The Corbett Report, August 25, 2022

Introduction

No.  That was the terse and direct answer from Mike O’Shea when asked if he ever considered just trying a punt for a single to secure victory in the week 4 game against the Alouettes.  The answer left no room for debate, nor should it have.  The correct call was the field goal and the fact that the ball hit the upright and was declared dead (giving the Alouettes the victory) doesn’t change that.  A punt would have had to travel 52 yards to get through the end zone.  Not nearly as likely an outcome as a 37-yard field goal.  So it goes with Mike O’Shea.  Over the past 6 years he’s rounded into a stellar head coach.  In his earlier years, some of his coaching calls might have been questionable, but in recent years, it’s pretty hard to second guess O’Shea.  Consider this, since the start of the 2019 season the Bombers under O’Shea’s leadership have gone 36 – 11 and won back-to-back Grey Cups.  In short, with O’Shea as head coach, the Bombers just keep winning.

And so it was fitting that during the bye week, Mike O’Shea took some time away from Winnipeg and returned to his home town of North Bay, Ontario where he participated in the unveiling of a newly named football field.  The Steve Omischl Complex is now named the Mike O’Shea Field.

During the ceremony, North Bay Mayor Al McDonald, summed up O’Shea as follows: “Mike is a very humble champion, that’s been a great ambassador for the city of North Bay and he speaks very kindly of our city no matter where he is in the world. It’s an opportunity for us to recognize greatness and those that inspire our youth to follow their dreams. That’s what Mike is all about and we wanted to make sure that we recognized him here.”

Very fitting words that aptly describe the Blue Bombers 30^th head coach.

Welcome to week 5.  Welcome to the Corbett Report.

The Standings

WEST DIVISION

RK	TEAM	GP	W	L	T	PTS	F	A	HOME	AWAY	DIV
1	Winnipeg	10	9	1	0	18	267	182	3-1-0	6-0-0	4-0-0
2	BC	9	8	1	0	16	323	185	4-1-0	4-0-0	5-1-0
3	Calgary	9	6	3	0	12	268	210	2-2-0	4-1-0	2-3-0
4	Saskatchewan	10	5	5	0	10	244	243	3-3-0	2-2-0	2-2-0
5	Edmonton	10	3	7	0	6	198	336	0-4-0	3-3-0	0-7-0

EAST DIVISION

RK	TEAM	GP	W	L	T	PTS	F	A	HOME	AWAY	DIV
1	Toronto	9	4	5	0	8	199	230	3-3-0	1-2-0	2-2-0
2	Montreal	10	4	6	0	8	260	273	2-2-0	2-4-0	2-2-0
3	Hamilton	10	3	7	0	6	223	265	3-2-0	0-5-0	3-2-0
4	Ottawa	9	1	8	0	2	167	225	0-5-0	1-3-0	1-2-0

Fun fact, if the Riders were in the East division, they’d be the first place team.  Time for the East division to up it’s game!   Montreal at least are doing their part, having beaten both the Riders and the Bombers.
Bombers

If one took any stock in social media, the comments about the Bombers after their loss two weeks ago to Montreal would suggest that the team was no longer a contender.  Why didn’t they just punt? Collaros is washed up.  Liegghio has to gogo. How could they take so many penalties? O’Shea’s play-calling sucks! Etc. etc.  Good thing the Corbett Report doesn’t put any stock in social media. If it did, the best comeback line would be:

If, at the start of the season you were asked, would you be content if the Bombers posted a 9-1 record in their first ten games? What would your answer be?

I’m pretty sure most fans would answered with an enthusiastic HELL YA!  So yeah, well it hasn’t always been pretty (the July 4^th win against the Argos due to a missed convert by Toronto comes to mind), a 9-1 record is a pretty decent way to come off of a bye week and start the stretch drive.

So let’s analyze some key components of the team after the first 10 games:

The kicker

May as well start with Liegghio who missed two field goals that would have given the Bombers a victory over the Als’ last game.  That combined with some missed converts earlier in the season have many Bomber fans nervous that he won’t be able to deliver a crucial kick when needed.  Overall though, Liegghio is in the middle of the pack in stats.  He’s 19 of 23 (82.6%) on field goals but only 20 of 24 on converts.  It’s the last number that have the Bomber faithful wringing their hands.  Consider this; only 3 out of the 10 kickers that have attempted converts this year are perfect, and in fact, Sergio Castillo (last year’s Bomber kicking savior) is only 11 – 14 on converts.  So while there certainly is cause for concern over Liegghio’s performance, its not like there’s a kicker out there who’s an apparent replacement for Liegghio.  Better to stick with the devil you know, as the saying goes.

The run game

Not re-signing Andrew Harris seemed like an oops moment for Kyle Walters early in the season as Harris was lighting it up with the Argos while the Bombers run game was looking anemic.  Not so much lately.  Brady Oliveria now sits second in the league in rushing and his average per carry has increased to a respectable 4.5 yards.  Andrew Harris by comparison was sitting at 4.3 yards per carry and as it turns out, he’s now gone for the season.

The passing game

Injuries to Nic Demski and Greg Ellingson have hurt the Bombers’ production in the passing department but that’s been mitigated by the arrival of Dalton Schoen.  Ellingson is out again this week but I’m still looking for another solid passing game by Collaros.

The defense

The defense continues to be the backbone of this team.  While they do continue to give up more yards than some teams, they still lead the league in allowing the fewest points per game (18.2).  That’s the formula that has won them back-to-back Grey Cups. 

Overall

The Bombers continue to be the odds-on favourites to win the Grey Cup.  They’ll need better performances out of their offense though if they’re going to win a 3^rd cup.  Don’t bet against that happening.

Stampeders

For the first time in 10 years (except due to injury) the Stamps are starting a quarterback other than Bo-Levi Mitchell.  Jake Maier will be the starter tonight.  Whether BLM is injured, or father time has caught up to him is yet to be determined but it’ll be interesting to see how Dave Dickenson’s roll of the dice at the most important position on the football field plays out.

Maier is not exactly an unseasoned rookie.  In 2021 he filled in for an injured Bo-Levi completing 64.2% of his passes with a 5 – 3 TD/Interception ratio.  Last week he came off the bench and lead the Stamps to a 22-19 victory over Toronto.  The Bombers are well advised to take note. 

On defense the Stampeders are solid, allowing just 23 points per game.  It was the defense that paved the way for the comeback against Toronto last week, holding the Argos to just 3 points in the second half.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Play clean football.  No turnovers.  No missed field goals.  No stupid penalties
• Pressure Jake Maier (C’mon down Willie)
• Keep the fans engaged

For the Stamps to win

• Win the turnover battle
• Score early
• Win the time of possession

The record

Corbett report predictions so far this year:

                        CFL                                         21 – 22   (48.8%)

                        Bombers only                            8 – 2     (80.0%)

The predictions

For the non-Bomber games, here’s what’s going to happen:

Ti-Cats over the Argos (I do believe Hamilton is getting their act together)

Sask ekes out a win in the Lions den (Nathan Rourke’s true value to the team becomes apparent)

Ottawa over Edmonton (The Redblacks can’t keep losing, can they?)

In our feature matchup, the Bombers are fresh off the bye week, playing at home.  It’s going to be tough for the Stamps to come out on top in this one:

Bombers 28 Stampeders 20

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