Game Day: 3 Keys to Victory

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/07/2009 (5929 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

1. MOVE THE STICKS, BIG ‘O’

The coaches, media and even the players keep referring to the 2009 Bombers as a "work in progress" and that’s most obvious on offence where it has been boom or bust for quarterback Stefan LeFors and his charges. As much as the offence was ecstatic with its production and growth from the loss in Edmonton to the win over Calgary last week, they also cringed at the plays they didn’t quite complete because a throw was too high, a pass route was too shallow or a block was missed. Entering Week 3 action the Bombers were leading the CFL in rushing at 152.5 yards per game, but the passing attack ranks dead last at 165.5 yards per outing. A handful of LeFors’ passes were too high or errant against the Stamps and it’s affected his completion percentage — an icky 46.6 — and his league-worst QB efficiency rating among starters of 68.89. The Bombers need to keep pounding the ball with Fred Reid and Lavarus Giles, but have yet to strike fear into defences through the air. Terrence Edwards did score twice against Calgary, but Romby Bryant — the team’s deadliest home-run threat has just five catches for 57 yards in two games and Adarius Bowman and Brock Ralph have but 10 catches between them. That must change.

2. MORE THIEVERY FROM THE DEFENSIVE DOZEN

We shouldn’t pick on the offence for too long because one of the most encouraging developments through two weeks has been its ball protection. In fact, the offence’s ability to hang onto the ball coupled with the zeal the defence and special teams have shown to steal it away from the opposition means that for the first time in eons the Bombers currently lead the CFL in the turnover ratio at plus-6 (eight takeaways and just two giveaways). To put that number in perspective, Winnipeg was a minus-13 in that ratio last year (7th overall), was fourth overall at plus-5 in 2007 and minus-11 in 2006 (6th overall) and hasn’t led the league in this department since 2003 (plus-21). As well, the Bombers have seven TDs in two games and, get this, linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz (interception return for a score) and special-teams ace Shawn Gallant (fumble return for a TD) are just one back of Edwards and Lavarus Giles for the team TD lead. Good defences force teams to punt, but great defences force teams to punt AND set their offences up in prime real estate — or score themselves — by making their opponent cough the ball up repeatedly.

3. WELCOME BACK, BIG GUY… NOW LET’S SEE SOME HEAT

The Bombers are doing backflips and cartwheels with the news defensive tackle Doug Brown, the best at his position in the CFL, will be back at his old post tonight after he missed the first two games with viral meningitis. Not coincidentally, while Brown was away the defence managed just two sacks from tackles Donald Oramasionwu and Dorian Smith while ends Fred Perry and Gavin Walls — two perennial sack kings — have yet to get to the QB. What Brown’s presence alongside Dorian Smith (starting over Tyrone Williams) should do is draw double teams from the centre and a guard and put Walls and Perry in one-on-one situations with two familiar faces, Dan Goodspeed and Alex Gauthier.