When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers looked at the schedule for 2012, they no doubt had a very different vision as to how things were going to shape up heading into the last week of July.
The Bombers had heavily weighed their schedule for road games in the first month of the season, anticipating taking delivery of their new home in time for the home opener of tonight against the Edmonton Eskimos.
As things have turned out the Stadium isn't ready, still under construction as a matter of fact and some might say the same could be said about the Blue Bombers.
This has been a horrid start for the defending Eastern Champions, a team far removed from their Grey Cup appearance of last November.
Injuries of course have played a part, the never ending cycle of woe for Buck Pierce continues on into 2012, a string of injuries that have many wondering if he hasn't lost his starters job for good. If so, not many are sold it seems on Alex Brink being the one take the torch, Brink who has been pressed into service through July has struggled to generate offence, though head coach Paul LaPolice isn't going to be the one to throw him under the bus.
Larger issues for the Bombers loom, defensively they have given up too many points, while their offence of course has struggled to generate points on their side of the board. Special teams have at times let the Blue down as well, a collection of troubles that needs to be addressed by the coaching staff quickly, lest the season go to ruin before Labour Day.
Of course in the CFL, you're only a few wins away from getting back into the thick of things, just ask the Grey Cup Champion Lions who started last year off with a terrible record, small comfort for LaPolice who has to try to turn it all around quickly, lest the Bomber faithful start to turn in their tickets to friends or charity.
The Eskimos arrive in River City feeling rejuvenated about their chances this season, a few ugly games at the start of the season have given way to some solid performances, the latest a hard earned victory over the Lions last week in Vancouver.
The Eskimos have taken advantage of their opportunities in the last few weeks, turnovers in their favour are usually turned into points and while Steven Jyles may not have won over all of the Eskimo followers, he's had enough success to quiet down the rumbles of discontent of early July.
The key to the Eskimos appears to be their head coach Kavis Reed, as level headed a CFL coach as we've seen in a long time, clearly not one to panic if things go wrong, he's being rewarded by his players with some strong play when they are going right.
They head into Winnipeg a confident bunch, perhaps bad news for the Bombers..
Game Time 7:30 CT, 8:30 ET, 5:30 PT CanadInn Stadium TSN
Edmonton 22 at Winnipeg 23 (29,553)
Pre Game
CFL Video Preview
Globe and Mail-- Injury woes continue to mount for Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Free Press-- No time for 'true, but useless' comparisons
Winnipeg Sun-- Jobs on line if Bombers lose to Esks
Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos QB tries to smooth things over with opposing defender...
Edmonton Sun-- No love for Eskimos at CanadInns
Team Backgrounders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Edmonton Eskimos
Post Game
CFL.ca -- Pressure Perfect: Bombers shut down Esks for first win
CFL.ca-- Video Review
Globe and Mail-- Bombers get first win of the season, down Eskimos in home opener
National Post-- Eskimos' Steven Jyles hands Blue Bombers their first win of the season
Winnipeg Free Press-- Blue bring home the bacon
Winnipeg Sun-- Blue Bombers blitz
Edmonton Journal-- Blue Bombers rally from 13 point deficit to beat Eskimos
Edmonton Sun-- Jyles shoulders blame for Eskimos late loss
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