Published Aug 13, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The most anemic passing attack in the CFL is beginning to draw some heat.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. 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Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Inquiring minds on radio call-in shows and at Winnipeg Blue Bombers practices are wondering if first-year offensive coordinator Jason Hogan is being out-coached by defensive coordinators around the league.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Running back Brady Oliveira, one of Hogan\u2019s most ardent supporters, brought up the play calls on his own in a media scrum this week.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever the play that\u2019s called, I don\u2019t care what it is, we need to go out there and execute it,\u201d Oliveira said. \u201cAnd all be on the same page. He\u2019s a first-year OC. There\u2019s going to be growing pains. That\u2019s why he has a staff around him to support him, and us as players as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Oliveira went on to say he\u2019ll \u201cstand on the table\u201d for his former running backs coach.<\/p>\n After a 3-0 start that saw the Bombers average some 32 points per game, they\u2019ve lost four of their last five while averaging less than 20.<\/p>\n The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Their 247 yards passing per game is the league\u2019s low-water mark going into Thursday\u2019s home game against Ottawa.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been great glimpses of him as a play-caller,\u201d Oliveira said. \u201cAnd maybe some that aren\u2019t so great. But there\u2019s going to be ups and downs, and we all need to support him and have his back and understand that we\u2019ll be OK. He\u2019ll get through this.\u201d<\/p>\n When plays don\u2019t work and losses pile up, offensive players have to resist the urge to second-guess what they\u2019re being asked to do.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not really our job,\u201d quarterback Zach Collaros said. \u201cIf you\u2019re focusing on that in the game, it\u2019s going to be a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Collaros says he\u2019s spoken with Redblacks quarterback and former teammate Dru Brown about this very issue.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s OK to question the calls later, just not during live action.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever happened in the last play, or if there\u2019s any kind of doubt, it\u2019s not a bad thing to acknowledge that,\u201d Collaros said. \u201cBut then you\u2019ve got to be able to move on from it in one or two seconds. We really preach, and I\u2019ve always been taught, the next play is the most important play. Snap and clear\u2026 it\u2019s probably why I don\u2019t show too much emotion.\u201d<\/p>\n Passing drought<\/p>\n While the Bombers remain the league\u2019s No. 1 running team with 119 yards per game, they got just their third 100-yard receiving performance of the season last week in Calgary, and it came from Oliveira.<\/p>\n The most notable drop in production has come from Keric Wheatfall, who averaged better than 90 yards through the first three games, just 24 over the last five.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Wheatfall says being part of an offence ranked dead-last in passing gets his attention.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look at it as a receiver, and it brings fire to your body\u201d he said. \u201cYou know you can do more, and you can\u2019t really control it. But you\u2019ve got to control what you can control. Go out there and play ball. We\u2019re better (than that). Hopefully this week we can make the big plays like we all talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n Losing Dalton Schoen to injury hasn\u2019t helped.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n ‘Bittersweet moment’: Blue Bombers hand pink slip to veteran Mike Benson<\/p>\n![\"Bombers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/oliveira.jpg\")
Calgary Stampeders defence stop Winnipeg Blue Bombers Brady Oliveira in first half CFL action at McMahon stadium in Calgary on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Oliveira gained 146 all-purpose yards\u201456 yards on the ground and 90 through the air in the first half. Oliveira\u00a0totaled just four yards rushing and 10 receiving yards in the second half. The Bombers lost 28-27 to the Stampeders. \u00a0 Photo by Darren Makowichuk\/Postmedia \/Winnipeg SunArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.2.5\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-wsun-new.svg\"){kind=logo}
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