Continuing with the CFL Talking Points series, Last Word On Sports CFL writers Thomas Gunther and Kelly Bale address several pressing questions after the Calgary Stampeders 33-18 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as well as their overall impressions of the game. For last week’s recap, you can click here. Lets get started with the key takeaways in CFL Week 5 Talking Points.
CFL Week 5 Talking Points
Calgary Stampeders
1) Were the Stamps truly as dominant as they looked? Or were the Bombers just that bad?
Kelly Bale: The answer is a bit of both. The Stampeders had an outstanding first half fueled by a monster defensive effort. Stellar receiving production from Marquay McDaniel and establishing the running game with Jerome Messam didn’t hurt either. Combine this with the Blue Bombers starting slow on both offense and defense and a lopsided win for the Stamps isn’t surprising.
Thomas Gunther: Both. It looked a little dicey when the Stamps were caught off guard by the energy of the Bombers after halftime. Yet, like all good teams do, the Stamps adjusted in the fourth quarter. They went for the kill while the Bombers fizzled out. Just another indicator of the vast difference between the two teams and how they are run by their respective coaches.
2) Explain the Stamps choice to air it out (41 Pass attempts) rather than run (13 carries) when they held the lead for much of the game.
KB: The Bombers were playing fairly well in man-to-man coverage early but the losses of Macho Harris and Chris Randle presented a glaring weakness for the Stamps to target. Bombers defensive co-ordinator Ritchie Hall was stuck playing with a team of mostly rookies in the secondary. They had to switch to playing more zone coverage. Calgary deserves credit for coming out and hitting the Bombers where it hurt over and over.
TG: I always feel the right strategy when ahead is to run the ball and kill the clock. This is especially true in the second half. The Stamps walked away with this one so I can’t quibble head coach Dave Dickinson’s strategy. However, I do feel Messam needs to be more involved in the game plan. The Stamps aren’t playing the Bombers every week and will need to be more balance going forward against stiffer competition.
3) Despite the win, where do the Stamps need to improve going into next week?
KB: The Stampeders got away from challenging the Bombers rookie corners with deep balls in the second half, taking their foot off the gas. The Stamps will need to keep it pressed to the floor, because if they try that with a better football team, it could cost them a win. With six of their next seven games against West Division teams the Stamps can’t afford to slow down in any facet of their game.
TG: The biggest weakness I could see from the Stamps came on Special Teams. There was yet another missed convert from Rene Parades (for a total of four missed on the year). They also had some shoddy coverage on the Bombers returns. The long return in the fourth quarter by Quincy McDuffy was almost enough to shock the Bombers back into the game. Heading into B.C. against the Lions and the ever dangerous Chris Rainey the Stamps will have to tighten up.
Who were the Stampeder`s “Top Performers?”
KB: Newcomer Ja’Garud Davis had a huge game for the Stampeders at linebacker. He had two sacks and seven tackles. Davis narrowly edged Tommy Campbell who had 11 tackles at the corner position. Bo Levi Mitchell spread the ball around. He went 29 for 41 with 310 yards passing and a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio.
TG: I’ll give this to quarterback Bo-Levi Mitchell. Winnipeg’s defence is the strongest aspect of their team, yet Mitchell picked them apart with ease when the Stamps needed to move the ball. Already off to another fantastic start, the young signal caller is on several record watch-lists including: consecutive games with a touchdown pass, passing efficiency, and wins to start a career.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
1) Despite the loss, what can the Bombers build on for next week?
TG: The quick passing game featuring multiple shots to Weston Dressler was effective early in the game. It is also promising that Darvin Adams is still making plays down field. The Bombers need to keep changing up their offensive strategy while taking every opportunity to mix in their best play-maker, Andrew Harris. The Bombers have the pieces to go toe-to-toe with anyone on offense. They just need to find the right way to use them.
KB: I think the Bombers can build on the promise shown by veteran quarterback Matt Nichols. His presence was immediately evident. The Bombers looked to be right back in the game once he took the field. Nichols played loose and with confidence in relief of the over matched Drew Willy. If Nicholas is under center next week, the team will play better, period.
2) Ritchie Hall switched to a zone defense after his unit gave up 20 first half points. Is this something the Bombers should stick with in the future?
TG: As Kelly mentioned previously, the wave on injuries that struck the Bomber’s secondary may have forced Ritchie Hall’s hand in his defensive adjustments. Yet even before that it was clear that the superior route running ability of Marquay McDaniel was more than anyone on the Bombers could handle one-on-one. What should worry Bombers fans is that Calgary’s options at receiver, outside of McDaniel, are actually quite weak compared to the other western teams. I don’t see this scheme change providing any relief until the players get healthy or get better.
KB: The aforementioned injuries to two of three veteran defensive backs in the lineup were the main cause for the scheme change. If those players don’t go down, who knows what the final outcome is? The injuries certainly didn’t help matters. It’s hard to tell if sticking with the zone going forward will fix the problems in the secondary.
3) Was Mike O’Shea right to constantly challenge the officials on “just in case” type plays?
TG: I know coaches are bred to find any possible way to win but these challenges are wearing thin on me. Since the CFL altered the rules to allow challenges on several new plays, the challenge has almost become an extra time out with the possibility of free yards attached. During this game Mike O’Shea seemed more focused and engaged on fighting for “ghost” penalties than actually coaching his team to a victory. Its another sign the embattled head coach is not long for the season.
KB: Watching O’Shea constantly try to get in the ear of the official is getting pretty annoying to watch. Thomas called them “ghost” penalties and I agree that he’s got to quit employing this strategy. Burning his challenges early cost O’Shea an opportunity at the end of the game to challenge a legitimate pass interference on Jace Davis. If called, that would have seen the Bombers at the Stamps three yard line with 20 seconds remaining down two scores.
4) Who were the Bomber`s “Top Performers?”
TG: It’s low hanging fruit but Weston Dressler takes the award without question. With 12 catches for over a hundred yards and a touchdown the diminutive receiver was the only thing going for the Bomber offense for much of the game. Props go out to defensive back Kevin Fogg as well. His defensive interception gave hope, albeit it brief, to the Bomber faithful.
KB: To disagree there would be foolish. It’s Fogg and Dressler for me as well. Outstanding game for both on a night where Winnipeg desperately needed something to cheer for.
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