Nield

[Tecno]

Nield:

opp comp/att yds avg-long
CGY 3/4 52 (17-18)
HAM 7/9 111 (16-24)
EDM 2/3 12 (6-10)
HAM 0/0
TOR 4/4 58 (14-19)
OTT 4/7 48 (12-16)
CGY 1/4 8 (8-8)

It's just not good enough.  He had 1 good game, 2-3 modest games, and 3 useless games.  He's not supposed to be Cobb and Corcoran, he's supposed to be a solid #3 option.  And besides that one good game I have seen zero flash or circus or difficult catches.  The stuff he's gotten has been easy, like uncontested zone sits.  I think his stats flatter him.

In the original signing thread, peg_city said Nield cost us $175k.  That's extremely high for a guy with this (lack of) effectiveness.  In fact, he may be the most lackluster NAT REC earning more than $125k.  If you're in year 6 and you're earning $175k then you have to do better.  I'd take nearly every single NAT over $125k (and under $175k) instead of him.

The main reason we brought him in is he's 6'3 and we wanted that 50/50 & jump ball threat.  Except his 1 good game, I don't think he's made any 50/50 balls.  We gave him 2 tough/jump balls in the last game, and he just looked foolish.  His ladder is more like a stool.  What's the point of a tall/big-body REC who can't get the high balls?

We also wanted better blocking, and thought his beef would help.  The jury is still out on that.  I grade out every game now and including important blocks, and I'm not sure I've seen him do anything of substance yet.  He's just not near where he can do any good.

And he has a bad case of the dropsies.  He'll whiff on at least 1 catchable ball every game.  And he always looks deflated and beaten, which drags down everyone around him.

If he was earning ELC or old Woli-type money, that would be great.  I'd be all for that.  But he was clearly brought in to be a solid #3 target, as well as a specialist on clutch 50/50's, and probably a legit EZ high-throw or body-block-out threat.  He's accomplished none of that.  Look who we went to on the critical 2PATs to win vs OTT; hint, not Nield!  He's a drive killer on 2nd down, and I don't even want to see him get targets on 2nd anymore.

We signed him for 2 years, but I hope we have an easy out in the off-season, if not before vet cut-down day.  Clercius/Corcoran may not get as many looks, but at least they are upbeat and seem to try.  Who's to say they can't get this level of production if put in that role?

Again, I'm not saying he's crap, he's just crap for $175k.  He should be $110k and 5th read in a normal-functioning team.  Keep in mind... SSK decided Busby was the keeper over this guy!!  We got played.  We overpaid.

[Blueforlife]

At 1st I thought he might start to get better but that window is quickly closing

[Tecno]

At 1st I thought he might start to get better but that window is quickly closing

I agree.  I was hesitant in the original signing thread because I thought he cost us around $135k.  Now it seems he was $175k.

I don't know about you, but I thought he was maybe year 3 or 4?  I never would have guessed he was year 6!  He was pretty invisible in TOR all those years.  And in SSK he was pretty under the radar until that WDF.  Fans there complained about him all season long, and no one cried when he left.

As of right now his stats are on pace to match what he did (per game) in SSK, which amounted to 535Y in 13 games.  The difference, though, is he got 5 TDs in SSK, and he's on pace for ... zero ... TDs in WPG.  That's not a good sign at all.

Yes, I agree he needs to step it up, or I bet we cut him loose by FA, because his abilities do not remotely match his price tag.  I guess he could suddenly wake up, and I'll be the first to applaud him.  But I won't bet money on it.

[Tecno]

An interesting comparison is with Sterns.  Sterns was 530Y in 14 games for us, 4 TDs.  In that sense we could consider Nield a Sterns-replacer.  The only problem is Sterns was more around $125k from what I recall.  So the question is then: is the ratio bonus for a similar-stats player worth an extra $50k?  Or is our hope for Nield's blocking ability worth $50k?

If either answer is "yes", then Nield is justified at current production.  If the answer is "no" then we need to keep looking.

The names I always mention are Brissett and Gittens (pneumonic: mustard in curly hair), because those guys are Nield-like, can block etc, but have also been big-game playmakers: both destroying us in GCs.  And I'm nearly positive both are cheaper (though maybe only slightly).  Both bounce around FA fairly often.  Mital is going to be the next one like them.  My question is why did we pick Nield and not them?

Aside: Brissett and Gittens have been around as long as Nield, and may have peaked, as pointed out on other threads.  We shall see if they pick it up for the remainder of '26.  But if they are on the downslope, where does that leave Nield if not following them?

[Jesse]

You call him a #3. Is he supposed to be getting more targets than Wilson, White, or Demski?

[Jesse]

You call him a #3. Is he supposed to be getting more targets than Wilson, White, or Demski?

And to add to this point, last year Brady was our #2 most targeted player and in this offence should absolutely be getting more targets than our #4 receiver. So Neild should really be judged as a 5th read.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I'm not sure what all the hype was about. He's the quintessential Canadian depth receiver. He's training camp fodder level talent if he doesn't have the ratio backing him. That's just the reality. He quite literally wouldn't be playing if Singer was born in Ontario. Yay for the game!

[dd]

Tommy is exactly what he's always been, a big slow average #4 or 5 NAT receiver. He should be on a $100-125k contract but we decided he was worth $175, that's not his fault it's ours. But he is exactly what he's always been

[Jesse]

I'm not sure what all the hype was about. He's the quintessential Canadian depth receiver. He's training camp fodder level talent if he doesn't have the ratio backing him. That's just the reality. He quite literally wouldn't be playing if Singer was born in Ontario. Yay for the game!

Singer has literally done zero. He's just a guy unless proven otherwise.

[Pigskin]

Tommy is exactly what he's always been, a big slow average #4 or 5 NAT receiver. He should be on a $100-125k contract but we decided he was worth $175, that's not his fault it's ours. But he is exactly what he's always been

Agree. If your unhappy with Tommy's contract talk to Mr. Walter's.

Clercius. is in his 3 year with the Bombers. 37 games, 767 yards, 1 TD.

 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Singer has literally done zero. He's just a guy unless proven otherwise.

Or any other guy of his ilk. We could have kept Wheatfall probably for similar money.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Agree. If your unhappy with Tommy's contract talk to Mr. Walter's.

Clercius. is in his 3 year with the Bombers. 37 games, 767 yards, 1 TD.

 

Clercius showed well in the pre-season games but I believe they lined him up as an interior slot, on the outside he's always been relatively ineffective. 

[Jesse]

Or any other guy of his ilk. We could have kept Wheatfall probably for similar money.

Yeah, Wheatfall earned his way off the roster. No regrets there.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

An interesting comparison is with Sterns.  Sterns was 530Y in 14 games for us, 4 TDs.  In that sense we could consider Nield a Sterns-replacer.  The only problem is Sterns was more around $125k from what I recall.  So the question is then: is the ratio bonus for a similar-stats player worth an extra $50k?  Or is our hope for Nield's blocking ability worth $50k?

If either answer is "yes", then Nield is justified at current production.  If the answer is "no" then we need to keep looking.

The names I always mention are Brissett and Gittens (pneumonic: mustard in curly hair), because those guys are Nield-like, can block etc, but have also been big-game playmakers: both destroying us in GCs.  And I'm nearly positive both are cheaper (though maybe only slightly).  Both bounce around FA fairly often.  Mital is going to be the next one like them.  My question is why did we pick Nield and not them?pick it up for the remainder of '26.  But if they are on the downslope, where does that leave Nield if not following them?

Bombers needed a bigger receiver so scratch Gittens but I would take Brissett although he's about average in size he seems more dangerous.  I think their thinking was by flipping the ratio on the O-line cheaply they could fill in the blank with a big Natl. target at #4 in the mould of McInnes. Neither experiment has worked out great yet but I'd reserve declaring mission failure until after Labour Day. Zach worked out with Nield over the past 2 summers and may have had a say in his acquisition.

They could have brought back Woli had they wanted to, but they were dreaming of something more, but so far Nield has failed to live up to Woli's awareness or physicality. Corcoran was coming on for SY plays while Nield stood on the sidelines watching with the other small receivers.

[blue_or_die]

Tbh I haven't been terribly impressed by anyone yet. When it feels like every individual is underachieving, it really highlights the more systemic problems with the entire offense. Throw in the defense and special teams inconsistencies as well.

I'm not smart enough to understand exactly where those inconsistencies arise from, but I'd like to see how Nield (or, again, anyone else) does when we actually click for a while.

If we were slinging 400 yards a game and Nield was just a decoy and missed most of the times he was targeted, then I'd see your point, but as of today I think we have far bigger problems than a #4 receiver who may or may not make ~50K too much.

[markf]

Maybe overpaid him, but there's a Much Bigger problem than receivers ..... 

an online that can't protect the qb very well, or open holes for the running back?

Our offence was good when we had prime stan, and Prime Hardrick.

[dd]

Maybe overpaid him, but there's a Much Bigger problem than receivers ..... 

an online that can't protect the qb very well, or open holes for the running back?

Our offence was good when we had prime stan, and Prime Hardrick.

Our O line hasn't been the same since Hardrick left, and prime stan left the stadium at about the same time, coincidence?? Hardly.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Our O line hasn't been the same since Hardrick left, and prime stan left the stadium at about the same time, coincidence?? Hardly.

It kind of is a coincidence though -- Bryant's age caught up. We should have made a switch at LT in the off season. Or we could have done what was probably the most correct move, which would have been to extend Hardrick and release Bryant back then instead.

O'Shea loves to hang on to his veterans but I'm not sure Jake Thomas last year or Bryant or Nichols this year are going to reward him for it on the field.

[Blueforlife]

I'm not sure what all the hype was about. He's the quintessential Canadian depth receiver. He's training camp fodder level talent if he doesn't have the ratio backing him. That's just the reality. He quite literally wouldn't be playing if Singer was born in Ontario. Yay for the game!

Yay for making the same irrelevant point every time we discuss a depth Canadian.

This is the CFL.  The first word is Canadian and that's what makes it special and great.  Take off the C and it will never work.

Yes Yay for the Canadian game.

Yay for Canadian role models
Yay for Canadian pros in the community
Yay for guaranteed pro ball jobs for the working class (Cdn lol)
Yay to the Canadian superstars
Yay to the Canadians that make the NFL

Tommy is exactly what he's always been, a big slow average #4 or 5 NAT receiver. He should be on a $100-125k contract but we decided he was worth $175, that's not his fault it's ours. But he is exactly what he's always been

Facts are presented above

The only problem is he under preforming and we over paid.

I am not happy with him by any means but it is what it is.

Singer has literally done zero. He's just a guy unless proven otherwise.

Agree, great point

Some people counting American chickens before they hatch lol

Foxes might get them if let em out too early lol

[dd]

It kind of is a coincidence though -- Bryant's age caught up. We should have made a switch at LT in the off season. Or we could have done what was probably the most correct move, which would have been to extend Hardrick and release Bryant back then instead.

O'Shea loves to hang on to his veterans but I'm not sure Jake Thomas last year or Bryant or Nichols this year are going to reward him for it on the field.

For sure we should have extended Hardrick, we've never been the same since he left

[TBURGESS]

It kind of is a coincidence though -- Bryant's age caught up. We should have made a switch at LT in the off season. Or we could have done what was probably the most correct move, which would have been to extend Hardrick and release Bryant back then instead.

O'Shea loves to hang on to his veterans but I'm not sure Jake Thomas last year or Bryant or Nichols this year are going to reward him for it on the field.

It's no coincidence that we let lineman go and that Bryants age caught up to him.

[Tecno]

This is the CFL.  The first word is Canadian and that's what makes it special and great.  Take off the C and it will never work.

I agree.  The ratio is what make the GM's job interesting, and challenging.  Anyone can "pull a Baltimore" and slap together 45 good IMPs.  It's navigating the draft and development and NAT FA that make building a winning CFL team so difficult.  And it also "slows down" the speed at which teams can get good... or bad -- also a good thing if you believe in the idea of slowly building your way to a GC team, vs TOR going from zero to GC hero in 1 season (bleh).

The problem is, when your NATs are trending down, and you make poor NAT DP/FA choices, while your opponents are maxing the NATs, then you feel like cursing the ratio.  That kind of us right now.  We're in ratio heck on the O and it's costing us games.

But when your NATs are world-beaters, like we've had in the past, then the ratio is rainbows and unicorns and everyone loves it!  The biggest problem is, there's rarely a quick fix for this -- we're talking many seasons...

[Tecno]

Agree. If your unhappy with Tommy's contract talk to Mr. Walter's.

Clercius. is in his 3 year with the Bombers. 37 games, 767 yards, 1 TD.

And Clercius is probably ELC + tiny bump, not $175k.  I bet if we gave Clercius as much field time and targets as Nield got, he could produce at least 50% of what Nield does.  That would Clercius on par with Nield in terms of production per $.

Yes, ultimately this is a KW mistake.  Nield & his agent were probably giggling like 10 year old girls at a sleeepover when KW made that offer.  SSK didn't want him at anywhere near that price, if at all.  Just like with the Dru trade, we seem to try as hard as we can to overpay when we don't have to.

[Tecno]

But he is exactly what he's always been

Surely there was some sort of plan/reason when we grossly overpaid for him?  Mafia must have had justifications in their brains.  Again, Mafia is not stupid.  Maybe we envisioned this run & screen game where Daniels & Nield & Eli & Clercius were unstoppable in blocking for Brady or Demski?  So what's wrong with the scheme or players that is not realizing this dream?

See the 2 jet sweeps in the last game that got absolutely blown up behind LoS?  Sad & pathetic if the whole goal was to get those to work.  And still, many other teams run 5 of those a game at 8-13Y gain each time.

Why can't we have nice things?

[Tecno]

I'm not sure what all the hype was about. He's the quintessential Canadian depth receiver. He's training camp fodder level talent

Most teams now have a Demski, KSB, McInnis legit-star-NAT-REC guy.  Nield doesn't have to be that, but he for sure needs to be our between-Busby-and-KSB type -- like Woli.  And the closer he can get to being KSB instead of Busby, the better for us.  But he's not, and therein lies the problem.

What bugs me the most is he always looks downtrodder out there.  He's like Eyeore: "Oh well, I missed again, I'm just no good at this, sorry guys, I'll go back to my house made of pooh-sticks now."  I'm not one to usually like the practice, but someone seriously needs to get Nield some smelling salts before each game.

[Jesse]

Surely there was some sort of plan/reason when we grossly overpaid for him?  Mafia must have had justifications in their brains.  Again, Mafia is not stupid.  Maybe we envisioned this run & screen game where Daniels & Nield & Eli & Clercius were unstoppable in blocking for Brady or Demski?  So what's wrong with the scheme or players that is not realizing this dream?

See the 2 jet sweeps in the last game that got absolutely blown up behind LoS?  Sad & pathetic if the whole goal was to get those to work.  And still, many other teams run 5 of those a game at 8-13Y gain each time.

Why can't we have nice things?

I think you're grossly overestimating what 175k is worth these days. Demski, White, Brady are all paid more. I don't have the numbers, but Wilson is probably paid more too. Neild is the 5th option on our offence by any definition.

I do expect him to clean up the drops, that's his job, but I do not expect our offence to hinge on him. He's essentially a depth/role player. We should only depend on him if Demski needs some time off.

[Blueforlife]

And Clercius is probably ELC + tiny bump, not $175k.  I bet if we gave Clercius as much field time and targets as Nield got, he could produce at least 50% of what Nield does.  That would Clercius on par with Nield in terms of production per $.

Yes, ultimately this is a KW mistake.  Nield & his agent were probably giggling like 10 year old girls at a sleeepover when KW made that offer.  SSK didn't want him at anywhere near that price, if at all.  Just like with the Dru trade, we seem to try as hard as we can to overpay when we don't have to.

We paid a reasonable price for Dru.  Generally we are careful not over spending on FAs.

I don't expect Nield to earn his $ but he might.

[Tecno]

I think you're grossly overestimating what 175k is worth these days. Demski, White, Brady are all paid more. I don't have the numbers, but Wilson is probably paid more too. Neild is the 5th option on our offence by any definition.

Even with inflation its still too high if you are relegating him to 5th. 5th should be ELC, or around there. 4th should also be around 110k. It's been that way here forever. With inflation, fine, make it 125k.

What is cobb making? Probably under 125k. That is what Nield should earn if he's not going to put up more useful numbers.

If I'm a dc right now, I'm doubling up Demski, white, and pokey, and just ignoring our other 2 Nats.

[Jesse]

Even with inflation its still too high if you are relegating him to 5th. 5th should be ELC, or around there. 4th should also be around 110k. It's been that way here forever. With inflation, fine, make it 125k.

What is cobb making? Probably under 125k. That is what Nield should earn if he's not going to put up more useful numbers.

If I'm a dc right now, I'm doubling up Demski, white, and pokey, and just ignoring our other 2 Nats.

No need to do that when we have all our receivers in the same area of the field anyway.

The reason I think we paid up for Nield, is the starting the 3 import OL and also to provide some security when/if Demski gets injured. Even though he is just the 5th option on offence.

[Tecno]

Really too bad we didn't get KSB. Pretty sure he was up for FA too. KSB at 225 is far more useful than Nield at 175!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Even with inflation its still too high if you are relegating him to 5th. 5th should be ELC, or around there. 4th should also be around 110k. It's been that way here forever. With inflation, fine, make it 125k.

What is cobb making? Probably under 125k. That is what Nield should earn if he's not going to put up more useful numbers.

If I'm a dc right now, I'm doubling up Demski, white, and pokey, and just ignoring our other 2 Nats.

Game #2, Zach made Nield the top target 7/9 for 111 yds, I'm sure they'll connect again soon, you can put away the crazy pills.

[Tecno]

Game #2, Zach made Nield the top target 7/9 for 111 yds, I'm sure they'll connect again soon, you can put away the crazy pills.

And his year-to-date total is 289Y.  So his one good game accounts for roughly half his yearly output.  IOW, his other 6 games he was invisible.  Kind of proves my point.

What I see is Zach or Dru will go to him early, he'll drop 1-2, and then the QB ignores him the rest of the night.  That's a very Zach thing to do, and Dru also shunned him in the last game after he proved useless.

Cobb & Corcoran must be a bit miffed that Nield is making 50-100% more than them when he's only maybe 25% better (if at all!).  And why?  CFL seniority and a big body?

[BLUEBOMBER]

Overall, the BB receiving corp just isn't that good..

[blue_gold_84]

Overall, the BB receiving corp just isn't that good..

White, Wilson, and Demski are all on pace for 1000-yard seasons; Nield is on pace for his most productive season.

The weakest link on offense is the O-line.

[Jesse]

White, Wilson, and Demski are all on pace for 1000-yard seasons; Nield is on pace for his most productive season.

The weakest link on offense is the O-line.

Unfortunately, 1000 yard season just means they're averaging 55 yards a game. It speaks to consistency and the fact that we're evenly dispersing the ball, but you'd hope that one or more of them was capable of demanding more of our offensive focus than that. You look at Pokey, who's suddenly seeing 15 targets a game from Dru, and he's not really producing anymore than he was with half the targets.

[Pigskin]

White, Wilson, and Demski are all on pace for 1000-yard seasons; Nield is on pace for his most productive season.

The weakest link on offense is the O-line.

Totally agree. I am I happy the Bombers are paying him $175K, no. But, he works hard in practice, and I believe he will come around. We have bigger problems on this team then Nield. 

[Tecno]

Totally agree. I am I happy the Bombers are paying him $175K, no. But, he works hard in practice, and I believe he will come around.

Sounds like Rudy. Will Nield get a sack in the last game too?

[Pigskin]

Sounds like Rudy. Will Nield get a sack in the last game too?

Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy.

[Tecno]

Nield nearly invisible again. You'd think with a possession offence scheme like we had, the big body guy would be the ideal target. Big body can shield out the db behind him.

But nope. Just one catch? Unless I missed one while in the can...

[Jesse]

The whole offense was invisible. Singling out any single person is meaningless.

[Tecno]

The whole offense was invisible. Singling out any single person is meaningless.

Ya, but this thread was already created, so...

Remember, the premise isn't "did the player produce", it's "did the player produce to expectations/money".  As I said, this should have been the perfect game for big-body Nield.

Never said it was all on Nield.  It was MOS/Condell/Dru who decided not to give him more targets.  But ask yourself, what has Nield done to date to instill confidence they could turn to him in this type of game?

As is usually the case, it can be a both/and, not either/or.

[DM83]

Nice boy for some touch football team

Bombers have a host of incapable players

Gone next year
Bryant
Collaros
Nichols
Neufeld

Younger guys
Nield
The Safety
Elesma the QB
 Defensive coordinator

There are more

Offensive coordinator

[3rdand1.5]

Neild is perhaps underperforming, but really who isn't on offence? I just think Condell is not calling plays to our strengths. I think its a bit of square peg round hole...heck look at what Buck called with the roster he showed up with.....he got the best out of his guys....we didn't...

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Overall, the BB receiving corp just isn't that good..

Overall the Canadians not named Demski are not very good but everytime I mention it people remind me "good Canada,rah rah rah".

We have good receivers. We just don't have any depth receiving.

[Jesse]

Overall the Canadians not named Demski are not very good but everytime I mention it people remind me "good Canada,rah rah rah".

We have good receivers. We just don't have any depth receiving.

Honestly, this really feels like an OC/QB issue. I like our receivers are much better than they are being put in a position to show.

[blue_or_die]

Overall the Canadians not named Demski are not very good but everytime I mention it people remind me "good Canada,rah rah rah".

We have good receivers. We just don't have any depth receiving.

If you think the Canadians are bad on this team, wait til you see the Americans.

[dd]

I don't know why we re ranting about tommy Neil's, he is who he's always been. What we should be screaming about is our pathetic run defense and our O line. Our defense allowed 377 yds rushing in one game. How do you even begin to defend that. Heads should roll, starting with your DC and MLB. Gone. No questions asked. Our O line is horrible, has been for 2 seasons now and is getting worse. Forget about complaining about a #5 receiver, there's bigger fish to fry!!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

If you think the Canadians are bad on this team, wait til you see the Americans.

Do you mean the ones on pace for 1000 yards receiving who are making Tommy Nield money?

What a joke.

[Jesse]

Do you mean the ones on pace for 1000 yards receiving who are making Tommy Nield money?

What a joke.

The only contract we know about is Tim White and he makes much more than Neild. I bet Wilson does too since we got him to sign for 3 years.

His contract bothers people but he's probably the 5th highest paid player behind every other receiver and Brady.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The only contract we know about is Tim White and he makes much more than Neild. I bet Wilson does too since we got him to sign for 3 years.

His contract bothers people but he's probably the 5th highest paid player behind every other receiver and Brady.

Look at it this way, they have 3 DB's earning Nield's salary and the secondary has always been the bargain basement, salaries have been escalating significantly in the last few years.

[theaardvark]

And Clercius is probably ELC + tiny bump, not $175k.  I bet if we gave Clercius as much field time and targets as Nield got, he could produce at least 50% of what Nield does.  That would Clercius on par with Nield in terms of production per $.

Yes, ultimately this is a KW mistake.  Nield & his agent were probably giggling like 10 year old girls at a sleeepover when KW made that offer.  SSK didn't want him at anywhere near that price, if at all.  Just like with the Dru trade, we seem to try as hard as we can to overpay when we don't have to.

Just because SSK walked away due to price (like they did with Dressler and Demski) doesn't mean he would not get interest elsewhere.  Solid 3-4 Nat receivers will get paid, its an easy ratio fix.

There are times you get a deal, and times you pay a little more. Are Brady or Broxton worth their contracts?  They are to us, and that's all that matters.

[Cool Spot]

What we should be screaming about is our pathetic run defense and our O line.

I think that's the biggest problem to solve on offense. An O-line is expected to provide 3 seconds of protection to the QB. After that, all bets are off.

While watching the game, after the snap (when the Bombers were on offense), I started counting. Many, many times I saw pressure on the QB (other than the fumbles) in ~2 seconds, and those plays were mostly poor one other than when Dru Brown occasionally made something out of nothing for small gain. On the plays where he had 3s of protection or more, the play went for a much stronger gain.

It's clear the Offensive line needs a significant upgrade. Without that, nothing else on offense matters. With more time, it gives the QB more time to pass which forces defenses to hold back downfield, which in turn allows for more options in the run game.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think that's the biggest problem to solve on offense. An O-line is expected to provide 3 seconds of protection to the QB. After that, all bets are off.

While watching the game, after the snap (when the Bombers were on offense), I started counting. Many, many times I saw pressure on the QB (other than the fumbles) in ~2 seconds, and those plays were mostly poor one other than when Dru Brown occasionally made something out of nothing for small gain. On the plays where he had 3s of protection or more, the play went for a much stronger gain.

It's clear the Offensive line needs a significant upgrade. Without that, nothing else on offense matters. With more time, it gives the QB more time to pass which forces defenses to hold back downfield, which in turn allows for more options in the run game.

Impossible, if a QB needs 3 seconds of protection to find his receivers his name is Drew Willy. I noticed in the Als game yesterday they sometimes have 7 or 8 players across the line protecting Alexander, including the RB in the backfield.  Trying to protect with 5 now days is an invitation to getting blitzed from both sides, the Bombers need to step up their coordination in terms of the offensive line assignments and play selection, don't know if that's on Condell or Costello but it needs improvement.

As far as O-line personnel, individually don't have much problem with their play other than the noticeable decline of Stanley.

[dd]

I don't know why we don't run a heavy set/TE formation more often to give our Qb time. TE can leak out of the protection as the check down. I see Daniels does this occassionally, but I'd be running it more often. Seems simple, yet we continue to go with the traditional 5 man O line the majority of the time.

[Tecno]

Week 9:

Brissett 6/8 109 1TD 18.2-43
Gittens 2/2 36 0TD 18-20

Nield 1/1 18 0TD 18-18

Just sayin'.  (And this was Gittens with no QB... he usually gets more stats.)

Nield was supposed to be Brissett, not Corcoran.  But hey, at least he didn't drop any this week!

[Pigskin]

I guess a person could cherry pick games. I guess you could look at which player has had a consistent quality QB. But at the end of the day, the $175K might be the biggest issue for a #4 receiver. Put any one of these guys in Montreal and numbers would be better. 

Brissett: 23/55/0/70/86/34/0/109. QB. Adams.  377 yards.
Nield:    52/111/12/0/58/48/8/18. QB. ZC8, TE13, Brownie. 307 yards
Gittens:  50/17/43/30/10/57/7/36. QB. BLM, Dolegalo, Ford, Frost. 250 yards.

[Jesse]

His salary doesn't change my expectations for him. I want the offence going through Demski, White, Wilson, and Brady. And then Neild getting the odd look to keep defences honest.

[dd]

His salary doesn't change my expectations for him. I want the offence going through Demski, White, Wilson, and Brady. And then Neild getting the odd look to keep defences honest.

Exactly, our #4 & #5 recievers blocking skills are more important than their catching skills. They have to be a threat, but they are here to block for recievers 1-3 and that's why I thought we brought in a big body reciever like Nield. Why we paid him $175k is beyond me.

[Tecno]

But unless your team has a Philpot The Greater or Kenny you generally have to be a ball-spreading O to win.  Another factor is quality of OL: the top 1&2 OL teams (like MTL) can afford to wait for their big stars to get open and ignore the other RECs.

The best teams & QBs, especially ones with bad OLs, tend to distribute the ball.  You know, like WPG in '21?  We used to always talk about good ball distribution.  5th read Woli would actually get us TDs every 2-3 games.