From the Lark's Nest

Well, the 6 game losing streak is over.......barely.

That was one interesting match.  The beginning did not give me much confidence.  Winnipeg's first possession looked a lot like the previous game; a well-controlled march downfield resulting in them having a 7-0 lead.  Glenn looked good on that drive, our defence didn't, particularly.

So I was thinking that our first possession would be critical.  Our team had to have a fragile psyche going in, being on the six game losing skid, and the Bombers' scoring on their opening drive wouldn't have helped any.  I think the coaching staff realised that.

So what did we do?  Well, on a third down punt, we faked it and Stala threw to Davis, complete, drive stays alive.  We then stall again and line up for a field goal, and bingo we fake that too, and Lapointe (barely; Cahoon's toss was behind him but thankfully he fell on it) gets us the first down and the drive continues, eventually resulting in a TD.

Now, if we hadn't run those two fakes and been successful, we may have just collapsed, given how fragile our psyche must have been.  So full marks to the coaching staff for having the balls to try two fakes on the same drive, and full marks to the team for carrying them both off.  No coaching complaints this week!

As for the rest of the game, there were things to like and things not to like.

Good things were the return of Robert Edwards and a running game, the continued improvement of O'Neil Wilson, the athleticism and effort of Anwar Stewart, and a much better game from Calvillo than we've seen recently.

Not to like? Cheap call on Sanchez twice (the 'interference' call was bogus, yes he touched the helmet but he didn't "Interfere" with the receiver's attempt to get to the pass; and then the silly taunting call).  Frankly I'm at a loss to understand the taunting call; many players after catching a pass for over 10 yards get up and make the first down signal; that's never called taunting, so why is Sanchez called for celebrating the fact that we've held the opponent to a field goal?  Your guess is as good as mine.

I'm also still not sold on the changes to the O-line.  Allen does not seem to me to be that much of an upgrade on Okeke, and at the other takle spot Fritz simply takes way too many bonehead penalties for my liking.

But let's not get too critical....when you've lost 6 in a row, any win is welcome.

Up next is Saskatchewan.  In their park.  On Friday the 13th.

Should be a good read as to whether we are back in form or not.  The 'riders are an inconsistent team this year, playing an excellent game one day, and then laying an egg the next time out.  They lost their last game to the Eskimos, so look for them to come out flying this time.  We'd better be ready.