3 KEYS TO VICTORY

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2009 (5820 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

1. TO SERVE AND PROTECT… THE PIGSKIN

It’s not nuclear physics here, although coaches and players often make it seem that way — the Bombers, particularly QB Michael Bishop, MUST treat the football as if it were gold bullion. Bishop was awful in last week’s loss, throwing three picks — including one that was returned for a touchdown on a play that was supposed to be a run — and fumbling once. Even in the win over Hamilton he was intercepted twice and had a fumble returned for a score.

That’s 14 points directly surrendered by the QB in the last two games without the defence even stepping on the field. As well, Bishop is tied for the CFL lead in both fumbles (7) and lost fumbles (5) and his 16 interceptions are second­most in the league to Saskatchewan’s Darian Durant (18). Yowza.

Bottom line: Bishop is the Bombers’ guy down the stretch and he is 5-6 as their starter. But he’d certainly help his team’s cause if he cut down on his mis­takes and showed more touch on his deep passes rather than rifling them over the targets’ heads.

2. BRING THE HEAT

It’s difficult to find fault in what the Bombers have done defensively this year, especially given the offence’s struggles that have kept this unit on the field for eons. They are fourth in points allowed, fourth against the run and seventh in passing yards surrendered while leading the CFL in interceptions.

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But they are also tied for last in quarterback sacks. That speaks of the scheme, not the talent, but whether the Alouettes start future hall of famer Anthony Calvillo at quarterback this afternoon or Adrian McPherson makes his first­ever CFL start, a little pressure from the defensive front seven isn’t always a bad thing. We trotted out some frightening Calvillo vs. the Bombers numbers the other day — he is 20-7 vs. Winnipeg as an Alouette and has thrown 56 TDs against just 18 interceptions. Those numbers scream out that whatever the Bombers have been doing in the past just ain’t good enough. In that case, we’d say it should be damn the torpedoes and bring some pressure once in awhile.

If nothing else, that would keep Calvillo and/or McPherson from getting too comfy in the pocket.

3. WELCOME BACK LEFTY… NOW KICK THE SNOT OUT OF IT

Troy Westwood returns to the Bombers to handle the punting chores and this isn’t just a minor tweaking of the roster. Now that Jovon Johnson has estab­lished himself as a bona fide return threat and the Bomber foot soldiers con­tinue to be dynamite in covering kicks, the club’s special teams have actually evolved into a CFL force. Alexis Serna is a capable punter on an emergency basis, but it’s clear the extra workload affects his place-kicking — he missed two field goals last week for the first time in 20 games dating back to last sea­son. What the Bombers need from Westwood isn’t much more than he’s proven more than capable of handling: a 40-something average on his punts with some decent hang time to let the likes of Shawn Gallant and Derrick Doggett get down field and blow up people. Wrap that all up in one neat package and it could be a difference maker as the temperature dips and the conditions worsen.