Bob Irving
CFL.ca
Maybe the best way to understand just how good the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence has been through the first two weeks of the 2011 CFL schedule is to examine how mediocre their offence has been.
The Blue Bombers have managed just 534 yards in total offence. That’s 257 yards per game, and that’s dead last in the league. Buck Pierce and the Bombers have also passed for just 316 yards. That’s 158 yards per game, which is also at the bottom of the CFL.
Anthony Calvillo usually throws for 158 yards in a good quarter.
The Bombers have scored two offensive touchdowns in two games…that’s right, two!! Only Toronto and Hamilton have scored fewer points. And yet, despite all the negative statistics, the Blue Bombers are off to their first 2-0 start in eight years.
And it’s all because of the Winnipeg defence. Cue the standing ovation.
The Bombers defensive dozen has allowed a league best average of 297 yards per game. They are third best in yards allowed passing and rushing.
Tim Burke’s group has given up just 31 first downs in two games, only 19 of came via the pass, which is tops in both of those defensive categories.
Many football people consider the turnover category to be the most important when it comes to dissecting wins and losses. Well, in two games, the Bombers have a league-leading plus-seven on the takeaway-giveaway scale with a grand total of 10 takeaways.
On top of that, they lead the CFL with nine quarterback sacks, seven of which came against Cleo Lemon in Friday’s 22-16 win over the Argos. When you’re playing lights-out defence like that, you can get by with a struggling offence.
The Bombers actually had a fairly sturdy defence last year when they limped home with a 4-14 record. They wound up 2010 as the second best team in total yards allowed, and they were number one in passing yards allowed per game, surrendering just 254 per outing.
Given that most of the starters from last year are back, the continuation of strong defensive play isn’t a great surprise. It’s just that through two games (and yes it is ONLY two games), the Bombers have taken their defensive prowess to a new level.
Contributions have come from everywhere, but it’s impossible not to notice the dramatically improved play of middle linebacker Joe Lobendahn.
After struggling through a miserable 2010 season, a rejuvenated and lighter Lobendahn has registered 11 tackles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries.
The Hawaiian-born linebacker is getting support from the likes of 36-year old Doug Brown, who has eight tackles and three sacks, rush-end Odell Willis, who also has three sacks to go with six tackles and second-year linebacker Marcellus Bowman, who has six tackles, two forced fumbles and two special teams tackles.
Jonathan Hefney, who leads the Blue and Gold with 13 tackles while filling in at the SAM linebacker position for injured Clint Kent, is also proving to be a major part of the defence.
Can the Bombers continue this sterling defensive play? We’ll see.
They know they face a major test on Thursday night when Henry Burris and the explosive Calgary Stampeders visit Canad-Inns Stadium.
But, through two weeks of action, the Winnipeg Blue bombers are playing some of the best defensive football their fans have seen in quite a long time.
