This is the year the Bombers need to make progress.

So far it's just been the same old story of one step forward and a couple steps back for a franchise that has missed the playoffs five of the last six years.

General manager Kyle Walters, head coach Mike O'Shea and quarterback Drew Willy are three key members of the organization who are now in their second seasons with the Blue and Gold. They got passes last year, but they are unlikely to get ones from the frustrated fan base in 2015.

We can assume after Saturday night's debacle in Calgary that the frustration level with the team rose a few notches. The Bombers had a glorious chance to finish off the defending champion Stampeders but let it slip away due to a multitude of mental mistakes, ultimately falling 26-25.

One of the three qualities O'Shea wants in his players is a high football IQ, but as he admitted after Saturday night's game: “We're not smart enough yet. We have to play smarter football, and they all know it.”

O'Shea included himself in that group for not calling a timeout before his team took a crippling time count violation with 1:27 to go. Second-and-four became third-and-four, and the Bombers were forced to try a 52-yard field goal that Lirim Hajrullahu missed. Willy saw the Stampeders defence in cover zero formation, which meant it was going to blitz and leave its defensive backs in one-on-one coverage. The only problem was the play clock ran out as Willy was letting his receivers know this. In the final three minutes of a half that results in the loss of down.

It's inexcusable, especially now that O'Shea and Willy have been at this for more than a year. O'Shea also played in the CFL for 16 years, so he definitely should know better. And shouldn't Dominic Picard, the centre who's making more than $200,000 per season, be better aware of the situation as well?

The result was a one point loss against a team that was missing most of its offensive line due to injury and was playing on four days rest. Had that not been the case, the Bombers probably would've gotten smoked like they usually do in Calgary.

Winnipeg has yet to win consecutive contests since last season's stunning 5-1 start swirled down the drain thanks to an eight game losing streak. Miraculous comebacks in the final minutes of games have been replaced by bad decisions and questionable play calls.

The Blue and Gold resumed their tradition of losing the turnover battle on Saturday night, which didn't help, and kick returner Troy Stoudermire played like a rookie in his season debut. His fumble on a punt return deep in Winnipeg territory came when he was dancing around looking for an extra yard or two. He was careless with the football and should have known better. It flung the game's momentum in Calgary's favour.

Then when Stoudermire received a punt in the final minute, he ran across the field looking for a hole that was never going to come, which burned valuable time off the clock and resulted in a five yard loss to boot.

As for the Calgary punt block that ultimately allowed the Stampeders to erase their 16-0 deficit, O'Shea said it was a miscommunication. Jesse Briggs was left to block two players, and while he tried his best he was unable to prevent Adam Berger from stuffing Hajrullahu's kick and Adam Thibault from running it into the end zone.

It's time for Walters and the scouting staff to sign a few more communication majors, because there's not enough of that happening when the Blue and Gold take to the field.

The good news for O'Shea, Willy and Co. is it's only four games into the season. Nothing has been lost, and their record is 2-2. The talent on the roster is better than it was last season. The key core members still have plenty of time to prove they're evolving in their second year together, because it hasn't happened yet.

kirk.penton@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/PentonKirk