Labour Day / Banjo Bowl 2008. Lets get it on!

[Only The Lonely..]

Ready to get spanked Regina?

[Only The Lonely..]

Today's Bomber Report

Updated: August 25 at 10:11 AM CDT | Winnipeg Free Press by Ed Tait

Next: Game 9 -- Labour Day Classic, @ Regina, Sunday, Aug. 31.



OUCH UPDATE:
SB Milt Stegall did not practise on Sunday, nor did WR Jamie Stoddard, although both are expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the Roughriders. Returning to work were SB Terrence Edwards and DT Jon Oosterhuis, who is scheduled to come off the nine-game injured list after this weekend.



NUMBERS GAME:
The Bombers have three defensive TDs this season -- Cam Hall, Jovon Johnson and Tom Canada -- all on interception returns for scores.


QUOTABLE:
"Any time you're on vacation, it kinda sucks to come back to reality. But reality's here and we're ready to get back to work." -- Tom Canada.


ED TAIT THINKS YOU SHOULD KNOW...


AWOL:
Three Bombers were not on the practice field when the team returned to work Sunday: FB Brian Guebert, DB Stanford Samuels and KR Jason Armstead. Head coach Doug Berry said Guebert had prior clearance to miss and Samuels called in to say he would be delayed. As for Armstead...

"We're still trying to locate Mr. Armstead," Berry said.

Asked if Armstead was going to be in trouble for being delayed, Berry said:

"Financially. He must have some reason. I haven't talked to him. He'll be missing money."

Berry said Armstead would be fined, but would still be in the lineup vs. Saskatchewan.



BISHOP OR CRANDELL OR DURANT OR JYLES OR...?:
The Roughriders' acquisition of Argo QB Michael Bishop on the weekend brought these reactions from Bomberland:

Anthony Malbrough: "Interesting move. You never know when he's going to be hot, you never know when he's going to be cold. He could come in and be 1-for-8 and then he could come in and be 8-for-10 and also rush for 50-60 yards. I'm not sure if we'll see him right away. This will just be his first week and he's just getting in, plus they've got some guys that have won games for them already."

Canada: "That's smart. That's a helluva trade for them. He obviously wasn't happy where he was, and so for him to get a shot with Saskatchewan, a really good team, is great for him. He's a big-play guy. He's like most of the quarterbacks in this league: If you get after him and smack him early, he could get rattled. He can sit in the pocket and throw a lot, but he also moves around a lot. He's dangerous, he's definitely a threat."

And Berry points out that because Bishop is reuniting with head coach Ken Miller and offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice, who also worked with him during their days in Toronto, he should be quick to pick up the Rider offence.

"Normally, I would say status quo, but perhaps they used similar terminology in Toronto and Michael may understand that stuff and be able to fit in a little quicker than normally what might be the situation," Berry said. "There's a possibility they could put him on the field. I wouldn't rule that out."

[Only The Lonely..]

Still light at tunnel's end
Rested Bombers begin playoff push with doubleheader against Riders

By: Ed Tait | Winnipeg Free Press

Updated: August 25 at 12:50 AM CDT

A bye week doesn't gloss over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' disastrous start to 2008, but it does help put a whole lot in the rear-view mirror and offer up a fresh perspective.

Maybe that, in part, explains why there was so much bounce in the step of the Bomb squad when it returned to the practice field following a nine-day break Sunday afternoon. Amazingly, even at 2-6 the Bombers are just two points shy of second in the CFL's East (Least?) Division with 10 games left in the regular season.

Quarterback Kevin Glenn, right, is all smiles during practice Sunday at Canad Inns Stadium as the Blue Bombers returned from their bye-week break. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press )
In short, ugly never looked so good.

"Only in the CFL," said quarterback Kevin Glenn after a spirited practice. "Look at the situation... we're tied for third and we're a game behind Toronto for second place. When you think about it, that's crazy. It's the CFL -- the Crazy Football League."

The Bombers get back to business in the annual Labour Day Classic this Sunday in Regina, the first of a home-and-home series with the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders that wraps up with the Banjo Bowl on Sept. 7th at Canad Inns Stadium.

After that, five of the Bombers' last eight games come against divisional opponents, giving them plenty of opportunity to get back in the playoff fight.

"There's still light at the end of this tunnel," said head coach Doug Berry. "It's all about the second half of the season. I would like us to be able to finish stronger this year than we have in past years (the Bombers were 5-5 in their final 10 games in '07, 4-6 over the same period in '06). We've gotten out to fast starts in the past and that's tough to maintain throughout the year. It's not that we wanted to get out to a slow start this year, but maybe we can finish a little bit stronger than we have in past years.

"It's there... but we have to go earn it."

That won't be easy, what with the doubleheader against the Riders on the immediate horizon. Even though the Riders have dropped their last two, they still sport a league-best 6-2 record and added quarterback help on the weekend by dealing a 2011 conditional draft pick to the Toronto Argonauts for Michael Bishop.

"But here's the thing," added Glenn, "we're still in control of our own destiny and if we go out and handle our business then we won't need other teams to beat other teams. You never want to get down to the final stretch and start hoping and praying for that kind of stuff. The way the first half went... we're still in it even though we didn't have a great first half. You have to put that stuff behind you and look forward to the future.

"We still have life, we still have faith this can get done. Toronto was 2-7 last year and they hosted the East Final. It's your team believing in it and everybody coming together and getting it done.

"To me, it would be a helluva story."


ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

[Only The Lonely..]

Trouble in Rider Nation
Who will be starting QB for Labour Day Classic?

By KIRK PENTON | Winnipeg Sun

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers returned from their bye week yesterday unaware of the storm that appears to be brewing down the Trans-Canada Highway in Regina.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, who will host the Bombers in the 42nd Labour Day Classic on Sunday afternoon, seem to be in a state of turmoil after acquiring quarterback Michael Bishop from the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.

Riders backup quarterback Darian Durant, who guided the Green and White to a pair of victories earlier this season, delivered an always telling "No comment" when asked about Bishop joining the team. He also told reporters that he had been informed Bishop is "the guy."

Saskatchewan head coach Ken Miller, meanwhile, told radio station CJME it would be "reasonable" to expect that Bishop, who is familiar with Miller's offensive system from their time together in Toronto, could start on Sunday against the Blue and Gold.

Not only that, but No. 1 pivot Marcus Crandell was given yesterday's practice off amid reports the team was trying to trade him.


All of that news unfolded after the Bombers had completed their first practice since a 37-24 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 14.

Members of the Winnipeg defence were convinced they would be seeing Crandell on Sunday, but now it seems highly unlikely. Further clouding the situation is the fact that Durant's status for Sunday's tilt is up in the air due to a lingering rib injury.

"Michael Bishop's a veteran," linebacker Ike Charlton said. "I doubt if they'd (start him), but I'm quite sure he'll be the number two guy ready to step in and try and get them a spark. That's basically what they're looking for right now.

"They lost the last two games. They especially don't want to lose to us."

Which QB the Bombers will face on Sunday could be a mystery right up until game time, but they will claim until they're blue in the face that it doesn't matter.

"I don't think so, because one thing that they rely heavily on is (running back) Wes Cates," defensive back Anthony Malbrough said. "If you look at their first half of the season, they've been winning with different guys in (at quarterback). So it really doesn't matter who's in."

The Riders (6-2) have lost two in a row, while the Bombers are coming off the aforementioned victory over the Tiger-Cats. Even though the Bombers are 2-6, they appear to have the momentum heading into Sunday's crucial Grey Cup rematch.

They are just two points behind the second-place Argos in the East Division and are coming off their only convincing win of the season. That made their return yesterday from an eight-day vacation a little easier to take.

"Guys were ready to come back and get on the field," Malbrough said. "We were out there working pretty hard today. Nobody was complaining. It was a long practice. We had on pads. You didn't hear no complaining, because everybody knows what's in store right now. Right now we have to turn it on. Right now we have to stack some wins on top of each other.

"It's crunch time right now, the second half of the season. There's no doubt about it."

[Boreal]

I'll be there with many in tow for the Labour Day Classic. Just picked up some cheering accessories tonight. Should be a great time.

[hexrae]

I can't make it down for the Labour Day Classic, but I'll be cheering from Canad Inns at the Never Alone Social.

Go Blue!

[socialisthorde]

Wait till you see our new "5 quarterback" offensive formation. With 5 of them on the field simultaneously, the Winnipeg D-line will never know who is getting the snap. Course there won't be anyone to throw to, but that didn't stop Marcus last week Go Green!

[DowntownWpg]

With Bishop apparently starting for the Riders (within a week of getting traded) they'll have to use a much more simplified offensive system and schemes. The Riders and Bishop also are not accustomed to each other, nor will they be for the LDC.

The Bombers can only win this game if they can contain Wes Cates. I'm sure with the new QB, the plan will be to give Cates 25-30 carries... quite predictable.

The Blue's D-line is in good shape and ready.

I predict an exciting game.

[ReginaGuy]

I heard Durant may be back in time for the LDC.

[DowntownWpg]

Originally Posted by ReginaGuy

I heard Durant may be back in time for the LDC.

Yeah, and if he is back, I could see Miller perhaps employing a two QB system with Durant and Bishop. Might help to appease Durant as well, he was quite pissed-off due to the Bishop trade.

The two QB system does create controversy, but nonetheless, it would slowly integrate Bishop into the system.

Ha! I'm offering some positive thoughts for what the Riders should think of doing, and I'm a loyal Bomber fan. Just trying to think objectively, I guess.

[bomberguy]

But first thing first, it's time to head into stubble jumper country.
Why hello you bale-throwin', banjo-pickin', no-teeth-havin' Grey Cup Champions.
Something must be wrong with the universe. You guys have the Cup. You guys are 6-2. It's not supposed to be like this.
Remember the off-season?
Everyone was laughing at you guys. Never been a championship team torn apart like that before.
We got everybody back. Kept the nucleus of the team together. You guys didn't have a chance. We couldn't be stopped.
There must be some kind of psychotic cosmic joke happening here.
You're not the cool ones. You guys wear green. Walk around with toothpicks in your mouths. Have a stupid gopher as a mascot.
Man I hate that gopher, what kind of name is Gainer anyway?
We're the cool people. Blue and Gold. We are beautiful. We have all our teeth. My mom isn't also my aunt.
I remember the good ol' days driving up to Taylor field when Bobby Cameron would proudly declare that he had more Grey Cup championships than the Saskatchewan Roughrider organization. He had three, they had two. Now they have three. That means that the Roughriders officially have more championships than the average person from Saskatchewan has teeth.
We gotta flip this thing around. Get back to the way things are supposed to be.
Remember this my Blue and Gold brothers and sisters, Grey Cup or not, Labour Day victory or not, we can at least hold our heads high and proud knowing that we are Manitobans.
Go Blue Go.

-Troy Westwood
http://www.winnipegsun.ca/Sports/Foo...56581-sun.html

lol

[VANRIDERFAN]

It's looking like Bishop with Jyles as back-up. Durant's ribs are just not healed enough to play (if this was a playoff game-different story).
As for the attack from the Riders, I expect a lot of play action with Bishop getting the green light to run when he has to. Lots of dumps and screens to Cates, with a couple of long strikes to Dressler to keep the DB's honest.

Should be a good game.

[Only The Lonely..]

Looks like Serna's days are numbered..

Originally Posted by Winnipeg Free Press | August 26

Bombers add import kicker
By: Eric Mackenzie

Updated: August 26 at 11:49 AM CDT

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have brought in another kicker to challenge Alexis Serna for the team’s placekicking duties.


Import Mark Myers arrived in town for today’s practice and took turns booting field goals with Serna and Warren Kean.


Myers has three games of CFL experience with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2006 when went 5-for-6 on field goals, including a 44-yard game-winner against the Calgary Stampeders in his debut.


The 26-year old spent his college years at Florida Atlantic University, going 43-for-59 on field goals while setting a number of school records.


Most recently, Myers was with the NFL’s New York Jets, where he initially signed in May earlier this year.

[Only The Lonely..]

Not strictly about the LCD..

But another great Man / Sask rivalry nonetheless.

Originally Posted by Winnipeg Free Press | Aug. 26

Bisons to unveil new look: Seek to defend Vanier Cup title
By: Allan Besson

Updated: August 26 at 12:44 PM CDT

The University of Manitoba Bisons football team will have a new look Saturday when they kick off their defense of the Vanier Cup against Regina Rams, 1 p.m. at University Stadium.

Captians of the University of Manitoba's Bison football team (from left) John Makie, Somon Blaszczak, Matt Henry and Kenton Onofrychok stand by the Vanier Cup in their brand-new jerseys. (Sarah Kearney / Winnipeg Free Press )
The 12-0 Herd ditched its black-and-gold uniforms for the university’s official brown and gold; a colour mix they haven’t worn since 1989.


“I think they’re great," crowed wide receiver Simon Blaszczak. “They have a new, sleeky look to them, and they’re comfortable.” Blaszczak, caught 18 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns in only four games last year. He pulled in 15 more for 168 and one touchdown in the four playoff games.


Both Blaszczak and head coach Brian Dobie shrugged off the notion that changing uniforms after last year’s whirlwind season might bring bad karma.


“No, definitely not,” said the 6-foot-5 Blaszczak. “Karma is what you make it. You go out there and you make your own karma from the work you do and the way you perform on the field.”


“I would definitely disagree,” said Dobie. “Yeah, we are defending national champions but this is 2008 and all bets are off. We are 0-0 right now, and this team is in a reloading stage, and rebuilding in the defensive secondary, but you know what? New look, new team, here we go after game one.”


The last time the Bisons wore brown and gold, they went 0-8 and were outscored 239-01.


Dobie says the team, which lost nine of 12 starters from the defense, will face the acid test Saturday. “We are facing, arguably the top passing offense in the nation. Teale Orban, who has had a great career, will be their fifth-year starting quarterback. They just throw the heck out of the football, and they are really good at doing that.”


Blaszczak says he and the rest of the team can’t wait to bang a few heads. “We’re excited. There’s guys in the dressing room who are just itching to get on the field. The bottom line is, we’ve been putting all this work into training camp, and were just waiting for the opening kickoff to get this thing going.


“The Vanier Cup is the goal.”

[DowntownWpg]

Yup, Serna's (who some call "The Little Hobbit") days are numbered. Unfortunately, Taman has brought in yet another American kicker who could get the job (Mark Myers, who played a few games with the Ticats and did quite well before going to the NFL). Uhhh! The problem with having a US birth certificate as a kicker, on the Blue this year, is that due to ratio reasons Berry has to start a Canadian at safety. No surprise, we've been weak there.

When we were able to start Malveaux as safety in the Hamilton game two weeks ago, it helped our D immensely. The reason we got away with it due to the ratio was because Terrance Edwards didn't dress due to injury, and Hargraeves and Stoddard (Canadians) took on his position.

[Boreal]

Lets go, Manitoba sweep!!!

[Only The Lonely..]

Ex-Riders revved up: Johnson, Armstead have score to settle

By JIM BENDER, Winnipeg SUN

August 31, 2008.

Jovon Johnson has had that date circled on his calendar since he first arrived at Winnipeg's training camp.

And that circle kept being traced in bolder and bolder ink as that date drew nearer.

"I've been looking forward to this game since I first came to Winnipeg," Johnson said yesterday. "In training camp, I was looking forward to playing Saskatchewan."

It has nothing to do with the intense rivalry between the Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders that has come to characterize the annual Labour Day Classic.

"This is an opportunity for me to go out there, play against them and get a chance to really prove myself, and let them know what kind of player they let go," said the 5-foot-9, 181-pound import defensive back.

Johnson fell out of favour with former Saskatchewan head coach Kent Austin over something the sophomore said that he took the wrong way. And the Riders eventually let him go.

"The things I went through there, some of them were uncalled for," said Johnson, 24. "But, at the same time, I look forward to going out there and playing the best game I can play."

Johnson made his presence felt as a ball hawk on a Bomber defence in desperate need of thieves. He has picked off two passes for 80 yards. That includes the one he returned for an 80-yard touchdown -- the longest interception return in the CFL this season.

Johnson also filled a capable role as a punt returner until Jason Armstead arrived before Winnipeg's last game.

Armstead also parted ways with Saskatchewan less than amicably last August. In 2006, he was second on the team with 47 receptions for 651 yards and club-leading six TDs. But Saskatchewan sent him to Hamilton in a trade to acquire running back/kick returner Corey Holmes and slotback Ryan Getzlaf.

Since that parting, Armstead has played for Hamilton, Montreal and now, Winnipeg.

"I was an Alouette, a Tiger-Cat and now I'm a Blue Bomber," said Armstead, 28. "What happened in Regina was left back there ... It's a great organization. (Roughriders president/CEO) Jim Hopson, (GM) Eric Tillman, all those guys gave me an opportunity. It was another opportunity in life. I seized it while I was there.

"Is there any bitterness? I'll never forget but I've always been taught to take the high road with everything."

He has already embarked on a new road.

"It's another game on the schedule," said the kick returner/wide receiver. "I'm a Blue Bomber now. We've got to go up against a good team and I think we'll be well-prepared for them."

Johnson, at least, was kept around long enough to earn a Grey Cup ring with the 'Riders, who beat the Bombers in the 2007 championship.

"I wouldn't bring out the ring just out of respect for the guys on this team who've worked hard," he said. "Some of them have been playing for a number of years and still haven't gotten a ring. So, just out of respect for that, I don't go around flashing my ring to the other guys on the team.

"The fact still remains, I was with Saskatchewan when they won the Grey Cup last year so, at the same time, I'm looking forward to trying to help us get back there this year."

You can beat he would love to play the Riders in that one.

[DowntownWpg]

Don't know what else to say... Sask sure kicked the Bombers ass. Unfortunately, it wasn't even close to being close!

Apparently, Charles Roberts is being traded to BC for Joe Smith.

Desperate times...

[Only The Lonely..]

Whoa, didn't see this one coming as a fallout from Labour Day.

Bombers trade Roberts: Running back release confirmed

By KIRK PENTON, Sun Media


The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are finalizing a trade this morning that will send their franchise rushing leader to the B.C. Lions for last year’s CFL rushing king.

Charles Roberts, the fifth-leading rusher in CFL history, has been dealt to the Lions for Joe Smith, who topped the league in rushing last season with 1,510 yards.

The trade is not yet official, according to a source, but it will be if and when both players report to their respective new teams and pass their physicals.

It’s a major shakeup for the Bombers, who are 2-7 and coming off their worst offensive performance of the season in a 19-6 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday. The Bombers and Riders will meet again this Sunday in Winnipeg in the annual Banjo Bowl.

Roberts joined the Bombers in 2001 and spent his rookie season as a backup. He started the team’s playoff games that year and never looked back, missing only three games due to injury.

The 29-year-old California native won three CFL rushing titles and racked up 9,987 yards overall in Blue and Gold.

However, Winnipeg’s coaching staff felt Roberts had lost a step this year, and it showed on the field. The man who earned the nickname Blink hasn’t shown the same flash and has produced only one 100-yard performance in nine games.

Smith, also 29, joined the Lions at the start of last season but had been relegated to the bench this year after suffering an injury and losing his job to Stefan Logan.

Smith, an eccentric sort who treats football as only his job, is 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds, which is in stark contrast to the 5-foot-6, 177-pound Roberts.

The deal is also a cap-friendly move for the Bombers. Smith makes $120,000 per season, compared to $150,000 for Roberts, and more than half of Smith’s salary was paid out as a bonus prior to the season.

[Tower Crane]

Why trade Roberts, maybe someone should be trading the Bombers play book or Kevin Glenn. 2nd down and 10 plus yards to go on numerous occasions and the most creative play they come up with is a 3 yard pass.
Good Grief.
It's not that Saskatchewan was good, based on their play they would have got their buts kicked by any of the top teams.