{"id":871523,"date":"2026-08-26T00:52:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/871523\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T00:52:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T00:52:11","slug":"red-zone-trials-winnipeg-blue-bombers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/871523\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Zone Trials – Winnipeg Blue Bombers"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a gazillion different metrics the Canadian Football League uses to measure offensive production and efficiency, but the most revealing might just be the simplest:<\/p>\n

When a team gets inside an opponent\u2019s red zone \u2014 the 20-yard line and in \u2014 how often is the offence in punching the ball past the goal line for a touchdown? And to be quite honest, it\u2019s an area that still needs some significant work for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, now 5-5 overall through 10 games this season.<\/p>\n

The key numbers, as evidence:<\/p>\n

Winnipeg has 13 red zone touchdowns \u2013 last in the league, with Hamilton and Ottawa the next lowest at 17
\nWinnipeg has 29 red zone opportunities \u2013 8th, with Hamilton last at 27
\nWinnipeg has 62 red zone plays in total \u2014 last in the league, with Ottawa first at 91<\/p>\n

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We could go deeper with this, but you get the gist: Winnipeg\u2019s offence, ranked seventh overall in average points scored at 24.7, is struggling to finish and too often settling for short Sergio Castillo field goals. That was certainly the case in last week\u2019s 22-19 loss to the Edmonton Elks when the Blue Bombers made three trips to the red zone and came away with zero touchdowns, marking the first time this season they hung up a bagel from the opponent\u2019s 20-yard line and in, including settling for a Sergio Castillo 15-yard field goal after failing twice with passes from the seven, getting nada on a third-and-three gamble from Edmonton\u2019s five on the next possession and then taking another Castillo 20 yarder when the team failed on a second and five from the Elks\u2019 12.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels great being able to march down there like that but, of course, it always comes down to execution,\u201d explained receiver Tim White, who has five touchdowns overall and two of the 13 in the red zone. \u201cWe had man coverage on the third-down gamble, and we\u2019ve just got to execute better, set guys up in positions. We haven\u2019t done that yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s literally right there for us and we\u2019ve just got to continue to take our shots. I love when that when it was third down, we went for it with coach giving us an opportunity. We\u2019ve just got to maximize when we get down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other basic number here is this: Winnipeg\u2019s 29 red zone opportunities \u2014 again, ranked eighth overall \u2014 pales in comparison to Edmonton\u2019s 42, the most. More red zone opportunities = more opportunities to get out of this funk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout a doubt we\u2019ve got to stay on the field more,\u201d said White. \u201cYou look at that last game and the second half (when the club had just two first downs and 19 net yards of offence) that\u2019s a fault of our own. We have to be better on first down. We have to execute better. We need to take all this information we\u2019re gathering and put it on the field and be better.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve just got to keep taking shots.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The information gatherer and play caller is offensive coordinator Tommy Condell and in his session with the media on Tuesday attempted to explain his unit\u2019s inconsistency.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou always want to score touchdowns. Period. End of story,\u201d Condell said. \u201cWe have to look at it from that. I don\u2019t think you can ever go through a game and sit there and you don\u2019t score and then the frustration (takes over). If you\u2019re leading with frustration or coaching through frustration, you\u2019re wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 We\u2019ve got to be able to learn from it. I\u2019ve got to be able to communicate the execution and what the problem was, and we need to go forward. If I go out there with a frustrated mindset or anything like that, that would be wrong. I want them to play with freedom, let\u2019s make sure we\u2019re physical and violent and let\u2019s go. Let\u2019s go and let\u2019s be able to attack and not sit back and be scared of an execution problem. You can\u2019t play like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Condell\u2019s full interview is here:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

OUCH REPORT: Safety Redha Kramdi practised for a second day while LT Stanley Bryant was also back at his post. RB Brady Oliveira and SB Nic Demski were spectators while DB Deatrick Nichols, injured in the loss to Edmonton, was absent \u2014 although head coach Mike O\u2019Shea didn\u2019t rule him out for Friday\u2019s game against Montreal.<\/p>\n

The daily injury report is here:<\/p>\n

Injury Report: August 25, 2026#ForTheW<\/a> | @DoctorsManitoba<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YgEq7auEm6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) August 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

THE COACH SAYS: Mike O\u2019Shea\u2019s full interview is here:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

ICYMI: Another sensational conversation on our latest edition of The Huddle today, this one featuring Sergio Castillo. It\u2019s worth the watch if you can find the time and check it out here:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n