The Corbett Report, June 22, 2023

Introduction

A repeat song, you lament? Not so fast.  When this song was last published on October 8, 2021 it was all about the D-FENCE.  In 2021, enroute to averaging just 13.4 points per game, the D was the dominate force on the Bombers.  Remember it was the same D that in 2019 allowed just 39 points in three playoff games enroute to their first Grey Cup in 29 years.  This year, while the defence is still solid, they are not the dominating force they once were.  In fact, they are tied for second last place in average points allowed (29).  Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Bombers’ offense is playing “lights out”.  Even after removing Janarion Grant’s punt return runback last week, the Bombers are still averaging 40 points per game on offence. Those questioning whether Zach Collaros might be losing a step have crawled back into their gopher holes after watching his performance through 2 weeks.  He leads the league in passing yardage (647), TD Passes (5) and overall QB Rating (133.7).  Oh yeah, and did I mention his completion percentage of 72.1% or how about that 5-0 TD-Interception ratio.  Clearly the strength of this team has flipped from D to O and the source of that strength is Zach Collaros.

If the old adage is right that Offence sells tickets and Defense wins championships, then Bomber fans are in for a hell of a ride in 2023.  Maybe they’ll even have a chance to prove the old adage wrong come November.

Welcome to week 3. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Bombers

The Bombers are once again proving to be the team to beat in 2023.  Whereas other teams seem to be struggling to hit the end zone the Bombers are making more trips to the red zone than a Winnipeg commuter makes to Tims in a week.  Even without Kenny Lawler in the receiving core Collaros has had no shortage of targets.  Nic Demski doesn’t seem to have lost a step and Dalton Schoen is showing no signs of a sophomore jinx.  Running back Brady Oliveira is second in rushing yards in the league (behind BC’s Taquan Mizzell) and . . . ummm . . . did I mention our kicking game? Sergio Castillo has hit on 100% of his field goals and missed only 1 convert.

If there is any area for concern with this group of veteran performers, then it might just be on Defense.   The teams sits in the bottom third in most defensive categories and in fact have given up the most yards of any team in the league averaging 306.5 yards against per team.

Tonight will be a great test for the Bombers and while early in the year, could be a foreshadowing of how the season might unfold.

The Lions

When Nathan Rourke left the Lion’s for the NFL I’m sure there were many Lion fans who felt the team would slip back in the standings.  Not so fast.  Enter Vernon Adams JR.  He’s done an admirable job in leading the Lions to their 2-0 start and is second only to Collaros in most QB statistical categories.

Then there’s the defense.  How does an average points allowed of 7.5 sound? It is impressive but you do have to take a step back and realize that last week’s 22-0 victory, well, it was against the Elks wasn’t it?

Still, early in the season it looks like the Lions and Bombers are the two best teams in the league.   

Tonight’s match up will tell us if the Lions are for real or if they just got lucky with their scheduling to start the season.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	Pts	For	Against
WEST DIVISION
BC	2	2	0	4	47	15
Winnipeg	2	2	0	4	87	58
Calgary	2	1	1	2	41	40
Sask	2	1	1	2	44	58
Edmonton	2	0	2	0	13	39
EAST DIVISION
Toronto	1	1	0	2	32	14
Montreal	1	1	0	2	19	12
Ottawa	2	0	2	0	27	45
Hamilton	2	0	2	0	45	74

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Secondary needs to stop the big pass play
• Oliveira may be out, Augustine may need to fill the gap
• Ball control (remember the 21 points off turnovers in week 1)

For the Lion’s to win

• Win the turnover battle
• Ground the potent Bombers arial attack
• Escape the first quarter with a lead

The predictions

I’m going with:

Montreal over Hamilton

Calgary over Saskatchewan

Toronto over Edmonton

And in our feature game.  Sure the Lions look good on paper but, hey, you’re in Winnipeg now and yeah all know you can’t play with the big boys.

Bombers 28 Lions 20

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