The Betting Advantage in 2010

Football bettors will look for any and all advantage when betting on football. A major factor in deciding games is field conditions. Ice games, heavy rain, heat and other conditions effect the outcomes of games. As a football prognosticator, I am sharing an important tool in my arsenal with you!  Its a service by the Weather Network and it gives you the conditions of each game, including pre-season games!

It’s called the Weather Network Outlook and Events and they post the weather of game host cities. So if Tampa Bay is raining or sunny with a high degree of heat then you know to bet accordingly.

Brush up on your stadium knowledge

What they dont post is the dome stadiums like Dallas or New Orleans, Texas or Minnesota.  So be ware and brush up on your stadium knowledge.

Important equation in picking winners and losers

The weather is always a factor in games.  Have a look at these conditions for Week 4 of the NFL`s pre-season and make your decisions accordingly.  You wont get that from sports talk shows!

Here is the link to the Weather Channel Outlook and Events

http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/nfl/schedule?week=0

Use it in your betting arsenal and always bet smart!

Good Luck and God speed.  Pick the Winners and may the Football Gods be nice to you!

DBAX

Darrick Baxter,
Football Prognosticator and Football Specialist
TheRunningBack.com a company by: RUNNINGBACK MEDIA

admin@therunningback.com

Darrick once picked the Arizona Cardinals to go to the Superbowl with an aging quarterback and virtually unknown offensive line and recievers.  He said that Kirk Warner was better than ever and that Fitzgerald and Boldin would come into their own as the two best recievers in the NFL.

Guess what?  The Cardinals did go to the Superbowl. Kirk Warner was in his best years, Boldin and Fitzgerald did turn out to be the best recievers in the NFL.

NCI BLUE BOMBER REPORTS

Every Monday through Friday on NCI FM radio throughout Manitoba, our senior writer, Scott Taylor, provides his listeners with reports on the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Sponsored by Winnipeg-based Valour Tri-West Insurance, these reports are heard every day at 9:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. With permission, these reports will be posted daily at www.therunningback.com.

His first dispatches to this website ran on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23. It’s a short week. This week’s reports began on Monday, Aug. 9.

Bombers Can’t Answer the Questions

Aug. 23 — Last Thursday we talked about the three questions that had to be answered if the then-2-5 Bombers were going to have a chance against the then-5-2 Montreal Alouettes at Montreal‘s Molson Stadium.

We all needed to know: Can Bombers quarterback Steve Jyles get the job done? Is Justin Palardy the kicker the Bombers were after? Is that aging and yet, in many places, inexperienced defence, ready for prime time?

If the answer wasn’t yes to all those questions, the Bombers could lose by five touchdowns. In the end, they lost by three converted touchdowns, 39-17. The only question that might have had a positive answer was the kicker question. And after only one field goal, the jury is still out on Justin Palardy.

Bombers Need The Bye

Aug. 23 — The 2-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have the bye this week. Boy, do they need it.

Having a week off will certainly be good for No. 1 quarterback Buck Pierce to rest his injured knee before Labour Day’s meeting with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Bombers GM Joe Mack says there will likely be an airlift of NFL cuts heading to Winnipeg over the next couple of weeks. This is a brain trust that is not happy with its personnel.

The Bombers, who have lost four straight, aren’t very good right now. A week to re-group might help to change their fortunes.

Bombers Need to Make a Major Trade.

Aug. 24 — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have the bye this week and they won’t even return to the practice field until Friday. Many of the players have gone home and some of them have gone home wondering if they’ll be playing in Winnipeg when workouts resume.

The Bombers need to make big changes if they intend to compete this season. There will be some NFL cuts coming in, no questions about that, but should the Bombers, a team that got worse, not better, under the new regime, be thinking about making a major deal?

This team has some veterans it could move in order to get a quality receiver or two and maybe a new offensive lineman, defensive back or proven linebacker. Should it? Well, I certainly think so.

Bombers Record Reflects Loss of Good Players

Aug. 24 – Three weeks ago, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were probably better that their record indicated. The Bombers were a 2-3 football team and didn’t seem to be that good. Now, however, the Bombers are 2-6 and this time, they are about as good as their record.

Despite a great start, the Bombers are now on a four-game losing streak and if you study the film, that’s what they should be. As the Argos and Ticats have played more games, they’ve become better football teams. The Bombers, on the other hand, have started to play down to their personnel.

The Bombers have rid themselves of some pretty good football players this year – Ike Charlton, Gavin Walls, Lennie Walls, the list goes on. Right now, they aren’t very good and their record truly reflects that.

Bombers Need Buck Pierce

Aug. 25 — Casey Printers has looked good at practice all week and it’s very likely that he will start against Calgary this Friday night.

The B.C. Lions quarterback who has been on the shelf with a knee injury since the third game of the season is working with the first team offence and is set to try and turn around B.C.’s 1-6 start.

It’s the kind of thing the Bombers need – a healthy mobile Buck Pierce – if they intend to get back into the race in the East. Despite a local columnist’s contention that Pierce should be No. 2 behind Steven Jyles, that just isn’t going to cut it.

Jovon Johnson Wins Special Teams Player of the Week

Aug. 25 — The Bombers were blasted by three converted touchdowns by the Montreal Alouettes last week but Jovon Johnson made an impression.

Johnson was named the Gibson’s Finest CFL special teams player of the week for Week 8 thanks to his 74-yard punt return touchdown against the Als. Johnson finished the game with six punt returns for 105 yards and one touchdown in a 39-17 loss to Montreal. It was Johnson’s second special teams player of the week award this year.

Jovon Johnson has been one of the few bright spots in a tough, 2-6 start for the Bombers.

No Reason to Believe in Lions or Eskimos

Aug. 26 — Everybody in Winnipeg has been pretty hard on the 2-6 Blue Bombers over the past few weeks and for good reason. With four straight losses, they haven’t been very good.

However, the team does have a core of good players – Buck Pierce, Terrence Edwards, Jovon Johnson, Fred Reid – it’s just that they don’t have enough good ones to compete for a playoff spot in the improving Eastern Conference.

But hey, there’s still the crossover. Winnipeg is two points better than both 1-6 B.C. and 1-6 Edmonton in the West and there is no reason to believe that the Lions or Eskimos will win this week.

Could Sell 50,000 Tickets in Edmonton this Week

Aug. 26 — The 2-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in the midst of their bye week. They don’t practice again until the weekend.

There are only two games in the CFL in what is, officially Week 9. Both games are in the West. Tomorrow night, 6-1 Calgary plays at 1-6 B.C. at 9:30 on TSN. Casey Printers will start at quarterback for B.C. Then on Saturday, 5-2 Saskatchewan plays at 1-6 Edmonton.

Ricky Ray is healthy again and will start at QB for the Eskimos.

Roughriders fans are so excited about this game that the Eskimos who are averaging 31,000 per game have sold 45,000 tickets already. That game goes at 6 p.m., again on TSN.

Bombers Hold Upper Hand in West

Aug. 27 — The two games this week in the Western Conference could have a bearing on the playoff hopes of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Bombers are 2-6, the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Eskimos are both 1-6.

If the Bombers finish with a better record than B.C. and Edmonton, they will earn a crossover playoff spot in the West.

So while the Bombers are four points out of the playoffs in the East, they’re two points ahead in the West. If B.C. and Edmonton lose this week – as they likely will – Winnipeg will still hold the upper hand in the WESTERN Conference playoffs.

Week 9 Starts in B.C.

Aug. 27 – Week 9 in the Canadian Football League starts tonight with 6-1 Calgary at 1-6 B.C. at 9:30 on TSN. Casey Printers will start at quarterback for B.C. but that probably won’t be enough to change the fortunes of the struggling Lions.

In fact, it’s reached the point where some fans are suggesting that legendary Wally Buono step down as B.C. head coach and GM.

We aren’t sure that will change anything. In fact, the only thing that will probably make a difference is if the offensive line suddenly improves enough to give the skilled players a chance to perform.

Will this be the Vikings last shot at glory? As being a Vikings faithful follower my heart says ‘Yes!’ As a football sports bettor I would have to place the team as making the final, but again, will succumb to the better team. Favre has the heart to get them to the show, but is it enough for the defense to hold back some of the NFL’s best offensive teams like the Indianapolis Colts, or New Orleans Saints? I’m sorry to say I don’t think so.

The Steelers have shown that their backup quarterbacks could weather the first six games without Big Ben, with an impressive 24-17 win over the Giants in their latest preseason game. Roethlisberger will be suspended for the opening six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy.

As for the Detroit Lions, will M. Stafford’s arm prove that he is up to the challenge? Will the play of Drew Stanton improve this year? And can Calvin Johnson and DeDe Dorsey step up and make a run in the division. Only time will tell if this team can turn around.

It should be good year for surprise and dismal failures from various teams who are under the gun and watchful eye of management and top brass of teams that must improve this year to compete for a decent super bowl run.  We at the Runningback.com are very excited about the upcoming NFL 2010-11 season and hope that you enjoy our articles and participate in our contests and polls!

Until next time football fans… Vyos Condios!

Marvin Perreault

Runningback Editor

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

But enough about me, lets talk about important stuff like, NFL Football has returned! But, you knew that, you crazy football fanatics dont need a dumb ass like me to tell you the obvious.

Something you dont know? NFL in HD.

Shaw is now offering the Sunday Ticket on order. All 100% of the games are available in High Def. Thats right… HD.

Now for this weeks picks

SAT, AUG 21 sees
Pittsburgh at NY Giants – Take Pittsburgh, they have depth and skills.  Manning wont play, NY is coming off an emotional game that really didnt mean anything. Fireman Ed probably cares more about getting his spot back after being hosed down by a Giants fan. Take the Steelers!

Baltimore at Washington - Washington is working out the kinks but they’re not about to look bad at home.  The’ve spent toooo much money. Take the Redskins in this battle of non-playoff contenders!

Miami at Jacksonville - Some games I stay away from and this is NOT one of them.  You’ve gotta be all over this one!  Take Jacksonville at home. They have excellent depth. They’ve been practicing drills in their sleep for this game! Take the Jags in a route!

Kansas City at Tampa Bay – This is an easy pick… Tampa Bay sucks! and Kansas City isn’t any better.  I was at one KC pre-season game and the wheels fell off after a strong start. Tampa Bay should tie it up late in the game. They will then go-ahead off a KC fumble. That will setup some no-name kicker to put it into the end zone and thru the uprights for 3 points.

St. Louis at Cleveland – St Louis Rams will come out on top, this is my long shot pick. St Louis Rams win a pre-season game. Thats the headline on USA today. Front page.

Houston at New Orleans - New Orleans easy win

NY Jets at Carolina – New York Jets should take this one in a tight low scoring battle. Also known as a “boring ass game”.  You wont catch me watching this game.  Can you say boreing in HD?

Oakland at Chicago - Chicago easy at home. Watch this one, it will be good.

Detroit at Denver - Denver easy win.

Dallas at San Diego

Green Bay at Seattle

SUN, AUG 22

Minnesota at San Francisco

MON, AUG 23

Arizona at Tennessee - close one, take the Titans by 3.

Every Monday through Friday on NCI FM radio throughout Manitoba, our senior writer, Scott Taylor, provides his listeners with reports on the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Sponsored by Winnipeg-based Valour Tri-West Insurance, these reports are heard every day at 9:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. With permission, these reports will be posted daily at www.therunningback.com.

His first dispatches to this website ran on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23. It’s a short week. This week’s reports began on Monday, Aug. 9.

Bombers Run Right Out of Canad Inns Stadium

Aug. 16 — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were run right out of Canad Inns Stadium on Saturday night as the Hamilton Tiger-cats came to town, built a 31-7 lead and coasted to a 39-28 victory.

It was a score that flattered the Bombers who looked lost from the opening kickoff. However, head coach Paul laPolice has made one thing clear. With B.C. and Edmonton both at 1-6, the Bombers have the crossover playoff berth locked up at 2-5.

Of course, they’d better improve in a hurry. If you look at their schedule a 2-11 record by Oct. 1 is not out of the question.

Pre-Game Injury a Bit of a Joke

Aug. 16 — It was a bit of a joke on Saturday night when new Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Louie Sakoda was injured in the warm-ups and Mike Renaud had to do the kicking and punting. He wasn’t ready.

So yesterday, Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice went out and signed three new kickers. Three Canadians in fact, Warren Kean, Justin Palardy and Winnipegger Ryan Elaschuk will compete for the now-vacant kicking job this week.

After Saturday night’s disappointing 39-28 loss to the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Canad Inns Stadium, the 2-5 Bombers will play again on Thursday night in Montreal. They’ll need more than just a new kicker.

Bombers Could Win the Crossover, I Guess.

Aug. 17 — As the Canadian Football League heads into its two bye weeks, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers might be last in the East, but they certainly aren’t last overall.

The B.C. Lions and Edmonton Eskimos have been horrible this season and there is reason to believe that if Winnipeg can win two of their next six, they can finish the season 6-10 and that might be good enough to win the crossover playoff berth.

Of course winning two of six might not be that easy. The Bombers go to Montreal Thursday and then after the bye, they get back-to-back with Saskatchewan, go to Toronto, get Montreal back in Winnipeg and then go to B.C. for what could be a playoff showdown. This team might not win again until Oct. 11.

No Major Changes Coming Thursday Night

Aug. 17 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice says he won’t make any major changes when the Bombers face the Alouettes in Montreal on Thursday night.

Steven Jyles will start at quarterback with No. 1 Buck Pierce out for at least two more weeks, while one of the three new kickers signed after Saturday night’s disappointing loss Hamilton will make the trip to Montreal tomorrow.

That means the three Canadians brought in to compete for the job, Warren Kean, Justin Palardy and Winnipegger Ryan Elaschuk will have one more day to earn a spot on a CFL roster.

Bombers Troubles Start at Top?

Aug. 18 — There is a question here in Winnipeg that no one wants to answer. Is it true that the character of a professional sports organization starts at the top?

If it is true, the two teams that will meet at Molson Stadium tomorrow night are destined to be first and last. The Alouettes have been a Grey Cup threat for a decade. The Bombers have been to two Grey Cups but haven’t been a threat for eight of the past 10 years.

Montreal is well-run, privately owned and perennially rock solid. The Bombers are occasionally well-run, community-owned and more often than not, an also-ran. Does it start at the top? It’s certainly an interesting question. 

Bombers Head Off to Montreal

Aug. 18 — The 2-5 Winnipeg Blue Bombers boarded a plane today and headed for Montreal where tomorrow night they’ll open Week 8 in the CFL with a game against the 5-2 Alouettes.

Steven Jyles will start at quarterback while Justin Palardy will be the kicker.

Defensive end Philip Hunt told us yesterday that after taking four roughing penalties against Hamilton last week, he might have to ask Als quarterback Anthony Calvillo for permission to tackle him. The big game goes tomorrow night at 6 p.m. on TSN.

Could LaPolice Bombers Be Worse Than Kelly Bombers?

Aug. 19 — There have been big games in the recent history of the Winnipeg Football Club but tonight’s matchup with the Montreal Alouettes is right up there.

The Bombers are 2-5 after that horrendous loss at home to Hamilton last week. If the Bombers can knock off the powerful 5-2 Als at Molson Stadium tonight, then there might be some life if the Bombers after all. However, if the Bombers fall to 2-6, the whole thing could be on the verge of collapse.

After eight weeks last season, the Bombers were 3-5. The last thing this year’s team and Winnipeg’s media needs, is to be worse than Mike Kelly’s team. That would be really embarrassing.

Lots of Questions Tonight

Aug. 19 — In less than an hour, the Eastern Division’s last place Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be lined up to play the East’s first-place Montreal Alouettes on Montreal’s turf at Molson Stadium.

So here are the questions that have to be answered: Can Bombers quarterback Steve Jyles get the job done tonight? Is Justin Palardy the kicker the Bombers were after? Is that aging and yet, in many places, inexperienced defence, ready for prime time?

If the answer isn’t yes to all those questions, the Bombers could lose by five touchdowns.

Bombers Could Be Ugly 2-11 By End of September

Aug. 20 — The thought that this year’s version of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers could be 2-11 by the end of September is now legitimate.

Last night in Montreal, quarterback Steven Jyles could muster very little offence at all. He completed only 11-of-22 passes for 123 yards, watched his receivers drop balls and could put only 10 offensive points on the board as Winnipeg was blasted 39-17 by Montreal even though Anthony Calvillo injured his ribs and didn’t play the final 35 minutes of the game. In fairness, Red Reid rushed for 103 yards and Jovon Johnson was sensational, but….

The Bombers are bad. Real bad. It’s hard to see this team getting better fast enough to stop a sweep by Saskatchewan in September. 2-11 would be really ugly.

It’s Official: Bombers Now Worse Under LaPolice

Aug. 20 – It’s official. Eight weeks into the season and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers under head coach Paul LaPolice are worse than they were under Mike Kelly.

Last night, at Molson Stadium in Montreal, the Alouettes lost quarterback Anthony Calvillo to a rib injury in the first half and still whipped the Bombers 39-17. Calvillo was taken off the field on a cart and the extent of his injury is still unknown.

Winnipeg is now 2-6 on the season. Last year, with Kelly at the helm, they were 3-5 after eight weeks. What a mess.

TheRunningBack Staff

Chad Ocho Cinco, Cincinnati Bengals
“Weird morning, similar to the movie Paranormal Activity, my radio came on by itself playing a sound called boy you look good, its a sign”

Adam Schefter, ESPN Analyst
“So who in the office pool had 49ers RB Glen Coffee retiring before Brett Favre?”

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
“@DUSTINKELLER81 what movie? I’m watching A-Team. Ur hair kinda looks like rampage but w/o the mowhawk just the super tight sides!”

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
“In the training room trying to healthy!!! Hope you guys are having a great day so far! Much love to ya Faith,Focus,Finish”

Rich Eisen, NFL Network
Favre didn’t buy TV time 4 the nation to watch him spurn Kiln, Miss. RT @NigerianKing why hasn’t media ripped Favre like the way ripped LBJ?

Nick Barnett, Green Bay Packers
“At my first swine race lol”

Greg A. Bedard, JSOnline
“Stop following me man, damn! RT @NickBarnett: At the brown county fair bout to watch my first pig race lol”

Michael Jenkins
“Was just told that I’m “the only metrosexual DC sportscaster that could pull off wearing a vest.” Ummm… thank you?”

Scot Rathert, NFL Fan
“Brett Favre might be the 1st grandfather to play in the NFL. Just don’t let Adrian Peterson hold the baby..”

Matt Maiocco, 49ers Analyst
“Brian Westbrooks sits in afternoon with the so-called veteran courtesy. Adam Snyder (concussion) does not practice.”

Every Monday through Friday on NCI FM radio throughout Manitoba, our senior writer, Scott Taylor, provides his listeners with reports on the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Sponsored by Winnipeg-based Valour Tri-West Insurance, these reports are heard every day at 9:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. With permission, these reports will be posted daily at www.therunningback.com.

His first dispatches to this website ran on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23. It’s a short week. This week’s reports began on Monday, Aug. 9.

Bombers Rebuilding, Not Good Enough Yet

Aug. 9 — I love reading the comments lists at both winnipegfreepress.com and winnipegsun.com. Everybody has an answer for what ails the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but few want to admit that this re-building team (yes, rebuilding again) isn’t quite good enough yet.

Saturday night the Bombers lost 29-22 in Hamilton. The 2-4 Bombers are 2-4 for a reason. When you re-build a franchise every year or so, it takes time to build a winner and the Bombers will find themselves using the first eight to 10 weeks of a season to get their personnel arranged and their act in gear.

You hate to say give it time because it’s been 20 years, but here we go: Give it time.

Stats Are For Losers

Aug. 9 — Here’s a statistic that has to drive the Bombers coaches crazy. In the past two weeks, backup quarterback Steven Jyles has passed for 576 yards and three TDs against zero interceptions.

Trouble is, of course, the Bombers lost both those games.

It’s hoped that this week, No. 1 quarterback Buck Pierce will return to the fold. If nothing else, Pierce looks like a winner. But based on Jyles gawdy but losing numbers, who really knows.

The Last Place Bombers

Aug. 10 — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers coming off that 29-22 loss in Hamilton on Saturday night, have fallen into a last-place tie in the Eastern Division with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Both teams are 2-4 and both teams will get back at each other this Friday night when Hamilton visits Winnipeg, 7 p.m. at Canad Inns Stadium.

Yesterday, the Bombers contacted free-agent kicker Justin Medlock. Their current kicker, Alexis Serna, missed two short field goals on Saturday and is only kicking at 57 per cent. It might just be time to try someone new.

Bombers Falling Farther Behind

Aug. 10 – This was not a great weekend for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Not only did the Bombers lose 29-22 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but every other team in the East won.

On Friday night, Montreal beat Saskatchewan 30-26 to improve to 5-1 on the season while Toronto came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Edmonton 29-28. The Argos are now 4-2.

It’s been quite a start to the CFL season. There are four teams at 4-2 or better and four teams at 2-4 or worse. That’s why the Bombers really need a win at home this week. Without one, the rest of the league could get so far ahead the Blue might never catch up.

Schedule Could Kill the Bombers

Aug. 11 — The big concern for the Bombers this year is pretty simple. It’s that lousy schedule.

After playing they play the stinky Ti-Cats this Friday night at Canad Inns Stadium, the Bombers go to Montreal and then Regina. They get the Roughriders back in Winnipeg on Sept. 12, go to Toronto on the 19th and then get Montreal — on a short week — back in Winnipeg on Sept. 24.

Thanks to the schedule, it’s conceivable this Bomber team could be 3-9 before the end of September and that wouldn’t be good.

Bombers Have a New Kicker

Aug. 11 — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a new kicker. Yesterday, the Bombers released Alexis Serna and announced the signing of import kicker Louie Sakoda.

Seems neither Justin Medlock nor Nick Setta would sign with the Bombers.

Meanwhile, although head coach Paul LaPolice said no decision will be made until later in the week, Buck Pierce looked like he’ll be ready to go on Friday when the Bombers play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Canad Inns Stadium at 7:30.

Week 7 Starts Tonight

Aug. 12 — Week 7 in the Canadian Football League opens tonight with 1-5 B.C., with Jarious Jackson starting at quarterback this week, at 4-2 Saskatchewan at 8 p.m. on TSN. This is a huge game for the ions and if they fall to 1-6, as expected they will, somebody is going to be out of a job.

Friday night, 2-4 Hamilton is at 2-4 Winnipeg at 7:30 at Canad Inns Stadium and on TSN HD. There are still good seats available.

Saturday, 5-1 Montreal is at 4-2 Toronto at 6:30 on TSN and on Sunday, 1-5 Edmonton is at 5-1 Calgary at 7 p.m., again on TSN. If Edmonton loses again and falls to 1-6, head coach Richie Hall is going to be in trouble.

Kelly Was Right About Derick Armstrong

Aug. 12 — The local media loves to point out Mike Kelly’s faux pas as head coach of the Bombers last year and certainly, he made his share, but he was not wrong about Derick Armstrong.

The wide receiver quit on the Bombers last season and so Kelly did what any coach would do, he moved him out of town. After being cut by the Bombers last year, he got a call from the Toronto Argonauts, but failed the physical. So this past off-season he signed with the B.C. Lions where he was the 1-5 team’s No. 2 receiver.

Still, that wasn’t good enough. On Tuesday, he was released. 25-year-old Darius Passmore was better than Armstrong and the 31-year-old is now probably out of the game for good.

Here’s What Has to Change

Aug. 13 — Here’s what has to change from last week, if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers intend to beat the Hamilton Tiger Cats at Canad Inns Stadium tonight.

Last week at Hamilton, in a 29-22 loss, the Bombers took 13 penalties. That has to stop. The Bombers turned the ball over twice, including a fumble by quarterback Steven Jyles at the Winnipeg 27-yard line that set up the Ti-Cats winning touchdown.

Meanwhile, Alexis Serna, who was released back on Tuesday, missed two short field goals — from 28 and 32 yards — that ultimately cost Winnipeg the game. Fix all of that and the Bombers, with Buck Pierce at quarterback, should win handily tonight.

Pierce Will Start Against Hamilton

Aug. 13 — Head coach Paul LaPolice says quarterback Buck Pierce will start tonight when the 2-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the 2-4 Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Canad Inns Stadium at 7:30 this evening.

Now I’m not down on Steven Jyles, he put up some great numbers, but Jyles showed his inexperience late in games during his three starts with the club and it might have cost Winnipeg two victories. Pierce has enough experience to execute when the outcome is on the line

Winnipeg is a 2 ½-point favorite tonight for good reason and they’ll wear their spiffy retro 70s uniforms tonight.

What A Stinker

Aug. 14 — That was stinky. It was stinky early and stinky late and it left Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice with some real decisions to make.

Friday night’s football game at Canad Inns Stadium smelled funny. Hamilton 39, Winnipeg 28. In Winnipeg. A week after the Bombers should have won in Hamilton.

In four meetings during the first seven weeks of the season, the Tiger-Cats beat the Bombers three times. So now, before Labour Day, the Tiger-Cats have wrapped up the first playoff tiebreaker with Winnipeg. Throw in the fact Winnipeg is not only 2-5 on the season, but 2-2 at home and 0-3 on the road and you have a team that seems considerably worse than it was last year. And it wasn’t very good last year.

The Winnipeg media got its wish when the Bomber board of directors fired Mike Kelly, but the pleasant, new regime, the one that seems to respect the the local papers, the city’s TV stars and the club’s rightsholder, hasn’t been very successful. In fairness, it certainly didn’t help that Buck Pierce got hurt and you have to admit that injuries have definitely affected LaPolice’s plans this season, but just when it appeared that the Bombers were in a position to get to 3-4 before heading off to Montreal and Regina in successive weeks, they lay an egg at home and now there is a reason to believe that this team could be 2-11 by Oct. 1.

The Bombers are now, officially, not very good. Friday night’s game at Canad Inns Stadium was over early and all that was left by the end were a few die hard fans scattered in the stands and a head coach wondering how it could all have gone so badly.

After all, this was a Bomber team that looked good in its opener, a 49-29 shellacking of these same Tiger-Cats. Seven weeks ago this team looked pretty decent. Now, it looks like it needs a makeover. When the defence couldn’t stop Kevin Glenn, LaPolice gave up on Pierce. When the offence got going, a penalty or a turnover stopped the threat.

The Bombers did put up 290 yards passing and 121 yards rushing (with losses, 393 total yards) and four touchdowns, but Glenn threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns and more than 90 yards in penalties didn’t help the Bombers much either (Philip Hunt picked up four 15-yard penalties, himself).

It was just a lousy football game from the Winnipeg standpoint. The worst effort of the season. And now the schedule gets really difficult.

I know we’re only seven weeks in, but perhaps this team should start thinking about next year. Get rid of the old, slow guys and give the youngsters a shot right across the depth chart. Because the veteran players Paul LaPolice has been depending on, haven’t done the job.

Every Monday through Friday on NCI FM radio throughout Manitoba, our senior writer, Scott Taylor, provides his listeners with reports on the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Sponsored by Winnipeg-based Valour Tri-West Insurance, these reports are heard every day at 9:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. With permission, these reports will be posted daily at www.therunningback.com.

His first dispatches to this website ran on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23.

Week 4 In the CFL

July 22 — Week 4 in the Canadian Football League will begin on Thursday with 1-2 Hamilton at 2-1 Montreal in a game with huge implications or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Bombers should have an easy time with 0-3 Edmonton at Canad Inns Stadium on Saturday evening so if Toronto can beat B.C. at Rogers Center on Friday night and Hamilton can find a way to upset Montreal, every team in the East could be 2-2 by Sunday morning and that means it will suddenly be a 14-game season.

It’s Week 4 and the CFL is already intriguing.

Are Eskimos Better Than 0-3 Mark?

July 22 — This week’s visitors to Canad Inns Stadium can claim an honor that no tem wants to claim.

After three weeks, the Edmonton Eskimos are the league’s only winless team, currently dead last in the West Division with an 0-3 record following last Saturday’s heartbreaking 24-20 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

However, in the fourth quarter last week, the Eskimos lost two fumbles in the red zone. Granted, the Eskies haven’t won yet and shouldn’t win Saturday here in Winnipeg, but they could. The Bombers certainly can’t sleep walk through Week 4.

Most Outstanding Winners are Disconcerting.

July 23 — If you’re the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, this week’s winners of the CFL most outstanding player awards has to be a little disconcerting.

The Bombers opponents last week, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, won both offensive awards – QB Kevin Glenn as most outstanding offensive player and Dave Stala as most outstanding Canadian. Meanwhile, this week’s opponents, the Edmonton Eskimos won the other two awards – linebacker Maurice Lloyd on defence and kicker Noel Prefontaine on special teams.

It might not mean that much, but it’s still a heads up for Saturday’s game at Canad Inns Stadium.

Lulay to Start Against Toronto

July 23 — Tonight, a guy who hasn’t started a football game in three years will take the reins of the B.C. Lions when they face the Argos in Toronto.

Travis Lulay, who hasn’t started since June 3, 2007, when he played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe, will replace the injured Casey Printers in tonight’s game at Rogers Center.

Printers injured his knee in the third quarter of last Friday’s 16-12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. That means Jarious Jackson will be B.C.’s backup.  Game time is 6:30 on TSN.

Bombers Banged Up Against Esks

July 26 — Saturday, the 1-2 Winnipeg Blue Bombers will meet the 0-3 Edmonton Eskimos at Canad Inns Stadium at the rather strange starting time of 5:30.

It’s a big game for the Big Blue. It will be the second straight week in which the Bombers play a winless team. Last week, of course, they lost 28-7 in Hamilton giving the Tiger-Cats their first win of the year.

Steven Jyles will start at quarterback replacing the injured Buck Pierce, Ian Logan is still hurt and won’t start at safety, Marcellus Bowman is still a question mark at outside linebacker. Not because he’s hurt, but because he hasn’t played very well.

Bombers Can Still Compete With Jyles

July 26 — Steven Jyles has made it pretty clear that even without Buck Pierce, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will still be able to compete.

Saturday evening, Jyles completed 14-of-22 passes for 267 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also carried eight times for 63 yards and two touchdowns as the Bombers hammered the winless Edmonton Eskimos 47-21.

Granted he may have beaten a horrible team, in his home yard, but he still got the job done and that has to make head coach Paul LaPolice feel awfully good.

Few Surprises in Week 4

July 26 — It was a weekend of very few surprises in the Canadian Football League, as all four home teams won and only one of them had a struggle.

Montreal went to 3-1 with a 37-14 shellacking of 1-3 Hamilton; Toronto went to 3-1 with a 24-20 comeback win over 1-3 B.C.; 2-2 Winnipeg blasted 0-4 Edmonton; and on Saturday night, 3-1 Calgary whipped 3-1 Saskatchewan 40-20.

There are no undefeated teams remaining, but Edmonton is still winless. How long will it be before there is a coaching change in Edmonton.

Two Big Weeks Coming Up For Bombers

July 27 — The Bombers picked up a must-win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday afternoon, improving to 2-2 and remaining in the hunt for a playoff spot in the East.

Good thing, too. Because after going 2-1 at home and 0-1 on the road early this season, the Bombers will start getting tested. They go to 3-1 Calgary this Saturday and then go back to Hamilton on Aug. 7 where they lost 28-7 two weeks ago, before getting Hamilton at home on Friday, August 13.

That’s Friday the 13^th. Hope no one is superstitious.

Let’s Not Rain on the Bombers Parade

July 27 — I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but let’s the Bombers 2-2 start into perspective.

The Bombers have played three games at home this season and won two of them. They beat a team in Week 1 that is now 1-3 and they beat a team in Week 4 that was 0-3 and is now 0-4. They have been beaten by the Argos, a 3-1 team at home, and they’ve been beaten by Hamilton, a 1-3 team on the road.

It’s nice that my media colleagues are once again countin g down to a Grey Cup celebration, but let’s wait until they beat a good team before getting too crazy.

Johnson Named Player of the Week Winner

July 28 — For the third time in four weeks, a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has been named a Gibson’s Finest CFL Player of the Week. And for good reason.

Jovon Johnson fired up the Canad Inns Stadium crowd with an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that helped the Bombers pound on the Edmonton Eskimos 47-21. This is Johnson’s fourth Special Teams Player of the Week award. He previously won for his efforts last year in Weeks 14, 15 and 17.

Joe Lobendahn was named Defensive Player of the Week for Week 1, Buck Pierce was named Offensive Player of the Week in Week 2 and now it’s Jovon Johnson’s turn to shine.

Pierce Definitely Not Ready to Go

July 28 — Buck Pierce has been seen around Blue Bombers practice this week but it’s quite obvious that his knee hasn’t healed sufficiently enough for him to play in Calgary on Saturday.

Granted, the Bombers’ training staff could stick a long needle in it, freeze the knee and MAKE Pierce ready, but why risk it. Steven Jyles has proven he can lead an offence.

Pierce will heal and will return to his starter’s role, but why riosk more serious damage. I’d say the Bombers would be better off to rest Pierce for at least two more weeks and give Jyles an opportunity to become a true backup with a legitimate chance to win games when called upon.

Week 5 Opens Tonight in Montreal

July 29 — Week 5 in the CFL opens tonight and while it might appear on the surface to be a great game, I wouldn’t count on it.

Tonight 3-1 Toronto journeys to Montreal to meet the 3-1 Alouettes in a battle for first place in the East. But it’s only a battle on the surface. Montreal blasted Hamilton 37-14 at Molson Stadium last week and have gone 12-0 in that venue over the past two seasons.

Don’t bet Hamilton on our Sport Select ticket this week. Game time is 6:30 on TSN.

Jyles Will Start for Banged-Up Bombers

July 29 — Steven Jyles will make his second straight start for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week as the Bombers face the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Saturday night.

Buck Pierce is still limping around and he’s obviously not ready to go. But he’s not the only Bomber on the mend. Other injuries include defensive end Odell Willis, slotback Terrence Edwards, punter Mike Renaud and special teams star Shawn Gallant.

The banged-up Bombers will be in tough this Saturday against a great Stampeders team.

Western Conference Dregs Go Friday Night

July 30 — Tonight, it’s a battle of the CFL’s Western Conference dregs as the 1-3 B.C. Lions play the 0-4 Eskimos in Edmonton.

No one really expected the Eskimos to be much of a threat this season, but with Casey Printers at the helm of the Lions, much was expected from Wally Buono’s crew. However, a knee injury to Printers has hobbled the offence and backup Travis Lulay proved in Toronto last week that he’s not capable of putting up a lot of points.

So it’s pretty obvious now. If the winless Eskimos don’t beat the banged-up Lions tonight, expect a coaching change in Edmonton.

Huge Game for Bombers on Saturday Night

July 30 — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will start Steven Jyles at quarterback for the second time tomorrow night when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

However, the loss of No. 1 QB Buck Pierce to injury might not be as devastating as the loss of people such as Terrence Edwards, Mike Renaud and Shawn Gallant. The Bombers, who have beaten the 1-3 Tiger-Cats and 0-4 Eskimos, both at home, will play their toughest game of the year to date.

Playing it without a handful of their top players, will not make it particularly easy for Winnipeg.

Over the past 10 years, NFL teams have drafted 8 Quarterbacks first overall since 2001.

2001       Michael Vick Quarterback Virginia Tech, Drafted by: Atlanta Falcons
2002       David Carr Quarterback Fresno State, Drafted by: Houston Texans
2003       Carson Palmer Quarterback USC, Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
2004       Eli Manning Quarterback Ole Miss, Drafted by: San Diego Chargers (traded to the New York Giants)
2005       Alex Smith Quarterback Utah, Drafted by: San Francisco 49ers
2007       JaMarcus Russell Quarterback LSU, Drafted by: Oakland Raiders
2009       Matthew Stafford Quarterback Georgia, Drafted by: Detroit Lions
2010       Sam Bradford Quarterback, Oklahoma, Drafted by: St. Louis Rams

Looking at this list, you can immediately see the draft busts over the past 10 years of number 1 picks. JaMarcus Russell isn’t expected to be in Oakland for very much longer. Carson Palmer has been on a career losing team for the length of his career. Michael Vick hasn’t won a Superbowl and is only now back in the NFL. David Carr is probably working at a McDonalds and Alex Smith is putting in his resume at San Fran area Burger Kings.

Empirical evidence

In addition to empirical evidence, there are other factors to consider. Agents create hype and whip the public into a frenzy and when its time to make a selection then popularity plays a huge role in an NFL selection. Sam Bradford

Twitter Comments:

When asked what he thought of  Sam Bradford’s first overall pick Sports Illustrated Jim Trotter told TheRunningBack.com that “it’s a qb-driven league. if you feel he’s a franchise guy, you have to take him.”

@Prospektor314 “Bummed that Bradford will wear 8 with the Rams. Kenan Burton probably won’t make the squad, take the 14 from him and give it to sam!”

After much consideration,  and some reading, about Sam Bradford being one sixteenth cherokee i had to laugh.

First round quarterback draft busts

Major first round draft busts include Ryan Leaf out of Washington State who was drafted 2^nd in 1998 to San Diego. Ryan was a college stand out but just couldn’t make the difficult transition to the fast pace of the NFL. The Chargers later went on to draft Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. They have yet to win a Superbowl.

Akili Smith, Quarterback for Oregon. I know what you’re thinking, “who is this guy?” Exactly! He played for the Bengals, Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Akili had a career spanning from 1999 to around 2005.

Heath Shuler, Quarterback for Tennessee and Andre Ware, Houston and Todd Marinovich of USC also experienced the same meteoric rise and fall as Smith and Leaf.

Do you think we have it right? Comment below.