5 story lines

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Thursday, Jul. 14, 2011

Here are five storylines to keep an eye on when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Calgary Stampeders tonight:

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Here are five storylines to keep an eye on when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Calgary Stampeders tonight:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/07/2011 (5235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Here are five storylines to keep an eye on when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Calgary Stampeders tonight:

1. Whoa, Nellie!

Control the line of scrimmage.

That’s been Winnipeg’s secret to success through the first two games. In Week 1, the Bombers held Hamilton to 92 yards on the ground. Against Toronto, the defence stiffened up even more, allowing just 55 yards.

“Any time you can make a team one-dimensional and force them to throw the football, that’s going to help a defence’s cause,” Bombers coach Paul LaPolice said.

It’s an obvious angle, but how Winnipeg handles the two-headed horse of Joffrey Reynolds and Jon Cornish — and how often they get to Calgary QB Henry Burris — will go a long way in determining how well things go tonight.

2. Play it again, SAM

The game marks the return of strong-side LB Clint Kent, a valuable member of the defence in 2010. The second-year Bomber has been out since June 23 with an ankle injury and he believes he’s ready to step in and make a difference. “Right from the first play,” he said. “I can’t afford to take any time to get used to things out there.”

Kent will be involved in a handful of blitz packages and will take up his usual spot on the kick coverage teams.

3. Another week, another threat

First it was Marcus Thigpen. Then it was Chad Owens.

This week’s special-teams challenge comes in the form of Larry Taylor, the Stamps’ speedster in the return department.

Taylor, the former Montreal Alouette returner who spent most of 2010 on the New York Jets’ practice roster, has amassed over 300 return yards (punt, kickoff, missed field goals) through the first two games.

4. Down with the letdown

The Winnipeg defence has shown a relentless motor, producing enough momentum to carry the club to its first 2-0 start since 2003. But the Bombers last played Friday, meaning it’s been a short week of preparation for facing the Stamps.

Might depleted energy levels be a worry?

“If we want to be consistent winners, the only way you do that is show up and be mentally tough enough,” LaPolice said.

OK, then.

5. Sitting at the big table

Hamilton and Toronto are not in the same class as Calgary — the odds-on favourite (again) to come out of the West.

Facing the Stamps is a step up in weight class, a move from shooting a 69 on Thursday to walking in the final group on Sunday, and how the Big Blue respond should provide a window into what to expect moving forward.

Does Winnipeg have another gear?

Can they deal with prosperity?

Are the Bombers a legitimate CFL power again? Answers to come.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca