3 KEYS TO VICTORY Sept. 13

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/09/2009 (5862 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

1. A BALANCED ATTACK, IF YOU PLEASE

By now most are aware of the Bombers’ horrific offensive numbers: dead last in scoring, passing, time of possession and several other juicy statistical categories. They have, of course, offset that by occasionally being spectacular at running the football, what with Fred Reid leading the CFL.

But because they are so one-dimensional — these guys could make Steven Seagal look like Sir Laurence Olivier — they are the easiest outfit in the country to defend.

The Riders effectively limited Reid last week (12 carries for 41 yards) by jamming eight/nine defenders into the box near the line of scrimmage and forcing the Bombers to try and beat them through the air. And while Michael Bishop passed for 329 yards and a score, he was also picked off three times. The predictability of the Bomber offence — no team runs on first down more than the Bombers (51 per cent) — also plays a huge factor in why their second-down conversion rate of 39.9 is dead last in the CFL. It will be interesting to note the impact assistant coach Manny Matsakis will have on the offence this week — he’s come down from the spotter’s booth and will have a bigger role in the play-calling. May not help, sure as heck couldn’t hurt.

2. PROTECT THE PIGSKIN

Winnipeg spit up the ball six times last week and forced just one turnover. Overall, they are still at plus-5 for the season — up considerably from their minus-11 from a year ago — but it’s basic football here.

Hand the ball over repeatedly to the opponent and the chance of victory drops substantially. We’ll hammer that total home with more numbers: The Bombers are 3-23 since 2006 when turning the ball over more than their opponent and 0-4 this season. Simply put, Winnipeg isn’t a solid enough football team to repeatedly gift wrap field position and points and expect to be competitive, let alone escape with a ‘W.’ Amazingly, despite gaining six turnovers a week ago the Riders managed just 13 points off those gaffes.

3. BLANKET THE RIDERS’ LITTLE BIG MAN

Saskatchewan receiver Weston Dressler stands about 5-7 — likely wearing those really, really long cleats — and weighs in at 179, but he is a big-time threat and dynamic football player who can change the course of a game. In his three games against the Bombers, last year’s Most Outstanding Rookie has three touchdowns and a gaudy 19.8-yards per catch average. Heading into this week’s action the University of North Dakota grad is fifth overall in receiving with 39 catches for 641 yards and three TDs. He is Darian Durant’s clutch, go-to receiver and also the team’s best deep threat. In a pinch he’ll return kicks and, if you asked him, he’d probably line up at D-tackle and be dominant there, too.

Don’t forget to check out the video version of our three keys at winnipegfreepress.com.