Game Day: Inside the Xs and Os

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/10/2010 (5804 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VEGAS LINE: Winnipeg by 5.5

BLUE VS. ARGOS:

Since 1961, the Bombers and Argos have played to a 48-48-2 stalemate. But Winnipeg is solid at home in the series, holding a 33-15 record.

The Argos have beaten Winnipeg twice this season.

THE FORECAST:

According to Environment Canada, it should be a beautiful day for a ball game: sunny with cloudy periods and a high of 10 C and a light wind coming out of the north.

CROWD COUNT:

Tickets sales were just over 22,607 on Friday afternoon.

ROSTER UPDATE:

The biggest change for the Blue and Gold comes at receiver, where rookie WR Cory Watson moves into the starting slotback spot, replacing veteran Brock Ralph.

Ralph will remain on the 42-man roster as a backup wideout. Other changes to the home side: LB Merrill Johnson replacing LB Courtney Smith and RB Daryl Stephenson is in for WR Scott McHenry.

BOMBS AWAY:

There will be no putting it off any longer for the Bombers — time to get ‘er done. Heading into Week 17 action, Winnipeg is looking at two possible scenarios to claim the final post-season spot through the West Division crossover: 1.

Win the remaining three games and pray Edmonton and B.C. finish with 1-2 records. 2. The Bombers can go 2-1 the rest of the way and hope the Eskimos and Lions go winless.

OVERDRIVE:

If the first four games have been any indication, WR Greg Carr is well on his way to becoming Winnipeg’s next big receiving star. Check out these numbers: In four games, the 6-foot-6, 214-pound Florida State product has 22 catches for 457 yards and four touchdowns. His yardage per catch is a staggering 20.8 yards.

“I always have a chip on my shoulder. You need to play that way and prove to people that you can do this job. It’s about being consistent — if you keep playing with something to prove, that will keep you focused on what you have to do.”

GOOD BOYD:

He’s been nursing an ankle injury and he hasn’t really practised at all this week, but everyone is counting on Argos RB Cory Boyd to be in the lineup.

The CFL’s leading rusher (1,205 yards) is the Toronto offence this season. As he goes, so go the Boatmen. The Argos are 5-1 when Boyd runs for 100 yards. Another stat: Boyd is only the eighth back in Argos history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

— Adam Wazny