The Corbett Report, August 5, 2021

Introduction

It’s been 620 days since the last edition of the Corbett Report.  Just to refresh your memory, here’s the complete text of that report – published November 24, 2019, at 9:55pm MST:

WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though it was in another decade, it seems like it was just yesterday that the Bombers handily defeated the Hamilton Ti-Cats 33-12 in the 107^th Grey Cup.  Oh wait, it was yesterday that I last watched that game (for the 7^th time).  It capped an awesome November as the Bombers defense dominated on their road swing through the west.  Allowing just 14 points against Calgary in the semi-final, 13 against the Riders in the final and then finishing off with a 33-12 victory against the heavily favoured Ti-Cats. 

Who would have thought that it would be 620 days until the Bombers were given the opportunity to begin the defense of their Grey Cup champion title?  But we’re finally at that point, and while a shortened season isn’t ideal, it beats the alternative.  It’s great to have the CFL back.  Actually, correct that, it’s SWEET!

Welcome to week 1.  Welcome to the Corbett Report.

The Bombers

The Bombers have done a decent job in the extended off season keeping their core unit together. 

On defense, the Bombers have retained 8 starters including stars Willie Jefferson, Jake Thomas, Jackson Jeffcoat and Adam Bighill.  The Bombers would not have won the Grey Cup without this core of defensive all-stars.  Allowing an average of 13 points a game in the 2019 playoffs made the difference.  You’re not going to win many games in the CFL if you only score 13 points.

On offense, the Bombers have rolled the dice and kept Zach Collaros at QB rather than Matt Nichols (now with Ottawa).  That was undoubtedly a gut-wrenching decision for the Bombers.  Nichols had the Bombers on a path to the playoffs when he went down with an injury and certainly deserved a better fate than losing the starting job to Collaros.  But Collaros was the QB of record during that memorable playoff run and was the safer choice by the Bombers. 

It’s on offense though that the biggest questions arise for the Bombers as they start the season.  Gone is Chris Streveler and Justin Medlock.  Injured to start the season is Darvin Adams and Andrew Harris. 

The loss of Medlock could be huge as the Bombers start the season with two rookies handling the kicking and punting duties.  Marc Liegghio has had a promising camp as a placekicker but just isn’t up to Medlock’s standards.  He’ll also be handling the punting duties.  Tyler Crapigna came to the Bombers from Montreal mid-training camp.  He at least has some CFL experience kicking but won’t be doing any punting.  It should be an interesting (or it could be a frustrating) opening couple of games in the kicking/punting department.

With Harris out with a calf injury, look to both Brady Oliveira (new this year and also from Oak Park High) and Johnny Augustine to handle the running back duties.  It’s hard to imagine that the Bombers won’t miss Harris as a receiver out of the backfield.  It’ll be interesting to see what new offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce comes up with for the home opener.

Fun fact: None of the players who scored points for the Bombers in the Grey Cup are playing tonight (Harris and Medlock were the only two point scorers).

The Ti-Cats

There is not a single  CFL prognosticator that isn’t picking the Ti-Cats to win the Eastern division.  Justifiably so as the Ti-Cats are returning with a solid core of veterans on both side of the ball. 

At QB the starting job has been given to Jeremiah Masoli.  Like Nichols, Masoli was having a great season when he went down with an ACL injury in the latter half of the 2019 season.  His replacement, Dane Evans, came in and seemed poised to lead the Cat’s to their first Grey Cup in 20 years (which in case you hadn’t noticed is now a 21-year drought).  But Evans looked like a rookie in the Grey Cup game.  Constantly under pressure, Evans threw 2 interceptions and was sacked 5 times by the hungry Bomber defense. 

On defense the Cats are again formidable, lead by Simon Lawrence.  Look for the Cats to continue where they left off in the 2019 season on defense when they allowed an average of 19 points per game.

The Bombers are in for a tough game tonight.

Keys to the game

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

For the Bombers to win

• The crowd will be large and noisy.  They need to feed off their energy and draw on their championship experience

• Tailor the offensive play calls to the players you have.  With Harris and Adams both out others will need to step up

• Hit at least 75% on field goals

For the Ti-Cats to win

• Score early to quiet the exuberant crowd

• Protect Masoli against the talented defensive line of the Bombers

• Pressure Collaros early and often

The predictions

Picks

Sask over BC

Calgary over Toronto

Edmonton over Ottawa

And in our feature game:

Adam Bighill said it best this week when advised that the Bombers were the underdogs for this game: “We don’t believe in that stuff, we wouldn’t be Champions if we did”.  So yes, while the Bombers would seem to be the underdogs for this home opener, there’s a lot to be said for the experience that comes with winning a championship.  With no pre-season games and a 620 day layover between games, it’s a bit of a crapshoot when it comes to predicting tonight’s winner.  The Bombers will be pumped, the fans will be pumped and with the Grey Cup banner being unveiled surely the football gods will shine down on the home team.  It’ll take a momentous defensive effort but in the end it’ll be:

Bombers 21 Ti-Cats 18

CHEERS!

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