Blue Bombers look golden

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/06/2010 (5653 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It matters not in the standings and will mean little when one team puts its lips on the Grey Cup in late November. And the harsh reality of pro football is half of the men wearing Winnipeg Blue Bombers uniforms Sunday might be exiting the Manitoba capital about this time next week.

All that said, the Bombers did accomplish something significant in a 34-10 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in front of an announced crowd of 28,792 on an absolutely perfect afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium:

They gave their faithful a healthy dose of hope.

"Did you see the game? Man, we got potential on defence, offence, special teams," said defensive end Odell Willis. "Winnipeg’s got something to smile for, honestly. And if they don’t, I don’t know what else to tell them. I feel real good about this team.

"The Bombers… watch out."

True, Montreal — minus all of their star power — fielded a team that was the Alouettes in name only. And, yes, the Bombers played a good chunk of their starters early in building a 21-1 halftime lead. But there was also no hiding the effort and the difficult decisions coaches now face following a contest in which a number of wannabes made significant contributions

Here’s one man’s take on the performances of some who jumped off the page in their first test:

QUARTERBACKS: Buck Pierce was fantastic, completing six-of-10 for 105 yards and a TD to Brock Ralph while also rushing for 34 yards on three carries. He looked poised, comfortable and every bit the man who posted a 21-12-1 record as a starter in B.C.

Steven Jyles was a little bit of everything: He overthrew receivers, connected with Adarius Bowman on what should have been a long TD — only to have it dropped — and completed just two-of-eight for 42 yards. But he was dangerous when taking off or if the pocket broke down with 54 rushing yards on five carries.

Adam DiMichele had his moments, completing five-of-seven for 91 yards, but was lucky to have a fumble at the Montreal goal-line wiped out by a pass-interference penalty. He does make quick decisions and looks confident working this system. Alex Brink’s stint was short and he was abandoned by his receivers, as his two passes were dropped by Cory Watson and Jabari Arthur, killing his chance to move the sticks.

RUNNING BACKS: Fred Reid is the No. 1 tailback and he hammered that home early with four carries for 30 yards and a TD. Emmanuel Marc dropped a pass, but also pulled in another for 21 yards. Question is, did he do enough to push Yvenson Bernard? The back who made the biggest impact in locking up a spot, however, was Canadian Daryl Stephenson who rushed for a TD, pulled in a pass for 30 yards and was dynamite on special teams.

RECEIVERS: Way too many drops with Watson, Arthur, Bowman and Terence Jeffers-Harris all doing the frying-pans-for-hands thing. Jeffers-Harris did show an ability to make things happen after the catch and led all Bomber receivers with three catches for 54 yards, but this was a collective effort these guys will watch the videotape evidence of with their hands over their faces.

OFFENSIVE LINE: No ratio was in effect for this game and the Bombers started with two imports — Glenn January and Kelly Butler — at the tackles with Brendon LaBatte and Steve Morley at guard and Obby Khan at centre. This unit was outstanding early, although January had to leave the game in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury and Luke Fritz finished at left tackle. There are some solid pieces here, enough that CFL rivals may come courting soon.

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DEFENSIVE LINE: Willis and Phillip Hunt are going to give QBs fits this season and it showed Sunday as both registered sacks. But some of the new faces also made big pushes, including Moton Hopkins (four tackles); LaDarien Scott (three tackles) and Rian Wallace, who showed decent speed coming off the edge.

LINEBACKERS: Former Boston College star Marty Bowman was everywhere and particularly effective against the run with four tackles and two special-teams tackles. Also liked the work of draft pick Chris Smith and Thaine Carter, who had a pair of tackles and four special-teams tackles. But next week’s game will lock down the starting weak-side linebacker spot in a crew that will feature Ike Charlton and Joe Lobendahn.

SECONDARY: The game started with LaVar Glover and Keyuo Craver at the corner spots and Brandon Stewart and Alex Suber at halfback but Clint Kent, Bernard Hicks and Jason Tate all got significant playing time. What makes this crew especially difficult to evaluate was the absence of Anthony Calvillo, Ben Cahoon, Jamel Richardson et al from the Alouette passing attack. Much more needed to nail down some concrete answers.

SPECIALISTS: Alexis Serna was two-of-two on field-goal tries and there are no worries about punter Mike Renaud’s knee — he even chipped in with a special-teams tackle. But it does say something of the return game when Jovon Johnson may have solidified himself as the best option without even suiting up for the contest.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca