THE CORBETT REPORT, 2012-09, November 3, 2012, Winnipeg vs. Montreal

The Corbett Report – Issue 2012-09 – November 3, 2012

Winnipeg vs. Montreal

(DÉJÀ BLUE)

OUR HOUSE

(Sung to the tune, Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)

I’ll get the beer

You get the cheese nips and the fries

At the game today

Staring at the field
For three or four hours
While we watch the Bombers
Play their last game
Canadinn for us

Only for us
Cheer our team now
And after sixty more great minutes

Everything is done

Miss the old bathroom

(Miss the old bathroom)

No windows but illuminated by the

Glow from the old trough, crude but efficient too
Efficient too

Our house was a very, very, very fine house
We gained yard after yard

Some victories came hard

Now everything is easy
‘Cause of Blue
And our
la la lala la la la lala la la lala lala la lala lala lala la la lala la la la la la

la la lala la la la lala la la lala lala la lala lala la lala
 

Our house was a very, very, very fine house
We gained yard after yard

Some victories came hard
Now everything is easy
‘Cause of Blue

 

And our
I’ll get the beer
While you get the cheese nips and the fries

Our last game today

 

Introduction

If that sounds a tad familiar it should because of course it’s déjà vu all over again.  In oh so many ways:

• Another disappointing season coming to an end
• Another game without our starting QB
• Another season of off-field teeth gnashing
• And of course
• Another “Last regular season game at CanadInn Stadium”

Unlike last season’s “last regular season game” this year we’re not on the precipice of securing 1^st place in the East.  Not on the verge of a Grey Cup appearance.  And definitely not on the verge of a 10 – 8 season.  No this year, resembles 2010 more than 2011.  In fact in many ways, it’s significantly worse than that year.

When November hits, and the most exciting date circled on the calendar for Bomber fans is the date the troughs go up for auction, you know it’s been a season to forget.

It’s look ahead time.  New stadium, new team, new management, fresh hope, but before all of that, it’s the end of season exhibition game against Montreal.

May as well enjoy third “last game” at the old stadium.  The fonds memories, should get us through the day.

Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Standings

.

West Division
	W	L	Pts	For	Against
BC	12	5	24	462	348
Calgary	11	6	22	505	403
Sask	8	9	16	451	392
Edmonton	7	10	14	395	420
East Division
	W	L	Pts	For	Against
Montreal	11	6	22	467	470
Toronto	8	9	16	402	451
Hamilton	6	11	12	498	533
Winnipeg	5	12	10	357	520
Winnipeg ‘2010	4	14	8	464	485

 I threw that 2010 line in for the Bombers to make the point the Bombers in 2012 are in fact worse than in 2010.  Sure they won one more game, but look at the points for and against.  Unless the Bombers score 107 points this week, they’ll end up with a much worse offensive output than the much-maligned 2010 team.  And, well, 520 points against!  Swaggerville indeed.

 The Year in Review

Let’s start with the bright spots:

…….okay, that’s over with

Let’s look at the trouble spots

No seriously there actually were some bright spots:

Chad Simpson proved to be a more than adequate replacement for Chris Garret.  Should be an interesting battle for running back at training camp next year

 

• Chris Mathews made us all forget about Greg Carr.  He should win rookie of the year for sure

• No one’s complaining about our kicking game!  Stability at the position shouldn’t be overlooked
•  Tim Burke’s fresh and honest approach to coaching was a pleasure to witness
•  All CFL playoff games this year can be watched from the couch!  None of these freezing mid-November games to endure

 

But of course there are a few questions arising from the season as well including:

•  Can Joe Mack truly find players?

• Is it time to Pierce Buck’s balloon
•  Was O-Dell really the mayor of Swaggerville and did he take all of its citizens when he left?

• Is the Bombers fall from being an elite franchise complete?

You get the idea, it’s going to be a long off season.

First on the agenda?  To back Mack or sack Mack.  Most comments I’ve seen are in the SM group.  Pointing to the Bombers mediocre, (read awful), record over the past 3 years and his lack of changes in the 2011/2012 off-season.  I admit I think I’m in this group.  While it could be argued that the Bombers, due to injury, were never able to get any momentum this year I don’t buy into this.  Calgary lost Drew Tate in week two and are still in 2^nd place.  Montreal keeps rolling along with a decimated offense.  In fact, I’d suggest that how your team plays WITH injuries, reflects more on the GM than  how they play healthy.  With injuries, the team is playing with back ups and second stringers.   Couldn’t it be said that the GM who provides his team with depth of talent through all positions is stronger than one who can come up simply with a good set of starters but no one to back them up?

Second on the agenda?  Coaching choice.  Personally I like Tim Burke but it’s unlikely he’ll be around if Mack goes.

Then of course, there’s the starting QB conundrum.  For whatever reason Buck just can’t seem to get through a season (or even a game) healthy.  He really needs to spend the off-season with Anthony Calvhillo to learn how to play the position and stay healthy!   Still, there aren’t a lot of starting QB’s out there and so unless one falls from the sky (queue “It’s Raining men QB’s”) the Bombers may be stuck with what they have.  I’d suggest though, that Buck would be better being a back up and give the starting role to Brink, Elliot or Corbett.

Lots of other off-season questions, not the least of which will be the schedule announcement in February.  (PLEASE – schedule a preseason game before June 22^nd so that Taylor Swift’s concert isn’t the first event at the new stadium).

 

Stay tuned.

 

Exhibition Game #3

So seriously.  This week’s game truly is an exhibition game.  Consider the players that played last week that won’t be on the field this week (all due to injury):

•  Buck Pierce
• Joey Elliot
• Chad Simpson
• Will Ford
• Johnny Sears
• Terrance Edwards
• Buzz
• Boomer

 

Quick quiz: Who are the 3 QB’s dressing this week for the Bombers?

Add to that the fact that for the first time since 1958, Anthony Calvhillo will NOT be starting for the Alouettes and…..well, let’s just hope that the hall of fame inductions at ½ time is entertaining (either that or maybe Justin can do a Grey Cup warm up show at the half ).

Game Prediction

 

So yes, there is indeed a game to be played.  The Al’s resting up for the bye week before hosting yet another Eastern final and the Bombers, packing and cleaning out the lockers at Canada Inn for (truly) the last time.

 

Predicting this game is as easy as predicting next week’s election.  So I’m going with Obama over Romney!

 

Or in Canadian terms:

 

Bombers 21  Montreal 14

 

Last game

Corbett Report:              Bombers 25 Calgary 22

Actual:                          Calgary 32 Bombers 21

 

Season results

Bomber games               7 – 10 (missed the playoffs)

All games                      31 – 37 (as good as your average monkey)

 

This week’s other games

 

Toronto over Hamilton

BC over Saskatchewan

Calgary over Edmonton

 

PS The answer to the quiz: Alex Brink, Justin Goltz and RJ Archer will all dress at QB and all will play.  Brink will start.

 

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