The Corbett Report, October 14, 2017

Introduction

Greetings!

So after that solid, workmanlike effort against Edmonton two weeks ago the Bombers laid an egg last week in a lackluster, out of character performance against Hamilton. The result undoubtedly left many Bomber fans frustrated and pondering who is this team? What’s their true identity?  With concerns arising again on the defensive side of the ball and an offense that was rather uninspiring there’s plenty of reason for doubts to start to creep in when it comes to this team.

Coach O’Shea is of course saying all the right things. Last week’s game was an aberration.  The true Bombers will show up this week.  They better, cause now’s not the time to start a losing streak.

Welcome to week 8. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

The Bombers

The concern in Bomberville this week has centered around the status of starting QB Matt Nichols. Nichols left at the end of the 1^st half last week with a hand injury.  Concern was that it was either a torn nail or a worse, a broken finger.  Turns out he’s been practicing just fine all week and should be good to go on Saturday.  Hopefully that’s a good thing.  Nichols left the game after throwing an interception and the Bomber’s offense looked pedestrian in a 30-13 loss.

Andrew Harris had only 9 touches last week and that’ll have to change this week as well.

Time for the Blue to step up and prove that they truly are contenders.

The Lions

The Lions have been a mess this year and are in danger of missing the playoffs. Seems that Wally doesn’t have the answers this year.  Still plenty of talent on this team though so Bombers are in for a fight.  Particularly on defense.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

 

• Regain the swagger on offense by scoring first
• Harris, Harris, Harris ! 9 touches won’t cut it. Particularly with Flanders out with an injury
• D needs to get pressure on Jonathon Jennings 

For the Lions to win

• Stop the catch-master Darvin Adams
• They won’t say it but Bombers confidence may have been shaken last week. Take a page out of the Ti-Cats playbook and throw the quick short passes and score early
• Shut down the run game

The predictions

• Calgary over Hamilton
• Sask over Ottawa
• Edmonton over Toronto

And of course in our feature game:

I’ve been wrong the last two weeks predicting the Bomber games and I have a nagging feeling that the Bombers aren’t going to pull this one off. However, I’m going to put my trust in O’Shea and company and the belief that the Bombers are going to be just a bit pissed off and looking for redemption after last week’s debacle.

Bombers 35   Lions 30