A Blue Year

As most of you know, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had a season to forget both on and off the gridiron. The new stadium was not going to be ready for the start of the year, so the CFL made a rare scheduling move and had the Blue begin the season with four consecutive road games. The Bombers lost all four of these games and, to put a generous dose of salt on the wound, it was decided that no home games would be played at Investors Group Field until 2013 due to delays with construction.

Bomber brass also decided to ban fans from bringing noise making devices into the stadium, including cowbells that had been purchased from the Bomber store in past years. After many complaints, the team relented and said that cowbells were exempt from the ban. However, bottled water and coffee thermoses (two items among many that were allowed in past years) remained on the prohibited items list. The team attempted to mollify thirsty upset patrons by installing water coolers around the stadium. 

The Bombers fired Head Coach Paul LaPolice halfway through the year and his replacement, Tim Burke, proceeded to lose his first three games by a combined score of 121-27. 

Injuries have plagued the Bombers this year as well. Starting quarterback Buck Pierce went down early in the season and did not come back until the September 29th game at home against Toronto. During that game he was hit on the chin by the helmet of a Toronto defender and sustained a concussion. Pierce was back in the lineup last week and played well as the Bombers beat the Argos 44-32 in Toronto.

The Bombers are currently tied for third place in the East Division with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (the teams play each other tomorrow afternoon in Hamilton). Both clubs have a dismal 5-11 record. But since this is the CFL and six out the league’s eight teams make the playoffs, the Bombers still have a slim shot of reaching the postseason. The Bombers must win their last two games and the Edmonton Eskimos must lose their final two.

Although it’s been a bleak year for the Winnipeg Football Club, there have been a few players who deserve mention for their stellar play. Running back Chad Simpson is fourth in the league in rushing yards (1003) and has played in three fewer games than the three backs in front of him. Receiver Chris Matthews has used his 6-5 height to his advantage and made the faithful forget all about the similarly statured Greg Carr who signed as a free agent with the Eskimos in the off-season. Matthews has caught 72 passes for 1105 yards and is fifth in the CFL in receiving yards. Both Simpson and Carr are CFL rookies.

On the defensive side of the ball, veteran defensive back Jonathan Hefney has been his usual ball-hawking self and leads the team in tackles with 64. Linebacker Johnny Sears has had a breakout year, combining big hits with excellent coverage (3 interceptions). Henoc Muamba leads the Bombers in special teams tackles with 18 and has become a solid starter in the middle linebacker position.

So don’t despair, Bomber fans, even though this year is almost a write off. There’s been some positive play in the last few games, a couple of players (Matthews and Simpson) have emerged to become bonafide CFL stars, and the new stadium will open for the start of next year.