Does anybody really need to see Michael Bishop take any more snaps in the CFL? I have been harping about this guy for years and yet we continue to hand him a starter’s job in the league.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the latest team to head down the perilous Bishop path and it should cost the decision-maker his job.
Obviously I’m not inner circle on the daily business of the Bombers, but my assumption would be that Mike Kelly was involved in the decision.
Kelly has managed to gut this team in an effort to put his stamp on the team.
He let a competent journeyman quarterback like Kevin Glenn leave and brought in third string Eskimo quarterback Stefan LeFors to run the show in Winnipeg.
This appeared to be a rational decision based upon Kelly’s experience in Edmonton as LeFors’ coach.
Instead it was a disaster for all parties as LeFors struggled behind a ravaged O-line whose best 2008 players ( Picard and Goodspeed) had new CFL addresses.
Quarterback Plan B was an assortment of second stringers like Richie Williams and Bryan Randall until Plan C (Bishop) arrived in Bomber-land.
It’s a mess in Winnipeg and I feel sorry for their fans.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Roughriders blew the Bombers and Bishop right out of their home park in Sunday’s rematch, despite Bishop’s foolish victory prediction after the Labour Day loss.
I think the lopsided Rider victory was a combination of Bomber mistakes and Roughrider execution and pressure defence. I don’t believe that the Riders are 55-10, but I believe that Kelly’s heroes are that bad.
Calgary managed to serve up a last minute victory over Edmonton in a game very reminiscent of Edmonton’s win over Calgary in August.
That game was not a gem but Henry Burris played well in the last quarter, while Ricky Ray felt heat all night from the Stamp defence and had a bad game.
Calgary’s defence will get even better in the next few weeks, as D-linemen Charleston Hughes and Tearrius George have returned from the NFL.
This is not good news for other teams, but Calgary is making a move.
Montreal Alouettes managed to amp up their offence at home against the BC Lions on Sunday as quarterback Anthony Calvillo proved why he is one of three CFL quarterbacks in a league of their own with a late game touchdown drive. The others are Burris and Ray.
On the other hand, BC has to live and die on the field behind the arm of Jarious Jackson and he is not an elite quarterback. Jackson is a relief pitcher who can come off the bench and possibly win a game for his team.
He has a strong arm and a good relationship with Lion receiver Paris Jackson who seems to be on the same page as Jarious but he has little finesse on his pass game. Welcome to fourth place Wally.
Toronto finally won a game at home on the Rogers baseball field and there should be reason for cautious optimism in Argo-land as Cody Pickett establishes himself as Toronto’s quarterback of the future.
He should give Toronto an opportunity to take a run at a playoff spot as he learns his trade.
See you Friday.
Jim Sutherland may be reached at mystarcollectorcar.com