This should be the Bombers year

If you listen to the fans of the Blue and Gold they will tell you this is the year their beloved Bombers should finish first in the Eastern Division of the CFL something they have not done since 2001.The Bombers should have the best defense in the East and with the addition of receiver Derek Armstrong who joined them late last year but still managed to catch 25 balls for 302 yards and three TD,s.the offence should be much better.

Milt Stegall had another great year with 79 receptions good for 1269yards and seven td,s and there is no reason to think he has slowed down and with the addition of speedster Terence Edwards from the Alouettes.and Canadian Wilson O,neil also from Montreal the Manitoba warriors receiving corps gets noticeably stronger. The veteran Chris Brazell also cannot be overlooked at the wideout spot as he caught 43 passes last year for 604 yards and seven touchdowns and with his blazing breakaway speed is a threat to go all the way on any one play and with the strong supporting cast at the position he will get more one on one coverage as will Stegall and Armstrong making the Bomber passing attack one of the best and most dagerously explosive in the league.

Kevin Glenn who is a bit of an enigma in Winnipeg is back at Quarterback after completing 57.9 % of his passes last year for 3427 yards and seventeen touchdowns.Glenn has shown flashes of brilliance but his inconsistency and penchant for throwing untimely interceptions drives Bomber fans and coaches crazy.The backup QB,s have not posed a threat to Glenn so the job appears to be his for the time being.

The running back position is maned by one of the leagues best if not the best in diminutive but explosive Charles Roberts who rushed for 1609 yards last year and made several big plays for the Winnipeg offence in crucial situations. If the first string Bomber offensive personnel remain healthy the Blue and Gold should score a lot of points.

The Bomber defence which was one of the best in the league last year under defensive Co-ordinator Greg Marshall should be even stronger this time out with the addition of gigantic defensive tackle Nate Davis who they signed after Saskatchewan released him. Davis who stands six foot five and weights 375 lbs makes an ideal tackle tandem mate for Doug Brown who weighs in at 385 and is six feet eight inches tall.Brown was injured most of last year.If these two can remain healthy it will be almost impossible to run against the middle of the Bomber defence as both have been league All-Stars and are capable of repeating those honours.

They are flanked by two of the best defensive end in the league in the quick Gavin Walls and the very strong Tom Canada both who have been at the top in Quarterback sacks at year end in the last two years.The icing on the cake up front is veteran Middle Linebacker Barrin Simpson who is regarded by most as the best at his position in the league.

In the secondary the addition of DB Davin Bush from Saskatchewan makes an already strong secondary that includes Kyries Hebert that much better and whether you like him or not Troy Westwood does a pretty capable job of handling the Bomber kicking chores.

It s the second year for former Alouette offensive Co-ordinator Doug Berry at the Bomber helm and the fact that he was used to winning while in Montreal has created an atmosphere in the Manitoba Capital of confidence.that first place can be achieved.

The Alouettes despite several key personnel losses are my choice for second in the East after a dog fight with the Argos who will drop to third .Both have declined enough over the winter to allow the Bombers to move ahead of them in my thinking and the Tabbies in Hamilton have once again made far to many changes to be considered as nothing more than spoilers this season who will again finish last in the east.