The Corbett Report, July 10, 2015

Introduction

Apologizes for the repeat song but really, isn’t Willy the focus of all that is Bomber football this week? After Willy left the game (down 10-7 at the time) the Bombers quite simply unraveled. They grabbed the CFL rulebook and proceeded to comprise a checklist of how to give up points and by the time the night was done . . .

Passing TD – Check

Rushing TD – Check

Interception for a TD – Check (x 2)

Punt return for a TD – Check

Field goal – Check

Single point convert – Check

Two point convert – Check

In fact the only scoring play that the Bombers didn’t give up was a safety touch. Drew doesn’t play defense but boy did they looked shell-shocked without their starting QB on the sideline.

So whether or not you believe he should be starting this week (his doctors do and that’s what matters to me – Paul Friesen’s view of the world not withstanding), the Bombers’ prospects improved significantly on Monday when he took to the practice field as the starter.

Now let’s hope his return lights a fire under the guys that play on the other side of the ball.

Welcome to week 2. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Standings

			WEST
Team	Wins	Losses	Pts	For	Against	Streak
Winnipeg	1	1	2	56	78	1 Loss
Calgary	1	1	2	35	52	1 Loss
BC	0	1	0	16	27	1 Loss
Edmonton	0	1	2	11	26	1 Loss
Sask	0	2	2	66	72	2 Losses
			EAST
Team	Wins	Losses	Pts	For	Against	Streak
Ottawa	2	0	4	20	16	2 Wins
Toronto	2	0	4	26	11	2 Wins
Hamilton	1	1	2	23	24	1 Loss
Montreal	1	1	2	16	20	1 Loss

 

Bombers tied for first, Ottawa undefeated, East sweeping last week’s games. Sheeeesh, I go sailing for 3 days and the world’s axis is flipped around. What’s next? Economic prosperity in Greece? Donald Trump as President? Let’s talk 18 weeks from now.

 The Bombers

After breaking an 11-game losing streak against Sask in week one, the Blue laid an egg against the Ti-Cats. It seemed like any confidence the Bombers had in the first quarter walked off the field with Willy. That’s a major concern for the Bombers. Is their depth so shallow and their physique so fragile that the loss of a single player sends them into a tailspin? Giving up 28 points in the last 20 minutes of the first half could hardly be seen as a rally in response to the hit on their starting QB. Perhaps that was a hiccup. Let’s hope so, if not, I’ve got a sickening case of déjà vu.

The Bombers need to be better on the line on both sides of the ball. Last week Hamilton knew the Bombers had no answer to their blitz and so just loaded it up and threw every man at the line. Reestablishing the run and hitting some short passes would go along way to forcing Montreal’s defense to at least show a little respect. On the other side of the ball, the Bombers are averaging ONE sack a game. Cato looked confident last week and unless the Bombers show some pressure, that doesn’t bode well for tonight’s game.

The Alouettes

 In what has to be considered the upset of the year to date, Montreal defeated the defending Grey Cup Champion Stampeders last week. What’s more, they did it with their first and second string QBs injured. Their starting QB? Well of course, it’s that household name……Rakeem Cato. Doesn’t ring a bell? Not surprising.   He wasn’t even on the Alouettes roster at the start of training camp. Last week, though, he showed the poise of a polished veteran, completing 20 of 25 passes with 3 TDs and NO interceptions. Not to be outdone, the Als’ defense kept the Stamps off balance all game long as they cruised to a 29 – 11 victory.

The Als come to town with a few names on their roster that might instill fear into the those Bomber fans with good memories. Fred Stamps – how many times did he make something out of nothing as the Bombers fell to the Eskimos. Nik Lewis – aging but as a Stamp he was nothing short of special against the Bombers and of course Jonathon Hefney, who’s bounced around a bit after being booted off of City Council in Swagger Ville, but seems to be back on his game.

Keys to the game

 So with all of that said, here are the keys to the game:

For the Bombers to win

 

• O line needs to say Oh-Oh less, so Drew doesn’t have to say Oooooooouch!
• Meanwhile, back is Paris …… (that’s the best I can do for a French connection)
• Cato’s playing in his SECOND game………PRESSURE HIM!

For the Alouettes to win

•  Can Cato make this the Year of the Cat….OH
• Keep the pressure on Drew
• Lewis and Stamps…..repeat their magic of old against the Bombers

The predictions

 After going 1 – 3 in week 1 and 2 – 2 in week 2 I dare say my predicting ability is improving! Although, still no correct calls for the Bombers. But here we go:

• Edmonton over Ottawa (Really, Ottawa can’t go 3 – 0 can they?)
• BC over Sask (oh wouldn’t a 0 – 3 start be nice for the Riders)
• Calgary over Toronto (hard to bet against the Stamps at home)

And of course in our feature game:

The Bombers made a concerted effort in the off-season to improve their O-Line. It’s going to be needed tonight. More importantly though, the league’s worst defense needs to come to the party. Let’s suggest last week was an anomaly for both the Als and the Bombers and go with:

Bombers 35   Montreal 30