The Corbett Report, Thursday, July 3, 2014

BELIEVE IN BLUE – ROUND 2

The Corbett Report – Issue 2014-02 – July 3, 2014
Winnipeg vs. Ottawa

THE OPENING SONG
Then I saw game one
[Sung to the tune of “I’m a Believer” by Neil Diamond (who knew!)/Rcorded by The Monkees/Smashmouth]

Here’s the Youtube Link

I thought wins would only come in fairy tales
Meant for other teams but not for Blue
Losses were made for us
That’s the way it seemed.
Disappointment haunted all my dreams.

Then I saw game one, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
Blue are back, I’m a believer!
Wins will come here, if we try

I thought a loss was more or less a given thing,
Seems the more we tried the less we got.
What was the use in tryin’?
All you got was pain.
But then in the cold victory again

Yeah I saw game one, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
Another win, yeah, I’m a believer!
Yeah get ready for a winning ride

Introduction

Just when you thought it was safe to stretch out on the band wagon, what with all of that extra room, the Bombers do the unthinkable and not only win a game, but dominate a game. Hello! Climb on board. Nothing chases away the gray skies of a pending lost season than a victory. Even though it may be fleeting, the euphoria accompanying a Bomber victory at least momentarily gives hope to the faithful.

Last week though, it wasn’t the scoreboard that provided the encouragement for the fans, it was the way that the scoreboard was generated. The Bombers played as a cohesive unit. The defense defended, the offense dominated and the special teams were solid. The effort earned the Bombers Drew Willy Offensive Player of the Week (sorry, Google doesn’t go back far enough to figure out when that last happened to a Bomber QB). In short, the Bombers looked like a sleek sailing sloop rather than the rusting hulk of the Titanic.

Sure, it’s just one game but it was a lot more fun leaving IGF on Thursday night than it was for the majority of last year. Maybe it’s time for the football gods to shine on the Bombers. Last week inspired hope, this week could affirm it.

Welcome to week two, welcome to the Corbett Report.

The Bombers

Obviously, there wasn’t much to be critical about last week. A 45-21 victory has renewed hope in Bomberville. The distraction of the Kory Banks suspension I think was handled well by the Bombers. If you want to put yourself above the team then maybe you should be sipping mint juleps in Atlanta.

Still lots of key players on the sideline this week. Will Ford, Cory Watson and Alex Suber but with the likes of Nic Grigsby and Johnny Sears helping to fill the void things don’t seem quite that dire this week.

Let’s not forget though, this is a totally revamped Bomber team and their confidence could be fragile. For now though, think positive. At 1-0 the Bombers are tied for first in the West!

The REDBLACKS

Fun fact: At 0 – 0, the REDBLACKS are first in the East!! All by themselves. Such was the outcome of week one when the West went 3 – 0 against the East.

Thursday night will see history in the making as Ottawa plays their first ever regular season football game. So what do we know about them? Well, they have Henry Burris on offense and Jovon Johnson on D. Aside from that, they do have some players with CFL experience including Paris Jackson (WR), Chevon Walker (RB), TJ Hill (LB) to name just 3, but how this group will come together is anyone’s guess. Most pundits have them finishing last in the East but after last week’s showing by Montreal, Hamilton and Toronto don’t be so sure.

Coming into Winnipeg after a bye week should have the REDBLACKS well rested, and if they get on a bit of a roll……well, let’s just say Winnipeg better be a fired up bunch.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• That thing you did last week…….yeah, do that again!
• Willy to Kelly – continue the connection
• “Ala Nic Grigsby, picks up the ball and goes strolling downfield, Defenders they yield” (thanks to the Beatles for that one)
• Defense needs to confuse Ottawa

For the REDBLACKS to win

• Henry Burris hold’s the keys to spiffy new team. As he goes so goes the RB’s
• In uncertainty there could be victory! Catch the Bombers by surprise
• An occasional trick play could turn momentum in Ottawa’s favour

Game Prediction

According to rule 107 of the professional sports expansion manual, an expansion team is not allowed to win more than 25% of their games (aka Winnipeg Jets 1979, 20 wins in 80 games). The league though, gave Ottawa a fighting chance this time around and they do have a good core group of players. Not sure of the coaching though or on how quickly they can pull it all together.

So welcome back to the league Ottawa, thanks for coming out.

Bombers 27 REDBLACKS 15

Last game

Corbett Report: Argos 35 Bombers 21
Actual: Bombers 45 Argos 21

Season results

Bomber games 0 – 1 (and happy for it)
All CFL games 2 – 2

This week’s other games

BC over Montreal
Edmonton over Hamilton
Saskatchewan over Toronto

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