Game day: 5 storylines

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/10/2011 (5156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Bombers (9-6) host the Alouettes (10-5) this afternoon. Here are five things to consider:

1. Rhythm nation

Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce has to find some consistency. Sound familiar? It should. Two weeks ago the pressure was on Pierce to step up his game and lead Winnipeg to a win against the Tiger-Cats. He answered the bell in Hamilton, but followed that up with a clunker in Edmonton seven days ago.

Before trying to guess which Pierce will show up today, consider these numbers: In his first eight games, he threw for 1,804 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions for a 96.0 quarterback efficiency rating. His last seven games: 1,258 yards passing, three TDs, 10 picks for a 68.3 rating.

No one can argue that it’s been a herky-jerky showing from the offence over this current 2-5 slump. All week the club has talked about getting Pierce into rhythm again and part of that process is that those around him need to execute, they say.

2. Jamie’s got a leg

The last time Jamie Boreham played in a contest this important at Canad Inns Stadium was as a member of the Manitoba Bisons.

The 2001 Churchill Bowl was the game, with the Bisons beating McMaster 27-6 to advance to the Vanier Cup. Boreham averaged 46 yards per punt and was named the game’s MVP for his impressive kicking effort.

By replacing the inconsistent Mike Renaud with Boreham, the Bombers are rolling the dice on a guy who hasn’t kicked in a game in a year, though. All eyes will be on the new punter to give Winnipeg — who lead the CFL with 110 two-and-outs — the field position they believe has been a factor in this recent swoon.

3. Richardson building

Yes, Montreal receiver Jamel Richardson is having a great year, but is he deserving of most outstanding player consideration? Tough to earn that honour on the Alouettes, considering the guy throwing him the football, but Richardson’s totals this year are off the charts.

Catches: 100. Yards receiving: 1,559. Touchdowns: 11.

Those are all league-leading numbers. He’s also had 10 100-yard receiving games, putting him one back of the CFL record (11, originally set by Hal Patterson in 1956 but matched by many throughout the years).

Look for the Winnipeg secondary to be extra physical with Richardson and the Montreal receiving corps today. Orange nylon showers are expected.

4. The middle

With options like Richardson, S.J. Green, and running back Brandon Whitaker to contend with, a lot of responsibility falls to Marcellus Bowman — who’s making his sixth straight start in the middle linebacker position.

After some early hiccups, Bowman has embraced the role: 21 tackles and three sacks since Joe Lobendahn went down with a season-ending knee injury five games ago.

Is Bowman finally feeling settled in the centre of the defence? “I’m comfortable. I feel like I’ve made it my home; my furniture is there and everything. I’m sitting down on the couch. I’m feeling really good there….I hope I never leave it.”

5. Five and out

Can the Bombers get into the Alouettes backfield? How banged up are receivers Cory Watson and Clarence Denmark? Who wins the coaching battle: Paul LaPolice or Marc Trestman? Has the Winnipeg offence become too predicable? When will the first pass interference flag come out?

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

Key matchup

Bombers vs. Jets

Today’s game with the Alouettes is the first of a sports doubleheader in Winnipeg.

Following the CFL contest, which starts at 2 p.m., many will head downtown for the Winnipeg Jets-Carolina Hurricanes affair (6 p.m.).

It’s the second straight weekend of sporting heaven for the local fan base. Last Saturday saw the Bombers and Jets play at the same time (one in Edmonton, the other in Phoenix), with both suffering disappointing losses.

For those scoring at home, this double-dip marks the 36th time the Bombers and Jets (NHL version) play regular-season games on the same day. The football club holds a 17-18 record in those alignments, while the hockey outfit breaks even with a 12-12-11 mark.

The last time both won on the same day: Oct. 19, 1991. The Bombers pounded the Tiger-Cats 68-14 at Winnipeg Stadium, while the Jets skated past the Maple Leafs 4-2 at the Winnipeg Arena.

Typically, the two split results on the same date. In the 35 previous occurrences, the Bombers and Jets have won together four times and lost together five times.

Who gets civic bragging rights today?