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INDEPTH: 2005 CFL PREVIEW
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
CBC Sports Online | Last updated June 21, 2005
Charles Roberts is expected to be Winnipeg's
main – and maybe only – offensive weapon this season.
(CP File Photo)
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2004 RECORD: 7-11, fourth in the West;
missed the playoffs
ARRIVALS: WR Wane McGarity, OL Mike Abou-Mechrek, DB Williams
Fields, WR Vinny Sutherland, QB Spergon Wynn, LB Willie Fells, LB
Sean Woodson, DE Gavin Walls
DEPARTURES: WR Markus Howell, OL Moe Elewonibi, DB Eric Carter
OFFENCE: With coach Jim Daley publicly announcing this is
a rebuilding year for the Bombers, it's easy to see why many people
are picking this team to finish dead last in the West.
So expect Daley to experiment with his offence this season.
In a division that boasts some of the most talented quarterbacks
in the league, the Bombers stand out as a team that's still searching
for a leader.
Kevin Glenn has the No. 1 job for the start of the season, but don't
be surprised if both Tee Martin or Spergon Wynn get the odd look
during the game.
The first reaction to Winnipeg's quarterback trio is, where's the
experience?
Glenn was pretty solid in his 13 games last season, throwing 14
touchdowns and over 2,300 yards, but he's still not considered in
the same class as the other starting quarterbacks in the league.
A lot of people are anxious to see what Martin can do on the field.
The University of Tennessee product led the Volunteers to a U.S.
national college championship a couple of years ago and appeared
in a few NFL games for the Oakland Raiders in 2003.
Despite their inexperience, the one thing working in their favour
is the receiving core.
Winnipeg made sure Milt Stegall would finish his career as a Bomber,
signing the slotback to a new contract in training camp.
Stegall is the leading receiver in Bombers history with 626 catches
in 139 regular-season games.
He'll be joined out in the field with former Calgary receiver Wane
McGarity.
McGarity's numbers slipped in 2004 with the last-place Stamps, but
the Bombers are optimistic he can return to his impressive form
from two years ago when he picked up 799 yards in receiving and
six touchdowns.
Then there's the option of Charles Roberts. The Bombers running
back is considered one of the premier rushers in the league, accumulating
3,076 yards on the ground over the past two seasons.
DEFENCE: Don't expect the Winnipeg defence to be the best
in the league. After struggling last season, Bombers general manager
Brendan Taman didn't make any big moves to strengthen his defence
in the winter.
The Bombers did sign Gavin Walls from NFL Europe and have high hopes
for the defensive end, who played for the Scottish Claymores in
2004. He impressed the Winnipeg brass so much at training camp he
bumped highly-touted Marcus Jones out of a roster spot.
Middle linebacker Willie Fells is back in the CFL after taking a
year off and didn't look out of place during two exhibition games.
The Bombers are secure with Winnipeg native Wes Lysack at the safety
position, and they expect Tim Carter – who missed all of last
season due to an elbow injury – to take a halfback spot.
Lamar McGriggs is a virtual lock at linebacker. The 37-year-old
veteran worked hard in the off-season and said he's determined to
get back in his old 2001 all-star form.
It's hoped some of these guys can help prevent the Bombers from
repeating their dismal passing record last season, when they allowed
306 yards in the air per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: This is one area where Daley shouldn't have
any concerns.
Kicker Troy Westwood and punter Jon Ryan have found quite the relationship
in their second year together. While they enjoy a good friendship
in the locker room, they continue to push each other on the field
as each insists on handling both duties.
Ryan, who is 15 years younger than his counterpart, might have to
wait a little longer to achieve that goal.
Although he's 38, Westwood showed no signs of letting up last year,
making 78 per cent of his field goals to rank second in the CFL.
The Bombers also have the kick and punt return game covered with
Keith Stokes back for another year. Stokes was the best at his position
in the CFL last year, scoring five touchdowns and covering 2,061
yards on the ground.
COACHING: Jim Daley guided the Bombers to a 5-6 record after
taking over head coaching duties from Dave Ritchie in 2004. He'll
need to produce a little more magic if he's going to get the Bombers
close to .500 again. But with only half a season under his belt
as head coach, Daley is still learning on the job and is more prone
to make an errors in pressure situations than more seasoned rivals
like Wally Buono.
GAME BREAKER: CHARLES ROBERTS
Simply put, he's the Bombers' biggest offensive threat. Small in
stature, Roberts makes up for it in speed and mobility, using the
wide-open CFL field to his advantage. He has built an impressive
resume over the past three seasons, leading the league in rushing
(2003) and combined yards (2002 and 2003). Winnipeg's most valuable
player over the last two seasons, he's expected to lead the Bombers
once again.
EXPERT OPINION: "They're going to do much better than a
majority of people think," said CFL on CBC analyst Greg
Frers. "I would say they have arguably one of the best defensive
lines in the CFL.
"They've got a really deep linebacking core
and made some changes in the secondary. "The biggest question mark
is going to be at the quarterback position.
"Who's going to step up? Kevin Glenn was
a guy who Saskatchewan loved when Nealon Greene struggled a couple
of years ago. Spergon Wynn played very well in exhibition games
and he stepped in for B.C. he did very well."
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