INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

By: Gary Lawless Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

VEGAS LINE:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2009 (5824 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE:

Alouettes are favoured by 4.5 points.

THE FORECAST:

Cloudy with periods of rain, a high of 6C and a low of 4C.

BLUE VS. ALS:

Since 1961: The Bombers are 31-38-2 all-time against Montreal; The teams have split their last 10 games; Montreal is 17-19-0 all-time in road games against the Bombers.

TICKET UPDATE:

The Bombers said late Thursday that 20,012 and tickets had been sold for today’s game. The club did not release an update on Friday and the local TV blackout will be in effect.

ROSTER UPDATE:

The Bombers will add import linebacker Barrin Simpson and take off Joe Lobendahn, they’ll add punter Troy Westwood and linebacker Neil McKinlay and take off non-import DE Justin Shaw and non-import receiver Dante Luciani.

CHANGING ALS:

The Alouettes will take off import linebacker Diamond Ferri and add import Jon Banks.

WELCOME HOME:

Winnipegger Cory Huclack will be in the lineup for the Als as the long snapper. He’s also seen spot duty at linebacker and has an interception for a touchdown and 10 special teams tackles.

QB CLASS:

Bombers quarterback Michael Bishop lost one fumble and threw three interceptions in last weekend’s loss to the B.C. Lions and coach Mike Kelly said earlier this week he considered yanking his starter and going with Casey Bramlet. Bramlet has appeared in one CFL game, going 1-for-8 with one interception. Montreal has the league’s best quarterback in Anthony Calvillo but he injured a calf muscle in a win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last Sunday and his status for today remains iffy. Adrian McPherson is Montreal’s backup and he’s gone 12-of-16 with two TD passes in limited action this season.

JUICY NUMBERS:

The Bombers have scored 315 points and allowed 395 while the Alouettes have scored 486 and given up 253…The Bombers net yards average is 301.6 per game while Montreal’s is 401.2….Winnipeg has sacked opposition quarterbacks 25 times, the Alouettes have collected 38 sacks…Winnipeg quarterbacks have completed 49.3 per cent of their passes and Montreal passers have hit on 72.2 per cent…Bombers QBs have thrown 24 interceptions while Montreal has thrown just six.

— Gary Lawless