The Corbett Report, Thursday, June 26, 2014

Introduction

Apologies up front for the somewhat somber opening tune! I’ll fix that at the end of the week one report!

Soooooo, what a winter for the Bombers. Confirmation of Miller and Walters at the management level, new rookie head coach in Michael O’Shea, new rookie QB in Drew Willy, a new division to call home – new, new new. Ottawa’s supposed to be the expansion franchise but really, with Henry Burris they’re more of a veteran team than the Bombers in 2014. So while hope is an easy
to come by commodity in June, the 2014 edition of the Bombers truly remains surrounded by uncertainty, expectation and nervous apprehension.

What fans expect and deserve of course is a departure from last year’s season that resembled some sort of a reality TV show (aka the Gong Show for those who are as old as I am). As the song suggests, and as the Bombers have chosen as their mantra, all that fans really want is a reason to believe. “Believe in Blue” is the team’s slogan this year and that’s a heck of an improvement over such previous gems as “unfinished business” (ooops).

Lots of uncertainty to start the year, probably modest expectations from the fans but as always, everyone’s 0 – 0 right now and in the wacky CFL anything is possible.

Believe in Blue indeed.

Welcome to week one. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Cha-cha-changes

A recurring theme from 2013 emerges. So many changes in the off season, but really what would you expect after a 3 – 15 season? Maintaining the status quo would be akin to handing passengers of the Titanic bailing cans. So let’s begin by grading some of those off-season moves by looking at the top 5.

# 1: Firing Tim Burke

Somewhat of a no-brainer of course, given the record. Tim’s openness and honesty with the media and fans was refreshing but in the end it’s results that matter. Interesting quote from Tim this week though; “I learned that to win in the CFL you need talent” OUCH!!!!!

He had to go of course, commanding a winning performance in only 3 out of 18 games might get you a Senate appointment but you need slightly better results to survive in professional football.

Nice guy, good guy, and he’s already landed on his feet.

#2 Confirming Wade Miller as CEO

There’s a recurring theme in these top 5. It’s basically “let’s blow up the team and replace all the key positions with rookies”. It’s a roll of the dice of course that we may be regretting for years, but it’s heck of an improvement over the so- called experienced crew that were entrusted with this team in the last couple years. Wade is nothing if not passionate for this team. His passion and perseverance with the Bombers is legendary. Often underestimated his drive and determination will serve the team well. He already has tripled the public appearances as his predecessor, who was??? Quiz #1!

#3 Confirming Kyle Walters as GM

2013 was such a down year for the Bombers. It seemed nothing they did created any positive energy. The parking sucks, the buses have flat tires, the cheerleaders have facial hair, Buzz can’t fit his uniform, Captain Blue can’t get the plane started, the beer’s warm, the Rum Hut doesn’t serve Scotch…..etc….etc….etc. But let’s not get delusional, any such snipping and whining is quickly silenced with victories!!! So as last season progressed it became increasingly frustratingly obvious that the Bombers weren’t going to be providing that. For that I lay the blame on one person.

If you’ve read this report before then you’ll know that I usually take the high road when it comes to football operations. I figure that since I don’t know much about football (other than the shortest distance to the nearest beer vendor – I’ve got that down), that the people the powers that be hire to run football operations know what they’re dong. My exception to that rule came last year with the antics that surrounded Joe Mack. In my opinion he singlehandedly set this franchise back 3 years. His player choices, his lack of attention to the QB situation and his lack of interest in the franchise as a whole (seriously – you don’t even live in Winnipeg?) resulted in what should have been a year that launched an era of greatness in our new home becoming an on-field debacle.

So enters Kyle Walters. In keeping with the theme, a rookie at the GM position but with lots of experience with player personnel and lots of passion for the Bombers. I’m into this passion thingy – Go Kyle!

#3 The QB’s we didn’t get

The QB carousel was alive and well this year largely as a result of the Ottawa expansion draft. So while many names came and then subsequently went for the Bombers let’s throw out a few.

Kevin Glenn

Solid performer, been here before but let’s face it, the Bombers really need to look to the future and Kevin, while providing short term help, wouldn’t provide that.

Quick Quiz – who was the last QB the Bombers signed and developed into a legit starter? TJ Rubley? Ryan Dynwiddie? Alex Hall? This franchise, I would submit, hasn’t developed a quality starting QB from scratch, since DIETER BROCK! Seriously, 1984 Grey Cup QB Tom Clements (acquired from Ottawa), 1988 starting QB Sean Salisbury (okay, he was a Bomber draft pick but really, it was the D that won that game), 1990 Grey Cup Tom Burgess (acquired from Sask). My point is simple. The teams that win the cup repeatedly develop their own QB’s. Think Edmonton…..Ricky Ray, Tom Wilkinson, Warren Moon, Matt Dunigan, Damon Allen. Think Bombers…… think really hard…..

Henry Burris

Spoiler alert. It’s really going to hurt next Thursday (July 3rd) when Ottawa plays their inaugural game in their history at IGF and we see Henry picking us apart. But the same comments as above apply here.

Zach Collaros

For sure Collaros seems like a fine, up and coming QB. Having filled in admirably during Ricky Ray’s injury stretch in 2013, he seemed like the prize QB in the QB sweepstakes. Really though, he was playing with a solid football team in the Argos. Is he that much better than where we ended up?

#4 The QB we did get

So I know that many Bomber fans might be thinking that if the 2014 CFL off season was like a game of shinny on the outdoor rink in January, Drew’s stick must have been the last on the ice, but I figure that with any of these young QB’s, be it Matt Nicoles, Bo Mitchell, Zach Collaros, it’s a roll of the dice. Willy has started 4 games in the CFL. I once threw a pass to Damon Allen. It was a tough choice but the Bombers made their pick.

It’s important to note though that what’s imperative is that the Bombers give this kid a chance. Here’s a fun fact:

Anthony Calvillo

• Drafted by the Las Vegas Posse in 1994 – completed 44.3% of his passes with 2,582 yards of passing
• Signed by Hamilton in the 1995 dispersal draft – completed 54.8% of his passes with 2,831 yards of passing
• Signed as a free agent by Montreal after being cut by Hamilton – completed 57% of his passes, 1,526 yards of passing
• Finished his career with a 62.4% completion rate and just shy of 80,000 total yards

The point is obvious. Patience is a virtue when it becomes to QB developments. Case in point, the Bombers gave up on me way too early; I think my resume got lost in the rubble of Canad Inn. So maybe Drew’s the guy, maybe not, but let’s give him a solid try, and by that I mean a solid year try.

#5 Defense

So defense used to be the hallmark of this team but last year the Bombers finished last in points allowed and last in so many other categories. Swaggerville became wimperville, our secondary had more holes than a Swiss cheese shop and it seemed the only runner we could stop was Cornish (and by Cornish, I mean a Cornish Game Hen, not Jon Cornish). So enter Gary Etcheverry. He’s the antipathy of the Bombers rookie movement. At 57 years old he’s older than the rest of the management team by far. How old is Gary? He coached the Hollywood High School in 1977, the same year I graduated from High School. He could have coached ME! Except, 1) I didn’t go to school in California, and 2) I didn’t play football.

His defense has been described as unorthodox, unpredictable and exciting. Just like everything else in Bomberland this year, the proof will be in the results.

So there you have five of the biggest changes in the Bomber camp in 2014. Lots of uncertainty. Lots of hope.

The Bombers

Okay, so we do actually have a game to play. Here’s the breakdown on the Bombers

Key to victory

• Bombers are missing some key defenders – Alex Suber and Korey Banks. The offense will need to keep the ball away from Toronto Offense

The Argos

The Argos won the East division but folded in the Eastern final second half. Sooner or later time has to catch up with Ricky right?

Key to victory

• Ricky Ray – he can devour the Bombers quicker than Doug Brown at Obie Khan’s kiosk

The Prediction

Yikes. It could get ugly. So many unknowns (Bombers) vs. so many knowns (Argos) (Oh Ricky you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind oh Ricky).

Hope does spring eternal though and perhaps the excitement of a home opener will propel the Bombers to victory . Or perhaps, we’ll have to wait a bit for that first victory.

Argos 35 Bombers 21

But I’m usually wrong, so there’s still hope.

Elsewhere there’s

Calgary over Montreal
BC over Edmonton
Saskatchewan over Hamilton

And for the season??

East: Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa
West: BC, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg (9-9), Edmonton

The Closing Song!

I promised I’d perk it up a bit

Game Day
(Sung to the tune – Downtown by Petula Clark)

When you’re alone and life is making you lonely
To IGF you go – Game Day
When you’ve got worries, all the Bombers will hurry
Seems to help, I know – Game Day
Check out the new stadium, still smells new and looks so spiffy
Linger on the concourse where the beer lines move so swiftly
How can we lose?

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
‘Cause it’s
Game Day – things’ll be great when it’s
Game Day – no finer place, for sure
Game Day – and you know that I’m bettin’ on Blue

Don’t hang around and let your problems surround you
There is fun galore – Game Day
Baby you know, to the fields where we go
Where we face our foes – Game Day
Just listen to the rhythm as the D-line sacks poor Ricky
Offence they’ll be dancing too before the night is over
Happy again

The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares
‘Cause it’s
Game Day – where all the lights are bright
Game Day – Blues gonna win tonight
Game Day – we’re gonna be all right now

[Instrumental break]

And you’ll be with so many fans standing behind the big Blue
Bomber fans just like you we’re gonna win this game too
A new home a new start
So maybe I’ll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares
‘Cause it’s
Game Day – things’ll be great when it’s
Game Day – don’t wait a minute more
Game Day – Bombers are waiting for you

Game Day, Game Day, Game Day, Game Day …

CHEERS!

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