THE CORBETT REPORT 2011 Banjo Bowl

The Corbett Report – Issue 2011-06 – September 11, 2011

Winnipeg vs. Saskatchwan

THE OPENING SONG

(Sung to the Tune of the Beverly Hillbillies theme song)

Come and listen to a story about a team in green
A group of melon heads, play the worst football you’ve seen,
Then one day they went gunnin for our Blue ,
And now their season’s set as victories they have two.

With seven losses that is, beat the gold, and Alouettes.

So the next thing you know Green’s thinking they’ll win three,
Kinfolk said we’re bound for Victory
Said a Banjo win is the way it’s gonna be
As they loaded up the bus and drove to Headingly.

Winnipeg, that is.
Blue Bombers, Swaggerville.

So now its time to say good-bye to Riders and their kin.
Blue would like to thank them folks fer kindly droppin in.
A win you won’t being seeing not at Canadinn you’ll see
If Buck doesn’t beat you then we’ll swarm you with our D

Defense that is. Sack a spell. Rip them balls out.

Y’all come back now, y’hear?

 

Introduction

A little bit of reality check last week wasn’t it?  A little humbling experience for the boys from Swaggerville.  So have the Bomber’s taken a step back towards normalcy or was Saskatchewan just on high with the return of Ken Miller to the sidelines.  This week will tell the tale as to whether the Bombers are for real or simply built their 7-2 first half record on the backs of mediocre teams and gifts from the football gods.  Indeed, lay another egg like the Labour Day game and it might be time to put away the parkas as that much coveted November home game may once again head south.

The Standings

West Division
	GP	W	L	T	PTS	F	A	HOME	AWAY	DIV	STREAK
Edmonton	9	6	3	0	12	209	197	3 – 1 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	4 – 1 – 0	W1
Calgary	9	6	3	0	12	239	238	2 – 3 – 0	4 – 0 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	L1
BC	9	3	6	0	6	232	219	1 – 3 – 0	2 – 3 – 0	2 – 2 – 0	W2
Saskatchewan	9	2	7	0	4	192	260	1 – 4 – 0	1 – 3 – 0	0 – 4 – 0	W1
East Division
	GP	W	L	T	PTS	F	A	HOME	AWAY	DIV	STREAK
Winnipeg	9	7	2	0	14	219	184	4 – 1 – 0	3 – 1 – 0	4 – 0 – 0	L1
Hamilton	9	5	4	0	10	260	227	4 – 1 – 0	1 – 3 – 0	3 – 2 – 0	W1
Montreal	9	5	4	0	10	274	238	3 – 1 – 0	2 – 3 – 0	2 – 2 – 0	L2
Toronto	9	2	7	0	4	200	262	1 – 3 – 0	1 – 4 – 0	0 – 5 – 0	L1

 

The Bombers

Last game exposed a weakness that had previously been hidden behind the stellar play of the Bomber’s D.  They simply can’t score.  Sure, Buck’s completion percentage is over the top at 65% but he’s 7^th in the league in passing yards (ahead of only“lemme outta here” Lemon amongst CFL starting QB’s).  Fred Reid has been limited to only 3.9 yards per carry and while he’s 3^rd in the league in rushing this year, his 585 yards barely has him on pace for a 1,000 yard season.  So the fact is, while the D has been the glue that holds this team together, it’s time for the O to start pulling their weight.

Fun Fact

The Bomber’s are plus 21 in the giveaway-takeaway department this season.  The next closest team? Edmonton, who are plus 4.  That stat alone explains the great start the Bombers have had this season.  The Bombers have allowed the fewest: yards against, yards passing, TD’s against, points against, ….etc etc etc.

The Riders

The Rider’s can’t be taken lightly.  (Well, not until they take to the field with those melons on their head that is).  They’ve beaten the Bomber’s AND Montreal in Montreal.   If you believe the green press, their was such a hate on between Durant and Greg Marshal that the simply act of putting Ken Miller back on the sideline is all that’s needed to assure another trip to the Grey Cup!  Durant did have his best game of the season last week completing 13 or 21 passes for 232 yards, whether that was an abnormality or the sign of things to come will be proven this week.

Fun Fact

 

Durant has managed to hit on an impressive 64 percent of his pass attempts and logged 13 majors, but at the same time he’s tossed a league-high nine interceptions.

Keys to the game

Move the Ball.  Score some points.  Stop the other team.  Mash the Melons.

It’s just that simple!  But really, the way the Bomber’s Offense holds onto the ball and not allowing turnovers, is awesome.  They just need to move it a bit more.  Stop handing off to Reid on every first down and then leaving themselves 2^nd and long would be a good change.  The offense doesn’t need to rack up 40 points, but keeping their defense off of the field a bit would go a long way to moving the team to the state of dominance.

The Defense too needs to regain some of their swagger.  Durant threw 3 TD’s last week and that’s tu-tu many.

So there you have it.  Our D needs to stop them, our O needs to score some points and all will be right in the world!  Oh yeah, and COMPOSURE Bombers!  3 Bomber’s were fined by the league this week for behaviour unbecoming of a football player.  Just cause the Jet’s are back in town doesn’t mean all Winnipeg teams need to play hockey.

Two new players to watch

 

Andy Fantuz

 

Fantuz returns to Riders line up after being cut by the Chicago Bears.  Whether he can immediately become the impact player he’s been for the last two years for the Rider’s remains to be seen but his mire presence should help the Rider’s woeful offense.

Tim Brown

 

In the never ending search for a kick returner the Bomber’s have added Tim Brown to their roster.  Brown’s from the same mould as Gizmo Williams and Pinball Clemon’s.  He’s 5’ 7” and weighs in at 157 lbs.  In other words, just like me (if you cut my leg’s off at the knees and I spend a week in liposuction).

The Best of Canadinn Stadium

Today’s “best of” is of course related to the Banjo Bowl.  Here’s the history according to Wikipedia.

The “Banjo Bowl” moniker was coined by Blue Bombers board member David Asper in early 2004, inspired by an infamous comment made by Bombers Troy Westwood in the week prior to a 2003 Western Division Semi-final game between the two teams. Westwood was quoted in the media as saying that people from Regina were “a bunch of   banjo-pickin’ inbreds” He later apologized half-heartedly for those comments, saying that “the vast majority of the people in Saskatchewan have no idea how to play the banjo.” This further fueled the Winnipeg–Saskatchewan football rivalry and has made the rematch game even more of an event. The game has been sold out every year since 2005. Additionally, as of September 2010, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold a 4-3 advantage in the all-time series.

So which is the best BB??? (That’s short for Banjo Bowl for all of the Saskatchewan subscribers).  Well look no further than last year.  On the strength of Fred Reid’s 148 yard rushing performance and outstanding play of the Bomber’s Defense the Bomber’s smacked the Rider’s 31 – 2.  Yes that’s right TWO!  It was a lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal season.  Since the infamous comments from Westwood in 2003 the Banjo Bowl has been the must see game of the season at Canadinn Stadium.

 

The Prediction

Last game

Corbett Report:          Bombers 32 Ti-Cats 19

Actual:                                    Bombers 30 Ti-Cats 27

Season results: 4 – 1

This week

It’s time for Revenge!  It’s tough to win back to back games and when you’re the Bomber’s and at home, it’s great to be able to feed off of the home town sell out crowd.  Look for the Bomber’s to finally start quickly and go on to victory.  It’ll be tight though but in the end it’ll be.

Bombers 29   Riders 16

 

Closing Recipe – Watermelon Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (5-pound) watermelon (remove Rider’s fan head first)
• 1 Vidalia or other sweet onion (remove Rider fan tears first)
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar (because Rider fans will be sour after this)
• Salt and pepper (which pretty much is the extent of seasoning in Sask)
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (there’s a virgin in Saskatchewan?)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint (or substitute wheat)
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (in Sask – substitute green cheese)
• 6 whole mint sprigs (well, if you’re from Sask you could use 7)

Directions

Cut the flesh from the melon and cut into bite size pieces, removing and discarding the seeds, and set aside. Peel and slice the onion into rings.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, a few drops at a time. Add in the chopped mint, taste, and adjust seasonings.

In a large bowl, combine the melon, onion, and feta. Pour the dressing over the melon mixture and toss gently until everything is coated and evenly mixed. Garnish with mint sprigs.

To serve, divide salad among individual plates and garnish with mint leaves

 

Green is the colour, football is the game, but we’re playing the Bomber’s and our game is lame!

GO BLUE