Keys to a Blue streak

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/10/2009 (5836 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Four games to go on the regular-season schedule and an opportunity to make a ridiculous and at times woeful first half of the season a poor memory, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers control their own fate.

The post-season is well within their grasp and, hard to believe, so is the chance to host a playoff game. If the Bombers were to win out — and with two dates against the league’s first- place Montreal Alouettes, that task has to be considered tall — they’d end up a respectable 10-8.

Such a streak would mean seven straight wins, and for our money, an 8-10 or 9-9 finish is more likely. But then again, we thought the Bombers were ready to implode just a month ago and they’ve won three in a row to force lots of folks, us included, to eat crow.

Coach Mike Kelly has done a bit of that himself. The boss has made some crucial mistakes and the early ticket returns for this week’s game against the B.C. Lions suggest not all are ready to forgive and forget. The team has sold barely more than 20,000 tickets for a game with major playoff implications and with their team on a three-win roll.

The players determine the outcome of games and to that extent the Bombers have, almost to a man, raised their play in the last month. Here are some key groups and what needs to come from them down the stretch.

Consistent contributors

Defensive back and kick-return man Jovon Johnson has been Winnipeg’s best player this season and that needs to continue. With 58 tackles, four interceptions and two toucdowns (one off a pick and the other on a missed field goal return) as well as 1,114 return yards, Johnson has been brilliant. Linebacker Ike Charlton, running back Fred Reid, defensive tackle Doug Brown, receiver Terrence Edwards and rookie Jonathan Hefney have all been bright lights this season and their play has been level. We’ll lump the offensive line into this group. The’ve allowed just 24 sacks, tied for the league lead with the Montreal Alouettes, and running back Reid is the CFL’s top rusher with 1,135 yards. This core group has been strong and steady all season and continued consistency is paramount.

Their stock is up

Quarterback Michael Bishop and receivers Brock Ralph and Adarius Bowman are the most obvious in this group. These three have benefited the most from the work of de facto offensive co-ordinator Manny Matsakis over the last month. Bishop has won three games in a row and looked very dangerous at stretches in last week’s win over Hamilton. His big arm gives the club the threat of instant offence. Bowman exploded with 10 catches for 213 yards and two TDs and now leads the team with 47 catches for 779 yards and six TDs. Every team needs a home-run combo and Bishop is beginning to feel comfortable looking to Edwards for mid-range gains and downfield at Ralph and Bowman. Defensive back Lenny Walls is starting to make plays again and linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz is looking healthy and dangerous again.

Great expectations

Coach Mike Kelly called his defensive line "Doug and the kids" the other day, and so long as they don’t turn into Doug and the Slugs, everything should be OK here. Veteran tackle Doug Brown is surrounded with youth in Dorian Smith, Don Oramasionwu, Odell Willis and Phillip Hunt, but so far, so good. How they handle the final month of the season, with its increased pressure and raised level of play, will be a telltale sign for the Bombers.

Solve this puzzle

Is Barrin Simpson here just in body but not in spirit? Simpson can be a factor on the field, but was quiet in his first game back last Monday with just two tackles. It’s possible he’ll be a healthy scratch this weekend if the Bombers can’t fit him on the roster due to the return of Joe Lobendahn.

Unsung heroes

Slowly but surely, the special-teams units on this Bombers squad has gotten better and better. Kick-return man Jovon Johnson and kicker Alexis Serna get the headlines, but there’s a solid group of men behind them that do the dirty work week in and week out. Shawn Gallant, Neil McKinlay, Derrick Doggett, Chris Cvetkovich, Pierre-Luc Labbe and Brady Browne have been getting it done in the field-position battle so important in the CFL.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca