards a game.

It’s something the Bombers defence is acutely aware of. Stopping it, though, is a whole other thing. A solid run game can open up the passing attack, and Winnipeg hasn’t exactly been able to limit big plays downfield this year.

The good news is Toronto has also allowed the most sacks against in 2024, with 14. It will be incredibly important to get to the quarterback quickly, regardless of who’s behind centre.

GRANT ON BRINK OF HISTORY

One can only imagine what the Bombers are feeling and thinking every time they see Janarion Grant return a touchdown. Collaros said during the Bombers media availability that it felt like every time the Argos were on TV, he was getting a text message asking him if he’s seen what Grant is up to.

The answer: A heck of a lot.

Grant leads the league in return touchdowns, with three, including one in each of his last three games. If he can score a fourth against his former team on Saturday, he will set a new CFL record for the longest consecutive streak of scoring a return TD.

Grant is dangerous every time he touches the ball. His ability to find holes and hit them with intense speed, while not worrying about taking contact despite being 157 pounds, has made him once again must-see TV.

The Bombers will have their hands full trying to contain — for many on the roster — a former teammate in Grant, who spent four years in Winnipeg. Punt and kickoff coverage hasn’t been great, ranked last and second last, respectively.

Watching Grant make CFL history with another return TD, for another team, will definitely hurt. It will hurt even more when you consider the Bombers opted to move on from him; meanwhile, they’re on their third attempt at finding their own returner.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jefkhamilton