Post game analysis/Good-Bad-Ugly

[TecnoGenius]

Good:

Fatboi running down Dru, including a direction change, may be one of my top-3 regular season Bomber moments of the last decade.  I bet Dru thought he'd easily escape.  Did you see Fatboi high-stepping, upright, high-knee run?

Watching on the PVR now, I see TSN didn't show the Fatboi tackle on Dru at all.  I was watching in-play and post-whistle with binocs and it was this play that Dru busted his knee/ankle.  NOT the play a few plays later where Dru takes another scramble tackle and goes down for good.

[Waffler]

I'll take it!!  And teams with no QB (MTL).  Maybe SSK won't have "Made Of Glass" T.Harris by the time we face them... he's due for his annual injury stint.

Is it fair we got CGY 3 times this season?  (And soon SSK?)  We got a crap schedule.  If we get help in other places, so be it.

Luck of the draw. No one knew how much better CGY would be when they made the schedule. Maybe they wouldn't have been gifted draft picks 8 and 17.

Don't jinx QB injuries the week before we play Lemon. The top 3 teams in the west have Adams, Harris, and Collaros and then a big drop off. It could be a matter of attrition or luck.

[kkc60]

Just obnoxious obliviousness.

The secondary was a mess of self inflected wounds since day one this year.

We started Parker at safety, a spot he proved not to be suited for at all, even though we know him to be a pretty good corner.

In that corner spot we put Marquise Bridges who you were defending until the moment we released him due to being so far from acceptability.

We had Vaval pegged as a field corner but the early indications are he's better on the boundary.

We decided, in what could be a key game come playoff time to start Kelly at safety who was so spectacularly bad be only got one game and is now buried on the depth chart. To make matters worse that game could have probably been won if our safety stopped just one of the early explosion plays Kelly gave up.

We kept Cam Allen on the bench throughout all of this despite the fact he had a great training camp and has the safety body type that almost all football teams use and when he did come in, finally, he looked great. He would have looked great there from week one or at least as good as the undersized, miscast Parker, and certainly 10x better than Kelly.

They blew it big time. They're on the right track now. But it's half way through the season. Even good coaching staffs make mistakes. O'Shea and JY are human and make mistakes too. Obviously.

Agree 100%. The notion he "needed" development time on the PR is purely coping with a poor roster decision that I believe many posters here called out from day 1. Teams start rookies every year, at pretty much any position minus QB. The rookie of the year right now very well may be a safety (Slywka). The Bombers made their decision as to where Bridges and Parker were going to play before TC even started. There was no competition.

Parker at safety never made sense. He has been a corner his entire career, secondary-wise the only bigger difference between safety and corner would be SAM and corner.

[Blueforlife]

Agree 100%. The notion he "needed" development time on the PR is purely coping with a poor roster decision that I believe many posters here called out from day 1. Teams start rookies every year, at pretty much any position minus QB. The rookie of the year right now very well may be a safety (Slywka). The Bombers made their decision as to where Bridges and Parker were going to play before TC even started. There was no competition.

Parker at safety never made sense. He has been a corner his entire career, secondary-wise the only bigger difference between safety and corner would be SAM and corner.

Some wanted Allen to come on right away, I called for a more patient approach where he came on mid season.  There is no way to know how well he would have done on game 1 but we know he did well by having some extra time to develop.  A better outcome imo.  Really easy to do a told you so after the fact.  I will admit, he did better than I thought as I wasn't sure he would help our troubles at back end that much.  We need a handful of games to see how this pans out.

Good:

Fatboi running down Dru, including a direction change, may be one of my top-3 regular season Bomber moments of the last decade.  I bet Dru thought he'd easily escape.  Did you see Fatboi high-stepping, upright, high-knee run?

Watching on the PVR now, I see TSN didn't show the Fatboi tackle on Dru at all.  I was watching in-play and post-whistle with binocs and it was this play that Dru busted his knee/ankle.  NOT the play a few plays later where Dru takes another scramble tackle and goes down for good.

Nice man nice.  While many roaster Fatboi for a many years and even wanted him gone, he proved while on the decline he still has got the ability.

Yup, on rewatch I can probably find one great play from everyone.  Take Fatboi, having at least 2 huge plays.  Shmekel with at least 2 huge plays.  Adams a huge play.  Kyrie.  T.Jones.  Holm.  Even Ballsy... keep going.

Everyone who has been the punching bag had 1+ moments that made a big difference.

That's how you win games.  Even if our talent is worse on paper, we can win like that.

Love it man, yup the depth guys make an impact

Bird bird bird bird is word

[kkc60]

Some wanted Allen to come on right away, I called for a more patient approach where he came on mid season.  There is no way to know how well he would have done on game 1 but we know he did well by having some extra time to develop.  A better outcome imo.  Really easy to do a told you so after the fact.  I will admit, he did better than I thought as I wasn't sure he would help our troubles at back end that much.  We need a handful of games to see how this pans out.

Actually, we do not know if he did well by having time to develop. He looked like the same player Thursday as he did in the preseason games. Sure, you can factor in talent level of who he was playing against (2nd,3rd and 4th stringers) but he always looked like a natural at safety, something Parker did not. And I do not believe anyone is "I told you so"-ing you. When you tell people they are wrong consistently, and early returns show they are right, then they simply may have been....right the whole time. You said he was too raw, but at no point either in the preseason or Thursday night did he look raw. He looked like a safety and it's a shame favouritism kept him off the field so long.

I agree we need a handful of games to truly know, but I just really do not see what could change for him to suddenly not be good. He can make plays on the ball and lay the lumber, two things we have not had at safety since prime Alexander.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It wasn't Zach's play, it was Hogan/MOS's play.  They called the shot.  It was man, so Zach took it.  Blame the coaches/callers.

And was it 2nd down?  Same as a punt should he not get the 1st anyhow.  If it was 1st, then I love the shot even more because everyone and their dog thinks "Brady gut run".  That would explain the man-on-man.

As for Condell... par for the course.

The deep route is only one branch of the route tree, Zach decides in the moment which one to take, he gambled and lost based on poor execution of the throw, so can't see how it was Logan's fault.

This isn't a theoretical discussion, consider the context, it was 1st down on the Bomber 30 with 47 secs. left and the score was tied, they had time enough to run a few high percentage plays to move the ball into FG range for the win, why on earth would an interception or a punt be ok in that situation? The fact they got the ball back with 18 seconds remaining was a miracle, notice Zach didn't throw a long bomb the second time around.

[Blue In BC]

Some wanted Allen to come on right away, I called for a more patient approach where he came on mid season.  There is no way to know how well he would have done on game 1 but we know he did well by having some extra time to develop.  A better outcome imo.  Really easy to do a told you so after the fact.  I will admit, he did better than I thought as I wasn't sure he would help our troubles at back end that much.  We need a handful of games to see how this pans out.Nice man nice.  While many roaster Fatboi for a many years and even wanted him gone, he proved while on the decline he still has got the ability.Love it man, yup the depth guys make an impact

Bird bird bird bird is word

Allen played in the pre season games. GAME SPEED, even though many rookies against rookies. It's possible being on the PR took away game readiness and reaction time.

His 2 PI penalties ( which were doubtful at best ) may have been the difference of sitting on the PR for the 1st 8 games.

There is no way to be certain, he developed more by sitting on the PR than if he had been playing from day 1.

Arguments could be made on either position. Many rookies start the season early and progress as the season develops.  Others play like veteran players from the 1st snap.

For the most part I'm not a fan of the slow development concept. Even O'Shea says everybody is a starter. CFL seasons are short. Come out of training camp ready to play or get out of town.

Canadian players get more leeway time due to supply / demand issues. Import players don't get as much time to be ready.

There are more rookie imports in TC than Canadians and those that win spots somewhere on the roster need to be ready immediately. Those that end up as PR players is a ranking behind veterans or higher ranked rookies in TC that make the AR.

As far as Allen goes, I think he will be more ready for the next game after playing at game speed and conditions. Whether he develops as a legit CFL starter is always a TBD, but IMO he started off well.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Allen played in the pre season games. GAME SPEED, even though many rookies against rookies. It's possible being on the PR took away game readiness and reaction time.

His 2 PI penalties ( which were doubtful at best ) may have been the difference of sitting on the PR for the 1st 8 games.

There is no way to be certain, he developed more by sitting on the PR than if he had been playing from day 1.

Arguments could be made on either position. Many rookies start the season early and progress as the season develops.  Others play like veteran players from the 1st snap.

For the most part I'm not a fan of the slow development concept. Even O'Shea says everybody is a starter. CFL seasons are short. Come out of training camp ready to play or get out of town.

Canadian players get more leeway time due to supply / demand issues. Import players don't get as much time to be ready.

There are more rookie imports in TC than Canadians and those that win spots somewhere on the roster need to be ready immediately. Those that end up as PR players is a ranking behind veterans or higher ranked rookies in TC that make the AR.

As far as Allen goes, I think he will be more ready for the next game after playing at game speed and conditions. Whether he develops as a legit CFL starter is always a TBD, but IMO he started off well.

Allen showed he's a good physical player but I doubt they'll play him as the single Safety anytime soon and he'll continue in a transitional part-time role, which is the perfect way to integrate IMO. The secondary showed improvement in the last 2 games and I think much of it has to do with Kramdi's communication ability. I don't know if he can do that from SAM or not.

When Parker comes back, does Dexter Lawson get shuffled to the PR or will Vaval stick with kick returns?

[Blueforlife]

Allen showed he's a good physical player but I doubt they'll play him as the single Safety anytime soon and he'll continue in a transitional part-time role, which is the perfect way to integrate IMO. The secondary showed improvement in the last 2 games and I think much of it has to do with Kramdi's communication ability. I don't know if he can do that from SAM or not.

When Parker comes back, does Dexter Lawson get shuffled to the PR or will Vaval stick with kick returns?

Exactly the way I would do it.  Developing Canadian talent is the key to long term success.  I prefer the slow cooker method.  Better seasoning.

Some wanted Allen to come on right away, I called for a more patient approach where he came on mid season.  There is no way to know how well he would have done on game 1 but we know he did well by having some extra time to develop.  A better outcome imo.  Really easy to do a told you so after the fact.  I will admit, he did better than I thought as I wasn't sure he would help our troubles at back end that much.  We need a handful of games to see how this pans out.

Actually, we do not know if he did well by having time to develop. He looked like the same player Thursday as he did in the preseason games. Sure, you can factor in talent level of who he was playing against (2nd,3rd and 4th stringers) but he always looked like a natural at safety, something Parker did not. And I do not believe anyone is "I told you so"-ing you. When you tell people they are wrong consistently, and early returns show they are right, then they simply may have been....right the whole time. You said he was too raw, but at no point either in the preseason or Thursday night did he look raw. He looked like a safety and it's a shame favouritism kept him off the field so long.

I agree we need a handful of games to truly know, but I just really do not see what could change for him to suddenly not be good. He can make plays on the ball and lay the lumber, two things we have not had at safety since prime Alexander.

He is a rookie and a raw talent imo that is best developed slowly to ensure he is developed in a way that can attempt to make him a long term option for the club.  Yup showed well in his 1st game and I was and still am super excited for him to continue his development.

Allen played in the pre season games. GAME SPEED, even though many rookies against rookies. It's possible being on the PR took away game readiness and reaction time.

His 2 PI penalties ( which were doubtful at best ) may have been the difference of sitting on the PR for the 1st 8 games.

There is no way to be certain, he developed more by sitting on the PR than if he had been playing from day 1.

Arguments could be made on either position. Many rookies start the season early and progress as the season develops.  Others play like veteran players from the 1st snap.

For the most part I'm not a fan of the slow development concept. Even O'Shea says everybody is a starter. CFL seasons are short. Come out of training camp ready to play or get out of town.

Canadian players get more leeway time due to supply / demand issues. Import players don't get as much time to be ready.

There are more rookie imports in TC than Canadians and those that win spots somewhere on the roster need to be ready immediately. Those that end up as PR players is a ranking behind veterans or higher ranked rookies in TC that make the AR.

As far as Allen goes, I think he will be more ready for the next game after playing at game speed and conditions. Whether he develops as a legit CFL starter is always a TBD, but IMO he started off well.

I think being on the PR suits a rookie well to learn the play book and get ready for the regular season.  I agree with everything else you said but don't think the get out of town comment reflects the nature of a sport which has many depth and PR players which are developed over years not games.

[Blue In BC]

Exactly the way I would do it.  Developing Canadian talent is the key to long term success.  I prefer the slow cooker method.  Better seasoning.He is a rookie and a raw talent imo that is best developed slowly to ensure he is developed in a way that can attempt to make him a long term option for the club.  Yup showed well in his 1st game and I was and still am super excited for him to continue his development.I think being on the PR suits a rookie well to learn the play book and get ready for the regular season.  I agree with everything else you said but don't think the get out of town comment reflects the nature of a sport which has many depth and PR players which are developed over years not games.

Tell that to the 30 or 40 players each cuts when final rosters are declared. Either not good enough, not ready enough, or beat out by others that were perceived to be closer to those goals.

Many players, particularly imports don't survive to the next TC if they didn't get onto the AR for at least some games.

A Canadian player has a better chance to stick a 2nd season on a PR but few may want to. It's move up or move out.

Look at our current PR. Woods and Weitz are all that were here in 2024. Kornelson was drafted in 2023 but went back to school after both TC's. Weitz is only here because of the global mandate. With all the LB's we have, it's doubtful he makes the AR again this season.  I would suggest he probably isn't back in 2026 after we draft 2 new global players.

PR players are not generally developed over multiple seasons.

[TecnoGenius]

The deep route is only one branch of the route tree, Zach decides in the moment which one to take, he gambled and lost based on poor execution of the throw, so can't see how it was Logan's fault.

If Hogan want conservative in that situation then he'll call a play where the only go routes are clearing routes.  Zach will know not to throw there.  He won't just suddenly do it unless someone is miles open, which is always hard on a post route 50Y away because any DB on the field can close that gap.

It seems clear to me Hogan either called a deep shot as first read, or he at least permitted Zach to have that as an option.  Otherwise he could have dialed up short/mid plays and made it clear those were the only reads.

Think MTL 3rd & 3 in the '23 GC.  MTL had exactly one read dialed up, the wide pass for like 15Y.  Every other guy was either doing max-pro or clearing route.

This isn't a theoretical discussion, consider the context, it was 1st down on the Bomber 30 with 47 secs.

Ok, it was 1st down.  I just rewatched.  I totally agree you need to dink & dunk mid/short pass there as 2 deep shots won't bleed enough clock.  As such, again, it's totally on Hogan to not even give Zach a deep read.

However, look at it again, OTT was playing waaaay off, smothering the mid range.  They were trying to stop the 20-30Y pass, as most teams do in this keep-out-of-fg-range situation.  As such, the only thing available was going to be short pass or extreme deep.  And the fact Demski was "open" for a sec, and then 1-on-1, means they were right.

I guess if they connect to Demski instead of INT they could bleed the remaining 40s with run-run-FG.

Maybe Hogan/MOS were scared that the "free" 12Y out OTT would have given up wouldn't have gotten them in FG range in time.

In sum, maybe they weren't so crazy after all.  It could have worked, and the 10Y outs may have run out of time (though we are supposed to be masters at the 45s drill, remember '17-'22?).

Zach was a touch too late (0.5-1.0s), and Demski didn't fight enough for the ball as some super-skill RECs may have.

P.S. The fact Hogan saw OTT playing 20Y off on the INTed series is why he dialed up the Zach 20Y run in the 2nd series!