Bob Irving
CFL.ca
Eleven year veteran Doug Brown said it best after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were eviscerated 45-23 on their home turf by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday.
“I can’t ever remember being this deflated in my career while having a 7-3 record.”
That was the consensus throughout the Bomber locker room, late on a warm September Sunday afternoon at Canad Inns stadium. How could a team that won seven of its first eight games look so woeful in a back to back series against a Roughrider squad that took a 1-7 mark into the doubleheader?
It was one thing to lose 27-7 at Mosaic stadium in Regina on Labour Day weekend, just a blip on the radar screen. But to come home, with all the motivational and intangible forces working in your favor, and get plastered 45-23? It raises many questions.
For one, where has the defensive pressure gone? The Blue bombers were “sack masters” in their first seven games, but in the last three, their pass rush has been ineffective and rush end Odell Willis has been neutralized.
Defensive back Jovon Johnson suggested the Bombers are trying to use too many defensive packages, something they didn’t do early in the season. Johnson also said that somehow, some way, the Bombers must get more out of their kick return game which has been largely dormant this season.
Is the absence of defensive line coach Richard Harris starting to be felt? Harris, who tragically passed away in late July, was an enormous presence in the Bomber locker room. He counseled players, and helped keep them honest, particularly those on defence.
Another question: why can’t this team run the ball any more? Fred Reid rushed for 1396 and 1371 yards the past two seasons, yet in the last four games, he has carried the ball 57 times for 161 yards.
His season average is only 3.9, almost two yards below his career average. Reid looks as quick as ever, but the holes just aren’t there. And yet, the coaches maintain they have a solid offensive line. The lack of a ground game has reached the point of being alarming.
How much more abuse can quarterback Buck Pierce take? Pierce nearly had his head ripped off during Sunday’s loss to the Riders.
Pierce had to wear a flack jacket in the second half to protect bruised ribs and acknowledged the pressure was a factor in him throwing five interceptions against the Riders. After the game he declared he is “beat up” and he’s not sure about his status for the upcoming game with Montreal.
So was the 7-1 start just a mirage? No, I don’t think so. Teams don’t win seven of eight games and look good doing it unless they have some talent.
However, we knew the Bombers couldn’t continue their phenomenal edge in the takeaway giveaway category.
They were plus 23 after the first eight games and are minus -7 in the last two. We knew there would be some sort of “leveling off” after the Bombers smoking hot start, though probably not to this degree.
As I said, it’s one thing to lose 27-7 in Regina, but to come home and get toasted 45-23 the following week in your own backyard by those same Riders is a definitive red flag.
Big picture: the Blue Bombers are 7-3, first place in the CFL East Division. But where they are headed from here has suddenly become one great big question mark.
