The Corbett Report, July 7, 2023

Introduction

Two weeks ago, the Corbett Report extolled the virtues of the O-Line, suggesting that their success lead to the success of QB Zach Collaros and that they had become the backbone of the team.  That was before the BC game when the Lions manhandled the O-Line and sacked Collaros a total of SEVEN times!  So much for brilliant insight from the Corbett Report! Why, then, risk another jinx-inducing song that praises, this time, the D-Line?  Well, you’ve gotta believe that the D-Line remains the heart and soul of this team.  Yeah, they’re getting older but now that Jackson Jeffcoat is back, the dynamic duo of Willy and Jackson seems to be getting their mojo back.  Last week they sacked Cody Fajardo 4 times and made him feel uncomfortable all night.  With the injuries Calgary’s facing in their running and receiving corps there’s no doubt that Ritchie Hall‘s defensive line crew will be salivating at the prospect of more than a few sacks of Jake Maier.

Indeed, if last week’s workman-like performance in Montreal is any indication (allowing only 3 points against), the Bomber defense may be reasserting themselves as the backbone of this team.

Perhaps a bunch of hyperbole but then again, maybe occasionally, the Corbett Report can be prophetic.

Welcome to week 5. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Bombers

A 3-1 start is pretty damn impressive.  Hell, 10 years ago the Bombers were lucky to win 3 games in an 18 game schedule!  So why is it that the league’s “wise” pundits seem to have dismissed the Bombers as yesterday’s team? Fun fact, official CFL power rankings moved the Bombers to 3^rd this week behind BC and the Argos.  That’s okay though.  The Bombers like being the underdog (remember 2019 when they finished 3^rd and still won the cup?).  Still though, the 30-6 loss to BC two weeks ago has undoubtedly given Bomber faithful cause to pause.  Still a solid team, and there’s no doubt that they’ll come out highly motivated to erase the fans memory of the June 22^nd  game.  In particular, the offensive line has something to prove after that game (even last week in victory they still allowed 2 sacks against Zach).

A few notables for the Bombers

• Last year’s hole in the kicking department seems to have been filled.  Sergio Castillo is 100% on his 8 field goal attempts this year
• After staying home in Winnipeg last week for the birth of his daughter, Nic Demski returns to the line up. (30 hours of labour, hah! A 60-minute game is a walk in the park, Dad!)
• Willie Jefferson has 4 sacks this year.  One more and his total moves to 62, which would move him into the top 40 in league history
• Adam Bighill needs 1 tackle to move him into 5^th overall in CFL history
• Should the Bombers win tonight, Mike O’Shea will pick up his 86th win as a Bomber head coach tying him with Cal Murphy for 2^nd overall in team history (Bud Grant is first at 102…out of reach??? NOT)

The Stamps

It would be easy to dismiss the Stamps as yesterday’s team now that Bo-Levi has moved on.  Indeed their 1-2 start is amazingly Un-Stamp like.  A franchise that once caused the Bombers to shake in their boots now seems to be just another opponent for the Blue and Gold. Consider that the Stamps have now lost their last 6 games at IG Field.

Still though, the leadership for this team with Dave Dickenson as head coach is still solid.  Indeed, much of their struggles this year can be attributed to the loss of Ka’Deem Carrey (running back) and Jalen Philpot (wide receiver).  Without these weapons, Jake Maier looked rather mediocre to start the season.  Neither Carrey nor Philpot are back in the line up this week and against the Bombers overpowering D-Line (tied for 1^st in the league with 14 stats), it could be a long night for Calgary’s offense.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	Pts	For	Against
WEST DIVISION
BC	4	3	1	6	101	66
Winnipeg	4	3	1	6	110	91
Sask	3	2	1	4	73	84
Calgary	3	1	2	2	67	69
Edmonton	4	0	4	0	51	108
EAST DIVISION
Toronto	3	3	0	6	120	69
Montreal	3	2	1	4	60	41
Ottawa	3	1	2	2	53	52
Hamilton	3	0	3	0	57	112

WTF an EASTERN team is the only undefeated team!!

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Dominate both sides of the ball on the line.  O-Line can’t be given up sacks, D-Line needs to get some
• Hit Schoen for the big play
• Janarion Grant with the big punt return

For the Stamps to win

• Watch the BC Lions game tape from June 22.  “Gonna Sack, Zach and do it again”
• Stop the Bombers from hitting the big play
• Win the turnover game

Corbett report record

CFL Overall                8 out of 15

Bomber games            3 out of 4

The predictions

I’m going with:

Sask over Edmonton (sigh)

Hamilton over Ottawa (ruining Masoli’s return)

BC over Montreal (Gotta go with the home team for this one)

And in our feature game.  The Bombers are at home. The last time they lost two in a row at home was 2018. It won’t happen this week.

Bombers 28 Stamps 20