Good-Olivera was outstanding
-secondary shut down the TigerCats completely in the second half
-O line gave good protection and made big holes for Olivera
-Two Bombers getting their first CFL TD
-Kramdi hit at the goal line
Bad-out of bounds kick
-bad tackling on O'Leary Orange catch
-slippery field
Ugly-Hamiltons 2024 season
Good
Olivera biggest rushing total of his year
Zach putting drives together
Nichols was everywhere
Kramdl made plays
Cole Kelly and hallet stepping up
Securing home playoff game
Bad
Injuries to Ayers,Alexander and Griffin
Kasotonis hit on Wilson, those hits were acceptable 5 yrs ago but no longer
Ugly Castillos kickoff
Do not like the way Kasotonis plays, very violent hits on defenseless recievers, but he keeps getting away with it. I just don't get it in this day and age of player safety and concerns over concussions
Gonna only comment on the ugly. The Bombers have the best fans in the league. Hammy has to have one of the worst. You could hear a pin drop all game Think my kids football team fans made more noise
Good:
Dominant O-line, especially in run game
Brady MOP
D-line, other than the Butler's 18 yard TD, totally shut down the run
Even Willy was good against the run today, stuffed Butler on first and goal at the end of the half by bull-rushing his man.
Secondary was outstanding, especially Nichols, best DB in league, with honourable mention to Ford (he's going to demand big money next year)
Sheehan actually was good today
Griffin chasing down BOO to save a touchdown at the end of the half.
Wilson on short yardage
Bad:
Zach was generally good, but he gifted Hamilton 2 interceptions right in their hands that they dropped, and overthrew an open Demski on a post pattern
I know its been successful, but I don't enjoy watching D rushing 3...QB has all day back there. With rushing 4 we get alot more pressure.
White's drop of a sure TD pass from BLM...Hamilton really shot themselves in the foot alot in that game
Ugly:
The Katsantonis hit
Quote from: bunker on October 05, 2024, 05:54:35 PMGood:
Dominant O-line, especially in run game
Brady MOP
D-line, other than the Butler's 18 yard TD, totally shut down the run
Even Willy was good against the run today, stuffed Butler on first and goal at the end of the half by bull-rushing his man.
Secondary was outstanding, especially Nichols, best DB in league, with honourable mention to Ford (he's going to demand big money next year)
Sheehan actually was good today
Griffin chasing down BOO to save a touchdown at the end of the half.
Wilson on short yardage
Bad:
Zach was generally good, but he gifted Hamilton 2 interceptions right in their hands that they dropped, and overthrew an open Demski on a post pattern
I know its been successful, but I don't enjoy watching D rushing 3...QB has all day back there. With rushing 4 we get alot more pressure.
White's drop of a sure TD pass from BLM...Hamilton really shot themselves in the foot alot in that game
Ugly:
The Katsantonis hit
I noticed on our two sacks, WJ5 was playing DT not DE.
Quote from: Pigskin on October 05, 2024, 06:57:35 PMI noticed on our two sacks, WJ5 was playing DT not DE.
I did not notice that but you're right. Make sense to play a "cheetah" set at that time in the game when you know pass is coming. Although calling it cheetah when Jake is the other DT might be a bit of a misnomer lol. I actually thought Jake had a strong game.
Quote from: 15 Eagles on October 05, 2024, 05:12:54 PMGonna only comment on the ugly. The Bombers have the best fans in the league. Hammy has to have one of the worst. You could hear a pin drop all game Think my kids football team fans made more noise
I was at the game last night and second this. It was dead. I get the team isn't great and it was raining before the game... but that crowd was very disappointing
Anyway..
Good:
Brady and the o line run blocking
Clercius looks better and better
Nichols had himself a game
Bad:
Injuries, hopefully nothing too serious
Zach though he did lead some long drives (a lot of Brady help) made some really questionable decisions and accuracy wasn't great even on some completed passes.. looked more like early season than last game
Sheahan and Castillo out dueled badly on punts and kickoff
Ugly:
Lame crowd
Head hit on Wilson
Ticats defenders not being able to catch a beach ball
Good
Brady bully ball
D
Bad
Few throws
Ugly
Hammy's drops
Quote from: towelie on October 05, 2024, 08:09:35 PMAnyway..
Good:
Brady and the o line run blocking
Clercius looks better and better
Nichols had himself a game
Bad:
Injuries, hopefully nothing too serious
Zach though he did lead some long drives (a lot of Brady help) made some really questionable decisions and accuracy wasn't great even on some completed passes.. looked more like early season than last game
Sheahan and Castillo out dueled badly on punts and kickoff
Ugly:
Lame crowd
Head hit on Wilson
Ticats defenders not being able to catch a beach ball
Can you give us a report on what you saw on the Bomber injuries??
Quote from: dd on October 05, 2024, 03:44:05 PMDo not like the way Kasotonis plays, very violent hits on defenseless recievers, but he keeps getting away with it. I just don't get it in this day and age of player safety and concerns over concussions
He's filling Hamilton's quota with Simoni Lawrence now retired! ;)
Quote from: bunker on October 05, 2024, 07:51:50 PMI did not notice that but you're right. Make sense to play a "cheetah" set at that time in the game when you know pass is coming. Although calling it cheetah when Jake is the other DT might be a bit of a misnomer lol. I actually thought Jake had a strong game.
I still remember Jake on ST, getting down field in a hurry... he might not be as slow as you think...
Good:
The hustle on Griffin #32 not giving up on the sure TD play from BOLO at end of 2nd.
First TD from Kevens Clercius and his TD celebration with the salsa dance.
Tyrell Ford giving the football after interception to his proud dad at the game.
The adjustments made at half time with Buck Pierce and Jordan Younger. (and Willie J giving the game ball to Younger)
The 8 game win streak
Bad:
Pat Neufeld denied the TD fumble (After review from Command Center)
Ugly:
The head ref with no personality sounding like a robot. (Ben Major - is the best)
Quote from: Pigskin on October 05, 2024, 09:28:31 PMCan you give us a report on what you saw on the Bomber injuries??
Wilson was definitely pulled from the game either by a spotter or the team. Looked like he was ready to go then was gone. Hoping it's just precautionary.
Patty Neufeld was noticeablely nursing his injury on the sideline
That's all I got. Ayers went off with the trainers right away but I didn't see the injury. And I didn't even notice Alexander was out til I heard the post game
Quote from: towelie on October 06, 2024, 04:27:09 AMWilson was definitely pulled from the game either by a spotter or the team. Looked like he was ready to go then was gone. Hoping it's just precautionary.
Patty Neufeld was noticeablely nursing his injury on the sideline
That's all I got. Ayers went off with the trainers right away but I didn't see the injury. And I didn't even notice Alexander was out til I heard the post game
Griffin was being worked on by the trainers a bit on the sideline too but kept rotating in and out so I'd imagine he's fine
Quote from: towelie on October 05, 2024, 08:09:35 PMSheahan and Castillo out dueled badly on punts and kickoff
Quote from: bunker on October 05, 2024, 05:54:35 PMSheehan actually was good today
Jamieson Sheahan had a very good game.
5 punts from Winnipeg side of centre with a gross average of 48.4 and a net of 41.4
2 punts from Hamilton side of centre with both punts pinning Hamilton inside the 20
Nik Constantinou
6 punts from Hamilton side of centre with a gross average of 47.0 and a net of 37.7
2 punts from Winnipeg side of centre & only one pinning Winnipeg inside the 20
I'd give the edge to Sheahan in both situations.
Prior to Sheahan's 2nd punt of the game, Doug Brown commented that he didn't think that Sheahan had the leg to compete with other punters in the league. Derek Taylor commented as they went to commercial that the punt was 50 yards in the air (46 yard net).
Terry Wilson has been very good as the short yardage QB thus far. I like the way he gets low and drives forward. Wilson is 12 for 12 on short yardage plays including 2 for 2 when 2 yards in required and 3 for 3 on 3rd down.
The 'Illegal Low Block" penalty on A.C. Leonard was a weak call. It also eliminated an 8 yard run by Brady Oliveira.
At 12:44 of the 4th quarter it appeared as though Kiondre Smith was contemplating the onside punt that Jeshrun Antwi has mastered. I liked the way Nick Hallett & Redha Kramdi rallied to the ball preventing (perhaps) Smith from executing the play. It can be defended!
Quote from: dd on October 05, 2024, 03:44:05 PMDo not like the way Kasotonis plays, very violent hits on defenseless recievers, but he keeps getting away with it. I just don't get it in this day and age of player safety and concerns over concussions
Katsotonis(sp?) has been like that since day 1. He's kind of like a shorter Loffler, with more beef -- slightly out of control. I bet HAM fans & the coaches love it though.
Quote from: 15 Eagles on October 05, 2024, 05:12:54 PMGonna only comment on the ugly. The Bombers have the best fans in the league. Hammy has to have one of the worst. You could hear a pin drop all game Think my kids football team fans made more noise
That really just started this season. Last season they were still packing the stands, and certainly the years before.
All the ones I talked to at the '23 GC were telling me how depressed they were that BLM was going to still be the QB. No one had any faith in him. No one wanted him. But no one knew who else they could take...
Quote from: bunker on October 05, 2024, 05:54:35 PMBad:
Zach was generally good, but he gifted Hamilton 2 interceptions right in their hands that they dropped, and overthrew an open Demski on a post pattern
There were a couple of those deep tries. They failed because the R was being accosted most of the way by the DBs, thus throwing off the timing that Zach expects.
Zach is throwing to a spot with a timer in his head. If jams or molestation slow the R down even slightly, it'll appear as an overthrow -- when in fact Zach threw it perfectly.
I'm not sure what the solution is, other than getting a jump on the DBs. Give credit to HAM for doing their film study and defending the routes we used in the previous game.
Quote from: barbk on October 06, 2024, 12:17:08 AMGood:
First TD from Kevens Clercius and his TD celebration with the salsa dance.
The adjustments made at half time with Buck Pierce and Jordan Younger. (and Willie J giving the game ball to Younger)
The 8 game win streak
Ugly:
The head ref with no personality sounding like a robot. (Ben Major - is the best)
My (very young) daughter pointed out the Emperor Clercius dance. She loved it! We were trying to imitate it while we were celebrating. Kids really like that stuff.
The adjustments were phenomenal. The first half was slow and evenly matched -- the winner was going to be who out-chessed the other. Glad our braintrust is brainier.
The ref: I call him Commander Data. He's not a bad ref, just has a freaky demeanor. Like a good doctor with no bedside manner. Maybe he needs to start sprucing his act up, like First Down Foxcroft used to.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on October 07, 2024, 06:25:19 AMAt 12:44 of the 4th quarter it appeared as though Kiondre Smith was contemplating the onside punt that Jeshrun Antwi has mastered. I liked the way Nick Hallett & Redha Kramdi rallied to the ball preventing (perhaps) Smith from executing the play. It can be defended!
Hallett 21 has the fastest closing speed in the CFL I think. It is insane. He is the perfect flat-roaming spy, as he can be in semi-coverage yet near-instantly be right on top of a QB or RB or anyone else doing near-LoS shenanigans.
Cole might be a close second, tied with Kramdi.
What did you think of the Lucky DPI?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on October 07, 2024, 09:20:25 AMWhat did you think of the Lucky DPI?
I thought he was being mugged and played it perfectly.
I was kind of, meh, when we first signed him but he has impressed the hell out of me. I love his ball security. Considering how often he touches the ball, it's important.
He's a very smart athlete.
Whitehead has been an upgrade over what we had earlier in the season but I do wish he would catch more balls in the air instead of letting them bounce.
Quote from: J5V on October 07, 2024, 12:38:18 PMI was kind of, meh, when we first signed him but he has impressed the hell out of me. I love his ball security. Considering how often he touches the ball, it's important.
He's a very smart athlete.
Lucky has matured so much, and honed his craft so well. He's way more of a player than he was when he left here. I think he also takes his job way more seriously. My guess is he's turned into a real MOS type of hard worker.
Quote from: bwiser on October 07, 2024, 10:23:18 PMWhitehead has been an upgrade over what we had earlier in the season but I do wish he would catch more balls in the air instead of letting them bounce.
He has bad hands, that applies to returns as much as receiving. Need to play to his strengths, which is catching balls in the numbers. He's a known quantity and is unlikely to change much at this point. But he can be a good chess piece.
He's certainly earned a spot on the AR is we go to the GC tomorrow.
Lucky is a showman, and likes the spotlight. I think Osh has let him know that's not a WFC thing. "Act like you've been there before" is more the motto here, arriving with a propeller beanie on a scooter isn't the way an Osh team works. And its not like we need gimmicks to fill the stands right now.
Lucky has buckled down, focused and become a better player because of it. And we are fortunate he has.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on October 08, 2024, 04:49:08 AMLucky has matured so much, and honed his craft so well. He's way more of a player than he was when he left here. I think he also takes his job way more seriously. My guess is he's turned into a real MOS type of hard worker.
He has bad hands, that applies to returns as much as receiving. Need to play to his strengths, which is catching balls in the numbers. He's a known quantity and is unlikely to change much at this point. But he can be a good chess piece.
He's certainly earned a spot on the AR is we go to the GC tomorrow.
I've seen Lucky drop countless deep balls both in BC and in Wpg., if there's any level of difficulty making the catch while running he's unlikely to come down with the ball. He's fortunate if he can draw a PI penalty cause he's not likely to catch it. That said he handles the inside routes well and finds space in tight, wish they would use him that way more, especially in the redzone.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 08, 2024, 04:26:22 PMI've seen Lucky drop countless deep balls both in BC and in Wpg., if there's any level of difficulty making the catch while running he's unlikely to come down with the ball.
100% yes, he just sucks with his hands. However, that doesn't preclude the deep ball... it just has to be dropped perfectly over his shoulder in stride or he has to have enough of a jump to be able to turn around and gut-catch it.
So it can be done, but Zach and the timing have to be perfect.
I will say I appreciate Lucky diving for the deep EZ shot last game. So many of our players won't dive for anything (Schoen especially, also Demski). I like how Pokey isn't afraid to dive (and he has hands!), and Kenny will go for basically anything. I miss the ol' Dressler / Flying Hawaiian vibes that the CFL is so sorely lacking these days.
Watching the replay of the HAM game I noticed Lucky was doing exactly that on his DPI attempt... he was running backwards looking for a gut catch. This is what we need Lucky to do on those. However, the defender was draped all over him, so that's a tough play to make.
Lucky is what he is. I just can't believe we haven't upgraded our return game yet this year. Whether it be the blocking scheme or the returner. Lucky has been the best for us this year but not really saying a lot...
Quote from: towelie on October 09, 2024, 12:42:30 PMLucky is what he is. I just can't believe we haven't upgraded our return game yet this year. Whether it be the blocking scheme or the returner. Lucky has been the best for us this year but not really saying a lot...
We've never been able to find a replacement for Janarion. Our return game has always been terrible when he's missed time.
Again, terrible decision to let him walk.
Quote from: towelie on October 09, 2024, 12:42:30 PMLucky is what he is. I just can't believe we haven't upgraded our return game yet this year. Whether it be the blocking scheme or the returner. Lucky has been the best for us this year but not really saying a lot...
It hasn't mattered who we put back there, RARELY is there anywhere to run to.
Quote from: Jesse on October 09, 2024, 01:59:18 PMWe've never been able to find a replacement for Janarion. Our return game has always been terrible when he's missed time.
Again, terrible decision to let him walk.
The Bombers should try and get him back for 2025, IMO. Return game is basically non-existent without Grant.
Quote from: towelie on October 09, 2024, 12:42:30 PMLucky is what he is. I just can't believe we haven't upgraded our return game yet this year. Whether it be the blocking scheme or the returner. Lucky has been the best for us this year but not really saying a lot...
If you watch Lucky return you'll see he loses all momentum when he changes direction, instead of flowing left or right it's almost like he comes to a stop before he changes direction. Maybe he's indecisive, lacks vision or has no RB skills but he'd do a whole lot better if he'd just carry his initial speed when he changes direction. It must be said that returner is one of the hardest jobs in all of football and very few can do it really well.
good
"The Blue Bombers had the highest-graded offensive line of the week with a score of 80.8. Left guard Liam Dobson received the best individual score at 78.8, followed by centre Chris Kolankowski at 76.2 and right tackle Eric Lofton at 74.8.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive back Deatrick Nichols has been named the CFL's top performer for Week 18 by Pro Football Focus (PFF) with a grade of 92.3.
The two-time CFL all-star made two defensive tackles, two pass knockdowns, and one interception to help his team defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by a score of 31-10. The 30-year-old has now made 42 defensive tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles on the year."
https://3downnation.com/2024/10/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-db-deatrick-nichols-named-cfls-top-performer-for-week-18-by-pff/
O line took a while maybe, but..... they've got it going now.
my impression is that coaching is a very big part of O line success. Bombers O line coach has to be top of the league.
Quote from: markf on October 09, 2024, 05:32:52 PMgood
"The Blue Bombers had the highest-graded offensive line of the week with a score of 80.8. Left guard Liam Dobson received the best individual score at 78.8, followed by centre Chris Kolankowski at 76.2 and right tackle Eric Lofton at 74.8.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive back Deatrick Nichols has been named the CFL's top performer for Week 18 by Pro Football Focus (PFF) with a grade of 92.3.
The two-time CFL all-star made two defensive tackles, two pass knockdowns, and one interception to help his team defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by a score of 31-10. The 30-year-old has now made 42 defensive tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles on the year."
https://3downnation.com/2024/10/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-db-deatrick-nichols-named-cfls-top-performer-for-week-18-by-pff/
O line took a while maybe, but..... they've got it going now.
my impression is that coaching is a very big part of O line success. Bombers O line coach has to be top of the league.
This next game will test the O-line to see how good they really are, games they can't provide Zach with good protection is when the offence struggles to be effective. Like the Elks and the Ti-Cats before them the Bombers may have built their 8 game winning streak by beating up on weaker teams.
Not sure how well the Argos and the Als D-lines have performed so far this season but they've been the difference makers in the last 2 GC losses and could again be the biggest obstacle in the Bombers way. If the O-line falls short again, there won't be a lot they can do about it, other than inserting Randolph for the weakest link.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 09, 2024, 07:36:43 PMThis next game will test the O-line to see how good they really are, games they can't provide Zach with good protection is when the offence struggles to be effective. Like the Elks and the Ti-Cats before them the Bombers may have built their 8 game winning streak by beating up on weaker teams.
Not sure how well the Argos and the Als D-lines have performed so far this season but they've been the difference makers in the last 2 GC losses and could again be the biggest obstacle in the Bombers way. If the O-line falls short again, there won't be a lot they can do about it, other than inserting Randolph for the weakest link.
I think your analysis is bang on the money. That's why having a healthy Stanley Bryant and Patty Neufeld is so important, not to mention Kolankowski, Lofton, Randolph, etc. Even then, it's going to be a challenge. Utilizing RBs to help out with keeping Zach clean is going to be a critical part of our offensive scheme. I also think it's important to remember that Zach had a compromised ankle during the Grey Cup last year and his mobility wasn't good at all. I believe he's much healthier now although my heart was in my throat when he took off running for a first down against Hamilton. I was afraid he was going to get Simoni Lawrenced!
Quote from: Jesse on October 09, 2024, 01:59:18 PMWe've never been able to find a replacement for Janarion. Our return game has always been terrible when he's missed time.
Well, if BC had told everyone it was hunky-dory to ignore the cap back in FA, we could have signed Grant and Jeffcoat and everyone else we wanted to retain!
I don't think we'll ever see Grant back here: any move he makes in FA will have a bidding war attached -- assuming he stays healthy.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 09, 2024, 07:36:43 PMLike the Elks and the Ti-Cats before them the Bombers may have built their 8 game winning streak by beating up on weaker teams.
Uh, nearly every team we beat in those 8 games was on a hot streak or trending up! EDM was looking like best-in-west just before we faced them. BC was still the team to beat in the W before we knocked them down. SSK was also hot, looking like it was going to win the W, before we back-to-back slaughtered them. HAM was on a hot streak and 2nd or 3rd in power rankings and MOP chatter when we showed BLM what kind of team he was.
If anything you have it backwards -- the teams come into our games hot and then turn into jelly after we're done with them. The only exception so far is SSK -- they managed to keep eking out wins.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on October 10, 2024, 02:54:05 AMWell, if BC had told everyone it was hunky-dory to ignore the cap back in FA, we could have signed Grant and Jeffcoat and everyone else we wanted to retain!
I don't think we'll ever see Grant back here: any move he makes in FA will have a bidding war attached -- assuming he stays healthy.
::)
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 09, 2024, 07:36:43 PMLike the Elks and the Ti-Cats before them the Bombers may have built their 8 game winning streak by beating up on weaker teams.
Yeah, it's almost as if the top team in the division is superior to its rivals.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on October 10, 2024, 01:13:41 PMYeah, it's almost as if the top team in the division is superior to its rivals.
And who are the supposed "strong" teams that we haven't beat?
Quote from: Jesse on October 10, 2024, 01:26:26 PMAnd who are the supposed "strong" teams that we haven't beat?
(https://media.tenor.com/hTJDQuojfXQAAAAM/no-idea-idk.gif)
Quote from: Jesse on October 10, 2024, 01:26:26 PMAnd who are the supposed "strong" teams that we haven't beat?
That would be the Als and the Argos, the two teams they have not beaten this season who may arguably be equivalent in player talent and team execution when performing their best. Assuming the Bombers are automatically better than every other team because they've been playing well and beating inferior teams lately doesn't make it so.
Oh, here is the list of teams I currently consider
clearly inferior to the Bombers in their current state.
Ti-Cats
Elks
Riders
Lions
Stamps
RB's
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 10, 2024, 04:47:44 PMThat would be the Als and the Argos, the two teams they have not beaten this season who may arguably be equivalent in player talent and team execution when performing their best. Assuming the Bombers are automatically better than every other team because they've been playing well and beating inferior teams lately doesn't make it so.
Flawed logic. The Bombers were not at their best in week 1 and they lost in OT to the Argos back in July. That was ages ago.
No other team over the last two months has been as solid as the Bombers have been. The Als only have a single victory in the last calendar month, and the Argos only have two.
Maybe it's just recency bias on my part, but in terms of "what you have done lately?" I don't think there's currently a better (or hotter) team than the Bombers right now.
I just don't list any teams as inferior to others right now.
This whole season has been one of upsets. There hasn't been anyone who has shown themselves to be untouchable this whole year. So I can't discredit 8 wins in a row because of the opponents, especially when we've got the season series against every team in the West.
well, EDM was 5 of 6 when we faced them and handed them back to back losses.
Ham was on a 4 game win streak when we crushed them.
They keep tossing the hottest teams at us, no problem.
There is some truth to the fact that we've played weaker teams over the 8 game win streak. We've beat:
BC, BC, Hamilton, Sask, Sask, Edmonton, Edmonton, Hamilton.
And yea, that's half the league. But It's four games against non-playoff teams and four games against teams with ~.500 records. They might have been hot coming in, but it's hard to conclude they were very good either.
On the other hand, who is good? BC and the Riders are number 2 and 3 in the west so four straight against them is an accomplishment. It's true we didn't play Montreal but Ottawa is only 2 games above .500 themselves so are they the team we avoided that would have been a lot of trouble? Doubt it. It's a weird, close, log jam of a season.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on October 10, 2024, 05:07:18 PMFlawed logic. The Bombers were not at their best in week 1 and they lost in OT to the Argos back in July. That was ages ago.
No other team over the last two months has been as solid as the Bombers have been. The Als only have a single victory in the last calendar month, and the Argos only have two.
Maybe it's just recency bias on my part, but in terms of "what you have done lately?" I don't think there's currently a better (or hotter) team than the Bombers right now.
For me it comes down to fear of the unknown and fresh memories of a couple of playoff upsets. Understanding "how that could happen" has to be explored before the game is played.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on October 10, 2024, 05:20:43 PMThere is some truth to the fact that we've played weaker teams over the 8 game win streak.
There's a bit of a willful ignorance in that truth though. If you're making the case that we've only beat weak teams (because apparently most of the league is weak), then there are no strong teams, because they've also only beat the weak teams.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 10, 2024, 05:31:43 PMFor me it comes down to fear of the unknown and fresh memories of a couple of playoff upsets. Understanding "how that could happen" has to be explored before the game is played.
I bet the players feel similarly considering those two losses were Grey Cup games.
I'm hopeful the leaders on this team have learned from those and will be mindful of that going into the playoffs.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on October 10, 2024, 05:20:43 PMThere is some truth to the fact that we've played weaker teams over the 8 game win streak. We've beat:
BC, BC, Hamilton, Sask, Sask, Edmonton, Edmonton, Hamilton.
And yea, that's half the league. But It's four games against non-playoff teams and four games against teams with ~.500 records. They might have been hot coming in, but it's hard to conclude they were very good either.
On the other hand, who is good? BC and the Riders are number 2 and 3 in the west so four straight against them is an accomplishment. It's true we didn't play Montreal but Ottawa is only 2 games above .500 themselves so are they the team we avoided that would have been a lot of trouble? Doubt it. It's a weird, close, log jam of a season.
You realize that when we started the 8-0 run, we were "a weaker team". 2-6, under .500 and not a playoff team, right?
Look at the records of those teams WHEN we beat them, not now, after those "L's" are in their stats.
BC 5-2 (we shut them out), BC 5-3, Hamilton (2-8), Sask (5-5-1), Sask (5-6-1), Edmonton(5-8, but on a 5-1 run), Edmonton (5-9, on a 5-2 run), Hamilton (6-8, but on a 4 game win streak).
Quote from: theaardvark on October 10, 2024, 06:28:28 PMYou realize that when we started the 8-0 run, we were "a weaker team". 2-6, under .500 and not a playoff team, right?
Look at the records of those teams WHEN we beat them, not now, after those "L's" are in their stats.
BC 5-2 (we shut them out), BC 5-3, Hamilton (2-8), Sask (5-5-1), Sask (5-6-1), Edmonton(5-8, but on a 5-1 run), Edmonton (5-9, on a 5-2 run), Hamilton (6-8, but on a 4 game win streak).
Yep. Agree with all of that. I think you can reasonably make the case either way which is unusual and fun at the same time.
Quote from: Jesse on October 10, 2024, 05:33:36 PMThere's a bit of a willful ignorance in that truth though. If you're making the case that we've only beat weak teams (because apparently most of the league is weak), then there are no strong teams, because they've also only beat the weak teams.
Ballad of the last 5 years, while the Bombers have been cake-walking through the regular season.
-The Stamps used to be good but have gotten progressively worse each year.
-The Riders try to be good, but usually fail.
-The Lions are usually good, but always come up short when the chips are down.
-The Elks are unfamiliar with the word good.
-The Ti-Cats should be good, but never deliver.
-The RB's are just now learning to be good.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 10, 2024, 04:47:44 PMThat would be the Als and the Argos, the two teams they have not beaten this season
Everyone's talking like all teams we face are of equal importance. They are not. The East means virtually nothing. To focus at all in comparing us with East teams is mostly pointless. As every year, what matters is how we stack up in our division, and how many season series we can win. Did The Mafia try extra hard in the divisional games? Maybe. The result sure appears that way. Smart!
I don't give 2 poops whether MTL, TOR, OTT are better than us. I don't give 2 poops whether we beat them in the regular season. My measuring stick is BC, SSK, EDM, CGY. That's it.
We're in the position we're in now because we basically cleaned up in our division. We are virtually untouchable in 1st because of that. Any win against the E is just gravy to pad our final count, and we only have to win roughly as many vs the E as the other W teams do.
The only moment I will care about how we stack up to an East team is when we find out who we are facing in the GC this year.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on October 10, 2024, 05:20:43 PMBC, BC, Hamilton, Sask, Sask, Edmonton, Edmonton, Hamilton.
And yea, that's half the league. But It's four games against non-playoff teams and four games against teams with ~.500 records. They might have been hot coming in, but it's hard to conclude they were very good either.
But most every team in the W is .500 or lower.
And if those teams you list above had beaten us in that stretch, then most of those teams would be above .500 and we'd be the weak team.
In this year, the Year Of The East, the measuring stick for whether a W team is good or not is not .500 -- it's .333!
Anyone who is saying we had an "easy schedule" in those 8 games is conveniently forgetting we didn't get to face weak-butt CGY for the freebie bingo spot.
It's all relative and in no way should anyone minimize our success. Every team we faced was decent at the time and had a good chance to win. As Zach always says after a game "X is a good team". It's true.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 10, 2024, 05:31:43 PMFor me it comes down to fear of the unknown and fresh memories of a couple of playoff upsets. Understanding "how that could happen" has to be explored before the game is played.
You better believe it. The braintrust better have been working on solving the MTL and TOR puzzles all year so that we can actually take home the cup this time. Everything from FA till now must have been in support of this goal.
I think we don't have to worry about the players' focus -- everyone who was here last year will be fully dialed in. We won't have the same drops and sacks and low-yardage runs and D confusion as last time.
You can't call a below .500 team good. That's Calgary, Hamilton and Edmonton.
BC's a 500 team that will likely be below .500 at the end of the week. One of our wins against them they started Rourke with one practice's reps.
The Riders are the best team we've beaten in our streak & they're a game and a half over .500. That's mostly based on their quick start of the season not on how they are playing right now.
Your logic is a bit flawed,since labour day (often referred to as the start of the real season)
The only teams with a winning record are
Hamilton 4 and 1
Bc 3 and 2
And you guessed it
Wpg 5 and 0
The only team thats really been consistant is mtrl (and Calgary in a bad way.)
Parity is the cfl this year
Quote from: TecnoGenius on October 11, 2024, 04:13:36 AMEveryone's talking like all teams we face are of equal importance. They are not. The East means virtually nothing. To focus at all in comparing us with East teams is mostly pointless. As every year, what matters is how we stack up in our division, and how many season series we can win. Did The Mafia try extra hard in the divisional games? Maybe. The result sure appears that way. Smart!
I don't give 2 poops whether MTL, TOR, OTT are better than us. I don't give 2 poops whether we beat them in the regular season. My measuring stick is BC, SSK, EDM, CGY. That's it.
We're in the position we're in now because we basically cleaned up in our division. We are virtually untouchable in 1st because of that. Any win against the E is just gravy to pad our final count, and we only have to win roughly as many vs the E as the other W teams do.
The only moment I will care about how we stack up to an East team is when we find out who we are facing in the GC this year.
You kind of contradict your own statement 2 posts below, the only opponents I worry about now that they're likely to clinch first place lie in the East, and they'll only have to deal with one if they reach the GC game. Of course accidents can happen in the Western playoffs, but if they lose the WF at home it'll be an unexpected upset to a team with inferior personnel.
We can no longer say the Bomber personnel is vastly superior in every category than the Als and the Argos, especially in the trenches. The big reveal will happen tonight as the Argos are still playing with urgency to secure a playoff spot. Is the Bomber offence good enough to move the ball effectively against the Argo defence or will we see a sad reversion to earlier this season when the O-line couldn't provide Zach with enough time to find receivers downfield and he ends up running for his life? I guess we'll find out soon enough.