Just back from Winnipeg and I've got 10 random thoughts from last night's game:

1. Ticats quarterback Henry Burris connected with nine different receivers and seven of them had at least three catches (Greg Ellingson led the way with five) and three guys had at least 70 yards (Giguere 85, Ellingson 76, Gable 72.) That's a good sign.

2. Ellingson has figured out where the soft spots are in CFL defences very quickly. He's not the fastest guy but he has a knack for getting open and he catches absolutely everything thrown his way (in practice too.) There was only one clear drop last night (that I remember anyway), by Onrea Jones. He made up with a TD catch shortly after.

3. Sam Giguere really seems to be coming into his own, delivering on all that promise. The 40 yard catch he made in the second quarter on 2nd and 13 - Burris put it right on him but Giguere was in traffic when he caught - was one of several key plays in the game. I think the pic of that catch is above and you can see the DBs hand right on him.

4. Rico Murray had a monster game: four tackles, one sack, one forced fumble (those last two occurred on the same play) and a pick. Brandon Isaac is getting to close to returning: can you take Murray out after that game?

5. Speaking of imminent returns, I think Evan McCollough is getting close as well. I think his return to a halfback spot is likely, despite the fact that the current secondary is playing pretty well: McCollough was the Ticats best DB before he got hurt.

6. I really like the combo of Torrey Davis and Brian Bulcke on the inside of that defensive line. Bulcke's got a great motor and Davis moves amazing well for a big fella. But it's almost cruel making Davis come off the field for mid-drive substitutions: a couple of times I didn't think he was going to make it to the sideline. When Austin says some guys need to get into better game shape, I'm pretty sure Davis is one of the guys he's talking about.

7. Simoni Lawrence had six tackles and one special teams tackle, though he also took two penalties. He plays with a lot of energy and I think that's infectious. I know the release of Markeith Knowlton was controversial but Lawrence would appear to be more athletic than Knowlton at this point: it's worth noting that no team has signed Markeith yet.

8. I did not think it was a particularly well officiated game last night, with dubious calls going against both teams. I don't think it impacted the outcome though.

9. The Ticats need to improve on special teams. The Bombers had 238 return yards to Hamilton's 97 - and that doesn't include the 96 yard punt return negated by a penalty. Onrea Jones has been steady on punt returns - no turnovers, though he did lose a fumble out of bounds last night - but doesn't have the explosiveness to scare cover teams. Tavoy Moore, picked up from Edmonton, is almost ready after practicing a couple of days last week. Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a chance soon.

10. I believe good teams a) take care of business at home b) beat teams they're supposed to beat c) win on the road. The Ticats have done the last two the last couple of weeks and now need to pull off the first one.