The Corbett Report, August 14, 2015

An opening song choice this week could have been “Welcome to my Nightmare”, because as much as Bomber brass would love us to think otherwise, this team’s wagon has been hitched to Drew Willy. So now, faced with the prospect of at least 8 weeks without their marquee quarterback, the Bomber season hangs in limbo, on the precipice of another year of missed playoffs and shattered hopes and dreams.

Enter stage left Robert Marve. A fan choice if ever there was one, he takes the starting reins behind a porous offensive line that has one humming Led Zeppelin songs (“I’ve been dazed and confused”). Whether his scrambling ability will be enough to lead the Bombers to victory remains to be seen.   The Bombers’ recent history has seen its fair share of QB saviours suit up behind centre. Remember TJ Rubly? Stephan Lefors? Alex Brink? Need I go on? The headline today reads “Rookie Quarterback eager for first pro start”, what will the headline read Saturday morning? Or how about Labour Day Monday?

Lots of expectations as Robert Marve takes to the field. He’ll need some help from his team and their fans and maybe even a little luck.

Welcome to week eight. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Standings

			WEST
Team	Wins	Losses	Pts	For	Against	Streak
Calgary	4	2	8	137	148	1 Win
Edmonton	4	2	8	165	89	1 Loss
BC	3	3	6	144	159	1 Win
Winnipeg	3	4	6	140	210	1 Loss
Sask	0	7	0	174	225	7 Losses
			EAST
Team	Wins	Losses	Pts	For	Against	Streak
Hamilton	4	2	8	191	114	3 Wins
Ottawa	4	2	8	131	150	2 Wins
Toronto	4	2	8	166	163	1 Win
Montreal	2	4	4	130	120	2 Losses

As much as an air of despair seems to be descending on IFG these days, it’s important to note that the Bombers are hardly out of the playoff race. BC has to go into Hamilton this week to face the Ti-Cats, who (as the Bombers well know) haven’t lost at their new home. Sure they are starting their 2^nd (3^rd?) string QB but hey, isn’t everyone in the same boat? Even the Argonauts.

The Bombers

Enough about the loss of Drew Willy. There is some positive news on the injury front for the Bombers. Defensive linemen Greg Peach and Bryant Turner return and should improve the Bombers’ pass rush. Nick Moore is back at receiver which is a timely return given the loss of Darwin Adams last week. There’s still a hole at running back but really, has rushing been any sort of a thing for the Bombers this year?

This team has shown some signs of life and has proven to be resilient in bouncing back after devastating losses (and I think last week might just fit that description). They’ll need to improve on the league leading sacks allowed (23) and the defense will have to pick up the slack.

The Argonauts

The Argos started the season, and continue to find ways to win without their hall of fame starter Ricky Ray.   His replacement? Trevor Harris? Well, he leads the league in passing yards: 1,819; percentage of completion: 75%; TDs 14 (vs. only 4 interceptions); and overall QB Rating (115.4). Even with Chad Owens out they were able to throttle the powerhouse Saskatchewan Roughriders last week 30 – 26.

Defensively they are like the Bombers. Trying to find their way. A solid, well-coached team, the Bombers could be in for a long night.

Keys to the game

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

For the Bombers to win

 

• Have some early success; get the fans into the game
• Defense needs to step up. A turnover or two would be nice
• Show something special (not awful) on special teams
• Marve needs to resist the temptation to do it all (only Willy can do that)
• Oh yeah, and about that O-Line

 For the Argos to win

• Pick away at the Bombers defense

• Pressure the rookie QB
• Score early
• Capitalize on the Bombers’ shaky secondary

The predictions

I picked the Ti-Cats to win last week and alas I was right. I didn’t expect the game to become the debacle that it was. Not too many are giving the Bombers a hope this week now that Willy’s on the sideline. It’s too early though to give up on this team and this week, at home, it’s time to get an identity. It’ll come from the defense and they’ll hold the Bombers in it until a late TD makes it:

Bombers 22   Argos 18

Elsewhere?

Edmonton over Montreal

Hamilton over BC

Calgary over Ottawa

Have a great weekend! GO BLUE!