CFL Preseason Winnipeg Loses to Calgary

Thanks to an overwhelming ground game and a last-play 42-yard field goal the Calgary Stampeders opened up their pre-season with a win over Drew Willy and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. A combined 103 first-half rushing yards from Jon Cornish and Jock Sanders helped Calgary jump out to an early 14-0 lead.

The Bombers battled back and eventually held a late fourth-quarter lead, but Crapigna tied it on a 42-yard field goal with minutes left, before making good on the game-winner with no time left on the clock to give his team the win.

For his part Drew Willy once again put up respectable numbers which would have been a lot more impressive if not for three big drops by his receivers.

Here are Drew's numbers for the two preseason games. Nothing here screams "all star" but he has been consistent, smart, and effective. If the Winnipeg line can keep Drew healthy he may be the best quarterback that the Blue Bombers have seen in some time.

Willy was also hassled early by the Calgary Defense who sacked the starting pivot three times. Some observes saw two of those sacks as being poor reads by Willy. Here is a link to some good analysis of the Bombers overall effort.

Blue Bomber Talk: Bomber Thoughts: Winnipeg at Calgary, Preseason Game 2
Speaking of Willy, I’d peg two of Calgary’s three first half sacks on him. Both plays saw Calgary send more blitzers than Winnipeg had blockers. When this happens, it’s the QB’s job to recognize the play at hand and get the ball out as soon as possible.

Willie Moseley got his first CFL tackle when he took down Jock Sanders in the second Quarter. It was a nine yard carry, typical of what Calgary did to Winnipeg all night on the ground.

So for Winnipeg the preseason is complete. The bombers finished 0-2 and will play Toronto to open up their season in about two weeks, versus the Argo's at home.