Montreal @ Winnipeg. Pre-game

[GOLDMEMBER]

Through the east is better. Not much question about it.

In 2019 we did win in Cal and the Bush but we had a fresh Zach and Lapo at the controls.

This year I can't see that happening again. Through the east in Montreal then in Hamilton I much prefer.

[blue_gold_84]

No team has ever made it through the crossover. I can't see this 2025 Blue Bombers team being an exception (although, I'd love to be wrong).

[Pigskin]

If Hamilton wins, then Montreal is playing for 1st.
If Hamilton loses, then Montreal is playing to destroy our confidence as we play them again the next week.

Are you sure about this??

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Are you sure about this??

He's wrong, both teams are 10-7 with Hamilton having the series advantage, if the Ti-Cats beat the RB's the Als have nothing to play for.  To keep Alexander's winning streak intact I don't expect they'll start him in this weekend's game.

[TBURGESS]

Mine was the wrong way around. Should have been..

If Hamilton loses, then Montreal is playing for 1st.
If Hamilton wins, then Montreal is playing to destroy our confidence as we play them again the next week.

[ModAdmin]

The only players who did not practice today are...

Nic Demski - Hamstring
Keric Wheatfall - Not injury related.

All others participated in a full practice.

[blue_or_die]

Why do people think playing Montreal is easier than the West?

It's a wash IMO.

On one hand, the east is the east and that there's a crossover tells you some things about the record of the 2 teams that did manage to make the playoffs and who they had to beat. When Davis is in there and at the top of his game he's as good as the best. But what happens when he comes back? You also have the fact that a crossover team has never made it regardless of how much better they were in the regular season than their opponent.

On the other, the perception is that the west is better and making that argument is not hard at all. VAJ is a toss-up - does good VAJ or bad VAJ show up? When VAJ is good, he's real good. When VAJ is bad, he can lose games almost single handedly. VAJ was warm to start but has chilled out and looked very ordinary. Hopefully there's no hot VAJ to distract us.

Rourke has also had heroic and less-than moments out there.

It won't be easy either way.

[Blue In BC]

The only players who did not practice today are...

Nic Demski - Hamstring
Keric Wheatfall - Not injury related.

All others participated in a full practice.

What's the deal with Wheatfall? Two days and no practice. Even if it's illness or family issue it doesn't appear that he will play this week.

Is he going to be replaced by Mitchell or Echols and / or who was getting 1st team reps?

Woods seems to be ok so that creates the issue of who comes off if Griffin gets added.

It's never a dull week. lol

[dd]

Not a big wheatfall fan, hoping to see someone else in his spot to see if he can produce more than him, very lackluster last game, as were a bunch of players. But we need someone to seriously step up and make some plays for the offense. Without ND10, we are lifeless at reciever.

[Blueforlife]

Hard to get hurt if you don't hit someone.

Makes zero sense imo.  He has been nothing but 100% consistently healthy his entire career while making plays.  Previous comment was bang on. Thomas is as reliable health wise as we have had at this position.  I prefer to give credit where credit is due.

We need Wheat to play and have a decent game.  Huge part of this offense when he is on.  Rest up the vets if it's a nothing burger.  Otherwise petal to metal.

Weather looks fantastic, hope is on the rise.

East or West doesn't matter.  Both sides have good clubs and league has plenty of parity.

Bad weather would benefit us (run game).  Exceptional directional punting.

Last week in CJOB our net punting is 4th when adjusted for field position.  Our punting has been excellent and sure happy Bomber brass stayed the course.  Lots like to rag on our punting and it's heavily overstated imo.

[ichabod_crane]

Are you sure about this??

Hammy has tie breaker I believe already over Montreal. So if they win Montreal has a meaningless game vs Bombers.

[Tecno]

If Hamilton wins, then Montreal is playing to destroy our confidence as we play them again the next week.

Why not "then Winnipeg is playing to destroy their confidence as we play them again the next week"?

Can't it cut both ways?  Or are we so down on our team right now that seems impossible?

[Tecno]

What are we playing for this week? The chance to go to Calgary or the chance to go to Montreal? It's a wash at best and putting ourselves in an even more difficult position at worst.

Well, there is one nice thing about crossing over... the traveling fans can finally go to a new city rather than CGY/SSK like we always do.  If I go to the ESF I always love visiting MTL and my son has never been there.  That's a bonus vs yet another trip to CGY (as much as I love CGY!).

[Ridermania]

Honestly, I can't see O'Shea resting ZC the whole game.

Maybe for a half at best.

He won't play Wilson, it will be Strev.

[Blue In BC]

Makes zero sense imo.  He has been nothing but 100% consistently healthy his entire career while making plays.  Previous comment was bang on. Thomas is as reliable health wise as we have had at this position.  I prefer to give credit where credit is due.

We need Wheat to play and have a decent game.  Huge part of this offense when he is on.  Rest up the vets if it's a nothing burger.  Otherwise petal to metal.

Weather looks fantastic, hope is on the rise.

East or West doesn't matter.  Both sides have good clubs and league has plenty of parity.

Bad weather would benefit us (run game).  Exceptional directional punting.

Last week in CJOB our net punting is 4th when adjusted for field position.  Our punting has been excellent and sure happy Bomber brass stayed the course.  Lots like to rag on our punting and it's heavily overstated imo.

You should watch how players get injured. Most of the time it's taking or giving a hit. Perhaps getting fallen on by someone blocked into you and ending up in the pile.


He had another game last week and didn't record a sack or TFL. Where are those plays you speak about?

2025 is his worst statistical season since his 2nd year in the CFL in 2013.  What he did 3 or 4 years ago is irrelevant now.