CFL: Winnipeg Blue Bombers Search For Answers

Matt Eichel by Senior Writer Written on July 18, 2008
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0-4.

Not a good record to start off your defense of the Eastern Division title.

After coming oh-so-close to their first Grey Cup in over 15 years, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are learning to win the hard way.  After a mediocre pre-season with a win and loss, the Bombers have failed to repeat the great defense they employed against Montreal in their pre-season win.

A loss to their Eastern rivals the Toronto Argonauts, with two dynamite QBs in Kerry Joseph and Michael Bishop followed by another loss to Anthony Calvillo and the Montreal Alouettes and then back-to-back losses to Jarius Jackson's BC Lions.

That makes the Bombers official running mates with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for cellar dweller leader of 2008.

But what's happening?

Has Kevin Glenn lost his consistent play?  Has the injury sustained in last year's East Final taken him out of the mindset that he needs to be in to be a successful QB in Winnipeg again?

With virtually the same line-up that made the Grey Cup Finals in 2007, the Bombers are having troubles winning.  It cannot all be blamed on the fact that All-Star WR Milt Stegall is out recovering from knee surgery.

Perhaps head coach Doug Berry would be wise to give Ryan Dinwiddie a much-needed start, or even give third stringer Bryan Randall a shot at the No. 1  spot.

Winnipeg's defense is sputtering.  Tom Canada was huge against Montreal in the pre-season but was of little difference in the regular season game as Calvillo picked apart Canada, Barrin Simpson, Gavin Walls, Doug Brown, and the rest of the Bombers defensive line.

Catching the ball has been a problem, too. Without Stegall, the Bombers still have R.J. Franklin and Derek Armstrong, two solid WRs, on the outside.

Yet the amount of drops among the two have caused for numerous third down situations where the Bombers cannot convert on second down for the first down.  The Bombers first down numbers are in the lowest in the CFL.

Finally, perhaps the Bombers could give Dinwiddie or Randall a try, but what about Michael Bishop from Toronto?  With Kerry Joseph newly named the Argos top QB, Bishop may be looking for a new home.  If Kevin Glenn cannot find his game and rhythm sometime soon, he may get the hook.

All of Glenn's prayers should be directed at the Bombers' next home game against the upstart Calgary Stampeders.

Let's hope for 1-4, or something is gonna have to give.

 

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written on July 18, 2008 Opinion


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