5 Takeaways as Calgary Stampeders crush Winnipeg Blue Bombers again, become Grey Cup front-runners
Article content
Adams was asked in the lead-up to the game if he has any favourites.
Article content
Although the Stamps QB did move the ball around Friday, it seems like he's got quite the connection with a couple of receivers.
Article content
'I don't get into favourite targets or anything like that,' Adams said. 'Yeah … I go where the read tells me to go with the ball.'
Article content
By halftime, he'd targeted five receivers, including twice each to Alford, Tevin Jones and Jalen Philpot and a whopping eight times to Dominique Rhymes.
Article content
Included in the first half was a 37-yard TD strike to Alford, for the receiver's third in two games, to put the visitors up 17-13.
Article content
Then came the big one to Alford on what was a brilliant — but lucky? — bomb for a 42-yard third-quarter major after scrambling and spinning and looking like he just heaved it downfield on a hope and a prayer.
Article content
Article content
The question is whether the spin was a planned tip-off to the rookie receiver to jet downfield.
Article content
If it was in the playbook, it was executed to perfection.
Article content
Jones and Rhymes — the self-proclaimed 'Twins' — each led the Red and White with four receptions, while Alford hauled in a team-high 79 yards.
Article content
4) GOT YOUR NUMBER!
Article content
They were equally bad Friday night in the rematch.
Article content
Collaros again tossed a pair, and so too did his understudy, fellow veteran pivot Chris Streveler.
Article content
Anthony Johnson got the start in place of Tyler Richardson at boundary-side corner and executed an interception of Collaros downfield to end the first quarter.
Article content
Then in the second frame, Jayden Grant thieved Collaros downfield.
Article content
To add injury to insult, Collaros was hurt on the Grant interception, as Stamps defensive lineman Clarence Hicks pressured the QB and caught him flush in the chest while in his throwing motion, knocking him out of the game.
Article content
Article content
Winnipeg Sun columnist Paul Friesen described it as Collaros appearing 'to hit his head on the turf in a whiplash effect. He appeared stunned and remained in a sitting position for an extended period of time with two members of the team's medical staff at his sides.'
Article content
It's the second time in as many seasons the Stamps have sacked Collaros and K.O.'d him from a contest.
Article content
Article content
Hicks turned the tide for good for the Stamps in Winnipeg.
Article content
And his defensive mates then followed in his footsteps, further proving the Red and White defence is the best in the league.
Article content
Hicks, a second-year Stamps d-lineman, had two big plays — the hard hurry and hit of Collaros — after stunting inside — that led to the Grant INT, and a sack not long after of Streveler. It was a track-down that could've K.O'd another Bombers quarterback from the affair.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
40 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Twins starting pitcher David Festa placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The 25-year-old Festa was scheduled to consult with a doctor and get an MRI on Wednesday. The Twins are in Los Angeles to play the Dodgers and were scheduled to head home after the early game. On Monday, Festa allowed four runs on three home runs in 5 1/3 innings. 'He woke up after his outing and his shoulder was sore,' Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. 'He'll have an MRI today and we'll know more (Thursday). We'll see where we're at. I can't talk about any specifics because I don't know any more than his arm didn't feel the way that it should normally feel. There's normal soreness and there's more than that, and this was more than that.' Festa has started 10 games for the Twins, who are 10 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central. Festa is 3-4 this season with a 5.40 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 53 1/2 innings. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Dodgers and Twins square off in series rubber match
Minnesota Twins (49-52, third in the AL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (59-43, first in the NL West) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Chris Paddack (3-9, 5.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 75 strikeouts); Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 34 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Dodgers -198, Twins +163; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins play on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Los Angeles has a 34-21 record at home and a 59-43 record overall. Dodgers hitters are batting a collective .255, which ranks second in the NL. Minnesota is 49-52 overall and 21-32 in road games. The Twins have a 37-15 record in games when they record at least eight hits. The teams meet Wednesday for the third time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Will Smith has a .325 batting average to lead the Dodgers, and has 16 doubles, a triple and 14 home runs. Andy Pages is 10 for 38 with two home runs and five RBIs over the past 10 games. Byron Buxton has 14 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs while hitting .290 for the Twins. Kody Clemens is 9 for 33 with a double, two triples and three home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 3-7, .203 batting average, 3.70 ERA, outscored by four runs Twins: 5-5, .262 batting average, 4.66 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs INJURIES: Dodgers: Ben Casparius: day-to-day (calf), Tanner Scott: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Kopech: 60-Day IL (knee), Kike Hernandez: 10-Day IL (elbow), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (knee), Roki Sasaki: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (forearm), Blake Snell: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Hurt: 60-Day IL (elbow), Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder), River Ryan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Twins: Bailey Ober: 15-Day IL (hip), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Winnipeg Free Press
20 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Protecting quarterbacks talk of Bombers practice
Zach Collaros said he believes the hit that knocked him out of last week's game against the Calgary Stampeders warranted a penalty flag, but he's also not surprised that the outcome was any different. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback called the blow delivered by Stampeders' defensive lineman Clarence Hicks in the second quarter of Friday's 41-20 defeat 'pretty clean,' but took umbrage with the timing of the hit. 'It seemed late,' Collaros said. 'That's never going to change in this league, though.' MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) practiced with the club on Monday. He left Friday's game in the second quarter after a hit by Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Clarence Hicks. The hit to Collaros' chest area caused the back of his head to hit the turf and sent him immediately to the locker room, where he remained the rest of the night. No flag was thrown on the play. Collaros is listed on this week's injury report with a neck injury. 'I just think there's not a lot of consistency,' said Collaros, who has previously been vocal about the CFL's streaky record when it comes to protecting its quarterbacks. 'I that that's the frustrating part. I think there's ways to mitigate those hits from happening. I think they'd have to be drastic, and I don't think the (CFL Players Association) are ready to do those kinds of things.' Head coach Mike O'Shea, who is on the CFL Rules Committee, said quarterback safety is 'one of the first things we always talk about' at meetings. 'Does it always work out that way in the field? No, it doesn't always work out that way. It doesn't always look that way,' he said. 'Sometimes, they're doing the right things, but it doesn't actually look like that on TV.' O'Shea didn't say whether he agreed the hit on Collaros was late, but rather spun his answer differently: 'Late or not, I didn't think we were going to (win) a challenge on that one,' he said. Regardless of whether a flag should've been thrown, the most concerning part was the health of the two-time Most Outstanding Player. That's what made Collaros' full participation in Tuesday's practice at Princess Auto Stadium an important sight. The Bombers (3-2), who will travel to Toronto to face the Argonauts (1-6) at BMO Field on Saturday (6 p.m. CT), are reeling after two straight beatdowns and can't afford to be without their most important player. Collaros said he expects to play in the contest, which is a collective sigh of relief for his teammates and fans. Backup Chris Streveler, who had one of the best performances of his career while starting in place of Collaros against the B.C. Lions in Week 2, underwhelmed when he was thrust into action against Calgary, going 16-for-25 with 136 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Granted, Streveler had all of training camp to prepare for his start against the Lions, whereas he had to overcome a four-point deficit against the league's top defence last week. 'It's tough,' Collaros said of the situations that backups are asked to overcome. 'You want all the reps, right? Shoot, I think this is the only place I've ever been that the backup actually gets reps. That's rare. So it is tough. It's very tough. 'That being said, one of the main reasons that my career has lasted so long is because I've had those opportunities, unfortunately, when a guy's gone down. Dating back to college, when I was with the Argos, with Ricky, if he never gets hurt, probably my life is radically different.' The offence looked to be putting together a decent outing before Collaros exited the game and even had a promising drive going out of halftime with Streveler at the helm, but a red zone interception thrown by Streveler killed that series, and the offence never regained traction. The unit has left each of the last two contests frustrated with its performance. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski (10) said Tuesday the team has to be better at finishing their drives. 'I think we are one or two plays away,' receiver Nic Demski, who had a career-high 146 receiving yards in Week 7, said of the offence's recent stretch. 'I thought we started off pretty good and all that stuff, and I still do think we make plays — we put yards out there, we put together great drives — but what's a great drive without finishing with points on the board, right? So, one thing is we definitely have to be better at taking care of the football, and definitely be better about putting points on the board, whether that's three or seven. I mean, obviously the ultimate goal is seven, but we just can't be having these great drives with no production at the end.' Collaros and Streveler have thrown a combined six interceptions — three returned for touchdowns — in the last two games, which has effectively knocked the Bombers out of both contests. The blame isn't solely on the offence, though. The defence has allowed 7.68 yards per play and conceded seven big plays (passes of 30-plus yards and rushes of 20-plus yards), as Winnipeg has been outscored 78-36 in the last eight quarters. It's appeared to unravel as a collective at times, too, with some uncharacteristic plays in all three phases. 'I think it's the amount of things, because some were big and some were minute, but too many. Too many penalties, too many giveaways, too many busts, too many times a lack of communication, out of gaps, missed tackles — too many to survive,' said O'Shea. 'Certainly didn't get the response we wanted, and I expected better. They expect better. They want better for their teammates. Just gotta put in the work and get it done.' The Bombers already have enough motivating them, being on the losing end of back-to-back bad losses, but this week's rematch of last year's Grey Cup presents yet another reason for this team to get up for a road contest. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. They will face an Argos squad that has also gotten in their own way on several occasions this season. 'I think we're just a little extra juiced up to get back on the field. We're not happy with the way we played, obviously, not just last week but the previous one,' Collaros said. 'Going all the way back to last year, we haven't talked about that, and we would never talk about that anyways. I know they have a great staff and great players, and we're on the road. It's always tough to win on the road, so it's gonna be a battle for us.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
