Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Where did the blue and gold come from?

Forget about splitting a home-and-home with the Edmonton Eskimos.  Forget how awful the seasons started.  Forget the quarterback controversy between Kevin Glenn and Ryan Dinwiddie.

The Bombers (5-9) have a golden chance to give themselves some breathing room in the East Division and possibly host a home playoff game come first round of the playoffs when they host the struggling Toronto Argonauts (4-10) in their own barn.

Or Don Matthews can finally get his crew over the top and win.

Toronto and Winnipeg both have seemed to be bitten by the inconsistency bug.  Kerry Joseph and Michael Bishop both were not consistent in the start and eventually Joseph forced Bishop out, who has flourished in Saskatchewan.  Now, Joseph has been contending his job with back-up Cody Pickett.  Pickett hasn't brought the Argos any success, yet there's controversy.

Both teams were favoured to be on the top of the East and so far, both have underachieved.  Meanwhile, the top seeded Montreal Alouettes (9-5) can only look up and don't feel like looking back at the fleeting East Division teams.

With inconsistency hopefully not setting back in coming into Week 16, the Bombers can only hope that Glenn finds that groove again that he had coming into Week 15.

The Bombers hopes have risen by the play of both Glenn and the elevated play of their receiving core of Arjei Franklin, Milt Stegall, Derrick Armstrong, and Terrence Edwards, arguably the best receiving corps in the CFL when they're on.

They're not out of the woods yet, but man did they surprise many and made many eat their own words.

Let's hope for a win, or even the 3-11 Hamilton Tiger-Cats may be knocking at our door come Week 19.

Three in a row, in second place and up by two scores after their first two possessions it looked as if the Bombers were going to mop the floor with the lifeless Eskies.  But one quarter does not a game make. 

Kevin Glenn was on fire at the start spreading the ball around hitting Derick Armstrong for big gains, and Romby Bryant for a huge touchdown and Fred Reid dominated early as the Bombers looked to wreak havoc on the struggling Eskimos. 

But the turning point in the game came in the second quarter, with the Esks being completely shut down and in another punting situation Noel Prefontaine faked the punt and hit Calvin McCarty for a 19 yard gain that eventually led to a Maurice Mann touchdown that opened the floodgates. 

With the momentum turned Tristan Jackson electrified the crowd with a 67 yard punt return for a touchdown that put the Esks ahead for good but they weren't done there.  Ray hit Andrew Nowaki for a 12 yard strike and before the half was done Calvin McCarty scored long a four-yard run that came off a Jonte Buhl interception.  The Eskimos looked like the team of old as they return to the win column following two straight losses.

The Bombers were unable to generate anything after the first quarter and were left far too often in two and out situations, something they have not been accustomed to in this last month.  Bad blood boiled over near the end of the game as it did last week when Kenny Onaolu took a cheap shot near the end of the game on Bombers receiver Derrick Armstrong hitting him after he was out of bounds. 

With the game already settled and the play being over the hit was uncalled for and was incredibly boneheaded seeing as the Esks were about to win the game.  It will be very interesting to see if the league cracks down on anything from this game after the ridiculous slap on the wrist given to Barrenchea last week for his blatant cheap shot that could have ended Glenn's career. 

After the game running back Fred Reid was disappointed that the Bombers led up, We can't have a letdown like that," said Bombers running back Fred Reid of the second quarter collapse. "We had them going in the first quarter and then we let them right back into it. We have to play all four quarters. You can't take a quarter off because every time we do that teams seem to get right back into the game." 

Alexis Serna was once again a disappointment missing a field goal and going one for two in the loss and has not made Brendan Taman look good after cutting longtime kicker Troy Westwood in preseason. 

Following last weeks shenanigans there were more quarterback shenanigans this game as Brandon Guillorey had a cheap shot on Glenn in the third with a late hit, along with that Bombers DE Gavin Walls escaped with no call after hitting Ricky Ray late. 

The time has come for the Canadian Football League to man up and start suspending guys for these cheap shots but after the slap on the wrist to Barrenchea they may be too late in making a statement to the players.  Whatever the case should these teams meet again in the playoffs I would not want to be the referee as things have gotten personal with these two teams and things will boil over. 

With the win the Esks improve to 8-6 while the Bombers drop to 5-9 and have a pivotal match-up next week against the reeling Toronto Argonauts who are only two points back of the Bombers for the final playoff spot in the East.

The Blue Bombers over the last month of the season have finally somehow been able to turn things around.  After trading they're best player and losing they're top sack getter for the season, as well as captain Barrin Simpson this team looked like a ticking time bomb.  The Bombers have rallied the troops and Friday's comeback win over the Eskimos has temporarily moved them into sole possession of second place and a playoff spot in the CFL East.  Having lost so many narrow games to this point in the season, the breaks appear to be balancing out of late more in Winnipeg's favour.

On a night where Milt Stegall was honoured for his career receiving yards record he was a major game breaker once again in a game hat early looked like it could become ugly. Before the capacity crowd at Canad Inns could even sit down and relax the Esks were already up by a touchdown. Ricky Ray wasted no time leading the Eskimos into the end zone after only 3 offensive plays.  The Bombers offence however to they're credit had an answer all night,the  unfortunately kicker Alexis Serna did not as his three missed field goals and a botched convert almost came back to bite them.  With the Bombers down 9-1 and Ricky Ray having his way with the secondary Kevin Glenn made the smartest play call he could going to the most dependable Winnipeg player in the last decade Milt Stegall, smart decision as Stegall's first catch of the game was a 31 yard catch that got the bombers offence rolling late in the first half.  Glenn and the Bombers didn't look back from there as before the half he found Arjei Franklin for a 73 yard catch and run, Franklin first career CFL TD. 

The second half was much the same as the first as Ray and Glenn dominated and put up points left and right.  Jason Armstead electrified the crowd in the third with an 84 yard punt return touchdown that seemed to turn the game in Winnipeg's favour before Ray answered back with an impressive drive capped off by a TD pass to Maurice Mann, and then took the lead when Ray found Fred Stamps for a 44 yard catch.  The Bombers however were not to be denied as Kevin Glenn brought them back.  Down by a point and facing a second down situation near midfield he found Winnipeg's favourite receiver Milt Stegall who was where he's been his entire career open to make a huge catch, this one a 25 yard scamper that set up a Fred Reid touchdown. 

After the defence keeping the games close so often this season it has been the turn of the offence lately to shine as they put up 21 of the 30 points to help them win.  Kevin Glenn was once again impressive as he went 18-26 for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns, as the weeks have gone on Kevin Glenn is looking much more like the East MVP he was last season.  For the Bombers and Fred Reid it sent a message that they are back, ''It's most definitely a statement game,'' said Reid, ''We're more confident right now as a unit and we're coming out and playing hard every week.''  Fred Reid had 16 carried for an impressive 93 yards and has really stepped up his game since the departure of Roberts, along with Joe Smith who rushed 7 times for 49 yards, they were both able to keep drives alive when Winnipeg needed it most. 

Weather the shocking trade of Charles Roberts, the arrival of Joe Smith and Zeke Moreno or the illness of Tom Canada or whatever the reason may be this team has tightened the loose screws in they're head and gotten down to business.  The win was they're third in a row and improved they're record to 5-8 to take over sole possession of second place in the East for the time being.  Also of note Ricky Ray passed Warren Moon to become the Eskimos all-time leader in touchdown passes.  The two teams face off next Saturday at Commenwealth and based on the ejections and fighting at the end of this one there should be alot of tension and bad blood going into this critical rematch.

Friday night's huge victory by the Bombers over the Argos ended with fans and media asking themselves one question, Who were those guys, and how did they were have they been all season? 

The Bombers true identity, the team that was a touchdown away from the cup last year appeared out of nowhere Thursday at Rogers Centre to completely mangle and embarrass the Argos 39-9.  The win improves the Bombers to 3-8 on the season and puts them a game back of Toronto for the playoffs.

The game began with a similar script for Winnipeg as the Argos took an early 3-0 lead on a Mike Vanderjagt field goal.  Things seemed to be going the way they usually have been going for the Bombers, then the second quarter came around and the Bombers erupted. 

After taking a 7-3 lead a lose screw must have come off in all the players' heads as they became completely unglued in the second quarter. 

It started with an interception return by newcomer Kai Ellis which came from the other newcomer Zeke Moreno pressuring Kerry Joseph, Ellis' 97 touchdown opened the flood gates and Glenn and company didn't look back.  Glenn later in the quarter connected with Milt Stegall for a 16 yard pass and catch before Milt went down in history with a 92-yard touchdown reception that made him the all-time career leader in receiving yards. 

New coach Don Matthew was making his return to the Argos sideline but by halftime was probably wondering what he had done to himself.  A defensive showcase followed in the third quarter before Glenn found Romby Bryant in the fourth quarter for a 45 yard touchdown catch.

Hard to believe it may have taken over half the season for the Bombers to find they're way and have a break out game but it may well have happened.  If that performance couldn't turn this team around and nothing will.  The Bombers completely dominated the Argos on all three facets of the game and completely destroyed and humiliated them on every occasion. 

Without exception this was by far the most completed game the Bombers have played all season,  Kevin Glenn was a very impressive 15-26 for 319 yards two interceptions and four touchdowns, and how about new running backs Fred Reid and Mean Joe Smith who rushed for 101 and 32 yards respectively. 

But perhaps the best story of all once again belonged to Milt Stegall.  Coming into the game needing only 16 yards to break the all-time CFL receiving record Stegall had broke the record in typical Milt Stegall fashion with a 92-yard reception for a touchdown, his second of the night.

As easy as it's been to rip apart the Bombers this year for once it's allmost impossible to say anything negative about them following Friday night's game.  A complete team effort from start to finish and a deserving victory which they hope will catipult them into a playoff position.

You don't know what it is like until you try it—it is the best quote to describe being at the most important CFL game of the season—the Labour Day Classic (LDC), with the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

My method of attendance was not the way I dreamed.  Trying to sell the Game Day/Leaderpost programs was a real nightmare.  But the two hours flew by.

The hours were not the only thing to fly—the Snowbirds did, as well.  Very surreal!

By the time we found a place to stand it was already into the second quarter.  Before I knew it, it was halftime.  I was stuck along the wall on the north-east side of the stadium, so it was impossible to differentiate between the players.

I do wish it was a more offensive game.  Definitely nothing as crazy as the Banjo Bowl was.  But the intensity was definitely there, more so than I felt during my previous two attendances combined.

There was definitely both good and bad moments non-relating to the game play.

I was not at all impressed with the way we were treated by the staff.  When we finished working, we walked into the north gate on the west side, and stood against the wall.  The employee immediately came over and said we had to move. 

We squashed ourselves tightly to the wall; that apparently was not good enough.  She told us we could not stand there because we were blocking the view of those in the actual seats.  We were then physically shoved back, where we could not see the field at all!

The five of us were fairly peeved to say the least and quickly ran to the east side where we were welcomed with open arms.  Nobody cared that we sat along the steps, even as they walked past.  After the game, the Blue Bomber fans thanks us for sitting there.

Seeing the streaker was fun—especially since I exactly caught the entire thing on video with my camera!

I give kudos to all of the Blue Bomber fans.  As they were loading themselves back onto the buses they gave everyone high-fives, shouting "two-and-seven!"  It is nice to see they did not hold any actual grudge against us Roughrider fans.

I do not know if I will ever get the opportunity to attend the LDC again, but being a part of the record 30,945 crowd was incredible.  It was a day I will never forget.

The soap opera that is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' season took another dramatic twist Monday as they traded star running back Charles Roberts to British Columbia in exchange for RB Joe Smith. 

The trade comes as a massive shock to fans in Winnipeg who have enjoyed the speedster for eight years, watching him break team records and dominate on the ground.  The Bombers now are left reeling after a promising season has gone sour with their most productive player over the last eight years suddenly gone.

What more can be said about this season that hasn't already been said?  The Bombers have unbelievably struggled all season and have shown very little sign of improvement throughout. 

Following the trade, Roberts appeared relatively upbeat for a guy who had helped carry this franchise for years. "I'm going to come in with the same attitude that I've had for the last eight years," he told CKNW.  "I'm going to go out there and be the best I can at my position and help my offence move the ball down the field." 

Without a doubt he will be a welcome edition to the Lions' backfield, who have had their share of struggles as they are at 4-5 and dead last in the West.

In Joe Smith, Winnipeg gets a man who was last year's leading rusher and was also an integral part in the Lions' Grey Cup victory in 2006.  While Smith has only appeared in four games this season, last year's stats of 1,510 yards and 18 touchdowns on 281 carries is reason for optimism.  The fact the he also has a grey cup ring is a positive. 

While he may not have as much flash and speed as Roberts did, Smith brings a lot of power and versatility to a struggling Bomber ground game.

Roberts no doubt will be missed in Winnipeg as he has brought to this franchise something fans here have not seen for a while—an exciting running back, who is versatile, flashy, and not afraid to take some punishment. 

Going into this season, Roberts amassed 9,987 yards rushing on 1,853 carries, including six 1000-yard seasons.  This season his totals dropped considerably, as he has 517 yards rushing on 111 carries. 

So the Bombers must now move on without blink, and turn the page on a new era in Bombers history.  Charles Roberts leaves as the greatest running back in Bomber history and will without a doubt be a first-ballot Hall of Famer some day.  For now, all that's left to say is, "Best of luck, Charlie."

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions have pulled off a major deal, swapping Charles Roberts in exchange for Joe Smith (both veteran running backs) in a shocker on Tuesday afternoon.

Charles "Blink" Roberts has been having problems this season behind the Bombers' struggling offensive line. Roberts, who is usually first in yards gained, is now fifth with just 517 yards. He is also not getting as many carries as someone of his talent should be getting, as he ranks only fourth in attempts this year with 111.

These are very surprising numbers for Roberts as the CFL leader in yards gained 1,510 yards just a year ago. Since joining the league back in 2001 he has accumulated 9,987 career rushing yards, having spent his entire time in Winnipeg.

Joe Smith has also had problems this year, playing in only four games this season with a total of 236 rushing yards and three TDs on 55 attempts for the Lions in 2008. Back in 2007, Smith had broken the Lions' all-time season record with 1,510 yards on 281 carries.

With both running backs struggling behind their respective offences this year, it was looking like they needed a change of scenery. This deal just may work out for both teams as Winnipeg and B.C. will get the types of running backs they need in their back fields.

For Winnipeg fans, it is really going to be tough to deal with the loss of the all-time Bomber rushing leader, and one of the greatest ever running backs. However, this may be the right move for the team as Winnipeg needs the bigger and stronger running back to gain yards with a poor offensive line.

I guess we're just going to have to wait and find out.

As for B.C. fans, I believe they have more to be excited about, as Roberts is only 13 yards away from reaching 10,000 career rushing yards. He is arguably the best running back ever to play in the CFL.

I think that Roberts will fit in really well with the Lions. Look for him to start playing at his best behind a better team for the second half of the season.

It seems the greater the ascent to success, the farther the fall is after.

Another loss, this one to the bitter rivals from Saskatchewan, 19-6, and the Bombers have no excuses anymore.  They've run out of excuses to why they are doing so horribly following an amazing 2007 season.

Neither Kevin Glenn or Ryan Dinwiddie seem to be able to get the job done this season, with only one win for both QBs.  The defense is stifled and the receivers can't seem to get into a rhythm.

Perhaps it's the absence of the leadership of veteran Milt Stegall or the fact that Glenn just has not found the rhythm he had last season before breaking his arm in the East Finals.

With a rematch at CanadInns stadium on September 7th against the Roughriders, the Banjo Bowl may be yet another whitewashing of the Bombers for yet another week.

Now in the cellar at 2-7 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats possibly able to pass them with a third win over the Toronto Argonauts this season, do the Bombers even have a chance to get out of this funk?

Excuses have run out and this isn't the time of season to make any new ones.

Is the season over for the 2007 East Division Champions?

Is this the beginning of yet another rebuildling time in Winnipeg?  Goodbye Stegall and Roberts, hello rebuildling phase?

Whatever it is, let's hope this season isn't over because it's looking more and more like the Bombers have not shown up this season to play or even compete.

With nine weeks left, the Bombers can go on a nine-win game winning streak to get them to 11-7—yet still, a nine-game winning streak for a struggling team such as the Bombers this season seems next to impossible.

Could even a 11-7 record get them into the playoffs?  

Maybe it's time to give the Tiger-Cats a break from being the cellar dwellers in the CFL East for one season.

One thing I know is: I'm sick of watching the Bombers not show up to play.  It hurts.  And it's disgraceful.

Especially around those Roughrider fans.

Let's hope those banjo-playing hicks don't bug us too much in the Banjo Bowl next week.

A much-needed victory two weeks ago and a much-needed bye last week have led the Bombers into their labour day match-up with the Riders this Sunday. 

The two teams are going in very different directions this season, but both are equally as desperate for a win. 

For the Bombers, they look to improve on their 2-6 record and keep pace with the rest in a quest for a playoff berth.  The Riders look to regain some confidence and re-establish themselves following two straight losses after beginning the season at 6-0.

A rematch of last year's Grey Cup, these two clubs have taken very different paths this season, but not the paths many expected. 

For the Bombers, following that heartbreaking Cup loss last year, they were expected to contend again this year with much of last year's team still in tact.  Instead, they have struggled mightily this year, posting a record of 2-6 with little room for error the rest of the way.

On the other hand, the Riders, following their Grey Cup win, went through a difficult offseason losing head coach Kent Austin and MVP quarterback Kerry Joseph.  With such key losses, not much was expected out of the Riders this season, but Saskatchewan has shown incredible resilience and unexpected power with an impressive 6-2 record to this point.

These back-to-back games are critical for both teams in the second half push for the playoffs.  For the Bombers, it's very simple: they just need to win.  And that is what they are going to have to do a lot of for the remainder of the season if they are to have any hope of making the postseason and returning to the Grey Cup. 

The Riders, after a terrific start this season, are looking to get back on track after two straight losses.  They will have newly acquired Michael Bishop in the lineup and will hope he can re-establish his dominance from last year that saw him post an impressive 11-1 record as the Argos' starter.

Doug Berry and the Bombers are fighting for their lives and must come out with the attitude that there's is no tommorrow—because quite frankly, that's what it's like in Winnipeg right now.  They cannot afford any more slip-ups because they have dug themselves such a deep hole that there is no room for error. 

The Bombers are coming off a very impressive 37-24 victory over the Ti-cats two weeks ago.  It was a game that saw the likes of Kevin Glenn and Charles Roberts break free from long droughts, Glenn throwing for an impressive 285 yards and a touchdown while Roberts finally broke lose to carry 23 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

The Banjo Bowl has allways been a heated matchup for these two prairie rivals, and this year will be no exception as they re both in desperate need of a win.  These clubs enter a critical part of the season now that will determine how they will fare in the final standings. 

CFL fans, strap yourself in for an intense roller coaster ride these next couple of weeks as these team leave it all on the line.

Even though they don't play until Sunday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were a busy team today.

The Blue Bombers were on hand at their new "Blue Bomber Shop" to showcase their new '50s throwback jerseys that they and the Toronto Argonauts will be wearing two times this year.

History is what the Canadian Football League is about.  It is nice to see the league and teams finally start using that as a marketing technique. 

While the National Football League is the big money, fans that love rivalries and history are usually either a Canadian Football League or NCAA football fan.  Only these two leagues can really lay any claim to the true development of football and have each played for almost 100 years.

At the unveiling, players from the actual historic teams of the past such as Hall of Fame quarterback Kenny Ploen, kicker Trevor Kennerd, future Hall of Famer Milt Stegall, and current players such as defensive end Tom Canada, receiver Arjei Franklin, and starting quarterback Kevin Glenn all helped showcase the new jerseys and signed autographs.

Are the jerseys any good?  Each to their own I would think.  I, personally, am a fan of their gold "alternate" jerseys, yet even in the shop I could hear a fan talking about how much they dislike them. 

Do you like West Virginia's NCAA jersey?  I feel they look pretty similar. 

Regardless of whether they are what you personally like or not, what is great is their partnership with Reebok.  It was announced that this partnership has been extended for another five years. 

This is great news for the CFL because let's get serious about Canadian marketing:  It sucks.  The CFL (and most Canadians) just don't know how to do it.  There is a reason there is so much inferior product out there, and our league has had struggles in the past—the CFL just doesn't know how to market. 

Oh, but they try. Remember "Radically Canadian" or "Our Balls Are Bigger", or perhaps the new slogan that seems to be getting punched around now, "This is Our Game"? 

Cheesiness aside, Reebok—heck, any athletic shoe company—knows how to do things right.  They live off of marketing and it shows.  Look at how many people are wearing CFL product now.  I have never seen this amount since, well, "Brock Busters" in 1983!

Another bonus to this partnership with Reebok is the product quality control.  Remember those dark blue jerseys of the nineties with white sleeves?  One sleeve had a "W" facing forward and the other sleeve had the same logo but backwards to try and fit? 

Ridiculous, yet it happened.  Reebok wouldn't have let it though.  With this partnership with Reebok, there will be all kinds of comments, positive and negative.  I think most are quite happy to get another type of Blue Bomber jersey.  Some will ask, "Just how many cash grabs does the CFL need?" and ask to please stop with the jerseys.

Heck, if it gets the kids and fans wearing them, offering promotion for the league and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who cares? 

As a history buff, I couldn't be happier.  There have been some other throwback jerseys available around Winnipeg released by other companies.  I found a blue and white '60s jersey a few years back at a store in Polo Park Shopping Centre.  They of course didn't have my size, so I had to buy it for my brother. 

The old Bomber jersey makers Harv-Al (a local Winnipeg company) also recently (in the last two years) re-released the old classic '80s jerseys.  Dang, I wanted a Matt Dunigan one.  Yet again, not my size, and to be quite honest, after getting used to the Reebok quality jersey, I lost interest in getting it after I checked it out at the Bomber store.

It is surprising that the league chose Winnipeg to be one of the first to receive these throwback jerseys (apparently there are going to be two released each year going forward) when there are such large markets like BC and Montreal out there. 

It's nice to see the CFL supporting the prairies, where the CFL fans are really fanatical.  Too often they have been pandering to the large markets such as Toronto. 

Yes, the other throwback jersey this year is Toronto's.  I would have liked them to have paired up the release dates each year to coincide with the Labour Day Classic.  The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Bombers would have been good.  Then again, right on the jerseys there is a patch that lists (for the Bombers anyway) how many Grey Cups (10) they have won. 

I don't know what they will do for the Roughriders—two just seems so erm, would you even want to put that on your jersey?