The Corbett Report, August 3, 2016

Introduction

So I consider myself a true blue Bomber fan, but I’d be lying if I thought they had a chance to win last week in Edmonton. But there it was for all to see, a complete game effort against the defending Grey Cup champions in a City where they hadn’t won for 13 years! A chance to win? I thought they’d be lucky to keep the score within 20 points! Is Willy really that bad? Is Nichols that good? Was Edmonton thinking they just had to turn up and stamp the centre of the bingo card? Whatever the reason, it was the best and most complete game that the Bombers have played since last year’s Banjo Bowl victory over Saskatchewan.

There is however some rather scary realities going into Wednesday night’s game, and I’d be shrieking my journalistic responsibilities if I didn’t bring them to you. So here they are:

• The Bombers haven’t back to back games since July 2014
• The Bombers haven’t won at home in six games
• The Bombers are 7 – 23 at IGF since it opened

Need I go own? At least on paper the prospect for a victory doesn’t look good. But hey, last week the shot was even longer for a Bomber victory, so here’s hoping that this ones a turning point.

Welcome to week 6. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

 

The standings

 

				WEST
Team	Wins	Losses	Tie	Pts	For	Against
Calgary	5	3	1	7	157	127
BC	3	2	0	6	143	117
Edmonton	2	3	0	4	150	164
Winnipeg	2	4	0	4	128	158
Sask	1	4	0	2	113	179
				EAST
Team	Wins	Losses	Tie	Pts	For	Against
Toronto	4	2	0	8	148	140
Ottawa	3	2	1	7	137	114
Hamilton	3	2	0	6	137	114
Montreal	2	3	0	4	100	106

 

The Bombers

Last weeks victory over Edmonton was nothing short of a miracle. Unfortunately, it came at a great cost as the Bombers two leading receivers, Weston Dressler and Darvin Adams both went down with injury. So to did Quincy McDuffie who was really starting to show some promise as a kick/punt returner. Enter Clarence Denmark. Cut by the Bombers in the off-season, Clarence was keeping in shape, working out and waiting for the phone to ring from a CFL team. I’m pretty sure he didn’t expect the call to come from the Bombers, but to his credit he’s been extremely professional about the business end of football and returns to the roster enthusiastically. If the Bombers hope to get anywhere passing the ball, Denmark needs to make his mark.

Last weeks complete effort also included a break out game by running back Andrew Harris. Harris carried the ball 22 times for 127 yards. A 5.8 yard average. Hamilton averages only 55 yards rushing per game, Winnipeg, 73. Give the edge to Winnipeg in this department. Harris will need a big game against an aggressive Hamilton defense that averages 4 sacks per game (Bombers average 1.7 by comparison).

The Ti-Cats

Hamilton had the bye last week but it still wasn’t enough time for starting QB Zach Collaros to return the line up. Once again it’s up to Jeremiah Masoli to lead Hamilton. He’s coming off of a career game two weeks ago. Down 31 – 6 with 11 minutes to go in the third quarter, Masoli caught fire throwing a CFL record 23 straight pass completions and leading the Cats to a 37 – 31 victory. Getting the pressure on Masoli will be key to stopping him from gaining that sort of momentum.

Keys to the game

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

For the Bombers to win

• Hold onto the ball – ALWAYS, hold onto the ball
• Pressure Masoli early
• Defense to feed off of the crowds fever!
• Utilize Andrew Harris

For the Cats to win

• Silence the crowd with a 1^st quarter lead
• Find the rhythm on offense you had in Edmonton
• Shut down the injury riddled Bomber receiving corp
• Stifle the Bombers ground game

Ring of Honour

This week’s inductee into the Ring of Honour is none other than Milt Stegall. Safe to say there may be a few 85s in the stands for this one. Milt joined the Bombers in 1993 and played 14 remarkable years in Winnipeg. With 147 TDs and 15,153 yards receiving it goes without saying that this honour is well earned! Shame that in those 14 years he never won a Grey Cup. Maybe the Bombers can coax him out of retirement should they ever make it another Grey Cup (even if he’s using a walker by then).

The predictions

Tap your heals to together 3 times and repeat after me. There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like……

Winnipeg 31  Hamilton 25

Elsewhere:

Rookie Jennings vs. Veteran Glenn in Mtl. Pick the vet, Montreal over BC

No Durant for Sask and they go into Calgary and play Levi-Mitchell! Not even close, Calgary over Sask.

In the Grey Cup rematch, round 2. Edmonton and Ottawa have both lost two in a row. Look for Edmonton to bounce back in this one. Edmonton over Ottawa.