THE CANADIAN PRESS
Irving: Different game, similar result for Blue Bombers
7
Posted: July 03, 2012 05:00 PM
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ regular season opener was eerily reminiscent of the 2011 Grey Cup game. Only the score, 33-16 BC and a few details were different.
As in the Grey Cup game, the Winnipeg offence struggled mightily, managing just three first downs in the first half.
The Blue Bomber defence, after giving up a game opening 90-yard BC touchdown drive, settled in and caused Travis Lulay and the Lions offence nothing but grief until the Bomber defenders simply ran out of petrol in the fourth quarter, the Lions scoring 17 points in the final 15 minutes to put the game away.
The outcome of this game was really quite predictable, given that the Lions were at home, playing with virtually the same team as last year while the Bombers were incorporating roughly a dozen new players into their lineup.
» Irving: Bombers counting on veterans to lead the way
Though it might seem that the Bombers lost the majority of their key assets during the off-season,
CFL.ca's Bob Irving claims otherwise
Winnipeg also played without six injured starters. Four of those six were on offence – tackles Glen January and Andre Douglas, slotback Cory Watson and running back Chris Garrett. And Garrett's number one understudy, Chad Simpson, was also out with injury, leaving the running back chores to unproven Bloi-dei Dorzon.
Combine the injuries with the implementation of a new offence run by coordinator Gary Crowton and an attacking veteran BC defence, and it spelled big trouble for Buck Pierce and the Winnipeg offence.
Pierce was forced out of the game late in the second quarter with a bruised right leg, and his successor Alex Brink had only slightly more success, leading the Bombers to a pair of touchdowns, one of which occurred in the game’s dying minutes when the Lions had taken their foot off the accelerator.
Losing teams always look for positives and the Blue Bombers did have a few of those.
Never mind the 33 points allowed, Winnipeg's defence held an explosive BC offence to 20 first downs and 358 total yards. That's quite acceptable, considering the Lions had the ball for nearly 36 minutes. Defensive tackle Bryant Turner had three quarterback sacks. The Bombers had one of the best defences in the CFL in 2011 and they look like they'll be good again.
Winnipeg's special teams were also good. They allowed one big Lions return, but otherwise covered kicks very effectively and the Bombers appear to have unearthed a kick returner. Rookie Demond Washington from Auburn was so dangerous throughout the game that the Lions started punting away from Washington and squibbing kickoffs to nullify his return opportunities.
So, one down and 17 to go as Bomber head coach Paul LaPolice likes to say. The good news offensively is that Pierce shook off his injury and should be able to start in Montreal on Friday. The bad news, only Glen January, among the injured starters on offence, is expected to return to the lineup for the game with the Als.
About Bob
Bob Irving has covered the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for CJOB Radio in Winnipeg since 1973. Bob is the Sports Director at CJOB and is in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, reporters division. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobIrvingCJOB
Fan Comments
bombers1935
Does anybody else not see that our punter is terrible and we can't get a field goal outside the 40? Not only does pierce need to be booted, but so do both kickers.
July 04, 2012 - 10:42pm
bigwaymike
Pierce being able to start on Friday is good news. C'mon Bob...what planet are you from?
July 04, 2012 - 8:17pm
Corogrin
'Nuff Said' Pierce has been tried and has yet to prove himself as a starting QB. Lets try someone else before the season looks like the last half of last year when other teams started to figure our our Defence. Offense has to score! It is a bonus when defenses/special teams do but it can't be the staple meal. Lets find our offensive prowess and start taking it to other teams!
July 04, 2012 - 9:05am
cflsteve
Bombers best chance on offense would be to get the most healthy players on the 42 as possible with Brink 1 , elliot 2 and goltz 3 pierce on 1 game iR for the game. January will be back at left guard. Dorzen to start and if Voney is healthy place him on the 42 if not woodson as the 2 RB. Go to the play book on the return game and put some of the top return plays in the game plan for washington to see if they can steal a return TD or at least some big returns for great field position. Calgary ws able to open some huge holes for cornish so attmptemp to runDorzen behind he left side with January back to control some clock. helpin brink to get into a rhythem. keep the defense as fresh as possible with all of this. The good field positionfrom the run game may give the bomber to come away with at least a field goal. the defense did a number on Lulayand his receivers untill the 4th when they were worn out so the more time the offense can sustaina drive the longer the D ca reat and coming out with at least putting field goal point on the field along with TDs.
Young healthy and hungry players on offense may be the key.
Young healthy and hungry players on offense may be the key.
July 04, 2012 - 2:24am
greenheart10
It is time Winnipeg bites the bullet and, like Edmonton, take the backup and let him fly. It's time the retreads in the CFL are deleted. I'm proud to say we now have a coach that takes not just that to heart, but vows to keep the integrity of the team in tact. Let's suck it up Winnipeg, don't screw around with a whole year like Sk did!
July 03, 2012 - 11:15pm
Corogrin
At what point does Buck Peirce get benched. I am tired of an almost offence. Buck has a few moments and their is not denying his heart but he just can't the offence going. We want some more offence.
July 03, 2012 - 5:16pm
cflsteve
I agree. Buck has picked up where he left off. led the leugue in 2 and outs last year and after the first half it looks much the same. Brink clearly has a better grasp of the offense and was much more effective in moving the ball imagine how he may do witha week of snaps with the first unit. The offensive scheme also looks like it will be affecive when run correctly as it is clearly been stated that it is designed for the QB to get the ball out of his hands quickly helping to negate the O line problems. Pierce did not appear to even want to run it correctly and getting himself hurt again in the process.
Yhe montreal D did not look good at all and if Brink can move the ball effectively the defense would not be worn down and they would have a chance to actually win but if pierce starts he will be easy to game plan for and it will look much the same as last game. Could even be worse as Montreals Offense will be comng with a huge chip on their shoulder.
Yhe montreal D did not look good at all and if Brink can move the ball effectively the defense would not be worn down and they would have a chance to actually win but if pierce starts he will be easy to game plan for and it will look much the same as last game. Could even be worse as Montreals Offense will be comng with a huge chip on their shoulder.
July 03, 2012 - 8:03pm
Draft Tracker
| Pick | Team | Pos | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger-Cats | DL | Gaydosh, Linden |
| 2 | Blue Bombers | DE | Mulumba, Andy |
| 3 | Alouettes via EDM | LB | Edem, Mike |
| 4 | Roughriders | OL | Watman, Corey |
| 5 | Alouettes | RB | Lumbala, Steven |
| 6 | Lions | OL | Steward, Hunter |
| 7 | Stampeders | OL | Craighead, Brander |
| 8 | Argonauts | OL | Sewell, Matthew |
| 9 | Ottawa | OL | MacMillan, Nolan |
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