Posted at 10:25 AM EST.

8:30 PM EST. Maybe it's the return to the royal blues of their heyday or the signing of a few high profile free agents but there is a buzz around the Blue Bombers heading into Week 1. While the additions of running back Andrew Harris and receivers Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith look nice when it's time to sell jerseys, we see these additions as purely cosmetic. The Bombers still have major problems on the offensive line and free agent signing center, Jeff Keeping is out at least eight weeks after suffering a knee injury. It's so bad that Bombers offensive line Coach, Bob Wylie is already on the offensive, defending a unit that gave up the second most sacks in the league last year with 59. Wylie went off last week, “We let up 59 sacks! Are you sure it was us, we let up every sack? Are you positive with that shit? No, we let up every sack, is that right? We are a part of it, but of the 71 sacks the club allowed two years ago, the offensive line game up 27″. The Bombers did not address their weak offensive line in the off-season and so it is very suspect again.

Four of the five starters from last seasons’ suspect offensive line are back. Richie Hall’s defense was ranked eighth in the league last season, and it allowed a whopping average of 6.8 yards on first down. Winnipeg’s cover teams were atrocious in 2015, costing special teams’ coordinator Pat Tracey his job in September. The Bombers allowed four punt returns for touchdowns.

On offense, the Blue Bombers welcomed former HC Paul La Police back to the fold and he will serve as Mike O'Shea's offensive coordinator this season. That could be a little awkward for O'Shea, as LaPolice’s original ouster came with much controversy. It will be a tough task integrating a new receiving group that was unable to suit up together during the preseason, as Dressler sat out both exhibition games. In game one of the preseason, the Bombers handled the Als 36-13 at Investors Group Field but the only thing that does is give us a better number here.

Kevin Glenn is timeless. It's hard to believe he was sent packing by the Bombers in 2009 just over a year after leading the Bombers to the Grey Cup. One could argue he'd have been Winnipeg's best option at QB the last seven years. Regardless, he's bounced around the league but always seems to find himself in the starter’s role. Glenn will not have to wait for an injury before taking the reins, as the Als will let the vet lead the offense from day one. Glenn is surrounded by great talent that includes standout receiver Duran Carter who he hooked up with in Week 2 of the preseason for a 78-yard major. Carter returns following a season of sitting in the NFL. Fellow receiver Kenny Stafford returns as a free agent from Edmonton.Tyrell Sutton, the CFL’s leading rusher last season, returns to the backfield. Offensively more than capable and very dangerous, the Als strength is not even on the offensive side.

Veteran rush-end John Bowman led the league in sacks in 2015, with 19 and that was despite missing two games while being benched by former head coach Tom Higgins. Also back is middle-linebacker Bear Woods, who missed most of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. In 2014, when he was relatively healthy, Woods was the division’s nominee as most outstanding defensive player. The Als signed defensive-tackle Vaughn Martin, a 2011 draft choice who has been playing in the NFL, mostly with San Diego and Miami. Rush-end DeQuin Evans comes over as a free agent following two seasons at Calgary, while veteran cornerback Jovon Johnson was added from Ottawa.

After using seven different QB’s last year, Montreal comes into this season with some stability both at QB and in the coaching ranks. While Kevin Glenn is no Anthony Calvillo, the market would be wise not to sleep on the 15-year vet.  

There's going to be a lot of excitement in the Manitoba capital tonight as the NHL Draft will be broadcast before this game. In case you didn't know, the Jets moved up in the lottery and will pick second so there figures to be a buzz in the stadium. We say big deal. The Bombers have a ton of pressure on them to win now. They have missed the playoffs in four straight years and they’re losing fans quickly because of it. Another bad year and theses seats will be empty once the cold weather rolls in. A bad start here and the fans will be booing these Bombers off the field tonight. Montreal is a well-established, soundly run CFL team that has missed the playoffs once since 1996. That was last year and we trust the Als franchise to get back on track quickly much more than we trust the Bombers and it all starts here. Als outright is the call. 

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