If quarterback Buck Pierce’s health was important to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before the start of the season, it’s crucial now.
Backup quarterback Joey Elliott suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Bombers’ 21-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last weekend. Elliott came into the game in the second half after Pierce was knocked out with a bruised thigh.
Pierce is expected to start Saturday afternoon when the Bombers (2-1) visit the Toronto Argonauts (1-2) at Rogers Centre. But with Elliott sidelined, the backup duties will be handled by former Washington State player Alex Brink.
Brink did see some action with Winnipeg last year, but completed just 15-of-40 passes (37.5 per cent) with one interception and no TDs.
Injuries are a concern regarding Pierce, who played in just five games last year due to knee and elbow ailments. Pierce has remained upright this season, but given the precarious nature of the club’s quarterback depth it will be interesting to see if he can do so for the rest of the year.
Winnipeg has enjoyed a solid start to the season, standing second in the East Division behind the defending Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes (3-0). But the biggest reason for the Bombers’ turnaround – the club posted a league-worst 4-14 record last year – has been the play of its stellar defence.
The Bombers lead the CFL in fewest points allowed (17.7 per game), fewest yards allowed (276) and sacks (13).
Pierce, on the other hand, has struggled. He has completed just 55 per cent of his passes (42 of 76) for 465 yards and has twice as many interceptions (four) as TD passes (two).
And Winnipeg is last overall in the CFL in passing (184 yards per game).
But as dismal as all that sounds, the Bombers are infinitely better with Pierce than they’d be without him.
Other points to consider this week include:
WINLESS RIDERS
They’ve lost three straight and are coming off a dismal performance in Hamilton. And the situation doesn’t get any easier for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Riders (0-3) are in Montreal on Sunday to face the high-flying Alouettes (3-0). It’s the second meeting of the season for the two teams as the Als beat Saskatchewan 39-25 at Mosaic Stadium on July 9.
Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo was the story of that game, throwing five touchdown passes to move to within one of Damon Allen’s all-time record. Calvillo eclipsed Allen’s mark with two TD strikes in last week’s 40-17 victory over Toronto, boosting his total to 396 and counting.
The matchup certainly favours Calvillo and Co. Saskatchewan’s defence is giving up a league-high 38 points per game and its three sacks is a CFL low. Both are hardly comforting stats heading into a game against one of the best CFL quarterbacks ever.
BATTLE OF ALBERTA
The Edmonton Eskimos (3-0) are the CFL’s feel-good story, atop the West Division with a first-year head coach (Kavis Reed) and a young roster.
But after opening with wins over Saskatchewan, Hamilton and B.C., this will be an early test for the upstart Eskimos.
Calgary posted a league-best 13-5 record last season and last weekend rallied for a 21-20 win over a stubborn Winnipeg squad. Quarterback Henry Burris was the CFL’s outstanding player last season and thus far has completed 59 per cent of his passes for 774 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.
However, Burris does have the ability to take over a game and keep a defence guessing with his mobility.
Edmonton’s defence has been sound thus far, allowing a paltry 18.3 points per game and just one rushing TD.
An even more intriguing matchup will be Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray against Calgary’s defence. Ray has been sensational, completing 72 per cent of his passes with six TDs and no interceptions.
And it’s no coincidence either that Edmonton’s Fred Stamps leads the CFL in receiving with 17 catches for 316 yards and two TDs. Calgary counters with the league’s stingiest pass defence (50.5 per cent completion average) and a unit that’s allowing just 317 total yards per game.
CAT FIGHT
It’s not hard to figure why the B.C. Lions (0-3) are winless. The club sports the CFL’s worst rushing attack (52.7 yards per game) and a defence allowing a league-high 428 yards and 9.3-yard average gain per pass.
Youngster Travis Lulay is the CFL’s third-leading quarterback with 958 yards but has a 52 per cent completion average. It’s not hard to imagine that figure improving dramatically if B.C. had a run game that could keep rival defences honest.
On Friday night, the Lions look for their first win of the season against a Hamilton squad coming off a stellar defensive performance. The Ticats (1-2) forced six turnovers and narrowly missed recording their first shutout since 1974 in a 33-3 home win over Saskatchewan.
The Ticats’ defence is tied with Toronto and Winnipeg for fewest passing TDs surrendered (two) and is second overall in fewest TDs given up (four). Hamilton has also posted eight sacks, second only to Winnipeg.
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