Angry Bomber Fans

We are devastated to learn of the tragic death of ABF contributor and friend Sheldon Kostenko (aka...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:22:00 -0600

We are devastated to learn of the tragic death of ABF contributor and friend Sheldon Kostenko (aka PacNu). Words can’t really express how we are feeling right now. Our sincere condolences to his family and his many friends in the 204.

Sheldon was an amazing guy who could light up a room with his energy and who loved the Bombers/Jets as much as anyone we know. He will be missed by the many people who called him a friend.

Statement from his family:

“The family of Sheldon Kostenko (Born in Winnipeg on March 2, 1978) are saddened to learn of the sudden death of their beloved son, brother and uncle this past Saturday December 3, 2010.

Sheldon is survived by his mother (Louise), father (Nick), twin sister (Sandra) and niece (Jaden), and extended family members who share their grief.

The family is currently unaware of details pertaining to Sheldon’s tragic death, other than the news announcement released by the Winnipeg Police Department.

Sheldon will be remembered as a caring, generous young man who loved life, family and friends. He was an avid sports and fitness enthusiast, and for the past several years has worked as a supported living counsellor for people with disabilities.

A private family service will held in coming days, and family members wish to extend their appreciation to those who have extended condolences at this difficult time.

Crappy Honker Award - Grey Cup Edition

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:54:08 -0600

by H.F. Salisbury

In the great tradition of recognizing “Cactus” Jack Wells and the Happy Honker Award given out on C-Job radio here in Winnipeg, I present for you yet another installment of the ~~Happy~~ Crappy Honker Award given to an individual(s) for a ~~fantastic~~ unforgivable performance directly related to the continued floundering of our once beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This award is handed out after every Winnipeg Blue Bomber loss.

This one hurts. Bad. The Bombers played poorly for three quarters of the 99th Grey Cup game. It was a boring game for the most part. Lots of “two and outs” for both teams. However one had to win and the Bombers luck ran out. The simple fact of the matter is that you can’t always rely on coming from behind when you play a team as good as BC is. Given we didn’t show up until the 4th Quarter, there were many potential Crappy Honker nominees.

At one point during the game, I said if we won, I’d still give out the award to the referees. I mean, how many missed calls can Team Zebra blow. The answer is lots when you count the number of BC Lion Offensive Pass Interference calls not made. But as usual, I’m not going to go that route and blame the refs on the Bombers loosing. We did a fine job of insuring that ourselves.

Runner up is our punter Jamie Boreham. His average was 36 yards per kick. At one point he had a 16 yard duffed punt. That is brutal. The real problem with that is we give up great field position to BC. The field is shortened and BC gets more offensive plays to choose from in order to move the ball a shorter distance to score a major. At one point after a punt, BC started at approximately the Bombers 45 yard line. Cripes with McCallum kicking for BC, they were already in position for a field goal.  They clearly won the kicking game on Sunday. Boreham was a significant piece of the loss but not the biggest.

Which brings me to the Crappy Honker Award winner. That person; loyal ABF readers, is none other than Odell Willis. Willis was a distraction earlier during the week with his tweets. Oh sure you heard the excuses. Coach LaPo said “that’s just Odell being Odell.” My personal favorite excuse came from Odell himself saying “you (The Media) are trying to make something out of nothing. There is no story here.” Sorry Odell, when you are prepping for the championship game in a TEAM sport that you would rather be at home eating turkey in the US with your family rather than working as hard as those around you from the same TEAM… well it is a distraction and amateur hour at best.

However, Willis didn’t earn the Grey Cup Crappy because of his Twitter account. He earned it because he let us down when we needed him the most. In the 3rd Quarter, BC has the ball on their own 19 yard line. Lulay tossed up the lamest of lame duck passes right into the arms of Willis. It was an easy catch and Willis could have walked into the end-zone. The Bombers would have been down only by 8 points (one possession) with a full quarter to go. What happens… Odell Willis dropped the ball. He probably was thinking about what a great tweet he would could send out after scoring rather than concentrating on the job at hand. The worst part… on the resulting drive, BC ate up tons of clock time and scored a major with a pass to former Bomber and current Hot Dog/Lion Mr. Arland Bruce III.   With Willis not scoring and ultimately BC getting a major, that’s a 14 point swing in a game that had us down by 15 at the time. I knew we were done right there and than. Made the last 10 minutes that much more excruciating.

Odell, you were one of my favorite bombers but you let me down. You let your team down. You let Bomber Nation down. Little Timmy (name changed to protect the innocent - WHOOT WHOOT) in Section 2A has your number and name on the back of his jersey. Personally if Timmy burns it, I’d be willing to bankroll a replacement and get him a Suber/Johnson/Hefney/Brown/etc jersey. You know… one of the guys happy to be postponing their turkey dinners in order to get the job done for themselves, their team, and their faithful fans.

I’m so pissed at you that you can come pick up your award. I’m not shipping it out. You can find it on the curbside by my house. Just make sure you look really ashamed when you pick it up. Make sure to use both hands when picking it up… wouldn’t want you to drop it. Perhaps walk 19 steps and spike it down. We will for years to come remember who the real Thanksgiving Turkey Twit(er) is.

For yet another year…. I am an ANGRY BOMBER FAN.

by H.F. Salisbury Getting ready… can’t Wait. ...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:27:00 -0600

by H.F. Salisbury

Getting ready… can’t Wait. I’ll put this beer snake kit together again later… after we win. Good luck Bombers. GO BLUE GO!!!

Our Time Is Now

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:26:00 -0600

- Mike A.

It was a dark and stormy night in 2007 when we piled around the television to watch The Saskatchewan Roughriders beat up a Winnipeg Blue Bomber team that staggered in after a huge week long drug-fuelled bender in which their idiotic quarterback talked some smack to the face of someone’s great grandmother at the pub. He picked on a proud, dignified woman who had no tolerance for his smart-mouthed rude antics who understandably had to take him out back and beat him within an inch of his life with his own belt. Said quarterback was unable to play in the championship game, instead choosing to watch it from the ICU surrounded by no loved ones because no one loved him. Which ironically, is probably what he is doing again today. Life’s like that.

Since that horrible night a few years ago, Winnipeg football has maintained a trajectory of dismal failure and hopelessness. At one point a couple of years ago out of sheer disgust and spite, I was summoned to this blog to rant and rave about things that I was seeing. Tee Martin and his crew were among the many people wearily roaming the streets of this town, angry and despondent. The idea of writing 1200 words a week seemed like a great idea. Many people in my life were insulting about the home team and found the entire concept of the Bombers so easy to laugh off. It became time to stand up and voice the hatred and shame on behalf of those who could not look away. We were angry Bomber fans.

For me, I grew up with it. I remember the 1984 Tom Clements-led Blue and Gold stomping the life out of the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the big game and the 1988 victory as well, as Sean Salisbury barely scraped past the BC Lions. I have a couple of memories of Tom Burgess and the Bombers running up the point board against Edmonton in 1990 in the final, but by that time I had started to discover music and moving out of my parents’ house and focussing on establishing myself in West Broadway instead of worrying about football.

But after that loss against Saskatchewan, the pilot light was ignited and the decision to write as often as possible was soon underway. It began as a lonely affair, of spending afternoons and maybe an evening watching or listening on the television or radio if I was not at home. I had watched from the distance in the 90’s and the 00’s, but started paying attention very closely just before the Coach Kelly years. It was a dark time in my life, understanding that it would likely take years in order for the team to solve their problems, all of which seemed terminal and embarrassing. I often wondered why I was seemingly attracted to failure. Why could I only find happiness in misery, disappointment and jaw-dropping stupidity?

This year has been different. I saw moments of greatness early on this year. And then the strangest bloody thing happened: things got better, not worse. It seemed like a Christmas miracle. I began harbouring thoughts that were uplifting and positive. It felt strange to not hiss murderous thoughts at the television for a change.

The fact that we are back in the big game isn’t surprising to me. What I am taken by is the speed in which Coach Paul LaPolice has turned this horrible ship around.

Look, we were good last year. The Bombers were probably the best 4-14 team on the planet. The majority of the season was lost in the last four minutes of almost a dozen games we played. We weren’t routinely blown out of the water as bad and as often as we were in years past. I quickly learned that LaPo had an idea in his head and when he made moves like releasing Steven Jyles, it made waves. To be honest, I wasn’t so sure about his unwavering faith in Buck Pierce, but I will be goddamned if the QB formerly known as Glass hasn’t proven himself to be one of the toughest bastards in the league. He is the subject of endless hilarious highlight reel footage featuring some of the hardest bone-crunching hits all season long. In spite of the O Line grabbing bags of popcorn watching opposing teams charging and drilling Pierce into the turf time and time again this year, the crazy bastard has gotten up every time. Sure, he got knocked out of a couple games, but damn. He made it. He proved that critics like me were wrong. We all said it was only a matter of time before his season was ended early due to injury. For being one of them, I am very sorry, Buck. I’ll never call you that name gain.

And how about the Defence? Frankly, I’ve never seen anything like it. By holding Hamilton to a lousy 3 points last week in the East final, it capped off an unbelievable season. Johnson, Beasley, Steward and the rest of Swaggerville have rushed the pass, stolen the ball, stopped drives and won football games. If you have been paying attention, you have been treated to one of the best D Lines this club has ever seen. They are young, athletic, dynamic and they will mess you up.

But when you haven’t won a Grey Cup in 21 years, you get written off fast. For sure we have heard from the unbelievers all year long. Every white wine spritzer drinkin’ sports writer in the country figures that the game today needn’t even be played. Just give BC the trophy already. Locally, we have seen “fans” roll their eyes at the apparent non-stop failure they seem to witness at every game played this year. Frankly, I’m not really sure what team they are talking about. All I know is that you can imagine how hard all these people are crying over the fact that Winnipeg shouldn’t even be in Vancouver today. People have been looking to stick knives into this team all season long. But they have been unable to do so. Winnipeg became a punishing and brutal reality to the rest of the league fast this year. The Bombers made people pay for their unwavering faith that the Bombers were as predictable as they were horrible. Players, coaches and observers across the league were treated to a beating, maiming and feasting week after week at the hands of Swaggerville for the first half of the season.

During the second half of the season, injuries and horrible officiating began taking their toll as opposing teams began learning the Bomber playbook and bringing the team back to earth. But along the way, Chris Garrett came in to replace Fred Reid and as a running back, has propelled the Offensive line to unexplored heights. It’s been fantastic to see him energize the offence, which in turn, allowed the Bombers to slide into first place in the east. No small feat but I’m sure that no two-bit sad sack journalist will bother wasting their time telling you about it.

This evening will be a tough challenge. BC is good. Real good. Their defensive line is tight. They are 2nd behind Winnipeg for sacks this year. Korey Banks is effective and cruel and was seen single-handedly demolishing Edmonton in the Western final last week with six sacks and an interception for a touchdown. The Lions’ offence is terrifying as well, especially in the midfield, but also basically anywhere. Lulay got the nod as the best fella in the league this year and he deserves it. We could be looking at the next Calvillo here and that is scary to contemplate. If Winnipeg survives the first quarter without giving up more than 7 points, I like our chances. We are likely talking about big turnovers that will have to take the crowd out of the game. It’s never a happy prospect for the home team to host the Grey Cup, but if guys like Geroy Simon or Andrew Harris prove to be too wily for Winnipeg, then yours truly will likely be crying alone in the terlit by the half. In addition to defending against his very capable weapons, Winnipeg will need to stuff Lulay in BC territory all game long. Op specil teams award winner Paul Mcallum’s leg is made of adamantium and if let anywhere near our uprights, will be used to put the game out of reach just in 3 point field goals that he never misses.

This is a defining moment for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This is the biggest game the team has played in the last 21 years. Naturally the Bombers are not being given a hope in hell today, which is fine by me. This is a young team with players who believe they can pull off the unexpected. It’s been a theme all year long. They have defied the odds and made a lot of people look like absolute morons in the process.

Because when that Cup gets paraded around Portage and Main next week like Christ carrying the cross, 21 long years will seem like a heartbeat.

I’m calling Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the win and for all the marbles. It’s going to be a classic game, one that will be talked about for years to come.And we’re doing this for Coach Harris.

So for one last time this year, LET’S GO BOMBERS!

The PacNu Report - Grey Cup Edition 2011

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:36:00 -0600

Pac’s back and loves the Blue & Gold +7 and also the under in the game.

Good luck.

A Gambler's Perspective - 99th Grey Cup

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:58:00 -0600

by: Jimmy “the Mennonite” Jones

Every analysis on the 99th Grey Cup I have read has picked the Lions to win. It’s almost if the game has been played already. Not one article has mentioned that if you are a Bomber fan and a gambler, you are loving the fact the Blue are seven point underdogs.

Let’s face it, this is YOUR TEAM. You’re going to bet the game no matter what the line or how many years it has been since the Blue & Gold hoisted the cup or that BC is on a terrifying run at the end of the season - you will be betting the Bombers WHATEVER THE LINE because you bleed Blue & Gold. As a die-hard fan and slight degenerate gambler living in Bomberland, will you be betting against Buck’s revenge big game, the memory of Coach Harris, Brown’s swan-song, Johnson’s turn to confirm Defense wins championships or Garrett’s chance to prove he is the real deal? Of course not. That would be against your very Blue & Gold DNA. You love the fact you and your gambling buddies are getting seven points in the biggest game of the year and that the money line bet is paying an extra juicy 3.70 for the Bombers to win. The WCLC is paying out 3.85 for the Bombers Proline win (must win by 4 or more).

This is the moment Winnipeg sports investors have been waiting for.

You have been riding the wave known as gambling in the CFL all season - you’ve had monstrous wins and crushing defeats (two of them from these Blue Bombers - Labour Day Classic & Banjo Bowl).

That’s what happens when you throw your cash into the CFL, it’s about predictable as the stock markets these days. It can make those flat, over-priced beer at the soon to be demolished stadium seem like a good idea while you drown your sorrows in a plastic cup. Your only hope at redemption being the crumpled 50/50 ticket stuffed into your pocket that you’ll check when you get home.

Of course the Lions have a dangerous team and are carrying a ton of momentum going in to the 99th Grey Cup game, but you can’t underestimate the motivation for the Winnipeg team who hasn’t been champs since 1990 and who had enough story lines this season to have their own version of The Extra Yard on TSN.

Grab those seven points or pound that money line if you are a true Blue believer! This could finally be the Blue & Gold’s year. If they lose, what’s the big deal? You were going to bet on them anyway. If they win, you can get crazy at Portage & Main with everyone else and have a nice down payment for your season tickets next year.

I hope LaPolice has been watching Friday Night Lights, he needs to channel Coach Taylor today.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

Do this for Coach Harris. Do this for all the Angry Bomber Fans who have been without the Cup since 1990. Do this for Doug Brown. Do this for Buck. Do it for the Beer Snake. Do this for the whole 204. Let’s move into our new stadium GREY CUP CHAMPS!

It’s been too long of a Grey Cup drought in the 204. It stops in B.C. this Sunday.

GO BLUE!

We’ll be angry till you bring the Cup back.

Quick Stats

WIN are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 road games.
WIN are 17-7-2 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Under is 40-17-1 in WIN last 58 road games.
2-0 ATS vs BC this season
Outscored the Lions 55 to 37.

Got swag?

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:57:35 -0600

Got swag?

The Numbers Never Lie - Grey Cup Edition

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:28:00 -0600

By Professor Kelly

Hello Angry Bomber Fans. This week is a special week, its Grey Cup weekend! This year your Winnipeg Blue Bombers are representing the East division and the B.C. Lions are representing the West. The last time the Bombers won the Cup was back in 1990. The game was held in BC Place. The last time the Lions won the cup was in 2006. The game has coincidently held at Canad Inn Stadium. The Bombers have appeared in 24 grey cup games, winning 10 of them. The Lions have appeared in 10 grey cups and won 5 of them. This Grey Cup game is highlighted by two great turn around seasons. The Bombers, last year were a disappointing 4-14 and finished last in the league. This year their record improved to 10-8 and capturing their division. The lions started the season 0-5 then went on a tear and won 11 out of 13 games finishing with a record of 11-7. This year the Bombers are 2-0 against the Lions, out scoring them 55 to 37.

During the big game, the Bombers will be lead by ex-lion Buck Pierce. This season he was 261 for 411 with an accuracy rating of 63.5%, 3 348 yards, 14 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. He also ran 51 times for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Lions are lead by league MVP Travis Lulay. This season, he was 342 for 583 with an accuracy rating of 58.7%, 4 815 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also ran the ball 47 times for 391 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Bombers’ running back is Chris Garrett. He was cut in training camp and then got signed later on in the season because of injury to Fred Reid. He has been incredible for the few games that he has played. He ran the ball 92 times for 576 yards and an average of 6.3 yards per carry. He also has 4 touchdowns. In the eastern final game, he ran 29 times for 190 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Lions running back is Andrew Harris. He ran the ball 96 times for 458 yards with an average of 4.8 yards per carry and 1 touchdown.

The Bombers’ receiving corps is lead by all-star Terrence Edwards. He caught 66 passes for 1 124 yards and 8 touchdowns.

The Lions’ receiving corps is lead by all-star Geroy Simon. He caught the ball 84 times for 1350 yards and 8 touchdowns.

The Bombers’ defensive backs are lead by defensive player of the year Jovon Johnson. He lead the league in interceptions with 8, he also returned 2 for a touchdown. He also accumulated 55 tackles.

The Lions’ defensive backs are lead by Dante Marsh. He accumulated 60 tackles, 1 sack and 4 interceptions.

The Bombers’ defensive line is lead by Odell Willis. He accumulated a lead league in sacks with 13 and also got 27 tackles.

The Lions’ defensive line is lead by Keron Williams. He accumulated 11 sacks and 43 tackles.

The Bombers’ punter is Jamie Boreham. He has punted the ball 21 times for 855 yards and an average of 40.7 yards per punt.

The Lions’ punter is special teams player of the year Paul McCallum. He punted the ball 123 times for 5183 yards and an average of 42.1 yards per punt.

The Bombers’ kicker is Justin Palardy. He was 40 for 52 in field goals attempted with an average of 76.9%.

The Lions’ kicker is Paul McCallum. He was 50 for 53 in field goal attempts and an average of 94.3%.

In order for the Bombers to win, they need to do 3 things:

Pressure Lulay
Establish Garrett
Protect Pierce

Have a fun Grey Cup weekend. Until next year, Professor Kelly is out.

by H.F. Salisbury The last game has been played at CanadInns...

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 12:15:00 -0600

[Flash 10 is required to watch video.]

by H.F. Salisbury

The last game has been played at CanadInns Stadium. We dominated the Tabbies. I took some video from Section 3A. It happened to be the play where Alex Suber intercepted the Tiger Cat QB. The place roared. That was then. This is now.

It is (potentially) the night before CFL Christmas. I trust the Blue & Gold will play smash-mouth football and tame the Lions. I’d love to hear the roar of that crowd as we hoist the Grey Cup.

For cryin’ out loud… GO BOMBERS GO!!!

Gone With the Wind?

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 08:08:43 -0600

Mike Alexander

It’s quiet here now, minus the desperate pleas for attention from the just-fed cat. The living room lights seem loud and cold but illustrate how dark and quiet the streets are outside. It‘s -15 Celsius at 6:15am with a light wind. There is a layer of snow on the ground, one that will stay for the next few months. It is late November and finally, after all the controversy, the bye week and the jockeying for position in the eastern final, for the first time since 2008, Winnipeg finally gets to host a playoff game at home, the last one that we will ever play at the Canad Inns stadium. It feels like Christmas morning on Ashburn and sleep is simply out of the question.

Today’s match against the Hamilton Ti-Cats is by far the most important game the Bombers have played this year. A victory at home in front of a beat down, angry, ugly and deserving sold out crowd will propel the Bombers into a Grey Cup Week in BC that starts tomorrow, an appearance that has not occurred for the Blue and Gold since 2007. And just in case you needed to be reminded, the Bombers are 21 years without a Grey Cup, the horrible honour of being the team who has gone the longest in an 8 team league without winning one.

On paper, Winnipeg looks good today. We have the home field, we have the rest and health we require and we have the weather. Winnipeg is the 4 point favorites going into this game, but it’s all about as meaningful as a church full of believers. It makes no difference. All season long, the Bombers have taken turns being the Right Stuff and then not so much. This team has been woefully hard to predict in spite of a wild first half of the season. Since that time, teams have made adjustments to counter the sometimes explosive Winnipeg offense resulting in what I figure is the longest slide into first place that I’ve ever seen. Other teams have had to basically fall on their swords in order for the Bombers to host the Eastern final today. Regardless, we have weapons and we have ability. Terrance Edwards started well against Hammy this season, generating 11 receptions for 200 yards and 2 TD’s in the first two meetings this year, but then ran out of gas in the third match and earned only 11 yards. The same questions about our O Line being able to dominate remain. It’s been a year of watching other teams pile on the points in the first half before attempting epic comebacks with more than a couple of disappointing results.

The weather is a factor today and should result in less passing and more running, although Buck Pierce is dangerous when throwing to the backfield. Expect Garrett to have a big day rushing the ball, even though he has only played against Hamilton once this year. Garrett rushed for over 100 yards against the TiCats back in October. Expect Hammy’s Avon Cobourne to go for the same although Winnipeg’s D Line has been effective in shutting him down all year long. Which Kevin Glenn will show up today? The smart short passer to Williams or Thigpen, or the Kevin Glenn that gets rocked early and often, who is gone at the half? Winnipeg will need to stomp him back down his hidey hole and keep him there. Glenn still has a great arm but routinely lacks the confidence to play 4 quarters of football. Kicking will be crucial. I hear stories of the wind picking up later this morning and so the coin toss will be significant as far as possession is concerned. Justin Medlock is a threat and routinely boots anything across midfield through the uprights and his huge goddamn leg gives him an advantage over Winnipeg’s Justin Palardy who will also have to be accurate today. Since starting to return punts this season Javon Johnston is just waiting for a break any time he touches the ball. Field position will be king today if the wind is going to be as harsh as forecasters predict.

The only other thing to mention would be the Winnipeg release of and the subsequent Hammy signing of TJ Harris, the too cool for school gutless coward who sold out his team for a $500 a week position on Hamilton’s practice roster. The issue being that Hamilton came into possession of a Winnipeg playbook as a result of this weeks’ nonsense. I suppose that forking over a Bomber playbook to Hammy coaches would give the opposing team an advantage, one they usually don’t get. But with 18 weeks of film already on hand, one has to give Hammy coaching staff a little more credit as far as having insights into Winnipeg’s playbook than the addition of a coward, a fake and a phony. Sure, it makes sense to use the confused and cowardly brainstem of an undisciplined shithead as a distraction, but come high noon today, I can’t see the team benefitting all the much from TJ Harris’ cowardly defection. If anything, it seems like a poor idea to make those last minute adjustments to Hammy’s playbook, but who knows. Do teams who finish in the east beat teams who finished first? Seems odd to me.

But stats only tell part of the story. The other half of this game will be determined by who shows up to play and how badly they want to win. As fans, this town has been waiting for this moment all season long. Now there is one last door to open before finding ourselves in Vancouver next week. All season long, the Bombers have slowly pushed towards this afternoon at home for one last time at the old shithole stadium in front of a crowd that has suffered longer than any other in the league. The jubilant highs have outweighed the crushing disasters for the first time in a few years and there is a sense that this game can be won. Can Coach Paul Lapolice, quarterback Buck Pierce and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers discover themselves as they work from this unusual position and play four strong quarters of football?

The sun is going to rise in fifteen minutes from now. At our place, layers upon layers of warm clothing are ready to be strapped on as we take to the East side one last time in hopes of seeing something very special happen on the field today. 2011 has been an incredible season for yours truly and most likely for the rest of the ABF crew as well. No matter the outcome today, we realize that Winnipeg is now a dominant force in the league and that 2012 is looking very bright. But that’s not important right now. There is a game to be played today and we remain ANGRY BOMBER FANS until the cup comes home.

Eastern Final at home! Last home game of the year! TIME TO GET BAT-SHIT FUCKIN’ CRAZY!!

GO BLUE!

Goodbye Old Friend

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:43:00 -0600

by H.F. Salisbury

It is with mixed emotions that I write this post. On August 14, 1953, Winnipeg Stadium opened. This was roughly 17 years, 1 month, and 25 days before I was born (diehard ABF fans now can calculate my birthday to send gifts courtesy the blog). How could something that predated me have such a big memory impact on me. Certainly there have been good times at the stadium. There certainly have been frustrating times too. Here is a recap of the history of the facility as seen through my eyes.

Winnipeg Stadium as it was originally called has hosted a multitude of events over the years but is primarily known as the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Football Club. It was actually their second home as they moved from Osborne Stadium to the newly constructed 15,700 seater. Their first game was a win over the Ottawa Rough Riders. The Bombers in their new home proved to be quite the draw resulting in North End seating expansion in the 60’s and the upper deck expansion in the 70’s. Natural grass ultimately yielded to turf and other than the name change in 2001 to CanadInns Stadium, for better or worse, the old place really hasn’t changed.

I barely remember it due to being so young but my father took me down to a Blue Bomber practice when I was about 4 years old. A friend of his on the team, one Mr. Tom Pharr, got us in and I watched practice from the very field my heroes were practicing on. It was a thrilling experience for a young kid. I’m pretty sure that this event was the spark that evolved into my love (and sometimes hate) affair with the Bombers.

I’ve only ever sat on the West Side to watch CFL games because as we all know, the East Side sucks. My father took me to many, many games over the years. It was fantastic father and son time. I learned lots from my dad about life and football. When his health was not fully cooperating, he’d flip me the tickets and I’d take a rotating cast of friends…. Reps, Crass, and even the odd date although the girls I liked usually didn’t like football which I attribute as the main reason those relationships didn’t work out.

Dad has been a fan of CFL football his whole life. For 40+ years he bet a nickel on every single CFL regular season game, giving and taking points, with my Grandfather (RIP H.F.S.). The playoffs were high stakes - a whopping ¢25 with a whole buck for the Grey Cup. After the dust settled, each year they would settle up with one paying the other something like ¢35… they remain the best at capping games to this day (sorry MLCC). Dad joked he’d use his winnings to buy his Bomber season tickets. He was a season ticket holder for 23 years. After he couldn’t go to the games anymore, I carried on the tradition and have been a season ticket holder myself for about 12 years; the bulk of which have been with Tony Tee Martin. Football wise, you could say our blood runs Blue.

The stadium has been a big part of our life with the relationship centered on the Bombers. The stadium doubled as home for other events too. It was the worst baseball park in the world for the Winnipeg Goleyes when they were born into existence in 1994. I’ve seen many events there over the years as well ranging from motocross sports, David Bowie, U2, Grey Cups, festivals such as the Another Roadside Attraction concerts, the Pan-Am Games, the Red River Ex free concert stage (the latter being the only time I’ve been on the East side and yes, I can confirm 100% it does suck on the East Side), and on and on…

Even with all these memories, another part of the stadium really stands out in my mind. As silly as it is true, it is the trough. Yes the trough in the men’s washrooms. No matter what public place I may be in, if there is a line up at the men’s washroom, someone ultimately says “This place sure could use a trough.” It is almost like some bonding moment when those in line all laugh under their collective breaths.

On the eve of our last ever Bomber game at the Stadium, a small part of me is nostalgic. A part of my youth is going to be leveled and replaced with a much needed state of the art stadium for next season. And make no mistake… we need a new facility. However, my hope is as much for us to win to get the Bombers to the big game as it is to send the old Stadium out in style. If the Bombers win, wonderful. If they don’t…. yet another frustrating memory of what could have been will be created. I truly hope that tomorrow after the game, I won’t have to draft another edition of the Crappy Honker Award.

Now, enough nostalgia… Bombers, I implore you to take down the Hamilton Tiger Cats and get to the Grey Cup. Give the 29,533 fans a solid smash-mouth football experience in the “house that Jack built.” GO BLUE!!!!!

A Spy in the House of Bomber?!?!!?!

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

by H.F. Salisbury

Excerpt from the Winnipeg Free Press:

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats confirmed Friday morning that they have signed former Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Terence Jeffers-Harris to a practice roster agreement. Jeffers-Harris is expected to be at Ticats practice this morning at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Jeffers-Harris was cut by the Bombers Thursday morning for repeated violations of team rules, but almost immediately hooked up with the Ticats and was reportedly already in Hamilton by Thursday…

What the heck??? He knows our offense very well. Do I expect him to play for the Tabbies… nope. (editor: CFL rules makes him ineligible to play, but I agree with your point) Do you expect him to give details regarding our offensive sets… yup. What is the CFL doing allowing teams to pick up players in the playoffs. Doesn’t every other sport in the world (including Pee-Wee T-Ball) have a roster freeze at some point BEFORE the playoffs? Brutal.

Maybe I’m overreacting but I really want this win. To get to the Cup for sure, but also to wrap up the end of an era at our beloved stadium. GO BLUE!!!!

Crappy Honker Award - Terrence Edwards

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:00:54 -0600

Barn Burning Battle of Doom: Number 2 Hoping to Finish in 1st Place

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:04:00 -0500

Mike Alexander

“Here’s hoping,” she said.

I came home last night with the weight of the world on my shoulders and spent a few minutes talking to my fiancée about this one. I felt like listening to an outsider perspective on our prospects for a Bomber victory today, the last regular season game of the year. She isn’t a fan of the Blue and Gold in the sense that she feels as anxious and uncertain as I do about the opening kickoff at 3pm today in Calgary. Maybe she is better off for it. I can’t really imagine having gone through life not caring about the last 17 weeks…17 weeks of some of the best football I’ve seen Winnipeg play in years. Along the way we have experienced those cliché-ridden staggering highs and a few of those teeth gnashing “D’oh!!” low spots as well, like last week when we watched the team shit the bed at home from our vantage point on the east side. And by the way, the East side rules, but that’s not important right now. Sure, it felt great to see Steven Jyles lying motionless on the field after helmet on helmet contact with Johnny Sears, a hit that cost the defensive back a one game suspension. But I would take a Bomber win against the pathetic Argos over seeing Steven Jyles turned into a convulsing taxidermied doormat any day of the week.

Here’s hoping.

She remembers the year that Ryan Dinwiddie took over for an injured Kevin Glenn as Winnipeg entered the 2007 Grey Cup without a hope in hell of walking out on top. There was a storyline there that is now banging off the walls again, its echo making its way through the air today here at the Ashburn Compound. What will the Bombers be able to accomplish against the Calgary Stampeders with the backup at the controls?

Brink has started in three games so far in his career. As of this morning, the situation is not as dire as it was back in ’07 on account of Brink having shown development this year. I’ve been glad to see him paying attention to the action on the field. As a result, he has been more than able to contribute to the positive. Like Toronto did last week, look for Brink to be playing for a spot on the 2012 roster this afternoon. He has shown that he remains poised under pressure which is huge. He has completed 62% of his passes for just over 800 years with 4 TD passes and the same amount of interceptions. He has been called in to finish games that Winnipeg starter Buck Pierce couldn’t finish on his own. Can he handle the pressure? Calgary is a tough team (also 10-7) and it will not be a walk in the park.

Not that Winnipeg particularly enjoys walks in parks. Winnipeg tends to trip over garbage cans when not getting attacked by hissing and blood thirsty geese when trying to enjoy a leisurely walk in the park, as horrible losses to Toronto and *ahem*, Saskatchewan will attest to. Can the offensive line give Alex the time needed to complete plays? Calgary pivot Drew Tate is 2-0 since replacing Henry Burris. It turns out that Bomber DB Jevon Johnson played with Tate at the University of Iowa and will be providing a few tips about his former team mate to the Winnipeg D. Hopefully Winnipeg will be able to take advantage of Johnson’s history with Tate. From the sounds of things, shutting him down fast will be a rule of thumb as Tate has shown that he has a strong throwing arm and the composure to make high impact plays for the Stamps.

The Bombers come into this game in worse shape than Christine, the possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury, who returned home to Darnell’s Garage late one night after murdering Arnie Cunningham’s bully, Buddy Repperton. The Bombers are a burned and busted up, rattling hulk of a beast. Key players are gone and we are entering McMahan Stadium which is a dark, frightening place where the Bombers go to receive a solid beating a couple of times a year. It’s been happening since 2002. We actually haven’t won there since then. So as you may understand, the Bombers are not a team that is resting in spite of securing a playoff game for the first time in years. You just know that those shit-kicking cowboys and oil barons are drinking premium single malt whiskey straight out of the bottle this morning as they load their pistols in hopes of back alley encounters with citizens of Winnipeg later on tonight after the final whistle has blown. It’s disgusting and horrible to contemplate. But this is the time that Winnipeg must rise to the occasion as the playoff picture finally comes into focus this weekend.

In spite of coming into this game the underdogs, there are some positives to speak of. Everyone’s new favorite, Chris Garrett averages 6 yards a carry and has had 2 100+ yard games. The Winnipeg defense leads the CFL with 54 sacks. Winnipeg is tied with Edmonton for most interceptions, with 24 picks, all of them a joy to witness. The D hangs on, but it will take an orchestrated effort from Brink and the O Line for Winnipeg to take this game.

A win today will secure Winnipeg 1^st place in the east and a bye for the conference final, in which case Montreal would host the Hamilton Ti-Cats. In order for Montreal to claim 1^st place, Winnipeg will need to lose this afternoon and then Montreal will have to defeat BC later on this evening.

The stakes are high. The BBQ awaits us. The ice is plentiful and the coolers are stacked. The house is ready to go. We are looking forward to a hard fought victory today at McMahan. We are going for 1^st in the East and control of our destiny going into the playoffs.

LET’S GO BLUE!!

Crappy Honker Award - Buck Pierce

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:49:00 -0500

Bedtime for Toronto

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:40:00 -0500

Mike Alexander

If there was ever a need to slap on a pair of nasty jackboots and then use a face as a gas pedal and pinning the needle before using the same face to slam on the breaks hard, tonight in Winnipeg at the Canad Inns stadium would be it. After last weeks’ stunning, and I mean goddamn stunning comeback by the Bombers against the Al’s and subsequent celebrating that went on long into the night, Winnipeg finds itself with momentum to make a crazy-legged dash to the finish of the season with a final stand tonight at home on Maroons Ave.

And in the midst of these crazy anything-can-happen days of CFL football, it’s a tough business for guys like our very own PacNu…a man who has probably had his house mysteriously burned down several times this year as angry fans lose truckloads of cash over his picks. Sorry to hear about it, Pac! All over the country, Gamblor’s neon talents are gouging into the soft juicy eyeballs of the perverted black rain slicker wearin’ betting crew like hot knives through butter…bodies are ending up in the trunks of late model sedans with two in the back of the skull and also with crushed testicles…likely from some sort of blunt force trauma…No one can be certain as to what is going to happen next in this league. It’s a wild ride with as many punishing lows as there are ebullient highs. So while it could be said that the safe money is on the Bombers eating a turnbuckle and then hammer fisting the hapless Argos into pixie dust up and down the field tonight, there are a few sobering thoughts about tonight’s match that hopefully serve to reign in the drunk scumbags in St. James who are sharpening their blades and digging up their brass knuckles from the kitchen junk drawer in preparation for an Argo thumping tonight at 7. But none of those concerns are important right now.

The problem with Toronto is that they prefer to sit on the sidelines polishing their slipper collections all night long. Winnipeg won the first two matches against the Argos, but then wrecked what was otherwise a very nice birthday party for me on September 24^th with a thrilling yet disappointing 25-24 loss to Toronto in which pretty much every Bomber that took the field got injured at some point in the game. So while we learn that the Toronto D is explosive and often excruciating, it wasn’t that Toronto won the game as much as it was that Winnipeg lost the thing. Anyways, with resident Toronto flunkie QB Steven Jyles at the helm looking to secure himself employment in the 2012 season, it’s hard to say what kind of night he’ll have. Probably not a good one. With their team out of the playoffs this year, they say that Toronto is playing for pride tonight but I’m not sure that Steven really has much experience with that particular emotion, so I don’t see how effective or productive that rallying cry will serve the Argos. Look for turnovers all night long. Jyles is a man not fit to be on this field. And yet here we are. Time for a butchering.

So going into week 18, this is the deal: Winnipeg are currently tied for 1^st in the east with Montreal. The Als play Calgary on Saturday. If Winnipeg wins tonight and Montreal loses tomorrow, we will clinch 1^st place in the east on account of winning the seasonal rivalry against Montreal 2 games to 1.

We call upon the Beer Snake to rise again to claim a victory for the Blue and Gold tonight. Let’s do this one last time for good measure in that old dump. How about Winnipeg by 15? Sound good? We will be there in section 9 to watch the massacre unfold.

Go blue!

The PacNu Report - Week #17

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:40:03 -0500

The Angry Bomber Fan crew is in the USA and are a bit late with Pac’s picks. We’ll update his record when we get back, here’s the picks for this week:

Edmonton, Sask, Wpg and BC all to cover.

Good luck.

Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:28:00 -0500

Mike A.

The Angry Bomber Fan crew have been angry Bomber fans in this blogosphere for the last two years and like many of you, much, much longer in real life. As Winnipeggers, we understand the word “underdog” more than anyone else in the league. The failed relationships, the substance abuse problems, the mental health issues and ongoing compulsion to bite the heads of off poodles with each near win, failed drive, picked off football, lack of confidence, 2 and out and personnel loss due to injury. A lot of blood has been spilled over the years and nothing has ever come easy for us. Our bones have been crushed and pounded into dust time and time again, year after sordid year. And it’s now that point in the season when important events take place that will require discipline and composure. It looks to me like everyone in the town finally feels free to openly discuss Winnipeg’s chances of a really big finish this year. Ugh. Not so fast…we have yet to make it past Saturday’s possibility of another Saturday slmfest to the face against the 1^st place Montreal Alouettes.

After a promising 7-1 start that has electrified this town and allowed us sorry-looking sadsacks an opportunity to pick up the pieces of our fucked lives, we have lost just about everything again over the last two months including an embarrassing yet familiar Labour Day Classic and then Banjo bowl game against the Riders. It has cost us a tremendous amount of energy to keep our heads above water because we’re not really all that used to the feeling. We have persevered to watch some breakout players perform at a pace that has been exciting to watch. Lowly expectations have been far exceeded and we have soared to heights that we haven’t been to in years.

A divisional victory at home against the Montreal Alouettes is incredibly important at this point in the season. There is no point in saying it any other way. This win is needed. Because time is running out on the 2011 regular season and there are still some very important playoff questions that need to be answered as teams jostle for home games and opponents for the playoffs that wait for us all. Everybody knows that we are 2-5 in the last 7 and unless we can sweep the next 3, the Bombers will not end this season in first place. Losing to Montreal on Saturday will most likely mean that we see Hamilton at home for the semi-finals. If Winnipeg won’t or can’t start winning consistently now, then the end is nearer than we may have dreamed three months ago.

It’s interesting to me that on paper, Winnipeg looks about as good as Montreal does. Anyone who has been paying attention this year understands that Winnipeg’s D has been a machine. And of course, Montreals’ offense remains decisive and dominating. For me, it’s become too difficult to say who will show up for either team. I would expect Winnipeg to begin to fall apart early on if Montreal show up to play both sides of the ball. And given Winnipeg’s non-stop offensive woes, all the smart money puts Winnipeg back in the role of underdog.

Anthony Calvillo does not need to be spectacular against Winnipeg to win the football game. He has a methodical, patient approach and his composure is like a pussy willow lazily dancing in a light breeze. It’s hypnotic when effective. And yet there are patches of time this year that have caught Anthony off guard and open to his fair share of few crushing sacks and dismal incompletions. With Calvillo at the helm, Montreal possesses that offensive rhythm while marching down the field and collecting first downs all the way. It’s a drumbeat that Buck Pierce hasn’t mastered and while surrounded by a bunch of goofs that allow him to face another almost half dozen sacks last week, it’s like handing the car keys to your crippled poodle named Stains in hopes that he’ll be able to get you to work on time.

In “Interesting line up news” issues, head coach Paul LaPolice has had Brendan LaBatte taking first-team reps at centre this week, with backup lineman Chris Greaves sliding in at LaBatte’s left guard spot and veteran centre Obby Khan the odd man out in some of the reps. While it’s hard to pin team woes on 1 person, it’s about time that Khan were benched. Another blight to the organization, Mike Renault is also gone this week. Jamie Boreham will take over punting duties from Renault as well as kickoff duties from Justin Palardy.

So we’ve made the playoffs this year which is nice. Our QB is somehow still alive. Have we learned to return a punt yet? No? Oh, okay…how is the D? Hanging on? The O? Not so much….but no matter, the time for tinkering is over. It will take every mind and heart to maintain composure and discipline from this point forward. Although the last few weeks have been rough, it all comes down to each game now. Each drive is crucial for the Bombers. Decisions about the teams’ future in November will be made Saturday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium. Barring serious injury, this is the very same team that will show up to play in Vancouver at the end of November. It’s time to get behind them. For me, it will mostly likely be my last stand at the Stadium up in section 3A. One last time to watch it all unfold. It would be great to finally be in attendance when we win. I am looking forward to being in attendance with the crazies, the desperate, the flooded out and those with nothing left to lose. Let’s go Blue; it’s time to pull one off at home.

Let’s go !

Bomber Blitz I live in a town with a football team called the...

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:34:00 -0500

Bomber Blitz

I live in a town with a football team called the “Blue Bombers” in 2006, it was either news about suicide bombers or the Blue Bombers.
This was the film I made as a result.

Mike Maryniuk

The PacNu Report - Week #16

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:32:44 -0500

PacNu went 3-1 last week, bring him to 31-26.

Just the quick and dirty his week Owning Mahowny style.

Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal and Saskatchewan all to cover.

Go Blue!