The Corbett Report, Thursday, July 17, 2014

Introduction

There are few among us, who would have circled week four of the CFL schedule and said, there’s a first place showdown on the schedule. Bombers vs. Eskimos, the battle of two undefeated teams. Okay, actually there is likely NO ONE among us who could have foreseen that. Early predictions by the so called “experts” were that the Esks and Bombers would battle it out for the cellar in the west, with the victors perhaps eking in a 4^th place finish and a cross over to the East. The odds of this game being a battle of two 3-0 teams were likely about the same as . . . oh I dunno, Gretzky coming out of retirement and signing with the Jets? Canadian men hoisting a world cup soccer trophy? The ice being off of the lakes in Northwest Ontario in time for Canada Day . . . you get the picture, not bloody likely!

Yet here we are, week 4 of the season and it’s a show down for first place in the west.

Time for an old rivalry from the 80’s to be dusted off so c’mon over our Alberta friends. Blue’s ready to welcome you with open arms.

Welcome to week four, welcome to the Corbett Report.

The Bombers

Wow! Who saw this coming? After that decisive opening victory against the Argos, two back-to-back, come-from-behind victories have the Bombers 3 – 0 for the first time since, well, I’d have to go the library and look that up, the internet doesn’t go back that far.

What’s most intriguing about this start is the way that the Bombers are getting it done. In very non-Bomber like fashion, it’s the offense that’s carrying them to victory. With 115 points for, the Bombers have already scored almost a third of the total points they scored all of last year. They lead the league in the following offensive categories:

Most points per game, Most TDs, Most TDs rushing, Most Field goals, Highest average points, Most first downs . . . need I go on?

All done with a rookie QB, a rookie running back and a green receiving corps. Pretty heady stuff for this much maligned franchise that didn’t score their 3^rd victory of 2013 until Thanksgiving Day.

I must admit though, I’m nervous about this team. Strip away the last minute heroics and there are a few areas of concern.

First, the O-Line: 10 sacks allowed against are too many. Drew Willy keeps bouncing up but with 15 games to go in the season, sooner or later Willy Weeble’s gonna wobble and fall down!

Secondly, on Defense: Yes it’s held tough when’s needed to, but the group ranks near the bottom of most defensive categories, including passing yards against. They’re dead last in the interception department with a total of 1, Edmonton by contrast, have intercepted 8! Many thought that Gary Etcheverry’s unorthodox defense would keep teams confused early in the season. It seems like it has but I worry about what might happen when the opposition figures it out.

Finally, PENALTIES: The Bombers have taken 34 penalties for 340 yards over the first three games. To put that in perspective, they’re giving up on average, 1 complete trip down the field per game. They’ve dodged the bullet on this one but as the competition gets stiffer, 113 yards per game is going to come back to bite them!

The Eskimos

While the Eskimos are also coming off of a woeful season in 2013 (4-14), I don’t think anyone would have put them in the same boat as the Bombers coming in to 2014. In 2013 they had a solid QB and were competitive in most of their games.

This year, they’ve been able to keep Mike Reilly healthy and their defense has been all over the field. (Have I mentioned the 8 interceptions?)

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Keep the momentum going, give IGF a reason to party
• Give the ball to Nic! (With the Will Ford release, Grigsby now the RB of record for the year)
• Protect Drew Willy!
• Be wary of the Eskimo ball hawks
• Desmond! – HANG ONTO THE BALL

 For the Eskimos to win

•  Stuff the Bombers run
• Slip a player into your line up dressed as a Bomber (that is how you’re getting all of those interceptions isn’t it?)
• Reilly to Stamps – repeat

Game Prediction

An intriguing matchup that will go a long way towards sorting out which of these two teams is a contender and which is a pretender. The Bombers are playing their 3^rd game of 4 in what are becoming the friendly confines of IGF. This is the first Western opponent the Bombers face this year. The Eskimos have looked solid in all of their victories (BC, Hamilton, Ottawa).   Look for Edmonton to try and pressure Willy and for the Bombers to counter with the running attack. In the end, it’ll be the 13^th man that’ll make the difference. Make the final:

Bombers 31 Eskimos 28

Last game

 

Corbett Report:              Bombers 27 REDBLACKS 15

Actual:                          Bombers 36 REDBLACKS 28

 

Season results

 

Bomber games      2 – 1

All CFL games      7 – 5

 

This week’s other games

 

Toronto over Ottawa

Calgary over Hamilton

BC over Montreal