Doublezero

Get a grip on reality. In the first blowout vs TiCats Drew Willy was a whopping 3 of 6 for 48 yards and zero TDs. In the next game vs Esks Willy was a masterful 7-17 for 81 yards. Next blowout vs TiCats Willy was 16-27 for 171 yards with one TD and one INT for a pick 6. As Winnipeg's starter Willy produced a total of 8 TDs in 7 games, before his injury. He had virtually the same QB passer rating as rookie Rakeem Cato, who, at that point, had played one less game. Winnipeg's O production has been mostly putrid, with the occasional big-play exception, regardless of who is in at QB since around the the halfway point of last year.

If the ball is on the left hash, misdirect left, QB keeps or hands, using FB to overload and seal the DE and SAM and sweep hard to the strong side. Guaranteed 5 yards. When the head linesman places the ball on the right hash, same play in the opposite direction - always to the the distant or wide side of the field. When the head linesman places the ball on the left hash, repeat right. Then left. Right. Left. Right etc. On every play misdirection, followed by sealing the DE and LB is key. Run it with no huddle to tire and discourage the D. Because the field is 65 yards wide, and because it's a footrace around the wide edge this play is almost always good for at least 5 yards. Eventually you will score a TD by running repeated sweeps in alternate directions, but always to the wide side of the field. I can never understand why anyone would run a short side sweep in Canadian football.

Bakari Grant (2nd week in a row)

I'm no expert but I really liked what Marve said today about running the offence at high tempo. Don't give the D time to rest. That has been sorely lacking. And it seems his skills are well-suited for the Gen3 spread-option running game along with a vertically-oriented passing game described here: http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2015/2/19/8061667/the-future-of-the-dual-threat-quarterback-spread-option-Malzahn-Briles

It is unfortunate Marve is forced to work within an archaic offence that is designed for a 3-step-drop pocket passer. Hopefully Marcel tweaks the playbook to Marve's strengths, actually its similar to what Mike Riley faces in re-tooling things at Nebraska O: http://hailvarsity.com/news/hot-reads-the-past-present-future-of-dual-threat-qbs/2015/02/ Bellefeuille prefers mobile QB's, there's no doubt about that. He spent 3 seasons trying to replace Kevin Glenn with Quinton Porter, they started 09 with Porter starting over Glenn. Porter could never take the reins, but every year Bellefeuille was head coach in Hamilton he gave Porter more opportunities than he deserved to win the job. The archaic offence stuff is getting a little stupid too. Let's get at least 80% of our offensive line looking like they belong in the CFL. There's no play call that's going to compensate for a centre and guard being completely useless on any given snap. The entire O line has taken turns looking inept at different times. And yes, Marcel hasn't had success with Calvillo or Willy and that style of QB. I'm really hoping they can help Marve succeed by tweaking things for him. They will ruin him by making him stand in the pocket. In the last game you could see he wanted to run into the open field but stood in there and threw into a crowd because coaches said he must learn to play within the system. But the system needs to adjust IMHO.

It is unfortunate Marve is forced to work within an archaic offence that is designed for a 3-step-drop pocket passer. Hopefully Marcel tweaks the playbook to Marve's strengths, actually its similar to what Mike Riley faces in re-tooling things at Nebraska: http://hailvarsity.com/news/hot-reads-the-past-present-future-of-dual-threat-qbs/2015/02/

Why do I find this exquisitely apropos: Darrin Bauming ‏@DarrinBauming 34s34 seconds ago Entire #Bombers team rushes off the field following a monstrous lightning-thunder strike clearly very near IGF.

In a related question, why do we need a running backs coach and what has Buck Pierce accomplished in that role? Makes me wonder if Miller, Walters, O'Shea (whose collective experience is defence and special teams) have any clue at all about what is going on with this offence.

Amen. Regardless of who starts at QB I want the team to succeed and to know they've got support from the fans.

Defence and ST need to step it up now. Let's have some focus on the running game for a change. Smash-mouth run blocking is simpler than pass blocking, after all. Let's try some different launch points and sprint-outs instead of 3-step drop. All the QB has to do is manage the game and make securing the football a priority. Don't anyone dare turn it over. We can still win a few games this way. It's a whole new ballgame.

I feel badly for Drew Willy. Hope he rehabs 100%.

I'm not making excuses for the guy, not too much of a Marve fan ... but I hope they haven't ruined Marve. You saw in the last game he stayed in the pocket and forced the throw when he should have been running - his instinct was to run but something in his head told him to say put and throw. He was adjusting to warnings from the coaches that he needs to play within the system. Hopefully this week, if Willy is unable to go, they adjust he launch point for the QBs to more of an option/sprint package.

Except for the first pass of the game which was a designed sprint-out, Drew Willy always seem to be locked into a 3 step drop. If he rolled a bit and moved the launch point, he'd give himself more options - including the option to run. Also, I agree our Oline gets manhandled and pushed back way to often. But on at least 3 of the 6 sacks the defender got into our backfield untouched. That is what happens when you don't properly identify the scheme you're facing. So it's mental, too, not just physical shortcomings. I think we also just got out-coached by a team with superior talent.

I think it was after TiCats 3rd TD the TSN camera caught Collaros & Company on their bench, joking and making fun of Mo Leggett, who got burned on the prior TD. That really pi**ed me off, watching those arrogant pr**ks mocking a moment of indecision by our Safety who bit when he shouldn't have. But then, you know, it's clear the TiCats play a high tempo game with enthusiasm and that they expect to win with Collaros. Doesn't seem like the Bombers really go in to any of their games with that same kind of confidence - fully expecting to win. And that includes games where Drew Willy is the starting QB.

I hope he's OK.

Ya, his comments at half time. Need more of that. We don't have a player who can lead, it seems.

Great breakdown. Thanks. Bombers definite underdogs vs TiCats. Would love to see us stomp their TimBits but .... it's going to take an error-free effort and big pressure on Collaros. Anything is possible.

Small sample size, but Brett Smith looked very good for the Roughriders. Riders will be a handful for us down the road.

Problem with booze?

Bakari Grant

He's a Sean Salisbury clone, even looks like him.

Full marks to Drew Willy for his outstanding play last night.

Bombers are due for a big win. Need one, really. Not so sure about the blowout prediction but we can hope!

It's the same feeling as sitting on a warm toilet seat. It provokes mixed emotions ... still ahead of Sask but, you know, below Redblacks. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-power-rankings-week-5-1.3171411

Austin Collie