Angry Bomber Fans

Nov 27

A Gambler’s Perspective - 99th Grey Cup

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.

Nov 26

The Numbers Never Lie - Grey Cup Edition

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.

Nov 19

Goodbye Old Friend

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!!!!!

Oct 29

Crappy Honker Award - Buck Pierce

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.

I hate issuing this award. Especially when I could just as well copied and pasted a previous entry. The more things change, the more they stay the same. As much as this should go to the CFL officiating crew, I’m not going to cop out with that one. We had our own destiny under control. Win against the 4 - 12 Argonauts and grab first in the East. Have a bye week. Get healthy, Go Blue!!! Simple right. WRONG.

We can’t ride our Defense to victory each week. We can’t put ourselves in a “need a major comeback” each week. We have to score points. Offense is important and our Offense is not carrying its weight now. We are the second worst passing offense in the league.

Buck Pierce got knocked out of the game. On the play he injured his leg he attempted to throw the ball to a receiver on the East sideline. He threw a wobbler off his back foot, and floated a gift up to Byron Parker, who intercepted the pass and ran it back 50 yards for a touchdown setting a CFL single season record for 9 interceptions for a touchdowns. It was a poor decision to throw that ball to that spot and it was an even poorer pass. Rookie mistake. Bush-league at best.

We only lost the game by 5 points. Turnovers are bad. Turnovers which yield points for the opposition are a guaranteed way to get a nomination or in this case the choice for this weeks Crappy Honker Award. Come on down, limping all the way to collect it Buck.

Sep 8

The PacNu Report - Week #11

Ouch, it was a rough, humbling week for our favourite degenerate, as The Pac Attack went a BRUTAL 0-4. Pac knows how the Blue & Gold felt last week after getting destroyed at Mosiac field last Sunday. After a red- hot start, this brings him to 19-18 for the season. Let’s hope he bounces back for week 11.

Pac likes Edmonton and is taking the +2.5 points against Calgary.

With Lemon out and Jyles in, Pac still likes B.C. to cover those -7.5 points.

Over in the Hamilton game, PacNU likes the Cats and the +5.5 points.

For the Banjo Bowl, it’s no surprise (as he has frustratingly done all season) PacNU “The King of Ties” has picked the tie in the followup to the Labour Day Classic.

Good Luck!

Sep 6

Crappy Honker Award

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.

Well I am the first to admit that our final record wasn’t likely to be 17 and 1, I am dissatisfied with our effort. Not only did we lose to the Green Riders, we beat ourselves. Two losses in one game… now that’s impressive. What, you don’t agree??? Come on…be honest…did it ever feel like we were in this one??? Nope, and as a result, ohhh baby we have lots of nominations for what is only the second Crappy awarded this year.

Lowlights include four turnovers and 16 (seriously?!?!!?) penalties for over 170+ yards that we were backed up. If you were watching, you witnessed Swaggerville turn to Staggerville before your very eyes. Heck, even the defense looked ordinary. To date and for the most part, the D has carried this team with it`s consistency, defensive points, and hard hitting all year. So as a result, “The Crappy” must go to an offensive player and luckily, we have just the candidate.

While I know rushing is down in the league this year, Fred Reid was brutal. Our total yards rushing was only 57 yards. TOTAL, not quarter or half time stat… 57 yards total. Even crappier, Reid’s 14 carries were for only 35 yards. For fans of math that’s 2.5 yards a carry and not good enough to be the bench-warmer on some Pop Warner football team. With no running game, covering the receivers becomes that much easier and presto, recipient for Stinky Staggerville Stew. Your response may be something like “oh it’s the play calls and Fred needs blocking to create holes in the O-line.” My retort is you are not an angry enough Bomber Fan and shame on you.

Sorry Fred Reid… you must do better. Hell… you can only do better.

Sep 1

The Numbers Never Lie

Our youngest writer, Professor Kelly, is back after getting lost in the bush and missing his deadline last game. We also noticed that the Sun has a game day feature called The Numbers Game, so we changed the name of his column so they didn’t sue the poor Professor.

by Professor Kelly

Hello Angry Bomber Fans! This week we will be looking at the stats for the Labour Day match up between your Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-1) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-7). The Bombers look to maintain the best record in the CFL. The Roughriders look to gain there second win of the season and to leave the basement of the CFL.

Let us start with the quarterbacks. For your Blue Bombers, Buck Pierce, he is 132 for 206 with a completion percentage of 64.1, 1804 passing yards, 187 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. For Saskatchewan, Darian Durant, he is 168 for 262 with a completion percentage of 64.1, 2040 passing yards, 208 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

For the running backs the Roughriders have Wes Cates. He has 217 rushing yards on 41 attempts with an average of 5.3 yards per carry and 3 touchdowns. Winnipeg has Fred Reid. He has 550 yards on 135 attempts with an average of 4.1 yards per carry and 2 touchdowns.

For the receivers Saskatchewan is lead by Weston Dressler. He has 606 receiving yards with 44 catches and 3 touchdowns. The Blue Bombers receivers are lead by Terrence Edwards, with 513 receiving yards, 27 catches and 6 touchdowns.

The Winnipeg defensive line is lead by Odell Willis with 14 tackles and 9 sacks. Saskatchewan is lead by Keith Shologan with 13 tackles and 2 sacks.

The Blue Bombers secondary is lead by Jonathan Hefney with 40 tackles, 1 sack and 2 interceptions. The Roughriders are lead by James Patrick with 17 tackles and 2 interceptions.

The Roughriders kicker is Eddie Johnson. He is 10 for 14 with an accuracy percentage of 71.4 and with 46 total points. For Winnipeg, Justin Palardy, he is 21 for 28 with an accuracy percentage of 75.0 and with 85 total points.

The Bombers punter is Mike Renaud. He has punted the ball 69 times for 2 942 yards with an average of 42.6 yards and 4 singles. For the Roughriders, Eddie Johnson, he has punted the ball 41 times for 1 706 yards with an average of 41.6 and 3 singles.

Buck Pierce is 7^th in the league in passing yards. Darrian Durant is 5^th in the league in passing.

Fred Reid is 2^nd in the league in rushing and Wes Cates is 10^th.

Terrence Edwards is 9^th in receiving and Weston Dressler is 3^rd.

Odell Willis is 1^st in the league for sacks and Keith Shologan is 24^th.

Jonathan Hefney is 6^th in interceptions and James Patrick is 7^th.

Justin Palardy is 1^st in points scored and Eddie Johnson is 8^th.

Mike Renaud is 4^th in punting average and Eddie Johnson is 6^th.

The Bombers are 3^rd in points for with 212 and Saskatchewan is in last with 165

The Bombers defence is 2^nd with 157 points against and Saskatchewan is in last with 253.

These team never fail to entertain. Until next week, Professor Kelly is out.

Aug 4

The Numbers Game

Looking for a serious stats breakdown of the CFL? ABF’s newest (and youngest) writer tackles the numbers in a new column for Bombernation.

vs

by Professor Kelly

Hello Angry Bomber Fans. This week we will be looking at the stats for week 6, when your Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-1) take on the Edmonton Eskimos (5-0). The Eskimos are looking to stay undefeated after 5 games. The Blue Bombers look to stay in first place in the East and try to beat their number of wins from last season of 4.

Let us start with the quarterbacks. For the visiting Eskimos, Ricky Ray is 102 for 152 with a completion percentage of 67.1, 1492 passing yards, 94 running yards, 10 touchdowns and 1 interception. For Winnipeg, Buck Pierce is 75 for 121 with a completion percentage of 62, 1032 passing yards, 112, 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

For the running backs the Blue Bombers have Fred Reid. He has 374 rushing yards on 84 attempts with an average of 4.5 yards per carry and 1 rushing touchdown. The Edmonton Eskimos have Jerome Messam. He has 274 yards on 55 attempts with an average of 5.0 yards per carry and 2 rushing touchdowns.

There are a lot of receivers but I will only take the leading receiver of each team. For the Eskimos, Fred Stamps with 578 receiving yards on 50 receptions and 5 touchdowns. For Winnipeg, Terence Edwards with 272 receiving yards on 11 receptions and 4 touchdowns.

The defensive line for the Bombers is lead by Odell Willis with 11 tackles and 7 sacks. For Edmonton their line is lead by Greg Peach with 7 tackles and 3 sacks.

The Eskimos secondary is lead by Rod Williams with 18 tackles and 3 interceptions. For Winnipeg, Jonathan Hefney with 30 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception.

The Bombers kicker is Justin Palardy. He is 14 for 19 with an accuracy percentage of 73.7. For Edmonton, Damon Duval, he is 11 for 14 with an accuracy percentage of 78.6.

Edmonton’s punter is Damon Duval. He has punted 37 times for 1664 yards with an average of 45 yards per punt, he also has 4 singles. For the Bombers, Mike Renaud. He has punted 41 times for 1762 yards with an average of 43 yards per punt. He also has 2 singles.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a total of 1171 passing yards which is ranked 7^th in the league, as for Edmonton they have a total of 1492 which is ranked 2^nd in the league. Winnipeg is ranked 2^nd in the league in rushing with 562 and Edmonton is in 1^st with 614. Winnipeg has 205 team tackles which is ranked 4^th in the league and Edmonton has 182 tackles which is 6^th in the league.

The Bombers are tied for 2^nd with 7 interceptions and the Eskimos are 1^st with 8.

The Bombers are 1^st in sacks with 21 and Edmonton in 4^th with 8.

Winnipeg is 5^th in points for with 124 and Edmonton in 2^nd with 153.

Winnipeg is in 1^st in points against with 97 and Edmonton is 2^nd with 99.

This should be a good game. Until next week, Professor Kelly is out.

Jul 27

In Memory

by H.F. Salisbury

The writers at Angry Bomber Fans would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Defensive Line and Assistant Head Coach Richard Harris, who passed away yesterday. Harris is survived by his wife Tami, children Kimberly, Chianti, Jennifer and Michael, and grandchildren Chandler, Keegan-Michael and Aurora. Richard Harris 1948 - 2011.

Jul 21

Four for Game Four

by Tony “Tee” Martin

Four things the Bombers have to do this week in The Big Smoke if they want to come away with the win. I didn’t say anything about protecting Buck, because that’s as obvious as Wade Miller’s waist line.

1. Fred Reid Needs a Big Game: Over the first three games, the former Mississippi State product has rumbled for 237 yards. He is currently averaging 4.6 a carry, with one touchdown. The big red flag here is that his longest run has been 13 yards. 13 yards? Seriously? I had to double check that stat to make sure I wasn’t going crazy. Reid needs to consistently break 100 yards for the Blue to succeed. Also, LaPolice needs to stop trying to plow him up the middle every second run. Surely an offensive genius like ~~Professor~~ Coach LaPo can draw up some different running plays and shake things up.

2. Receivers Need To Stop Dropping Passes: Too many passes are being dropped and this needs to stop if the Blue & Gold have any chance this season. You don’t win games when your receivers drop passes that hit them in the numbers.

3. Pressure on Cleo Lemon: While the QB’s job isn’t on the chopping block yet, this may be one of Lemon’s most important games in the CFL. He needs to show he can turn this team around and the Bomber defence need to shut him down. The D have been the Blue & Gold’s bread and butter and this can’t change. The offence is sputtering and the D has stepped up big time.

4. The Special Teams Need to be Special: The Blue need to contain the Argos on punt and kick returns and hopefully come up with some turnovers. Perry “Pink” Floyd and Jovon Johnson need to keep what they’ve been doing and give the team great field position. I’d love to see Floyd run one back in Rocket Ismail’s old stomping grounds.

Betting on the Game?

The Bombers are 3-0 against the spread so far this year. Wpg are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games. Head to head, the under is 11-2 in the last 13 meetings. Under is 37-17 in Toronto’s last 54 home games.

Our resident gambling degenerate PacNu is a blazing 10-2 so far this season. Let’s hope he can keep that up.

Go Blue!!!