INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

By: Gary Lawless Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

VEGAS LINE:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2009 (5835 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE:

Lions by 1 1/2 points.

THE FORECAST:

Rain was called for earlier in the week but the latest prediction is for a high of 13C and a low of 7C with periods of sun and cloud.

BOMBERS VS. LIONS:

Since 1954: The Lions are 69-80-2 all-time against Winnipeg but B.C. has been the top dog since 2000, winning 12 of 21 meetings and seven of the last nine. B.C. is 29-44-2 in 73 all-time road games against the Bombers.

TICKET UPDATE:

The Bombers said late Saturday that 21,389 tickets had been sold for today’s game. The club also said the local TV blackout will be in effect.

ROSTER UPDATE:

The Bombers will add import linebacker Joe Lobendahn, non-import DE Justin Shaw, non-import receiver Dante Luciani and import receiver Titus Ryan. Coming off the roster are non-import punter Mike Renaud, import linebacker Barrin Simpson, non-import linebacker Neil McKinlay and import DE Chase Ortiz.

ROMPING REID:

Bombers running back Fred Reid, who will start despite a hip injury picked up last week, had 260 yards on the ground the last time these two teams met. “They’re going to be ready to play, I know we’re going to be ready to play. It’s going to be a playoff atmosphere,” said Reid. “We’re trying to win the rest of our four games and I believe we can do it. The way we’re coming along now with everybody getting together on the same page with defence, special teams, the offence playing good… if we keep doing that we can win these next four.”

JUICY NUMBERS:

The Bombers are seventh in the league in average passing yards allowed per game giving up 275.1…On the other hand the Winnipeg secondary has combined for 26 interceptions to lead the league…Bombers QB Michael Bishop has won three in a row to get his season record to 5-5…Winnipeg running back Fred Reid leads the league in rushing with 1,135 yards…The Lions will be without the league’s second-leading rusher in Martell Mallett who has 1,127 yards on the season…The Lions have 41 sacks, with 27 coming from the defensive line and 11 of those from non-import Ricky Foley.

BUONO’S BITES:

“Revenge is between two lovers, right? Not between two football teams. It’s not a motive to get you excited for this game. From my perspective you have to learn from what you didn’t do that hurt you in that game and be better at it. Winnipeg ran the ball at us and if you’re going to insult anybody in professional football you keep running the ball. When you give up around 400 yards rushing, it’s gotta sting somewhat.”

— Lawless