INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/09/2009 (5850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE:

This game is a pick ’em.

BLUE VS. ARGOS:

Since 1961: The Bombers are 47-46-2 vs. the Argos dating back to ’61. Winnipeg is just 4-6 in its last 10 games vs. the Argos and 32-15 in Winnipeg.

ROSTER UPDATE:

Six lineup changes for the Bomb Squad with receivers Brock Ralph and Otis Amey coming on along with quarterback Ricky Santos and three defensive lineman in Justin Shaw, Phillip Hunt and Odell Willis. Coming off are receivers Terrence Edwards and Romby Bryant along with defensive lineman Shawn Mayne and Riall Johnson, defensive back James Johnson and QB Bryan Randall.

FYI:

The Bombers have been outscored 88-24 in the last two games and 117 to 34 in their last three games. The Bombers have turned the ball over 18 times in their last three games. The club’s leading receiver tonight will be Adarius Bowman with 27 catches and 433 yards. Bombers QB Michael Bishop has completed 94 passes on 188 attempts and has thrown for four TDs and 11 interceptions. The Argos will start third-year man Cody Pickett, who has completed 120 of 190 attempts with three TDs and three interceptions. Argos back Jamal Robertson has 740 yards on 134 carries with seven TDs.

NUMBERS WATCH:

Bomber RB Fred Reid needs 74 yards to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career…Argos linebacker Kevin Eiben has 62 tackles and is on pace for a 100 tackle season…Newcomer Jason Carter has 170 yards receiving in just two games with the Argos…Toronto linebacker Zeke Moreno has 46 tackles and is enjoying another solid CFL season.

BART ANDRUS ON CANADIAN GAME:

“The game itself, I’ve said it from the beginning, I think it’s better than the one down south,” says the rookie Toronto head coach. “There’s more going on. There’s more to adjust to. It’s the only uniquely Canadian sports league and I think this country should be proud of it because it’s a great league and a great product. I watch the U.S. version now and I say, ‘How lucky are they, they get four downs. I’m kind of bored watching it now.'”

RUN AT YOUR PERIL:

The Bombers have one of the league’s best rushing attacks with back Fred Reid leading the league with 926 yards on the ground. The Argos are tied for first with Montreal in allowing the fewest yards per rush at 4.7.

Toronto linebacker Zeke Moreno says his crew fears no running game.

“You see teams the week before they get 200 yards, but then when they come out against us, they kind of go away from the run,” Moreno told the Toronto Star this week. “Or they try it early, then they go away from it. That’s good for us that we make teams one-dimensional.”

THE LAST WORD:

“It’s different because you’re going against guys you’ve practised against, but actually there aren’t that many familiar faces because they’ve shipped them all out. It’s still exciting to play Winnipeg.” — Former Blue Bomber and present Argo Zeke Moreno.

— Gary Lawless