Tyler Bieber
CFL.ca

Vancouver -- When you look back at the 2010 season, it is hard to believe that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have come so far, so quickly. They had the worst record overall a year ago, and a historic turnaround has helped pave the way for them to participate in Sunday’s Grey Cup game.

After defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at home in last week’s East Division Final, the Bombers became just the seventh team all-time to go from being one of the worst two teams in the league to being in the Grey Cup game.

The charge was led by head coach Paul LaPolice, who helped bring Winnipeg back to respectability on the strength of a tough defence. The team hired Tim Burke to become their defensive coordinator after Kavis Reed became the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.

Under Burke’s guidance, the Bombers defence forced the most turnovers in the league during the 2011 regular season, and they allowed the third least points against overall.

Winnipeg’s top ball-hawking cornerback, Jovon Johnson helped that turnover ratio with eight interceptions. Johnson was named the 2011 Most Outstanding Defensive Player at Thursday night’s Player Awards. He became the first defensive back to ever win the honour, and became the first Blue Bomber to win the award since 1991.

So, how does that defence match-up against the BC Lions offence?

Considering the fact that the Lions turned the ball over the second fewest times in the league this season at 34, the Bombers may have to find a way to simply settle for stopping the Lions short of the endzone.

Lions quarterback, and 2011 Most Outstanding Player Travis Lulay has used a short-term memory to help him improve throughout the season. Lulay started out the season at an inconsistent rate, throwing just as many touchdowns as he did interceptions. Over the course of the final 11 weeks, Lulay’s touchdown to interception ratio was five to one.

He was helped by top receivers Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce, who, since Bruce was acquired in August combined for 14 touchdown receptions. Simon and Bruce are the first two teammates to actively have 10,000 or more receiving yards.

While the Lions rushing game lacked throughout the season, they found different ways to get their tailbacks involved. More recently, Canadian running back Andrew Harris has taken on a wider role of catching passes out of the backfield. Harris recorded two touchdowns – one rushing and one receiving in last week’s West Final win over the Edmonton Eskimos.

BC also involves their receivers in short hitch passes, which when blocked to perfection allow for big gains as well. You can expect to see a few of those on Sunday, and likely 75% of them to Arland Bruce.

Should the 99th Grey Cup come down to a field goal, you have got to like the odds for the Lions if it is Paul McCallum having to make the kick. The 41-year old broke all-time records in 2011 on the way to winning the award for Most Outstanding Special Teams player. McCallum also has a current streak of 34 consecutive made field goals in the playoffs.

He made six field goals in the 2006 Grey Cup win over the Montreal Alouettes. He has been around for 19 seasons, but a Grey Cup game has never come down to him lining up to make a kick with no time left. Perhaps, given the season he has had, it is destiny for the only thing between the Lions and winning the Grey Cup is a Paul McCallum kick.

As for a prediction, I feel that if things line up the way they should, it will be the BC Lions hoisting the Grey Cup inside their home venue.

Overall, the Lions offence is several paces ahead of the Bombers, and their speed is unmatched in the Canadian Football League.

If Winnipeg is to win the Grey Cup on Sunday, they will have to slow the game down completely, and control it at their own pace. If they get into an offensive battle with the Lions, their chances of winning the game drop significantly.

While I am picking the Lions to win the game, I think most would agree that we hope it is an extremely well-played game that brings plenty of excitement. Such as McMaster’s Vanier Cup victory over Laval on Friday night.

One more game left. Let’s see how it unfolds.