Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Ottawa - September 20, 2025

[Jesse]

Woods and Adams are in their second years on our teams. They've had good flashes over the years. I simply don't understand the rational behind their benchings.

[TecnoGenius]

I am almost afraid for Zac.  I wonder if the decision has been made to shut him down.

This is entirely possible.  Of course, Mafia will never say.  "We'll see"

If Zach doesn't start next week, then we'll know.

[TecnoGenius]

I think MOS is looking at this weekend and believes that Calgary should beat BC, and Hamilton will beat Edmonton.

But MOS always says "not looking at the standings", "not worrying about what other teams are doing".

   

[TecnoGenius]

Seems like Hallett may be on his way out, sat out a number of games for that eye injury, put in for one game and now replaced by Jake Kelly who might not see any reps on defence either.

I think the ONLY reason they put Kelly in over Hallett is that they WILL to use him on D.  Kelly's part of the oft-used passing down set.  Then teams just throw where he is and it's a free 25Y.

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

[Jesse]

This is entirely possible.  Of course, Mafia will never say.  "We'll see"

If Zach doesn't start next week, then we'll know.

This isn't a surgery where we know there's a 6-8 month recovery time.

He's being monitored for symptoms. I don't see any reason why they'd arbitrarily "shut him down". He was obviously cleared for light movement last week, that's why he was at practice but not really participating. We'll see if he gets any kind of increased participation next week.

But all that tells us if his symptoms have decreased or not. We can't make any pronouncements about the rest of the year and there's no reason for the Bombers to either. Publicly or internally.

[Pete]

I think the ONLY reason they put Kelly in over Hallett is that they WILL to use him on D.  Kelly's part of the oft-used passing down set.  Then teams just throw where he is and it's a free 25Y.

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

With Griffin out Kramdi cant move to safety if needed, so Kelly coming in makes sense as hes still a better option than Hallet

[Horseman]

At some point, if MOS is serious about caring for Zach the person, then he has to make the difficult decision of shutting Zach down to save himself from ruining his life after football. This is just a game, CTE is very real and very ugly for former player's. As a former player who often played with injuries, you always want to be out there with your teammates because that is all you know. Zach has been playing football since childhood, so making the decision to hang them up is very difficult sometimes other people have to make that decision for you. I am concerned for Zach's long term health the season be damned as Zach's health is more important. Zach has had numerous concussions in the past and if MOS knows more about Zach's concussion history than us fans (which he does) and if he continues to trot Zach out there knowing he could suffer a devastating head injury, then he could be setting up the WFC for a future lawsuit IMHO. I say shut Zach down for the season for his own long term good.

[Blue In BC]

With Griffin out Kramdi cant move to safety if needed, so Kelly coming in makes sense as hes still a better option than Hallet

We added Parker while keeping Lawson on the roster. I'm not sure exactly how they'll use them but the ratio suggests we can have both on the field at the same time. That means we don't have to put Kelly on defence at any time.

Also Woodbey is seeing a lot of time on defence and improving every game.

The depth chart doesn't really help but overall we've improved the depth with Parker but lost some ground with Griffin out.

[Blue In BC]

At some point, if MOS is serious about caring for Zach the person, then he has to make the difficult decision of shutting Zach down to save himself from ruining his life after football. This is just a game, CTE is very real and very ugly for former player's. As a former player who often played with injuries, you always want to be out there with your teammates because that is all you know. Zach has been playing football since childhood, so making the decision to hang them up is very difficult sometimes other people have to make that decision for you. I am concerned for Zach's long term health the season be damned as Zach's health is more important. Zach has had numerous concussions in the past and if MOS knows more about Zach's concussion history than us fans (which he does) and if he continues to trot Zach out there knowing he could suffer a devastating head injury, then he could be setting up the WFC for a future lawsuit IMHO. I say shut Zach down for the season for his own long term good.

If Collaros doesn't play next week, we'll have our answer. I'm not promoting that he should play, just making the point that he may finished for 2025.

[bomb squad]

At some point, if MOS is serious about caring for Zach the person, then he has to make the difficult decision of shutting Zach down to save himself from ruining his life after football. This is just a game, CTE is very real and very ugly for former player's. As a former player who often played with injuries, you always want to be out there with your teammates because that is all you know. Zach has been playing football since childhood, so making the decision to hang them up is very difficult sometimes other people have to make that decision for you. I am concerned for Zach's long term health the season be damned as Zach's health is more important. Zach has had numerous concussions in the past and if MOS knows more about Zach's concussion history than us fans (which he does) and if he continues to trot Zach out there knowing he could suffer a devastating head injury, then he could be setting up the WFC for a future lawsuit IMHO. I say shut Zach down for the season for his own long term good.

There are a lot of factors at play and differing views on this and I'm not going to say what's right or wrong. In a perfect world, I think O'Shea (the WFC really) would shut him down. The reality is though, there is no word to describe how much pressure there is for this team to win this year. No other CFL team matches it. I think it's actually suffocating the team and they really need some steady leadership on the field. I think the WFC is hoping against hope that Chris Streveler somehow discovers a way to be successful and solves this problem for them.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Well if you are in Calgary and need something to do. I am cleaning out my garage tomorrow and getting everything ready for the fall/winter. It would be a lovely experience and I promise bologna sandwiches for lunch! - As it relates to the game I will take a lunch break at 2PM (our time) and watch the first quarter. Stev will probably have thrown 2 interceptions by then.

mmm bologna sandwiches

[The Zipp]

mmm bologna sandwiches

WOC bologna or nothing...

[ichabod_crane]

There are a lot of factors at play and differing views on this and I'm not going to say what's right or wrong. In a perfect world, I think O'Shea (the WFC really) would shut him down. The reality is though, there is no word to describe how much pressure there is for this team to win this year. No other CFL team matches it. I think it's actually suffocating the team and they really need some steady leadership on the field. I think the WFC is hoping against hope that Chris Streveler somehow discovers a way to be successful and solves this problem for them.

I guess the Red Sea will be parting too when Streveler ever becomes a real starter. Dream on. If zach is done for the season the bombers are toast unless Wilson is a hidden Casey printers exploding on the scene.


Age, injuries, overall talent level has dropped and questionable coaching all playing Into the current troubles plus many other elements. It's an Overall team failure if they go out with a whimper. The Mafia trifecta will get a mulligan for this season, but next season needs some significant shakeups.

[Blueforlife]

Griffin will be missed
Who is our weak link in the secondary now?

[Blue In BC]

Griffin will be missed
Who is our weak link in the secondary now?

Lawson but he's improving. The depth chart shows him behind Parker at CB but it's not clear how either will be used with Griffin out.

Bombers need to put together an entire 60 minute game. Can't afford to lose this one as the season goes into the last few games.