Preseason Blues End for Bombers
The Blue Bombers dropped their second preseason game 31-10 at home against the Calgary Stampeders.
It was raucous crowd of 24,297 to see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their final game of the preseason. Fans were mostly unphased by the second preseason loss. As with the first preseason game the Bombers rested the starting roster for the most part, letting the rookies and backups prove themselves.
After Terry Wilson went 5/7 to start, passing for just 34 yards it was a forgettable first half for the Blue Bomber offense. Darren Grainger completed 1 of 6 passes for 13 yards. Grainger was sacked in the endzone with 1:39 remaining in the first half, giving up the safety and giving Calgary the 8-7 lead. Jamieson Shaehan punted 7 times, averaging 38.3 yards per.
Terry Wilson played the entire second half after Grainger left the game injured. Terry finished the game 10 of 17 for 70 yards with 2 picks. While he threw two interceptions it is worth noting the second came on a tipped ball along the sideline. He rushed the ball __ and was sacked twice. Terry had a good carry up the middle called off after a holding call against Winnipeg.
Granger in to start the second quarter for Winnipeg, missing his first target but carrying the second play 8 yards, sending Sheahan out for his 5th punt of the game with 12:47 left in the half, his 7th just before the 3-minute warning.
Special Teams Magic
A 57-yard punt from Grace bounced over Cruickshank’s head, him catching it at the 5, nearly running into his own endzone as Calgary’s coverage fell on him. Chris Smith fielded the next punt return from the Blue Bomber 1 yard line, taking it the distance to a chorus of Bomber fans. The 109-yard return put the first points on the board for the Blue Bombers, giving them the 7-6 lead.
After a fumbled snap to punter Mastrogiuseppe at 9:40 of the third quarter, he danced and dodged the ensuing Calgary defenceman and took off 28 yards to bring the Blue Bombers to the Calgary 35 yard line, their best field position all day. The drive ended with a field goal by Castillo.
The absence of Janarion Grant has the Bombers looking for a number one returner. On the day Christopher Smith brought back 2 punts for 113 yards. Aron Cruickshank returned 2 punts for 1 yard and 2 kickoffs for 36 yards.
The day after the game Smith was cut from the final roster.
Josh Vann took a punt back more than 30 yards but was called off after a litany of flags hit the field for various offensive infractions by the Blue Bombers; an illegal block to Russell Dandy Jr and Lucky Ogbevoen. On the books Vann had 1 punt return for 3 yards.
For anyone who bought a ticket it was a painful game to watch. It won’t be long until the Bombers have two quarterbacks in a game but it will hopefully be the last time they combine for less than a hundred yards. The Stampeders tore the defence apart, with 380 passing yards and 143 total rushing yards. If any such performance happens in the regular season fans are sure to panic. Rest assured, the starting line up in the regular season is Goliath compared to what we’ve seen these past few weeks.
The Blue Bombers will start their regular season June 6th when they host a rematch of the 2023 Grey Cup as the Alouettes head to the prairies.