Angry Bomber Fans

A Gambler’s Perspective - 99th Grey Cup

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.

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!!!!!

Crappy Honker Award - Terrence Edwards

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’ve heard people bitchin’ about this one already and I hadn’t even posted it yet.   We never should have been down as much as we were… the game plan was clearly “let’s give the Stamps a 17 point lead and WHAMO, we’ve got them right where we want them.”  Over to you Defense to win the game… again.  Except it doesn’t work like that.  The Bombers luck with comebacks has run out. 

If our Offense was half as good as our Defense, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club would be in the position to be called a Dynasty.  Say what you want about Swaggerville and you don’t like it because it’s too cocky.  But think about this for a second… wouldn’t you love to see an offense with as much swagger as Brock or Dunigan brought back in the day.    Man, that would be A-W-E-S-O-M-E.  However this is clearly not reality.  Case in point… how many times was our starting field position after a kick or punt to us better than the 40 yard line and we went two and out.  Why was this happening?  Drum roll please… 

Last time I checked, receivers were paid to catch balls thrown to them.  At the two minute mark of the 4th quarter, it was 3rd down.  Brink dropped back in the pocket and threw a 30 yard missile that hit Edwards in the numbers on the Stampeder’s 15 yard line.  You know what he did.  He dropped it.  Game over. Comeback snuffed.  When I indicated Terrence Edwards was getting the Crappy Honker Award, people thought I was joking.  “He didn’t even play the whole game?!?!!?”  “He hurt his elbow and was all taped up?!?!!?”  Boo freaking hoo.  

Terrence, I like you.  You are one of my favorite Bombers.  If it was a mental error, check your head and get in the game for a whole 60 minutes.  If it was related to your sore elbow, rest it.  Just get your act together when we really need you the most… like when we are about to earn first place in the East rather than back into it.  

Enjoy the Crappy…. and hope you don’t earn it again this year.  

Two wins boys.  GO BOMBERS!!!

The PacNu Report - Week #17

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.

The PacNu Report - Week #13

The big Pac attack bounced back last week with a 3-1 record, bringing his total for the season over .500 again to to 23-22.

Montreal to cover the -1.5 in Edmonton.

BC over the Riders at home.

Wpg to cover the -5.5 in Toronto.

Calgary to cover the -1.5 in Hamilton.

Good luck. Go Blue

The PacNu Report - Week #12

Pac had another tough week, going 1-3. He is sitting below .500 for the first time this year, with a record of 20-21. Good luck this week fellow degenerates, the CFL can erase your bankroll in the blink of an eye.

Edmonton to cover in Hamilton.

The Riders to cover at home.

BC to cover in Calgary.

Montreal to cover at home over the Blue and Gold.

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.

During the game, Tee Martin and I were talking as the 10 - 0 lead the Bombers built slowly started slipping away.  At that point I remember saying “The secondary was going to get the Crappy if this keeps up.”  Ultimately they played poorly, but then again so did our punter and our (appropriately  named) offensive line. Odell “The Mayor of Swaggerville” Willis has been completely neutralized for three games going back to the win against Hamilton, and the list goes on and on.  

However, Buck Pierce threw 5 interceptions.  What is worst than brutal? (I have to ask cause he was it.)  Even banged up and injured to the point of having to wear a Flak Jacket to start the second half of the game the Bomber coaches kept him in (hmmmmm… maybe they should get this award).  His passes were always high, wobbly, and set the receiving corps up for some massive hits by the Green Riders.   In the post game interview on C-Job, Bob Irving said that his performance was “the worst display at QB he can remember.”  I’ll say it a different way.  On Sunday, Buck sucked. 

Early reports have Buck not starting in Montreal next week.  I support this too little, too late decision.  He needs to be healthy in order to be better.  And there is no where to go but better for him after that Crap-tastic display.    

C’mon down and collect your award Buck… assuming you are healthy enough to get here and lift it. 

PS… Honorable mention goes to the Hugh McFadyen’s campaign team for that stupid “banner from a helicopter” idea.  It flew over the stadium all afternoon long, but the banner was the size of a Kleenex.  You had to have binoculars to read it.  For more information on the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, click here.    

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!