Official Game Day Thread - Toronto @ Winnipeg, September 25, 2026

[Jesse]

'They pay the bills': Accountability part of job for Bombers' Condell

Paul Friesen

It was assistant-coach day at Winnipeg Bombers practice on Tuesday, and you know what that means: a chance to grill the coordinator whose unit screwed up the most in the last game.

Hello, Mike Miller.
"Never see you guys until..." the man in charge of special teams began, as he was being approached by reporters.
Miller was smiling as he said it, unlike the scowl he wore during two plays in particular in Saturday's loss to Toronto.
Two plays doesn't sound like a lot, but when they're two game-changers that book-ended a game that got away – allowing Janarion Grant to score a touchdown on a missed field goal return on Winnipeg's first series, a trick play on a punt return on the Argos' last – they're hard to swallow.
"It caught us off guard," Miller said of the early 128-yard return. "They had a good scheme. They did a really good job of creating that space for Janarion."
To that point the Bombers' special teams had been among the CFL's best.
So it wasn't surprising to see them clamp down for the rest of the game – at least until the critical final Winnipeg punt, when Grant threw the ball laterally to Dave Ungerer to produce a critical 38 yards. The deciding field goal was the result.
"For the most part our guys did a really good job of corralling him and keeping him at bay," Miller said of Grant. "Obviously those two exacerbate the whole day. Because we have been so good this year, we're not used to that Everybody has an off day. Everyone's human."

Then there's offensive coordinator Tommy Condell, who's been under the microscope, and behind the microphones, a lot more than Miller this season.
Having the veteran play-caller replace the inexperienced Jason Hogan this year was supposed to dim the spotlight on the Bomber offence.
Instead, it's burning just as hot, if not hotter.
Fans rightfully want to know how a team can roll up 178 yards through the air and 102 (on 14 carries) from Brady Oliveira in the first half, but only produce 15 yards passing and give Oliveira just four more carries in the second.
"We all know that when you have sacks, they're drive-killers," Condell said, referring to the three takedowns of quarterback Dru Brown in that second half. "You can't get any timing and rhythm in any of the offensive calls. You can't get to things."
There was a deep shot Brown missed, too, Condell pointed out, to receiver Dorian Singer, along with a couple of dropped passes. Add it all up, and you get what Bomber fans paid for on Saturday.
"They pay all the bills," Condell acknowledged. "I usually take the high road. That's my accountability. That's what job I'm in. There's a lot of things... of the inner workings of plays that I certainly will never say in front of them. I'm here to make sure that I protect the coaches, protect the players and do the best product that I can do... and that's part of being accountable.
"So I don't unleash all that type of stuff."
While it's far too easy using hindsight to criticize a play that doesn't work, there's one from Saturday's game that demanded further exploration.
Condell's apparent decision to throw the ball on second-and-four with some two minutes to go came as Oliveira was having a field day against the Toronto defence.
It turned out that wasn't Condell's decision: head coach Mike O'Shea revealed on Monday the initial call was, in fact, a run.
What the Argos did before the snap caused Brown to change the call, after which the defence got to the quarterback for the fifth time that night.
On Tuesday Condell didn't lean on the fact his initial call was a run, though. He didn't even mention it.
He was only worried about the result.
"We got another sack," he said. "With a seven-man protection. That's not good enough. First I have to look at myself from those calls... are we giving those guys a position to be successful? It doesn't go unnoticed."
The mediocre results of Condell's work haven't gone unnoticed, either. His unit has been a regular contributor to the team's 7-7 record and its shaky playoff prospects.
If his name keeps popping up the one day a week assistant coaches are available, it's likely not a good sign.
"I do have the privilege, and it is a privilege, to be in front of you guys," he said. "To be able to answer those tough questions."
Fans would rather see his team score more touchdowns and win a little more consistently – and not hear from him at all.

I hate how Condell says he's the one taking accountability and will take it for the other coaches and players, but did not once say anything about where he erred. He lists player mistakes: the sacks, missed long bomb, dropped passes, as well as implying there were other missed assignments - but he would never mention those.

[Tecno]

So many bashed hogan last year and blamed him for all our woes. They wanted a "real" OC. Well, now you have one and we're going to end the season with less wins than under hogan!

Chew on that one for a while.

Maybe the truth is that these OCs only control so much. Maybe the players screwing up their assignments and getting overpowered by hungrier teams is the bigger problem.

In reality, I think it's all the above.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I hate how Condell says he's the one taking accountability and will take it for the other coaches and players, but did not once say anything about where he erred. He lists player mistakes: the sacks, missed long bomb, dropped passes, as well as implying there were other missed assignments - but he would never mention those.

Condell always comes across as condescending and defensive in these interviews, they should keep him away from microphones.

[Tecno]

Condell always comes across as condescending and defensive in these interviews, they should keep him away from microphones.

Not so much condescending as obfuscating. He says a metric ton of words but doesn't say much. There's almost no substance. I think he actually gives us fewer nuggets than MOS!

I get the impression he's on the spectrum. I'm not complaining, though, as that's not uncommon for a gifted thinker.

Overall I still think Condell has been a positive for us. I still would have preferred lapo, who fits our team mentality better, but Condell is certainly the best of the available rest.

[Jesse]

Not so much condescending as obfuscating. He says a metric ton of words but doesn't say much. There's almost no substance. I think he actually gives us fewer nuggets than MOS!

I get the impression he's on the spectrum. I'm not complaining, though, as that's not uncommon for a gifted thinker.

Overall I still think Condell has been a positive for us. I still would have preferred lapo, who fits our team mentality better, but Condell is certainly the best of the available rest.

Hard to make an argument that he's been a positive force if we finish with less wins and the same amount of points as under Hogan. Especially with the FA investments we made into the offense.

I was all in on Condell when we signed him, but none of the improvements I was expecting have actually happened.

- Condell making the same mistakes as Hogan

- OL investments haven't made a noticeable difference

- WR additions haven't helped Zach

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Hard to make an argument that he's been a positive force if we finish with less wins and the same amount of points as under Hogan. Especially with the FA investments we made into the offense.

I was all in on Condell when we signed him, but none of the improvements I was expecting have actually happened.

- Condell making the same mistakes as Hogan

- OL investments haven't made a noticeable difference

- WR additions haven't helped Zach

This is a big part of the problem.

[Blue In BC]

This is a big part of the problem.

It is but so is a receiving corps that doesn't strike fear into defences. They crowd the LOS and we have an offence that takes too long to develop and a QB that isn't mobile or a threat to run.

We also have a top RB that is mostly an inside downhill runner. Add those together and you give up sacks.

Four teams have played 1 more game than the Bombers and we're still the worst.

[bunker]

This is a big part of the problem.

Did not realize we were that bad. Yikes. Its even worse than it looks, because we run more than most or all teams in the league, so we  have fewer passing plays than most teams, yet are leading in sacks. Sacks as percentage of passing plays for us are 36/444 = 8.1%. Ottawa is 24/567 = 4.2%. So were are giving up about twice the rate of sacks as the worst team in the league. With 3 imports on the O-line. 

[Tecno]

Hard to make an argument that he's been a positive force if we finish with less wins and the same amount of points as under Hogan. Especially with the FA investments we made into the offense.

I think it proves that the problems weren't really the OC (or at least all the OC) to begin with.  The problems were personnel, particularly OL, pass-rush protection scheme, and immobile QBs.

We've seen many times this year Condell is dialing up open RECs at times, but the players can't connect.  And how many more big plays we didn't even get to get a glimpse of because the protection couldn't hold for 2 secs let alone 3?

Condell did have the perfect plan against MTL.  Every single thing Thorpe did was masterfully countered.  So many great hot/option routes.  The problem with TOR is they out-countered our counter.  We need to think yet one more step ahead: counter their counter to our counter.  It is doable.

Like the now infamous "2nd & 4" from last game where MOS said it was a run and Dru audibled it into a pass then TOR changed it to max coverage.  When we audible it and TOR changes (or even if they don't) we should counter the audible (have a fake audible signal) and go back to the run.  If we had been able to think that far ahead we win that game.  That's what the best teams do.

We've proven we can think 3 moves ahead: with the Dru designed QB run for TD.  That out-brained everyone in the stadium that day.  But we need that kind of thinking and design every play, not 1-2 times a game.

[Tecno]

Condell said he's there ... "to protect the coaches".  That's an odd thing to say.

One might immediately think he means the coaches lower than him.  But what if he's really hinting that he's taking the heat to protect the BIG coach: MOS.  What if MOS is limiting him or setting a general direction Condell doesn't agree with?

Food for thought.

[dd]

Wow that is one ugly sack stat!! 

[Pete]

Condell has impressed with his game preparation in finding weaknesses in opposing teams defenses, but when they adjust he doesn't have any answers
In his interview he talks about qb sacks being drive killers, but on 2nd and more that 5 yards the opposing team always seems to get to whoever our qb is.
It would be interesting to see how many of those sacks are on 2nd down. How do we not have a outlet or hot route in place? How many times are Zac or Dru in the pocket waiting for something to open up and running out of time?
Or are our qbs incapable of reading a blitz?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Condell has impressed with his game preparation in finding weaknesses in opposing teams defenses, but when they adjust he doesn't have any answers
In his interview he talks about qb sacks being drive killers, but on 2nd and more that 5 yards the opposing team always seems to get to whoever our qb is.
It would be interesting to see how many of those sacks are on 2nd down. How do we not have a outlet or hot route in place? How many times are Zac or Dru in the pocket waiting for something to open up and running out of time?
Or are our qbs incapable of reading a blitz?

Maybe part of the problem is Condell doesn't have anyone he can bounce ideas off of like Younger has in Richie Hall. Hogan isn't much help as he's subordinate, inexperienced and came up as a RB coach. I think what Condell needs is an ex CFL QB sitting beside him pumping solutions into him when he's shooting blanks.

[Stats Junkie]

Condell has impressed with his game preparation in finding weaknesses in opposing teams defenses, but when they adjust he doesn't have any answers
In his interview he talks about qb sacks being drive killers, but on 2nd and more that 5 yards the opposing team always seems to get to whoever our qb is.
It would be interesting to see how many of those sacks are on 2nd down. How do we not have a outlet or hot route in place? How many times are Zac or Dru in the pocket waiting for something to open up and running out of time?
Or are our qbs incapable of reading a blitz?

24 of 36 sacks were on 2nd down

3 on 2/4
3 on 2/6 (1 for 0 yards)
5 on 2/7 to 2/9
9 on 2/10 (1 safety touch, 1 F/L)
4 on 2/11 to 2/16

[Jesse]

I think it proves that the problems weren't really the OC (or at least all the OC) to begin with.  The problems were personnel, particularly OL, pass-rush protection scheme, and immobile QBs.

We've seen many times this year Condell is dialing up open RECs at times, but the players can't connect.  And how many more big plays we didn't even get to get a glimpse of because the protection couldn't hold for 2 secs let alone 3?

Condell did have the perfect plan against MTL.  Every single thing Thorpe did was masterfully countered.  So many great hot/option routes.  The problem with TOR is they out-countered our counter.  We need to think yet one more step ahead: counter their counter to our counter.  It is doable.

Like the now infamous "2nd & 4" from last game where MOS said it was a run and Dru audibled it into a pass then TOR changed it to max coverage.  When we audible it and TOR changes (or even if they don't) we should counter the audible (have a fake audible signal) and go back to the run.  If we had been able to think that far ahead we win that game.  That's what the best teams do.

We've proven we can think 3 moves ahead: with the Dru designed QB run for TD.  That out-brained everyone in the stadium that day.  But we need that kind of thinking and design every play, not 1-2 times a game.

Just my opinion, but it seems Condell is making a lot of the same mistakes as Hogan. IE, ignoring Brady late in games and not having simple check downs in place. Magnified on plays where he sends Brady out wide and telegraphs the play call.

Even the second and 4 where Dru checks out - it's still on Condell to have a hot route for him to check it to but there were no receivers available for Dru to get it to in the time he had.