Winnipeg Free Press

Bomber recap

ESKIMOS 36 BOMBERS 22 Updated 8:56 AM 10/05/08

1. Local boxing legend Sparks dead at age 75

   MANITOBA boxing legend and former Canadian light heavyweight champion Al Sparks passed away at age 75 on Sept. 29 following a stroke. Updated 2:50 AM 10/05/08

2. So... bring on the Boatmen

   EDMONTON -- It's not exactly a marquee matchup. And it certainly won't be hyped as a Thrilla in Manila, Ali vs. Frazier battle of heavyweights. Updated 2:50 AM 10/05/08

3. Best revenge a 'W'

   EDMONTON -- It's a matchup that would have Vince McMahon positively beaming. It's a cage match without the cage, a no-holds-barred brawl minus the turnbuckles, the folding metal chairs and the foreign objects. Updated 2:50 AM 10/04/08

4. INSIDE THE Xs AND Os

   FYI: BOMBERS VS. ESKIMOS

   MR. BARRENECHEA TAKES THE STAND:
   Updated 10:40 AM 10/04/08

5. 3 keys to victory

   1. Put the brakes on Ray

   Rarely, if ever, is Eskimo QB Ricky Ray completely shut down from picking apart a defence. And in last week's loss to Winnipeg he did throw for 434 yards and two touchdowns to up his numbers in the last three games against the Bombers to nine TDs against just two interceptions. But those totals can also be a tad misleading. Updated 10:36 AM 10/04/08

6. GAME DAY: Bombers at Eskimos

   Game 14 Today 6 p.m. / Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton - TV: TSN; Radio: CJOB

   HOW THEY MATCH UP

   Updated 10:41 AM 10/04/08

7. Armstead's break-out year

   IMPRESSED with what Jason Armstead has brought -- finally -- to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' kick-return game? An 84-yard punt return TD last week to put an exclamation point on what has been a key improvement to special teams and the Bombers overall? Updated 2:50 AM 10/03/08

8. Today's Bomber Report

   Updated 2:29 PM 10/03/08

9. ED TAIT'S WEEK 15 IN THE CFL

   B.C. LIONS (8-5) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-9) Updated 2:32 PM 10/03/08

10. CFL takes action on head hits

    YOU could say it was the hit that was heard around the world. Updated 2:50 AM 10/03/08

11. Chris Cariou Thinks You Should Know

    CAN'T STOP RAY: Updated 2:50 AM 10/03/08

12. Today's Bomber Report

    Hardware for Armstead

    Bomber kick returner Jason Armstead is the CFL special teams player of the week for his work in the win over Edmonton. Armstead scored on a 84-yard punt return and finished with 150 yards on four punts while adding 41 yards in kickoffs. Stanford Samuels was a runner-up to B.C. end Cam Wake for defensive honours. Updated 8:59 AM 10/02/08

13. Refusal to panic paying off for Blue

    LESS than three weeks ago Brendan Taman was an idiot. And Doug Berry a (insert bad word here). Updated 2:50 AM 10/02/08

14. Rookie knows he's a target

    He may be a fresh-faced rookie greener than St. Paddy's Day in Dublin, but Marc Beswick knows exactly how this is going to play out over the next couple of days... Updated 2:50 AM 10/02/08

15. Ed Tait Thinks You Should Know

    PINCH HIM:

    You might say Winnipeg Rifles receiver Jeremy Botelho is having a good week. Check that, he's having a fantastic week. First, Botelho pulled in seven passes for 182 yards and three TDs in last weekend's 54-14 thrashing of the Edmonton Huskies that kept alive the Rifles' playoff hopes. Then came a phone call from the Bombers, asking him to come and practise with the club this week. Updated 9:00 AM 10/02/08

16. Glenn OK to play; mum on head hit

    QUARTERBACK Kevin Glenn's mouth -- sore jaw and all -- finally moved for the masses on Tuesday. Updated 6:06 AM 10/01/08

17. FIRST AND GOAL

    Five storylines that jumped out while observing the last week of Canadian Football League action: Updated 6:10 AM 10/01/08

18. THE HUDDLE RANKINGS

    Here's how we rank the eight CFL teams after Week 14 of the season: Updated 6:15 AM 10/01/08

19. Blue player rep Brown in an awkward position

    IT felt strangely Tuesday as if 6-foot-8, 300-pound Doug Brown was the scrambling 5-foot-10, vulnerable quarterback trying to elude an all-out blitz rather than the relentless guy who's out to seek and destroy for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Updated 6:09 AM 10/01/08

20. Today's Bomber Report

    Amos doubtful Bombers' GM Brendan Taman says DB Willie Amos (hamstring) is doubtful for Saturday's rematch in Edmonton and the availability of DB Jovon Johnson, who returned to Erie, Penn., following the shooting death of his 15-year-old brother, is yet to be determined. Updated 8:09 AM 09/30/08

21. The Injustice League

    QUARTERBACK Kevin Glenn was silent with a sore jaw on Monday, and the CFL was mute until late Monday with what punishment -- if any -- it would mete out to the player who made the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' most important player that way. Updated 2:50 AM 09/30/08

22. Cool, calm, fired; Rams boot Linehan

    ST. LOUIS -- After experiencing the wild highs and lows of the Mike Martz years, the winless St. Louis Rams opted for cool, calm, reserved Scott Linehan as their next coach. Updated 2:50 AM 09/30/08

23. We should be able to knock blocks off prima donna QBs

    Writing 600 words about football the morning after your birthday party -- one that involved a 30-foot inflatable rubber duck, rookie security guards, a professional DJ, and a decibel level that prompted one of your immediate neighbours to actually abandon their home for the night -- is proving to be more difficult than I imagined, but they say God loves a trier so here we go. Updated 2:50 AM 09/30/08

24. Three years to pay dirt!

    ARJEI Franklin wore the blue and gold of the Windsor Lancers in CIS football and left there in 2005 as the school's all-time receiving yardage leader and one of its most prolific touchdown scorers, with nine TDs in his final season. Updated 2:50 AM 09/28/08

25. Ouch report

    CB Willie Amos (strained hamstring) is listed as doubtful for next week's rematch against the Esks. He was replaced by Canadian rookie Marc Beswick in the game and the other candidate -- if Jovon Johnson doesn't return following the shooting death of his younger brother -- is newcomer Justin Phinisee. WR Derick Armstrong (knee) is probable. Updated 2:50 AM 09/28/08

26. Cheap shot has Bombers fuming Helmet-to-helmet hit on Glenn riles team

    Ryan Donnelly says quarterback Kevin Glenn is like the offensive line's own Private Ryan. Updated 2:50 AM 09/28/08

27. Glenn's redemption

    On a night when Milt Stegall caught his 147th touchdown pass and Arjei Franklin his first, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers season of disparity contined unabaited. Updated 9:35 AM 09/27/08

28. Blue capture 3rd straight win with triumph over Eskimos

    He lost his job amid a hailstorm of boos and criticism, but is scrapping, clawing and fighting now like a man intent on erasing the nightmare that was the start of 2008 season.
    
    Glenn's redemption
    Bomber recap
    Cheap shot has Bombers fuming
    VIDEO: Bombers savour win
    VIDEO: Berry post-game comments
    VIDEO: Fred Reid & Milt Stegall comments Updated 11:55 AM 09/27/08

29. Cheap shot has Bombers fuming

    Ryan Donnelly says quarterback Kevin Glenn is like the offensive line's own Private Ryan. Updated 11:51 AM 09/27/08

30. Bomber recap

    BOMBERS 30 ESKIMOS 23

    EDMONTON 8-1-7-7 -- 23

    WINNIPEG 0-14-7-9 -- 30

    Updated 11:18 AM 09/27/08

31. Win won't be child's play

    IF only the Edmonton Eskimos could be as tiny, cute, happy and uncompetitive as 21/2-year-old Seneca Malveaux was as he played with dad Kelly at Canad Inns Stadium on Thursday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would be guaranteed their third consecutive win tonight.
    
    Game Day: More Bomber coverage
    RANDY TURNER: Act now! Bandwagon seats hottest ticket in town
    VIDEO: Bomber Close up with Ed Tait Updated 9:03 AM 09/26/08

32. 3 Keys To Victory

    EDMONTON ESKIMOS (7-5) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-8)

    Updated 8:48 AM 09/26/08

33. Game Day: Bombers vs. Eskimos

    FYI

    Vegas line: Bombers by 2. Updated 8:58 AM 09/26/08

34. The (insert nickname here) defence

    WE asked for nicknames earlier this year for the Winnipeg Blue Bomber defensive line and Free Press readers responded. Man, did you respond. At last count we had 350 e-mails and letters totalling some 653 various nicknames. Here's a look at some of the suggestions that we received, ranging from the colourful to the obscure, from militaristic themes to the just plain out there: Updated 8:46 AM 09/26/08

35. RIP Redskins, you'll be buried deep in Dallas

    If the first three weeks of the NFL season have shown us anything, it's that the balance of power between the two conferences is as fragile as the ligaments holding together a star player's knees.
    
    VIDEO: Avi Saper's Week 4 NFL picks Updated 8:37 AM 09/26/08

36. Scouting The Eskimos

    Record: 7-5, tied for second in the West. Updated 8:54 AM 09/26/08

37. Payback time for Samuels

    Stanford SAMUELS won't dance around the issue or attempt to mask his emotions. Updated 2:50 AM 09/25/08

38. CFL WEEK 14

    EDMONTON ESKIMOS (7-5) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-8) Updated 6:54 AM 09/25/08

39. Today's Bomber Report

    Hot ticket

    Updated 6:50 AM 09/25/08

40. Ed Tait thinks you should know

    SECONDARY SHUFFLE: Updated 6:54 AM 09/25/08

41. FIRST & GOAL

    Five storylines that jumped out while observing the last week of Canadian Football League action: Updated 11:59 AM 09/24/08

42. THE HUDDLE RANKINGS

    Here's how we rank the eight CFL teams after Week 13 of the season: Updated 11:35 AM 09/24/08

43. Berry's Boys figure 3-3 down home stretch will do trick

    DOUG Berry's Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been fast out of the gate in two of the three seasons he's been at the helm, but only mediocre finishers. Updated 2:50 AM 09/24/08

44. Bombers' Johnson leaves team to join family after shooting death of brother

    Bombers' Johnson leaves team to join family after shooting death of brother Updated 2:50 AM 09/24/08

45. Bombers' Johnson's brother shot to death

    DEFENSIVE back Jovon Johnson has left the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers to be with his family after the shooting death Monday night in Erie, Penn., of his 15-year-old brother, Daquan Crosby. Updated 6:58 PM 09/23/08

46. In Least Division, 4-8 looks mighty good to Blue brigade

    IF the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were a stock on the financial markets, their 2008 season would feature more peaks and dips than Robert Downey Jr.'s career. Updated 2:55 AM 09/21/08

47. Ugly as sin, but a win

    HAMILTON -- They can't all be likened to works of art or brilliant tales penned by the legends. Sometimes, football players will insist, it's just as big to win ugly as to win while authoring a classic.
    
    Bomber recap Updated 11:33 AM 09/20/08

48. Glenn key to Blue turnaround

    HAMILTON -- There are all kinds of theories, many of them plausible and fitting. Updated 7:45 AM 09/20/08

49. Bomber recap

    BOMBERS 25 TIGER-CATS 23

    WINNIPEG 7-12-3--3--25 HAMILTON 1-7-7-8--23 Updated 11:29 AM 09/20/08

50. Canada salutes you: The 'Little General' will be missed by everyone

    HAMILTON -- The tears began flowing instantaneously. And the shock on everyone's face -- absolute disbelief, really -- was visible the moment the news broke.
    
    VIDEO: Danny McManus reflects on the death of Ron Lancaster Updated 8:02 AM 09/19/08

51. Game Day

    3 Keys to Victory

    1. Is Kevin Glenn back or is this a brief mirage? Updated 8:15 AM 09/19/08

52. Tiger-Cats experts at remodelling basement

    HAMILTON -- Casey Printers is holding court. It's the day before the Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers monumental tilt -- clubs with a combined 5-17 mark that still have a shot at second place -- and the most-expensive player in the entire CFL is attempting to explain, more or less, why the Ticats are so freaking awful. Updated 7:10 AM 09/19/08

53. Ticats ‘Lums-down’ gets thumbs down for tonight’s tilt

    We love watching Jesse Lumsden bulldoze over would-be tacklers. And the fact that the Ticat tailback is Canadian only has us cheering for him even more. Updated 8:18 AM 09/19/08

54. Today's Bomber Report

    ED TAIT'S THIS WEEK IN THE CFL -- WEEK 12 Updated 9:25 AM 09/18/08

55. Logan gets his mojo back

    IAN Logan really IS the man in the middle. Updated 9:25 AM 09/18/08

56. Blue look to avoid Steeltown meltdown

    WE'LL get to the meat and potatoes later, the nuts and bolts as to why the Winnipeg Blue Bombers insist they can't take their foot off the gas in their attempt to race back to respectability. Updated 9:15 AM 09/18/08

57. Canada's back; won't be in shape to play until '09

    THE white-knuckle times are over for Tom Canada.
    
    VIDEO: Tom Canada updates his health Updated 9:54 AM 09/17/08

58. Hogs can't stay healthy

    THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had the same six offensive linemen on the field for the past four games -- a minor miracle of continuity this season. Updated 2:55 AM 09/16/08

59. Fresh blood can get the whole wolf pack howling again

    IN one of his stories last Sunday, Free Press football writer Ed Tait spoke about how a club's "first reaction post-game is often the most honest." Well in the spirit of honesty, after winning only two of our first 10 games and then winning on the road by 30 points against a team that had already beaten us twice, my first reaction, quite honestly, was of shock and bewilderment. Updated 2:55 AM 09/16/08

60. Victory over Argos energizes Bombers

    The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are back on the practice field this afternoon, energized by Friday’s 39-9 thumping of the Toronto Argonauts that brought them to within two points of the second-place Argos in the CFL’s East Division.
    
    VIDEO: Milt Stegall comments on win over Argos
    VIDEO: Doug Berry comments on win over Argos Updated 3:55 PM 09/15/08

61. Nothing but Blue skies... with Tabbies on tap

    DOWN in the dumps of a Winnipeg Blue Bombers season dominated by disaster, you'll forgive Brendan Taman if he allows just a tiny bit of positivity to encroach on his sunshine-soaked Sunday morning. Updated 2:55 AM 09/15/08

62. Amos puts argh in Argos

    He may have started the season on the outside looking in, but Winnipeg Blue Bomber cornerback Willie Amos is quickly making an impression across the Canadian Football League. Updated 2:55 AM 09/14/08

63. Blue behind the 2-8 ball

    TORONTO -- Bear with us, please, while we toss out a pile of clichéd metaphors that help explain where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers find themselves 11 weeks into a season that began with so much promise and expectation.
    
    VIDEO: Bomber Road Report Updated 10:07 AM 09/12/08

64. Game Day

    BOMBERS ARGONAUTS: How they match up

    Updated 3:40 PM 09/12/08

65. Milt minces no words when it comes to Matthews

    THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers practised at Rogers Centre on Thursday in their new navy blue with yellow stripes retro jerseys as part of the CFL's Retro Week. Updated 2:55 AM 09/12/08

66. CFL WEEK 12

    WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (2-8)

    Updated 2:55 AM 09/12/08

67. Change he believes in

    A Blue Bombers' defence that surrendered 20 points in the last 11 minutes of Sunday's 34-31 loss to Saskatchewan will have at least five changes -- two of them involving brand-new players -- in Friday's game against the Toronto Argonauts. Updated 9:55 AM 09/11/08

68. Today's Bomber Report

    Game 11: Bombers at Toronto, Friday, 6 p.m.

    NO KNEE-JERK:

    Here's Bomber GM Brendan Taman, when asked if he might consider a coaching change similar to what has unfolded in Hamilton -- where Charlie Taaffe was replaced by Marcel Bellefeuille -- and in Toronto with Don Matthews taking over for Rich Stubler.
    Updated 7:02 AM 09/10/08

69. Ex-Al Ellis arrives to plug Canada's spot

    HEY, Kai Ellis, welcome to the nuthouse. Updated 6:40 AM 09/10/08

70. His heart's in Hamilton

    First things first: Let's start with arguably the coolest nickname in the Canadian Football League: Updated 6:40 AM 09/10/08

71. Rest of crew try to wrap heads around drama

    IF you think YOU'RE flummoxed by the recent trade of Charles Roberts and the on-again, off-again departure of Tom Canada from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in successive weeks, try putting yourself in Doug Brown's big shoes. Updated 6:40 AM 09/10/08

72. Bombers' biggest problem is Glenn

    There are all kinds of theories. There are the 'head-coach-must-go' chants and the 'GM-is-an-idiot' cries. There are questions about chemistry and character, about the talent, about the coach either running a country club or being a sadistic so-and-so intent on mentally torturing the troops. Updated 12:40 AM 09/10/08

73. Today's Bomber Report

    THE FRED AND JOE SHOW:

    Updated 7:00 AM 09/10/08

74. MENSA members struck dumb

    Covering the Winnipeg Blue Bombers these days is like playing for them: You can't win for tryin'. Updated 12:35 AM 09/10/08

75. Pressure? What pressure?

    Here's new running back Joe Smith on replacing Charles Roberts and joining a 2-7 squad: "There's no pressure. It's all about coming out and having fun. As long as we're having fun and having success, it's all good. That's what fun is, having success on the field. We'll have a lot of fun out there."

    Kicker watch

    Updated 6:59 AM 09/10/08

76. Berry puts on brave face

    He looked tired, but not beaten. No signs of bandages on his wrists or rope burns on his neck. Updated 12:40 AM 09/09/08

77. Bomber Recap

    Saskatchewan 7-7-0-20--34
    Winnipeg 14-3-14-0--31 Updated 11:00 AM 09/08/08

78. Oh, why do you torment us so?

    And when the final whistle sounded, on such a glorious fall evening on the Prairies, a majestic rainbow arched over the East side of Canad Inns Stadium. Updated 2:00 AM 09/08/08

79. Bomber 'D' caves like Superman on spelunking day

    DEFENSIVE back Kelly Malveaux has played in the CFL since 1999 -- that's 145 games now over nine seasons -- and he can't remember a collapse of Sunday's epic and shocking proportions in his entire career. Updated 2:00 AM 09/08/08

80. Cause of Death Report -- Victim: Blue Bombers -- Filed: 09/07/08

    IF the CSI crew were to draw a chalk outline around the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after Sunday's shocking collapse to the Saskatchewan Roughriders -- they spit up a 17-point lead with just 11 minutes remaining -- then their cause-of-death report might read something like this: Updated 2:00 AM 09/08/08

81. You know it's bad when... coach pulls out calculator

    Sign No. 3,489 the Winnipeg Blue Bomber season hangs in the balance... Updated 7:38 AM 09/07/08

82. Hail to Canada’s rudest rivalry

    THIS one's different. Looks differ­ent, smells different, feels different. Updated 12:21 PM 09/07/08

83. Game Day

    Game 10 Today 3 p.m. Canad Inn stadium TV: TSN Radio: CJBO

    3 KEYS TO VICTORY

    Updated 12:19 PM 09/07/08

84. Scouting the Riders

    Updated 1:03 PM 09/07/08

85. MENSA members struck dumb

    Covering the Winnipeg Blue Bombers these days is like playing for them: You can't win for tryin'. Updated 8:42 AM 09/06/08

86. Golfer Fujikawa's father nailed for dealing dope

    HONOLULU -- The father of 17-year-old pro golfer Tadd Fujikawa was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and awaits trial next month. Updated 8:38 AM 09/06/08

87. Bombers' biggest problem is Glenn

    There are all kinds of theories. There are the 'head-coach-must-go' chants and the 'GM-is-an-idiot' cries. There are questions about chemistry and character, about the talent, about the coach either running a country club or being a sadistic so-and-so intent on mentally torturing the troops.
    
    VIDEO: Bomber Close Up with Ed Tait Updated 10:26 AM 09/06/08

88. Today's Bomber Report

    Game 10: Host Saskatchewan, Sunday, 3 p.m.

    THE FRED AND JOE SHOW:

    RB Fred Reid took a good chunk of the work out of the Bombers backfield at Friday's last full practice before Sunday's rematch with the Riders, although new tailback Joe Smith is getting busier. Smith, interestingly, also returned a kickoff at the workout as he digests more and more of the offensive game plan. Updated 1:03 PM 09/06/08

89. Pressure? What pressure?

    Here's new running back Joe Smith on replacing Charles Roberts and joining a 2-7 squad: "There's no pressure. It's all about coming out and having fun. As long as we're having fun and having success, it's all good. That's what fun is, having success on the field. We'll have a lot of fun out there."

    Kicker watch

    Updated 4:03 PM 09/06/08

90. Today's Bomber Report

    Game 10: Hosts Saskatchewan, Sunday, 2 p.m.

    EARL LUNSFORD PASSES AWAY:

    Former Bombers GM Earl Lundsford died on Wednesday at the age of 74 at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. Lunsford, a member of both the Bombers and CFL Hall of Fame, was the club GM for 15 years from 1968 to 1982. Lunsford played six seasons with the Calgary Stampeders rushing for 6,994 yards and 55 touchdowns. Updated 11:57 AM 09/05/08

91. See free fights at The Forks

    WANT to try boxing but don't know where to start? Try The Forks under the canopy on Saturday at noon. Updated 11:52 AM 09/05/08

92. Fred gets the rock

    Fred Reid can't wait to get his hands on the rock and all indications are the second-year running back will get his fill of action Sunday. Updated 11:53 AM 09/05/08

93. YOU BE THE JUDGE

    YOU BE Updated 11:42 AM 09/04/08

94. He's no ordinary Joe

    He's eccentric, but in a good way, his pals with the B.C. Lions reveal. And he's that perfect combination of a willing, but terrible, card player. And cheap? Talk about cheap. Try this:
    
    VIDEO: Bombers introduce Joe Smith Updated 1:41 PM 09/04/08

95. Taman covers butt, but can he save neck?

    Headline: GM trades perhaps the most popular football player in Winnipeg Blue Bombers' history. Says it was all the head coach's idea.
    
    VIDEO: Bombers introduce Joe Smith Updated 8:47 AM 09/04/08

96. Roberts happy to be away from strife in Winnipeg

    SURREY, B.C -- Traded tailback Charles Roberts says he's not the only one to blame for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' poor start after last season's Grey Cup appearance. Updated 10:11 AM 09/04/08

97. Today's Bomber Report

    Game 10: Hosts Saskatchewan, Sunday, 3 p.m.

    Updated 2:52 PM 09/05/08

98. Blue's Haywood: We’re playing like s--t

    REGINA — Faith and loyalty be damned — it’s time for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to make some hard decisions about a team that, after one brief blip, has returned to its previously scheduled programming.
    
    Bombers set sights on Chang for new quarterback Updated 9:11 AM 09/01/08

99. Glenn no play-calling genius

    Picture a deranged scientist rubbing his hands together at the seeming brilliance of his strategies for domination and laughing madly at the havoc they will create when revealed to the world. Updated 12:57 PM 08/30/08

100. Bedlam in the boonies

     No one need tell Willie Amos about zany fans. About phone calls in the middle of the night. About nutjobs painted from head to toe in their team's colours, living and dying with every single play. Updated 1:52 PM 08/30/08

101. Today's Bomber Report

     Classic or clunker?

     Only eight times in 41 Labour Day Classics have both the Riders and Bombers sported winning records, the last being last season when the Bombers were 5-2-1 and Riders were 6-2. The other years both Winnipeg and Saskatchewan were on the right side of .500 were 2003, 1993, 1985, 1982, 1977, 1975 and 1939. Updated 2:30 PM 08/30/08

102. Safety shuffle continues

     Perhaps the Winnipeg Blue Bombers can look at it as a blessing that they have a number of qualified players who can step in to play safety. Updated 2:00 AM 08/28/08

103. Dressing for success

     While the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have gone back in time the University of Manitoba Bisons have a new look for the future. Updated 2:00 AM 08/27/08

104. Another Blue kicking hopeful blows into town

     If you're going to be a placekicker in Winnipeg, you might as well get comfortable with the wind right from Day 1. Updated 7:24 AM 08/27/08

105. Bishop isn’t Lancaster, but new QB’s a good fit in Riderville

     Five story lines that jumped out while observing the last week of Canadian Football League action: Updated 8:59 AM 08/27/08

106. In the huddle

     HUDDLE RANKINGS

     Here's how we rank the eight CFL teams after Week 9 of the season: Updated 9:04 AM 08/27/08

107. First & Goal

     Five storylines that jumped out while observing the past week of Canadian Football League action: Updated 8:18 AM 08/20/08

108. Stay of execution

     Go ahead and say it all you cynics and doomsayers out there eager to pen the obituary on 2008 -- the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win Thursday night should come with a big, fat asterisk.
     
     There's light at end of the tunnel
     Bomber recap
     VIDEOS: Post-game interviews with Tom Canada, Doug Berry & Kevin Glenn Updated 7:27 AM 08/15/08

109. Blink worked to bone on his really big night

     Offensive play-calling doesn't have to be as complicated as nuclear physics, especially when a football club has Charles Roberts lining up in its backfield. Updated 10:11 AM 08/15/08

110. Ugly year bringing out ugly in fans

     It's game day and, if you must know the truth, Winnipeg Blue Bomber defensive tackle Doug Brown likely won't be seen much in public until he runs through the giant helmet during the pre-game introductions. Updated 12:30 AM 08/14/08

111. Berry to stay with status quo

     Head coach Doug Berry says he's going to stay with the status quo and let offensive co-ordinator Kit Cartwright make the play calls for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' anemic offence in Friday night's game against the Montreal Alouettes. Updated 4:22 PM 08/05/08

112. Stegall says he's ready

     The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are about to get another boost this week — hall-of-fame receiver Milt Stegall is finally ready to make his 2008 debut. Updated 5:35 PM 07/28/08

113. Don't Kopp out on us Ryan

     The cynics, skeptics and natural-born party poopers -- we know you're out there -- will be tossing out two words to the diehards in Bomberland who are positively giddy today with Ryan Dinwiddie-mania. Updated 12:15 AM 07/26/08

114. Ed Tait thinks you should know

     Not to be glossed over in Thursday's win are the Bombers' continuing struggles to jump-start their running game. Charles Roberts carried 14 times for a measly 36 yards -- a 2.6-yard average -- with his longest run covering just five yards. Asked if he was considering doing to his running game what he did to the quarterback position -- sit Roberts in favour of Fred Reid -- head coach Doug Berry said:

     Updated 5:40 PM 07/28/08

115. The suffering is over

     He is part gunslingin' cowboy and part cool, California surfer dude. And, most of all, Ryan Dinwiddie is absolute pure energy at a time when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers desperately need a jolt of life.
     
     VIDEOS: Post-game interviews with Ryan Dinwiddie & Doug Berry
     SLIDESHOW: Bombers vs. Stampeders - July 24, 2008
     MORE COVERAGE: Dinwiddie silences howling jackals; A one-win high; Bomber Recap; and QB earns rave reviews Updated 7:26 AM 07/25/08

116. Dinwiddie silences howling jackals

     Boy, that Kevin Glenn was sure a nice guy, wasn't he? Updated 12:50 AM 07/25/08

117. Don't get giddy, Dinwiddie

     If we could get inside his cranium during the REM-part of his nap time, Ryan Dinwiddie's dream would probably go something like this:
     
     VIDEO: Bomber Close-up with Ed Tait Updated 3:46 PM 07/24/08

118. Ritual sacrifice not part of Bauer's plan

     Attention all frothing Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans demanding president and CEO Lyle Bauer make some dramatic changes -- like whacking GM Brendan Taman or head coach Doug Berry -- for the club's 0-4 start. Updated 12:35 AM 07/24/08

119. Oh-oh and 4 for Blue

     VANCOUVER -- They get full marks for bouncing up off the mat and still trading punches with one of the CFL's best, but the bottom line for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is still gruesome.
     
     Bomber recap Updated 11:40 AM 07/19/08

120. Bomber recap

     LIONS 27 BOMBERS 18

     
     WINNIPEG 7-4-7-0--18
     B.C. 1-10-0-16--27 Updated 11:38 AM 07/19/08

121. Bombers keeping chins up, QB says

     VANCOUVER -- If it's true that losing brings out the ugly in people, then we'll say this about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the CFL's only winless team:
     
     VIDEO: Bomber Road Report Updated 10:44 AM 07/18/08

122. Nugent hit on receiver labelled 'dangerous'

     There weren't many memorable plays for Bomber fans from Friday's 42-24 loss to the B.C. Lions, but one tackle by Jason Nugent caught the attention of the CFL's head office.
     VIDEO: Doug Berry comments on Nugent hit Updated 9:04 AM 07/16/08

123. Cup win in doubt

     Forget this quaint notion of a a team in need of something as simple as a wake-up call. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are way beyond that now.
     
     Berry's wrath could mean overhaul
     Time for Blue to see red
     VIDEOS: Post game interviews: Doug Berry & Terrence Edwards Updated 8:03 AM 07/12/08

124. Time for Blue to see red

     It's not just that the Bombers are losing, of course, it's the eerie symptoms and self-inflicted damage this team is doing to itself along the way. Updated 7:52 AM 07/12/08

125. Berry's wrath could mean overhaul

     Winnipeg Blue Bomber head coach Doug Berry has always been a boss who had his players' collective backs. Updated 7:54 AM 07/12/08

126. Game Day

     B.C. LIONS (0-2) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (0-2)

     Updated 8:33 AM 07/11/08

127. Calling All Bomber Fans!

     Gather round the newspaper because we've got a deal for you... Updated 8:50 AM 07/11/08

128. Inside the Xs and Os

     OUCH REPORT:

     Updated 8:37 AM 07/11/08

129. 'D' keen to turn it around

     It is the unofficial slogan of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber defence in '08 and, perhaps, the opposition has been misinterpreting the thing and taking it a little too literally. Updated 2:00 AM 07/10/08

130. Self-doubt is not an option in Bomberville

     If a quarterback is the official spokesman for a football team, then listen up Winnipeg Blue Bomber faithful: Kevin Glenn asks everyone to pull back from the panic button, to step away from yanking down on the fire alarm and -- puh-leeeeze -- don't throw this team under the bus just yet. Updated 9:23 AM 07/10/08

131. Today's Bomber Report

     Hosts B.C. Lions, Friday, 7 p.m.

     HURTS LIST Updated 9:26 AM 07/10/08

132. CFL Week 3

     CALGARY STAMPEDERS (1-1) at MONTREAL ALOUETTES (2-0)

     Updated 9:31 AM 07/10/08

133. Roberts not panicking, his touches will come

     BLINK isn't bitter about not getting the ball enough for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Updated 12:50 AM 07/09/08

134. Don't look back, players say

     SO the Lions have been lame and the Bombers have bombed. Updated 12:55 AM 07/08/08

135. Nowhere to go but up

     MONTREAL -- They were dead and almost buried. And then -- in something straight from a horror movie -- up shot a hand out of the grave and the zombies that were the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had life.
     
     Bomber recap
     Calvillo finds his rhythm Updated 9:23 AM 07/05/08

136. Bomber recap

     ALOUETTES 38 BOMBERS 24

     Updated 9:18 AM 07/05/08

137. Winnipeg storms back... sort of

     MONTREAL -- Anthony Calvillo threw four touchdown passes, including a club record toss to Ben Cahoon, in the first half and the Montreal Alouettes held on for a 38-24 CFL victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night. Updated 10:57 PM 07/04/08

138. Last place looms for Bombers

     MONTREAL — It’s July, it’s early in the season but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are faced with this very real possibility if they don’t take care of business tonight against the Montreal Alouettes: dropping into last place in the CFL’s East Division. Updated 1:59 PM 07/04/08

139. Who says Als-Blue tilt is crucial?

     MONTREAL -- It has been brought to my attention recently -- and many, many times over the years, to be honest -- that there are a lot of readers out there who are convinced yours truly is an idiot.
     
     VIDEO: Blue Bombers Road Report Updated 9:59 AM 07/04/08

140. Game Day

     3 Keys to Victory

     Updated 10:21 AM 07/04/08

141. Home Economics

     HOME; (noun)

     Definition: 1 a: one's place of residence; domicile b: house; 2: the social unit formed by a family living together. Updated 9:33 AM 06/27/08

142. Inside the Xs and Os

     OUCH REPORT:

     The Bombers will be without SB Milt Stegall (knee); OL Obby Khan (intestinal); OL Matt Sheridan (groin); P Duncan O'Mahony (toe) but, for the most part, are pretty dang healthy. The Argos are missing RB Tyler Ebell (Achilles); RB Andre Durie (thumb) and WR Chad Rempel (hamstring). Stegall was spotted running the field and stairs this week and should be good to practise soon. Updated 9:17 AM 06/27/08

143. Scouting the Argonauts

     Record: 11-7, first place in the East. Updated 9:23 AM 06/27/08

144. Who, what, where: A look at the starters for each team

     WHEN BOMBERS HAVE THE BALL Updated 9:15 AM 06/27/08

145. Mighty Mouse has tall order in home opener

     Alexis Serna has himself a nickname already -- his well-intentioned Bombers teammates are calling him Mighty Mouse. Updated 7:18 AM 06/27/08

146. CFL Division Previews with Ed Tait

     West Division

     Updated 8:24 AM 06/26/08

147. Shut up about Bills and Toronto

     A favour to ask, if we may be so bold... Updated 7:31 AM 06/26/08

148. Bet you won't believe this -- Blue are 9-2 to win Cup

     We interrupt the giddy excitement leading up to another Winnipeg Blue Bomber season with a harsh slap in the chops -- courtesy of the bookmakers in Las Vegas.
     
     CFL Division Previews with Ed Tait
     Shut up about Bills and Toronto
     VIDEO: Bomber Close-up with Ed Tait Updated 4:22 PM 06/26/08

149. CFL WEEK 1

     MONTREAL ALOUETTES (8-10) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (3-15)

     Updated 9:55 AM 06/26/08

150. O' man...toilet trip sidlines punter

     MAYBE, just maybe, punter Duncan O'Mahony and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers don't mix. Updated 12:35 AM 06/25/08

151. Today's Bomber report

     Offensive guard Matt Sheridan, who's been out with a leg injury, will definitely not play in Friday's season-opener versus the Argonauts. DT Jon Oosterhuis, though, is good to go after recovering from a partially torn calf muscle. Updated 12:35 AM 06/25/08

152. Injured kicker will not play Friday

     Punter Duncan O'Mahony will not play in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' season-opener against the Toronto Argonauts Friday night because of a broken toe. He will be replaced by rookie placekicker Alexis Serna.

     Updated 5:23 PM 06/24/08

153. Bombers reduce roster

     The axe came down hard on a number of Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saturday afternoon as the Canadian Football League club made its final cuts.

     Updated 8:27 PM 06/21/08

154. No QB controversy here

     It was Khari Jones, lingering outside the Winnipeg Blue Bombers locker-room with his family on a night when he was honoured by the football club, who delivered the first post-game wisecrack: Updated 11:03 AM 06/21/08

155. Being cut not just another slice of life

     Welcome to Doug Berry's worst nightmare: trying to slice down what is arguably the most talented collection of prospects in these parts in years into the unit that will suit up for the 2008 regular-season opener in six days. Updated 9:35 AM 06/21/08

156. D-Day is here

     All CFL teams must declare their final rosters by 2 p.m. this afternoon. Updated 11:07 AM 06/21/08

157. Today's Bomber Report

     The Milt watch

     Chances are veteran Milt Stegall won't be ready to go for the season-opener at home next Friday, but head coach Doug Berry hasn't ruled him out yet, either. "I can't say that (Stegall is out) today," said Berry. "Probably, but I don't know. He's running, but it's still a few days before he can start practice." Updated 11:09 AM 06/21/08

158. Blue have work to do

     As final dress rehearsals go, it served up just enough entertainment to have the masses salivating for more.
     
     Perfect Sern boosts chances
     Doug Berry post-game interview Updated 8:31 AM 06/20/08

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