Official Game Day Thread - Montreal at Winnipeg - August 24, 2023

[ModAdmin]

Zach is back and on the attack, let there be no sacks!  Montreal will not be a pushover and the Blue Bombers will be looking for solid performances from all three phases.

Cody Fajardo to start for the Als.  Good, bad or indifferent? Austin Mack and Tyler Snead are emerging as bonafide CFL receivers

In for the Bombers:  #44 Gauthier

Out for the Bombers:  #32 Burtenshaw

Bomber Depth Chart... https://twitter.com/EdTaitWFC/status/1694353470042653030/photo/1

Ed Tait's 48-Hour Primer https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/08/22/48-hour-primer-mtl-vs-wpg-5/ with a feature on Damian Jackson.

Game Preview https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/08/23/game-preview-mtl-vs-wpg-6/

Big home crowd expected and an opportunity to solidify first place in the west.  Let's Go Bombers!!

Get to the game early for $5 beers, $3.50 hot dogs and $3.50 fountain drinks at the tailgate event prior to kickoff.  In addition, drop by the Princess Auto Tailgate booth as they will be giving away 7,000 Blue Bomber blankets.

[ModAdmin]

The Basics

Kickoff: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. CDT; IG Field, Winnipeg

TV: TSN; RDS; CBS Sports Network
U.S. and international live streaming: https://www.cfl.ca/plus

Radio: 680 CJOB

Last meeting: Winnipeg 17 Montreal 3; July 1, 2023, at Montreal. The Blue Bombers have split their season series with the Alouettes in each of the last three seasons. A win Thursday would give them their first two-game sweep of Montreal since 2018.

PlayNow odds:  The Blue Bombers are favoured by 8.5 points. For more betting options on this game, click here.

Take note: Thursday's game is the club's Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night. As part of the ceremony, three members from 17 Wing will be bringing in the ceremonial flag and the RCAF rock band will be playing in the tailgate area and at halftime. As well, 24 members from 17 Wing will be asked to hold the large Canadian flag while four members of the Search and Rescue team will rappel from the West roof of IG Field in the pre-game.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Nice always love military appreciation night! Fly over?

May Zach stay off his back and give Montreal a hardy ***** slap!

[blue_gold_84]

Crowd noise should be a factor tomorrow. Fajardo is plenty familiar with it.

I expect another big performance by the defense. Hopefully, the offense can follow suit.

[BBRT]

Zach is back and on the attack, let there be no sacks!  Montreal will not be a pushover and the Blue Bombers will be looking for solid performances from all three phases.

Cody Fajardo to start for the Als.  Good, bad or indifferent? Austin Mack and Tyler Snead are emerging as bonafide CFL receivers

In for the Bombers:  #44 Gauthier

Out for the Bombers:  #32 Burtenshaw

Ed Tait's 48-Hour Primer https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/08/22/48-hour-primer-mtl-vs-wpg-5/ with a feature on Damian Jackson.

Game Preview https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/08/23/game-preview-mtl-vs-wpg-6/

Big home crowd expected and an opportunity to solidify first place in the west.  Let's Go Bombers!!

Get to the game early for $5 beers, $3.50 hot dogs and $3.50 fountain drinks at the tailgate event prior to kickoff.  In addition, drop by the Princess Auto Tailgate booth as they will be giving away 7,000 Blue Bomber blankets.

Both Mack and Snead really impressed me last week. Mack expecially. I think the Bombers need to get pressure on Fajardo continually. This will be a close game and all 3 groups (Defense Offense and Special Teams) need to be on their A Game.

[pdirks67]

Looks like Fletcher and Stanback are both in the lineup for the Als this week. I assume that they'll be trying to pound the ball on the ground.

[pjrocksmb]

Stop the run
Protect Zach
Establish Brady early
Game over

[TecnoGenius]

Looks like Fletcher and Stanback are both in the lineup for the Als this week. I assume that they'll be trying to pound the ball on the ground.

If both that might signal a run focus.  It gives them both speed and power options.  interesting that Stanback is the DNA... that's the first time they've done that!  Could have 2 back sets!!

Forecast shows low 20's and 40% chance of rain the entire game time.  Risk of t-shower so hopefully that doesn't materialize.  It should be a hot and muggy one for fans and players.  At least I don't think we need to worry about sweaters.

Any short drizzles that crop up could favor the running game.  Maybe that's what MTL is thinking...

[TecnoGenius]

Both Mack and Snead really impressed me last week. Mack expecially. I think the Bombers need to get pressure on Fajardo continually. This will be a close game and all 3 groups (Defense Offense and Special Teams) need to be on their A Game.

But we Need A Pass Rush(TM) to do that! 

Mack looks legit.  Snead looks like he'll morph into an average IMP that has enough to stick around.  Both are good finds for their scouts.

[TecnoGenius]

Get to the game early for $5 beers, $3.50 hot dogs and $3.50 fountain drinks at the tailgate event prior to kickoff.  In addition, drop by the Princess Auto Tailgate booth as they will be giving away 7,000 Blue Bomber blankets.

Ooooh, free stuff!!  Count me in!

[pjrocksmb]

Only 1200 tickets left

[dd]

Looks like Fletcher and Stanback are both in the lineup for the Als this week. I assume that they'll be trying to pound the ball on the ground.

To me, stanback has never been the same since his injury. Fletcher is the better back

[Pigskin]

Computer chip footballs for Thursday nights game. Apparently the players will be fined $500 for throwing one into the stands. 

[TecnoGenius]

Only 1200 tickets left

I really hope the rain stays away, then!  And no lightning delay.

To me, stanback has never been the same since his injury. Fletcher is the better back

Agreed on Stanback.  Fletcher is better, but not too great himself.  Not great up the gut unless he gets a big hole.  Just watch the edges and C-gap.

[TecnoGenius]

Computer chip footballs for Thursday nights game. Apparently the players will be fined $500 for throwing one into the stands. 

What does that buy them in terms of features?  Eliminating stand-throwing?  That's kind of lame.  Maybe when they get a TD the ball boy can give them a non-chip ball and they can chuck that.

Uh, and won't this also eliminate the players keeping balls on big/historic plays?  Are they going to bill each player $500/ball?

This better buy us a ton of features in exchange for the above lameness.