Three keys to Blue Bombers' success

During a recent four-minute radio bit, I was asked to come up with three of the most imperative, actionable items the local professional football squad needs to deliver on for a successful 2016.

While it can be difficult to sort through the chaff and identify these key kernels — as an obscene number of variables can impact a football season — it is an interesting and thought-provoking exercise.

 

It’s easiest to begin with what is sure to be a consensus factor for success for most any CFL team: the task of keeping your starting pivot clean and upright for 18 games. With all due respect to Matt Nichols — who does give the Winnipeg Blue Bombers an opportunity to win should a piece of starter Drew Willy break again — the franchise quarterback is still the quickest road to competence and to redeeming a ticket to the playoffs.

While the play of the offensive line is critical in keeping any pivot functional, the line should never carry this burden alone. If you give most defences enough of the same looks as to how and where your quarterback will operate in predictable scenarios, regardless of whom you have on your line, they will find a way to get to him.

The challenge will be as much about forcing defences to respect the run, having the entire offence understand the protection schemes, moving the pocket and changing the launch points, and having a crew of receivers that can recognize and adjust to the coverages and imbalances that occur. It all starts with the five men up front but it will take the entire unit to help keep Willy healthy.

The second core factor is the lag time it usually takes a new offence, with new players, to get up to speed. The Bombers simply don’t have the luxury of growing pains this year.

Each season, you are certain to hear defensive players play at a higher level faster than their counterparts on offence due to the different nature of these phases of football. Smart defensive co-ordinators working with a number of new players (Winnipeg’s defensive line will have three new starters) keep things simple at the beginning of the year and gradually add complexities and wrinkles. If your starting 12 on defence play fast and react instinctually, they are already three-quarters of the way to tapping their potential as a unit.

Conversely, because things such as timing, recognition and rhythm are critical for an offence to be productive (and there is a new playbook to be learned as Paul LaPolice takes over plotting the Bombers’ attack) this will be a large obstacle to surmount. Add to the equation they will be competing against some of the best defences in the CFL last year, starting in week 1, and this learning curve needs to be short and sweet — or it could be over before it begins.

Finally, the third major variable deals with the many new, high-profile players that joined in the off-season the Bombers via free agency.

From a leadership standpoint, there is a fine line between a player joining a football team and wanting to step up and lead and contribute, and a disastrous Casey Printers-type scenario (circa 2007, when he reportedly alienated three-quarters of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ room by assuming a mantle of leadership that had not yet been granted to him).

Rarely do all new additions understand the size of the contract you wield does not automatically garner you authority and a platform on a new team. When existing leadership ranks are merged with new personalities that are also used to leading the way, it is up to the head coach to clearly define roles and ensure group dynamics are as harmonious as they can be in such a testosterone-laden environment.

Outside of navigating these three ominous factors, a return to prominence for the Blue Bombers should be a piece of cake.

 

Doug Brown, once a hard-hitting defensive lineman and frequently a hard-hitting columnist, appears weekly in the Free Press.

Twitter: @DougBrown97

How can the OL not be a concern? Posters are talking about the possibility of 3 imports and it still seems like the nip is thin on experience. This raises concerns.

14 minutes ago, DR. CFL said:

How can the OL not be a concern? Posters are talking about the possibility of 3 imports and it still seems like the nip is thin on experience. This raises concerns.

3 imports wouldn't be the end of the world.  I'm more concerned about having a capable line than loading it up with Canadians.  There is enough roster flexibility to start a Canadian as a second receiver, linebacker, or defensive back if we want to put a third import on the OL.

13 hours ago, Zontar said:

If Bombers are still flying high by LD Brown will be writing how difficult it is to deal with high expectations and pressure to win all the time. A winning record also leads to being over-rated and undeserved hype.

This is so very true.

13 hours ago, Atomic said:

3 imports wouldn't be the end of the world.  I'm more concerned about having a capable line than loading it up with Canadians.  There is enough roster flexibility to start a Canadian as a second receiver, linebacker, or defensive back if we want to put a third import on the OL.

exactly.  having to go with 3 imps is actually becoming much more common place now that D-lines are so ferocious.  I'm not really bothered by it either as long as we have capable canadians on the D-line (which i think we do) and in other spots..

 

 

1 hour ago, SPuDS said:

exactly.  having to go with 3 imps is actually becoming much more common place now that D-lines are so ferocious.  I'm not really bothered by it either as long as we have capable canadians on the D-line (which i think we do) and in other spots..

 

 

I still don't understand how they think they can start 3 Natls. on the O-line.  As soon as one of them goes down (hello Patty), they have to go shopping for a replacement as a backup even if they flip over to 3 imports.   God forbid they lose 2 Natl. O-linemen to injury.   Unless they can pick up a cast off from other teams TC's that barrel is empty. 

1 hour ago, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

I still don't understand how they think they can start 3 Natls. on the O-line.  As soon as one of them goes down (hello Patty), they have to go shopping for a replacement as a backup even if they flip over to 3 imports.   God forbid they lose 2 Natl. O-linemen to injury.   Unless they can pick up a cast off from other teams TC's that barrel is empty. 

im pretty confident its one of those pipe dreams that every team wishes for 3+ canadian o-linemen.  we are just not likely to go that route with the depth we have imo.  like you said, we are cutting it to the bone if we attempt that and then will be scrambling if (when) the injury bug hits.

The 'need' to start Canadians on the OL is a tough mindset to change 

On 4/5/2016 at 10:46 AM, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

If you give most defences enough of the same looks as to how and where your quarterback will operate in predictable scenarios, regardless of whom you have on your line, they will find a way to get to him.

Spoken like a true dlineman,unbiased of course. 

I feel like we need to get out of the mentality that a slow start would be the end of the world for this team.  With the schedule we have and the changes we've made it seems inevitable.

To me, 9-9 or 10-8 would be a good season.  And if you think about the current CFL power rankings a 9-9 team is likely to lose a lot of the games we have bunched up before Labour Day and win a lot of the ones that come after. 

 

24 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

The 'need' to start Canadians on the OL is a tough mindset to change 

it really is but in the CFL its evolve or die.  I hope we evolve lol.

20 hours ago, Zontar said:

If Bombers are still flying high by LD Brown will be writing how difficult it is to deal with high expectations and pressure to win all the time. A winning record also leads to being over-rated and undeserved hype.

I know I'm a little slow but ... Huh? 

Edited April 7, 20169 yr by J5V

16 hours ago, J5V said:

I know I'm a little slow but ... Huh? 

The cheerleaders on this forum cant possibly understand how others are skeptical of the worst run franchise in the CFL by a country mile. Imagine that.

3 minutes ago, White Out said:

The cheerleaders on this forum cant possibly understand how others are skeptical of the worst run franchise in the CFL by a country mile. Imagine that.

It's funny, because the comment he quoted wasn't even made by a Bomber fan.  Nice try, though.

Just now, Mike said:

It's funny, because the comment he quoted wasn't even made by a Bomber fan.  Nice try, though.

shall I quote the nearly dozen posts from Bomber fans?

2 minutes ago, White Out said:

shall I quote the nearly dozen posts from Bomber fans?

Regardless, what is your point.

I don't think anyone is questioning what he said, I think most of the commentary has been about how the way he goes about expressing it was so very "Doug Brown-ish"

On 4/5/2016 at 0:04 PM, Jpan85 said:

Wonder if has Brown has any more negative takes left. Still a few columns before the season starts.

 

On 4/5/2016 at 0:11 PM, The Unknown Poster said:

Doug Brown is the smartest guy in the room.  Just ask him,

 

On 4/5/2016 at 0:20 PM, Mike said:

So tired of Doug Brown giving us his ridiculously negative take on everything.

Even when he likes something, he has to go out of his way to say 'but I don't like it THAT much'

 

On 4/5/2016 at 0:47 PM, Mr Dee said:

Oh, oh, media bashing.

Awaiting words from our resident media-defender anytime now...

 

On 4/5/2016 at 1:19 PM, Noeller said:

It's such a hipster take on things. I love DB97 as much as the next guy, but his "cool guy" negativity is beyond tiresome now...

My point, Mike, is that people are going off the rails on DB because he's "negative" and "bashing" the team. 

 

God forbid someone in the Winnipeg media isn't a cheerleader for our sports teams /sarcasm

I think it's great that someone is challenging the Bombers, would be nice to see someone in Winnipeg grow a pair and question the Jets more and Cheveldayoff and his snake oil.

Just now, White Out said:

My point, Mike, is that people are going off the rails on DB because he's "negative" and "bashing" the team. 

God forbid someone in the Winnipeg media isn't a cheerleader for our sports teams /sarcasm

I think it's great that someone is challenging the Bombers, would be nice to see someone in Winnipeg grow a pair and question the Jets more and Cheveldayoff and his snake oil.

I got your point. Nobody even accused Brown of bashing the team, it's just his incredibly negative outlook on everything. Is it prevalent in this specific article compared to some of the other ones he has written? No. But I just really can't stand his writing style. Hence my comments.

Then again, it's no wonder you're supportive of DB97 - you're cut much from the same "everything is awful" cloth, based on what I've seen from your commentary.

I have no problem with media being "honest" even if its negative.  Blake Wheeler once stopped speaking to Gary Lawless over something he wrote (I dont know if the cone of silence is still in place).  And Gary is often negative.

Doug Brown just rubs me the wrong way.  I havent listened to him for a while because when I did I could barely last ten minutes.  Just seems like a very egotistical guy.  There is a difference between presenting topics for relevant discussion and presenting an aura of "If everyone would listen to me, they'd be so much more successful".

But there are media (and people in life) who realise that they get more attention for negative than positive.  And Doug seems to be one of those guys that craves the attention.

Just now, Mike said:

I got your point. Nobody even accused Brown of bashing the team, it's just his incredibly negative outlook on everything. Is it prevalent in this specific article compared to some of the other ones he has written? No. But I just really can't stand his writing style. Hence my comments.

Then again, it's no wonder you're supportive of DB97 - you're cut much from the same "everything is awful" cloth, based on what I've seen from your commentary.

I actually laughed a little out loud while reading this. We're an awful organization right now. Just awful. Longest Cup drought in the CFL spanning a quarter century. You can say I'm being negative but I'm just a mirror for the reality we live in as Bomber fans. I'm a realist.  

56 minutes ago, White Out said:

 

 

 

 

My point, Mike, is that people are going off the rails on DB because he's "negative" and "bashing" the team. 

 

God forbid someone in the Winnipeg media isn't a cheerleader for our sports teams /sarcasm

I think it's great that someone is challenging the Bombers, would be nice to see someone in Winnipeg grow a pair and question the Jets more and Cheveldayoff and his snake oil.

lol - uh have you been watching this franchise for the past decade? Media not being a cheerleader is refreshing for you????? Who the **** is the bombers cheerleader in the media, besides the guy they pay?

I guess it hasn’t been made clear enough that it’s not his negativity that gets under the skin of some people. It’s how he presents it. Even when he’s on the radio and talking about the good aspects of this team, or defending them. I honestly can’t listen to guy for more than a minute (he never talks for less than a minute if given the chance) cause he just talks and talks and talks about nothing at all. Or just repeats himself and his point in different ways. He’s comes off as someone who just likes to hear himself speak. Which I personally find very annoying. I also work with a guy like this, and he extends meetings for no damn reason all the time! It’s the worst!

2 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

lol - uh have you been watching this franchise for the past decade? Media not being a cheerleader is refreshing for you????? Who the **** is the bombers cheerleader in the media, besides the guy they pay?

Quoting because it deserves to be said one more time. Really, who is pumping the Bomber's tires other than Darren Cameron and devoted fans cheerleaders like us?

I miss Ed Tait. Someone who could write without having to take a negative angle at every turn.

1 hour ago, White Out said:

I actually laughed a little out loud while reading this. We're an awful organization right now. Just awful. Longest Cup drought in the CFL spanning a quarter century. You can say I'm being negative but I'm just a mirror for the reality we live in as Bomber fans. I'm a realist.  

Maybe, but your consistent sentiments like above really come across as, 'Whose my favorite Team? 'My favorite team is a team that wins all the time'.

Yes, we all are frustrated, impatient, provide critique/opinions  and want our team to win, but we also balance that with being ardent supporter that will defend this team anywhere, anytime. The Bombers could go 0 and 18 and I would still wear our colors proud and loud. 

3 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

Maybe, but your consistent sentiments like above really come across as, 'Whose my favorite Team? 'My favorite team is a team that wins all the time'.

GO JETS GO!

1 hour ago, White Out said:

shall I quote the nearly dozen posts from Bomber fans?

Boy, did you ever not make your point with the nearly dozen or so posts from Bomber fans.

And thanks for that classic "I'm a realist" line. That's always a beaut..

All I know, People can put "fans" in to different groups all they want but at the end of the day, I'd rather talk football with people who aren't negative all the time, I mean, personally, I'm not a big fan of negativity, I don't really see the point of it, I don't see the need for it, I don't think it helps and just my opinion but i think people who need to be negative all the time have some serious issues with their life cuz how can things really be that bad always. I've always been under the impression that sports in general, hockey,soccer,football, whatever really,Golf, curling, name it, There are no guarantees ever, As a fan, all we can really do is hope for the best and hope our favorite teams or player does well, if not? Oh well right, there's always next time. After all, It's just sports and while i enjoy sports, The bombers or Jets for that matter winning or losing, yeah it's better when they are winning but if they lose, the fact is, just like if they win, tomorrow is a new day and the sun will likely rise. 

Yeah people can be all negative all the time, whatever, go ahead, doesn't really bother me but For the life of me, I've never understood how people could be negative about things ALL THE TIME. It makes no sense. Things are never as bad as it seems to be, I mean i don't want to go there but... when you really think about it in the big picture, The bombers or Jets losing? Yeah it sucks but... you know what, at least we have teams to cheer for, at least i can go outside and not get shot or bombed lol, sometimes perspective on life in general is needed, Sports is great but it's entertainment really and quite frankly, if you aren't entertained by it or it causes you stress and to be so negative all the time, why are you watching it? Sports man, the one guarantee about all sports is there are no guarantees. Who knows what could happen. It's actually what makes sports so great actually, Cuz you never know whats gonna happen. 

 

And to bring this back on Topic, Doug Brown, well he comes across as someone who is negative for the sake of being negative, Unless old Mr Brown actually believes he has all the answers to everything, which wouldn't surprise me in the least. The guy talks down to people constantly and his act has grown a little old. 

 

Doug Brown was a good football player, but just because he was a good football player... It doesn't mean he's a good "writer" or whatever his job title is. 

Edited April 8, 20169 yr by Goalie