THE CORBETT REPORT, 2012-08, October 13, Winnipeg vs. Calgary

THE OPENING SONG

 

Cheer On (Sung to the tune of “Rave On” by Buddy Holly)

Here’s the YouTube Link

A we-a-e-a-ell

A simple win and it’s yahoo

Make me want to-oo watch the Blue-oo

Cheer on, it’s a crazy feelin’ and

I know they’ve left us reelin’

But I say they’ll win two, Cheer on

The way O scored and D so tight

Gave us hope for the game to-ni-ght

Cheer on, it’s a crazy feelin’ and-a

I know they’ve left us reelin’

When you shout, lets go Blue, Cheer on

A-well cheer on, a-it’s a crazy feelin’ and

I know, our heads are reelin’

I’m so glad, that they’re revealin’

A win for me

Cheer on, cheer on and have hope

Blue fans it’s not so lonely

Tell me, I’m not the only

Cheer on with me

 

Introduction

An open letter to the Bombers

My dearest Winnipeg Blue Bombers,

Our long-standing relationship has hit a snag.  Since 1981 we have maintained a mutually beneficial relationship that has been nurtured and has grown through losses and victories, through Grey Cups and playoff misses.  I believe I have always been there for you and you there for me.  That is why my heart aches to tell you that I believe our relationship is at a crossroads.  Why, you ask?  The answer is simple.  I cannot continue to expose my heart to the turmoil and angst that has beset us in 2012.

I mean really, my dear:

• A 52-0 loss to Sask followed by a one point heart break!
• A 44 – 3 loss to Calgary, followed by a dominating 34-12 spanking of Hamilton
• Following that spanking?  5 turnover 29-10 dud vs Toronto
• Following that dud? A dominating performance in a 27-22 victory in Montreal

It is time to unchain my heart.  I have recently obtained medical advice.  The boom and bust, ups and downs, heart breaking, euphoric twists and turns that 2012 has become cannot continue.  I believe we have one chance to correct this problem and move forward in a healthy, mutually beneficial fan/team relationship.  You need to become consistent.  You can be consistently good (2001), consistently bad (2010), consistently mediocre (2006), but please, please stop this maniacal madness that 2012 has become!  For once, please play the same from one week to the next.  Our relationship depends on it.  My heart’s health depends on it.  Without consistency, I’m afraid that the only remedy is joint counseling.  Don’t let it come to that.  Please win tonight.

Yours true Blue (forever)

jcorbettreport

Standings

 

West Division
	W	L	Pts	For	Against
BC	10	4	20	365	271
Calgary	8	6	16	398	329
Sask	8	6	16	377	290
Edmonton	6	8	12	314	334
East Division
	W	L	Pts	For	Against
Montreal	8	6	16	382	405
Toronto	7	7	14	327	357
Hamilton	5	9	10	421	444
Winnipeg	4	10	8	274	428

 

On first glance the Bombers are only 2 points out of a playoff spot, but alas, not so fast my fellow Bomber fans.  They need to match Edmonton’s record or Edmonton will earn a cross over.  So the Bombers need some help.  A BC win over Hamilton and a Saskatchewan win over Edmonton would help.

 

 

The Bombers

 

Is it just me, or have the Bombers become just a bit of an enigma?  Hot and cold doesn’t even come close to describing them this year.  Last week’s performance however was very impressive.  Is it enough to turn the corner? Perhaps, but consider this for this week:

• No Buck this week
• Injuries to DL Alex Hall, DL Bryant Turner, WR Cory Watson, WR Kito Poblah
• Terrance Edwards hurting and not practicing (but playing)
• The last Calgary game? Elliot started and it turned into a 44-3 loss

The Bombers will be in tough.  In particular, the question is whether Elliot can match last week’s Offensive Player of The Week performance.  Certainly Joey did look great last week but he was playing a Montreal team that primarily uses a zone defense.  He saw the defensive scheme and his receivers found the seams in the zone.  This week he’s up against a Calgary team that will throw a lot of man coverage to him.  He didn’t do so well last time out, let’s see if he’s progressed.

On the defensive side, Winnipeg dominated last week forcing 5 turnovers against the usually ball-hugging Montreal offense.  They’ll need a repeat performance this week.

The Stamps

Despite a 27-22 loss to BC the Stamps remain a solid team.  They didn’t crash and burn with the loss of their starting QB Drew Tate.  Instead, Kevin Glenn has efficiently guided them to their 8-6 record.  They’re a well-rounded team with few weaknesses.  The key will be to get to Glenn.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Hang onto the ball – last loss against TO 5 turnovers against; last victory against Montreal, 5 turnovers for
• Get to Glenn early.  With the Bombers being thin at receiver, the Defense needs to keep the score close
• Oh Joey you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind oh Joey – a repeat performance of last week’s effort would look pretty good
• Run Chad Run – the man defense could cause Joey problems.  Give the ball to Simpson

For the Stamps to win

 

• D-linemen eat at Joey’s
• Cornish ain’t so corney – get him the ball
• Win the first quarter by 7 and you’ll win the game
• Don’t be overconfident, 44-3 was an aberration

Random CFL musings

 

Just a few notes on some random CFL developments this week:

• CFL back in Ottawa!  With a strong local ownership group and a new stadium.  Great news for the CFL.   Even better, they won’t be called the Roughriders.  I’m voting for Beavers Tails!

• No Grey Cup parade in TO.  Are you kidding me?  Instead they’ll add a “Grey Cup section” to their Santa Clause parade, which is the weekend BEFORE the Grey Cup weekend! (sigh) Toronto just doesn’t get it.

• Saw the Grey Cup train in Winnipeg last weekend.  Well-done CFL.  Winnipeg fan response was awesome.  Sask nation may be more visible, but Bomber Nation’s pretty special too (not to mention much more stylish).

• TSN’s Engraved on a Nation looks like a must watch for any CFL fan.  Well produced, well thought out.  Looking forward to the rest of the series.

• New stadiums by 2014 in Winnipeg, Hamilton, Ottawa to go along with refurbished BC Place and Molson Percival stadium in Montreal.  Heady days for CFL infrastructure.  Now if they could just blow up that Roger’s Centre soulless concrete echo chamber.

Game Prediction

 

Back to the game at hand.

As you can guess, I’m a bit leery of predicting anything Bombers this year, but I have a bit of a hunch on this one.  If the Bombers can match the intensity of last week and come out of the gate with a strong first quarter, I think they just might be okay!  (How’s that for a solid confident prediction).  So in the end, I’m going with:

Bombers   25 Calgary 22

Last game

Corbett Report:              Bombers 27 Argos 15

Actual:                          Argos 29 Bombers 10

Season results

Bomber games      7 – 7

All CFL games      24 – 32 (OUCH)

This week’s other games

Hamilton over BC (just a hunch)

Saskatchewan over Edmonton (GO RIDERS)

Montreal over Argos (no Ricky Ray)