INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/08/2009 (6234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE

Alouettes by 8 points.

THE FORECAST

Straight from Environment Canada, for what it’s worth: Saturday night: Cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers early in the evening with the risk of a thunderstorm. Clearing late in the evening. Low 14.

BOMBERS vs. ALOUETTES (since ’61)

The Alouettes are 36-31-2 all-time against Winnipeg; The Bombers and Als have split their last 10 meetings 5-5; Montreal is 11-8 since 1996 in games here in Winnipeg and holds a decided 14-4 edge against the Bombers in Montreal.

BLUE ROSTER UPDATE

The Bombers have made a couple of adjustments, placing guard Kelly Bates on the nine-game injured list and replacing him on the roster with LB Pierre-Luc Labbe, while CB Brandon Stewart comes aboard for James Johnson (turf toe). Head coach Mike Kelly said Friday that Obby Khan’s bruised knee has come along in the last couple of days and he is scheduled to start at centre with Ryan Donnelly at right guard. Luke Fritz is also expected to take some turns at guard.

THE LEGEND SPEAKS

Hall of famer Ken Ploen, named the West nominee as the top CFL player of the 1960s, will be at today’s game to sign autographs. Fans are encouraged to vote for Ploen — Ottawa Rough Riders legend Russ Jackson is the East nominee — at CFL.ca.

“I’m extremely pleased and honoured to even be recognized in such a category,” said Ploen. “I think there’s a number of players that could have been chosen during my era in the ’60s. Quarterbacks are about as good as the team around them and I can tell you back in the ’60s I had some fantastic football players around me. We had a great coach and some fantastic fans here in Winnipeg. You put those things together and it’s pretty hard not to be a winner.”

He’ll also be the honorary captain for the Bombers and will speak to the team prior to the game. Asked what he might say to the current Bombers prior to kickoff, Ploen was succinct: “Kick butt.”

JUICY NUMBERS

The Bombers had just one two-and-out in their last 11 drives in Calgary last week after beginning with four straight two-and-out possessions… Winnipeg is 23-4 when leading at halftime over the last four years… Alouettes SB Ben Cahoon has caught a pass in 115 consecutive games. He needs 21 receptions to pass Don Narcisse and move into fourth place on the all-time receptions list with 920 behind Terry Vaughn (1,006), Darren Flutie (972) and Allen Pitts (919)… Montreal defensive end Anwar Stewart needs four sacks to eclipse Elfrid Payton’s club record of 49.

UP THE CHARTS

Alouettes QB Anthony Calvillo continues to chip away at the CFL’s all-time passing yardage list, currently held by Damon Allen at 72,381. Calvillo, who turns 37 later this month, is at 60,597 and continues to throw up gaudy totals.

“I challenge myself week in and week out to prepare myself and get myself ready to help this football team,” said Calvillo Friday. “I want to continue to do that. I’ll sit down with my family at the end of the season and decide what my future may hold, but right now I’m really enjoying it.”

QUOTABLE

“With a guy like Michael you don’t have to have a lot of things in your package because he brings so much as an athlete. You just put him out there and let him go make plays.” — Bombers head coach Mike Kelly on QB Michael Bishop.