By Fred Williams Aug 2, 2007, 15:40 GMT
Winnipeg, Manitoba - Much of the attention surrounding the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season has been receiver Milt Stegall's quest for the CFL's all-time touchdown record.
But in the shadows, quarterback Kevin Glenn has quietly been putting together quite a season himself.
Stegall scored two touchdowns in last week's 36-18 to boost his career total to 139, breaking the record of 137 that he had shared with George Reed and Mike Pringle. Take a look at the league's receiving stats, and you'll see Stegall sitting at the top with 26 catches for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
But the often criticized Glenn is also first in the CFL in passing with 1,555 yards, and his seven touchdown passes leave him tied for third overall. Glenn has also completed over 68 percent of his passes and has thrown just three interceptions.
On paper, the Bombers have a club that's certainly a Grey Cup contender. Stegall and former CFL rushing leader Charles Roberts anchor a solid offense, while the defense features such proven CFL performers as linebacker Barrin Simpson, defensive tackle Doug Brown and rush end Tom Canada.
But Glenn's inconsistency has always been something that critics of the Bombers' quarterback have pointed to as being the one big reason why Winnipeg couldn't or wouldn't be a Grey Cup contender.
So far, Glenn's proved his critics wrong, and the Bombers have the CFL's top- ranked passing attack, a big reason why the club is first in the East Division and looking very much like the class of the conference.
VILIMEK OUT: The Montreal Alouettes are going to have to find a new blocking back for Jarrett Payton.
Fullback Mike Vilimek suffered a torn ligament in his right knee in last week's 26-13 win over the Toronto Argonauts and is out for the rest of the season.
Payton, the son of former NFL superstar Walter Payton, made his CFL debut against Toronto and rushed for 63 yards on 12 carries.
Ironically, Vilimek, a six-year veteran, didn't suffer the injury paving a path for Payton, The 28-year-old was hurt during a punt return.
Vilimek's spot is expected to be taken by Jeff Piercy, who is in his third CFL season.
LIONS WOES: The B.C. Lions are the only undefeated team in the CFL with a 5-0 record, but they are winning almost despite their offense.
The Lions are ranked last in the CFL in passing, averaging 186 yards per game. And through five games, they are ranked sixth in team passing with an efficiency rating of 74.3. Compare that to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are ranked first at 102.5.
Last year, en route to capturing the Grey Cup title, the Lions led the CFL in team passing with 5,261 yards and an efficiency rating of 104.9.
Also, receiver Geroy Simon, who was the CFL's outstanding player last year with 105 catches for 1,856 yards and 15 touchdowns, has 16 catches for 205 yards and just one touchdown.
There are two possible reasons for B.C.'s offensive struggles. First would be the departure of offensive coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine to Edmonton, and secondly is the club's injury woes at quarterback. Starter Dave Dickenson is out with concussion-like symptoms while backup Buck Pierce has endured a variety of injuries. This week, No. 3 Jarious Jackson will start for the Lions in their game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
One positive, though, has been the play of running back Joe Smith, who leads the CFL in rushing with 433 yards. Last year in 13 games with the Lions, Smith ran for 887 yards.
WOODCOCK BACK?: Receiver Pat Woodcock is expected to return to the Edmonton Eskimos roster this week after missing time with a sprained knee. However, the Eskimos aren't sure if receivers Jason Tucker and T.J. Acree will play Sunday against the Calgary Stampeders.
This has been a difficult season thus far for Woodcock.
He suffered a foot infection during training camp, then when he had recovered enough to play, Woodcock injured his knee in his first game back.
Then, two weeks ago, Woodcock's residence in Edmonton was damaged by fire, forcing him, his wife and infant daughter to move in with teammate Robert Brown's family.
FORMER CFLer KILLED: Kerry Brown, a former receiver with the Ottawa Rough Riders, was killed in a single-vehicle accident this week. He was 35.
Brown, who played for Ottawa in the 1990s, had been an assistant coach with the Green bay Blizzard of arenafootball2. He played nine seasons in the CFL as a receiver and linebacker. He began with the Florida Bobcats in 1997 after spending time in both NFL Europe as well as the CFL.
Brown, who wasn't wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, also played for the Toronto Phantoms of the AFL.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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