Blue Bombers Forum

We would only be looking at their time with the Bombers.

https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-robercha001

https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-harriand001

https://www.cfl.ca/players/brady-oliveira/164872/

Have to go with Sir Charles.

Harris. Because Grey Cups. End of my argument.

personally it's down to two..harris and roberts.

cases could be made for either. i went with harris on grey cups - much better focus and performance in the big game. 

robert's was way more exciting and fun to watch.

Andrew Harris

Roberts

Huge gap

Oliveira

Harris

Gigantic gap

Fred Reid

I'd have to go with Harris, based on his entire career and the fact that he willed us to win Grey Cups when he was here.

Roberts was an exciting scat back, but didn't win the big one, not his fault, but thought he would have been more productive in big game and won us at least one.

Charlie best pure RB
Harris best duo threat
Brady is nipping at the heals of greatness

Bombers?  AH33.  Superb talent PLUS the best leadership we've seen in a decade PLUS a Winnipegger.  How can you argue with that?

Non-Bomber?  Cornish.  You just couldn't ever bring him down.  Playing against him was always extremely frustrating.

poor Fred...he was very good RB just not in the same calibre as these other guys...3 cheers for Fred Reid!!

How about this legendary run by Chad Simpson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3N4cCXXf88

I picked Harris because he was the most reliable when a play was needed to be made. He could get the tough yards.

Pure talent would be Blink. He was a natural phenom at his craft and was so much to watch. A legend.

In terms of completeness as a player, Harris. He carried the offense during his time here and led by example, helping end the drought. Also a legend.

Oliveira gets a HM from me simply because he's carried the torch since Harris' departure - and done so extremely well.

I can't pick AH33. Because of his use of PEDs late in his career. Roberts would be my pick, with BO20 closing in quickly.

Quote from: Pigskin on October 23, 2025, 02:34:10 PMI can't pick AH33. Because of his use* of PEDs late in his career. Roberts would be my pick, with BO20 closing in quickly.

(https://y.yarn.co/0257e454-9c44-48b7-ab5e-b55dd5595775_text.gif)

* a trace amount of a banned substance (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/andrew-harris-banned-substance-suspended-1.5259948#:~:text=%22Somehow%20on%20July%2012%2C%20just%2010%20days%20after%20a%20test%20that%20came%20back%20completely%20clean%2C%20I%20was%20notified%20that%20I%20had%20tested%20positive%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20my%20career%20with%20very%20small%20trace%20of%20a%20banned%20substance.%22) (an important distinction)

It's complicated. Every team is different. Roberts was the most naturally talented athletic RB is this time period. He had a tendency to be lazy at times and not give 100%. Every team is different. How good is the rest of the offence from QB, OL to receivers? Does the team most often score quickly on big plays or long drives with shorter sustaining plays ( RB ).

Running style of the RB can vary. Roberts was elusive but not a power runner like Harris or Oliveria. He was faster than those two but not the fastest we've ever had.

Even the defence comes into play. Are they shutting down the opponent and winning LOS and TOP? Is the team more of a passing team, running team or balanced offence?

Quote from: Pigskin on October 23, 2025, 02:34:10 PMI can't pick AH33. Because of his use of PEDs late in his career. Roberts would be my pick, with BO20 closing in quickly.

It honestly is one of the reasons Harris takes a hit in my eyes. I don't look at him the same way now.

The other major part is I see him as a Lion as much as anything else. He's not a career Bomber. Only in a Bomber jersey, I have both Charlie and Brady ahead of Harris (in my eyes only).

Keep in mind the CFL wasn't testing during most of Robert's time with the Bombers (I guess that could be either a point for or against, depending on how you read it).

Quote from: Jesse on October 23, 2025, 04:56:33 PMIt honestly is one of the reasons Harris takes a hit in my eyes. I don't look at him the same way now.

The other major part is I see him as a Lion as much as anything else. He's not a career Bomber. Only in a Bomber jersey, I have both Charlie and Brady ahead of Harris (in my eyes only).

Not saying Harris didn't cheat but the supplements industry is very shady, even the most popular products have been proven to be contaminated.

"Creatine can be contaminated with heavy metals, other drugs, or microorganisms, and manufacturers' quality control varies widely because it is not regulated by the FDA like pharmaceuticals."

I am going to mention Mike Sellers because he deserves to be remembered. Ran over a lot of guys in this league, too bad the highlights are so grainy looking now. Had a 16 year pro career, CFL and NFL combined.

Quote from: peg_city on October 23, 2025, 05:26:16 PMKeep in mind the CFL wasn't testing during most of Robert's time with the Bombers (I guess that could be either a point for or against, depending on how you read it).

I think the only thing they would've found in Blink's samples were high levels of nicotine and beer.

There's gonna be more emotion in this thread than objectivity. It's hard to separate the "I have great memories of ___ and therefore they are the best".

I think of our best years as a fan as what we are going through right now and have for the last decade. I think of the misery of 2009 (after Charlie left, coincidentally...or not) thru 2015 (minus 2011) and how this sad sack group managed to pick up a Cup-winning hometown guy and brought him home. We rebranded to our traditional royal blues that year and between those elements, made a new identity from perennial losers to the best and strongest franchise in the league. I can't separate that plus the heart and leadership Andrew had to, at many times, carry the whole team on his shoulders. He wasn't the fastest or the strongest or the quickest or most versatile, but he was so well-rounded. In his prime he was as good a receiver as a running back.

I can't disassociate the cups and glory and pride that Andrew brought to this team.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on October 23, 2025, 05:43:26 PMI think the only thing they would've found in Blink's samples were high levels of nicotine and beer.

Probably applied to most of Canadinns stadium during that period.

Quote from: blue_or_die on October 23, 2025, 06:51:28 PMThere's gonna be more emotion in this thread than objectivity. It's hard to separate the "I have great memories of ___ and therefore they are the best".

I think of our best years as a fan as what we are going through right now and have for the last decade. I think of the misery of 2009 (after Charlie left, coincidentally...or not) thru 2015 (minus 2011) and how this sad sack group managed to pick up a Cup-winning hometown guy and brought him home. We rebranded to our traditional royal blues that year and between those elements, made a new identity from perennial losers to the best and strongest franchise in the league. I can't separate that plus the heart and leadership Andrew had to, at many times, carry the whole team on his shoulders. He wasn't the fastest or the strongest or the quickest or most versatile, but he was so well-rounded. In his prime he was as good a receiver as a running back.

I can't disassociate the cups and glory and pride that Andrew brought to this team.

Also have to consider his contribution to the Argos GC win and the influence he now seems to hold in Sask under Mace, that guy never ceases to amaze me.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 23, 2025, 07:15:46 PMAlso have to consider his contribution to the Argos GC win and the influence he now seems to hold in Sask under Mace, that guy never ceases to amaze me.

I can live with the success he had under Buono in BC but I can't think about the Toronto and Sask stuff. I need to protect what remaining mental health I have

Harris for now but Brady is closing fast.

Blink and then Harris for me but not going to argue with those who have it the other way. Brady could end up surpassing both.

Charlie played with performance decreasing substances and was still better than everyone else. ;D If we're talking about pure talent, it's him.

The main knock on both Harris and Oliveira is foot speed. Both of them get schemed up pretty good because of it and therefore they'd be a distant second and third.

To that end, Fred Reid actually comes in a lot closer if we're going on pure talent than I think a lot of people might think. If Fred attended Oak Park Highschool I think it would change opinions pretty quickly.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on October 23, 2025, 10:48:28 PMCharlie played with performance decreasing substances and was still better than everyone else. ;D If we're talking about pure talent, it's him.

The main knock on both Harris and Oliveira is foot speed. Both of them get schemed up pretty good because of it and therefore they'd be a distant second and third.

To that end, Fred Reid actually comes in a lot closer if we're going on pure talent than I think a lot of people might think. If Fred attended Oak Park Highschool I think it would change opinions pretty quickly.

Meh. Fred was fast. That was all he had.

Quote from: peg_city on October 23, 2025, 05:26:16 PMKeep in mind the CFL wasn't testing during most of Robert's time with the Bombers (I guess that could be either a point for or against, depending on how you read it).

Dude would have lit the lamp if they were piss testing for menthols.  I used to work patio security at Wise Guys downtown, and Charlie burned though at least half a deck of menthols every night he showed up.

Quote from: Pigskin on October 23, 2025, 02:34:10 PMI can't pick AH33. Because of his use of PEDs late in his career. Roberts would be my pick, with BO20 closing in quickly.

Quote from: Jesse on October 23, 2025, 04:56:33 PMIt honestly is one of the reasons Harris takes a hit in my eyes. I don't look at him the same way now.

LOL, then I trust that both of you are in the AH PED thread years back complaining and saying the same things then?  As I recall, I was one of the few back then saying we had to hold him to the same standard as that OTT holder that was caught with PEDs the same season.

Easy to bash him now that he's been an Argo & Rider.  While I feel the "traitor" vibes a bit (mostly for going green), we were the ones who ditched him.

Also consider that everywhere he goes he wins the team a cup... TBD in Nov.

Quote from: Waffler on October 23, 2025, 05:42:44 PMI am going to mention Mike Sellers because he deserves to be remembered. Ran over a lot of guys in this league, too bad the highlights are so grainy looking now. Had a 16 year pro career, CFL and NFL combined.

Mike was a different beast altogether, but you can't talk about Charlie without talking about Mike.  He was a wrecking ball that has rarely been matched.  He was awesome to watch and laid the groundwork for smashback runners.

Charlie also spent a lot of time on kick returns so he had a massive amount of touches per game.  But he also had the luxury of playing with one of the greatest assembled receiving corps which probably didn't hurt because of the added threats.

The problem with the comparison here is that Harris and Brady are very similar in style and body, while Charlie and Fred were more slippery speed runners.  While I don't think Fred has the career to compare to the others, he had games that were legendary

Quote from: Tecno on October 24, 2025, 04:31:04 AMLOL, then I trust that both of you are in the AH PED thread years back complaining and saying the same things then?  As I recall, I was one of the few back then saying we had to hold him to the same standard as that OTT holder that was caught with PEDs the same season.

Easy to bash him now that he's been an Argo & Rider.  While I feel the "traitor" vibes a bit (mostly for going green), we were the ones who ditched him.

Also consider that everywhere he goes he wins the team a cup... TBD in Nov.

First of all, yes. I've always felt this way. I didn't engage much online at the time, iirc. Everyone got incredibly emotional about it and saying anything against AH was as opening yourself up to attack.

Second of all, I was never as high on AH as everyone else. He was more of a BC Lion to me than a Bomber. His career went long enough and he had enough success that I definitely became a fan, but at his height, he never was on the same tier as Charlie or Leo for me.

And then, in short succession, PED, showing up out of shape (quitting on us not us quitting on him, imo), and his comments on the way out. I couldn't care less about his participation with the Argos or riders. I'm only focused on what he did in a Bomber jersey. Though, had he retired a Bomber, it would have reduced my thoughts of him as a gun for hire.

All that said, I've said since he moved on that with time and space I expect myself to look back fondly on his career once we're further removed from the nonsense.

Quote from: Jesse on October 24, 2025, 01:21:18 PMFirst of all, yes. I've always felt this way. I didn't engage much online at the time, iirc. Everyone got incredibly emotional about it and saying anything against AH was as opening yourself up to attack.

Second of all, I was never as high on AH as everyone else. He was more of a BC Lion to me than a Bomber. His career went long enough and he had enough success that I definitely became a fan, but at his height, he never was on the same tier as Charlie or Leo for me.

And then, in short succession, PED, showing up out of shape (quitting on us not us quitting on him, imo), and his comments on the way out. I couldn't care less about his participation with the Argos or riders. I'm only focused on what he did in a Bomber jersey. Though, had he retired a Bomber, it would have reduced my thoughts of him as a gun for hire.

All that said, I've said since he moved on that with time and space I expect myself to look back fondly on his career once we're further removed from the nonsense.

I also sad it right from the start. If you us PEDs and get caught, you have to pay the price and deal with it for the rest of your life. Excellent RB, and he did a lot for the Bombers. As far as the traitor tag which you have used, moving on is part of professional sports. I personally don't hold it against him. In fact earlier in the year I had heard AH was looking at getting into coaching. I suggested the Bombers bring him on as part of there staff. 

Quote from: Pigskin on October 24, 2025, 02:34:33 PMI also sad it right from the start. If you us PEDs and get caught, you have to pay the price and deal with it for the rest of your life. Excellent RB, and he did a lot for the Bombers. As far as the traitor tag which you have used, moving on is part of professional sports. I personally don't hold it against him. In fact earlier in the year I had heard AH was looking at getting into coaching. I suggested the Bombers bring him on as part of there staff. 

Had Andrew not burned bridges on his way out, maybe that's what happens.

Quote from: Jesse on October 24, 2025, 04:02:36 PMHad Andrew not burned bridges on his way out, maybe that's what happens.

Don't want to rehash that discussion but mixed in generously in that negotiation was the Bombers penchant for failing to communicate effectively with the interested party within the critical time-frame.  Shows up time after time and has become one of their flavour favourites.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 24, 2025, 05:39:10 PMDon't want to rehash that discussion but mixed in generously in that negotiation was the Bombers penchant for failing to communicate effectively with the interested party within the critical time-frame.  Shows up time after time and has become one of their flavour favourites.

It's only been a few players who have made such claims - ones who seemingly felt spurned when what was offered didn't satiate their entitlement. Not sure I'd label less than a handful of instances as being a "flavour favourite" in terms of how this regime operates.

And Harris earned himself no favours in 2021 when he uncharacteristically showed up to camp out of shape and out of sorts. He's since admitted as much (https://dontchangemuch.ca/mental-health/mental-health-way-out-from-trauma-andrew-harris-story/).

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 24, 2025, 05:39:10 PMDon't want to rehash that discussion but mixed in generously in that negotiation was the Bombers penchant for failing to communicate effectively with the interested party within the critical time-frame.  Shows up time after time and has become one of their flavour favourites.

I'm not specifically referring to the negotiation part of his leaving. I think he took himself out of MOS's good graces by showing up out of shape in 2021. Then he left under whatever circumstances. Then he spoke to the media and took shots at the team (which is exactly what he did to BC when he joined us).

I think if he wanted to coach with us, he would have had to play the whole situation a lot differently. And it just didn't work out the way it could have.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on October 24, 2025, 05:54:46 PMIt's only been a few players who have made such claims - ones who seemingly felt spurned when what was offered didn't satiate their entitlement.

Ya, but said players were usually "big name" ones, often very long-term vets.  Like top starters in their units -- not STer-only no-name NATs.  It matters more when it's a AH, Jeffcoat, Grant or Biggie saying it.  (Though Biggie hasn't said boo (yet) IIRC -- smart man.)

And you can see instances of the no-contact approach as far back as the Leggett situation (maybe farther).  I'm not saying it's good or bad, but it does seem to annoy some players.  And I'd be annoyed if I was a 7 year star Bomber and was suddenly not offered a contract in the off-season and told nothing at all about it... Surely I'm "owed" something, even if it's just a call saying "we don't have the money, bye"?

Roberts.

Quote from: Tecno on October 25, 2025, 04:35:13 AMYa, but said players were usually "big name" ones, often very long-term vets.  Like top starters in their units -- not STer-only no-name NATs.  It matters more when it's a AH, Jeffcoat, Grant or Biggie saying it.  (Though Biggie hasn't said boo (yet) IIRC -- smart man.)

And you can see instances of the no-contact approach as far back as the Leggett situation (maybe farther).  I'm not saying it's good or bad, but it does seem to annoy some players.  And I'd be annoyed if I was a 7 year star Bomber and was suddenly not offered a contract in the off-season and told nothing at all about it... Surely I'm "owed" something, even if it's just a call saying "we don't have the money, bye"?

Biggie also said similar things.