Here we are - continuing to rise in the standings - in third place with a game against Hamilton pending.
A defence with the fewest points allowed in the league and an offence that continues to improve each game.
What's not to like? There is never a 'gimmee' in any game but the Bombers are progressing each game since the 0 and 4 start to the season.
Ed Tait's https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/08/21/48-hour-primer-week-12/ is indicative of how players feel about where the team and while the Hamilton game - at home - is another 1 and 0 game, there is a belief, underlined by recent performance, the Bombers are ready to continue on their road of successes.
... Let us suggest then that, coupled with the inside veteran presence of Deatrick Nichols, Brandon Alexander and Evan Holm, Ford and CFL rookie Terrell Bonds have been critical in helping turn the Blue Bombers secondary into a unit now widely being hailed as the league's best....
Let's get out there on Friday and give the team the support they need and deserve.
Just have to say, I attended the BC/Winnipeg game in Vancouver where over 30K were in attendance. The loudest noise came from the PA announcer and in no way fan noise compares with a Princess Auto crowd. Keep it coming Bomber fans.
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 22, 2024, 06:14:53 AMLet's get out there on Friday and give the team the support they need and deserve.
I'm proud to say I'm bringing along one of my kids' friends who has never attended a Bomber game! (I couldn't believe it!) He's super excited.
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 22, 2024, 06:14:53 AMJust have to say, I attended the BC/Winnipeg game in Vancouver where over 30K were in attendance. The loudest noise came from the PA announcer and in no way fan noise compares with a Princess Auto crowd. Keep it coming Bomber fans.
Somehow I'm not surprised! Thanks for the first hand report. Always worth remembering we have the best home-game crowd in the CFL!
Well over 30,000 seats sold! Gonna be a party!
Quote from: ModAdmin on August 22, 2024, 06:14:53 AMJust have to say, I attended the BC/Winnipeg game in Vancouver where over 30K were in attendance. The loudest noise came from the PA announcer and in no way fan noise compares with a Princess Auto crowd. Keep it coming Bomber fans.
To be fair they had absolutely nothing to cheer about.
Quote from: The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB on August 22, 2024, 01:52:54 PMTo be fair they had absolutely nothing to cheer about.
Because BC sucks. ;D
Looks like Bighill is out for this game. Feltmate is back at FB and Weitz is listed as a back up at MLB. Adams is back.
I saw that on Facebook. Still squat on the website or CFL.CA.
Depth chart is out, from DT:
Adam Bighill goes to the injured list. Shayne Gauthier assumes the starting LB role.
FB Bailey Feltmate returns from injury giving the Bombers a FB + valuable special teams work.
DT Devin Adams returns and LB Fabian Weitz makes his CFL debut.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 22, 2024, 03:09:34 PMDepth chart is out, from DT:
Adam Bighill goes to the injured list. Shayne Gauthier assumes the starting LB role.
FB Bailey Feltmate returns from injury giving the Bombers a FB + valuable special teams work.
DT Devin Adams returns and LB Fabian Weitz makes his CFL debut.
Was Bighill moved to 1 game or 6 game IR?
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 22, 2024, 03:16:11 PMWas Bighill moved to 1 game or 6 game IR?
6 game as per Ed Tait
The Ticats have posted their depth chart. Nothing from the Bombers yet.
Aug 23 Ticats Chart v3.jpg
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Hey! We're going to have a Taulia Tagovailoa sighting!
O'Leary Orange is playing after being removed from 6 game injured list.
He was 3 games into his 2nd stint on the 6 game.
Watch if any of the Canadian receivers go down with an injury as we'll see Tim White take their spot.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 22, 2024, 03:09:34 PMDepth chart is out, from DT:
Adam Bighill goes to the injured list. Shayne Gauthier assumes the starting LB role.
FB Bailey Feltmate returns from injury giving the Bombers a FB + valuable special teams work.
DT Devin Adams returns and LB Fabian Weitz makes his CFL debut.
Glad Feltmate and Adams are back in the lineup. Weitz has looked good in practice, seems to have good closing speed.
Still have 7 starters on the 6 gamre...
Seven starters is a bit of a stretch and makes it seem worse than it is.
Wolitarsky, Schoen, Lawson, Wilson, Neufeld and now Bighill are six legitimate starters (or were legitimate starters recently, at any rate).
A few caveats: Wilson has been hurt frequently and has missed more games than he's played over the last three years. No one is really pressing or hoping for Neufeld's return. Bighill hasn't actually missed a game yet so I guess we'll see.
Out of all those guys, we miss Lawson the most probably followed by Schoen and Bighill.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 22, 2024, 06:58:50 PMStill have 7 starters on the 6 gamre...
If all the injured players were healthy, 7 of them would not be starting right now.
The reality is the Bombers are close to fielding their ideal line-up - just missing Biggie, Schoen, Wilson and Woli.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 22, 2024, 07:18:30 PMSeven starters is a bit of a stretch and makes it seem worse than it is.
Wolitarsky, Schoen, Lawson, Wilson, Neufeld and now Bighill are six legitimate starters (or were legitimate starters recently, at any rate).
A few caveats: Wilson has been hurt frequently and has missed more games than he's played over the last three years. No one is really pressing or hoping for Neufeld's return. Bighill hasn't actually missed a game yet so I guess we'll see.
Out of all those guys, we miss Lawson the most probably followed by Schoen and Bighill.
I don't see the loss of Lawson as big of issue now that the team isn't trying to start 10 Canadians and have replaced Lawson with an American. So, I see that as an upgrade.
However, if Lawson was healthy I would play him instead of Thomas but that would never happen this year. Maybe next season.
QB Bo Levi Mitchell to start for Ticats, Taylor Powell placed on six-game injured list
By 3Down Staff -August 22, 2024
The CFL's leading passer will be back under centre for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night, even if they don't want him there.
Bo Levi Mitchell has been given the start against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after fellow quarterback Taylor Powell was placed on the six-game injured list with a concussion. The 34-year-old was benched early in Week 10 and replaced with Powell, but had to step in and play the majority of last week's game after his replacement was taken to hospital.
Through 10 games, Mitchell still leads the CFL in passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions. He has gone 237-of-348 for 2,816 yards, 19 majors, and 14 picks.
Rookie Harrison Frost will serve as the team's primary backup and Taulia Tagovailoa, brother of Miami Dolphins' QB Tua, will dress for the first time as the third-stringer.
Offensively, running back James Butler will be a healthy scratch for the second straight week and will be joined by right tackle Jordan Murray. Rookie Brendan Bordner returns from illness to step in at left tackle, bumping Quinton Barrow to the right side.
Canadian receiver Luther Hakunavanhu (head) has been placed on the six-game injured list and his backup Tyler Ternowski (head) will go on the one-game injured list. Brendan O'Leary-Orange will get the start in the slot, with American Dezmon Patmon dressing as insurance. Jordan Byrd will also suit up for the first time as the team's returner.
Defensively, Richard Leonard will bump over to field halfback following the release of Kenneth George and Will Sunderland will start at corner, with Canadian Siriman Harrison Bagayogo dressing as insurance. Canadian defensive lineman Benoit Marion also returns to the lineup.
Special teams standout Carthell Flowers-Lloyd will be a healthy scratch and linebacker Ray Wilborn has been demoted to the practice roster. Canadian rookie Daniel Bell (head) will spend the week on the one-game injured list.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-8) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, August 23 at 8:30 p.m. EDT.
https://3downnation.com/2024/08/22/qb-bo-levi-mitchell-to-start-for-ticats-taylor-powell-placed-on-six-game-injured-list/
Wow the Cats have so much change. Time to eat.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 22, 2024, 07:18:30 PMSeven starters is a bit of a stretch and makes it seem worse than it is.
Wolitarsky, Schoen, Lawson, Wilson, Neufeld and now Bighill are six legitimate starters (or were legitimate starters recently, at any rate).
A few caveats: Wilson has been hurt frequently and has missed more games than he's played over the last three years. No one is really pressing or hoping for Neufeld's return. Bighill hasn't actually missed a game yet so I guess we'll see.
Out of all those guys, we miss Lawson the most probably followed by Schoen and Bighill.
Schoen is by far the biggest miss! Lawson over Schoen is blasphemy!
Schoen #1 Lawson #2 Bighill #3 Wilson
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on August 22, 2024, 10:05:31 PMSchoen is by far the biggest miss! Lawson over Schoen is blasphemy!
Schoen #1 Lawson #2 Bighill #3 Wilson
I agree Goldie that Lawson is a good Canadian player however he can be replaced by higher talented American if the Bombers work the roster properly.
Quote from: gobombersgo on August 22, 2024, 10:31:48 PMI agree Goldie that Lawson is a good Canadian player however he can be replaced by higher talented American if the Bombers work the roster properly.
Except Lawson would probably be starting ahead of Thomas or at the very least taking reps away from him.
Also Parker was the starting CB but Bonds would be difficult to bench.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 22, 2024, 10:48:41 PMExcept Lawson would probably be starting ahead of Thomas or at the very least taking reps away from him.
Also Parker was the starting CB but Bonds would be difficult to bench.
There is no way O'Shea would have stared Lawson ahead of Thomas. Only way vets get replaced is by injury or free agency.
Wow, Butler sits again?? I don't get this. Their passing attack is horrible, I would be running the ball to chew up the clock and keep our O off the field. So 2 and outs it is, ok milanovich, and you wonder why you lose so much?!?
Quote from: gobombersgo on August 22, 2024, 10:56:49 PMThere is no way O'Shea would have stared Lawson ahead of Thomas. Only way vets get replaced is by injury or free agency.
"Starting"is a meaningless term. Lawson would have played more reps than Jake had he been healthy, imo.
Quote from: The Zipp on August 22, 2024, 03:09:34 PMAdam Bighill goes to the injured list. Shayne Gauthier assumes the starting LB role.
FB Bailey Feltmate returns
I knew they'd stick with Gauthier. Maybe if we had a MLB option with more starts under his belt, or more years, we'd start another IMP. But given the backups, Gauthier is the best bet.
He looked very nervous on the sidelines getting his instructions when coming in last game. Hope he chills out.
Feltmate returning is huge. Back to our normal, common TE sets and misdirection!
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on August 22, 2024, 10:05:31 PMSchoen is by far the biggest miss! Lawson over Schoen is blasphemy!
Schoen #1 Lawson #2 Bighill #3 Wilson
Can't argue with you Goldie - Schoen is a huge loss for the season. Only loss we've had so far for any extended time that compares is Lawler - if he was out for the season then it's between the two. Thankfully Lawler is back.
I sure wish Schoen was back for the back half of the season as well. Our biggest loss for sure.
Quote from: DM83 on August 23, 2024, 12:11:17 AMI think Gauthier is a run stopper and does well between the tackles. I don't think he. Can go sideline to sideline. However without any running backs for Hamilton, he doesn't need to. If Bo is going to throw all the time, it isn't a recipe for success the way Bombers defense has been playing. Good luck Bo!
We weren't exactly stopping the run in the last game. Stanback has 100 yards on 15 carries. Part of that was in garbage time but the defence didn't want to give up a TD.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 22, 2024, 11:37:49 PMI knew they'd stick with Gauthier. Maybe if we had a MLB option with more starts under his belt, or more years, we'd start another IMP. But given the backups, Gauthier is the best bet.
He looked very nervous on the sidelines getting his instructions when coming in last game. Hope he chills out.
Feltmate returning is huge. Back to our normal, common TE sets and misdirection!
Last time they listed Gauthier as a starter, he didn't play a single snap on defence.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 23, 2024, 02:44:07 AMWe weren't exactly stopping the run in the last game. Stanback has 100 yards on 15 carries. Part of that was in garbage time but the defence didn't want to give up a TD.
Ya, on rewatch they had Stanback attack the gut the instant we put Gauthier in, and he got like 9 avg on a few runs until we decided to stop that. Gauthier would often take the wrong hole (but so does Biggie sometimes). Unless he's taking "his" hole and some other guy botches the other gap. Who knows.
But we did stop the run after that until garbage time. And before that we weren't exactly focusing on the run, so in the end I'm not sure it was a huge difference.
Quote from: Jesse on August 23, 2024, 02:45:36 AMLast time they listed Gauthier as a starter, he didn't play a single snap on defence.
Because injury, or because we "lied"? I'm not sure I remember that! What game? I can check...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 23, 2024, 05:33:33 AMBecause injury, or because we "lied"? I'm not sure I remember that! What game? I can check...
Game 1; we "lied", but it's a MOS respect thing.
That said, that's when we had a healthy Wilson and Cole.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 22, 2024, 10:00:31 PMWow the Cats have so much change. Time to eat.
Chris Jones style seems to be just tear it down.
Tonight is an important game for the Bombers. Its a game they should win and cannot afford to let this one slip away. The Bombers will be in 2nd place one point out of first with a victory tonight, at least temporarily until BC plays. This is setting up nicely for the home and home series coming up against the Riders.
Should be a nice night. 26 for kickoff with little to no wind.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 23, 2024, 05:32:54 AMYa, on rewatch they had Stanback attack the gut the instant we put Gauthier in, and he got like 9 avg on a few runs until we decided to stop that. Gauthier would often take the wrong hole (but so does Biggie sometimes). Unless he's taking "his" hole and some other guy botches the other gap. Who knows.
But we did stop the run after that until garbage time. And before that we weren't exactly focusing on the run, so in the end I'm not sure it was a huge difference.
It wasn't just this game or in garbage time. We have not been stout against the run often. When Gauthier goes in it gets worse.
That said, if it's because we drop more players into coverage, that would explain it somewhat.
I've been complaining about Thomas as part of that issue but then when we lose Bighill and have both Thomas and Gauthier that's an issue.
Adding Adams back MAY mean we see less of Thomas and more all import DL. We'll see how this game goes and in the back to back against the Riders.
We don't know if Bighill will be gone 6 games or more, or pulled off early. Not other import LB's on our PR, so that's another question.
I really hope this is the game where Zach throws 5 TDs and shows that he's back to MOP level form.
Quote from: peg_city on August 23, 2024, 05:09:52 PMI really hope this is the game where Zach throws 5 TDs and shows that he's back to MOP level form.
I hope we are up by 30 at half time and Strev gets some much needed reps.
Quote from: peg_city on August 23, 2024, 05:09:52 PMI really hope this is the game where Zach throws 5 TDs and shows that he's back to MOP level form.
aaaaand the defence doesn't decide to take the night off and get shredded by BLM...I want a full on blowout.
This game should be a blowout. Which is why I expect it to be anything but a blowout. I have a bad feeling about our readiness level tonight, despite O'Shea's consistent focus on the here-and-now. We've just dominated a very strong offensive team twice in a row, and the next two weeks are the LDC and the Banjo Bowl. It will be very difficult for the players to take the Ticats seriously. I look very forward to being completely wrong about all this.
Quote from: pdirks67 on August 23, 2024, 06:08:37 PMThis game should be a blowout. Which is why I expect it to be anything but a blowout. I have a bad feeling about our readiness level tonight, despite O'Shea's consistent focus on the here-and-now. We've just dominated a very strong offensive team twice in a row, and the next two weeks are the LDC and the Banjo Bowl. It will be very difficult for the players to take the Ticats seriously. I look very forward to being completely wrong about all this.
Everyone raise their drink and curse pdirks' name tonight.
Quote from: peg_city on August 23, 2024, 05:09:52 PMI really hope this is the game where Zach throws 5 TDs and shows that he's back to MOP level form.
Even three passing majors would be nice. I miss seeing him do that with relative ease, so hopefully this game will be the one where he returns to form for the remainder of the season.
Absolute must win game tonight in the hopes of planning a home playoff game.
Score early and often.
Defence takes care business.
No need to worry about command central lol!
Great night for football in a sellout stadium!
Go Bombers!
Hopefully we see the crowd pump the boys up, We:ve seen it before taking the cats lightly and paid for it.
Lets just keep getting better!
Winnipeg Blue Bombers @Wpg_BlueBombers
Remember to bring your donation of school supplies to any gate tonight to support First Student!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GVsG99MXYAAdePZ?format=jpg&name=small)
Quote from: peg_city on August 23, 2024, 05:09:52 PMI really hope this is the game where Zach throws 5 TDs and shows that he's back to MOP level form.
Be nice to see Brady get in the endzone too.
Don't need to do the QB sneak every time. Especially when it's not working that great.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 23, 2024, 06:51:49 PMEven three passing majors would be nice. I miss seeing him do that with relative ease, so hopefully this game will be the one where he returns to form for the remainder of the season.
If Zach could hit Wilson on the fly, he'd be scoring from 40 yds. out every game, team Pokey up with the right arm and he'd be unstoppable. Terry Wilson has the best arm on the team, it would be nice to see if they can establish a Wilson to Wilson connection in the future.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 23, 2024, 08:17:40 PMIf Zach could hit Wilson on the fly, he'd be scoring from 40 yds. out every game, team Pokey up with the right arm and he'd be unstoppable. Terry Wilson has the best arm on the team, it would be nice to see if they can establish a Wilson to Wilson connection in the future.
That's be fun...
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BLM is gonna have a chip on his shoulder the size of mt rushmore...dude has nothing to lose, he has been pulled after one pick and then benched.
He is gonna just be chucking the rock non stop and maybe even scrambling like BLM of old.
How long till Frost is in the air?
Not suitor I hope.
No, good.
Yikes, Stan is hurt!?!?
Oh no Bryant
Looks bad for the big man
@EdTaitWFC
Bryant having issues leaving the field with help and now back on a knee again. The cart being brought out to help him. Fingers crossed for the big man
Heat issue
Stretcher coming out
@EdTaitWFC
Another update: paramedics now coming on to the field with a stretcher for Bryant
This looks scary for one of the guys who doesn't ever seem to miss a game in Big Stan. Really hoping for the best for him.
Darn. What a year.
Heat exhaustion???
If I recall correctly, Bryant hasn't missed a start due to injury since signing with Winnipeg.
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 12:52:07 AMHeat exhaustion???
Likely?
The sense of urgency on the field doesn't seem to be pointing towards a major medical issue?
He's being hit with an IV right now on the field as well.
Bryant now being wheeled off the field. Whether to the dressing room or the latter, nothing said yet.
dont know why Zac continues to try to force it to lawler
@Wpg_BlueBombers
Stanley Bryant has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Red zone woes continue
Good to get 3 though
Quote from: DCM on August 24, 2024, 01:02:19 AM@Wpg_BlueBombers
Stanley Bryant has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Best decision, don't mess around with those symptoms.
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 01:01:49 AMdont know why Zac continues to try to force it to lawler
If he has a flaw, that's it.
Hamilton is covering our guys and they are getting some heat on Zach
Lucky was open and a terrible overthrow
Love the draw on 2nd down
streveler plays continue to struggle
We have a position called the RUNNING back...strevler is not it!!
Give the ball to Brady
Red zone stinks
Zac needs to step up his game hes locking in one reciever
repeat
Another long incompletion to Lawler
Quote from: The Zipp on August 24, 2024, 01:23:30 AMWe have a position called the RUNNING back...strevler is not it!!
Give the ball to Brady
Red zone stinks
I just don't get this whole experiment with streveller in our offense. He's our short yardage guy, that's his strength, leave it at that, he's not that talented
Bombers have a pop gun offence
@EdTaitWFC
Kenny Lawler not on the field now for the @Wpg_BlueBombers. Got dinged on that jump ball, it appears
Red zone woes are getting worse
Not even sure what happened - think someone ran a wrong route
Brutal
That was one ugly play!! What was Collaros thinking!?! We re in the red zone, aaaugh, DONT TURN THE BALL OVER!!
another red zone turnover. we lead the league in this, between zac and streveler we've given up a ton of points
Hamilton remembered they have Tim white
@Wpg_BlueBombers
Stanley Bryant is alert and is currently undergoing further evaluation at the hospital. He is stable and with team medical personnel.
Quarterback duel. Seems low intensity by both offences.
What happened to Zach since last season?
Thanks for the updates on Bryant.
Missing the big man on the o-line
That was a great hit on the ball.
Wow, we re missing Big Stan out there tonight. Hope he's ok
did we ever need that! great tackle by i think Jones
Tony Jones is a baller !!!
Quote from: DCM on August 24, 2024, 01:45:11 AMThat was a great hit on the ball.
That was Jones, he's an absolute killer!!
Think Milanovitch walked out. 😄
Glad we scored instead of having to kick a 3
bull sh** that should have been 25 yd penalty against tuck
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 01:53:25 AMbull sh** that should have been 25 yd penalty against tuck
Forget that. Hit the showers????
Now Wallace is down. Think he got rolled up on at the end of the play?
Now gabe Wallace down
Not sure who we have left / Eli?
No more o linemen left. Another injury and we are converting a defensive player
Hamilton is gonna bring heat now. And so they should.
This is gonna be a tough half for the offence - no subs on the o line, no jumbo package, Hamilton gonna test these guys.
Zach is in the danger zone - run the ball and depend on the defence
@EdTaitWFC
Jake Thomas comes out after halftime wearing 62. He's now the backup OL after both Stanley Bryant and Gabe Wallace left the game
Jake Thomas is the Back up lineman
Changed his number this half
3rd and short, not taking chances with the undermanned oline
they've been holding willie all nite
Not ideal
Gonna have to score some points on offence
zac is so worried about the oline he's not doing his job
somebody needs give Bucks some balls
Zach is spooooked and seeing ghosts
Zacs favorite song for lawler ..I only have eyes for you.. And Zac had time on that throw
Why oh why do we keep force feeding it to Lawler? Why?? He clearly can't beat his guy
Zero touchdowns
Two interceptions
Locked on lawler
lol...zach is back to his old ways of losing!!
Need points
it wouldnt be a terrible idea to sit Zac for a series As long as we dont just let strev run
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 02:46:23 AMit wouldnt be a terrible idea to sit Zac for a series As long as we dont just let strev run
If streveller isn't better than what Zack's doing he should be cut.
We would be wise to just pound the rock. Our passing game is killing us
Feltmate down
this is embarrassing...its the ti cats for gawds sake!!!
unbelievable the play calling
Thank goodness for 3 - we were going backwards on that drive
We arent going to be able to beat all these ingame injuries... I dont remember the last game with injuries like this... añthough not sure why defense is getting worse and worse
Maybe the d can score
Man does our offense ever stink. It's actually embarassing, this is the Ticats cats for cripe sakes
gotta take lawler out of the game!!
No pressure on blm
Hamilton wants the win more - plain and simple
Kramdi frequently is just... doing nothing.
we've lost some bad games, but this feels like one of the worst performances
Heading into the 4th down by 1
Right where we want them
zach hasnt had his head in the game the past 2 and a half seasons
Hamilton fired up
We have.... Brady
How do we shut out the lions then let the low life Ticats score 20 in 3 quarters of football. And thank god our special teams scored or we d be down more !! Collaros should be down right embarrassed by his performance tonight. Embarrassed, and Lawler too!! Our 2 high priced mega offensive players are absolutely useless tonight. Useless
no sacks no td s ...team effort
Quote from: markf on August 24, 2024, 02:58:56 AMHamilton fired up
We have.... Brady
Looks like he is hurt
this team has a qb controversy which one sucks the worse
If we have a number one D...it's time to make a mark
Collaros has time, can't seem to decide where to go, or throws it to lawler who is covered.
Any passes to lucky?
Why do we stop running the ball when it is getting us first downs.
This is an important set of downs for the defense.
No pressure and poor coverage -
ok its catching... all three phases struggling
Mitchell carving up our 'championship' D
Our defense is getting tired.
Need a stop now.
Ok offense. We need some points!!
Give the defense a rest.
If I am Chris jones it's intense heat on Zach. Looks like Brady is done
No yards. Should be up 15 which would've helped with field position.
Oh my gosh, he actually threw the ball to Demski!!
Remember guys this Hamilton defence wasn't very good
Zach is lost/scared
Kenny is checked out
Brady is hurt
We again need a stop on defense.
that will be a tough one to overturn
Willie dragged down
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 03:21:08 AMthat will be a tough one to overturn
I thought so too, but that replay I think shows it should be our ball.
The receiver never really has possession.
lol...not the first time the bombers have stunk the joint out in the past 2 and half seasons when they were favs to win...
Seems like Zach can't see what's going on downfield.
Agree... looks lost.
What a joke.... on the challenge
unbelievable the cc screws us again.. he never had control of the ball!
Ouch!
How??
White never had the ball?
Let's stop them!!
Another ridiculous call by command centre. Absolutely ridiculous
Ok. Time for some offensive points.
Should have given up the single. Whitehead isn't that good
Zach is brutal - Strev should get a shot
I wholeheartedly think that should've been an interception FWIW...
Only 4 completions in the 2nd half!!
It's clear to see the MVP of our offense is Mr Stanley Bryant!!
lawler has been a complete bust.
H.S. Kinda did the bed on this one.
it is so hilarious that people think the bombers IF make the playoffs will make some noise....lets face it, making the playoffs is not a realistic goal for this team
Thought that was offensive p.i.
not sure if ive ever had less confidence in our O
Quote from: markf on August 24, 2024, 03:30:32 AMlawler has been a complete bust.
Complete and total bust. Your best players gotta be your best players and he has been invisible tonight. Absolutely invisible
Injuries to two OL meant blocking schemes had to change, which means Zach has less time to throw and starts running for his life. Brady goes down and suddenly our O looks exactly like it did for the preseason and first 4 games of 2024.
Our woes start and end with the OL. Clearly our OL depth is an ongoing issue.
Why are we taking 60 yard shots into double coverage!?!
Just pound the ball
HOW as there no clotheslining/head tackle call on Wilson!?
Quote from: Go_Big_D on August 24, 2024, 03:36:55 AMit is so hilarious that people think the bombers IF make the playoffs will make some noise....lets face it, making the playoffs is not a realistic goal for this team
Sitting in a playoff spot atm but yeah, completely unrealistic.
Ruh roh.
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 03:39:45 AMnot sure if ive ever had less confidence in our O
never been happier to be proved wrong
Oh my gosh, a passing TD!! Good on Collaros for battling back through his worst game as a bomber
I forgot it was Hamilton we were playing...they seem to find a way to lose . I'll take it!
Wow! Just wow! What a gutsy win!
Chris jones led D gives up game winning drive to struggling offence, resulting in a heartbreaking final seconds loss... 😂
Great move milanovitch
Horrible game but we managed to win. I don't want to blame it on injuries but holy smoke: Bryant, Wallace,Feltmate and then Oliveria. Oliveria came back but the status of the other 3 may be significant problems.
Lack of pressure on BLM, coverage mostly good but he had way too long to find receivers.
I couldn't tell who was on the field on defence at times. Saw Noah Hallett, Nick Hallett, ( I think ) Griffin and Ayers on the field at times.Who came off in those instances I don't know.
wow...never did they would pull it off........where was this play in the 3rd quarter.....should never have been this close to begin with....those 2 wins against BC look like now an aberration
Lawler earns a cheque based on 1 play lol
Incredible mental toughness by Zach on that final game winning drive. Never ever bet against this guy.
No it wasn't an int by Alexander.
I repeat why is Johnson still playing? Do we have to play with one hand behind our back on offence?
That was the definition of a character win. Battle through losing two OLinemen for the win. Yeah baby. 1 point out of first. Sweeeeet!
Very ugly win. Bo had far to much time. Nichols and Ford, turned around a few times by White. Zach 3 more Ints. KL89 2/7, 0 for 2 on 50/50 balls, but clutch catch to win the game. Teams very good. Jones 5 DTs and 1 FF, Ayers 4 DTs, Gauthier 1 DT and few missed tackles.
Hats off to the fans, the building was loud and proud again tonight.
Great comments by Zach post game. Says the key was going tempo on that final drive as it kept Hamilton unsettled. Fantastic composure.
Brandon Alexander is back to his old self
Injuries: KL89 (Hand), Feltmate (Ankle), BO20 (Knee), Wallace (Knee), Bryant (Heat).
Bombers deserved to lose but I'm happy for them. They've had some bad luck this year. It's nice to see them win a close one. They can't afford to lose many more, obviously. Good job, Bombers. I'm still very optimistic. I think they play better as underdogs.
Lawler out again? Man oh man.
Ugly ugly win but a win! On to LDC...
We escape. On to the Riders.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 24, 2024, 04:05:30 AMNo it wasn't an int by Alexander.
I repeat why is Johnson still playing? Do we have to play with one hand behind our back on offence?
If our catch and then fumble was not a catch then that was an int. He didnt hold possession it went through his hands and if he had possession he dropped it before he was done into alexanders hands. Alexander had more control of that ball than anyone it was either incomplete or int. But don't matter we would have went two and out with it anyways. That was just a terrible game to watch.
I have to laugh at some of the "chicken littles" on this forum! :D First they are all done like dinner with this team and then calling them heroes after pulling it out. Maybe WAIT to see the final seconds of any CFL game to know what the final result will be! :) Comical! :D Maybe I am just getting too old to be patient with wet behind the ears kids!! :D
Quote from: Blitzer on August 24, 2024, 04:51:26 AMBombers deserved to lose but I'm happy for them. They've had some bad luck this year. It's nice to see them win a close one. They can't afford to lose many more, obviously. Good job, Bombers. I'm still very optimistic. I think they play better as underdogs.
Bull.....are you actually looking at the current standings? Sask in a spiral, same with BC and Calgary. Bombers and Elks on the way up in the second half of the season. Anybody's division to take. The west is so close another loss or two does not take the Bombers out of anything. PLUS they have the tie breakers with both Calgary and BC already and we shall see about Sask and Edmonton. It won't be decided who has playoff positions until the last week of the season probably and the seeding based on how it's looking so far. It's a turtle derby! ;) Who wants it the most?! :D
This "gimme" game tonight vs Hamilton they were VERY LUCKY to pull it out. Could have been a royal choke job, but the wily veteran Collaros pulls it out and Lawler finally earns his paycheque when it counted.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on August 24, 2024, 04:51:49 AMLawler out again? Man oh man.
Ugly ugly win but a win! On to LDC...
I thought he caught the game winning TD? OR did he pull something on that catch I don't know about?
Quote from: ichabod_crane on August 24, 2024, 05:03:59 AMI thought he caught the game winning TD? OR did he pull something on that catch I don't know about?
Lawler injured his hand in the 1st. quarter going for a 50/50 ball. Trainers worked on him for awhile, but he did return.
I'm optimistic that the Bombers can still win the Grey Cup. If they don't end up 10 and 8 then I won't be so optimistic.
Jones earned every penny Ham is paying him... what's that you say?
How does Jones not get flagged every play, he's 5 yards out onto the field most of the time.
Not my favourite game of the year, I much prefer blowouts...
Wallace is probably gone for the year. Neufled is on the 6 game, and we only have 6'6' 315, Vanterpool on the PR. Need to bring in some OL.
@Wpg_BlueBombers
"Stan is feeling a lot better."
Coach O'Shea spoke about Stanley Bryant following Friday's game.
Ugly. Need to be way better next weekend. Offence needs to show up.
Quote from: Blitzer on August 24, 2024, 05:09:54 AMI'm optimistic that the Bombers can still win the Grey Cup. If they don't end up 10 and 8 then I won't be so optimistic.
3 under .500 teams have won the Cup in the last 25 years. We had this topic a few weeks ago.
Prior to that it was only at best some .500 teams which the Bombers were in 1988 when their DEFENCE took them to the Cup win. The 1989 CRYDERS were another .500 team that won the Cup too.
THE BIGGEST EVER GC upset would have been when the 5-12 Ottawa ROUGHRIDERS almost beat the 14-1-1 Esks in 1981! They had a 20-1 halftime lead and then choked the second half. A royal joke of a DOUBLE PASS INTERFERNCE call on Tony Gabriel after he made a huge catch late in the game was the farce of that GC. Ends up Schmoes kick a last play FG to win the game.
That was the season where the cross over rule was debated VERY HOTLY as even the 3-13 Als made the playoffs and the CRYDERS were like 9-7....total nonsense and why eventually the cross over rule came into effect a few years later.
Biggest grey cup upset ever was in 2001 when the prolific Marcus Crandall lead the 8-10 Stamps past our 14-4 bombers. That one still p*sses me off til this day
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 05:42:10 AMBiggest grey cup upset ever was in 2001 when the prolific Marcus Crandall lead the 8-10 Stamps past our 14-4 bombers. That one still p*sses me off til this day
More like a Bombers choke job and Charles Roberts getting blotto (verified to be true many times over) the night before the big game did not help! :( Troy the Boy and his less that 75% lifetime FG success rate also did not help. He would not hack it in today's CFL at all where 80% minimum is asked for!
Mind you TROY THE BOY played on some very pathetic Bombers teams during his career. The odd successful year, but not like the run they are on now.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 24, 2024, 04:17:17 AMHats off to the fans, the building was loud and proud again tonight.
A good chunk were leaving after the 3rd Zach INT late in the 4th. They got the ol' MTL Miracle game treatment listening to the 'OB and the canon going off, LOL
Never. Leave. Early.
Quote from: J5V on August 24, 2024, 04:17:41 AMGreat comments by Zach post game. Says the key was going tempo on that final drive as it kept Hamilton unsettled. Fantastic composure.
This after MOS chewed a fan out on the Coaches Show this week who said we had bad clock management and it was going to lose us games. MOS said we had the best clock management in the league, and we do.
Dude needs to come here, we'll explain to him why we spend most games bleeding clock a lot... then have the best 2 min drill when required.
Kudos to Pokey on that late dart catch in traffic. And kudos to Zach & Kenny for that critical TD. That ball had ZIP. That's what you have Kenny for... many rookies wouldn't handle that zip and would whiff. Anyone doubting Zach still has an arm, check out the speed on that ball.
That last drive looked a lot like our 1-minute-drill MTL Miracle game way back when. Just steady drivin' knowing we have 3 downs.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 24, 2024, 04:05:30 AMI repeat why is Johnson still playing? Do we have to play with one hand behind our back on offence?
Johnson did have 1 good catch where he got fun YAC dragging a defender or 2 for around 5 yards when he should have been downed. That's the grit MOS is referring to, I guess.
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 03:42:26 AMWhy are we taking 60 yard shots into double coverage!?!
I have a theory. It makes no sense that we throw deep when we need to bleed off so much clock. It's dumb, and they've double-covered those routes all night: and they did here too. So are we dumb??
No, I think we start with the bomb for one reason only: misdirection. We are saying "we're willing and wanting to go deep". That loosens the D. A lot. Then we spend every other down throwing the dink & dunk. All the while HAM is still defending the deep threat. (Because many other teams would keep trying for the bomb.)
Or we're dumb. You be the judge!
Quote from: The Zipp on August 24, 2024, 03:28:36 AMShould have given up the single. Whitehead isn't that good
On the missed Leggs FG Lucky played it all wrong. Ya, we could have done the single (surely a coach would tell him what to do beforehand?)... but if we want to run it out you need to do the dance misdirection in the EZ thing then take it wiiiiiide out to the other side. You don't try to hit the hole between 2 gunners! That's what you do in a normal KO situation, not a FG miss!
You need to use your speed in a size/speed mismatch, and that means taking the longest routes everywhere, not busting up a tiny seam into the main coverage!
Someone needs to go over FG scenarios with Lucky again. Grant would have done it right!
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 03:24:47 AMunbelievable the cc screws us again.. he never had control of the ball!
It's the new (as of 3 weeks ago) command guidelines. Makes perfect sense when you understand they are ignore freeze-frame and slow-mo for these.
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 01:01:49 AMdont know why Zac continues to try to force it to lawler
I can think of 275000 reasons why he keeps trying Lawler. Well, at least it paid off on the final O play! (Beauty design and route BTW)
Quote from: Pigskin on August 24, 2024, 05:16:29 AMWallace is probably gone for the year. Neufled is on the 6 game, and we only have 6'6' 315, Vanterpool on the PR. Need to bring in some OL.
Neuf may have been being kept on ice while Randolph was looking all-star. If Big Stan will be out (hoping not!) we'll need a real tackle, and Neuf will be better than Randolph (who got beaten all night at LT).
That would mean Neuf would magically get a clean bill of health from the docs and be back for LDC.
Or Big Stan can just be a flu/heat/food and be back by Sunday!! Cross your fingers!
In any case, you are right in that we need to find at least 1 OL for the hopper immediately. We have the ratio room to start 4 IMP if we need to!! Let's find some beasts and protect Zach again!
Jones already making a huge improvement to that sorry lot in HAM.
D players playing really mean and nasty. I counted at least 5 spear-type late-hit whacks or ankle-twists or roll-overs from that D, not even including that completely illegal late Lucky ST hit.
Just like when he was in SSK, they all start playing dirty. It's coached into them. Everyone is told to get a lick in on any carrier. It's real ugly.
I saw many of our guys doing sneak retaliations. We need to keep that up and punch them in the mouth as hard as they do us.
We won, but everyone got beat up to some degree. Not what we needed before a more critical divisional rivalry week...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 24, 2024, 01:01:24 PMIt's the new (as of 3 weeks ago) command guidelines. Makes perfect sense when you understand they are ignore freeze-frame and slow-mo for these.
I have a hard time believing that. If some media talking head said that, they were mistaken. That's the problem with having the media relay your information.
Not using slo-mo pretty much defeats the purpose of Replay Review. How do you know, or think you know, this (the bolded)?
I could see them ignoring freeze-frame for interference however.
Quote from: bomb squad on August 24, 2024, 02:25:12 PMI have a hard time believing that. If some media talking head said that, they were mistaken. That's the problem with having the media relay your information.
Not using slo-mo pretty much defeats the purpose of Replay Review. How do you know, or think you know, this (the bolded)?
I could see them ignoring freeze-frame for interference however.
�The clear and obvious principle is defined as having a clear, unobstructed view of the action in question, and the correct outcome is obvious when compared to an established standard created by the rules committee and the CFL officiating department.On coaches' challenges and automatic reviews, Replay Officials will have a renewed focus on employing the Clear and Obvious principle in its decision-making.
As per the CFL. That to me means ignoring freeze-frames and slow-mo as there would be bodies in the way while they slow it down to find the right angle, no?
I get the command center was put in place to overturn clear and obvious mistakes, and have put in place mandates to do that. But it was also done to help player safety
The spear an lucky, the clothesline on wilson, several head shots yet crickets.
The league is just doing knee jerk reactions to criticisms vs a well thought out strategy. At this stage they need to take 3-4 gms sit em in a room with someone like Duane Ford to mediate and fix it
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 24, 2024, 01:02:12 PMI can think of 275000 reasons why he keeps trying Lawler. Well, at least it paid off on the final O play! (Beauty design and route BTW)
The key word there is FORCE. If he's not open, he's not open. And the final play was the only one where he was open.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 24, 2024, 12:37:58 PMKudos to Pokey on that late dart catch in traffic. And kudos to Zach & Kenny for that critical TD. That ball had ZIP. That's what you have Kenny for... many rookies wouldn't handle that zip and would whiff. Anyone doubting Zach still has an arm, check out the speed on that ball.
That last drive looked a lot like our 1-minute-drill MTL Miracle game way back when. Just steady drivin' knowing we have 3 downs.
Yes sir! That throw was a Patriot missile between two Hamilton defenders who couldn't make a move on that rocket. Awesome, accurate Patriot missile.
Quote from: GR55 on August 24, 2024, 12:52:50 AMIf I recall correctly, Bryant hasn't missed a start due to injury since signing with Winnipeg.
I do believe that's true. The guy is a marathon man.
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 02:48:49 PMI get the command center was put in place to overturn clear and obvious mistakes, and have put in place mandates to do that. But it was also done to help player safety
The spear an lucky, the clothesline on wilson, several head shots yet crickets.
The league is just doing knee jerk reactions to criticisms vs a well thought out strategy. At this stage they need to take 3-4 gms sit em in a room with someone like Duane Ford to mediate and fix it
The missed clothesline tackle on Wilson was ridiculous. How do 7 officials miss that?! And when they do, why isn't command centre stepping in?? Probably the most egregious whiff by an officiating crew I've seen. It was so obvious, and much more dangerous than a horse collar yet it goes unpunished. Brutal.
Every time someone is surprised by this I'm going to keep reminding that we are not going to get these calls. The league and officials will keep shoving it against us. For some reason which we've already discussed they have it out for us. It has happened too many times now to be ignored or considered a conspiracy theory. Soon the league is going to have to answer for it.
Quote from: J5V on August 24, 2024, 03:57:39 PMEvery time someone is surprised by this I'm going to keep reminding that we are not going to get these calls. The league and officials will keep shoving it against us. For some reason which we've already discussed they have it out for us. It has happened too many times now to be ignored or considered a conspiracy theory. Soon the league is going to have to answer for it.
And yet if you pursue the cesspool riderfans forum they are convinced that the Bombers get all the advantageous calls
Truth is prob in the middle that the refs have no bias and call the game as they see it without concern over who the team is.
The refs don't have a bias towards any team and do call the game the way they see it, I just don't understand how you miss the ball carrier being tackled by a clothesline tackle to his throat!!
There's no point in challenging a call if they have no intentions of overturning calls.
The refs got together on the play and talked about it for a good 20 seconds. If they are unsure on the field of what to call, why are we going with that instead of the great view we had of Alexander picking off that ball? It seemed so clear that White never controlled the ball heading towards the turf. It also was clear it never hit the ground. And then it was clear that Alexander possessed the ball. What was unclear about this one?
Just got me mad again thinking about this call lol
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 04:38:59 PMThe refs don't have a bias towards any team and do call the game the way they see it, I just don't understand how you miss the ball carrier being tackled by a clothesline tackle to his throat!!
Genuine question: is clothesline tackle or head tackle a call? Obviously facemask or horse collar is a call, but I don't know I've ever seen them call a head tackle in the CFL.
Rule 7, article 4i- it is illegal to tackle around the head or straight arm tackle above the shoulders.
The rule is there, it's a player safety issue, call the dam thing!!
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 04:38:59 PMThe refs don't have a bias towards any team and do call the game the way they see it, I just don't understand how you miss the ball carrier being tackled by a clothesline tackle to his throat!!
Silly Boy! According to all the Rider Fans the refs are always on the Bombers side and all hate the Riders!!! ;D
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 03:47:07 PMThe missed clothesline tackle on Wilson was ridiculous. How do 7 officials miss that?! And when they do, why isn't command centre stepping in?? Probably the most egregious whiff by an officiating crew I've seen. It was so obvious, and much more dangerous than a horse collar yet it goes unpunished. Brutal.
I agree, player safety should be their #1 priority, perhaps the CFLPA has to be the body that pushes this agenda. In the game Friday, a Rider DB hit an Argo receiver helmet to helmet almost knocking him out and nobody brought any attention to the vicious infraction including the TSN booth, nor was concussion protocol even mentioned.
Game Recap | HAM 23 WPG 26
"...We showed some resilience and there was lots of opportunity to be resilient tonight, a lot of things going on," added head coach Mike O'Shea. "Everybody wants resilience to be instant in the first opportunity you get to stand and deliver and would like it to be instantaneous. But as long as it shows up before the end of the game, so be it. We learned."
The Blue Bombers have now won three straight and after an 0-4 start, are 5-2 since to climb back into contention....
https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/08/24/game-recap-ham-23-wpg-26/
Quote from: BBRT on August 24, 2024, 05:15:37 PMSilly Boy! According to all the Rider Fans the refs are always on the Bombers side and all hate the Riders!!! ;D
No that's just people in general!!
Quote from: The Zipp on August 24, 2024, 04:04:02 PMAnd yet if you pursue the cesspool riderfans forum they are convinced that the Bombers get all the advantageous calls
Truth is prob in the middle that the refs have no bias and call the game as they see it without concern over who the team is.
Okay, maybe, but the missed straight arm decapitation attempt on Wilson that went uncalled was "as they see it", meaning, it's not a penalty? I don't know about that.
Quote from: J5V on August 24, 2024, 09:45:21 PMOkay, maybe, but the missed straight arm decapitation attempt on Wilson that went uncalled was "as they see it", meaning, it's not a penalty? I don't know about that.
That was 100% a clothesline and its a foul, the guy got jerked right out of his cleats and no call, par for the course
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 10:00:27 PMThat was 100% a clothesline and its a foul, the guy got jerked right out of his cleats and no call, par for the course
Okay, I agree. Can CC not notify the officials (7 of them) that they missed the call? If so, that's 2 levels that either missed it, saw it as a non-infraction, or chose to ignore it. Is there a possibility that I'm missing here?
Quote from: dd on August 24, 2024, 04:54:13 PMRule 7, article 4i- it is illegal to tackle around the head or straight arm tackle above the shoulders.
The rule is there, it's a player safety issue, call the dam thing!!
thanks for clarifying!
What I'd seriously like to see is the video evidence from each team that has a beef with the officials and/or the Command Centre. I don't know who'd have the biggest library of videos but we'd have to be near the top. We've suffered everything from multiple phantom calls to numerous egregious missed calls that beg for attention for the sake of player safety. Do we have to lose a player before the league investigates what is going on with its officials and the command centre? Let's hope not. I'm certainly relieved to know Mr. Wilson didn't suffer any long term effects from a very nasty illegal blow to the head.
It will be interesting if there is a fine for that tackle / clothesline
TOUCHDOWN Redblacks
Quote from: The Zipp on August 25, 2024, 12:08:00 AMIt will be interesting if there is a fine for that tackle / clothesline
There most certainly should be. You can't let that type of foul go, Wilson could have been seriously injured on that play and that foul is completely on the defender, he had to purposely stick his arm out and try to decaptitate Wilson.
Quote from: dd on August 25, 2024, 01:31:41 AMThere most certainly should be. You can't let that type of foul go, Wilson could have been seriously injured on that play and that foul is completely on the defender, he had to purposely stick his arm out and try to decaptitate Wilson.
Yet there is no call on the field and no correction from the CC. How can that possibly be true if everything is on the up and up? I haven't yet heard a good explanation for it. League wide incompetence?
Quote from: J5V on August 25, 2024, 01:48:17 AMYet there is no call on the field and no correction from the CC. How can that possibly be true if everything is on the up and up? I haven't yet heard a good explanation for it. League wide incompetence?
I am not sure what the league protocol is, but on major fouls, command centre should interject and call the foul if it was missed by the on field officials.
For something as obvious as this, I don't know what the on field officials excuse is going to be as at least 2 officials would have had their eyes on the play/receiver.
Just another display of the incompetence that's parading around in striped uniforms.
Quote from: dd on August 25, 2024, 01:56:36 AMI am not sure what the league protocol is, but on major fouls, command centre should interject and call the foul if it was missed by the on field officials.
For something as obvious as this, I don't know what the on field officials excuse is going to be as at least 2 officials would have had their eyes on the play/receiver.
Just another display of the incompetence that's parading around in striped uniforms.
What does it mean that the command centre did not make the correction? Are they trying to support the incompetence of the officials by doing nothing? If so, is that the purpose of the command centre? Or is something else going on here? Either way, I think we need an explanation.
I haven't re-watched the game. Initially I thought it was a close line but it might have been a lower hit that took him down.
Need the slideshow to review. It will be clear one way or the other and wouldn't result in a bad decision by the CC.
Quote from: Waffler on August 24, 2024, 03:25:10 PMThe key word there is FORCE. If he's not open, he's not open. And the final play was the only one where he was open.
If he's in man coverage and he thinks the FS can't get there in time, then it's NOT "forcing" it. It's a 50/50 ball you think your 275000 guy can win more than 50% of the time. That's the theory. In '19 he would have been right.
The problem is it does look like "forcing it" because for whatever reason there's usually 2 defenders in the picture on every Kenny 50/50 ball. That definitely ruins the "50/50" aspect.
I don't know what the solution is to make sure it's just 1-on-1, and to increase the 50/50 odds back to what we're used to with Kenny... but surely there's some solution! If we don't crack that code, no way we can justify Kenn's salary next season.
Quote from: J5V on August 24, 2024, 11:58:42 PMWhat I'd seriously like to see is the video evidence from each team that has a beef with the officials and/or the Command Centre.
Now that we know what command is doing for reviews (in the SSK and TOR game we didn't know all this stuff!), I don't sense any bias by command. Command is basically not overturning hardly anything (ya they did 2 tonight in OTT, but they were obvious in realtime).
So if there's bias causing WPG great harm this season, it has to be by the on-field refs. Like that #22 ref in Proulx's crew. There's no justification for him reaming us twice that way. Maybe after his first horrific botch MOS chirped and so he then stuck it to us on purpose in the 2nd one? Maybe his family was gambling on SSK? Who knows.
And while I do believe on-field refs can be biased or badly botch things, hopefully it is self-limiting in the sense that the league will punish those clowns (like they did the CGY no-end ref), and they likely did the #22 guy for the SSK game. So either the ref is benched or fired, or they are reprimanded and will hopefully not do it again.
The only fly in the ointment is why did command uphold the TOR non-DPI, and then the league told MOS we were right after all? Was there bias with the command head ref? Or is my theory correct that the memo may have read: "yes it was DPI, but not obvious in realtime and thus we will not overturn those". MOS never gave us the wording, and the league hides these secret incantations.
Quote from: DCM on August 24, 2024, 02:35:26 PM�The clear and obvious principle is defined as having a clear, unobstructed view of the action in question, and the correct outcome is obvious when compared to an established standard created by the rules committee and the CFL officiating department.
On coaches' challenges and automatic reviews, Replay Officials will have a renewed focus on employing the Clear and Obvious principle in its decision-making.
As per the CFL. That to me means ignoring freeze-frames and slow-mo as there would be bodies in the way while they slow it down to find the right angle, no?
I don't see how you can make that inference. Besides, if they are now ignoring slo-mo and freeze frame, why not just say so?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 25, 2024, 07:19:47 AMNow that we know what command is doing for reviews (in the SSK and TOR game we didn't know all this stuff!), I don't sense any bias by command. Command is basically not overturning hardly anything (ya they did 2 tonight in OTT, but they were obvious in realtime).
So if there's bias causing WPG great harm this season, it has to be by the on-field refs. Like that #22 ref in Proulx's crew. There's no justification for him reaming us twice that way. Maybe after his first horrific botch MOS chirped and so he then stuck it to us on purpose in the 2nd one? Maybe his family was gambling on SSK? Who knows.
And while I do believe on-field refs can be biased or badly botch things, hopefully it is self-limiting in the sense that the league will punish those clowns (like they did the CGY no-end ref), and they likely did the #22 guy for the SSK game. So either the ref is benched or fired, or they are reprimanded and will hopefully not do it again.
The only fly in the ointment is why did command uphold the TOR non-DPI, and then the league told MOS we were right after all? Was there bias with the command head ref? Or is my theory correct that the memo may have read: "yes it was DPI, but not obvious in realtime and thus we will not overturn those". MOS never gave us the wording, and the league hides these secret incantations.
Thanks for the feedback. I know criticizing the league or the officials is not something any of us really want to do. I don't.
You've slightly missed my point. I'm saying if all teams compiled video evidence of them getting hurt by the officials/CC (including the Riders who seem to think Wpg is favored by the officials) I wonder who'd have the most to gripe about. I believe we win hands down. We have a mountain of video evidence and we're only just past the halfway point of the season. I'd love to see it, present it to the league, and ask for an explanation.
My take on this issue would go something like this ...
If you're an official surely the #1 consideration is your integrity and by proxy the integrity of the CFL. If you see an infraction, call it. If you don't, don't. It's not difficult or asking too much. That's integrity, and if an honest mistake is made, own up to it and try to correct it. I can live with that all day long.
What can't be allowed is any kind of favouritism towards or against a team. An official that engages in favouritism demonstrates a loss of personal integrity and by proxy a loss of integrity for the league. It should be addressed by the league very seriously.
Favouritism is not the same as a mistake. It is not a mistake to flag a team for an infraction that didn't occur (phantom call). It is not a mistake to flag a team for an infraction that didn't occur (phantom call) again a few moments later. It is also not a mistake to not flag a team for an infraction that was, or should have been, clearly visible to that official. That is favouritism.
It also doesn't matter what the reason for the favouritism is; personal bias, relatives betting on the game, personal gain such as financial, physical, mental, or emotional reward, etc.
Favouritism is an attempt to use the influence granted by the league to an official for the benefit or detriment of one team over another. Favouritism destroys the integrity of the league.
When favouritism is encountered the league must act swiftly and decisively to eradicate it not by trying to hide it or otherwise cover it up but by being 100% transparent to all members of the league on what exactly occurred, when and where it occurred, how it was addressed, and how the grieving party is to be compensated, if possible.
Officials that lack integrity should never be allowed in our game under any circumstances. It is the one mandatory requirement.
I don't believe there is any favoritism going on the CFL - the fact that bomber fans think more calls go against the bombers and the Sask fans think the Bombers are favored tells me likely it is a fan bias / lack of understanding of the rules that is happening not an issue with the refs being biased.
It is puzzling when something isn't called on the field and there is a ref nearby...however we are getting an advantageous view either on a replay or sitting high up in the stands...refs can be looking at something different and not see the penalty in real time.
I really have a hard time believing that the CFL or any pro team has crooked referees that have been in their leagues for years.
The problem is with the fans and them being passionate about their teams.
I don't think there is favoritism currently in the CFL but I am not convinced that has always been true. The 1991 season had a lot of strange things that happened that had me questioning the integrity of the league. The Argos were owned by John Candy, Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall. The CFL had a salary cap but the league allowed the Argos to sign Rocket Ishmael which put them way over the salary cap. The CFL then said you could sign a marquis player to a higher deal. The league changed the rules to benefit the Argos and then we saw the referees ignore obvious blocking infractions when Ishmael was returning kicks. I am not saying the fix was in but it sure looked bad.
As a fairly high ranked hockey official many years ago, I have a hard time believing any of the officials in the CFL today are biased or are ignoring calls. It is just not in their make up at that level. On the other hand, I would certainly say that our current crew of officials across the CFL have taken a step back on their ability and talent. Perhaps not the older guys, but the newer recruits are just not that good. A game crew is only as good as their weakest link.
I would challenge the CFL to work hard at their development of game officials.
Did anyone see the handshake between BLM and ZC at the end of the game? I'd love to know what BLM had to say to Zach. They shook, hugged, BLM said something that caused Zach to turn and look sideways, but BLM wouldn't look at Zach and wouldn't make eye contact with him. Zach will probably never tell us but I'll bet it wasn't complimentary.
Quote from: bomb squad on August 25, 2024, 03:07:48 PMI don't see how you can make that inference. Besides, if they are now ignoring slo-mo and freeze frame, why not just say so?
They did admit to ignoring slowmo/freeze! Well, if you can believe the words coming out of TSN booth guys' mouths. They outright said in a couple of games it has to be at full speed. No screwing around with slowmo.
Well, they admitted to not using slowmo for DPI and subjective-type calls. I am inferring, based on every review I've seen since, that they are also not using slowmo in any of the turnover/TD calls. I'm not sure what that leaves left that
can get the slowmo treatment! My guess is nothing.
I wish I could give you the official memo from the league, but these are all super super-cereal secret with Frosted Flakes decoder rings. Us plebes are not worthy to gaze upon the scriptures cast forth from the great Command mountain.
As for "why not just say so"... I dunno, it would ruin their mystique?? Remember, they haven't "just said so" even about the above stuff the booth guys and MOS have admitted to!
Heck, there's an idea, if it's not forbidden by the league, MOS should just read the weekly CFL memos verbatim live on air on every coaches show!!
Quote from: J5V on August 25, 2024, 03:17:56 PMYou've slightly missed my point. I'm saying if all teams compiled video evidence of them getting hurt by the officials/CC (including the Riders who seem to think Wpg is favored by the officials) I wonder who'd have the most to gripe about. I believe we win hands down. We have a mountain of video evidence and we're only just past the halfway point of the season. I'd love to see it, present it to the league, and ask for an explanation.
I get your point. Unless someone does the work, it's hard to say. The problem is we are most in-tune with our team, so we notice the infractions against our team more. If you go read Riderfans, you'll see that they say exactly what you are saying, but against their team! I bet it's the same way on every single forum. They all think the officiating is out to get them. Everyone can't be right if the options are somewhat mutually exclusive!
To do what you ask, someone would have to go through all the games again and keep track of every bad call or bad non-call, as well as all reviews. Even Junkie can't help us much on this one because I doubt he keeps a stat for "got away with one" or "DPI weakness factor". Funny, but maybe I'll start doing that in my tracking for the rest of this year, or next year...
You've pointed out the SSK game and that TOR game, and they are great examples that can help prove your point. However, outside of those games, the reffing hasn't been tooooo bad for us. The #22 SSK thing is the only one that massively stands out as a complete rip-off shafting... and the pain of that one may be skewing our impression of the reffing as a whole. Strangely enough, I haven't seen #22 on field since (and I've been looking), so maybe the league dealt with his throwing that game for us?
I'd be totally supportive if you're the one who wants to rewatch all the games to try to produce an actual "bias stat". In the end, though, it may really just be 1 bad apple ref having a bad day that cost us one game in an emotional manner; and other teams may be similarly bit until the league fires all of the offending clowns.
Quote from: J5V on August 25, 2024, 06:53:12 PMMy take on this issue would go something like this ...
And I'm sure basically 100% of fans 100% agree with all of this. The only problem is when it appears to breakdown, and what the league is going to do about it.
I will add: at least our post-season has been very clean for many seasons. I'd have to go back many seasons to think of a GC that was decided by chintzy DPI. Maybe one in the '15 GC @IGF against OTT (vs EDM) that helped them pull off that win?
Whereas in the NFL superbowl... don't get me started.
Quote from: Bluehawk on August 25, 2024, 07:57:53 PMAs a fairly high ranked hockey official many years ago, I have a hard time believing any of the officials in the CFL today are biased or are ignoring calls.
Except it was
admitted as early as (I think) 2017 when that CGY no-end ref was basically fired for rigging the game against us. They never did give a motive, but I think we learned he was a CGY homer?
Quote from: Bluehawk on August 25, 2024, 07:57:53 PMOn the other hand, I would certainly say that our current crew of officials across the CFL have taken a step back on their ability and talent. Perhaps not the older guys, but the newer recruits are just not that good. A game crew is only as good as their weakest link.
I would challenge the CFL to work hard at their development of game officials.
Well, #22 was about as "older guy" as you can get! Maybe time to give him the gold watch and say "see ya"! But ya, some of the newest pimple-faced
kids refs don't seem ready for prime time yet.
It doesn't help that many of the best/oldest head refs have retired or moved to command: L'il Kim, Firstdown Foxcroft, Bust-A-Move Bradbury... When Proulx finally goes there will be a massive void and I don't think the latest crop are ready to fill it (Commander Data, and the Super Serial guy).
I would make Proulx the ONLY command official when he finally hangs up the cleats.
Quote from: J5V on August 25, 2024, 10:49:33 PMDid anyone see the handshake between BLM and ZC at the end of the game? I'd love to know what BLM had to say to Zach. They shook, hugged, BLM said something that caused Zach to turn and look sideways, but BLM wouldn't look at Zach and wouldn't make eye contact with him. Zach will probably never tell us but I'll bet it wasn't complimentary.
I just checked, and I wouldn't read too much into that short scene... BUT, it makes for a great "caption this" setup!!
In my perfect world, Zach said: "we showed you what kind of team you were". ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Pete on August 24, 2024, 02:48:49 PMThe league is just doing knee jerk reactions to criticisms vs a well thought out strategy. At this stage they need to take 3-4 gms sit em in a room with someone like Duane Ford to mediate and fix it
The CFL and its entire rule book seems like nothing but "knee jerk reactions to criticisms". Seriously, start diving into anything in the book and it's all tacked-on badly worded ambiguous junk, that was only added when something was clearly wrong. They are loathe to ever gut a section and reword everything, even when it's necessary.
My young son can write better, clearer and more concise than that.
But the worst has got to be all the game-altering weekly memos and command guidelines that we don't even get to read. We are left to divine their contents from the reading of tea leaves and chicken entrails left by Forde and Farhan.
Quote from: bomb squad on August 24, 2024, 02:25:12 PMNot using slo-mo pretty much defeats the purpose of Replay Review. How do you know, or think you know, this (the bolded)?
Because I took the only information we are privy to -- everything booth guys and MOS have leaked to us -- and then studied every single reviewed play in the last 3-ish weeks, as well as what they were doing earlier in the season.
I created a hypothesis as to what the new guidelines actually are (which I've spelled out on this forum many times). I then tested every reviewed play against that hypothesis. Every single review outcome was predicted by my hypothesis. 100%. By the scientific method, my hypothesis is thus correct (or correct "enough"), until it is proven wrong by a future review that breaks it, or if command clearly says it's wrong (e.g. publicly state "we do still use slowmo/freeze for some/most/all reviews as the determining factor").
Even adding in this week's reviews, of which there were many, my hypothesis still stands and my prediction rate is still 100%.
On the flip side, those who disagree with my hypothesis are still left baffled and angry at some of the recent reviewed calls (not just this forum either). Because they are still under the impression command works the same as last year, or has made minor tweaks. In reality command has made an insane, major, fundamental change.
It's all fun & games and conjecture and banter for us fans here: but for the HCs (especially our own), understanding what command will do is critical to using challenges and timeouts wisely!! Look at how many HCs are still getting shafted with "upholds" -- even our own in this week's game!
Props to Kenny for that last TD. On rewatch he clearly got his leg/ankle hurt a couple of plays before on a shady tackle where the guy was doing the ol' Wynn ankle twist on the ground. He was wincing but waved off his mates and brushed it off.
And he had whatever finger/hand thing he got early in the game.
It's been a terribly rough year for him, and it's nice to see his first 2024 TD be a game-changer. I believe very few of our receivers could have caught that ball with such Zach zip. And he had to do a jump-reverse thing too as it was (deliberately) thrown slightly behind him where the only hole was.
This may be the start of the Zach/Kenny mojo revival!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 25, 2024, 07:08:55 AMIf he's in man coverage and he thinks the FS can't get there in time, then it's NOT "forcing" it. It's a 50/50 ball you think your 275000 guy can win more than 50% of the time. That's the theory. In '19 he would have been right.
The problem is it does look like "forcing it" because for whatever reason there's usually 2 defenders in the picture on every Kenny 50/50 ball.
might be trying to build confidence. Trying to do things that they are no longer able to do. That includes the forty yard passes, that the team keeps trying, that do not work very well anymore.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 26, 2024, 04:39:31 AMStrangely enough, I haven't seen #22 on field since (and I've been looking), so maybe the league dealt with his throwing that game for us?
Clearly not looking hard enough - he has had assignments (plural) since then.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on August 26, 2024, 05:22:21 PMClearly not looking hard enough - he has had assignments (plural) since then.
I'm not surprised, I was just being hopeful. Unless you're at the game reading the pregame ref roster on the jumbotron, it's generally hard to discern who the officials are just from the TSN broadcasts (ex the head ref).
I guess 22 just got a couple of demerits on his scorecard and that's that. Who cares if 2 fake DPIs cost us the game, eh?
I guess all that matters is how ya finish. ;D
Dave Naylor came out with the first TSN relay of the memo regarding adjusted criteria for Command Center reviews. That was Aug. 15 just before that weeks telecasts got underway. Key points as follows:
1. "There will be a renewed emphasis on "clear and obvious"
2. "On Pass Interference, ie "bang,bang" play, if they have to slow it down to "freeze-
frame" to see PI, it means it's not clear and obvious. Other than that, no mention of
the use or non-use of slo-motion.
The link is here: https://www.tsn.ca/video/the-league-is-taking-this-very-seriously-naylor-on-cfl-command-c~2977371
Then came that weeks telecasts and the distortion of the message. I'm just going by memory here. First it was Paul Lapolice. Said slow-motion was no longer going to be used in PI reviews. That was inaccurate. It was freeze-frame slow-motion. Big difference there. Then it was Duane Ford. I can't remember exactly what he said, but something to the effect of slow-motion no longer being used. His was just flat out incorrect.
I would be inclined to trust Dave Naylor's account simply because it makes much, much more sense. Having replay review and not using slow-motion simply defies common sense.
Quote from: bomb squad on August 28, 2024, 06:28:46 PMDave Naylor came out with the first TSN relay of the memo regarding adjusted criteria for Command Center reviews. That was Aug. 15 just before that weeks telecasts got underway. Key points as follows:
1. "There will be a renewed emphasis on "clear and obvious"
2. "On Pass Interference, ie "bang,bang" play, if they have to slow it down to "freeze-
frame" to see PI, it means it's not clear and obvious. Other than that, no mention of
the use or non-use of slo-motion.
The link is here: https://www.tsn.ca/video/the-league-is-taking-this-very-seriously-naylor-on-cfl-command-c~2977371
Then came that weeks telecasts and the distortion of the message. I'm just going by memory here. First it was Paul Lapolice. Said slow-motion was no longer going to be used in PI reviews. That was inaccurate. It was freeze-frame slow-motion. Big difference there. Then it was Duane Ford. I can't remember exactly what he said, but something to the effect of slow-motion no longer being used. His was just flat out incorrect.
I would be inclined to trust Dave Naylor's account simply because it makes much, much more sense. Having replay review and not using slow-motion simply defies common sense.
Makes sense, but the Alexander pick was not a PI challenge, it was a complete catch challenge, and that should include super slow motion to assure possession. Even full speed, though, there was no clear possession by the receiver at any time, and with regular slow motion it was a pick, clear and obvious. The ruling on the field should have been overturned, and I hope tht the CFL comes out and declares the got that one wrong. That mea culpa would then give the command centre the option to make proper calls and even call down on these as well.
Its easy for them to admit it, because in the final adjudication, it did not affect the outcome.
Reallt not expecting them to actually do the right thing, though.
How the onus can be on anything other than getting the call absolutely right regardless of what the official saw or thinks he saw in real time is mind numbing to me.
Look at MLB. Those officials can call a base runner safe or out to within a few thousands of a second and a few millimeters of the base runner's foot touching that bag and get it right 99% of the time with or without slow motion replay. It's amazing that they get it right as often as they do with such bang-bang precision.
Surely our officials can do a much better job of getting the calls right too. The goal of replay is not to embarrass an official but to make the right call. Egos be damned. For heaven's sake, just get the right call made by whatever means possible and reward the players for plays that are actually made and stop with these phantom non/calls, phantom non/catches, and phantom non/INTs just because the right call apparently couldn't be made in real time. I call BS.
Quote from: bomb squad on August 28, 2024, 06:28:46 PMThen came that weeks telecasts and the distortion of the message. I'm just going by memory here. First it was Paul Lapolice. Said slow-motion was no longer going to be used in PI reviews. That was inaccurate. It was freeze-frame slow-motion. Big difference there. Then it was Duane Ford. I can't remember exactly what he said, but something to the effect of slow-motion no longer being used. His was just flat out incorrect.
I would be inclined to trust Dave Naylor's account simply because it makes much, much more sense. Having replay review and not using slow-motion simply defies common sense.
Except if they are still using slowmo/freeze on some/many types of reviews, then they have been botching a whack ton of calls! Only if you take freezeframe/slowmo out of the final decision does then all of a sudden every single call they've made since a few weeks ago makes perfect sense.
So they may de jure imply they still use slowmo (either all or some times), but to my eye it seems they de facto are not.
So what do you want to believe: that command is more incompetent than ever (possible!), or that they are doing what I've been suggesting?
I do want to reiterate that I believe they are using slowmo and maybe even freeze-frame to find possible flaws with good angles, but then using that same angle at full speed to make the final decision.
So, for example, slowmo all of BA37's turnover to determine there could be something to that theory, but then playing those same angles only full speed to decide if it's "clear and obvious" in real time. If you do that, then every call makes sense: BA37's INT, MTL QB's OOB-TD, basically every DPI upheld (and the 2-3 overturned), etc.
I'm telling you guys, if you still hold out hope that slowmo means anything to them, you'll be disappointed and angry every single week. And MOS will continue to lose challenges. I really want TSN to start showing the challenged plays in realtime more, without much in the way of slowmo. Why show the slowmo to make the fans angry that they are then going to "botch" the call?
Did you notice the overturned DPIs they did this last week? They were both so horrifically egregious that a blind vole could have seen them at triple speed. Ya, that's the only calls you'll ever get overturned anymore in 2024.
One more time shall we? This will serve as momentum heading into the LDC.
The Game Winning Drive (https://twitter.com/i/status/1829163559793639933)
TORONTO — The Canadian Football League has announced that six players have been fined Week 12's games.
Saskatchewan defensive back DaMarcus Fields has been fined for delivering a high hit on Toronto wide receiver Makai Polk.
Winnipeg linebacker Tanner Cadwallader has been fined for delivering a blindside block on Hamilton long-snapper Gordon Whyte.
Winnipeg defensive back Brandon Alexander has been fined for delivering a high hit on Hamilton wide receiver Kiondré Smith.
Hamilton fullback James Tuck has been fined for making late unnecessary contact with Winnipeg wide receiver Lucky Whitehead.
BC defensive lineman Juliano Falaniko has been fined for clipping Ottawa fullback Anthony Gosselin.
Montreal defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund has been fined for delivering a high hit on Edmonton quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/30/six-players-fined-from-week-12-games/?utm_source=dlvr.it
Quote from: gobombersgo on August 30, 2024, 08:03:00 PMTORONTO — The Canadian Football League has announced that six players have been fined Week 12's games.
Saskatchewan defensive back DaMarcus Fields has been fined for delivering a high hit on Toronto wide receiver Makai Polk.
Winnipeg linebacker Tanner Cadwallader has been fined for delivering a blindside block on Hamilton long-snapper Gordon Whyte.
Winnipeg defensive back Brandon Alexander has been fined for delivering a high hit on Hamilton wide receiver Kiondré Smith.
Hamilton fullback James Tuck has been fined for making late unnecessary contact with Winnipeg wide receiver Lucky Whitehead.
BC defensive lineman Juliano Falaniko has been fined for clipping Ottawa fullback Anthony Gosselin.
Montreal defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund has been fined for delivering a high hit on Edmonton quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
https://www.cfl.ca/2024/08/30/six-players-fined-from-week-12-games/?utm_source=dlvr.it
I expect these calls have been reviewed and approved by the CC to maintain the scales of justice!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 30, 2024, 10:04:05 PMI expect these calls have been reviewed and approved by the CC to maintain the scales of justice!
Which is why we're the only team to get fined twice.
Quote from: gobombersgo on August 30, 2024, 08:03:00 PMWinnipeg linebacker Tanner Cadwallader has been fined for delivering a blindside block on Hamilton long-snapper Gordon Whyte.
Winnipeg defensive back Brandon Alexander has been fined for delivering a high hit on Hamilton wide receiver Kiondré Smith.
Wow, didn't notice anything amiss while watching live or on TV... anyone know when these occurred? I like to keep up on what the league is getting in a wad about.
Quote from: gobombersgo on August 30, 2024, 08:03:00 PMHamilton fullback James Tuck has been fined for making late unnecessary contact with Winnipeg wide receiver Lucky Whitehead.
Good! Hope it was the max!! Always thought Tuck was a decent NAT... not anymore!
Hey, does anyone know if teams
have to complain to the league to get some of these looked at, or does the league just comb all the footage to spot the egregious?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 31, 2024, 02:08:50 AMWow, didn't notice anything amiss while watching live or on TV... anyone know when these occurred? I like to keep up on what the league is getting in a wad about.
It'd sure be nice if the CFL included a video package along with their fine announcements so fans coaches and refs. could get a better handle on what they see as egregious.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 31, 2024, 02:21:34 AMIt'd sure be nice if the CFL included a video package along with their fine announcements so fans coaches and refs. could get a better handle on what they see as egregious.
That would be useful and logical! So guaranteed the league doesn't do it. :P :P :P
Oh, and transparent! Can't have any transparency! Heaven forbid...
Fun fact: on our final TD we had an O set with both Brady & Johnny in the backfield. Ultimately they were just blockers. But HAM brought their 3 DL plus 3 LB (critical). I think we forced them to expect/respect a run there on 2nd down. They probably would have preferred to rush 3 and drop nearly everyone into zone, and that would have been death for our call.
Buck setup a brilliant strong-side + boundary scheme with 2 clearing routes and an uncharacteristic short crosser to Kenny. Kenny ran a superb route gaining inside leverage. All of those corner fades and corner jumps we've been doing with him probably let him trick the DB into cheating outside.
Zach was nearly perfect with his timing. Could have probably done one less mini-pump to shave a tenth or so, but in the end it didn't matter. The zip was enough and sure-hand Kenny wasn't gonna drop his first TD of the season on a fairly uncontested catch!