I’m not gonna lie. This was an interesting one leading up to this game with a lot of players from both teams being listed as “questionable”. But now that we have the final depth charts, I feel ready and confident to let you know who I think has the edge in this game and why.
But before we look at who’s out and who’s in for both teams, let’s look at the questionable list leading up to the release of these depth charts.
Questionable Lists
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Those are some serious issues for the Bombers depending on who is in. And remember, just because some of these players may be listed on the depth chart does not mean that they are 100%. In fact, I can guarantee that they are not 100%. So the Bombers are going to have to hope that they do net get injured any further.
I was critical of the Bombers use of the run game, after their last loss. But what I learned after the fact was that Brady Oliveira, after his big run, was having his leg worked on after every offensive series on the Bombers sideline. A friend of mine who sits on that side of the field clued me into that.
But I believe that I was still right to be critical of the Bombers lack of run game. It’s not like this was an isolated incident. This has been a trend for a couple of years and it’s not like this was only under this offensive coordinator.
If Brady is banged up and he can’t run the ball, the Bombers sure need to find someone else who can or have someone else who can. If not, we will continue to see their opponents pin back their ears and pass rush like crazy against a porous Winnipeg offensive line.
The BC Lions have so many injuries that one commenter on their social media said, “Please publish the active roster. It’ll be shorter.” Ouch! But they may be right. It is not that often that 2 days before the game (that is when this injured list was published) all these players are listed as “Out”.
With that, let us take a look at the actual depth charts.
Depth Charts
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Going through the list of those marked questionable, and then comparing it to the Bombers’ depth chart, here is where we are sitting.
Marked As Questionable, And Now Out
*Jarell Broxten
*Brody Clark
*De’Shann Dixon
That is not a lot of players that are out. But it does mean that the following players will be in, but were not healthy enough to participate in every practice.
Stanly Bryant
Micah Vanterpool
Brady Oliveira
Nic Demski
Jaiden Woodbey
Nick Hallett
That means that the Bombers have 2 players banged up that are playing on the offensive line, their star running back and slotback who also runs the ball (Demski) are not 100%, a linebacker, and a safety are not in top shape. That is problematic for a lot of reasons. Winnipeg has not been protecting their quarterback well, and even when healthy Bryant has struggled. We all know the best way to slow down the pass rush is to run the ball. And even if the Bombers finally decided to run the ball more, Oliveira and Demski are both not at 100%. Then there is the defence that has left receivers wide open in numerous games, and one of their linebackers, and one of their safety’s are not in top notch shape. That proves to be a challenge for both the offense and the defence for the Bombers
And finally, of course you have the guys that are not on either of these lists as they are already on the 6-Game Injured list: Collaros, Allen, Kramdi, Lawson, Santos-Knox.
BC Lions
I much prefer the format the Bombers use for the pictographic. But regardless I will break this down.
Marked As Questionable, And Now Out
*James Butler
If you go back to their injury list, the Lions are riddled with injuries!
Their starting quarterback is out and now they are onto their number 3 quarterback. Their star running back is out. They best receiver, or second best receiver (Cottoy) is out. The Lions have two players on their offensive line that are out, and three defensive backs that are out.
So Who Has The Edge?
That is what the CFL Writer’s think. And you know what? I tend to agree with them…but.
Before I get to the “but,’ here is why I agree with them. I do not think the Bombers have played up to their level yet. I think Brown is better than what he has shown in the last two games. I think the Bombers’ offensive play calling is going to have learned from the last game. And I believe that the Lions have more key injuries than the Bombers. I full expect the Bombers to rush and blitz like crazy. And if they do, and if they sack the quarterback, and/or tackle players for losses, then fans will absolutely go banana bonkers! It will be a very tough and long night for the BC Lions quarterback.
Here are Kaidon Salter’s numbers this season.
I mean, the average is not bad…but it is a really small sample size.
By now you have probably heard that Salter’s cousin is former BC Lions’ quarterback Casey Printers. But is he really? In an interview Salter said, “I didn’t recognize he played here until we were in the offensive staff room and the coach brought up Casey Printers. I said: ‘Hold up. Isn’t he my cousin?” Wait, what? You do not know if he is your cousin. Maybe someone has the inside track on this, I would like to know. Is this like a 3rd cousin 5 times removed type of thing?
Look, I am not going to make too much of the cousin thing right now. I have cousins that can do all kinds of things I suck at.
Here is my one concern, and maybe it is just a confirmation bias (remembering more often information that confirms our existing beliefs) but it is that Winnipeg’s defence makes young and inexperienced quarterbacks look really good. And then the following week when the Bombers’ opposing quarterback plays someone else…they look terrible. Tell me if I am wrong?
Yet, I expect the Bombers to win this one, it just might be closer than fans would like or feel comfortable with.
Final Thoughts
If the Bombers lose, scratch everything I just said, they are in trouble and should immediately hit the panic button. THE END.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.