GDT Can the Bombers D shutdown the Als?

[BigBlue]

Every bomber fan knows that the offence of any team in the CFL takes longer to develop than the defence. The linemen and the blockers behind them need to know what's happening immediately beside them, how to adapt to their fellow teammates. The running backs need to know where the holes are going to emerge. The blocking schemes on passing plays have similar challenges. You can't learn this in practices...

The Bomber Brain Trust decided player evaluation for the few positions that were open was far more important than getting the veterans in harmony with each other. So we have major rust to deal with, more so than usual this season.

There has been such a major talent improvement on our defence that just maybe we can shut down what was a very hot offence in Montréal at the end of last season.

On offence Brady Olivera is going to need a lot of determination as he tries to guess where the holes will be as his O line feel each other out. He's pretty good at seeing what is developing. If he gets 50 yards of rushing that would be pretty good. I'm not sure how open he will be on checkoff plays and other swing passes.

Collaros is going to get sacked a lot on many missed assignments. But he can scramble and is very good at it. He loves the long bomb and we can only guess how many touchdowns he will throw. That's how the offence is going to score, I suspect.

What I think will make or break the game tomorrow is how many touchdowns the defence can supply on turnovers. Maybe one pick six and one or two forced fumbles. There is a real chance pressures on the quarterback will be up significantly this year.

How else can we win this game?

[no71]

First one. Summer officially starts. Go Blue.

No respect on 3Down

[Jpan85]

The first drive has probably been scripted for the past two weeks, so they should go down the field pretty easily, as they have done in the past couple of years. After that, it's going to be a slog. 21-17 Bombers

[Arnold_Palmer]

Bombers are going to crush the Als tonight. No Austin Mack to bail Fajardo out. 

[Doublezero]

8 hours ago, BigBlue said:

How else can we win this game?

I'd like to think that Chris Smith kick return for a TD in preseason was due to everyone being tuned in and executing their assignments on the return team.

So, although I really miss Janarion, let's see how Myron Mitchell does and whether there is a flicker of potential there.

[Stickem]

IF the wind is blowing at 50mph, this could have a definite affect on the game....Kickers are gonna be pressed in a close one.....qbs. will have to adjust and I like our qb. being able to do that in comparison to theirs....we shall see

[Doublezero]

I predict Streveler will score. And Clercius.

[Jpan85]

PAS is probably the least wind-affected outdoor stadium in the league. Being below ground really knocks down the wind.

[Booch]

don't see wind being an issue and affecting the outcome....Als fluked out the end of the season, and Faj won't beat us again...ever....guy is garbage...Even with the Argo's circus going on and Brown still not a proven legit QB....I still see it being a hard task for the Al's to get out of the East as the top dog

38-16 for the blue....and likely never in question

[M.O.A.B.]

38 minutes ago, Doublezero said:

I'd like to think that Chris Smith kick return for a TD in preseason was due to everyone being tuned in and executing their assignments on the return team.

So, although I really miss Janarion, let's see how Myron Mitchell does and whether there is a flicker of potential there.

We might see Smith again. From what I read, he was hurt shortly after his return TD. He is still in Winnipeg rehabbing.

[voodoochylde]

A couple of thoughts leading into this game:

• Special teams are going to be a bigger factor in tonight's game than we want them to be.  I won't be surprised to see Mitchell double clutching a few balls or putting one on the ground - I don't have a lot of faith there.  Maybe that sentiment is misplaced and I'll gladly eat crow if he turns out to be a dependable, not spectacular, return guy.  Are we going to consistently lose the field position game this season?  Let's hope Sheahan has sorted his **** out and that Miller has his guys assignment sound.
• Two edge guys on opposite sides of the ball need to make an impact.  Can Haba be disciplined and disruptive on a consistent basis?  Can Lofton hold up on the edge? 
• On the topic of protection .. last year Zach got hurried / hit more than at any other point in his career with us.  Are we going to see that continue and, if so, which Zach shows up?  The guy who makes miracle plays and turns something into nothing or the guy who turned the ball over and left you wondering "what they hell were you thinking?"  I wouldn't want any other starter in the CFL on my team but there were stretches in games and stretches of games where he looked largely ineffectual.
• I hope they don't turn Streveler into a gadget guy - he can be more than that. 
• While Ford got limited play time while he was here last, he hasn't proven much (don't get me wrong, I love his ability and athleticism and thought it criminal he didn't get more playing time) and our other corner is a rookie as well.  Will some of that inexperience and lack of continuity in the secondary be a weakness?  What is the in-game communication and chemistry going to be like between Holm / Ford and Nichols / Bonds?  Will BA look good .. will he be in a position (again) where he's doing "too much"?
• Gauthier is more than serviceable but he's not someone who is athletic enough, rangy enough to make a play if the interior of the defensive line doesn't hold up.

I think it's going to be a close game tonight.  I'm not discounting Montreal and their defense. 

Looking forward to some regular season football.

Go Blue.

[GCn20]

23 minutes ago, voodoochylde said:

A couple of thoughts leading into this game:

• Special teams are going to be a bigger factor in tonight's game than we want them to be.  I won't be surprised to see Mitchell double clutching a few balls or putting one on the ground - I don't have a lot of faith there.  Maybe that sentiment is misplaced and I'll gladly eat crow if he turns out to be a dependable, not spectacular, return guy.  Are we going to consistently lose the field position game this season?  Let's hope Sheahan has sorted his **** out and that Miller has his guys assignment sound.
• Two edge guys on opposite sides of the ball need to make an impact.  Can Haba be disciplined and disruptive on a consistent basis?  Can Lofton hold up on the edge? 
• On the topic of protection .. last year Zach got hurried / hit more than at any other point in his career with us.  Are we going to see that continue and, if so, which Zach shows up?  The guy who makes miracle plays and turns something into nothing or the guy who turned the ball over and left you wondering "what they hell were you thinking?"  I wouldn't want any other starter in the CFL on my team but there were stretches in games and stretches of games where he looked largely ineffectual.
• I hope they don't turn Streveler into a gadget guy - he can be more than that. 
• While Ford got limited play time while he was here last, he hasn't proven much (don't get me wrong, I love his ability and athleticism and thought it criminal he didn't get more playing time) and our other corner is a rookie as well.  Will some of that inexperience and lack of continuity in the secondary be a weakness?  What will the in-game communication and chemistry going to be like between Holm / Ford and Nichols / Bonds?  Will BA look good .. will he be in a position (again) where he's doing "too much"?
• Gauthier is more than serviceable but he's not someone who is athletic enough, rangy enough to make a play if the interior of the defensive line doesn't hold up.

I think it's going to be a close game tonight.  I'm not discounting Montreal and their defense. 

Looking forward to some regular season football.

Go Blue.

If Streveler isn't in as a gadget guy do we really want him on the field much? If he's playing, it's because we are running a series of plays intended to give the D a change of pace. I do hope we allow him opportunities to throw as well, but let's make no mistake the Bombers will put Strev out there with Brady to run a very run heavy play package.

Zach will be just fine in his playmaking ability. Saying he struggled last year is overstating things. He had his best statistical year as a Bomber last year. 

Ford is playing the easiest position there is in the secondary. He will be fine.

I'm not anticipating that Gauthier takes the majority of reps...very doubtful on that.

Edited June 6 by GCn20

[voodoochylde]

7 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

If Streveler isn't in as a gadget guy do we really want him on the field much? If he's playing, it's because we are running a series of plays intended to give the D a change of pace. I do hope we allow him opportunities to throw as well, but let's make no mistake the Bombers will put Strev out there with Brady to run a very run heavy play package.

They are absolutely going to take advantage of Streveler's athleticism (and would be foolish not to) but I hope he's not reduced to running gimmick plays that become obvious and we have an opportunity, whether by design or necessity, to see his growth as a passer.

This is more a thought in the context of the overall season and not necessarily specific to tonight's game.

[GCn20]

Just now, voodoochylde said:

They are absolutely going to take advantage of Streveler's athleticism a(nd would be foolish not to) but I hope we have an opportunity whether by design or necessity to see his growth as a passer.

I agree, I just don't see him throwing a ton of balls though. We have Zac for that.

10 hours ago, BigBlue said:

Every bomber fan knows that the offence of any team in the CFL takes longer to develop than the defence. The linemen and the blockers behind them need to know what's happening immediately beside them, how to adapt to their fellow teammates. The running backs need to know where the holes are going to emerge. The blocking schemes on passing plays have similar challenges. You can't learn this in practices...

The Bomber Brain Trust decided player evaluation for the few positions that were open was far more important than getting the veterans in harmony with each other. So we have major rust to deal with, more so than usual this season.

There has been such a major talent improvement on our defence that just maybe we can shut down what was a very hot offence in Montréal at the end of last season.

On offence Brady Olivera is going to need a lot of determination as he tries to guess where the holes will be as his O line feel each other out. He's pretty good at seeing what is developing. If he gets 50 yards of rushing that would be pretty good. I'm not sure how open he will be on checkoff plays and other swing passes.

Collaros is going to get sacked a lot on many missed assignments. But he can scramble and is very good at it. He loves the long bomb and we can only guess how many touchdowns he will throw. That's how the offence is going to score, I suspect.

What I think will make or break the game tomorrow is how many touchdowns the defence can supply on turnovers. Maybe one pick six and one or two forced fumbles. There is a real chance pressures on the quarterback will be up significantly this year.

How else can we win this game?

Not worried about BO finding holes whatsoever. That is literally the one thing that OL can do easily without a lick of practice together. Pass pro, that's a different story. BO will go off for over 100.

[BomberBall.]

Forecast is showing the wind at 30km for game time, FWIW.

[Noeller]

She's not gonna be the nicest game day weather we've ever seen, but it'll be alright.

Pre game breakfast at Stella's... Check.

Brewery hopping around the city... Underway.

Game day traditions to help secure a victory alive and well...

 

Any numbers available on tix sold?

[FrostyWinnipeg]

Win some tickets https://winnipegsportstalk.com/contest/

[Arnold_Palmer]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

don't see wind being an issue and affecting the outcome....Als fluked out the end of the season, and Faj won't beat us again...ever....guy is garbage...Even with the Argo's circus going on and Brown still not a proven legit QB....I still see it being a hard task for the Al's to get out of the East as the top dog

38-16 for the blue....and likely never in question

FAJARDO BACK TO PASS! JAKE THOMAS WITH THE PRESSURE! FAJARDO FUMBLES, OH NO! GAUTHIER PICKS UP THE FOOTBALL, HES GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE! 60-3 BOMBERS LEAD! The crowd goes wild, Booch’s head explodes and we go 1-0 to start the season. 

[Atomic]

5 minutes ago, Noeller said:

She's not gonna be the nicest game day weather we've ever seen, but it'll be alright.

Pre game breakfast at Stella's... Check.

Brewery hopping around the city... Underway.

Game day traditions to help secure a victory alive and well...

 

Any numbers available on tix sold?

Haven't seen any numbers but judging by Ticketmaster it will be 31k+ but likely short of a sellout 

[JCon]

1 minute ago, Arnold_Palmer said:

FAJARDO BACK TO PASS! JAKE THOMAS WITH THE PRESSURE! FAJARDO FUMBLES, OH NO! GAUTHIER PICKS UP THE FOOTBALL, HES GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE! 60-3 BOMBERS LEAD! The crowd goes wild, Booch’s head explodes and we go 1-0 to start the season. 

Just need Holm to throw a key block. 

[Jpan85]

We should start the season later so we don't run into this type of weather. 

[Arnold_Palmer]

Just now, JCon said:

Just need Holm to throw a key block. 

Holm and Kramdi both placed key blocks for the Gauthier scoop and score. 

[CrazyCanuck89]

24 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

If Streveler isn't in as a gadget guy do we really want him on the field much? If he's playing, it's because we are running a series of plays intended to give the D a change of pace. I do hope we allow him opportunities to throw as well, but let's make no mistake the Bombers will put Strev out there with Brady to run a very run heavy play package.

Zach will be just fine in his playmaking ability. Saying he struggled last year is overstating things. He had his best statistical year as a Bomber last year. 

Ford is playing the easiest position there is in the secondary. He will be fine.

I'm not anticipating that Gauthier takes the majority of reps...very doubtful on that.

FCB isn't the easiest position, if that were true why are most teams playing internationals there.  Especially now that the hashmarks are moved in and their is less room on the fieldside.

I keep hearing how Nationals are inferior, but they're hardly ever played at the easiest position?

[Arnold_Palmer]

11 minutes ago, Jpan85 said:

We should start the season later so we don't run into this type of weather. 

What’s worse? Plus 15 in June or minus 20 in December? 

[bearpants]

56 minutes ago, Arnold_Palmer said:

FAJARDO BACK TO PASS! JAKE THOMAS WITH THE PRESSURE! FAJARDO FUMBLES, OH NO! GAUTHIER PICKS UP THE FOOTBALL, HES GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE! 60-3 BOMBERS LEAD! The crowd goes wild, Booch’s head explodes and we go 1-0 to start the season. 

I would hope the back ups would all be in the game up 53-3!