INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/09/2010 (5532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE: Pick ’em.

BLUE VS. ARGOS: Since 1961, the Bombers are 48-47-2 against the Boatmen. The two clubs have met once this season, with the Argos snatching a 36-34 win at Canad Inns Stadium in Week 2.

THE FORECAST: Environment Canada calls for sunny skies and a high of 18 C. Perfect football weather. All that’s needed now is an open roof at Rogers Centre.

ROSTER UPDATE: Wow — what’s this? A consistent, regular lineup for the Blue Bombers — when was the last time that happened? Outside of losing S Brady Browne to an ankle injury in the Banjo Bowl, Winnipeg is anticipating going with the exact same lineup against the Argos. Other Bombers currently on the shelf include: K Louie Sakoda (calf), WR Terence Jeffers-Harris (ankle), LB Bernard Hicks (knee) and WR Cory Watson (knee).

ON THE OTHER SIDE: Lots of injuries here, none more hurtful than the loss of RB Cory Boyd (concussion). The CFL rushing leader ran for 109 yards in Week 2 (the only time a back has run for over 100 yards against Winnipeg this season). To replace Boyd, head coach Jim Barker will split the duties between Bryan Crawford, Jeff Johnson and Andre Durie. Other notable Argos limping or on the mend include OL Rob Murphy (heel), RB Ryan Christian (hand) and DT Adriano Belli (foot). WR Jermaine Copeland (elbow) may return Sunday. He has been practising. Receiver Chad Lucas, a top pass catcher for the Argos in ’09, was cut this week. The Argos added RB Anthony Alridge to the roster.

SACK HELP: The Argos also welcome non-import DE Ricky Foley into the fold. Foley, of course, made headlines for his free agent flip-flop from B.C. to Hogtown but regardless of how he ended up in Toronto, his arrival is welcome news for the club. Toronto has a league-low 18 sacks this season. Foley, who had 12 sacks with the Lions in 2009, should help increase that number.

MORE NUMBERS: Bombers coach Paul LaPolice has concerns about the Argos defence — despite the numbers they’ve put up. “I don’t understand their statistics,” he said. “They have the least amount of sacks, but they have one of the best pass rushes in the league.” Another confusing number for LaPolice: Toronto’s pass defence gives up a league-high 321 yards through the air per game. Says the coach: “Their secondary is very challenging; they do a lot of good things.”

SPEED KILLS: Bombers S Ian Logan on the defence keeping up the tempo they’ve set over two good showings against the Riders: “We’ve got good defensive speed. We fly around. We’re not the biggest guys but when you have team speed it’s good for rallying to the ball and making tackles… we don’t give up a lot of big plays.”

QUOTE: LaPolice, fresh off ending his own five-game losing streak, on his expectations of an Argos side that has lost three straight contests: “I can’t speak for them… I’m more concerned about what we do.”

— Adam Wazny