RECEIVER DRESSLER COULD BE BOMBERS’ MISSING INGREDIENT
Even with all the talk and all the hype, it all comes down to winning, the ultimate result for which every team strives.
After Sunday’s 31-23 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it is clear that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have righted the ship and are sailing smoothly along the waters of the CFL’S weekly grind.
As previously noted — but not by Rob Vanstone, obviously, because his predictions are even worse than his beloved Denver Broncos — the other club is taking on water and faces a game that, if not won on Saturday, will put Winnipeg in a bad state.
When a team is struggling, the analysis is lengthy and thorough from within.
Winnipeg is not playing nearly as well as the 12-6 version from last year. The confidence is not evident and adversity has struck.
Every team will encounter adversity during a year, but the key is to attack it head-on and put it behind you as soon as possible.
Winnipeg ’s passing game has hit a wall and struggles to get to 200 yards per game. Fortunately, tailback Andrew Harris has been productive, which prevents the Bombers’ offence from completely cratering.
The overall results, however, need to turn around — and quickly — for a Bombers team that has fallen to 5-6 as a consequence of three consecutive losses.
With the team struggling, the outside noise has been turned up. At times like this, the head coach (Michael O’shea, in Winnipeg ’s case) and the quarterback (Matt Nichols) are always feeling the heat. It would be interesting to know what the Bombers’ top executives are thinking about the current malaise.
How the team manages the adversity and the plan to win games going forward is the key to success or lack thereof.
It really comes down to this as the general manager: Do you believe in the personnel, on and off the field, that you’ve assembled? If so, get ready to explain it to the people above you.
If not, the plan had better be implemented, and soon, to change personnel where required.
I’m not suggesting a firing or cutting players all of a sudden, but something has to change.
We faced this issue with the 2013 Roughriders after a fourgame losing streak. I believed in our personnel, and the change that was made was simple and an easy fix. Our star running back returned. Kory Sheets was back from an injury for a game in British Columbia and, just like that, the results went back in our favour.
Our whole team’s confidence returned and the rest is history.
Applying that to the Winnipeg situation, would the return of receiver Weston Dressler be a catalyst for Winnipeg to end its losing streak this year?
Time will tell, but Nichols’ production has decreased since Dressler left the lineup due to injury. The game on Saturday will clearly show the Bombers’ path. If Winnipeg wins, it is in the thick of the race for a West Division home playoff game.
If the Bombers lose, the realistic focus will be to hang on to a crossover spot into the East Division playoffs, with long odds for a remaining chance at third in the West. Would this suffice for the higher-ups? Hmmm.
The best solution: Win. How does this affect the Roughriders? A win on Saturday would put a home playoff game — the first since 2013 — in clear view.
Just three weeks ago, times were desperate in Saskatchewan. But after a bye week this team has taken off, recording three consecutive victories, with some personnel adjustments that have clearly worked.
For Winnipeg ’s sake, it needs to mirror Saskatchewan’s plan and, more importantly, the Roughriders’ results after some losses have piled up.
It is said that a split in the Labour Day Classic/banjo Bowl is the norm.
Winnipeg had better achieve a split or Saskatchewan, or any other West team, might not be the team the Bombers see in their playoff future.
Instead of having a chance to be among the West’s best, the Bombers will be looking at finishing with a better record than the Toronto Argonauts and B.C. Lions, with aspirations of keeping alive any playoff chance at all.
But if the Bombers win, fewer questions will be asked and the overall atmosphere will be better. Just ask Saskatchewan.
Now for the weekly predictions — or the weakly predictions, in Vanstone’s case ...
OTTAWA AT B.C. (FRIDAY, 8 P.M.)
Taman: Team Jekyll and Hyde (Ottawa) versus Team Desperate (B.C.). Tough trip for Ottawa. Lions by one.
Vanstone: Game begins at 10 p.m., Eastern time. Will the Redblacks violate curfew simply by playing in this game? Lions by eight.
HAMILTON AT TORONTO (SATURDAY, 11 A.M.)
Taman: Keeping Duron Carter inactive while the Argos’ season is on the line is ... yeah, OK. Tiger-cats by five.
Vanstone: Hamilton has been a tough call all season. I picked the Tabbies last week, so ... Argonauts by two.
CALGARY AT EDMONTON (SATURDAY, 5 P.M.)
Taman: Edmonton is a tad unhappy after Monday. Revenge results in a win. Eskimos by four. Vanstone: Penalties and questionable coaching will be the Eskimos’ downfall. Stampeders by seven.
Records after Week 12: Taman 31-15 (2-2 last week); Vanstone 30-16 (3-1).
FANTASY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Taman: Hamilton Tiger-cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will put up more big numbers, vaulting him into most-outstanding-player status in the East Division. Three hundred passing yards is normal for him. Vanstone: Lions quarterback Travis Lulay will guide his team to a bounce-back victory following a bye week.
Review of Week 12 fantasy picks: I picked the Ottawa Redblacks’ Greg Ellingson, who had eight catches for 114 yards in a 21-11 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. Vanstone chose the Calgary Stampeders’ Kamar Jorden, who had three receptions for 49 yards against Edmonton before leaving the game with an injury. Taman’s Take appears weekly.
SASKATCHEWAN AT WINNIPEG (SATURDAY, 2 P.M.)
Taman: Big game for Winnipeg, but Chris Jones’ green T-shirt wins again. Roughriders by three.
Vanstone: Two teams heading in different directions. Roughriders by six.