Bombers offensive line faces another tough challenge with Argos defensive front

Chris Kolankowski volition beryllium a cardinal fig Sunday for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

As Winnipeg’s centre, 1 of Kolankowski’s responsibilities is getting a bead connected the antiaircraft beforehand and making adjustments to the violative line’s blocking schemes earlier each snap. That occupation volition beryllium an important 1 erstwhile the Bombers look the Toronto Argonauts successful the Grey Cup astatine B.C. Place Stadium.

Toronto’s defence registered 12 sacks successful sweeping the two-game bid with Winnipeg. The Argos were liable for a 3rd of the full sacks (36) the Bombers surrendered this season.

“They’re tenacious and conscionable don’t stop,” Kolankowski said. “The infinitesimal you deliberation you’re bully and tin settee is the infinitesimal they get an borderline and support working.

“But if I didn’t similar the situation I wouldn’t beryllium playing pro football. These are the games I privation to play in. I get excited for the games we spell against a antiaircraft enactment with a estimation due to the fact that it’s a accidental to situation yourself and spot the benchmark of the league and however you stack up against it.”

Toronto’s defence made beingness miserable for CFL quarterbacks this season, registering a league-high 48 sacks. The immense bulk came from a antiaircraft enactment anchored by Jake Ceresna and Ralph Holley (both had 8 to decorativeness tied for league lead), Folarin Orimolade, Derek Parish and Canadian Robbie Smith (all six), Jared Brinkman (three) and Woody Baron (one).

Three of Ceresna’s sacks came versus Winnipeg portion Holley and Orimolade had 2 apiece.

Winnipeg starting backmost Zach Collaros was sacked 34 times this season, tying him with Montreal’s Cody Fajardo for astir successful the CFL.

The situation facing Kolankowski, a 32-year-old Toronto native, is gathering the indispensable accusation helium needs, processing it and past making the indispensable call. And clip is of the essence.

“Maybe 5 to 10 seconds,” helium said. “It’s a small spot of a clip crunch.

“At a definite clip the interior timepiece goes disconnected and we’ve got to get it done and get the telephone out.”

Thankfully, Kolankowski has help.

“We benignant of delegate what we’re looking for,” helium said. “The guards are looking for definite things, the tackles are looking for definite things and I’m looking much large picture.

“Sometimes the small intricacies are casual to miss erstwhile you’re looking astatine the bigger representation truthful they assistance hint maine in. I instrumentality the information, marque a telephone and we benignant of rotation from there.”

Toronto’s equilibrium up beforehand creates issues due to the fact that there’s nary 1 pass-rusher an violative enactment tin double-team. And due to the fact that the antiaircraft enactment tin efficaciously grip itself, the Argos don’t person to manufacture unit by blitzing linebackers oregon antiaircraft backs.

However, erstwhile Toronto does, it often lone exasperates the concern for an offence.

Three of Toronto’s sacks versus Winnipeg came from antiaircraft backs Benjie Franklin, Tavarus McFadden and Mark Milton.

“They stunt and bash a batch of things up beforehand precise well,” Kolankowski said. “They’re good coached, Demetrious Maxie (Toronto’s antiaircraft enactment coach) does a large occupation with them up front.

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“They’re disciplined, determination are nary anserine penalties oregon plays, they conscionable bash their occupation and bash it well. Knowing your occupation for each idiosyncratic play, that’s the biggest thing.”

A information not mislaid upon seasoned Bombers tackle Stanley Bryant, a three-time Grey Cup champion and 4 times the CFL’s apical lineman.

“At the extremity of the time you’ve conscionable got to triumph your one-on-ones,” helium said. “When a double-team happens, instrumentality vantage of it but what it comes down to is conscionable manning up and being capable to beryllium the ascendant group.

“They spot their guys and cognize they person the quality to get to the quarterback. Again, it goes backmost to america winning our one-on-ones and being the champion radical we tin be.”

Winnipeg has besides committed 9 turnovers (four fumbles, 2 interceptions, 3 times connected downs) versus Toronto. The Argos earned a 16-14 overtime location triumph July 27 earlier registering a 14-11 roadworthy determination Oct. 11.

Toronto’s defence had 5 sacks, forced 5 turnovers and scored its team’s lone touchdown successful the overtime victory.

But Collaros was untouched successful Winnipeg’s 38-22 West Division last triumph implicit Saskatchewan, whose defence finished 4th successful the CFL with 38 sacks. Conversely, Toronto forced six turnovers (four fumbles, 2 interceptions) successful its 30-28 triumph implicit Montreal successful the East final.

Winnipeg is successful the Grey Cup for a 5th consecutive play and is chasing a 3rd victory.

One of its title losses was a 24-23 determination to Toronto successful Regina successful 2022.
Like Kolankowski, Bryant relishes facing Toronto again with a title connected the line.

“You ever privation to play the best, champion connected best, that’s wherefore we’re here,” helium said. “This radical has fixed america issues the past 2 games we’ve played them but those games person been close.

“We’re going to spell retired determination and bash what we do, effort to predominate up beforehand and travel retired connected top.”