I’m wearing a chin strap after taking it on the chin last week, my first losing week since early in the season when the Rider Priders wanted my hide.
But me and the Gang That Loves The Green are now jiggy.
Not so sure about the Winnipeg followers.
They seemed to really be in a snit over a blog I wrote about the embattled head coach and the team, whom I have collectively named Mike and the Mechanics.
One critic knocked me for taking a gratuitous shot at what he believes is the worst team in history.
I beg to differ.
The 2000 Argos, coached by John Huard, were worse and much more dysfunctional than this Bombers team.
But it certainly is a zoo in Winnipeg. I hear that even the mascots Buzz and Boomer are bumbed out. Or should it be Bombed out?
It should all make for an interesting Hall of Fame Game Saturday night in the ‘Peg.
Will it end as the Hall of Shame Game for the losing team and its coach?
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Perry’s Peerless Predictions is looking to bounce back and maybe, just maybe, I’ll nail the winners of all four games this week and reclaim my title as the finest CFL pigskin prognosticator in the country.
Friday
Montreal (9-2) at Hamilton (6-5):
My wagering/financial advisor, Randall the Handle, has the Als by 4.5 and I suspect he would push me to take the Als, although they have had their problems on offence in recent weeks, some of it due to the depleted offensive line.
Playing the Bombers can cure any team’s woes, as was the case last week, but playing the Ticats, who are 4-1 at home, is different. The defence has been playing solidly, so it will be up to the ferocious front four to put the pressure on Quinton (Q School) Porter. However, the way Arland Bruce (3rd) has been playing of late, the challenge will be on the Als’ back end to avoid giving up the big plays.
The Ticats still need to go back to the run game more, which really means establishing DeAndre (Corn On The) Cobb. That would help the passing game.
If the Ticats beat the Als, it will make the East race a little more interesting.
The Als gave me my only win last week.
Winner: Montreal.
B.C. (5-6) at Calgary (6-5):
The Lions were life and death to beat the Argos last week.
Buck Pierce took a real beating and I can’t see how he’ll stand up to another pounding. Travis Lulay, which I think has a hell of a name, is now second on the depth chart, but you know Casey Printers will eventually supplant him.
Sooner or later the ball has to go into the hands of premier receiver Geroy Simon, who is clearly frustrated. You can see it in his body language. Paris Jackson has to make some more plays, too.
I thought the Lions were the beneficiaries of some obvious holding calls that were not called on punt returns late in the Argo game, giving them excellent field position. The defence had a zillion sacks, but mainly because Cody (Wilson) Pickett held on to the ball way too long.
Give the ball to M Squared, Martell Mallett, and let him dominate with his running. It had been the Stamps’ weakness early in the season.
As for the Stamps, that was God awful last time out. There is absolutely no way they can repeat that, certainly not at home. Maybe the addition of Romby Bryant will help the receiving corps. Losing Ryan Thelwell will hurt big-time. Nik Lewis has to get more touches and get in the end zone.
I still think the 15-yard call 1ate in the game was bogus, but I picked the Stamps, so I’m sour. And guess what? Nothing has changed. Wally has not beaten his disciple, John Hufnagel.
Randle the Handle has Calgary by eight. Who am I to argue with my money guy?
Winner: Calgary (big play of the week)
Saturday
Saskatchewan (6-5) at Edmonton (6-5):
This should be the best game of the week after last week’s barnburner.
Saskatchewan gave up way too many points in the first half before settling down, so it’s a question of the defence settling down and allowing the offence some time to put together some drives.
If Ricky Ray shot the lights out in the first half, what will Gary Etcheverry do to scheme from making a recurrence? Well, the back-breaking play on the winning drive will certainly be a key scheme that likely has been addressed.
I think the Eskimos are a team that is hard to understand. They don’t put away opponents, but that said, they are still winning. And when Ray is on his game, he can’t be stopped, as he proved on the winning drive.
If Arkee Whitlock can secure the ball, he’s a deadly little runner. Sir Randall has the pesky Eskies by four. Logically, back-to-back games result in splits. So…
Winner: Saskatchewan (Yeah, I know, I’ve done the climate thing and gone Green).
Toronto (3-8) at Winnipeg (3-8):
The Battle of the Bad.
The Argos’ offence first needs to be awoken with a running game. Bart, use Jamal Robertson again and again. Give him at least 20 touches. Let the line use its muscle because it must be deflated getting called on so many sacks.
Pickett needs to go vertical early, if only to challenge the defence. So run the ball a few times, then attempt a stop-and-go route, to at least give the impression of a vertical game. The one throw Pickett connected on was basically man coverage to the short side of the field.
The defence, led by emotional leader Jonathan Brown, is one of the best in the league when it’s not on the field forever. Once again, I think Dominique Dorsey will be a key advantage.
As for the Bombers, use Fred Reid as often as possible. Establish his strength, while also flushing out Michael Bishop on rollouts and, please, use the shotgun.
Similar to the Argos, the Bombers’ defence has to be demoralized. If the Bombers don’t play better, how much longer will Mike Kelly be the coach? Then again, the franchise is already paying one coach not to coach, so paying two will be a costly mistake for a community-owned franchise.
I wonder what owner-in-waiting David Asper is thinking watching all of this?
I think Kelly is safe for the year. Then again, anything is possible with this team – even winning at home.
This one’s a pick’em according to RTH.
Winner: Toronto (Dorsey returns at least one touchdown).
Record to date: 29-15
Last week: 1-3.
Record picking the Argos to win: Help me Bart.
