Close isn't good enough

Winnipeg Free Press

2 days ago

If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to get back into the West Division race, they need to take care of business at home against
sub-.500 teams.
They have a chance to do just that tonight when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (3-6) at 7:30 p.m.
BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS files
Reciever Keric Wheatfall's (right) production has dropped significantly since the beginning of the season.
After jumping out to a perfect 3-0, the 4-4 Bombers have dropped four of their last five and are coming off a heartbreaking 28-27 road loss in Calgary on Saturday.
They started 2-6 in 2024 and turned out just fine by making it all the way to the Grey Cup, but the jury's still out on whether or not this is a group that has another rally in them.
A loss to Ottawa would suggest otherwise.
'With the games we've had, we felt like we were really close to winning some of them. But, close enough isn't good enough,' said Bombers guard Patrick Neufeuld on Wednesday.
'You have to be able to go out, despite the circumstance, and overcome any sort of adversity you face and find a way to get a win. I think we're close, and we're really looking forward to playing in front of our crowd here.'
After opening 2025 at 1-6, the Redblacks — led by Winnipeg's own Bob Dyce at head coach — have picked themselves off the mat with back-to-back wins. They exploited a dismal Toronto defence on Saturday by prevailing in a 46-42 shootout over the Argonauts which is the most points the franchise has scored since they were called the Rough Riders and dropped 46 on the Birmingham Barracudas in 1995.
To prepare you for kickoff, here's the latest edition of 5 Storylines.
NOT-SO-SCARY SECONDARY
When Wednesday's walkthrough practice came to a close, defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger and the entire secondary stayed on the field for some extra work.
It's a unit that needs all the help it can get at this point as weak-side corner Terrell Bonds suffered a season-ending knee injury last week and strong-side corner Jamal Parker is slated to miss his second contest in a row.
Sliding in for Bonds is rookie Trey Vaval who will make his first career start on defence. Vaval — the team's return specialist — has played in spurts on defence these past three weeks and there was a noticeable dropoff every time. It's a tall task returning kicks/punts while also trying to be a steady defender.
'You've got to be in shape. It's really tough, especially to keep that burst as a returner,' explained halfback Evan Holm, who also has experience as a returner.
'They're going to come after you at corner, so, you have to have that, and I think Trey does. He's fast, so I think he's going to do a great job.'
Dexter Lawson Jr. starts at the other corner spot and he'll need to be better in his second game as he was picked apart by Vernon Adams Jr.
in Calgary.
With Bonds off the roster, the Bombers will dress rookie safety Cam Allen who will see the field in certain packages. The 25-year-old out of Purdue showed flashes in training camp and the Bombers are hoping that translates to game day as they could desperately use a breakout star on the back end.
'I know I'm expecting a couple shots from them to come at me,' said Allen.
'A guy like me, I'm very confident in my play so I want those plays.
If they go away from you all game, you ain't got no opportunity to make a play. So, I'm just ready for the opportunity.'
The Bombers have allowed 72 points combined in their last two outings at Princess Auto Stadium which is the most points surrendered in consecutive games at home since 2018.
OTTAWA MISSING THREE ON D
The Bombers aren't the only ones banged up on defence.
Ottawa placed weak-side linebacker Frankie Griffin, halfback Amari Henderson and corner Alijah McGhee all on the injured list this week.
Starting defensive tackle Cleyon Laing is also listed as a game-time decision.
It's bad news for a Redblacks side that is already coughing up 28.4 points per game — which is the third-highest mark in the CFL — and rank middle of the pack in most defensive categories.
The door is open for the Bombers to have a huge day, but they haven't exactly lit it up against Ottawa recently as Winnipeg has been held to fewer than 20 points in four of their previous six meetings.
BROWN'S BACK IN TOWN
Dru Brown made his first trip back to Winnipeg last season and it didn't go as planned.
He slid to the ground when Bombers linebacker Redha Kramdi's elbow connected with his head on a late hit that took him out of the game in the second quarter. The Redblacks never recovered and went on to lose 25-16.
'It sucked,' is how Brown summed it up Wednesday shortly after landing in the Manitoba capital.
'I think every time you're going up against your buddies you want to win… To not be able to finish that was frustrating, but I'm looking forward to it (Thursday).'
Brown — who broke into the CFL with the Bombers in 2021 and spent three years with the team — is hoping for a much different result this time out, and if he looks anything like he did in Toronto, it could be a tough evening in Bomberland. Brown torched the Argos for 373 passing yards and a career-high five touchdown passes.
The one time he played a full four quarters against the Bombers (June 13, 2024 in Ottawa) he led the Redblacks to a 23-19 victory.
'He's very good,' said Holm. 'We got to play our best to stop him.'
WHERE'S WHEATFALL?
It's no secret the Bombers are lacking in talent in their receiver room right now outside of Nic Demski.
With Dalton Schoen out of action, there's a lot of targets up for grabs and second-year receiver Keric Wheatfall has failed to seize the opportunity. After totalling 213 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first two games, Wheatfall has fallen silent as he hasn't eclipsed
25 yards in four of his last five showings and hasn't found the end zone since Week 4.
Jerreth Sterns (28 catches, 290 yards, and three touchdowns) is on pace for career numbers across the board, but doesn't offer the same big play ability that Wheatfall does.
As for Ottawa, they have zero issues with their pass catchers. Eugene Lewis and Justin Hardy both rank in the top 12 in receiving and combined for 157 yards and four touchdowns vs. the Boatmen.
OFFENSIVE PLAY
You can't just point the finger at Wheatfall — the entire offence needs to be better.
'We gotta not turn the ball over and score touchdowns. It's pretty simple,' said Neufeld.
The Bombers haven't made it look simple, though.
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They've committed more turnovers (26) than anyone and the offence has scored the second fewest touchdowns (17) in the nine-team circuit.
It's been a first half to forget for quarterback Zach Collaros who has been suspended, hurt, and has tossed way too many picks (eight in six games). It could be him, or it could be the fact he no longer has the luxury of airing it out to Kenny Lawler and/or Schoen, but either way, Collaros needs to find a way to push the ball downfield with the weapons he's stuck with.
The fact running back Brady Oliveira — who did catch nine passes for 100 yards last week – still hasn't rushed for 100 yards in a game this season is mindblowing. First-year offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan has made a habit of getting away from his star tailback in the final two quarters and that needs to stop.
Ottawa has scored just 21 points in the first quarter this season, so if Collaros and Co. come out strong, there's a good chance they can put the visitors in a hole early.
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Taylor AllenReporter
Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.
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