The Good news this morning is that Dalton Schoen and Adam Bighill, while Game Day decisions, are in the lineup for the big game.
All of our other starting lineup appears to be ready to play tomorrow.
Get warmed up with Ed Tait's 48-Hour Primer on "fiery Zach" here, https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/11/17/48-hour-primer-grey-cup/
Depth Chart... https://twitter.com/Wpg_BlueBombers/status/1725891711241433100/photo/1
In for the Bombers #83 Schoen
Out for the Bombers #29 McCrae
Game Day discussion begins now! Go Bombers!
With Wilson in at WLB, and Mccrae to 1game IR. Good chance we see Bighill and Schoen tomorrow!
WHOOOP WHOOOOP thanks Modadmin
History repeats itself. Bud Grant always said his best Blue Bomber squad was the team that lost on the GC game after winning two GCs in a row. However they came back and won 3 in 4 years afterwards prior to his departure to the Vikings.
This means we should win this year just as it went in the late 60s.
Minus Schoen and Bighill the troops are ornery and focused.
Just about Every way you look at it Winnipeg has the edge over the Als.
It is sitting waiting for them GO GRAB IT TROOPS! :)
It has been 6 weeks since Schoen got hurt presumably with a high ankle sprain. That amount of rest and the use of some medication it is very possible we see him tomorrow and he can be very effective.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 18, 2023, 05:59:44 PM
It has been 6 weeks since Schoen got hurt presumably with a high ankle sprain. That amount of rest and the use of some medication it is very possible we see him tomorrow and he can be very effective.
Very interesting. Biggie was seen today running up and down the field.
That is great news if it indeed happens. If they are unable to play at some point, we have worthy replacements to take their place.
Bighill & Schoen: good news! However, no one can be selfish here, and MOS needs to make sure of that. If either thinks they are likely not to be able to play 3+ quarters then they need to sit out. It'll suck rocks if one starts and then lasts a quarter and then can't play due to minor contact. I'm pretty sure both the players and the staff will make the right decision.
I wouldn't mind seeing Cole play if Bighill is still hurting. Come is fast and a good tackler.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 18, 2023, 11:13:16 PM
Bighill & Schoen: good news! However, no one can be selfish here, and MOS needs to make sure of that. If either thinks they are likely not to be able to play 3+ quarters then they need to sit out. It'll suck rocks if one starts and then lasts a quarter and then can't play due to minor contact. I'm pretty sure both the players and the staff will make the right decision.
my fingers, toes, legs, arms and eyes are crossed! I don't think either of them would play if they didn't think they could help the team win.....it's the kind of selfless and unselfish fabric they are made from. This is the best news all week!
Quote from: buckzumhoff on November 19, 2023, 02:46:29 AM
I wouldn't mind seeing Cole play if Bighill is still hurting. Come is fast and a good tackler.
Cole is a killer out there!!
I swear Barker is a complete loon. Every conversation with him is about him and the Argos. After taking credit for bringing O'Shea into the coaching fraternity I just heard him say that adding Adriano Belli to the 100th Grey Cup Argo team is what put them over the top. Really? Nothing to do with Ricky Ray? You sure? The guy is certifiable. Thank god Lapo is there to talk about the Bombers while the Toronto Sports Network shows highlights of the Als.
https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/no-grey-cup-goosebumps-for-bombers-former-navy-seal
Beast
Don?t get too excited about Schoen and Bighill. Derek Taylor said you only get name on cup if you are dressed.
Had a great sleep last night. I ready for a tremendous Blue Bombers Championship Game Day! Gotta a bunch of friends heading over today.
How can the troops not be more prepared other than a couple injuries. We like and play well in that building, see 2021 GC. They know the process having been to the previous 3, we are playing a slightly inferior opponent in the Als as Argos would have been a tougher out for sure, and Brady losing MOP will jump start the boys even more.
I cannot wait!
GO BOMBERS GO
Quote from: Tiger on November 19, 2023, 05:30:15 AM
Don?t get too excited about Schoen and Bighill. Derek Taylor said you only get name on cup if you are dressed.
The team would be foolish to dress 2 players that can't play in order to get their names on the Grey Cup. While I appreciate the sentiment, rosters are too small to do that.
Quote from: Tiger on November 19, 2023, 05:30:15 AM
Don?t get too excited about Schoen and Bighill. Derek Taylor said you only get name on cup if you are dressed.
Is he sure on that? Pretty sure IR people get the playoff $$. Why wouldn't they get their name on the cup? So Matt Nichols didn't get his name on it? What if you played all season but got injured in the WDF?
Quote from: J5V on November 19, 2023, 03:44:15 AM
I swear Barker is a complete loon. Every conversation with him is about him and the Argos. After taking credit for bringing O'Shea into the coaching fraternity I just heard him say that adding Adriano Belli to the 100th Grey Cup Argo team is what put them over the top. Really? Nothing to do with Ricky Ray? You sure? The guy is certifiable. Thank god Lapo is there to talk about the Bombers while the Toronto Sports Network shows highlights of the Als.
Ys, old Jimbo is a complete nutjob. He's delusional . Everyone and his brother knows that the Argos bringing in RR brought them the Grey Cup, Belli was nothing but a complete sideshow, him and his kissing antics. What a freak.
Quote from: dd on November 19, 2023, 02:46:31 PM
Ys, old Jimbo is a complete nutjob. He's delusional . Everyone and his brother knows that the Argos bringing in RR brought them the Grey Cup, Belli was nothing but a complete sideshow, him and his kissing antics. What a freak.
lol I think Belli thought the kissing thing was a Euro Italian thing or something. Side show for sure. Ray was the saviour.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 19, 2023, 02:43:50 PM
Is he sure on that? Pretty sure IR people get the playoff $$. Why wouldn't they get their name on the cup? So Matt Nichols didn't get his name on it? What if you played all season but got injured in the WDF?
Then you get screwed.
7C in Hamilton right now. 3C for kickoff and very little wind. Beautiful weather.
Quote from: Pigskin on November 19, 2023, 04:48:25 PM
7C in Hamilton right now. 3C for kickoff and very little wind. Beautiful weather.
Kind of BS after drinking beer slushies last year in Regina, but whatever. My mistake for going to Saskatchewan.
So the big mystery of the day will be whether AB4 or DS83 suit up for the game....we will have to wait until the 11th hour and the suspense is killing me TBH.
Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on November 19, 2023, 04:51:59 PM
So the big mystery of the day will be whether AB4 or DS83 suit up for the game....we will have to wait until the 11th hour and the suspense is killing me TBH.
Same here! Kick off is at 4:30MDST (my time). Very nice here in Calgary today so doing a BBQ (good crowd of about 10 of us) for the game from the deck but will be inside come kickoff time. I hope both AB4 and DS83 will be playing but will just have to wait and see. I might even have a cold one or two!
Quote from: BBRT on November 19, 2023, 05:03:39 PM
Same here! Kick off is at 4:30MDST (my time). Very nice here in Calgary today so doing a BBQ (good crowd of about 10 of us) for the game from the deck but will be inside come kickoff time. I hope both AB4 and DS83 will be playing but will just have to wait and see. I might even have a cold one or two!
Same here we should hit 7C. Hosting a GC party. Good times! Cheers BBRT!
Just watching the 2021 GC game. Hammy D was very formidable whom I think was stronger than the current Al D.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on November 19, 2023, 05:07:33 PM
Just watching the 2021 GC game. Hammy D was very formidable whom I think was stronger than the current Al D.
The current MTL D looks like our 2014 D... rely on the big turnover ratio. Fogg and Heath and Moe would steal balls like they were going out of style. But our O was as bad as the MTL O (though we didn't have a star like Mack). I'd say that MTL's run D is far better than our 2014 run D, though.
Literally the only thing we have to do is not turn the ball over and MTL loses. Even if we can't run, we'll win. We just have to protect the ball.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 19, 2023, 05:56:27 PM
The current MTL D looks like our 2014 D... rely on the big turnover ratio. Fogg and Heath and Moe would steal balls like they were going out of style. But our O was as bad as the MTL O (though we didn't have a star like Mack). I'd say that MTL's run D is far better than our 2014 run D, though.
Literally the only thing we have to do is not turn the ball over and MTL loses. Even if we can't run, we'll win. We just have to protect the ball.
I tend to agree. I really don't see how we lose this game barring a disatrous turn of events.
Interesting tidbit I saw on Riderfans forum:
QuoteMontreal?s Achilles heel on D was being last in OPP AVG RUSH
I find that very interesting as their DL and LBers are quite stout, not undersized, and pretty talented. I would never have guessed the above in a million years.
The only reason I can think of is MTL D focuses so much on the pass and the INT they pay less attention to the run. If you're dropping LB and even DL into coverage then you're leaving less in the box for run stop.
This actually could really help us in the GC, as it would mean Brady
can run against their D.
That's it for me for posts for now! You guys have a great time watching from wherever you are, and I want to see tons of chatter all game long so it's not boring when I rewatch at home.
Most critically, GO BLUE, RECLAIM THE CUP, and I hope everyone has a great time, except MTL fans.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 19, 2023, 07:04:46 PM
That's it for me for posts for now! You guys have a great time watching from wherever you are, and I want to see tons of chatter all game long so it's not boring when I rewatch at home.
Most critically, GO BLUE, RECLAIM THE CUP, and I hope everyone has a great time, except MTL fans.
Have fun - make some great memories !!
I bet Mtl stacks the box on 1st downs to stop Brady, I can see the Bombers passing a lot on 1st down to throw a wrench in Mtl's plan.
Bighill seen *running* on Tim Horton's Field!
I am heading out to a Grey Cup party shortly. I hope you all enjoy a Bomber victory. I will be back tomorrow to give my thoughts on the game and will not likely be doing any drunk typing tonight. Go Bombers, lets finish off this season with another cup win.
Quote from: J5V on November 19, 2023, 08:31:10 PM
Bighill seen *running* on Tim Horton's Field!
Why is running in quotes? Is that bad or good ?
Quote from: The Zipp on November 19, 2023, 08:44:01 PM
Why is running in quotes? Is that bad or good ?
It's good. Very good! Milt was pumped about it!
Just saw McRae holding up a goal post as Zac ran on field. Does that mean Schoen is out?
Quote from: DM83 on November 19, 2023, 09:20:57 PM
Just saw McRae holding up a goal post as Zac ran on field. Does that mean Schoen is out?
If mccrae is in uniform probably not a good sign that Schoen is playing
77 minutes before kickoff, bombers warming up. No Schoen or Bighill.
From Bob Irving
Winston Rose, who is currently on Winnipeg's one-game injured list, is taking warmup.
No sign of Adam Bighill or Dalton Schoen.
From John hodge
Jeff Hamilton:
No sign of middle linebacker Adam Bighill or receiver Dalton Schoen on the field as we inch close to kickoff. Can't imagine either play, but still waiting on official confirmation from the Bombers.
From Farhan:
As expected, no sign of Bighill or Schoen in #Bombers warmup. Expect Rose to be added on D. @TSN_Sports @CFLonTSN
Linebacker Adam Bighill and receiver Dalton Schoen are both active for tonight?s Grey Cup.
From Darren Cameron
:)
Jeff Hamilton:
BREAKING: Adam Bighill and Dalton Schoen are playing. What a bizarre week it's been for two key Bombers. Neither practised in public this week. Now both are playing.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 19, 2023, 10:05:42 PM
Jeff Hamilton:
BREAKING: Adam Bighill and Dalton Schoen are playing. What a bizarre week it's been for two key Bombers. Neither practised in public this week. Now both are playing.
Yes. Amazing. I guess Bighill sat out the rest of the BC game because he wanted to be ready for the big game.
Not gonna lie....not even sure I can eat the pizza I ordered...
Quote from: The Zipp on November 19, 2023, 10:05:42 PM
Jeff Hamilton:
BREAKING: Adam Bighill and Dalton Schoen are playing. What a bizarre week it's been for two key Bombers. Neither practised in public this week. Now both are playing.
For sure?
Here we go!7
Jackson needs to chip lemon on that sweep. He whiffed...
Sergio !!
Good drive
A good start.
Woooo! 2 and out!
Decent start.
Montreal is in waaay over their head. This could get ugly!!
I think we got an advantage on that penalty...looked pretty weak to me
Yes!
Quote from: The Zipp on November 19, 2023, 11:02:52 PM
I think we got an advantage on that penalty...looked pretty weak to me
As a Blue Bomber fan, I am glad to see calls go my way but I agree that was pretty marginal. If I were Maas... I
may have challenged.
Quote from: Cool Spot on November 19, 2023, 11:04:15 PM
As a Blue Bomber fan, I am glad to see calls go my way but I agree that was pretty marginal. If I were Maas... I may have challenged.
I don't know if you can challenge unnecessary roughness
Quote from: The Zipp on November 19, 2023, 11:02:52 PM
I think we got an advantage on that penalty...looked pretty weak to me
It was a direct blow to the head, that?s a UR every time, every time. Glen suitors an idiot. You want to tackle him big boy, leave the clubs to the head on the sideline, otherwise give us 15 yards every time. It was a stupid penalty. We re going to destroy these Montreal mutton?s!!
Great coverage on Letcher !!! Keep that up!
Quote from: dd on November 19, 2023, 11:05:19 PM
It was a direct blow to the head, that?s a UR every time, every time. Glen suitors an idiot. You want to tackle him big boy, leave the clubs to the head on the sideline, otherwise give us 15 yards every time. It was a stupid penalty. We re going to destroy these Montreal mutton?s!!
Collaros sold it quite well and Montreal has been chippy and borderline and not called
Wake up defence...Mack just beasted Nichols and used his size and strength. Bad run D on the Stanback run
Let's go Blue!
Yikes. Need to get the momentum back.
Someone has to watch the running back
Biggie - darn didn't last long.
Montreal?s punter is horrible
Shank punt that will get a penalty. We are going to get good feild position
Be nice to capitalize.
Quote from: Tiger on November 19, 2023, 11:08:00 PM
Collaros sold it quite well and Montreal has been chippy and borderline and not called
Yes they have been chippy. Dobson took a blatant blow to the face mask by some punk dB that should have been called.
Lawler making sequin look foolish
There is the turnover we need to avoid. Right after a great play by Zach and kenny
Darn.
Good defence - let's get Brady rolling and chew up the clock and get a TD.
Why is TSN broadcasting zach's play calls? Not five yardos!
Challenge burnt... huge
BA AND BENSON!!!
Way to capitalize on that turnover
Good job Boys!
Bighill back out there too.
Can someone stick a sock in suitors mouth?
D is getting shredded with the shirt passes and YAC
No heat on Faj
Quite the goal line stand D!
That drive by the als is Bomber grey cup football - stopped at the one !!
D was shredded though
Gauthier proves he is still a key cog in the defensive wheel
#1D
Hall is boss
Bomber defense!! Unbelievable!!
BIG goal line stand!!
Quote from: Blueforlife on November 19, 2023, 11:57:19 PM
Gauthier proves he is still a key cog in the defensive wheel
#1D
Hall is boss
Huge
* Amazing goal-line stand by the Bombers to keep 7-pts off the board right before the end-of-half
* Zach playing well (i.e., not forcing things and avoiding mistakes)
* Defense playing well (minus a couple of big plays on Montreal's offense but credit to them)
* Montreal also playing well, kudos to them on defense especially
Montreal secondary has made some plays - that was TD for sure to Woli.
I wonder if we will be "treated" to a lame in game interview again??
Montreal will prob take the wind in the 4th. Our defence is giving up substantial yards per play, need to tighten up and Letcher is going to atone for his mistake - a big return for the Als will blow this open
Montreal being plucky. Not over yet. This could have been a 3 point game going into halftime
Faj is outplaying Zach by a slim margin based on stats...rushing average is basically a draw because of Stanbacks big TD run.
Anyone's game at this point
Ding ding good match
Weather might play a factor
We got this, wpg gonna turn it on.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 20, 2023, 12:21:27 AM
Anyone's game at this point
TOP is almost 2-1 for Winnipeg. That will matter in the 4th.
Feed the Beast - I agree with milt - give Brady the ball
No Rose as backup could hurt
Brought the house and Faj makes us pay to Mack Bighill in coverage ???
Shredded D
Ouch!
bighill is not nearly 100%. defense couldn?t stop a nosebleed it seems
Quote from: Tiger on November 20, 2023, 12:28:48 AM
TOP is almost 2-1 for Winnipeg. That will matter in the 4th.
Feed the Beast - I agree with milt - give Brady the ball
TOP doesn't mean much when you are giving up long plays for TD's. 10 straight completions for Faj
Now we need to slow the game down
Forced it - dam. He had demski
We need to get it back Pronto.
Brutal pass....Collaros keeps lobbing all these soft bombs.
Demski was soooooo open
Yes Demski was wide open.
Long field after that great punt...hopefully Zach doesn't keep forcing the ball
Penalties now an issue on this drive.
Als have the momentum for sure and are playing tough
Defence needs to make a play here.
Willy and Jeffcoat have been kind of invisible - apart from the one sack. Thought it was strange that Willy was tweeting during halftime - hopefully it was someone working his account
#1d+ Holm is amazing
There is the play - like a punt but still a turnover
Holm finally answers the who can cover Mack question, awesome interception!!
We got the defensive play.
Hardrick was our nominee for outstanding lineman?? He?s being beaten like a mule today.
Well now we are in a tough spot - Hardrick and Bryant having a tough day
Faj taking us to the cleaners.
Richie Hall is getting outcoached and we are getting outplayed. Time is ticking to get back on track.
Welp, how do the Bombers respond now.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 20, 2023, 01:10:34 AM
Well now we are in a tough spot - Hardrick and Bryant having a tough day
Hardrick is playing like he?s hungover. He s missed block after block. Brutal
Quote from: DCM on November 20, 2023, 01:12:56 AM
Welp, how do the Bombers respond now.
It wont be easy - their defence is fired up and we are flat. Zach has to make plays and our o line can't let him down like they have. That pick in the end zone was huge.
Grant grabs some momentum back for us!!
Offense is only playing with half the field, must score now
Quote from: The Zipp on November 20, 2023, 01:12:50 AM
Faj taking us to the cleaners.
Richie Hall is getting outcoached and we are getting outplayed. Time is ticking to get back on track.
Bomber D playing well and Hall calling a good game. Need more points on offence.
Prukop with the TD.
Prukop best in league at that.
Now it's on Hall and his merry men to close this game out
Time for a good mix of prevent and a few send the house plays
#1d+ go get em boyz
I've been nervous and on-edge the entire game. Can barely type this post, my fingers are shaking.
Come one, Wpg! Let's put this one away! Maybe a big turnover now after re-taking the lead!
Quote from: Blueforlife on November 20, 2023, 01:18:09 AM
Bomber D playing well and Hall calling a good game. Need more points on offence.
They really haven't played exceptional...they have a chance now though to win this game
Quote from: Cool Spot on November 20, 2023, 01:24:39 AM
I've been nervous and on-edge the entire game. Can barely type this post, my fingers are shaking.
Come one, Wpg! Let's put this one away! Maybe a big turnover now after re-taking the lead!
Excellent game played well by both sides. Will come down to the wire.
We got some points. Now a stop or better yet an Int.
Hallett ST bbbbeast
44 nice closing speed there
#17 Kramdi lays the lumber, will develop to a top player
Now THAT is great D
Punters suck tonight
Pretty predictable first play there...
Weak play by Zach
Back to the defence. Stop Cody Fajardo and win
Paging Willie Jefferson
44 crushes Philpot
Huge blitz by the D!!!
Had him in the backfield and whiffed
Shredded by fajardo
#1 D - what a joke
Frauds on defence
Hard to believe.
Defence folded. 2nd and 18
Not a great time for a blitz
Get over yourself with kick the D after give up a major. Yes we played that poorly on that drive but Montreal also executed perfectly. Offense left points on the field. The entire team played average and they made plays when they had to. Hats off to Montreal their defence was excellent and offense had a good game.
Just needed that stop on 3rd and 5 and it was over.
Can't say we deserved to win.
Very disappointed in this outcome. Again.
But, MTL executed in the second half, and especially on that last drive. Kudos to them for performing well under pressure.
Totally earned the L on this night. D totally **** the bed, especially the DBs. Sadly, our front 7 didn't deliver, either.
Dynasty is over. Time to start retooling. Gotta cut some of the old dogs loose.
Quote from: Cool Spot on November 20, 2023, 01:46:07 AM
Very disappointed in this outcome. Again.
But, MTL executed in the second half, and especially on that last drive. Kudos to them for performing well under pressure.
Sums it up well. They adjusted well.
Well, that sucked.
better playing team won. two turnovers in als territory did it. lose some aging guys, hope new guys can perform well.
It's going to be a long off season.
Lots to complain about aside from losing but not much point in saying much. I'll leave it with we got out coached and out played. Didn't deserve the win and didn't make THE play when it mattered.
I am a fan of the Wpg Blue Bombers, and have been for 3+ decades. I always want them to win. But, as a supporter of the CFL, it's also great to see a good game.
I guess.
::)
The score flattered us, Montreal kicked our butts today, plain and simple. Our offense was nothing without Schoen. Where was our fabulous high priced Lawler today?? Austin Mack made him look like a chump, that?s what a real #1 reciever does, play great in the biggest game of the year.
Quote from: VictorRomano on November 20, 2023, 01:46:37 AM
Totally earned the L on this night. D totally **** the bed, especially the DBs. Sadly, our front 7 didn't deliver, either.
Dynasty is over. Time to start retooling. Gotta cut some of the old dogs loose.
Agree, our D let us down. We didn?t want to sign Lemon, the Als did. We didn?t want to sign sankey, who could have fit on our roster easily, Montreal did. Kudos to Montreal for recognizing and signing game changers, we didn?t and we get what we deserve, nothing.
Quote from: dd on November 20, 2023, 01:57:44 AM
Agree, our D let us down. We didn?t want to sign Lemon, the Als did. We didn?t want to sign sankey, who could have fit on our roster easily, Montreal did. Kudos to Montreal for recognizing and signing game changers, we didn?t and we get what we deserve, nothing.
Good point. 2nd and 18 and Willie and team can't stop fajardo. 3rd and 5 - we can't stop them.
It was the Bombers game to lose and they did. That is enough for now because I state something stupid.
Time to move on from collaros. Guy doesn?t have it anymore
Quote from: The Zipp on November 20, 2023, 02:01:12 AM
Good point. 2nd and 18 and Willie and team can't stop fajardo. 3rd and 5 - we can't stop them.
Sankey is the best mlb in the cfl hands down. We chose to stick with an aging and slower, and then hurt MLB in the biggest game of the year. Walters absolutely whiffed on that one. We sign Sankey, we d be on the podium, but whatever, we re used to losing in the grey cup, it?s what the bombers do.
Quote from: 55StickCar on November 20, 2023, 01:43:10 AM
Just needed that stop on 3rd and 5 and it was over.
Yes. That was a real gamble by Montreal to throw a long pass on 3rd and 5 but when you have nothing to lose like they did, things like that can happen. They must have been as shocked as the Bombers. The game was too close.
Gambling is to blame...
Bombers were a step behind all game but they could have and should have won.
Only 27 more years to go till the next cup win
Hey, hats off to Montreal. They lost geno Lewis and replaced with with this unknown Austin Mack kid, what an upgrade!! They took cast off Cody fajardo, who was left for dead by the atrocious rough riders for Pete sake. They signed Shaun Lemon when nobody else would, and signed Darnell Sankey when no one else would.
These guys were all unemployed at one point this year and are all grey cup champions. Hats off for those who persevere through life?s adversity?s and make it to the other side!! Good on you!!
als are going to be a neat team to watch. A discarded or written off QB, some new receivers that stepped up, a star MLB and a good pass rush. Sounds like something we saw in 2019s Grey Cup?.
Quote from: kkc60 on November 20, 2023, 03:13:33 AM
als are going to be a neat team to watch. A discarded or written off QB, some new receivers that stepped up, a star MLB and a good pass rush. Sounds like something we saw in 2019s Grey Cup?.
Betcha the Als win 10-12 games next season and get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Midnight just passed for Cinderella.
Love AB4 but, he should have never played in that game. I don't think he made a play all night. You can also throw DS83 in with AB4. He wasn't running well and was no threat all night. When AB4 was on the field it was like we were playing with 11 players.
Game Recap | WPG 24 MTL 28
.....A third championship in four years was there for the taking right until the final whistle. The Blue Bombers were leading 24-21 inside the final minute when Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo hit Cole Spieker for a 31-yard gain - on third and five, no less - and then found Tyson Philpot for a championship-winning 19-yard score with just 13 seconds remaining....
https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/11/19/game-recap-wpg-24-mtl-28/
Quote from: dd on November 20, 2023, 02:49:25 AM
Hey, hats off to Montreal. They lost geno Lewis and replaced with with this unknown Austin Mack kid, what an upgrade!! They took cast off Cody fajardo, who was left for dead by the atrocious rough riders for Pete sake. They signed Shaun Lemon when nobody else would, and signed Darnell Sankey when no one else would.
These guys were all unemployed at one point this year and are all grey cup champions. Hats off for those who persevere through life?s adversity?s and make it to the other side!! Good on you!!
agreed....well said dd
Quote from: ModAdmin on November 20, 2023, 04:10:07 AM
Game Recap | WPG 24 MTL 28
.....A third championship in four years was there for the taking right until the final whistle. The Blue Bombers were leading 24-21 inside the final minute when Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo hit Cole Spieker for a 31-yard gain - on third and five, no less - and then found Tyson Philpot for a championship-winning 19-yard score with just 13 seconds remaining....
https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/11/19/game-recap-wpg-24-mtl-28/
another well said to you
Just got back. My young son who was with me @The Donut Box is pretty bummed. My wife reports the toddler at home cried for 30 mins. The wife is probably miffed she'll get an ornery husband back tomorrow.
First impression is in both losing cups we play too conservatively. We play the odds and we play to our hype. We think the other team can't do it and we dare them to. And then they do.
Both Buck & Hall are to blame, but especially Buck. And MOS, who probably calls the overall agressiveness. Just like vs TOR we don't go for the win in the last drive. We run for squat on first down when everyone knows it. Then Zach plays extremely cautiously on 2nd and gets sacked. Basically same as that knockdown last year. It's your last drive, why not QB draw, which exactly no one would expect.
Brady was very good, but didn't help his NFL aspirations.
MTL literally throws 3 passes: short curl, hitch screen, deep shot. Throw in just enough runs to keep D's honest. Everyone knows their penchant for the screen, so why are we giving up 5 to 12 yards on every screen? Dumb. Not like we didn't know that. And Cody and Calvillo have been focusing on the middle mid-pass all season. We're shocked that's how they get the final TD?
Disappointed, but good close edge-of-seat game for all the non-WPG fans. Weather was nice. Stadium was nice. View of the terrain was nice from our upper deck seats. Flyby was great. Green Day was good and a coup for the cup organizers. Food was good. Other fans were good. My buddy, the Landon Rice friend, was very happy for Rice who now gets to be immortal on the cup. Good for him, a nice MB guy who's been in the league quite a long time now.
Back to the puzzle pieces for next year. Though really in the end all we might need is more aggressive O play calling.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 20, 2023, 04:26:55 AM
Just got back. My young son who was with me @The Donut Box is pretty bummed. My wife reports the toddler at home cried for 30 mins. The wife is probably miffed she'll get an ornery husband back tomorrow.
First impression is in both losing cups we play too conservatively. We play the odds and we play to our hype. We think the other team can't do it and we dare them to. And then they do.
Both Buck & Hall are to blame, but especially Buck. And MOS, who probably calls the overall agressiveness. Just like vs TOR we don't go for the win in the last drive. We run for squat on first down when everyone knows it. Then Zach plays extremely cautiously on 2nd and gets sacked. Basically same as that knockdown last year. It's your last drive, why not QB draw, which exactly no one would expect.
Brady was very good, but didn't help his NFL aspirations.
MTL literally throws 3 passes: short curl, hitch screen, deep shot. Throw in just enough runs to keep D's honest. Everyone knows their penchant for the screen, so why are we giving up 5 to 12 yards on every screen? Dumb. Not like we didn't know that. And Cody and Calvillo have been focusing on the middle mid-pass all season. We're shocked that's how they get the final TD?
Disappointed, but good close edge-of-seat game for all the non-WPG fans. Weather was nice. Stadium was nice. View of the terrain was nice from our upper deck seats. Flyby was great. Green Day was good and a coup for the cup organizers. Food was good. Other fans were good. My buddy, the Landon Rice friend, was very happy for Rice who now gets to be immortal on the cup. Good for him, a nice MB guy who's been in the league quite a long time now.
Back to the puzzle pieces for next year. Though really in the end all we might need is more aggressive O play calling.
Yup, pretty much agree with all of this.
Quote from: Pigskin on November 20, 2023, 04:01:19 AM
Love AB4 but, he should have never played in that game. I don't think he made a play all night. You can also throw DS83 in with AB4. He wasn't running well and was no threat all night. When AB4 was on the field it was like we were playing with 11 players.
Those decisions handicapped the team and lay solely on the shoulders of O'Shea, instead of fielding his strongest roster, he let his emotional attachment to certain players interfere with the game plan and they paid the price. It's up to Walters and Miller to get him back on track and remind him football is a business and not to let emotional decisions overrule common sense.
Quote from: dd on November 20, 2023, 02:13:30 AM
Sankey is the best mlb in the cfl hands down. We chose to stick with an aging and slower, and then hurt MLB in the biggest game of the year. Walters absolutely whiffed on that one. We sign Sankey, we d be on the podium, but whatever, we re used to losing in the grey cup, it?s what the bombers do.
Sankey had 8 DT's and 1 sack. Lemon had 3 DT's and 1 sack. Not trying to sign them came back to haunt us.
Quote from: bluengold204 on November 20, 2023, 02:38:56 AM
Only 27 more years to go till the next cup win
We lost the Grey Cup in 1992, 1993, 2001, 2007, 2011, 2022 and 2023. Won in 2019 and 2021. Not the best winning record in the Grey Cup in that time frame. Makes losing more painful from a cumulative point of view.
Quote from: ModAdmin on November 20, 2023, 04:10:07 AM
Game Recap | WPG 24 MTL 28
.....A third championship in four years was there for the taking right until the final whistle. The Blue Bombers were leading 24-21 inside the final minute when Grey Cup MVP Cody Fajardo hit Cole Spieker for a 31-yard gain - on third and five, no less - and then found Tyson Philpot for a championship-winning 19-yard score with just 13 seconds remaining....
https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/11/19/game-recap-wpg-24-mtl-28/
A lot of people felt the Bombers were too old but in the end is was the young guys [Parker and Houston] that couldn't make a play with the game on the line.
Quote from: bwiser on November 20, 2023, 12:58:57 PM
A lot of people felt the Bombers were too old but in the end is was the young guys [Parker and Houston] that couldn't make a play with the game on the line.
The DL line did not help much either. I am mortified.
I didn't think they could've done worse than last year's GC109 letdown... But they found a way last night.
I'm pretty numb.
Last night I woke up at 2am and my heart was racing.
How could have these screwed up like this?
Biggie should not have played.
Where the heck were the Jeffs?
Huston and Parker was both terrible.
Zach either did have a WR to throw to or had the gimps. Wow!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 20, 2023, 04:26:55 AM
Just got back. My young son who was with me @The Donut Box is pretty bummed. My wife reports the toddler at home cried for 30 mins. The wife is probably miffed she'll get an ornery husband back tomorrow.
First impression is in both losing cups we play too conservatively. We play the odds and we play to our hype. We think the other team can't do it and we dare them to. And then they do.
Both Buck & Hall are to blame, but especially Buck. And MOS, who probably calls the overall agressiveness. Just like vs TOR we don't go for the win in the last drive. We run for squat on first down when everyone knows it. Then Zach plays extremely cautiously on 2nd and gets sacked. Basically same as that knockdown last year. It's your last drive, why not QB draw, which exactly no one would expect.
Brady was very good, but didn't help his NFL aspirations.
MTL literally throws 3 passes: short curl, hitch screen, deep shot. Throw in just enough runs to keep D's honest. Everyone knows their penchant for the screen, so why are we giving up 5 to 12 yards on every screen? Dumb. Not like we didn't know that. And Cody and Calvillo have been focusing on the middle mid-pass all season. We're shocked that's how they get the final TD?
Disappointed, but good close edge-of-seat game for all the non-WPG fans. Weather was nice. Stadium was nice. View of the terrain was nice from our upper deck seats. Flyby was great. Green Day was good and a coup for the cup organizers. Food was good. Other fans were good. My buddy, the Landon Rice friend, was very happy for Rice who now gets to be immortal on the cup. Good for him, a nice MB guy who's been in the league quite a long time now.
Back to the puzzle pieces for next year. Though really in the end all we might need is more aggressive O play calling.
I agree and it was very predictable. We lost the 3 games in the regular season and the 2022 Grey Cup for similar reasons. In most cases we had the lead and the ball with under 3 minutes left. All we needed to do was string together a 1st down or 2 and run out the clock.
Instead we run the expected running play straight up the middle. Then we don't block the rush on 2nd and long and throw either a short pass or get sacked. Als got the ball back with 1:57 and we knew the prevent defence would fold.
2nd and 18 and we left Fajardo run for 13 yards? Reminiscent of Kelly in last year's Grey Cup. We were out coached.
Outcoached and outplayed. The last two minutes of the game I'd like to forget.
The Alouettes were better when it mattered. They dominated the second half.
Quote from: bwiser on November 20, 2023, 12:58:57 PM
A lot of people felt the Bombers were too old but in the end is was the young guys [Parker and Houston] that couldn't make a play with the game on the line.
Bighill made 1 tackle, did nothing to stop the run game, and got burned on a passing TD because he couldn't keep up.....
Didn't play our best game but we were one Parker pass break up from victory formation.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 20, 2023, 01:09:09 PM
I agree and it was very predictable. We lost the 3 games in the regular season and the 2022 Grey Cup for similar reasons. In most cases we had the lead and the ball with under 3 minutes left. All we needed to do was string together a 1st down or 2 and run out the clock.
Instead we run the expected running play straight up the middle. Then we don't block the rush on 2nd and long and throw either a short pass or get sacked. Als got the ball back with 1:57 and we knew the prevent defence would fold.
2nd and 18 and we left Fajardo run for 13 yards? Reminiscent of Kelly in last year's Grey Cup. We were out coached.
Yes. Went too conservative, thinking it was our game to lose and all we had to do was not make mistakes.
Montreal was hungry and went for it and we let them take it.
Quote from: Jesse on November 20, 2023, 02:44:16 PM
Yes. Went too conservative, thinking it was our game to lose and all we had to do was not make mistakes.
Montreal was hungry and went for it and we let them take it.
Yep, the philosophy of not screwing up, screwed it up, Buck's offensive game plan was far too conservative and Zach played with little urgency to accomplish the task at hand.
Quote from: VictorRomano on November 20, 2023, 01:46:54 PM
Bighill made 1 tackle, did nothing to stop the run game, and got burned on a passing TD because he couldn't keep up.....
Such a waste to play him. Clements and Cole have juice. Pretty sure the only reason he was dressed was to get his name on the GC or MOS got the jitters telling him he wasn?t playing.
The ball control game-manager offensive plan was a result of 9 turnovers by the Argos in the East Final. Buck figured the way to beat a staunch Montreal D was to guard against turnovers and trust our vaunted Defence. Not the best plan, esp when the D falls flat too. OTOH Oliveira was excellent, esp considering Montreal schemed for him. The fact that Schoen, Demski and Sheed were less than 100% really limited what the O could do. Also, Collaros is very clearly on the downswing as an elite CFL QB. The other thing coaches need to answer is why Montreal came to play and Bombers did not. It was not "just another game".
#4 did impact the game for the Bombers....however it was a negative one this time. Sometimes MOS is too loyal to his veterans....to a fault. The Als had Lemon and Sankey and they did have an impact. Both were confident they would beat us and they did. Both WJ and JJ were not impactful and Cody had time in the pocket and when he had to run late in the game he got back 13 of the 18 yards he needed for a first down with his legs. Then he threw two more strikes and the game was over for us.
Had we been able to get one first down late in the game we would like have held our lead and two would have sealed the deal. Montreal stuffed us cold and sacked Zach yet again on 2nd and long after Brady was stuffed for only 2 yards on first down. Montreal was simply better and their best players were better than two of our best players who were playing at maybe 60% which just wasn't good enough.
In retrospect, would MOS allow this to happen again? Thoughts?
This was not about the better team won IMHO. This was entirely about us not defending well during the game but, in particular, in the 4th quarter when we were up in the score and had the opportunity to seal the deal. We were ahead virtually the entire game. Our pass defence let us down when it counted the most.
Quote from: Jesse on November 20, 2023, 02:44:16 PM
Yes. Went too conservative, thinking it was our game to lose and all we had to do was not make mistakes.
Montreal was hungry and went for it and we let them take it.
Bingo.
Quote from: ModAdmin on November 20, 2023, 04:00:47 PM
This was not about the better team won IMHO. This was entirely about us not defending well during the game but, in particular, in the 4th quarter when we were up in the score and had the opportunity to seal the deal. We were ahead virtually the entire game. Our pass defence let us down when it counted the most.
Wouldn't that make the Alouettes the better team? They made the plays they had to in order to win; the Bombers did not.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 20, 2023, 04:24:58 PM
Bingo.
Wouldn't that make the Alouettes the better team? They made the plays they had to in order to win; the Bombers did not.
I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. But they did make the play when it counted. It happens just like in Ottawa. That didn't make Ottawa the better team, just better in the moment.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 20, 2023, 04:40:19 PM
I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. But they did make the play when it counted. It happens just like in Ottawa. That didn't make Ottawa the better team, just better in the moment.
Not sure I'd compare last night's tilt to what happened in Ottawa in mid-July.
The Alouettes were down by 10 at the most last night; they continued to compete in what was a tight game in the second half.
IMO, they were the better team, particularly in the 4th quarter.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 20, 2023, 04:51:37 PM
Not sure I'd compare last night's tilt to what happened in Ottawa in mid-July.
The Alouettes were down by 10 at the most last night; they continued to compete in what was a tight game in the second half.
IMO, they were the better team, particularly in the 4th quarter.
Well yes and no. Would you have said that if we knocked down the pass on 3rd and 4 and won the game? The team winning is not always the best team. We dominated most of the game but gave up the ghost on the last series. Of course that cost us the game and the Als are full credit for making those plays. However those were desperation plays that succeeded than great offence per se.
I'd expect a team to fail on 3rd and 4 most of the time. Not last night as it worked out.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 20, 2023, 04:51:37 PM
Not sure I'd compare last night's tilt to what happened in Ottawa in mid-July.
The Alouettes were down by 10 at the most last night; they continued to compete in what was a tight game in the second half.
IMO, they were the better team, particularly in the 4th quarter.
I see similarities in the two games, the Bombers were convinced they would win both games and missed opportunities to step on their throats when they had the chances to do so.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 20, 2023, 04:40:19 PM
I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. But they did make the play when it counted. It happens just like in Ottawa. That didn't make Ottawa the better team, just better in the moment.
Is it possible that we haveplayers that are getting "long in the tooth" and just ran out of steam in the 4th quarter?? Do we need to bring in some younger players?
Quote from: bluebeard on November 20, 2023, 05:26:20 PM
Is it possible that we haveplayers that are getting "long in the tooth" and just ran out of steam in the 4th quarter?? Do we need to bring in some younger players?
I think we won the TOP for the game. In the 1st Q we had the ball for 11 minutes. So I don't think tired was part of the issue. Als made chunk plays rather than long drives. Our secondary players are generally quite young and they were the ones getting beaten.
OTOH our OL starters are getting long in the tooth and they didn't have a great game as a unit. I didn't notice a lot of max protection and didn't see Jackson very often in the blocking schemes in the 2nd half. We needed to dominate the LOS and win with our run game. That falls to coaching and game planning. Yes they were stuffing the run but we were being very predictable as usual. Demski was struggling and we didn't use Grant in sweeps or diversions.
For the most part we didn't throw deep because our receivers were not healthy. We failed to adjust.
Quote from: bluebeard on November 20, 2023, 05:26:20 PM
Is it possible that we have players that are getting "long in the tooth" and just ran out of steam in the 4th quarter?? Do we need to bring in some younger players?
I'm OK with moving on from Stanley Bryant - he looked like a pylon out there at times this year. I'd give Jamarcus Hardrick another year. Kolankowski, Gray, and Neufeld were all serviceable, but I'd be OK moving on from Neufeld if we have a younger guy in the fold. Dobson, Maschino and Eli are all OK.
I'm also OK with moving on from Bighill. He was the best in the biz in his prime, but IIRC he'll be 37 next season, and he's definitely no longer in his prime and has clearly lost a step; I think he'd make a great LB coach. Jake Thomas is also getting up there, but if was can keep him for cheap, I'm OK with keeping him, because his play rarely costs us. Jeffcoat only playing half-seasons is a waste of a spot, too - I'd let him go and replace him with a younger, every-down player.
I know it hurts, really stings. It's supposed to. Every Bomber feels exactly the same way. It's a fine line between agony and ecstasy. But take a step back and grab some perspective.
We've been in four, count 'em, four straight Grey Cup championship games. We are 2-2 in those four games. We have an awful lot to be thankful for and I appreciate each and every one of those Bomber players that played their guts out for us last night, and make no mistake, they played and wanted to win, for us.
In 2018 if you had told me that we'd play in the next four straight Grey Cup games and win two of them I'd have told you you were certifiably insane. But that is exactly what has happened and I am very, very grateful to this organisation for rewarding this fan with so many thrills over the last four years and beyond.
Win or lose the great thing about football is we get to do it all over again year after year and this fan can't wait to get the next season started.
I wonder if players like Geno Lewis and Jake Wieneke are feeling any kind of way this week.
Finally had the time, and stomach, to rewatch the game. If you don't want to relive the pain, close the thread now! (I understand, I really do, it's an awful loss to an inferior team and far worse than the loss to TOR.) I'm really only going to mention things I didn't see at Tim Hortons, weren't mentioned here, and/or general thoughts.
I'm annoyed at 2 officials' calls, which actually is not bad for a CFL game...
1. The holding on Hardrick on a run play for 1st down on 1st down, we only get the live shot and I see nothing wrong or unusual. A D is trying to get inside on Yoshi and he pancakes him. This happens all the time, and Yoshi let him up quickly. I don't see that called much in the regular season, and certainly not in a GC game where they were clearly letting the guys play and holding back their flags. It put us in 1st & 20 (we did convert though!).
2. Most important: 4Q3:33 When Kramdi causes a fumble on 2nd and long they blow it incomplete. But it's not. It is bang-bang but in slowmo it's clearly caught securely in both hands, and securely moved down the arm, and securely tucked perfectly. All the while Snead is going from facing the QB to facing the EZ doing a complete 180. Only then does Kramdi's hit cause the ball to come out.
In the NFL they'd call this a football move and it's a fumble. I believe even in the CFL that's a fumble, because perfect possession was clearly gained all the way to a perfect tuck. The speed of the event has no bearing, except insofar as the ref can detect. Therefore at worst the ref should have let it play out, as they usually do, and let command sort it out if it's turned over.
With 3:33 left on the clock I consider it a major failure that MOS didn't challenge. That close to the end on a massive game-changing play is literally the perfect time to throw the flag. I virtually guarantee command gives us that TO with the immediate recovery.
To add some spice to the situation, whoever blows their whistle first blew it very very late, well after the ball was rolling for several yards, and when it was clear WPG was going to recover. What's up with that? You blow the whistle the instant it's on the turf. And only one ref was blowing, meaning other refs didn't agree, or weren't watching.
The funny thing is, when there live I thought this was a fumble for sure, and I don't remember them giving the good replay, nor slow-mo, like TSN gives us on one of the final looks. They just let it go and moved on. They may have done that to not give MOS time to think, however, it was still around 45-60s before the next snap, and his booth guys should have been screaming *challenge* down to him on the headset.
In the end it didn't matter for field position because Zema shanks his kick and it almost results in the same location as the fumble would have. However, there's the morale/intangible aspect to a fumble recovery you don't get with Zema's kick. If they call it a fumble recovery then we get up run away with the ball and celebrate like there's no tomorrow and the O comes on the field all fired up their D made a huge stop and TO, and we have all the morale and momentum. Maybe then Zach & co don't go 2 & out in a horrifically weak manner. To me this is the turning point that may have made the difference. Remember... 1 or maybe 2 first downs and we would have left MTL with not enough time to get a TD. What was MOS waiting for?? Flag doesn't get you any points at the end of the game.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 20, 2023, 03:22:02 PM
Yep, the philosophy of not screwing up, screwed it up, Buck's offensive game plan was far too conservative and Zach played with little urgency to accomplish the task at hand.
What lost and won the game was a non-aggressive call vs an aggressive call:
1. Zach sacked on the critical 2nd down scrambling because all the short curls were covered and Buck's call was short curl to convert. This is a passive, no-guts call.
vs
2. 3rd & 5 Calvillo calls a 30Y pass in known man coverage with no safety help because they know we're going to blanket the 5 yard curls. This is a massive gutsy call.
If Buck calls the 30Y iso pass on Kenny, the same one Calvillo called, then we have a shot. There's also the chance of PI. And if the sole defender beats Kenny for an INT, Kenny's there to tackle him and it's the exact same result as our subsequent punt. But that call has not been made once this year. Because we play the book and play not to lose. We were sitting there thinking "at worst they tie", when MTL wanted to boldly take the W.
Zach saw the FS inching up to the sticks. There was no help over the top. If wide-out Kenny does a fake curl & go like Spieker did, or heck just a plain go route, then it's a 50/50 ball. Zach would have had the time as, like Cody, it would have been a timing throw, tossed in 2.1s. Are we really saying Zach/Kenny combo isn't as good as Cody/Spieker? Then what are they making 2X the money for?? You match up our receivers with their counterparts on MTL and each and every one stunk in comparison, from our top $$Kenny$$ to our NATs and 4th option Bailey. Did you see the plays their 4th option was making! Or their NAT? Somehow that garbage can of a receiving corps, of only 1st and 2nd year guys, made ours look like OTT's; and worse: made Cody look like gold compared to Zach. It's painful, it really is.
Just like Parker bit hard on the double-move because
who calls 30Y pass on 3rd & 5, the MTL D guy would have bit if we called it too, because based on film study they would have known we never ever ever in a million years will call that same play. We really stunk badly on the chess match part and expected our execution would be enough, even when our execution was at best a bit weaker than MTL's all night to that point. Except for a few extra Demski runs, I saw almost nothing called by Buck that we haven't called all season. The wrinkles basically didn't exist. Can you imagine how much better we would have been had we done even a few more tendency breakers?
It's aggravating, and, again, I pin most of this loss on MOS, Buck & Hall. But mostly Buck & MOS because if we do something, anything, different, on that last drive (especially 1st down) then we would have held MTL to 21 points, which is darn tootin' good for a GC and enough to win. In the end it was exactly the same loss as the TOR GC: we had one job to do, get 1-2 first downs on our final drive. That's the part that hurts the most: we failed at that most critical of puzzle pieces. That was the series to go into the book for radical wrinkles, but we looked, and the book was empty. Lame.
So I'm watching the CFL Wired for the GC. They have some new angles on a few plays, usually field-level handheld cams. Anyhow, we all know on the big Cody 15Y run in the 4th that Wilson slips in contain. But I didn't know that Willie also slips, in nearly the exact same manner. It's like they have a curling slider on and they can't make cuts or change direction.
Willie had a hand on him but likely Cody gets away from him even if Willie hadn't slipped (Wilson would have had a better chance). My point is our that guys are slipping at all.
So what's up with that??
Slippage should never be a problem just for one team, and if it is, then that's an equipment problem. I don't recall seeing MTL slipping, so clearly their guys made the right call on cleats. How can this happen in this day and age? And if the players were reporting slips in the 1st half, why didn't they adjust equipment for the 2nd? Surely they bring multiple sets of cleats.
Weird. It's just another oddity or bad luck incident that all added up to our loss.