Although we are only approaching the half way point in the season, is it fair to say the upcoming game against Ottawa is a 'must win' for the Bombers?
I would argue "yes" very simply because of the tight standings for 2nd and 3rd place in the west and the fact we are facing, in our stadium, one of the 3 "weakest" teams in the league.
The questions are, which team can put the best group of players on the field and which team is the hungrier of the two to win.
Effort, Talent and Execution - the winning team will demonstrate all 3 of these qualities.
Stay tuned for Blue Bomber and Red Blacks updates including depth charts and injury updates when released.
There are no must wins this early in the season imo, critical game, must win no, I really want to win YAS
Others said AQ will be good and my model shows clearing that day!!!!
Might be a shower so check weather again and Come prepared maybe not a great game for chips and dips lol, hot before the game, cools quickly
1st time in years I build up cred with security and the super to let me in with my sack of snacks, lots of laughs each time, maybe I'll feed em this game ;)
Must win, IMO. Gotta keep pace with the two teams above them in the standings.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 12, 2025, 07:54:03 PMThere, are no must wins this early in the season imo, critical game, must win no, I really want to win YAS
Others said AQ will be good and my model shows clearing that day!!!!
Might be a shower so check weather again and Come prepared maybe not a great game for chips and dips lol, hot before the game, cools quickly
1st time in years I build up cred with security and the super to let me in with my sack of snacks, lots of laughs each time, maybe I'll feed em this game ;)
The issue is we need to keep pace with our competition. We need this game to build confidence in the players and coaches. We need this game because we are playing a team lower in the standings that we are. We need this game after coming off a very tough loss. You can't just look at our record of wins and losses and say, because we have half a season left in the schedule, we don't really need to win this game. The implications and scenario are much bigger than you make it to be!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GyLef_RaUAARPu-?format=jpg&name=small)
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 12, 2025, 09:03:57 PMThe issue is we need to keep pace with our competition. We need this game to build confidence in the players and coaches. We need this game because we are playing a team lower in the standings that we are. We need this game after coming off a very tough loss. You can't just look at our record of wins and losses and say, because we have half a season left in the schedule, we don't really need to win this game. The implications and scenario are much bigger than you make it to be!
Nope all those things are true but it's not a must win imo. I know it's a big game, I called it critical. Too early to call it a must win imo.
It's not a playoff situation game, it's not in our division, not likely to be a tie breaker. Big game to build momentum and a team we should beat.
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 12, 2025, 09:12:49 PM(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GyLef_RaUAARPu-?format=jpg&name=small)
I don't expect Logan to play. Would wait on Lawson to rest him.
Like to see Logan get into the lineup this week. The DBs have to be much better. Can't be giving up the deep ball. Hogan has to find the answer when Ottawa makes changes on D. Get to Drew early and often.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 12, 2025, 09:17:57 PMLike to see Logan get into the lineup this week. The DBs have to be much better. Can't be giving up the deep ball. Hogan has to find the answer when Ottawa makes changes on D. Get to Drew early and often.
I wouldn't as you risk injury, he needs another week of full practice 1st imo. Agree rest.
He was limited and DNP last week. I like an extra week in situations like this.
That said super excited when he is 100%.
So if/when Logan comes back, does Vavol go to PR?? Really?? The guy just scored 2 TD returns in one game, and we're going to put him on the PR?? I'd keep Vavol back on returns, not sure what to do with Logan
Quote from: dd on August 12, 2025, 09:42:21 PMSo if/when Logan comes back, does Vavol go to PR?? Really?? The guy just scored 2 TD returns in one game, and we're going to put him on the PR?? I'd keep Vavol back on returns, not sure what to do with Logan
No.
Quote from: dd on August 12, 2025, 09:42:21 PMSo if/when Logan comes back, does Vavol go to PR?? Really?? The guy just scored 2 TD returns in one game, and we're going to put him on the PR?? I'd keep Vavol back on returns, not sure what to do with Logan
vaval will be a starting DB
Unless you're pushing up your nerd glasses before commenting "well, ack-shull-ee", before going on about it not being a must win unless it mathematically eliminates you, of course it's a must win game.
Last week was a critical one, as it would have put us within a couple wins of first while keeping us ahead of BC.
Now we're tied with BC and multiple wins behind Sask and Cal. We need to win to keep up with BC while also keeping Ottawa down in case we need to depend on the crossover. Letting Ottawa win would be double nail in the coffin.
Ottawa is a perennial joke of a team with a terrible defence and an inconsistent offence. At a certain point, you are what your record says you are, and if we don't start to turn the tide this week, at what point can you expect it?
Ok, for all of those who don't see the importance of the upcoming game, this is the current state of affairs. We re tied with BC with one game in hand. We play Ridersx2, Hamx2, those are tough games, and we also play Ottawax2, Montreal (less Alexander), Edmonton. We HAVE to win vs the weaker teams, if we don't then we HAVE to win vs the stronger teams in their backyard. Ya, that's not happening.
BC on the other hand plays Cgyx2, and then all eastern teams - Torx2, Ottx2 and Montreal. So if they beat their weaker teams, and we slip up and lose, we're out of the playoffs.
This is a MUST win game, and so are all the other ones vs weaker teams, and if we can't beat the weaker teams, we ain't going to beat the top ranked teams and this is all a moot point.
If Vaval starts on D I think he should have no other distractions. Either Logan is ready or someone else returns. Cobb, Peterson. Someone.
either Holm or Nichols need to be on Gino all game
Ed Tait's 48-Hour Primer...
https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/08/12/48-hour-primer-week-11-vs-ottawa/
Focusing (a) on the growing pains of a news Offensive Coordinator and (b) the confidence the coaches and players have in Jason Hogan.
Quote from: Waffler on August 12, 2025, 11:12:38 PMIf Vaval starts on D I think he should have no other distractions. Either Logan is ready or someone else returns. Cobb, Peterson. Someone.
I think we do the 2 KR sets most of the game. Why not? Logan can cheat to the apparent-kick-side to get >50% of the kicks. Vaval can take a couple. And maybe 1 reverse (with a lot of fakes).
But all this assumes Logan finally gets off his duff.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 12, 2025, 11:57:34 PMeither Holm or Nichols need to be on Gino all game
Gino plays wide out. It'll be up to a rookie/noob corner to stay with him. Good luck with that.
OTT's REC corps is scary good. All are good fantasy picks most weeks. Well, except the new White guy, who knows if he's any good.
OTT's weakness is OL. You need to smack Dru before he gets the ball off. They are a mid/deep-happy team so there should be time. Good front-7 play and lots of blitz and pressure should win the line.
Watch how OTT was defeated in ESF last season. That's the way.
Their D isn't great. You can run against them.
I will say it again. This is a game we must win. At home, a tight west division race, a momentum builder, confidence we have the players/coaches/talent, against a team we should beat. This is a huge game. Let's do it Bombers!
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 13, 2025, 06:54:17 AMI will say it again. This is a game we must win.
I agree. If we can't win this one with the "in house" guys
at home, then we won't win much of anything against the "contender" teams. The only way forward after that is airlifts and praying for other teams to have misfortune. That's copium and hopium and never a good plan.
If we don't beat lower-middling OTT then we ain't beating SSK 3 times in a couple of/few weeks, all else being equal.
I'm already a bit bummed we haven't made any big name roster acquisitions this week. Things may have to get worse. I'm curious who Vegas makes the favorite. Could be some opportunities... The depth charts will tell all. We'll see them soon!
I really wish we'd solve the key problems (RT, 1-2 DBs, 1+ REC) this week. Or at least make ONE move to improve.
OTT at home and then MTL in MTL is actually a "gimmee" schedule, if we were half decent.
MTL is massively wounded and near useless with no Alexander, Ento, Dequoy. They have no O and no D. Their DB corps is even worse than ours right now!! Amazing how Ento/Dequoy were the only thing making them good. Those guys must be the "QB of the DBs".
Are we good enough to win these 2? If we can't win the OTT game then I would hope the helicopters are spinning up for the airlifts the week after.
If we can get Parker/Schoen back in a week (pipe dream), then the only super critical piece is a RT. Or Lofton can stop going to 6GIR...
It's so stupid that we're only 1-3 pieces away from being a good team. 2-4 pieces from being a great team. I don't think filling those holes with ELCs & rookies is going to make anything better.
I'll say it again. THIS IS MUST WIN!
Very little in the way if additions. I guess Walters is on vacation.
I didn't expect many changes to the lineup as it's a very short week. But, I would think that the Bombers are kicking the tires on a few players. A player like Chungh would improve our OL. Landing a player like Houston, would add the experience our DB group needs right now.
cross over implications too
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 13, 2025, 05:59:18 AMGino plays wide out. It'll be up to a rookie/noob corner to stay with him. Good luck with that.
OTT's REC corps is scary good. All are good fantasy picks most weeks. Well, except the new White guy, who knows if he's any good.
OTT's weakness is OL. You need to smack Dru before he gets the ball off. They are a mid/deep-happy team so there should be time. Good front-7 play and lots of blitz and pressure should win the line.
Watch how OTT was defeated in ESF last season. That's the way.
Their D isn't great. You can run against them.
Justin Hardy played well last game.
They have some wreckers on their D Line. Mauldin.
Dru had time v the mighty stamps the other day. Stanback got some good clutch runs.
They are a decent team, held back by penalties amongst other things.
I doubt that OShea thinks this will be a walkover.
Edit... they have injury problems in the secondary...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 13, 2025, 05:55:56 AMI think we do the 2 KR sets most of the game. Why not? Logan can cheat to the apparent-kick-side to get >50% of the kicks. Vaval can take a couple. And maybe 1 reverse (with a lot of fakes).
But all this assumes Logan finally gets off his duff.
Not a bad idea. The big question is who do we take off the roster to get him on. I'm guessing it's J. Jones unless we choose to not add Cam Allen on the AR.
Also noting that Logan could get a few reps on offence. He wouldn't solve the receiver issues per se but would give us a few new wrinkles.
Guess Lawson, Logan and Vanterpool aren't good enough to come back yet
Allen is rostered though and listed behind Kramdi. He'll probably play a ton. I'm glad Kelly isn't getting another chance. Vaval is going both returning and defensive back. He can do both.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 13, 2025, 02:30:16 PMAllen is rostered though and listed behind Kramdi. He'll probably play a ton. I'm glad Kelly isn't getting another chance. Vaval is going both returning and defensive back. He can do both.
This could be huge if it's Allen back there in all those situations we've seen Kelly.
We know listing Kramdi at safety just isn't accurate at all.
Wallace staying in at LG so this is probably the first time we've started the same OL 2 games in a row.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 13, 2025, 02:30:16 PMAllen is rostered though and listed behind Kramdi. He'll probably play a ton. I'm glad Kelly isn't getting another chance. Vaval is going both returning and defensive back. He can do both.
Is the depth chart listed somewhere and is Allen the only addition?
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 03:03:00 PMIs the depth chart listed somewhere and is Allen the only addition?
Depth chart linked on the Bomber website in their game preview and Allen is the only addition. Him for Bonds.
Quote from: Jesse on August 13, 2025, 03:03:43 PMDepth chart linked on the Bomber website in their game preview and Allen is the only addition. Him for Bonds.
I looked there and the last depth chart was for the Calgary game?
Anyway, the depth chart shows the changes on the AR. What it actually means as to who is playing there is another thing.
Kelly was listed 4th on the depth chart at safety ahead of Hallett and Ball last week with Kramdi as the starter.
So I wonder who will actually start and will Allen see defensive reps?
Quote from: Jesse on August 13, 2025, 03:03:43 PMDepth chart linked on the Bomber website in their game preview and Allen is the only addition. Him for Bonds.
Here's the link
https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/OTTAWA-at-WINNIPEG_AUGUST-14-1.pdf
Game Preview - Ottawa @ Winnipeg...
https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/08/13/game-preview-ott-at-wpg-2/
Quote from: The Zipp on August 13, 2025, 12:56:23 PMcross over implications too
way too early to plan for that imo, stretching a bit imo, yes a big game but it's early in the season and there is a lot of ball to be played
Quote from: kkc60 on August 13, 2025, 02:27:25 PMGuess Lawson, Logan and Vanterpool aren't good enough to come back yet
yeah don't want to rush them
As expected not that many changes, nice for Allen to come in as a depth guy, get his feet wet 1st, have to see how many reps at safety Kelly vs. Kramdi. Did others see us playing two safeties at times in the past? I could be wrong.
Ottawa player changes...
https://3downnation.com/2025/08/13/ottawa-redblacks-make-three-defensive-changes-for-game-against-blue-bombers/
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 13, 2025, 04:18:13 PMOttawa player changes...
https://3downnation.com/2025/08/13/ottawa-redblacks-make-three-defensive-changes-for-game-against-blue-bombers/
Looks like we could feast on these weaknesses! :) I don't know the replacements coming in but sounds like some issues there.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 04:11:03 PMway too early to plan for that imo, stretching a bit imo, yes a big game but it's early in the season and there is a lot of ball to be playedyeah don't want to rush them
As expected not that many changes, nice for Allen to come in as a depth guy, get his feet wet 1st, have to see how many reps at safety Kelly vs. Kramdi. Did others see us playing two safeties at times in the past? I could be wrong.
Strongly disagree
points in July and August count the same as points in November - there is a legit chance we need a cross over spot to get in the playoffs so beating an eastern team helps. The season isn't decided in October - it is based on games played through out the season. Ideally we win every game but that isn't likely so we need some key losses by our opponents to help.
Never to early to plan all the ways of getting into the playoffs. The three against Sask are huge - we lost the 3 to Calgary, losing 3 to Sask would be devastating.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 03:15:18 PMI looked there and the last depth chart was for the Calgary game?
Anyway, the depth chart shows the changes on the AR. What it actually means as to who is playing there is another thing.
Kelly was listed 4th on the depth chart at safety ahead of Hallett and Ball last week with Kramdi as the starter.
So I wonder who will actually start and will Allen see defensive reps?
I don't know if we've ever actually seen Kramdi play safety. I'm hoping Allen gets those reps this week.
That and maybe Mitchell playing a larger role on offence may help some.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 04:11:03 PMway too early to plan for that imo, stretching a bit imo, yes a big game but it's early in the season and there is a lot of ball to be playedyeah don't want to rush them
As expected not that many changes, nice for Allen to come in as a depth guy, get his feet wet 1st, have to see how many reps at safety Kelly vs. Kramdi. Did others see us playing two safeties at times in the past? I could be wrong.
Kelly is going to get hopefully zero reps tomorrow. He was not close to being ready.
Quote from: Jesse on August 13, 2025, 04:24:44 PMI don't know if we've ever actually seen Kramdi play safety. I'm hoping Allen gets those reps this week.
That and maybe Mitchell playing a larger role on offence may help some.
I don't know what we'll see but yes, hopefully Allen sees some reps on defence. If he doesn't then what was the point of adding him and not Woods or Logan as an example. I'm not sure if Kramdi has actually taken reps at safety either.
BTW. What does Logan have to do to make the AR? He's practising at full now. With Vaval taking on starting role at CB, he should have been considered to be on the AR.
The same applies for Lawson. He was on the AR before injury and now he can't bump Schmekel?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GyPS0dgW0AA1QLx?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GyPVZKyXwAAN3gq?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 12:43:12 PMI didn't expect many changes to the lineup as it's a very short week. But, I would think that the Bombers are kicking the tires on a few players. A player like Chungh would improve our OL. Landing a player like Houston, would add the experience our DB group needs right now.
No one's going to touch that guy until his legal troubles are resolved. That's why the Stampeders released him.
Breakout returner Trey Vaval to start in battered Blue Bombers secondary against Redblacks
By John Hodge -August 13, 2025
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have promoted rookie returner Trey Vaval to a starting role at boundary cornerback following yet another injury to their secondary.
The 24-year-old native of Blue Springs, Mo. has seen action at cornerback in each of the team's past three games, though he's yet to make a start. In Week 8, he took the place of a benched Marquise Bridges at field-side cornerback, then he replaced an injured Jamal Parker in Week 9. Last week, he took over at boundary cornerback from Terrell Bonds, who announced on Tuesday that he's out for the season due to a knee injury.
Vaval has made nine defensive tackles and three special teams tackles through eight career CFL games but has become a household name due to his work as a returner. The five-foot-eleven, 163-pound speedster leads the CFL with 528 punt return yards, ranks fourth with 457 kickoffs return yards, and has two return touchdowns.
With Bonds being moved to the six-game injured list, the Blue Bombers have promoted rookie defensive back Cam Allen to the active roster. The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Bluefield, Va. was a standout at Purdue University where he made 203 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 13 interceptions, 31 pass knockdowns, four forced fumbles, and one blocked kick over 56 games. He has been listed as the backup safety behind Redha Kramdi.
The rest of Winnipeg's roster remains unchanged following last week's loss to the Calgary Stampeders, during which the team struggled offensively in the second half. Zach Collaros completed 21-of-26 pass attempts for 214 yards and one touchdown, though almost half that yardage went to running back Brady Oliveira as Kevens Clercius, the team's leading receiver, managed only 32 yards.
Players who remain on Winnipeg's one-game injured list include running back and returner Peyton Logan, offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool, defensive lineman Cameron Lawson, and defensive back Jamal Parker. Those who remain on the six-game injured list include receivers Kody Case and Dalton Schoen, offensive lineman Eric Lofton, linebacker Lane Novak, and defensive backs Bonds and Enock Makonzo.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (3-6) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, August 14 with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks are coming off a 46-42 win over the Toronto Argonauts, while the Blue Bombers suffered a walk-off loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 29 degrees with a 60 percent chance of showers and a risk of a thunderstorm. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
https://3downnation.com/2025/08/13/breakout-returner-trey-vaval-to-start-in-battered-blue-bombers-secondary-against-redblacks/
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 04:11:03 PMway too early to plan for that imo, stretching a bit imo, yes a big game but it's early in the season and there is a lot of ball to be playedyeah don't want to rush them
As expected not that many changes, nice for Allen to come in as a depth guy, get his feet wet 1st, have to see how many reps at safety Kelly vs. Kramdi. Did others see us playing two safeties at times in the past? I could be wrong.
Who says they are being rushed? You might be correct but I think this is just O'Shea making some bad decisions.
It's not early in the season. This week is game 9 which is exactly half. Vanterpool played last week and was listed as " full " in practice. This seems to be a choice made within the ratio. Perhaps it's the right choice but if our OL suffers, there will be questions after the game.
Logan has been running for weeks. Even if he's not game ready, he's healthy and should be bumped to PR IMO.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 13, 2025, 04:35:19 PMKelly is going to get hopefully zero reps tomorrow. He was not close to being ready.
Kelly... what has that guy shown? I don't rewatch games, am I missing something?
I am the last person to question roster decisions, and I don't like to call out players, but this one I don't get. He seems clueless. And this has carried over from last season when I am pretty sure he got benched in one game he started.
Quote from: markf on August 13, 2025, 06:01:21 PMKelly... what has that guy shown? I don't rewatch games, am I missing something?
I am the last person to question roster decisions, but this one I don't get. He seems clueless. And this has carried over from last season when I am pretty sure he got benched in one game he started.
He looked better last year before the injury. So healthy and game ready are not the same thing. I think he'll add value in a game or two but I don't know he should be seeing so many key reps yet.
He took the wrong angle on the long TD, slightly late and then missed the tackle. On the PI he was there slightly early. This will be game 3 back and if he's starting there should be a very short lease. The problems can't be the same problems week to week. That was the issues with Bridges and Bonds.
Whether Allen starts I have no idea.
Ottawa Redblacks make three defensive changes for game against Blue Bombers
By 3Down Staff -August 13, 2025
The Ottawa Redblacks have made three changes on defence ahead of their trip to Princess Auto Stadium to take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Davion Taylor will start at weak-side linebacker in place of Frankie Griffin, who has been moved to the six-game injured list due to a wrist injury. The 27-year-old native of McComb, Miss. was a third-round pick on the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Colorado and spent three seasons with the team. He has played 20 regular-season CFL games since joining the Redblacks last year, recording 45 defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles, three sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Ottawa has also reconfigured its secondary as field-side halfback Amari Henderson has been placed on the six-game injured list due to a knee injury. Veteran defensive back Deandre Lamont will take over for Henderson, while Robert Priester, who dressed in a depth role the past two weeks, will start at boundary halfback where Lamont was starting.
There has also been a change at field-side cornerback with Alijah McGhee hitting the one-game injured list with an ankle problem. CFL rookie Gavin Heslop will take over his spot in what will be his first career start. The 27-year-old native of Yonkers, N.Y. was a two-time All-Conference selected at Stony Brook University and played two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
The Redblacks have listed three players as game-time decisions, so there could be further changes made to the lineup. Field-side wideout Keelan White, who was the third overall pick in this year's CFL draft, is dealing with an ankle injury, while defensive tackle Cleyon Laing (knee) and safety Bennett Williams (hamstring) are also game-time decisions.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4) will host the Ottawa Redblacks (3-6) at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday, August 14 with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks are coming off a 46-42 win over the Toronto Argonauts, while the Blue Bombers suffered a walk-off loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 29 degrees with a 60 percent chance of showers and a risk of a thunderstorm. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.
https://3downnation.com/2025/08/13/ottawa-redblacks-make-three-defensive-changes-for-game-against-blue-bombers/
Quote from: markf on August 13, 2025, 06:01:21 PMKelly... what has that guy shown? I don't rewatch games, am I missing something?
I am the last person to question roster decisions, and I don't like to call out players, but this one I don't get. He seems clueless. And this has carried over from last season when I am pretty sure he got benched in one game he started.
I think the game is just moving too fast for him to be honest. They like the size and length I'm sure. He seems like a good fit athleticly. Maybe more seasoning. He could be a case of not ready now versus never good enough.
You need your safety to make some big plays in a game and he, to his credit, seemed to be in the right place a lot, but made some bad decisions. The PI was not good. He wasn't able to make the breakups when we needed them.
Hard to tell on TV but didn't really look comfortable. Not surprised they're going in another direction.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 06:01:17 PMWho says they are being rushed? You might be correct but I think this is just O'Shea making some bad decisions.
It's not early in the season. This week is game 9 which is exactly half. Vanterpool played last week and was listed as " full " in practice. This seems to be a choice made within the ratio. Perhaps it's the right choice but if our OL suffers, there will be questions after the game.
Logan has been running for weeks. Even if he's not game ready, he's healthy and should be bumped to PR IMO.
I didn't say they are being rushed. The point is don't play a guy until 100%. Logan isn't ready. One limited practice last week and one this. Good way to end a guys season to bring em back too early.
I consider this still early in the season, serious stuff happens after labour day imo.
I don't think MOS has made mistakes. You are talking a lot about Vanterpool, who might be a good option but I trust the mafia here.
Patience. Guys come on when ready or best option. Two short weeks did not help our inuried guys get ready.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 06:01:17 PMWho says they are being rushed? You might be correct but I think this is just O'Shea making some bad decisions.
It's not early in the season. This week is game 9 which is exactly half. Vanterpool played last week and was listed as " full " in practice. This seems to be a choice made within the ratio. Perhaps it's the right choice but if our OL suffers, there will be questions after the game.
Logan has been running for weeks. Even if he's not game ready, he's healthy and should be bumped to PR IMO.
Vanterpool has not played since being injured and seemed to have a set back in practice last week as he practice one day and did not the next. He was listed as a FULL practice this week, but there was only one.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 06:23:14 PMI didn't say they are being rushed. The point is don't play a guy until 100%. Logan isn't ready. One limited practice last week and one this. Good way to end a guys season to bring em back too early.
I consider this still early in the season, serious stuff happens after labour day imo.
I don't think MOS has made mistakes. You are talking a lot about Vanterpool, who might be a good option but I trust the mafia here.
Patience. Guys come on when ready or best option.
I don't know if Vanterpool is a better option than Wallace. This may have been a ratio decision more than a performance issue. I see there is a comment that he may have had a setback but there was only one practice this week and then a walk through.
He was listed as " full " in the only practice.
And no guys don't come on when ready or best option. We can debate why Woods is not a better option than Ayers. Or Vanterpool is not a better option or why Logan is not a better option.
Even among the Canadians, why Lawson is not a better option than Schmekel. All were listed as " full" at practice. Lawson was practising last week IIRC.
Many are questioning O'Shea and some of the choices made. Winning solves all questions.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 06:31:30 PMI don't know if Vanterpool is a better option than Wallace. This may have been a ratio decision more than a performance issue. I see there is a comment that he may have had a setback but there was only one practice this week and then a walk through.
He was listed as " full " in the only practice.
And no guys don't come on when ready or best option. We can debate why Woods is not a better option than Ayers. Or Vanterpool is not a better option or why Logan is not a better option.
Even among the Canadians, why Lawson is not a better option than Schmekel. All were listed as " full" at practice. Lawson was practising last week IIRC.
Many are questioning O'Shea and some of the choices made. Winning solves all questions.
Guys are available as a decision to come on when ready.
Vanterpool, Woods and Logan are not there yet imo. Soon.
Club is smart. Protect their depth guys, make sure they 100%.
Just because many question the club doesn't mean they are right. There was a group that wanted MOS and Hall gone previously.
I believe we have made very reasonable roster decisions each week.
When ready I want Logan and Woods on. Not sure who comes off.
Quote from: Jesse on August 13, 2025, 06:23:24 PMVanterpool has not played since being injured and seemed to have a set back in practice last week as he practice one day and did not the next. He was listed as a FULL practice this week, but there was only one.
You'd think the result from this week has more merit than last week or would have been " limited ". I get what you are saying but the IR reports are next to useless. Noting that Logan and Lawson also looked to be available.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 06:33:38 PMGuys are available as a decision to come on when ready.
Vanterpool, Woods and Logan are not there yet imo. Soon.
Club is smart. Protect their depth guys, make sure they 100%.
Just because many question the club doesn't mean they are right. There was a group that wanted MOS and Hall gone previously.
Smart? I disagree. We're 4 - 4 and have been blown out in 3 games and won once in the last 5. No problem waiting until players are 100% but there is more than enough info to question if that is actually the case.
Lots of questions about how smart our choices are on the PR is just another question of what's happening. At the very least we should have added another DB this week.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 06:37:49 PMSmart? I disagree. We're 4 - 4 and have been blown out in 3 games and won once in the last 5. No problem waiting until players are 100% but there is more than enough info to question if that is actually the case.
Lots of questions about how smart our choices are on the PR is just another question of what's happening. At the very least we should have added another DB this week.
Logan wasn't ready imo
Vanterpool had a setback
Lawson recently hurt
We don't have DB to add
Adding Allen brings flexibility
A lot more factors in this bad stretch than just roster decisions imo
Hopefully went can figure out our CB situation, solutions isn't with the club imo
Hopefully Parker comes back soon
I am a little concerned with our DB situation. If one of the starters gets injured, we are in some trouble.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 07:12:07 PMI am a little concerned with our DB situation. If one of the starters gets injured, we are in some trouble.
I hear there's this DB out there who is familiar with the system here. His name eludes me but I'm pretty sure it rhymes with fridges.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 07:19:27 PMI hear there's this DB out there who is familiar with the system here. His name eludes me but I'm pretty sure it rhymes with fridges.
Dearest Bridges we were wrong. Miller will offer a seasons worth of buffets plus 5% raise.
Sincerely,
Bombers
Please note: the buffet offer excludes the butter chicken and jumbo shrimp 🍤
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 07:19:27 PMI hear there's this DB out there who is familiar with the system here. His name eludes me but I'm pretty sure it rhymes with fridges.
And we still chose not to, lol
Quote from: Jesse on August 13, 2025, 07:24:14 PMAnd we still chose not to, lol
The WFC can admit it made a mistake and welcome him back with open arms. ;D
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 07:27:22 PMThe WFC can admit it made a mistake and welcome him back with open arms. ;D
Maybe he has a friend that can play safety 🤔
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 06:46:31 PMLogan wasn't ready imo
Vanterpool had a setback
Lawson recently hurt
We don't have DB to add
Adding Allen brings flexibility
A lot more factors in this bad stretch than just roster decisions imo
Hopefully went can figure out our CB situation, solutions isn't with the club imo
Hopefully Parker comes back soon
"We don't have a DB to add " is a mistake. D. Lawson was cut after TC then re-signed on July 29 and played August 9th.
So neither of Allen or Woodbey who were on our PR since TC ended were not capable of playing CB. Yet, Lawson who didn't practice for 10 weeks has a couple of practices and is ready?
Doesn't that say we should have had another CB on the PR instead of the two DB's we did have? I don't know maybe Lawson was offered a PR spot and declined.
We had more than one rookie CB's in TC and none of them accepted a PR spot. We couldn't fine one before July 29th?
Sounds like a series of mistakes to me just on the position of CB. There were already questions about both Bonds and Bridges in particular coming out of TC and we choose to run with both anyway. With no good back up plan. Technically we had Parker as depth at CB but he had come off a serious injury and we questioned whether he was ready.
So being ready is a judgment call.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 07:19:27 PMI hear there's this DB out there who is familiar with the system here. His name eludes me but I'm pretty sure it rhymes with fridges.
We do not know what the circumstances of his departure, whether it was amicable or if he had somehow caused his release, intentionally or not. Regardless, had they thought he was a better option than what they have, no doubt he'd be back. He's not, so we move on.
I am always surprised with the ability to find DB's, maybe we have someone in the scopes with NFL cuts coming.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 08:20:06 PM"We don't have a DB to add " is a mistake. D. Lawson was cut after TC then re-signed on July 29 and played August 9th.
So neither of Allen or Woodbey who were on our PR since TC ended were not capable of playing CB. Yet, Lawson who didn't practice for 10 weeks has a couple of practices and is ready?
Doesn't that say we should have had another CB on the PR instead of the two DB's we did have? I don't know maybe Lawson was offered a PR spot and declined.
We had more than one rookie CB's in TC and none of them accepted a PR spot. We couldn't fine one before July 29th?
Sounds like a series of mistakes to me just on the position of CB. There were already questions about both Bonds and Bridges in particular coming out of TC and we choose to run with both anyway. With no good back up plan. Technically we had Parker as depth at CB but he had come off a serious injury and we questioned whether he was ready.
So being ready is a judgment call.
Bonds wasn't a question mark to me. Club was high on Bridges, didn't work out. Move on. Having two critical pieces of your D go down is rough and there is a chance we might find someone yet. Let's give Allen a chance to see what the club does this week and hopefully we can find some depth as the season goes on if Parker out medium term.
Woodbey too heavy for CB imo. Allen is a safety. Yes would have been nice to have another decent DB. Can't plan for every scenario.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 13, 2025, 08:28:30 PMWe do not know what the circumstances of his departure, whether it was amicable or if he had somehow caused his release, intentionally or not. Regardless, had they thought he was a better option than what they have, no doubt he'd be back. He's not, so we move on.
I am always surprised with the ability to find DB's, maybe we have someone in the scopes with NFL cuts coming.
Yes DB are not that hard to find. Good ones well....
Quote from: theaardvark on August 13, 2025, 08:28:30 PMWe do not know what the circumstances of his departure, whether it was amicable or if he had somehow caused his release, intentionally or not. Regardless, had they thought he was a better option than what they have, no doubt he'd be back. He's not, so we move on.
I'm being mostly facetious. I won't speculate on details regarding his release, but I do think he was given a bit of a raw deal (https://forums.bluebombers.com/index.php?topic=56638.msg1664976#msg1664976) when you factor in how poorly the secondary as an entire unit has played for much of this season.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 08:44:36 PMI'm being mostly facetious. I won't speculate on details regarding his release, but I do think he was given a bit of a raw deal (https://forums.bluebombers.com/index.php?topic=56638.msg1664976#msg1664976) when you factor in how poorly the secondary as an entire unit has played for much of this season.
Agree I would have kept him. Bombers were not thinking ahead imo. He might not have taken a spot on the PR. Didn't deserve a AR spot. Tight spot.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 13, 2025, 08:28:30 PMWe do not know what the circumstances of his departure, whether it was amicable or if he had somehow caused his release, intentionally or not. Regardless, had they thought he was a better option than what they have, no doubt he'd be back. He's not, so we move on.
I am always surprised with the ability to find DB's, maybe we have someone in the scopes with NFL cuts coming.
Bridges wasn't the answer and bring him back even if its an option isn't going to help. Kelly or Smith etc can get beat just as often. (Do you know how bad a player has to be to be cut from our starting roster, it happens rarely)
Evans, Dandridge Houston, etc would all be better choices but for some reason we don't look outside our organization nearly enough.
Keeping my fingers crossed that we do add an nfl cut but its seldom that they see any action till the following year unless theyve had previous cfl experience.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 13, 2025, 08:28:30 PMWe do not know what the circumstances of his departure, whether it was amicable or if he had somehow caused his release, intentionally or not. Regardless, had they thought he was a better option than what they have, no doubt he'd be back. He's not, so we move on.
I am always surprised with the ability to find DB's, maybe we have someone in the scopes with NFL cuts coming.
Very un-Bomber like to cut Bridges and leave themselves short in the secondary, so I believe it was his decision not to accept the PR spot. They are pretty careful, whenever they cut players outright they usually have their replacement already lined up ready to fill the gap.
Nick Taylor is the solution to all problems, the sooner they admit it, the sooner their downfall will be halted.
Purifoy is a good DB and can return kicks. I would have taken a run at him, but I think he has a 2 game suspension he has to serve first.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 08:29:33 PMBonds wasn't a question mark to me. Club was high on Bridges, didn't work out. Move on. Having two critical pieces of your D go down is rough and there is a chance we might find someone yet. Let's give Allen a chance to see what the club does this week and hopefully we can find some depth as the season goes on if Parker out medium term.
Woodbey too heavy for CB imo. Allen is a safety. Yes would have been nice to have another decent DB. Can't plan for every scenario.
Yes DB are not that hard to find. Good ones well....
It seemed pre determined before TC that Bridges was pegged as the starter at CB. Parker had already been a starter at CB so moving him to safety seemed like a mistake.
So the question is whether there was free and fair competition at either spot or whether those two actually won their spots.
If Bridges " won " his spot based on his play rather than actual competition in TC,then I would challenge recruitment and possibly final decision making.
In either case, how can we not say this was a big mistake one way or the other. Bridges was a DI a few times last year but he was not a starter. IIRC, he was shown on the depth chart at HB behind Nichols or Holms.
It's another instance where O'Shea seems to prefer players that were with the team in the previous year, than newbies.
As I said, whatever the choice was, it should have been obvious to many ( it was ) that there should have been a CB kept on the PR.
Bonds had a better hold on his spot but he was also thought to be suspect.
All of that suggests depth was needed on the PR and that didn't happen.
There were a lot of very good DB's available in free agency. We stood pat.
I've just provided a substantial list of mistakes which many posters brought to light as TC progressed. Management is not infallible.
Cutting Bridges outright should be proof enough that not enough was done before game 1.
The Redblacks were not a particularly good team on defence. Now they've lost 3 starters and their secondary is a shambles. P. Walker in Calgary threw for nearly 300 yards.
If our offence struggles against them, that will be a sad state of affairs.
Conversely our defence has struggled and now lost both CB's. That can't be good against D. Brown who is a good passing QB. 7 TD's and 600 yard passing in his last 2 games.
This will also be telling.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMIt seemed pre determined before TC that Bridges was pegged as the starter at CB. Parker had already been a starter at CB so moving him to safety seemed like a mistake.
So the question is whether there was free and fair competition at either spot or whether those two actually won their spots.
Great post.
Part of it is we didn't find the next D.Alford/Holm/Nichols/Ford this TC. We've relied on finding a top DB every season, and we've mostly been successful. This season: nada, nothing, zilch. That throws a spanner in the works and here we are.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMIf Bridges " won " his spot based on his play rather than actual competition in TC,then I would challenge recruitment and possibly final decision making.
Bridges "won" because of his 2nd year status, hoping for the normal 2nd year improvement. And because no one else "flashed". It was a decent bet, but it was clear by game 4 he was only worthy of depth spot or PR (or cut).
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMIn either case, how can we not say this was a big mistake one way or the other. Bridges was a DI a few times last year but he was not a starter. IIRC, he was shown on the depth chart at HB behind Nichols or Holms.
And I think he would have lasted way longer if he was still DI/PR. Maybe there was more upside. We'll never know now. As for chart, I'm nearly positive he was always DI'd at CB, not HB.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMAs I said, whatever the choice was, it should have been obvious to many ( it was ) that there should have been a CB kept on the PR.
Major failure. That we know Bridges was a gamble, and even Bonds isn't the best, we should have done everything to hire a legit, proven CB to start. Ya, Parker was always the emergency guy, but coming off a year-long injury is always an iffy proposition... and I posit we always had him pegged as FS for '25.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMBonds had a better hold on his spot but he was also thought to be suspect.
Last season, when our DB corps was healthy, Bonds was the weak link. He got better, and is better this season, but he wasn't going to be anywhere near the level of Holm/Nichols/Ford.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMAll of that suggests depth was needed on the PR and that didn't happen.
There were a lot of very good DB's available in free agency. We stood pat.
Preach, brother!
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:07:56 PMCutting Bridges outright should be proof enough that not enough was done before game 1.
It's quite the shambles, isn't it? Let's say Parker never gets injured. Bridges still gets cut, and our only plan at starting corner is to play a rookie or new-to-WFC relative unknown? Surely this should have been foreseen.
We knew in TC we didn't find a D.Alford. We knew Bridges was the weak link (only started in '24 due to injury, and wasn't great). Why didn't we have a backup plan?
We had massive backup plans for the REC position. So much so we benched a "star" and cut another solid guy (Reggie).
Why didn't we do the same at DB?? Why no star / solid vet FA signings? And DBs are "cheap" compared to RECs! It's not like a middling / mid-high tier vet is expensive!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 13, 2025, 10:22:39 PMNick Taylor is the solution to all problems, the sooner they admit it, the sooner their downfall will be halted.
Unless someone can correct me, Taylor was always HB. Doesn't mean he can play corner. And I don't believe Holm/Nichols would be better outside.
Heck, I can't even recall if Houston played CB! However, his body type seems a natural fit.
In hindsight, we should have just paid for Ford. Our D would be lights out, even with Parker bumping to the other corner for Bonds.
Quote from: Pete on August 13, 2025, 09:40:45 PMBridges wasn't the answer and bring him back even if its an option isn't going to help. Kelly or Smith etc can get beat just as often.
100%. If you're going to have a free bingo spot at CB, might as well make him a cheap NAT. Save SMS and bust the ratio.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 08:44:36 PMI do think he was given a bit of a raw deal when you factor in how poorly the secondary as an entire unit has played for much of this season.
But DB is really the ultimate (only?) example of "it really is one on one" in football. The goodness/badness of the unit doesn't mean anything when it's man on man 50/50 ball with 1 D in the picture.
If the DB is with the REC then you can't blame scheme. If the DB is right there and still screws up (DPIs, can't break it up, etc) then that's 100% on him and only him.
As such you can't blame Holm or Nichols or Younger for the times Bridges was there but useless.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 13, 2025, 07:19:27 PMI hear there's this DB out there who is familiar with the system here. His name eludes me but I'm pretty sure it rhymes with fridges.
Fridges are on burnt bridges. If we call him back that will SCREAM desperation. The whole league will laugh. To be honest, I'd rather lose with Vaval back there and him getting live snaps than go back to dead-end Bridges. At least Vaval might be the "next big thing" by next year.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 07:12:07 PMI am a little concerned with our DB situation. If one of the starters gets injured, we are in some trouble.
Oh, we're already in heaps of trouble. Two new-to-WFC CBs in an already struggling corps. Add in the fact it's well known we play the hardest, most cerebral "match coverage" that most teams won't touch... ya, major trouble already!
Even Parker magically back in 1-2 weeks won't solve the whole problem. We really need TWO legit vet CBs, though we can scratch by on 1 (albeit with a weaker FS).
If
another DB (Holm, Nichols) gets injured (knock wood), it's season over.
There are 2 other ideas that would allow us to ignore the crap DB situation, and they might be easier to solve:
1) Beef up OL/REC so we can just match TDs
2) Beef up the DL/blitz packages so QBs don't have time to pick on the corners, which are the longest developing routes.
Problem is: we're not beefing up any of those. DL pressure is only so-so (lacking DT beef? lame schemes?), and no moves at OL and REC (both with IR problems)... sad days.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 06:23:14 PMI consider this still early in the season, serious stuff happens after labour day imo.
Patience. Guys come on when ready or best option. Two short weeks did not help our inuried guys get ready.
Game 9, halfway through. Cannot wait for guys. 3 wins behind SSK (almost double our win count), same number of games played. 3 games against SSK coming right up.
IR replacements are mostly no good. PR is bare. No rookie has "flashed" this season (except at RET, which isn't terribly important): so no help there.
Solutions must begin now. No way these guys roll into SSK in early Nov to win a WDF... let alone in CGY in a WSF. We have to bring in horses and dogs, otherwise our only hope is if Trevor & VAJ get Alexander'd and Kelly'd. Sure, there's a good chance that happens, but you cannot bet your season on it. MOS always says "worry about what you can control". We can control who we hire/trade, etc.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 06:01:17 PMLogan has been running for weeks. Even if he's not game ready, he's healthy and should be bumped to PR IMO.
Why on earth do that? If we can 6G Logan then 6G him. Moving him to PR means we have to nix someone else. And I'm pretty sure he makes more $ on the IR than PR, so it's in his best interest. And it's all SMS free!
We don't 6G nearly enough guys to "hide" them like every other team does. We should be 6G'ing everyone we can. Just say they got injured like MBT did, LOL.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 04:23:30 PMLooks like we could feast on these weaknesses! :) I don't know the replacements coming in but sounds like some issues there.
Yup, major holes in both sides of OTT. This is a winnable game if we weren't so obtuse. It's like we're trying to lose? Oh well, we'll see.
I would pray & hope Hogan is planning right now to pick on all the new DBs. Well, assuming Zach gets more than 2.0s per snap once in a blue moon...
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 12:43:12 PMI didn't expect many changes to the lineup as it's a very short week. But, I would think that the Bombers are kicking the tires on a few players. A player like Chungh would improve our OL. Landing a player like Houston, would add the experience our DB group needs right now.
Chungh is only OG. Our real need right now is OT, 1 starter and 1 depth, at minimum. Our RT is struggling and Lofton clearly isn't healthy in any reliable way right now. FA26 at OT will be interesting...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 01:12:52 AMGame 9, halfway through. Cannot wait for guys. 3 wins behind SSK (almost double our win count), same number of games played. 3 games against SSK coming right up.
IR replacements are mostly no good. PR is bare. No rookie has "flashed" this season (except at RET, which isn't terribly important): so no help there.
Solutions must begin now. No way these guys roll into SSK in early Nov to win a WDF... let alone in CGY in a WSF. We have to bring in horses and dogs, otherwise our only hope is if Trevor & VAJ get Alexander'd and Kelly'd. Sure, there's a good chance that happens, but you cannot bet your season on it. MOS always says "worry about what you can control". We can control who we hire/trade, etc.
Waiting a week or two > losing key depth guys for the season imo
Charts out, ideas:
1) Air attack the strong side mid/deep. Only Pickett at SAM is any good. A good run/sweep/screen game can keep him close to the line to open up behind him.
2) OL weakest on right side: stunt & blitz there.
3) OTT RECs monster: need to disrupt Dru every snap or we'll pay with deep connections.
4) Good DL, but not great. Pretty good LBers. Need to get the A-B gap run going somehow. Should be able to get 4-7Y a run, which should be enough. Can't do the past few weeks 0 to 3Y stuffings. Find a way.
5) If OTT is smart, they'll just throw to the corners all night. Is there any 2 FS scheme where each S just shadows a CB so every WR is double-covered? Nichols/Holm need no help. Yes, this sacrifices a last ditch run stopper, but oh well.
6) Dru likes the middle short/mid throws. Clog up the middle with LBers / DE drops. Force him to throw sharp angles / wide outs.
I swear, if Randolph whiffs as much in this game as the last game, I'm going to go apoplectic. So much will hinge on him stopping that speed edge rush.
My predictions by unit:
DB - wash
OL - OTT better
QB - wash
RB - WPG better
WR - OTT waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better
LB - wash
DL - wash
coaching - WPG better
If this game was in OTT, I'd say guaranteed loss. In PAS? We have a shot, but my gut says we'll come up short barring miracles (read: Vaval). Basically no changes since the CGY suckage. How do you improve if you don't improve?
WPG 5 point favorites. Vegas hasn't gotten the memo yet. Do they not look at the IR & DB starters? Have they not seen our recent home losses?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 01:38:23 AMCharts out, ideas:
1) Air attack the strong side mid/deep. Only Pickett at SAM is any good. A good run/sweep/screen game can keep him close to the line to open up behind him.
2) OL weakest on right side: stunt & blitz there.
3) OTT RECs monster: need to disrupt Dru every snap or we'll pay with deep connections.
4) Good DL, but not great. Pretty good LBers. Need to get the A-B gap run going somehow. Should be able to get 4-7Y a run, which should be enough. Can't do the past few weeks 0 to 3Y stuffings. Find a way.
5) If OTT is smart, they'll just throw to the corners all night. Is there any 2 FS scheme where each S just shadows a CB so every WR is double-covered? Nichols/Holm need no help. Yes, this sacrifices a last ditch run stopper, but oh well.
6) Dru likes the middle short/mid throws. Clog up the middle with LBers / DE drops. Force him to throw sharp angles / wide outs.
Doesn't #5 and #6 cancel each other out? OTT just needs to throw to the corners (I agree, our weakest on D), so Dru shouldn't bother with the short/mid throws. So if they are smart, they take both of those concerns out. When you say force Dru to throw sharp angles/wide outs, that is playing into our weakness. So basically, either way we are "fluffed" (I took that from Arnie in FUBAR btw).
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 01:49:03 AMI swear, if Randolph whiffs as much in this game as the last game, I'm going to go apoplectic. So much will hinge on him stopping that speed edge rush.
My predictions by unit:
DB - wash
OL - OTT better
QB - wash
RB - WPG better
WR - OTT waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better
LB - wash
DL - wash
coaching - WPG better
If this game was in OTT, I'd say guaranteed loss. In PAS? We have a shot, but my gut says we'll come up short barring miracles (read: Vaval). Basically no changes since the CGY suckage. How do you improve if you don't improve?
No way - unless you are saying this because OTT Oline is better, but that's not fair for grading our QB's. All things being equal - I'll still take Zach any day right now.
Quote from: Big Daddy on August 14, 2025, 02:10:07 AMDoesn't #5 and #6 cancel each other out?
They could... except I said OTT was "best" throwing post/center. NOT that Dru is
bad at throwing wide/angles. I wish he was, it would make our defending far easier.
Quote from: Big Daddy on August 14, 2025, 02:10:07 AMNo way - unless you are saying this because OTT Oline is better, but that's not fair for grading our QB's. All things being equal - I'll still take Zach any day right now.
I was trying to make all camps happy. Lots of people are down on Zach right now. I'm with ya, I think Zach is the better QB, everything else being equal. But if you +1 everyone who loves Zach and -1 everyone who thinks he's a washed up has been, you probably come out with zero. So that's why I wrote wash.
The funniest part, is geriatric Zach and young pup Dru have about the same level of mobility. So that aspect is definitely a wash ;D ;D ;D
Zach has a running TD this season already, I don't think Dru does? ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) :o
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 03:05:10 AMThey could... except I said OTT was "best" throwing post/center. NOT that Dru is bad at throwing wide/angles. I wish he was, it would make our defending far easier.
I was trying to make all camps happy. Lots of people are down on Zach right now. I'm with ya, I think Zach is the better QB, everything else being equal. But if you +1 everyone who loves Zach and -1 everyone who thinks he's a washed up has been, you probably come out with zero. So that's why I wrote wash.
The funniest part, is geriatric Zach and young pup Dru have about the same level of mobility. So that aspect is definitely a wash ;D ;D ;D
Zach has a running TD this season already, I don't think Dru does? ;D ;D 8) 8) 8) :o
Aah okay - it wasn't evident but I see what you are saying. Dru likes throwing middle/short throws, so I see you are saying that's what he is good at, but not saying he is bad at the wide. Okay - fair enough.
For the second point - you and I both agree all things being equal Zach is the better QB. Even if I didn't agree, it's still your opinion. Don't let that be swayed just because you think there's enough people balancing out that he's better vs. washed up. It's your opinion, so run with it. You do that well all the time, don't feel like you need to temper it because others don't agree.
Just my $.02. Worth about that much, but I said it.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 01:49:03 AMI swear, if Randolph whiffs as much in this game as the last game, I'm going to go apoplectic. So much will hinge on him stopping that speed edge rush.
My predictions by unit:
DB - wash
OL - OTT better
QB - wash
RB - WPG better
WR - OTT waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better
LB - wash
DL - wash
coaching - WPG better
If this game was in OTT, I'd say guaranteed loss. In PAS? We have a shot, but my gut says we'll come up short barring miracles (read: Vaval). Basically no changes since the CGY suckage. How do you improve if you don't improve?
Actually our linebackers are significantly better. redblacks Griffin is out, Jones is better than Knox, Wilson is way underated, and you throw in Griffin jr that more than offsets Pickett . Ottawas dl hasnt been playing great either for that matter
Quote from: Pete on August 14, 2025, 04:17:07 AMActually our linebackers are significantly better. redblacks Griffin is out, Jones is better than Knox, Wilson is way underated, and you throw in Griffin jr that more than offsets Pickett . Ottawas dl hasnt been playing great either for that matter
I don't know. I watch all games and JSK has been pretty beast for 2+ seasons now. Sometimes he's the only one making plays when OTT is struggling. Pickett was considered league-best 2-3 seasons ago, and made major bank. The WILL I don't know much about.
If you asked any
other team fan:
Tony Jones or JSK -- most pick JSK
WPG Griffin or Pickett -- almost everyone picks Pickett
Kyrie or noname? Kyrie wins by default
Our 2 newer guys are looking good
to us, but are really only starting to make names for themselves. Jones & Griffin are definitely "budget" right now.
So I'll stick with "wash", because even though we're probably better, it's not by much. And lots of people would say we're worse.
The proof will be in the run-stop pudding (and any roamer LB INTs). I think we'll do well, OTT has been having troubles...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 01:14:50 AMWhy on earth do that? If we can 6G Logan then 6G him. Moving him to PR means we have to nix someone else. And I'm pretty sure he makes more $ on the IR than PR, so it's in his best interest. And it's all SMS free!
We don't 6G nearly enough guys to "hide" them like every other team does. We should be 6G'ing everyone we can. Just say they got injured like MBT did, LOL.
Because they didn't 6 game IR him to begin with at the start of the season. We sent Woods to the PR and he was with the team last year. A player can't practice for most of the time on 6 game IR.
He's on a 1 year contract IIRC so 6 game IR him and he'll never play for the Bombers.
(https://y.yarn.co/15c69dbb-780d-433f-8602-3417a6807c70_text.gif)
Let's get that W!!!
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 14, 2025, 01:31:21 PM(https://y.yarn.co/15c69dbb-780d-433f-8602-3417a6807c70_text.gif)
Let's get that W!!!
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
😂
I highly recommend going to 14 minutes of Bonfire sports pregame for some Walby humour.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 14, 2025, 01:01:08 AMFridges are on burnt bridges. If we call him back that will SCREAM desperation. The whole league will laugh. To be honest, I'd rather lose with Vaval back there and him getting live snaps than go back to dead-end Bridges. At least Vaval might be the "next big thing" by next year.
Is this team not in a desperate situation at the moment? The DB depth is pretty abysmal right now.
I'd rather see this team stop losing games, irrespective of who's playing in the secondary.
Forecast is improving by the minute. Hoping to have lots of fun tonight and get back in the win column!
Quote from: blue_or_die on August 14, 2025, 06:44:44 PMForecast is improving by the minute. Hoping to have lots of fun tonight and get back in the win column!
it's very humid - hydrate on some Coors!
are we due for our lightening delay game? severe thunderstorm watch just issued at 1:44pm
Quote from: The Zipp on August 14, 2025, 06:54:34 PMit's very humid - hydrate on some Coors!
are we due for our lightening delay game? severe thunderstorm watch just issued at 1:44pm
Radar shows it should blow over by 5pm
"And it turned out nice again today"
Quote from: blue_or_die on August 14, 2025, 06:44:44 PMForecast is improving by the minute. Hoping to have lots of fun tonight and get back in the win column!
This system looks to be pushing through the province pretty quickly, which I think bodes well for tonight's game.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 14, 2025, 06:54:34 PMit's very humid - hydrate on some Coors!
are we due for our lightening delay game? severe thunderstorm watch just issued at 1:44pm
Alcohol is not the best for hydration, water is better.
So, great choice recommending Coors!
Quote from: theaardvark on August 14, 2025, 08:09:34 PMAlcohol is not the best for hydration, water is better.
So, great choice recommending Coors!
that is the "on sale" brewski - beggars can't be choosers"
(for the record, i enjoy Coors - not a fan of heavy hoppy beers)
couple of Peroni's before the game at Niccolinos, couple of Coors at the game and all good.
Heading out soon. Good luck everyone, and good luck Bombers! Even if we blow it, let's make it a big & exciting game.
I expect lots of O because both DB corps couldn't stop Rod Black from getting completions.
If we win via big O, it'll be on the backs of our OL.
Enjoy Techno! Go Blue!
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 14, 2025, 03:33:20 PMIs this team not in a desperate situation at the moment? The DB depth is pretty abysmal right now.
Yes, it's desperation time but the team / coaches can't SHOW it. They have to act all cool like this is all part of the plan. That's why they won't bring back Bridges: it will admit and show to the whole world how bad things are. (And the fact that surely we can find/trade someone better than Roc Bridges!!)
The ol' "they're lying, we know they're lying, they know we know they're lying..."
Quote from: The Zipp on August 14, 2025, 09:36:25 PMthat is the "on sale" brewski - beggars can't be choosers"
(for the record, i enjoy Coors - not a fan of heavy hoppy beers)
couple of Peroni's before the game at Niccolinos, couple of Coors at the game and all good.
It has been a long long time since I last had a Coors. I envy you! The best I can do these days is a Diet Coke! :'(
In stadium they just announced a sell out. But then they said there are 600 kids football players here, so as usual some of that is papered over. All good though, every team does it.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 14, 2025, 09:36:25 PMthat is the "on sale" brewski - beggars can't be choosers"
(for the record, i enjoy Coors - not a fan of heavy hoppy beers)
couple of Peroni's before the game at Niccolinos, couple of Coors at the game and all good.
So you're the problem.
Of course ... suitor
Muted.
Kolankowski whiffs
clear facemask
could that be challenged?
the soft interception calls this year are terrible
Huge stop!! Jones is a wall
playing the refs tonight too
great stuff !!
was that really no yards ? picked it up i guess
Quote from: The Zipp on August 15, 2025, 12:51:49 AMplaying the refs tonight too
great stuff !!
It's been bad so far.
ottawa is changing or calling the plays at the line
Redblacks strategy is to get to the line quickly so Dru can read the defence
Thanks to Smeckle we've got back some decent field position
eli playing reciever and running a route ??
we lost a yard
Sterns is way better than I first thought, great td catch
wheatfall may not know he caught that!!
great catch by sterns
great first quarter by offense, defense and special teams
Crowd is loud tonight
Lots of energy in stadium
Hopefully we can keep it going
We already ran a receiver jet sweep to Mitchell today...he got lit up. We ran a few last week...reminiscent of the Mike Kelly/Brock Ralph jet sweep era circa 2009...Hogan...that's enough..
What a difference Adams is making at defensive tackle, he's a force!
turbo demski - love it !!
good play calling and execution
wheatfall taking some hits and making catches. that was a great tackle at the one by ottawa
Screen pass... some people have been asking for that..
Yeah so far receivers are showing much better.
17-0
Deja vu all over again?
I'm optimistic
Ottawa is not Calgary
Jake Thomas in on short yardage offence!
Jake has been reading the criticisms here and is answering!
challenge that. Oficials are doing all they can to help ottawa
Doesn't the defender have the right to go for the ball?
That's two questionable calls against our D now. C'mon ref.
i need someone watching on tv to weigh in that PI
This officiating crew is awful!
it was no more interference than the earlier play by ottawa on our receiver that wasn't called in fact in this case he was on the ball
I think this is the most flag happy crew.
punch it in here, can't turn it over
Quote from: The Zipp on August 15, 2025, 01:30:10 AMi need someone watching on tv to weigh in that PI
Even Suits thought both calls on Allen were BS. Both were egregious as far as I'm concerned, but on the second one, Allen was playing the ball, actually went vertcal trying to make a play on the ball and his torso slightly touched Addison's back as he jumped...that was the only contact...no grab, hold etc...BS calls
bad drop by clercius on first down and then a lame play call on 2nd
Evan holm is the man!! Good luck throwing against him he ll eat your lunch all day long!!
Allen looks liked Flagel, plays hard good size. Hopefully he keeps it up
2 drives in a row with no touch by BO
Once again getting away from the run game.
Why is Corcoran in the game?? Do we have ratio issues??
Oh my god, Jake Thomas made a tackle!!
ok. BO got the ball and was stuffed. 3rd series in a row we have gone 2 and out
Zac takes way to long to make a pass
I guess it's us against the world. Refs with the phantom calls, Suits and Dustin trying to figure out what Ottawa needs to do to beat the Bombers and of course they talk about every Ottawa positive and every Bomber negative. How they delight when we fail. What a pair of tools!
holding on every play
is TSN talking about this weird strategy of Brown calling the plays at the line in a loud stadium?
Quote from: The Zipp on August 15, 2025, 01:47:20 AMholding on every play
is TSN talking about this weird strategy of Brown calling the plays at the line in a loud stadium?
You saw that too? Massive holding by Ottawa #65 on repeated plays. No calls.
Did you just hear Suitor? "See that tape? That's white tape!" Really? Not green tape or blue tape? Are you sure it's not polka dot tape?
What a moron!
In the last minute of the half this isnt the first time Zac has thrown a bad interception
Quote from: J5V on August 15, 2025, 01:50:42 AMDid you just hear Suitor? "See that tape? That's white tape!" Really? Not green tape or blue tape? Are you sure it's not polka dot tape?
What a moron!
He's the absolute worst. He is consistently irritating.
Brady six carries. Not liking that.
Quote from: Pete on August 15, 2025, 01:52:19 AMIn the last minute of the half this isnt the first time Zac has thrown a bad interception
He's had a fantastic first half. A meaningless INT with a few seconds left was meaningless.
Quote from: Jesse on August 15, 2025, 01:56:53 AMHe's had a fantastic first half. A meaningless INT with a few seconds left was meaningless.
prob took 3 points off the board - not really meaningless... i think we will win but if we lose by 3 it's bad
Quote from: markf on August 15, 2025, 01:26:16 AMJake has been reading the criticisms here and is answering!
Jake during an ad break walked up to the Ottawa huddle and was taking smack to them all on his own for a whole minute
Both PI calls were phantom calls. Refs from Ottawa is my guess. But why did O'Shea not challenge at least one of them?
Quote from: The Zipp on August 15, 2025, 01:30:10 AMi need someone watching on tv to weigh in that PI
In stadium that dpi looked horrific, bad call. Surely there must have been earlier contact in the route they are calling...
The db made a play and was farther downfield. Totally not a penalty unless earlier contact
Not sure what Zach saw on that attempt to Wheatfall on our last drive before the half? TSN didn't really show if Wheatfall was interfered with but the DB completely ran the route and cut underneath Wheatfall..another bad pick...Zach's one of the highest paid players in the league...c'mon man...that's points off the board
Quote from: TrueBlue4 on August 15, 2025, 02:00:04 AMBoth PI calls were phantom calls. Refs from Ottawa is my guess. But why did O'Shea not challenge at least one of them?
MOS will absolutely not throw that flag that early in the game. He keeps the challenge flag if he needs it on a game changing play later in the game.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 15, 2025, 02:01:31 AMIn stadium that dpi looked horrific, bad call. Surely there must have been earlier contact in the route they are calling...
The db made a play and was farther downfield. Totally not a penalty unless earlier contact
Even Suits on TSN feed thought both calls on Allen were BS. Both were egregious as far as I'm concerned, but on the second one, Allen was playing the ball, actually went vertcal trying to make a play on the ball and his torso slightly touched Addison's back as he jumped...that was the only contact...no grab, hold etc...BS calls
I thought Allen looked really good. Around the ball, made plays, playing with intensity.
Wilson also made some good plays... on the goal line stand knocked an o lineman backwards. That was blocking directly for Crum.
no excuse for offside on a kick off.
fat boy with a side of fries on that play
bad 2nd and long to allow
not a great start on defence - can't stop Dru
it's Crum's team now
can't believe that there is 6 minutes left in the 3rd and we haven't had the ball
need to get some offence going to give defence a rest or Crum is going to run all over them.
offense disappearing act in this quarter and we could lose this game
it feels like every team we've played scores on their first drive of the second half
Quote from: The Zipp on August 15, 2025, 02:22:12 AMbad 2nd and long to allow
not a great start on defence - can't stop Dru
Why does Holm give a cushion beyond the sticks to Pimpleton on a second and 15? That's almost a 20 yard cushion? That can't be scheme?
now run the ball!!
stuffed on 2nd down
defence had to contain Crum or it will be Crumback 2.0
Another case of no adjustments on Offence maybe
Quote from: Pete on August 15, 2025, 02:29:49 AMnow run the ball!!
I think they know we want to run the ball...they're stacking the box leading Zach to pull on RPO..we need to have credible threats through the air to open up the run game.
fat boy, fries and a milkshake on that play
Why has the offence stalled.
offense - terrible
defence did their job.
did we get jobbed on the ball placement after the sack ?
wheatfall is having a good game
holm is down and that isn't good
hopefully just a cramp
Please don't tell me Evan Holm is hurt now.
If ever there was a Qb made of glass, Dru Brown would be it. Hurt yet again.
Quote from: J5V on August 15, 2025, 02:50:47 AMPlease don't tell me Evan Holm is hurt now.
he is back
surprised Dyce didn't roll it and go for it on 3rd down
He should have. No way Crum is going to generate 14 points otherwise, that was their best chance to score 7. Ottawa deserves Dyce as their Coach
Let's see what Hogan dials up here. We need to move the ball and take some time off the clock...scoring isn't necessarily a must...but a 2 and out would be a fail
those short passes are too slow
what is randoph doing??!! If we had any other option that guy would be riding the pine!! We don't need stupid penalties and that was stupid.
Quote from: dd on August 15, 2025, 03:03:47 AMwhat is randoph doing??!! If we had any other option that guy would be riding the pine!! We don't need stupid penalties and that was stupid.
And then Neufeld got beaten like a rented mule/red headed step child...newbies and vets on the Oline not playing well enough for us to play bully ball right now
our dline needs to step up
defence is gassed
Willie is gassed he hasnt anything left
you know Crums gonna run it in
one score game
one two and out away from losing
Crum is 10 x the Qb Streveler ever thought of being!!
Quote from: Jesse on August 15, 2025, 01:56:53 AMHe's had a fantastic first half. A meaningless INT with a few seconds left was meaningless.
those 3 potential points would have looked pretty nice right now
2 first downs and a field goal and this is over
I have zero faith in Hogan to call a decent play
How do we unblock Wakefield!?!?! Who the heck is our O line coach!!!!
Demski is clutch!!
stupid play call to sneak strev
2nd and 3 , we sneak? stupid
what the heck, 2nd and 3 and we send in hopeless streveler?!?! Cmon man!! 5 yard quick slant to Sterns and its over, nope, we go with Strev, hopeless. And we kick a long field goal/prayer to Pimpleton who houses it, what BS play calling!! What is Jake Thomas doing on a kick over team!!!
Our season is passing right before our eyes!!! We lose to Ottawa, we're done for the year.
fire MOS
did i say stupid?
Hogan needs to go.
overthinking gone bad
no excuse
some of the worst coaching i have seen
this team is panicking
Watch Zach throw a pick to seal this trash fire.
what can u say!!
underthrown ball
wow....this could be interesting
Quote from: blueandgoldguy on August 15, 2025, 03:29:20 AMO'shea is stupid. You never go for the long field goal ahead by a TD. Punt deep and force them to take it the length of the field with 50 seconds left.
Exactly, anyone coaching high school football can figure that one out. Crum isn't going to march the length of the field in 50 seconds, no way no how. Pimpleton can house a missed field goal though. Duuuuuuhhhh!!!!
once again the second half the bombers crap the bed
Hogan is NOT ready to be a OC
Quote from: Blue72 on August 15, 2025, 03:37:50 AMHogan is NOT ready to be a OC
No, he's not, but sadly, he's our OC!!
.. the comments at the end here..... and where'd everybody go? 😂
CFL football is so exciting! We lose on a walk-off FG last week and this week we win on a walk-off FG. Woo hoo!
Are you not entertained? ;D
Give me a like if you feel good about the Bomber coaching staff performance after that game.
Quote from: Blue72 on August 15, 2025, 03:37:50 AMHogan is NOT ready to be a OC
Not a Hogan apologist...but Zach had Demski on that deep shot late in the game...Zach underthrew and had a bad pick before the half that took points off the board...that's not on Hogan...our attempt to play Bully Ball on our 3 Q possessions were not reality based decisions...very bad play calling..everyone knew we wanted to run it...so we run into a stacked box...just stupid...lots of blame to go around including OLine performance regarding the O performance.
Quote from: J5V on August 15, 2025, 03:44:40 AMCFL football is so exciting! We lose on a walk-off FG last week and this week we win on a walk-off FG. Woo hoo!
Are you not entertained? ;D
I am now that we won. Way too close for comfort. WTH!
I thought our offense played decent, a foolish long field goal attempt vs punt and make them march the length of the field, at the end made this a close game. Though Vavol did a good job on Lewis and Allen had a good first showing
Quote from: Slingin Sammy on August 15, 2025, 03:45:42 AMNot a Hogan apologist...but Zach had Demski on that deep shot late in the game...Zach underthrew and had a bad pick before the half that took points off the board...that's not on Hogan...our attempt to play Bully Ball on our 3 Q possessions were not reality based decisions...very bad play calling..everyone knew we wanted to run it...so we run into a stacked box...just stupid...lots of blame to go around including OLine performance regarding the O performance.
I don't know why we didn't run the screen pass to Demski when they flooded the box, nobody would have caught him. Running into the eye of the tornado/stacked box is ridiculously stupid.
Quote from: markf on August 15, 2025, 03:43:06 AM.. the comments at the end here..... and where'd everybody go? 😂
Not sure what you mean with the comment but if you mean "I get it, but it's still funny" I can only assume you are referring to the Bombers pitiful 2nd half and the fact at least IMHO that the Bomber really could use an offensive coordinator. And the HC could probably catch up on a few basics, Like trying a long FG when a punt would be a far better option . Bomber brain trust really had a nearly fatal hemorrhage late in the game.
Quote from: dd on August 15, 2025, 03:22:15 AMHow do we unblock Wakefield!?!?! Who the heck is our O line coach!!!!
It looked to me that Wallace had a down block and Bryant was suppose to come down and take Wakefield but he took the outside rusher. That is breaking the 1st rule for O linemen, ALWAYS bloke inside out (take the inside guy).
That was a great last quarter for those betting the over!
Say what you want about Jake, but he tracked down Dru at full speed and laid the wood that busted dru's ankle or knee. Dru stayed in 1 more series. He stayed dressed on the sidelines after coming out of the tent.
I was kind of stoked for overtime. But can't complain about our excellent o work to win in regulation. I bet at that moment you guys would say we were doomed to overtime!
I like our odds in overtime vs crum. No way we should lose when it's Zach vs crum.
Fun, crazy game. Looks like another good week of games incoming.
MOS was defending his absolutely dumb decision to try to kick a long FG instead of punting. He said he did it because Sergio makes these kicks. The danger is until he doesn't like tonight and it goes back for a TD. MOS said it is harder to punt the ball that distance that is why you see more teams kicking the field goal, WOW just WOW MOS, just say you made the wrong decision. Punt it pin them deep and trust your D to stop them from marching the field ***!
I'm actually less concerned with the kick itself and more upset that we put Stev in to dive forward when it was 2nd and 3+
Why do we continue to do this to ourselves?
This is the second game that the opposition team made changes at halftime and we stick to the same plan on offense and defense.
Up by 20 points and almost lost the game again.
I think our back up QB is done, having a hard time making first downs, at one time it would have been automatic.
Sorry for being negative but it has to be brought up.
Glad we won but the team and our GM doesn't seem to be repairing the problems. And this is a bottom team in the east that we almost lost to.
Quote from: Horseman on August 15, 2025, 04:29:16 AMMOS was defending his absolutely dumb decision to try to kick a long FG instead of punting. He said he did it because Sergio makes these kicks. The danger is until he doesn't like tonight and it goes back for a TD. MOS said it is harder to punt the ball that distance that is why you see more teams kicking the field goal, WOW just WOW MOS, just say you made the wrong decision. Punt it pin them deep and trust your D to stop them from marching the field ***!
exactly - MOS living in a dreamland alternative universe.
you don't sneak strev with that many yards to go and you don't try the long FG. basic football coaching - not overthinking.
Quote from: Jesse on August 15, 2025, 04:32:26 AMI'm actually less concerned with the kick itself and more upset that we put Stev in to dive forward when it was 2nd and 3+
Why do we continue to do this to ourselves?
There's no defending it, it's just dumb coaching. MOS is a great players coach, but he is really weak on game strategy and management. We don't win because of him, we win in spite of him!!
Quote from: Jesse on August 15, 2025, 04:32:26 AMI'm actually less concerned with the kick itself and more upset that we put Stev in to dive forward when it was 2nd and 3+
Why do we continue to do this to ourselves?
Totally agree with this.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 15, 2025, 04:33:07 AMexactly - MOS living in a dreamland alternative universe.
you don't sneak strev with that many yards to go and you don't try the long FG. basic football coaching - not overthinking.
There's so much we can do with Strev in on 2nd. and short. Hogan needs to go back and look at what Lapo did with Strev when he was the OC.
Quote from: dd on August 15, 2025, 04:42:42 AMThere's no defending it, it's just dumb coaching. MOS is a great players coach, but he is really weak on game strategy and management. We don't win because of him, we win in spite of him!!
Situational football logic in my mind strongly suggests you punt, pin them deep, make them run clock trying to score...but I acknowledge I'm not a HOF former player and GC winning coach...MOS had a lot of growing pains in his first few seasons...Notwithstanding his accomplishments since he first became a HC...this decision making just doesn't make sense IMHO
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 15, 2025, 04:27:13 AMThat was a great last quarter for those betting the over!
Say what you want about Jake, but he tracked down Dru at full speed and laid the wood that busted dru's ankle or knee. Dru stayed in 1 more series. He stayed dressed on the sidelines after coming out of the tent.
I was kind of stoked for overtime. But can't complain about our excellent o work to win in regulation. I bet at that moment you guys would say we were doomed to overtime!
I like our odds in overtime vs crum. No way we should lose when it's Zach vs crum.
Fun, crazy game. Looks like another good week of games incoming.
If memory serves me correctly Crum did beat the Bombers in OT. Can someone confirm? And if the game did go to OT I am not sure the Bombers pull this one out. I envision a major screw up to give the Red Blacks the win in OT.
How good was ND10 tonight. Tony Jones has been outstanding, 11 more DTs tonight. Allen with 7. BO20 has a right shoulder injury and he is playing like it. BO20 might need a week off. With no DBs left on the PR, I would like to see someone else return kicks if Vaval is going to continue playing DB.
Quote from: Blue72 on August 15, 2025, 04:32:30 AMThis is the second game that the opposition team made changes at halftime and we stick to the same plan on offense and defense.
Up by 20 points and almost lost the game again.
I think our back up QB is done, having a hard time making first downs, at one time it would have been automatic.
Sorry for being negative but it has to be brought up.
Glad we won but the team and our GM doesn't seem to be repairing the problems. And this is a bottom team in the east that we almost lost to.
Agree 100% - Have to think our GM is asleep at the wheel!
Quote from: Pigskin on August 15, 2025, 04:56:44 AMThere's so much we can do with Strev in on 2nd. and short. Hogan needs to go back and look at what Lapo did with Strev when he was the OC.
Streveler is no where close to being that player anymore.
You guys are all thinking "the book". You need to understand the "MOS book". MOS is playing to HIS OWN book.
MOS's book:
1) Sneak on 2nd&2 because you can get 1Y then sneak again for 1Y.
1b) Always sneak on 3rd&1.
2) Go for FG if you're in your kicker's range.
MOS will always follow HIS BOOK. I can't believe people still don't understand this? He's done it every time.
Remember: our FG cover team has been exceptional for 1.5 seasons or more. I can't recall a team getting a big FG return on us in ages. Our cover should have been automatic. Something broke down, and OTT had a good plan.
To me the big mistake was not following MOS rule 1b. If we're going to sneak on 2 to get 2 then you are now committed to sneaking on 3rd for 1. It was nearly a full 1, but not more than 1. We should have sneaked on 3rd&1. 99% we make it.
Sure, we could punt, but that is not in MOS's book in this situation.
It's not on Strev to sneak 2Y, don't blame him. He used to, but not always, and it's a hard ask. It was on Strev to get the 3rd as short as possible, and he did get it short enough.
(And if you punt and botch it, OTT gets the ball at the 40. That wouldn't give me warm feelings at all!!)
Quote from: BBRT on August 15, 2025, 05:03:03 AMIf memory serves me correctly Crum did beat the Bombers in OT. Can someone confirm? And if the game did go to OT I am not sure the Bombers pull this one out. I envision a major screw up to give the Red Blacks the win in OT.
Was it OT? Might have been. He did beat us in his first start (or was it in in-game injury relief?). He made us the laughing stock with that win.
I still say Zach beats Crum in OT this game. We were playing well. Weird poop would have to happen to lose that. Which of course is possible...
Quote from: gobombersgo on August 15, 2025, 05:05:35 AM
That's about as testy as I've ever seen O'Shea, could be he's exhausted after a tough game but it sounds like the battle is wearing him down.
I watched the D attentively with binocs most of the night. Kramdi really did play a lot of FS. Lots of 2 S sets with Allen / Kramdi both at S. I didn't see Kelly even once. Clearly demoted.
T.Jones & Kyrie would swap WILL / MLB at times. Interesting.
Lots of rotation on DL. Hard to figure out what the rhyme or reason is. But it was generally effective. Hard for the OTT OL to get in a rhythm.
Lots of injuries for OTT. I saw the 2 FBs take injury timeouts 3 times! Dru down with ankle or knee. Mauldin down once. Another couple of guys too. Some returned.
Dru being out definitely helped us. They are a 2nd H team. The squeaker could have gone the other way with a QB who can throw. Although... that Crum run-in might have been just a FG with Dru in! Never know.
We really didn't take any injury? Holm went down but walked off and came back quickly (phew!).
Quote from: BBRT on August 15, 2025, 05:03:03 AMIf memory serves me correctly Crum did beat the Bombers in OT. Can someone confirm? And if the game did go to OT I am not sure the Bombers pull this one out. I envision a major screw up to give the Red Blacks the win in OT.
The Crum Back. He he nearly pulled another one off tonight.
1Q0:40 The near-suicide pass to Wheatie on 2nd&11, completion & conversion... Zach had incredibly fast wind up and mega zip on the ball. This may be the fastest pass we've seen Zach do all year.
This is kind of a new side of Zach we haven't seen in a while. I wasn't sure he could speed up the wind up. If we can get more of this it will solve a ton of "Zach's lost it" problems.
Great heater, great tough catch by Wheatie, and great job hanging on getting whacked in the middle. Shades of Bailey on that one. Tough for a tall skinny like Wheatie.
Dru must have attended the Matt Nichols School Of Throwaways in the off-season! Haven't seen so many throwaways since Matty Ice was here...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 15, 2025, 05:23:50 AMYou guys are all thinking "the book". You need to understand the "MOS book". MOS is playing to HIS OWN book.
MOS's book:
1) Sneak on 2nd&2 because you can get 1Y then sneak again for 1Y.
1b) Always sneak on 3rd&1.
2) Go for FG if you're in your kicker's range.
MOS will always follow HIS BOOK. I can't believe people still don't understand this? He's done it every time.
Remember: our FG cover team has been exceptional for 1.5 seasons or more. I can't recall a team getting a big FG return on us in ages. Our cover should have been automatic. Something broke down, and OTT had a good plan.
To me the big mistake was not following MOS rule 1b. If we're going to sneak on 2 to get 2 then you are now committed to sneaking on 3rd for 1. It was nearly a full 1, but not more than 1. We should have sneaked on 3rd&1. 99% we make it.
Sure, we could punt, but that is not in MOS's book in this situation.
It's not on Strev to sneak 2Y, don't blame him. He used to, but not always, and it's a hard ask. It was on Strev to get the 3rd as short as possible, and he did get it short enough.
(And if you punt and botch it, OTT gets the ball at the 40. That wouldn't give me warm feelings at all!!)
The problem is MOS book has fallen into the toilet and the ink is starting to run and the pages stick together. We are rapidly descending in bad Kevin Glenn years territory, where leads are blown routinely and the play calling is predictably awful.
Better to win ugly than lose ugly like last week. Somewhat lucky to have pulled the game out in regulation.
Collaros 1st int: bad play call decision and worse execution. It took 3 points potentially off the board. 2nd int: also thought it was a bad play call and even worse execution.
Once again defence allowed the opponent to take the 2nd half K/O and drive for a TD and take about 8 minutes off the clock. How does that happen?
We seemed to have taken away getting beat deep but were giving easy soft coverage in front of the secondary. Bend but don't break. I'm not a fan when teams continually can succeed on 2nd and long.
Allen getting 2 PI's seemed questionable at best. Especially the 2nd one. I thought he played well though for his 1st game.
There didn't seem to be any serious injuries tonight that I noticed.
EDIT: Kicking the long FG that resulted in a Redblack TD was over confidence due to previous success on long FG's this season. Given the time and state of the game, it was a questionable call. Hindsight is always 100% and Castillo hasn't missed many. The real question was what happened to the coverage team? I realize there is a risk involved on long FG's but we whiffed big time.
Did Griffin have a good game or a bad game? Not much in the way of stats and seemed somewhat invisible. That's not always a bad thing but I was surprised he wasn't more prominent??
Allen, Vaval and Holm had 7 DT's each. I take that as both a good and bad thing. Defence gave up 400 yards but as I mentioned not much behind them. Lots of soft cushion yardage in front of them.
Generally a horrible 4th Q especially considering that we were playing against Crum and not Brown.
Another Jekyll and Hyde performance. This team really struggles to put together a 60-min. game.
This is the worst I've ever felt after a win. I just don't agree with gambling everything on the long field goal and then gambling everything on a long pass that Collaros can't make anymore. Is Collaros the only one that doesn't see he can't throw that far anymore? We ALMOST gifted that one to Dyce who looked like a kid opening the latest video game console on Christmas morning.
Our 9th game last year was the turn around, a 25-0 stomping of BC. I don't feel like that after 9 games this year. I just feel lucky we held on to beat Crum.
Quote from: Jesse on August 15, 2025, 04:32:26 AMI'm actually less concerned with the kick itself and more upset that we put Stev in to dive forward when it was 2nd and 3+
Why do we continue to do this to ourselves?
I think they would've given it to Oliviera, but he was dinged and hobbling from the previous couple of plays.
Quote from: Waffler on August 15, 2025, 01:16:20 PMThis is the worst I've ever felt after a win. I just don't agree with gambling everything on the long field goal and then gambling everything on a long pass that Collaros can't make anymore. Is Collaros the only one that doesn't see he can't throw that far anymore? We ALMOST gifted that one to Dyce who looked like a kid opening the latest video game console on Christmas morning.
Our 9th game last year was the turn around, a 25-0 stomping of BC. I don't feel like that after 9 games this year. I just feel lucky we held on to beat Crum.
O'Shea sounded mighty grumpy on the field goal. I didn't mind the call although if I were him I probably would have punted.
We're probably thinking:
Castillo is 60% likely to hit it and the game is over
Only around 3% of missed field goals are returned for TDs and our cover teams had been lights out all game
We haven't moved the ball very well in the second half so going for it didn't feel right
Not sure what the analyics would have said but it probably was to kick the field goal. If I was the one who got to make the decision I'd probably have had Sheahan punt it and then rely on the crowd and the defense for the last minute of the game against Crum but whatever. We're still in the fight and it doesn't matter how we won.
Quote from: bomb squad on August 15, 2025, 01:22:08 PMI think they would've given it to Oliviera, but he dinged and hobbling from the previous couple of plays.
I noticed the wrap on his right shoulder last night. I'm guessing that injury from week 2 is still lingering, which is affecting his play.
Quote from: Pete on August 15, 2025, 02:27:46 AMit feels like every team we've played scores on their first drive of the second half
And we fail to score at all in the third quarter.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 15, 2025, 01:33:26 PMI noticed the wrap on his right shoulder last night. I'm guessing that injury from week 2 is still lingering, which is affecting his play.
In my opinion, its not his shoulder its that our O line is not opening the holes for Brady like years past. This year we are not capable of playing Brady ball as we don't have the same blocking prowess up front.
Quote from: Horseman on August 15, 2025, 02:41:43 PMIn my opinion, its not his shoulder its that our O line is not opening the holes for Brady like years past. This year we are not capable of playing Brady ball as we don't have the same blocking prowess up front.
I agree. It's evident on short yardage too. We barely make them now. But just in case Brady is not 100% why not give Peterson some reps? He is faster and likely healthier.
Quote from: Horseman on August 15, 2025, 02:41:43 PMIn my opinion, its not his shoulder its that our O line is not opening the holes for Brady like years past. This year we are not capable of playing Brady ball as we don't have the same blocking prowess up front.
No disagreement there, but I think two (or more) things can be true here. The O-line has been struggling mightily this season, which has impacted the offense overall.
I do think Oliveira is dealing with an injury issue affecting his play, but I'm only speculating based on what I saw last night.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 15, 2025, 01:32:35 PMO'Shea sounded mighty grumpy on the field goal. I didn't mind the call although if I were him I probably would have punted.
We're probably thinking:
Castillo is 60% likely to hit it and the game is over
Only around 3% of missed field goals are returned for TDs and our cover teams had been lights out all game
We haven't moved the ball very well in the second half so going for it didn't feel right
Not sure what the analyics would have said but it probably was to kick the field goal. If I was the one who got to make the decision I'd probably have had Sheahan punt it and then rely on the crowd and the defense for the last minute of the game against Crum but whatever. We're still in the fight and it doesn't matter how we won.
Problem is, the punt cover team and the FG team are totally different groups, and the result was indicative of that.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 15, 2025, 02:57:26 PMProblem is, the punt cover team and the FG team are totally different groups, and the result was indicative of that.
Fair. Although the field goal cover team (if you want to call them that) has not really be an issue this year either so my guess is O'Shea is feeling good about it either way.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 15, 2025, 02:57:26 PMProblem is, the punt cover team and the FG team are totally different groups, and the result was indicative of that.
And Boy was that easy to see on that touchdown to tie the game.
Wheatfall showed up, needs to tighten his helmet strap, though I saw an Ottawa defender ease up on the tackle when the helmet came off.... Nice to see.
Zach and hogan are addicted to the long ball.
Are there stats on success rate of passes over forty yds, for Zach? It's Fajardoesque these days.
How can a guy as huge as Wallace not open some kind of hole for the ball carrier? Seemed to be no luck at all on that side.
Anyone notice kolankowski running downfield during a play, fiddling with his helmet? He blocked some people though.
Quote from: BBRT on August 15, 2025, 05:03:03 AMIf memory serves me correctly Crum did beat the Bombers in OT. Can someone confirm? And if the game did go to OT I am not sure the Bombers pull this one out. I envision a major screw up to give the Red Blacks the win in OT.
Confirmed. We were up by 16 late. BO fumbled, RBs scored two TDs and two x two-point converts and ultimately won in OT.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 15, 2025, 02:57:26 PMProblem is, the punt cover team and the FG team are totally different groups, and the result was indicative of that.
True, on the Bonfire podcast Bauming went through the players on the field attempting to tackle Pimpleton and the 2 fastest were Sheahan and Gauthier, the rest were lineman + Sergio. MOS might not admit it but hopefully he learns from this mistake and proceeds with caution, or at least throws out a rover with speed like Holm when attempting +50 yd FG's.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 15, 2025, 04:11:11 PMTrue, on the Bonfire podcast Bauming went through the players on the field attempting to tackle Pimpleton and the 2 fastest were Sheahan and Gauthier, the rest were lineman + Sergio. MOS might not admit it but hopefully he learns from this mistake and proceeds with caution, or at least throws out a rover with speed like Holm when attempting +50 yd FG's.
It would be nice to see depth charts for ST teams for punt, K/O and FG efforts. Long FG's are always risky and the longer the attempt the greater the risk with heavier, slower players not used to making tackles.
Quote from: J5V on August 15, 2025, 03:32:09 PMConfirmed. We were up by 16 late. BO fumbled, RBs scored two TDs and two x two-point converts and ultimately won in OT.
That was last season, no? I think Crum beat the Bombers again since the initial "Crumback".
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 15, 2025, 06:11:24 AMI watched the D attentively with binocs most of the night. Kramdi really did play a lot of FS. Lots of 2 S sets with Allen / Kramdi both at S. I didn't see Kelly even once. Clearly demoted.
T.Jones & Kyrie would swap WILL / MLB at times. Interesting.
Lots of rotation on DL. Hard to figure out what the rhyme or reason is. But it was generally effective. Hard for the OTT OL to get in a rhythm.
Lots of injuries for OTT. I saw the 2 FBs take injury timeouts 3 times! Dru down with ankle or knee. Mauldin down once. Another couple of guys too. Some returned.
Dru being out definitely helped us. They are a 2nd H team. The squeaker could have gone the other way with a QB who can throw. Although... that Crum run-in might have been just a FG with Dru in! Never know.
We really didn't take any injury? Holm went down but walked off and came back quickly (phew!).
On TV it's very difficult to see what rotations are used and to figure out the premise for a particular defensive set.
I'm not even sure if it was different than the last game aside from Allen on and Kelly off.
We did seem to get some pressure but also often lost contain in trying to accomplish that. Overall maybe a C+.
Schmekel had a very good game with a blocked punt and a sack.
Thomas may have had his best game in a couple of years.
Have to give hustle of the game to Jake Thomas, his chase down of Dru was amazing... honourable mention to Schemekel for the punt block, nice route to the punter.
Really liked how guys I have been complaining about played yesterday: Neufeld, Kolankowski, Thomas. With that being said, coaching is what is going to get us burned this season.
Allen should be the starting S all season, Vaval can play ST and D at a high level, Wheatfall can hold onto the ball when getting hammered.
But Oline needs to run block better (strength issue?), Hogan needs to figure out how to use Mitchell, Wheatfall and Oliveira with more consistency, and MOS has to coach like he has the past 5 seasons and not how he did his first few. He's making bad decisions, and this game was a great example. Never challenging despite obvious facemask and DPI calls being missed, going for that infamous field goal.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 15, 2025, 04:19:24 PMThat was last season, no? I think Crum beat the Bombers again since the initial "Crumback".
Yes, correct, and you may also be right about a more recent Crumback that I may have ... repressed. :-\
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 15, 2025, 06:11:24 AMI watched the D attentively with binocs most of the night. Kramdi really did play a lot of FS. Lots of 2 S sets with Allen / Kramdi both at S. I didn't see Kelly even once. Clearly demoted.
T.Jones & Kyrie would swap WILL / MLB at times. Interesting.
Lots of rotation on DL. Hard to figure out what the rhyme or reason is. But it was generally effective. Hard for the OTT OL to get in a rhythm.
Lots of injuries for OTT. I saw the 2 FBs take injury timeouts 3 times! Dru down with ankle or knee. Mauldin down once. Another couple of guys too. Some returned.
Dru being out definitely helped us. They are a 2nd H team. The squeaker could have gone the other way with a QB who can throw. Although... that Crum run-in might have been just a FG with Dru in! Never know.
We really didn't take any injury? Holm went down but walked off and came back quickly (phew!).
Seemed in the 2nd half Kramdi & Griffin were often in like a split safety/cover 2 lineup. Griffin was easy to spot with his gold/yellow shoes. Kramdi was often barking orders and trying to get others into correct position.
Quote from: J5V on August 15, 2025, 06:02:03 PMYes, correct, and you may also be right about a more recent Crumback that I may have ... repressed. :-\
I was wrong, Dru Brown beat the Bombers in wk #2 last season, they beat Crum later on in the second match.
Clercius 26/38 229 yards, 8.8 avg, 74 Yac, longest 44. Yac average 2.9 yards. Replacing Woli I was hoping for a little more out of him. Hasn't figured out yet how to make the first man miss to get those extra Yac yards.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 15, 2025, 06:41:23 PMClercius 26/38 229 yards, 8.8 avg, 74 Yac, longest 44. Yac average 2.9 yards. Replacing Woli I was hoping for a little more out of him. Hasn't figured out yet how to make the first man miss to get those extra Yac yards.
The state of the offense hasn't helped any player from an individual production standpoint. I think Demski's the only player keeping pace with his "regular" production.
Quote from: BomberFan73 on August 15, 2025, 06:16:28 PMSeemed in the 2nd half Kramdi & Griffin were often in like a split safety/cover 2 lineup. Griffin was easy to spot with his gold/yellow shoes. Kramdi was often barking orders and trying to get others into correct position.
Will have to re-watch the game, don't understand how Allen if playing Safety ended up one on one with Addison at least twice along the sidelines, based on penalties alone.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 15, 2025, 06:41:23 PMClercius 26/38 229 yards, 8.8 avg, 74 Yac, longest 44. Yac average 2.9 yards. Replacing Woli I was hoping for a little more out of him. Hasn't figured out yet how to make the first man miss to get those extra Yac yards.
Clercius has been adequate but limited, not exactly a playmaker or a great help to Zach, won't be too upset if he wants to leave in FA along with MCI. I think they can find higher impact nationals.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 15, 2025, 07:01:07 PMClercius has been adequate but limited, not exactly a playmaker or a great help to Zach, won't be too upset if he wants to leave in FA along with MCI. I think they can find higher impact nationals.
I disagree, especially with MCI. He could be a great gadget player, but Hogan lacks the creativity for him.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 15, 2025, 06:55:10 PMWill have to re-watch the game, don't understand how Allen if playing Safety ended up one on one with Addison at least twice along the sidelines, based on penalties alone.
Addison leaves one player's zone and enters Allen's.
I know there has been a lot of complaints about the game, but:
1) there were at least 3-4 significant penalties/non-calls that went against the bombers. The two pass interference calls against Cam Allen, the missed facemask and whatever the fourth one was.
2) the returned missed field goal was a coaching issue and to me, not a reflection of the teams performance. A certain percentage or missed field goals will be returned and pimpleton is one of the best returners. O'shea should have punted.
3) Our secondary played well. Ottawa has a good receiving core and Brown is a great QB and our secondary played well considering. If Parker can take over the Strong side corner spot when he is healthy, and Cam Allen plays well, we will be fine, which isn't something I thought was likely two weeks ago. Vaval looked good.
4) You need to have a game plan for Dustin Crum. He's been inserted into various games over the years and succeeded because of his legs. If Crum started, I don't think the game would have been close.
The last two weeks the bombers have looked better than the previous 4.
For those tracking whether it's "running QBs" that get hurt more or not, Dru got hurt scrambling/running... just sayin'. And it's the way a running/scrambling QB always gets hurt: lower body.
Kelly may be playing himself off the team. He's the one who was offside on the KO. I don't recall a single WPG O/S on KO in the last decade?
It's one of the most embarrassing penalties in the game. Someone took one in a game the other week (not WPG related).
The league sees 1 maybe 2 of these a season. You really don't want it to be by your team! MOS was seriously not happy on the sideline after that...
In the last 3 mins, on the Hardy TD, Hardy does OPI full arm extension in order to get the separation he had on Nichols. I was wondering why Nichols was trailing so badly.
Right at the start of the route Nichols goes to jam Hardy, but Hardy eats it and hides a push off extension. It's a really coy plan, actually. Hard for the refs to see, and they're thinking it's just co-jamming. No way a DB can overcome that with a fast REC.
Could have challenged (had a TO and CH), and I think we win. TD goes away and it's 2nd & 18. You can see the jam clearly in the replay after the convert (and in the live shot, but it's not obvious).
On the Strev 2nd & 3 near the end.
1. It's not 3, it's 2.5
2. Strev gets exactly half the 2.5 due to the second effort. So 1.25 to go (or less). Proof:
a) I measured it on my computer PVR
b) The line judge coming from the top of the screen to mark the spot is running down the correct spot to begin with. But as he keeps running to the spot he is watching some post-whistle nonsense and his run turns into an angle.
3. This robs us of around half a yard, and puts us at the 49, when we should be at least at the 48.5.
4. Around the 48.5 we'd be under a yard to go and MOS would have gone for another sneak.
Bad spot, and the spot was clear (thanks to Strev's upright run). We could have challenged (had TO and CH) but didn't. EITS could have corrected automatically, especially since Dyce calls a TO after the play.
The Castillo missed FG was doing the "chipped wobble" thing again. It was all over the place, looking in, then out, then in, then finally out. Wind was pretty dead at that moment (flags dead, booth said it was dead).
What makes some of Castillo's kicks do this? The initial trajectory looked close, but well in.
Very odd.
And Sheahan is supposed to force Pimpleton back inside. He let him get outside. He had time to setup more outside but looked like he was going for the tackle. Bad mistake. At least Castillo forced him back in at the end, but no cover was left chasing.
Zach's huge bomb to Demski that was INTed with 37s left: it was a 60Y pass. That's well beyond Zach's prior max range, by around 10Y. His effective range was 45Y up till now, with maybe 50Y if a dude is wide open (low catch).
Nice to see Zach has found 10 more Y range. Not sure he can do it all the time, but it's a nice tool if we need it. PJ will be happy.
Zach's "scramble" with 15s left to get the 1st down and ~20Y... it was a called QB draw. @ PAS I thought it was a coverage scramble. But on TV it's clear they cleared out the already-vacated flat, as OTT was playing well off to keep us from a 25+ pass.
So yell about Hogan all you want, that was some pure Hogan magic. Perfect call, and hoggies made a nice big hole and held their DL back so Zach was clean.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 16, 2025, 10:51:21 AMThe Castillo missed FG was doing the "chipped wobble" thing again. It was all over the place, looking in, then out, then in, then finally out. Wind was pretty dead at that moment (flags dead, booth said it was dead).
What makes some of Castillo's kicks do this? The initial trajectory looked close, but well in.
Very odd.
And Sheahan is supposed to force Pimpleton back inside. He let him get outside. He had time to setup more outside but looked like he was going for the tackle. Bad mistake. At least Castillo forced him back in at the end, but no cover was left chasing.
I was pretty pissed at the non-call on the glaring hold on Gauthier at Ottawa's 40 yard line. Guy was hugging him from behind AND spun Gauthier around.
Quote from: Ducky on August 16, 2025, 03:41:32 PMI was pretty pissed at the non-call on the glaring hold on Gauthier at Ottawa's 40 yard line. Guy was hugging him from behind AND spun Gauthier around.
I rechecked: ya, that's pretty bad. But worse, as the carrier goes by the guy that was holding Gauthier gives him a push in the numbers and he falls down. That's an IB every day of the week. Right at the point of attack. Strange the refs didn't see it. They were oddly on OTT's side all night.
There was also an IB on our #94 at the point of attack early in the return too. A coy "side arm" push in the numbers makes him fall down.
What a mess.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 16, 2025, 11:00:14 PMI rechecked: ya, that's pretty bad. But worse, as the carrier goes by the guy that was holding Gauthier gives him a push in the numbers and he falls down. That's an IB every day of the week. Right at the point of attack. Strange the refs didn't see it. They were oddly on OTT's side all night.
There was also an IB on our #94 at the point of attack early in the return too. A coy "side arm" push in the numbers makes him fall down.
What a mess.
That non-call showed just how clueless the officiating crew is. How on earth do you miss a hold and/or illegal block, when it happens at the point of attack on the ball carrier?? What are the looking at?? It's brutal officiating.
Just re-watching the game and saw the first call against Allen in the endzone. Not only is it not PI (he barely brushed against the receiver and the ball was not catchable) but the endzone ref who was right there simply called it an incomplete pass. Then a flag is thrown into the screen after, I'm assuming from the line judge 15-20 yards away. Why would he try and make that call when the other ref is right there, 2 yards away, and did not make that call?
Also the no-yards penalty on Kelly was pretty cheap. He's five yards away, and if its not 5 yards, then its 4 feet 11 inches.
I've never seen a team/QB call audibles as much as Dru/OTT. Crum was doing it a fair bit too. What's up with that?
Do they not understand the noise situation in WPG and SSK? You can't make most of your calls audibles at the line! Ya, it's mostly just "plan A" or "plan B" signals, but it's not easy with so much chaos.
Quote from: bunker on Today at 04:26:58 AMJust re-watching the game and saw the first call against Allen in the endzone. Not only is it not PI (he barely brushed against the receiver and the ball was not catchable)
Also the no-yards penalty on Kelly was pretty cheap. He's five yards away, and if its not 5 yards, then its 4 feet 11 inches.
I finally spotted what the ref was flagging. It was earlier in the route, not what they show live. Allen puts his arm under Addison's arm and uses it as leverage to pull Addison back slightly to slow him down. That's why both guys end up with both arms in the air at the end. So there is something there. Is it enough? Ref's judgement, could go either way.
Never gonna win a challenge on that one, though!
As for "uncatchable": Addison would have to climb the tallest ladder of his life as it was very high/overthrown. I doubt he does it: he's good but not that good (anymore). Also no way command overrules based on this aspect.
Coaching hint to Allen: never ever do the arms up "I'm innocent" thing. ONLY guilty players do that. If you want to show you're innocent, put your arms straight out or out & down at 45 degrees. It shows you aren't interfering while NOT screaming "I'm guilty! Look at me!".
Another coaching hint: make them catch it. Giving it to them at the 1 is a 99% free TD. You never know how well/badly the ball was thrown, nor whether the REC will whiff (which they do probably 25%+ of the time on average).
As for the Kelly no yards... did that really happen? The CFL tracker play-by-play does not show any Kelly no yards penalty? Was the flag picked up?
It's completely insane that with 0:53 left on the clock we got 2 series and OTT got 1. 3 series in 0:53. Yes, the includes 1 turnover, but it also includes a full deep punt!
Rider forum was going mental at how Dyce screwed up the clock management and how he could have killed it if he had a brain cell. Not sure about that (we had 1 timeout still), but it is possible. Why pass on 1st down? Maybe OTT wanted to win in regulation? We wanted to, why not them?
Let's keep in mind a rouge would have allowed either team to win!
That's the CFL for you!
Also, in this exact same situation Lapo as HC in OTT went for 2 on his PAT years ago. And won the game. He knew he would lose in OT because his team sucked. Dyce should have known with Crum he was going to lose. He should have went for 2. Gamble it all while you control the ball. Crum on a QB draw likely gets the 3Y.
Buck would have never called that Zach QB draw (netting 15Y) to win the game. That happened only because of Hogan. 6 REC out to clear out everything. Hoggies part the seas as everyone is in pass-rush mode. Zach sees it all pre-snap to know it's plan A. QB draws were never in Buck's book. And he almost never ran RB draws either.
Hogan. Everyone appreciate this.