That's right, a new regular feature! (until enough people complain and it gets banned) Where I make a sizzling hot take on Bomber-relevant topics, and then watch as all your socks are knocked off by my incredible insight.  So without further adieu...

 

 

The running game in the CFL is pretty much meaningless.

 

There's been a lot of talk about how the Bombers can't be a truly great (or good) team while their running game is struggling.  To that I say, nonsense.  I think that if you break a team down into these components: passing, running, pass defense, run defense, special teams - the least important of all those are running (and as a result run defense is a tie or close second).

 

Seems to me that the good teams in the CFL ALWAYS have a great passing game, and sometimes a good ground game comes as a result of that, and sometimes not.  Doesn't really matter either way (although of course it's nice to be able to have success running the ball too).  You never see a good team that's great at running the ball, with a bad passing attack.

 

So as long as Grigsby and the rest of the offense are able to punch it in for TDs in the red zone (iffy so far), and he is getting yards through the air as well as decent numbers on the ground (yes), then we shouldn't stress out too much about his numbers simply carrying the ball.

 

Discuss.

 

Tune in tomorrow for: Rider Fans: Really Annoying, or Really Annoying and Inbred?

You put a ton more pressure on a D, with the capability to both run and pass.....much bigger playbook, and they can set each other up, depending on personnel and opponent......

However with all that being said, i remember a couple seasons ago, our last playoff victory in winnipeg i believe, vs hamilton, chris garrett ran the ball down their throats and basically we won the game cuz hamilton couldn't stop him. I guess in the CFL, it is a passing league but at times, later in the year when it gets colder, a good running game can win you games. 

Coupled with the most anemic offensive performance I'd seen in a while on Hamilton's part. 

 

That game was freezing!  Had to drink a lot to keep warm....

 

However with all that being said, i remember a couple seasons ago, our last playoff victory in winnipeg i believe, vs hamilton, chris garrett ran the ball down their throats and basically we won the game cuz hamilton couldn't stop him. I guess in the CFL, it is a passing league but at times, later in the year when it gets colder, a good running game can win you games. 

Coupled with the most anemic offensive performance I'd seen in a while on Hamilton's part. 

 

That game was freezing!  Had to drink a lot to keep warm....

 

And there might have been poisonous snakes in the vicinity!

The run game isn't meaningless. Most of the offensive lines in the CFL can't run block.

I'm surprised the OP has not deleted this thread after last nights game

I'm surprised the OP has not deleted this thread after last nights game

 

Haha. I was actually thinking about that this morning. Thanks Bombers.

 

Maybe I already tried to stick this caveat in earlier, but I guess when your running game is completely nonexistant, then it actually can hurt you.

BUT, I just want to point out that even with absolutely zero running attack the Bombers very likely still would have won if you just take away either Willy's fumble or the pick six, or if Kuale had held on to that interception.  And even with Messam running the ball down their throat for half the game, their offense only scored 10 points. Some of which were turnover aided.

 

So maybe that game actually proved me right!

When u think about it both offenses were horrible but that Sask running game...

 

The good news is Ford might be coming back after Messams play That guy is Mike Sellers reborn.

I thought Willy passed the ball quite well actually, until it fell apart at the end.

 

To put up over 300 yards again when your running game is absolutely no threat at all is pretty impressive to me.

 

And again, Messam's 130 yards led to almost no points. They needed a passing attack to finish drives, and they didn't have it.  I'm encouraged by last night's game.

The run game isn't meaningless. Most of the offensive lines in the CFL can't run block.

 

 

why is that? 

Why can't teams run block? The Canadian talent base of o lineman has been so seriously diluted there aren't enough quality players to fill spots. The net result is poor run blocking, some suspect pass pro and QB s are going to get injured.

Why would you hit with your left hand if your right hand is stronger?

 

If you only ever hit with your right hand it gets pretty easy to block the punches.

 

 

 

I'm surprised the OP has not deleted this thread after last nights game

 

Haha. I was actually thinking about that this morning. Thanks Bombers.

 

If you do one thing extremely well, you always have a chance.

 

The Riders run-block extremely well.

 

Despite the interceptions and drives that didn't drive far enough, there is a decent case to be made from last night's game that the Bombers pass extremely well.  Willy faced pressure that was off the charts.  He didn't have a clean pocket all game.  It wasn't easy, certainly wasn't flawless, but he slogged his way through what should have been a disaster and managed to complete a decent percentage of his passes.  And a lot of them he just threw away.  I think he threw away as many passes last night as the rest of the season, and he hasn't been shy to do that.  Wish he'd done it on that 2nd and 5.

 

Here's what I like about Willy.  Last night there was a play where he was under tremendous pressure, just as he was every snap.  He managed to roll out to his left and escape two players who had a grip on his jersey.  He got to the outside, looked downfield, and then just threw it away.  Last year, if Hall had done the same thing, that ball would have been forced into triple coverage.  I guess his thought process was "That was the start of a highlight reel play, now let's make the ending!".  Willy gets that not every down gives you a chance to win the game.

 

Until the last 2 minutes last night.

 

Guess he wanted to beat his old team pretty badly.  That was a poor decision.