INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/08/2009 (6227 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE:

Stampeders by 14.5 points.

STAMPEDERS VS. BOMBERS (since 1948)

The Stamps hold a slight edge all-time, with a record of 93-89; The Bombers are 4-6 in their last 10 vs. the Stampeders and 2-8 in their last 10 in Calgary.

BLUE ROSTER UPDATE

The Bombers have made just a couple of lineup adjustments, adding receiver Adarius Bowman for Craphonso Thorpe while Siddeeq Shabazz (ankle) will be replaced by Joe Lobendahn, who returns to the roster for the first time since Week 1.

AN ADDRESS FROM AN ALUMNUS

Former Bomber safety Scott Flagel spoke to the club after Friday’s practice. His message?

“He likes what he sees from this football team,” said head coach Mike Kelly. “It reminds him a lot of the Bombers of the ’80s. When Cal (Murphy) first came in here and started that run of excellence it was built around the defence and then the offence came along. He talked about Bomber pride and the type of culture the Bombers were known for in the ’80s and early ’90s. He talked about how some of that was lost and how he’s starting to see it come back.”

UP THE CHARTS

Stamps QB Henry Burris is closing in on Doug Flutie in four key passing categories atop the Calgary career charts: passing yards (Flutie: 20,551; Burris: 19,957); attempts (Flutie: 2,382; Burris: 2,267); completions (Flutie: 1,438; Burris: 1,375); and TD passes (Flutie: 140; Burris: 129).

Also worth noting: Since joining the Stamps in 2005 Burris has thrown more TD passes than any other CFL quarterback — 125. That’s four more than Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo and 25 more than Edmonton’s Ricky Ray.

JUICY NUMBERS

The Bombers lead the CFL with 13 interceptions and total takeaways with 22 and sport a turnover-ratio of plus-11. At this point last season Winnipeg was minus-9… The Bombers are 12-5 in games being decided by four points or less in the last four years… Winnipeg is 23-4 when holding a half-time lead over the last four years… RB Joffrey Reynolds needs 24 rushing yards to move past Lovell Coleman (6,395) into third place on the Stamps’ all-time list behind Kelvin Anderson (8,292) and Earl Lunsford (6,994).

SPEAK YOUR MIND:

Former Kelvin High School/University of Manitoba product Scott Coe — the long-time linebacker with Hamilton, Calgary and Edmonton — will work as the colour analyst alongside Bob Irving on CJOB’s broadcast. It will be Coe’s first stint behind the microphone.

FYI

Sandro DeAngelis’ 47-yard field-goal attempt in last week’s 24-23 loss to Saskatchewan — returned by Weston Dressler to help set up the winning score — has been his only miss of the season. DeAngelis has hit on 13 of 14 tries.

QUOTABLE

“I don’t think they’ve quite established their identity yet. They’ve got a new quarterback and different guys rolling in here and there… I don’t think anybody knows who they are or what they’re about.” — Former Bomber Wes Lysack when asked to describe his old squad

— Ed Tait