Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Calgary, August 9, 2025

[Blueforlife]

Walters/O'Shea have been in maintain mode since 2022, rather than trying to improve. You just have to look at our free agent signings to see that.
OShea in particular can be a bit egotistical in not adapting ie using designated import, keeping players that are on the down swing etc

It's an over generalization imo.  We have had lots of turnover over the years and one of our pillars of success is our depth and next man up.  I believe some are being over critical of our club, management, coaches and players.  We are a powerhouse near the end of a historic run.  Can't be the best forever.  I see a club that has made some difficult decisions, made some mistakes but has created a world class team culture that has been nothing but consistent backed on some very good athletes.

This club is always trying to improve.  We have developed and brought in new talent each year.  Yes we have hung on to our vets, many who are great with a few generational talents.

3 straight 1st place titles since 2022.  15, 14  11 wins.  Formula works. Yes we are trending down but we ain't done yet.  This organization is not perfect but have found incredible success by adapting.  Hall is a good example.  He changed his defensive style to be more effective and then we created a team of DC coaches that further evolved.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Zach really need to show me something today! Even he goes game manager style this would be an improvement.

NO INTS PLEASE!

[Jesse]

For every 2 TDs, he's allowed 1 INT.

But I want to see 300+ yards passing and another 140 from Brady on the ground.

[tlf]

It's an over generalization imo.  We have had lots of turnover over the years and one of our pillars of success is our depth and next man up.  I believe some are being over critical of our club, management, coaches and players.  We are a powerhouse near the end of a historic run.  Can't be the best forever.  I see a club that has made some difficult decisions, made some mistakes but has created a world class team culture that has been nothing but consistent backed on some very good athletes.

This club is always trying to improve.  We have developed and brought in new talent each year.  Yes we have hung on to our vets, many who are great with a few generational talents.

3 straight 1st place titles since 2022.  15, 14  11 wins.  Formula works. Yes we are trending down but we ain't done yet.  This organization is not perfect but have found incredible success by adapting.  Hall is a good example.  He changed his defensive style to be more effective and then we created a team of DC coaches that further evolved.

Have they..or has our scouting gone downhill since Ted left? It seemed to have gone downhill since then.   Wish him the best, but that thought crossed my mind.

[Horseman]

Not to be a downer, but the reality of the situation based on our previous two meetings with the Stamps is their OL has done a great job against our DL in opening holes for Mills and giving VAJ time to throw. Our OL is a work in progress. VAJ has diced up our secondary with ease, so realistically I am hoping for the best (anything can happen in a football game) but expecting the worse. Sorry guys and gals but that is my take.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Zach really need to show me something today! Even he goes game manager style this would be an improvement.

NO INTS PLEASE!

For me, Zach needs to pass the eyeball test. I'm not really so concerned about the stats, are the feet fast enough to move around the pocket and make someone miss? Can he scramble to his left and right and make plays? Can he stand in there, take a hit, deliver a ball and get up and do it again?

Haven't seen much of it this year and since he hasn't been able to have success in a three step drop timing style of game then he's got to see if he can still play the way he used to.

Unfortunately, I don't really think he can.

[Pete]

It's an over generalization imo.  We have had lots of turnover over the years and one of our pillars of success is our depth and next man up.  I believe some are being over critical of our club, management, coaches and players.  We are a powerhouse near the end of a historic run.  Can't be the best forever.  I see a club that has made some difficult decisions, made some mistakes but has created a world class team culture that has been nothing but consistent backed on some very good athletes.

This club is always trying to improve.  We have developed and brought in new talent each year.  Yes we have hung on to our vets, many who are great with a few generational talents.

3 straight 1st place titles since 2022.  15, 14  11 wins.  Formula works. Yes we are trending down but we ain't done yet.  This organization is not perfect but have found incredible success by adapting.  Hall is a good example.  He changed his defensive style to be more effective and then we created a team of DC coaches that further evolved.

Name 1 free agent signing in the last 3 years that is an impact player in this league

[Jesse]

Have they..or has our scouting gone downhill since Ted left? It seemed to have gone downhill since then.   Wish him the best, but that thought crossed my mind.

Ted just left, we still have all the benefits of his scouting.

Our scouting has gone downhill since Rigmaiden left, imo.

[RebusRankin]

Ted just left, we still have all the benefits of his scouting.

Our scouting has gone downhill since Rigmaiden left, imo.

This is it

[TrueBlue4]

Name 1 free agent signing in the last 3 years that is an impact player in this league

Kenny Lawler. 😀

Scouting is very difficult to assess given some variables like they refuse to come up at this time, chasing the NFL dream, want too much money etc. Also we don't get regular updates on our negotiation list. We do have Wheatfall, had Wilson, Schoen just to name a few recent scouting successes.

Just my 2 cents.

[Blue In BC]

Name 1 free agent signing in the last 3 years that is an impact player in this league

We signed Lawler as a free agent in 2023. Doesn't get much bigger than that. T. Jones was signed as a free agent in 2024. Vaughters signed in 2025. Castillo in 2023. Griffin in 2024.

Now if you're talking about rookies coming into the CFL that's a different story but I'd say O. Wilson would be the top of my list. Wheatfall has shown promise.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Not to be a downer, but the reality of the situation based on our previous two meetings with the Stamps is their OL has done a great job against our DL in opening holes for Mills and giving VAJ time to throw. Our OL is a work in progress. VAJ has diced up our secondary with ease, so realistically I am hoping for the best (anything can happen in a football game) but expecting the worse. Sorry guys and gals but that is my take.

Path to victory depends on the D-line getting pressure on VA, if Willy and the boys can have a second outstanding game they can throw him off his game and rattle his cage which causes interceptions. Stamps aren't going to beat them running the ball, that's not Dickenson's style.  Also can't afford any breakdowns in the secondary, but with all the recent changes made that's asking a lot.

[markf]

I hope Bonds plays well.

[Jesse]

Path to victory depends on the D-line getting pressure on VA, if Willy and the boys can have a second outstanding game they can throw him off his game and rattle his cage which causes interceptions. Stamps aren't going to beat them running the ball, that's not Dickenson's style.  Also can't afford any breakdowns in the secondary, but with all the recent changes made that's asking a lot.

The thing is, we did get pressure on VAJ. The amount of times he was literally falling down and tossed the ball up to the perfect spot was insane.

[BBRT]

It's an over generalization imo.  We have had lots of turnover over the years and one of our pillars of success is our depth and next man up.  I believe some are being over critical of our club, management, coaches and players.  We are a powerhouse near the end of a historic run.  Can't be the best forever.  I see a club that has made some difficult decisions, made some mistakes but has created a world class team culture that has been nothing but consistent backed on some very good athletes.

This club is always trying to improve.  We have developed and brought in new talent each year.  Yes we have hung on to our vets, many who are great with a few generational talents.

3 straight 1st place titles since 2022.  15, 14  11 wins.  Formula works. Yes we are trending down but we ain't done yet.  This organization is not perfect but have found incredible success by adapting.  Hall is a good example.  He changed his defensive style to be more effective and then we created a team of DC coaches that further evolved.

While I tend to agree with most of your thoughts I do feel that the organization is in a downward trend from a talent perspective. I agree all teams tend to trend one way or another and at this time IMHO the Bomber Organization needs to understand that they are in fact in a downward trend. IMHO what is needed is for the Bomber Management Team to understand this and put a plan in place to start corrective actions. IMHO it is too late to make much of a mid season correction but planning for 2026 and beyond should be front of mind.