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Winnipeg Free Press
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Blue Bombers look to snap losing streak
They've lost three straight games by double digits for the first time in over a decade, their starting quarterback can't stay healthy, their star receiver is injured, their always reliable left tackle is injured, and the defence can't stop a nosebleed. So, how are things going in Bomberland? Not good — not good at all. 'On paper, it looks rough,' admitted Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira after Wednesday's closed practice. 'Obviously, it's hard to fill those roles, but unfortunately in this business, it's cliché, you hear it all the time, but it's next man up, right? I don't know, there's not really been any concern yet in this locker room that I'm feeling.' Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (left) said Wednesday the club's locker room still has a 'next man up' mentality despite the season's setbacks. Quarterback Zach Collaros, who threw for 79 yards and two interceptions in the first half of last Saturday's 31-17 loss in Toronto, didn't return for the final two quarters. Head coach Mike O'Shea confirmed Wednesday that the veteran quarterback will also miss Friday's rematch at home with the Argonauts (7:30 p.m. kickoff) as he is on the injury report with a neck issue and is expected to be replaced by Chris Streveler. This isn't the first time his neck has bothered him as it also caused him to leave a game two weeks ago, a 41-20 beating courtesy of Calgary. O'Shea said he doesn't expect Collaros to be out for long and defended his recent play. Collaros, a 36-year-old who the Bombers signed to a one-year extension through 2026 back in March, has tossed just two touchdowns and six interceptions in his last seven quarters of action. Left tackle Stanley Bryant (knee) has also been ruled out for a third straight game and standout receiver Dalton Schoen (knee) is currently on the six-game injured list. 'I see an entire team that is taking turns making mistakes,' said O'Shea. 'The quarterback is, as they would say, given too much credit for losses and wins. There's a lot that goes into any football play, and the best part of our game is that 12 guys need to be doing the right thing all the time.' Those are a lot of interceptions, though. 'If you had an understanding of how the play is supposed to work, you would have a different opinion on every single turnover. You have to look at each one based on the merits of that particular play and all the things that go into it,' said O'Shea. The Bombers, now 3-3 after starting 3-0, have earned patience. After all, they did start last year 0-4 before figuring it out and making it all the way to the Grey Cup. 'It's a different team, a different season, so we just can't think that's going to be the case for this year,' said Oliveira. ''Yeah, we started slow last year, we can start slow this year and we're gonna make the big game.' That's not the case. We still need to show up every single day and handle our business.' This adversity does feel different. They're getting shellacked, meanwhile three of their four opening losses last year were by four points or less. John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said Wednesday the entire team is making mistakes, not just key players. 'I like to say every week is a different week. I like to learn from the past, win or lose, and move forward, but obviously, it's bulls–t,' said Bombers dime back Redha Kramdi. 'I just hate to lose the way we've been losing. It's unfamiliar with the way we've been playing. But what we did in past years doesn't matter. We just gotta correct what we need to correct, learn what we need to learn, and execute when we're on the field and win games.' It's not just Collaros and the offence, the defence deserves a ton of blame as well. Journeyman quarterback Nick Arbuckle, who was 1-5 this season before knocking off the Bombers on the weekend, had 316 passing yards and two touchdowns. Last year, the Bombers held their opponents to 234.8 air yards per game which was the best in the CFL. This year, that number has ballooned to 285.3 which has them in sixth. But what's keeping Kramdi awake at night is how they're faring on second down. The Boatmen converted on second and long (10 or more yards) on four occasions and moved the chains on second down 14 times in total. The Bombers lost all-star Canadian corner Tyrell Ford in the off-season to Edmonton, but Kramdi said that's no excuse for the dropoff. 'I'm obviously not going to diminish losing Ford, who had eight interceptions and is an all-star corner, but at the end of the day, there's a scheme, there's roles, there's rules, and you need to go in and execute, and we haven't,' said Kramdi. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'It's a lack of execution, and it's on the whole unit.' Not happy with what he saw, defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger yanked struggling field-side corner Marquise Bridges — a second-year player tasked with taking over Ford's old spot — and replaced him with rookie Trey Vaval, the team's return specialist. Vaval left the game late with an injury but is expected to play Friday. O'Shea declined to comment on if Vaval is getting the start over Bridges this week. 'We're still locked in, man. We still got faith in each other. We all wholeheartedly believe that we're the best team here,' said Vaval. 'We all believe each other, we all love each other, we're all brothers and we're all working our asses off. It ain't really fazing us, every day is a new day.' 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. Every piece of reporting Taylor 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.
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Bombers list Collaros as out for rematch with Toronto Argonauts
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) looks to pass as Toronto Argonauts defensive lineman Andrew Chatfield (94) pressures during first half CFL football action in Toronto on Saturday, July 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be without starter Zach Collaros when they face the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. Collaros, 36, missed the second half of Winnipeg's 31-17 road loss to Toronto on Saturday, with the club not offering a reason why. Collaros was listed on the team's injury report with a neck ailment. Collaros, twice the CFL's outstanding player, didn't practise Wednesday and afterwards was listed as out for Friday's contest. Veteran Chris Streveler is expected to get the start against Toronto. Streveler completed 11-of-18 passes for 148 yards and a TD while rushing four times for 16 yards in relief of Collaros last week. Collaros was five-of-10 passing for 79 yards and two interceptions. Collaros also left Winnipeg's 41-20 loss to Calgary in the second half due to injury. He was listed on the injury report with another neck ailment but was an active participant in practice and started against Toronto. Winnipeg (3-3) looks to snap a three-game skid, while Toronto (2-5) aims for a fourth straight regular-season win over the Bombers — and fifth overall, including last November's 41-24 Grey Cup victory. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
CBC
12 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
Zach Collaros will not play during Bombers rematch with Toronto Argonauts Friday
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be without starter Zach Collaros when they face the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night. Collaros, 36, missed the second half of Winnipeg's 31-17 road loss to Toronto on Saturday, with the club not offering a reason why. Collaros was listed on the team's injury report with a neck ailment. Collaros, twice the CFL's outstanding player, didn't practise Wednesday and afterwards was listed as out for Friday's contest. Veteran Chris Streveler is expected to get the start against Toronto. Streveler completed 11-of-18 passes for 148 yards and a TD while rushing four times for 16 yards in relief of Collaros last week. Collaros was five-of-10 passing for 79 yards and two interceptions. Collaros also left Winnipeg's 41-20 loss to Calgary in the second half due to injury. He was listed on the injury report with another neck ailment but was an active participant in practice and started against Toronto. Winnipeg (3-3) looks to snap a three-game skid, while Toronto (2-5) aims for a fourth straight regular-season win over the Bombers — and fifth overall, including last November's 41-24 Grey Cup victory.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Nick Arbuckle throws two TD passes as Argos down Bombers for first home win of '25
Published Jul 26, 2025 • 2 minute read Argonauts wide receiver Janarion Grant (left) slips as Blue Bombers linebacker Kyrie Wilson (centre) defends during the first half in Toronto on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Photo by Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS Nick Arbuckle threw two touchdown passes and Lirim Hajrullahu booted six field goals as the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 31-17 on Saturday night. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto (2-5) recorded its first victory in four home games. The Argos also earned a fourth straight win over Winnipeg (3-3), which includes their 41-24 decision over the Blue Bombers in last year's Grey Cup game. Toronto won the turnover battle 7-1. Arbuckle was 22-of-31 passing or 316 yards, while Damonte Coxie had six catches for 145 yards and a TD before an announced BMO Field gathering of 13,266. Winnipeg starter Zach Collaros was 5-of-10 passing for 79 yards and two interceptions in the first half. But he rejoined his teammates in the third quarter on the sidelines as Chris Streveler moved under centre. There was no immediate reason given for Collaros' departure. He also left last week's 41-20 loss to Calgary with a neck injury but did resume practising with the Bombers. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The two teams meet again Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium. Streveler finished 11-of-18 passing for 148 yards and a TD. DaVaris Daniels had Toronto's other touchdown. Jerreth Sterns and James Vaughters scored Winnipeg's touchdowns. Hajrullahu's 36-yard field goal at 6:16 of the fourth put Toronto ahead 31-17. Streveler found Sterns on an 18-yard TD pass at 14:50 of the third, cutting Toronto's lead to 28-17. Hajrullahu kicked a 21-yard field goal at 5:55. Hajrullahu's 16-yard field goal to end the second quarter put Toronto ahead 25-10 and culminated a smart 15-play, 92-yard march. The wet, rainy conditions didn't seem to bother the Argos, who accumulated 305 net offensive yards (compared to 104 for Winnipeg) while forcing three turnovers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Toronto outscored Winnipeg 16-0 in the second quarter. Hajrullahu's 22-yard field goal moved Toronto ahead 19-10 at 8:03. Cameron Judge's interception then set up Hajrullahu's 40-yard boot at 9:16. Arbuckle put Toronto back ahead 16-10 with an 18-yard scoring strike to Daniels at 3:13. Vaughters gave Winnipeg a 10-9 lead, returning a Khalan Laborn fumble 29 yards for the touchdown at 13:26 of the first. It followed a botched snap to Streveler on second-and-three that resulted in a 15-yard loss. Hajrullahu's 32-yard field goal at 11:01 put Toronto up 9-3. It was set up by Brandon Calver's recovery of Trey Vaval's fumble on a punt return. Castillo's 39-yard field goal at 8:16 cut Toronto's lead to 6-3. The Argos opened the scoring with Arbuckle's 33-yard TD pass to Coxie at 3:23. Receiver Janarion Grant, an ex-Bomber, started the four-play, 81-yard drive with a 41-yard completion to Coxie. But Hajrullahu's convert try hit the upright. Columnists Toronto & GTA Columnists Columnists Toronto Blue Jays
CTV News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Felt like home': Crankshaft comic makes trip to Winnipeg
Tom Batiuk, creator of Crankshaft, said characters from the comic strip will be coming to Winnipeg to watch a Blue Bombers game. Uploaded on July 23, 2025. (Zoom) The creator of a popular U.S. comic strip is sharing his love for Winnipeg and its football team in his latest series. As of Monday, readers might recognize familiar elements in Crankshaft over the next several weeks as characters from the comic strip come to the city for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game. Tom Batiuk, author of the daily comic strip that debuted in 1987, explained that his interest in the city began in 2011 which ultimately led to the comic strip setting. 'There was a lockout in the NFL. No football to watch, so I started watching Canadian football. Fell in love with the Blue Bombers … it's the best name in football,' said Batiuk, speaking from his Ohio studio. 'And so, I just decided at one point to start putting it on the t-shirts and sweatshirts in Crankshaft.' Batiuk said he was then contacted by the team's football club who sent him a Bombers' jersey with Crankshaft labelled on the back and invited him for a game, prior to the pandemic. He said he finally took advantage of the invite last summer with his wife, even getting the chance to run out of the tunnel leading to the field. 'The Bombers treated us royally and I just took notes and references for everything,' adding that he took 'tons' of reference pictures for the comic's illustrator. 'It felt like home. We were so welcomed and everything, it was a very enjoyable experience,' he said. 'And when I got back home, I started writing a story about Crankshaft going to Winnipeg.' Batiuk said he used to author Funky Winkerbean, a comic strip about high school kids with Ed Crankshaft as the bus driver. He said the character became so popular he spun Crankshaft off into his strip—expanding into all kinds of topics from bus driving to home life. Batiuk said this will be the first time the strip is set in Winnipeg, which usually takes place in a mythical town called Centerville. 'My life is separated by a very thin, thin wall between the strip and what goes on. So, I basically take everything from my life and eventually move it over into the strip.'
