Wideleft

I know we will.

I wonder if the Bombers will.

That open field sack was pretty impressive. Nice to see the clean guy get through and finish.

Interesting stat from this article: Against Toronto last week, Philpot caught five passes for 42 yards but, incredibly, he averaged less than a yard per reception in the actual air. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/15/landry-quick-passing-game-key-for-montreal-aerial-attack/

Great article. Partially answers the age-old question of "Why is that guy on the roster?" Kramdi’s on-field success brings joy to his grieving family By: Taylor Allen Posted: 6:20 PM CST Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 HAMILTON — Redha Kramdi was midway through his first training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when a phone call changed everything. His older brother Sami — his No. 1 fan, his role model, and the person who insisted on dropping him off at the airport to wish him luck when it was time to fly out to Winnipeg to get to work — had died in his sleep. Sami was just 28 years old. SUPPLIED Redha Kramdi (right) was at his first training camp with the Blue Bombers when his brother Sami (left) died in his sleep. “My rookie season was the hardest year of my life. His void will always be felt in my family because he meant so much. He was the big bro, so he was always making sure that everyone was right – my parents, my sisters, myself. Of course, I miss him every day and this week, I wish he was here,” said Kramdi, a defensive back from Montreal. Kramdi and the Blue and Gold are preparing to play his hometown Alouettes in Sunday’s Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field. “He came to every game he could… and unfortunately, he didn’t get to see me play as a pro. But hanging out with some of his friends, they’re like ‘Man, you don’t understand how proud your brother was. That’s the only thing he talked about from the day you got drafted to the day he passed away.’” When Kramdi — who was chosen 16th overall by the Bombers in the 2021 CFL Draft out of the University of Montreal — returned home for the funeral, Nesrine, the elder of his two younger sisters, assured him that she’d take care of the family. She wanted him to focus on football, and to the best of his abilities, that’s what he did. “One of my close friends just lost his mom and I told him don’t force yourself to feel good. Feel the pain. And when you feel good, you feel good,” said Kramdi, 26. “Don’t force yourself to be like ‘Today’s the day I’m going to get over it.’ You don’t get over losing a brother, or losing a parent, you just learn to live without that person.” A pulled hamstring limited Kramdi in 2021, but the following year saw him establish himself as one of the team’s best special teamers. He even made some starts on defence at dime back (weak-side linebacker). This season, the position is his as he took the job from American veteran Alden Darby, Jr. in Week 7 and hasn’t looked back since. Kramdi’s ascension has been the absolute best thing for his family. “When I see how strong Redha is, it makes me stronger,” said Nesrine, who’s making the trip to Hamilton on Sunday with her husband, dad Madani, and 18-year-old sister Aya, in a phone interview. “We’re in pain, but when we see Redha out on the field, it’s joy. The four hours that he’s playing, we don’t think about (the pain). That’s a way for us to just feel proud because we have so much joy.” Being resilient is one thing, but his football I.Q. is the biggest reason why the son of Algerian immigrants has been able to climb the ladder and not only start but excel at one of the most complicated positions on the field. It goes back to his time at the U Sports level when he played under head coach Danny Maciocia — the current general manager of the Alouettes. Every day, Maciocia would call up a handful of defensive players to the whiteboard at the front of the room and ask them to break down a specific play. Most could tell you what their position group should be doing, but all 12 players? Not a chance — unless it was Kramdi being asked. On one occasion, Maciocia went out of his way to test Kramdi with a complicated formation. He still managed to knock it out of the park. “That will always have a lasting effect on me, just the way he went up to the board, took charge, and explained it in detail. I remember vividly that people in that meeting room stood up and gave him a standing ovation,” said Maciocia. “It was really something that you typically don’t see, even at this level, this level we’re experiencing here this week.” Als safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy — the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian — played for the Montreal Carabins alongside Kramdi and had a similar take on his former teammate. “I’m always joking with him that when he chooses to retire that he’s going to be a coach or a scout, or a GM someday. He’s really, really into it and he loves it and he’s good at it. He’s got a great football eye. Watch for it, you’ll probably talk to him one day as a coach,” said Dequoy. “Let’s say you put in the tape from another Grey Cup or something. I mean, at one point, you’re going to look at your phone, but he’s always dialed in on the tape. He’s interested and wants to see what’s going to happen. There’s that curiosity in him that makes him great.” Bombers safety Brandon Alexander saw that from Kramdi from Day 1. “He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve been around, and I think he’s definitely one of the most underrated football players in the CFL. I’ve always advocated to find a way to put Redha on the field — for two years now, to be honest with you. Now that he has that chance, I’m excited for him, I’m happy for him,” said Alexander. An injury prevented Kramdi from taking the field at last year’s Grey Cup, but this week, he’ll be in the thick of things. Considering the note his career started on, he couldn’t be happier to be where he’s at now. “There’s no words to describe how much my heart is filled with thankfulness,” said Kramdi. taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

My only concern about this game is that Faj get pulled early and Evans goes on some magical/freak run. But really, I'm not concerned at all.

FA according to 3DN: Defensive line Brandon Barlow (A) Thomas Costigan (A) Dewayne Hendrix (A) Shawn Oakman (A) But there's more! Linebacker Jack Cassar (N) Trevor Hoyte (N) Jonathan Jones (A) Wynton McManis (A) Adarius Pickett (A) Robert Priester (A) Henoc Muamba (N

The Bombers don't need to play like they're scared of losing. They need to commit to an ass-kicking.

It seems like we went 20 years without a quarterback who could hit a receiver on the run. I think this criticism is a little nit-picky.

Maybe the question is more about him making more at the expense of Danny Mac and Goveia and how he's going to handle that?

We even know how to lose one, which might even be more valuable.

Yup. Not concerned about jinxing things or wearing a lucky jersey or any of that crap. The Bombers learned a valuable lesson last year and they will not lose this year to a second-tier team.

I'm not saying the Bombers are going to win by more than 20 points, but I am convinced that it's going to feel like a 20 point margin for most of the game. I expect 5-8 knockdowns by the front 7 to go along with 5-10 sacks. I've never been more confident of a victory than I am this week and I don't expect to be genuinely concerned that the Bombers won't win at any point in this game. This is a mismatch.

Most birds can't either.

Forecast high of only +5 in Hamilton on Sunday, 30% of precipitation, wind 18 km/hr out of the NW gusting to 27.

My next door neighbours are casuals, but they are truly hilarious people who also know when to be hilarious. They've already been invited.

Montréal will be playing in their 19th Grey Cup and first since 2010. Playoff keys to reaching the 2023 title game:  Montréal was swept 3-0 in reg. season by Toronto but won the Div. Final. Only 2 prior teams turned around 0-3 sweeps in a Final - BC over Calgary 2000 West Final - Toronto over Montréal 2004 East Final  Montréal's current 7-game winning streak is the longest active run by any team in 2023. (And longest by any team heading into the Grey Cup since Edmonton in 2015, 9 wins in a row)  In the East Final, Montréal scored a TD via Pass, Rush, Interception and Kickoff Returns.  The first club with a TD in 4 different ways in one playoff game since 2010 (MTL v TOR), & second in the last 68 years (1955)  In their 2 playoff wins, Montréal forced 12 Turnovers and committed only 2 (+10) (9 by TOR ... most since 2001 EDM, 12).  Of Montréal's 65 playoff points, 36 of them (55%) came after Opponent T/Os.  In the final after a slow start, they dominated field position starting their last 11 drives on average at their own 49-yard line  Cody Fajardo Scrambles: Over 2 games he had 100 rushing yards on 9 carries.  Pass Defence: 6 INTs for 151 yards, 2 TDs. Deep throws against: HAM & TOR completed only 3 passes combined of 20+ depth  Allowed only one opponent TD in 4 Red Zone trips (1 TD, 1 FG, 2 T/Os forced)  Pass Offence: Of their 48 total playoff attempts, 31 were at a depth of no more than 6 yards downfield 0-9 Yd Depth: 28-of-35 75% 10-19 Yd Depth: 3-of-7 43% 20+ Yd Depth: 2-of-6 33% Over the two playoff games, the Als committed just 6 total penalties (only 1 on special teams)  The second playoff kickoff return TD in Als' history (James Letcher, 105 yards).  Against Toronto, they converted 6 times in 2nd-&-long situations compared to Toronto at just 2-of-9.  Maintained great Field Position: MTL Avg. Starting Point: Own 43 yl, Opponents Avg: Own 34 y

Winnipeg will be playing in their 28th Grey Cup including the 1935 'Pegs victory. Playoff keys to reaching the 2023 title game:  The Blue Bombers come in riding a 5-game win streak. Longest winning run among their 4 straight appearances. (It is their longest win streak going into a Grey Cup game since 1993 at 7 in a row)  In the W.Final: Winnipeg held BC to just 189 total yards - the fewest allowed by a West Div. winner since 2007 (SSK v BC)  Did not allow BC to reach the Red Zone at any time and run any play closer than the WPG 35-yard line.  Winnipeg forced 5 BC T/Os which led to 13 of their 24 points (54%) including a blocked punt TD  The 9 Sacks recorded by the Bombers tied the CFL A/T Playoff record (Hamilton 1985, Winnipeg 1992).  Sacked Adams Jr. on 8 of BC's 13 possessions (forcing a kick or T/O on all 8); 6 Two-&-Outs  Generated 21 first downs on just 52 offensive plays - converted 63% of their 2nd Down Conversions (BC: 4-of-17 24%)  Passes Stretch the Field: Of their 21 total attempts, 7 were at a depth of 15 yards or more downfield 0-9 Yd Depth: 10-of-13 77% 10-19 Yd Depth: 3-of-3 100% 20+ Yd Depth: 1-of-5 20%  Brady Oliveira reached 100+ before half (14/101 yds, 7.2 avg). In the 2nd Half: 8 yards on 7 attempts (1.1 yd avg)  They rushed for 121 yards (fewest since Sep 16th) - 1st Half: 16 for 105, 6.6 avg 1st Half: 11 for 16, 1.5 avg  Their TD on a blocked punt was the first in a playoff game since 2008 (Edmonton, Justin Cooper)  The Bombers intercepted Vernon Adams Jr. 3 times after making none against him regular season (in 62 pass attempts)  Kenny Lawler accounted for more than half of Winnipeg's receiving with 83 yards on 6 catches (among 14 total)  Were led by an Offensive Line with 47 combined career playoff games started (35 playoff, 12 GC)  Survived 2 missed FGs in 5 attempts vs BC without a long return https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-GN-Gm-95-Grey-Cup-Preview-1.pdf

Because a 5 game win streak is kind of the norm for the Bombers?

From today's Free Press. I don't think you wear a walking boot for a sore knee. As someone who pulled their calf last summer (felt like someone shot me right in the middle of my calf), I was hoping it was a calf and not Achilles - just for the shorter rehab. Don't know that he can return in one week, but he's got way better trainers than I do.

Nobody is better in the post season.

He is in the playoffs.