3 Keys to Victory

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/08/2009 (6204 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

1. THOU SHALT PASS THE PIGSKIN

It’s not complicated, although the Bombers continually make it look that way — this is a wide-open, three-down game and it’s built for passing. And when a team can’t pass, it’s not only bad for the won-lost record, but excruciatingly boring. Get this: Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo threw for four TDs against Winnipeg last weekend and that’s more than the Bombers’ total — three — for the entire season. Winnipeg’s team QB-efficiency rating of 51.06 is by far the worst in the CFL. The Bombers have completed just 45.6 per cent of their passes this season (Calvillo is 74.6 per cent) and are averaging just 156.9 yards per game, less than half that of the Alouettes (318.6). But forget all the gory numbers for a moment. What has been appalling is just the basics of passing and catching the ball, both of which have been dreadfully inconsistent. The Bombers have streamlined their playbook again for this one against the Lions, but if they cut it and dumb it down any further, it’ll be reduced to a crayon drawing on a napkin.

2. STOPPING GEROY AND THE ACTION JACKSONS

Funny thing about Jarious Jackson, the Lions’ clear-cut No. 1 gun now with Buck Pierce battling concussion problems: For all the talk about him looking like LaToya Jackson on one play and Russ Jackson the next, the guy has put up some dandy numbers. His QB rating of 100.0 is second only to Calvillo and he has thrown for seven TDs against four picks while completing 60.9 per cent of his passes, all posted in a supporting role. Yes, he’s got a bit of the big home-run hitter in him, but when he tags one, it’s got highlight reel written all over it. Talking to the Bomber defenders this week, there was a clear consensus: Pierce may be the more consistent QB, but they fear Jackson’s physical skills more. His ability to use his legs and his big-time arm make him a dangerous threat and, by extension, means the Bombers must stick like glue to the likes of Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon. Both veteran slots have big-play capability written all over them. Couple them with Jackson’s howitzer-like arm and it’s a scary combo for the Bombers’ defensive 12.

3. FLOGGING A DEAD BEAST, EDITION VIII

OK, we admit it… us bashing the Bombers for not unearthing a bona fide kick returner is getting a bit old. But until they find one, this already offensively challenged team is going to continue to lose ground in the field-position battle. Yes, we’ve seen flashes from James Johnson and Jovon Johnson, both of whom are now ranked among the CFL leaders. What we haven’t seen is consistency. And what we did see last week was two fumbles, one lost, by Yvenson Bernard on kick returns, and for the first time this year, a pile of penalties by the special teams. The Bombers were nailed with 15 penalties against the Alouettes, four of them on special teams. A Bomber staffer countered our criticism by asking: "Who was Tristan Jackson this time last year?"

Well, he was an emerging kick-return threat who is now a dynamic game-changer. And the Bombers’ candidate for the same role this year is…