Official Game Day Thread - Hamilton at Winnipeg - June 9, 2023

[ModAdmin]

Season opener tomorrow!  Bo Levi Mitchell's first meaningful game as a TiCat.  A Bomber offence without Kenny Lawler.  A Bomber defence without Casey Sales.  Is Adam Bighill 100%?  Will Dalton Schoen pick up where he left off last season?  Will the real #2 quarterback please stand up?

Lots of questions/intrigue which should begin to clear up after the opening whistle to start off the 2023 season.

Rasheed Bailey talks about why he decided to continue to be a Blue Bomber following free agency...

..."Sometimes when you get into this profession you forget it's not forever. It's not for a lifetime that you play this game. It's important for me to come to work with people I want to work with, and I couldn't imagine going to work with people who don't want to put the time and work in. With this group, I know everybody is coming to work from the coaching staff to the people who work in the locker room and training room - I know they're coming to work with their lunch pail and hard hat and trying to win another championship.

"I work extremely hard. I am one of the best in this league and when No. 88 puts his jersey on, I bring a different type of passion. I also love this place. I'm proud of playing my part in building something special here and I'd be damned if I would have left here knowing the mission was still not complete. We've got work to do. I've got work to do - not just in this locker room but in the community.

"They say that 'money doesn't buy happiness,'" Bailey added. "It's about relationships and situations that can change your life. I have that here. I know there's more to do here. And so now it's time to go on another run."....

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/06/07/48-hour-primer-2023-home-opener/

Depth Chart here...

https://twitter.com/JohnDHodge/status/1666820241748541442/photo/1

Big crowd expected at IG Field for the opener.  Literally, magic at half time!  Let's Go Bombers!

[Lincoln Locomotive]

I'm glad Bailey decided to stay with us...he brings an element of passion.that is infectious.....can't wait for the leather to start poppin'

[NewBlue]

Going to be honest, I'm a little nervous about this game. 

[Jesse]

Going to be honest, I'm a little nervous about this game. 

Hard not to be nervous with our years of futility still stuck in our minds.

No reason we don't smash through the entire league as long as Zach attack is still humming along.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Going to be honest, I'm a little nervous about this game. 

makes two of us....BLM may either surprise us with a statement game....or the Cat defence will make life miserable for Zach.    I'm expecting a close game with these two teams projected (by some) to meet in Hamilton in the GC game.

Currently, there are too many unknowns regarding key players and the Kenny Lawler situation really threw me for a loop.  Of course I'm hoping my "gut feeling" is just a digestive disorder....Go Bombers go!!!

[blue_or_die]

Re nerves going into tomorrow?I?ve felt that every year given the CFL has so much turn over and teams (both ourselves and our opponents) all have significant offseason churn so who knows how it will shake out. My concern is less over us being a worse team and more: how good will the Ti-Cats be under BLM? Will we have rust and take a few weeks to click? Is not having Lawler super impactful?

Less concern that we will be bad and more ?we just don?t know anything yet?.

I?m sure Zach and co. will mend all of that.

[The Zipp]

Early games are harder to predict as there will be some rust, rookies playing in their first pro game are gonna make mistakes, timing will be off even for vets.

The Bombers are always going to be in the game, I think Friday will be close and wouldn't it be great to see a walk off Sergio FG for the first win....

[ModAdmin]

Burtenshaw, Wilson, Hansen, Rose and Parker are on the 6 game injury list. Eli and Lawson on te 1 game injury list.

[theaardvark]

With Hamilton loading up to make a run for home crown GC, and ending the leagues longest drought, they are going to be a team to watch.  We have our share of nicks and bruises, but we are fielding pretty much the same team as last year, from ST subs to HC.  So we should be fine.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Nervous? We have been to 3 straight cups! Winning 2! 2 time defending MOP in Mr. C.

What me worry!?!?

I take a liking to a 32- 18 score

We win handily.

[Pigskin]

Would have liked to see another DT and one less WLB. Maybe Thomas backing up Walker.

[Jesse]

Would have liked to see another DT and one less WLB. Maybe Thomas backing up Walker.

lol, how about an extra DB?

[kkc60]

lol, how about an extra DB?

Very odd depth chart. Absolutely no depth at DB and DT.

[Pigskin]

lol, how about an extra DB?

With Rose and Parker out, we are a little thin there also.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Very odd depth chart. Absolutely no depth at DB and DT.

This could be the beginning of the downfall, inability to shore up existing infrastructure in the off-season leads to greater stress on critical components which leads to an erosion in competitiveness.  Next up, infighting and barbarism.

[M.O.A.B.]

Very odd depth chart. Absolutely no depth at DB and DT.

Not really. We have 5 Americans (6 including Darby) and 3 Canadians. Last year we carry 7-2 American/Canadian DBs most of the time.
I say Kramdi and Hallett are solid. Kelly has the potential to be good also.

Last year our DIs were KR, LB, DL and DB. We still carry KR, LB, DL.
Now we carry K as the other. This is expected because of the change in ST (from Leggs to Castillo)

[theaardvark]

lol, how about an extra DB?

Isn't Grant able to come in as a Fake Nat DB?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Isn't Grant able to come in as a Fake Nat DB?

Yes, but only if Jake takes on kick returns.

[LXTSN]

I didn't love what I saw from Holm last year, but I'm hoping he can be better this year!
Having Rose and Parker on the 6-game to start the year will be rough if he can't keep up!

[TecnoGenius]

I didn't love what I saw from Holm last year, but I'm hoping he can be better this year!
Having Rose and Parker on the 6-game to start the year will be rough if he can't keep up!

Ya, I was thinking cut Holm last year.  Or PR him, which we did, I think.  BUT lots of reports of a great camp this year for Holm, and reports of good PS play.  Sometimes it takes a DB a year of settling in.  We all need to now pray that Holm has upped his game.

I do have faith in Hallett to step up if required.  Probably by moving BA out to HB/CB if there's an injury.

[pjrocksmb]

My buddy says Hammy has starters hurt on the OL

Bad OL plus not sure how Bo will play?

Hall and his merry men will feast.

Send the house.

[TecnoGenius]

What's the pattern over the years with CGY?  Does a single player make CGY great, or does CGY make single players great?  It's the latter!

So all this talk of BLM?  He's never played for anyone but CGY.  In his prime he may have made CGY better.  But he wasn't the secret sauce that made them great.  CGY is great because the system and the discipline is great.  They don't suffer fools and will kick your butt to the curb faster than any other team.

Look at every "great" QB after they left CGY.  Hot garbage.  Last good one was Glenn.  That's a long time ago.

When you combine the facts that BLM was washed-up enough to be benched in CGY for not-very-good Maier, and CGY always makes QBs look better than they are, I think over the whole season BLM is going to be a major bust for HAM.  But very few people realize this and HAM GM/HC are counting on this so they have their excuse for not getting anywhere near the '23 home GC.  "Look, we tried our best by bringing in the HoFer BLM, but he was a bust and made us stink and lose."  I'm not even going to say it's a gamble anymore: it's just an "out" for continuing to be a bottom-tier team.

As such, I expect Bo to stink rocks on Friday.  I look forward to his (near) future career on the TSN panel.

[pjrocksmb]

What's the pattern over the years with CGY?  Does a single player make CGY great, or does CGY make single players great?  It's the latter!

So all this talk of BLM?  He's never played for anyone but CGY.  In his prime he may have made CGY better.  But he wasn't the secret sauce that made them great.  CGY is great because the system and the discipline is great.  They don't suffer fools and will kick your butt to the curb faster than any other team.

Look at every "great" QB after they left CGY.  Hot garbage.  Last good one was Glenn.  That's a long time ago.

When you combine the facts that BLM was washed-up enough to be benched in CGY for not-very-good Maier, and CGY always makes QBs look better than they are, I think over the whole season BLM is going to be a major bust for HAM.  But very few people realize this and HAM GM/HC are counting on this so they have their excuse for not getting anywhere near the '23 home GC.  "Look, we tried our best by bringing in the HoFer BLM, but he was a bust and made us stink and lose."  I'm not even going to say it's a gamble anymore: it's just an "out" for continuing to be a bottom-tier team.

As such, I expect Bo to stink rocks on Friday.  I look forward to his (near) future career on the TSN panel.

Bo will be average and impacted the most by how well they run and how the OL plays.

Our DTs in rotation need to step up and we need good coverage.

Everything else should be gravy.  Ok we shall see how the punting is.

[Blue In BC]

Isn't Grant able to come in as a Fake Nat DB?

A player may come in at another position but only when the Designated Canadian comes out. So we could have made Thomas that Canadian and had Grant come in as a 6th DB.

Now the problem is that Grant is not a DB and he can only replace one Designated Canadian. I didn't hear any mention of whether a Nationalized American do that for a player on each side of the ball. Another loophole question.

Only having one Canadian starter on defence is an on going issue for a multitude or reasons. This just adds to the pile.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Grant is listed as a starter.

[Blue In BC]

Grant is listed as a starter.

He's one of the 4 DI's regardless of how they have him listed. Going through the roster we know who the actual starters are and who the 4 DI's are.

[TecnoGenius]

Now the problem is that Grant is not a DB and he can only replace one Designated Canadian. I didn't hear any mention of whether a Nationalized American do that for a player on each side of the ball. Another loophole question.

Tweet rule #2 answers that question for us now, thankfully.  Can "be replaced in-game by the DNA on the correspoding side of the ball".  So O DNA can sub in for O DNS/DNSB.  D DNA can sub in for D DNS/DNSB.  O DNA cannot sub onto D.  D DNA cannot sub onto O.

[ModAdmin]

Nik Kowalski
@nik_kowalski
1h
When I say Vernon Adams Jr. is the best QB in the CFL most of you think I?m funny but I?m not even kidding

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah...I think we might beg to differ!

[GOLDMEMBER]

Nik Kowalski
@nik_kowalski
1h
When I say Vernon Adams Jr. is the best QB in the CFL most of you think I?m funny but I?m not even kidding

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah...I think we might beg to differ!

twitter land of the waste.

[Blue In BC]

Tweet rule #2 answers that question for us now, thankfully.  Can "be replaced in-game by the DNA on the correspoding side of the ball".  So O DNA can sub in for O DNS/DNSB.  D DNA can sub in for D DNS/DNSB.  O DNA cannot sub onto D.  D DNA cannot sub onto O.

Yeah I'm not so sure. It's a loophole that might get challenged. Some players can actually play both sides of the ball.

The rule was just sorted out to some degree about 1 1/2 days before the 1st game. I'd imagine it went through a bunch of changes and could see more as early as next week. Once they see how teams are using it or what complaints / questions they get after week one games.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Ya, I was thinking cut Holm last year.  Or PR him, which we did, I think.  BUT lots of reports of a great camp this year for Holm, and reports of good PS play.  Sometimes it takes a DB a year of settling in.  We all need to now pray that Holm has upped his game.

I do have faith in Hallett to step up if required.  Probably by moving BA out to HB/CB if there's an injury.

BLM will be testing him and Nicholls will be beside him.....our D needs to pressure BLM because once he gets in a rhythm he can pick you apart.    Same with Houston who was exploited by Harris in the PS games.
If BLM is allowed to get comfortable back there it may be a long night for our D.....
As I have mentioned earlier my gut feeling is we lose the home opener in a close one.....despite what all the pundits are saying about our team and ranking them as numero uno and the team to beat....I do hope I'm dead wrong on this and the Bombers throttle the Cats as for me I have always disliked them since the very first day I became a Bomber fan in the early 60s.

[squonk]

Good lord, I hope the team has more confdence than this board... GO BLUE!

[DM83]

I also am apprehensive.  I have not seen good things from most of the Bomber players.

Yeah if this was last year, we had a pass rush, nor a lot of country club injuries, and some play makers on defence.  I mean if you were Hamilton, who would you not want to direct plays at?

Hammy has seen the game film.  If I am them,...... run it between the tackles, add a sweep here and there, go play action.  I have not seen any significant stops by the defence,  DBs were beaten like a drum.

Hope the Blue can stop the Cats pass rush.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I also am apprehensive.  I have not seen good things from most of the Bomber players.

Yeah if this was last year, we had a pass rush, nor a lot of country club injuries, and some play makers on defence.  I mean if you were Hamilton, who would you not want to direct plays at?

Hammy has seen the game film.  If I am them,...... run it between the tackles, add a sweep here and there, go play action.  I have not seen any significant stops by the defence,  DBs were beaten like a drum.

Hope the Blue can stop the Cats pass rush.

Yikes! Can't imagine what your posts would be like if we weren't living through some dynasty years.

[LXTSN]

Yikes! Can't imagine what your posts would be like if we weren't living through some dynasty years.

That's a scary thought

[LXTSN]

I also am apprehensive.  I have not seen good things from most of the Bomber players.

Yeah if this was last year, we had a pass rush, nor a lot of country club injuries, and some play makers on defence.  I mean if you were Hamilton, who would you not want to direct plays at?

Hammy has seen the game film.  If I am them,...... run it between the tackles, add a sweep here and there, go play action.  I have not seen any significant stops by the defence,  DBs were beaten like a drum.

Hope the Blue can stop the Cats pass rush.

If this is a serious question, I would think the Ticats will try to avoid Willie Jefferson, Adam Bighill and Deatrick Nichols. They are 3 of the elite players in the CFL at their positions.

[theaardvark]

Bighill and Alexander are coming downhill on runs up the gut.  If you can get a consistent 5+ yards against that, sure.  Not sure they can, and the RB is gonna get beat up good...

[TecnoGenius]

twitter land of the waste.

Hey don't dis twitter, it's now the official communication channel for the CFL rulebook 

[GOLDMEMBER]

Good lord, I hope the team has more confdence than this board... GO BLUE!

No kidding! I for one think we will stand strong.

[GOLDMEMBER]

I also am apprehensive.  I have not seen good things from most of the Bomber players.

Yeah if this was last year, we had a pass rush, nor a lot of country club injuries, and some play makers on defence.  I mean if you were Hamilton, who would you not want to direct plays at?

Hammy has seen the game film.  If I am them,...... run it between the tackles, add a sweep here and there, go play action.  I have not seen any significant stops by the defence,  DBs were beaten like a drum.

Hope the Blue can stop the Cats pass rush.

Holy crap man! Take a breath. We have a bloody great team. Enjoy it instead of being a doggie downer each and every day! -!

[pjrocksmb]

Yikes! Can't imagine what your posts would be like if we weren't living through some dynasty years.

All you have to do is go back in time to the pre dynasty years (on this forum) and you will remember what is was like. 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

All you have to do is go back in time to the pre dynasty years (on this forum) and you will remember what is was like. 

Right. But back then the frustration and criticism was largely justified.

[BBRT]

Holy crap man! Take a breath. We have a bloody great team. Enjoy it instead of being a doggie downer each and every day! -!

As for me I am just glad to see the CFL back in action. I will hold off until about game 3 before I have much to say - at this point in time it is still sort of training camp. It is a long season and lots will happen between now and then. The team you see on the field today may not be the same team you see come fall. I have a few concerns that I believe will sort themselves out as we progress through the year.

Was at the Calgary game yesterday and very hot day. I must admit I did enjoy seeing Calgary lose!

[DM83]

OK boys, just trying to get some peer support in these downtroddin times, of no Jets, and rediculous humidity, and a ran on defence.
My apologies.
Bring the heat (on the field)!

[The Zipp]

As for me I am just glad to see the CFL back in action. I will hold off until about game 3 before I have much to say - at this point in time it is still sort of training camp. It is a long season and lots will happen between now and then. The team you see on the field today may not be the same team you see come fall. I have a few concerns that I believe will sort themselves out as we progress through the year.

Was at the Calgary game yesterday and very hot day. I must admit I did enjoy seeing Calgary lose!

Stands looked pretty sparse on TV...was the game promoted at all?

[BBRT]

Stands looked pretty sparse on TV...was the game promoted at all?

not really promoted all that much.  I have been a season ticket holder in Calgary for around 15 years now (disclaimer - I support the Bombers too - still maintain my season tickets and give them to family still living in the Peg) and attendance has really dropped off. Not sure what the major issue is as the team is always solid year in year out.

Just not the same level of interest year over year it seems. Everyone takes shots at the stadium but all in all it is still not a bad place to watch a game. And to be frank I really do not always use my season tickets and there have been times when I could not give them away.

[TecnoGenius]

Weather is shaping up real nice for tonight.  Not as hot as predicted, 25C max.  So far a nice wind to cool it off even more.  If that sticks around it might make the toss and kick game spicy.  Should be no rain the whole time.

No excuses for people not to go tonight!

GO BLUE!

[Lincoln Locomotive]

As it has been stated by other posters.....we are at the beginning of the season and the next 3 games will answer a lot of questions about our team and other teams.   Having a "gut feeling" is just what it is and it's not based on anything really and it's not being negative or a Debbie downer either.

Fact is, we have a great team assembled and every team in the league is going to give us their best shot each and every time, including BLM and the TiCats who are here to make a statement.

That being said, I also am not prone to being rabidly and blindly rah rah pro Bombers and after 60 plus years of being nothing but a loyal Bomber fan, through both lean years and glory years, have earned the right to express my view point.  

I respect each and every poster on this forum, even if I don't always agree with them and I hope everyone on this site does too!

Go Bombers and throttle BLM and the Cats!!

[TecnoGenius]

I respect each and every poster on this forum, even if I don't always agree with them and I hope everyone on this site does too!

I'm up for that!

My take is BLM & Cats may want to impress but our team has a fire inside like no other because of that GC loss.  This game will be their first shot at avenging the loss.  We may put a beat down on the Cats, whose performance will 100% hinge on Bo.

[TecnoGenius]

I want to see Zach run for 0 yards today.  ZERO.  I want no attempts.  NONE.  If it ain't there and contain is in place, pull a Matty Ice and chuck it away.

In fact, I want this in place all season long.

[Pigskin]

A little windy out there. Good test for our new punter.

[GOLDMEMBER]

A little windy out there. Good test for our new punter.

hopefully Sergio is on? no pressure dude. lol

[TecnoGenius]

hopefully Sergio is on? no pressure dude. lol

Haha.... what's the O/U on how many weeks until fans run this kicker out of town? 

Like I said, he needs to at least beat Leggs %'s by a bit, and do so by mid-season, or people will get restless.  And I'm the last guy to run kickers out of town!

Go Sergio!  Make us proud and woohoo again after another cup win!

[Blue In BC]

I was wrong. Mike Miller and Brian Cole moved to 1 game IR. Damian Jackson and Szott activated to AR from PR for tonight.

Whether these are actually injuries or more of strategic moves, IDK. An extra OL to use as some sort of blocker as a TE and depth against a ferocious TiCat DL?

Jackson is about 40 lbs heavier than Cole so is he going to see some work on defence that Cole wouldn't have?  Essentially the question is whether this is to improve defensive depth is a specific way? Jackson is the same size as Haba playing at DE.

Ok. He's an ex seal. Seek and destroy.

Just spit balling. It will be something else to watch to see if these players are used and how.

[gobombersgo]

I was wrong. Mike Miller and Brian Cole moved to 1 game IR. Damian Jackson and Szott activated to AR from PR for tonight.

Whether these are actually injuries or more of strategic moves, IDK. An extra OL to use as some sort of blocker as a TE and depth against a ferocious TiCat DL?

Jackson is about 40 lbs heavier than Cole so is he going to see some work on defence that Cole wouldn't have?  Essentially the question is whether this is to improve defensive depth is a specific way? Jackson is the same size as Haba playing at DE.

Ok. He's an ex seal. Seek and destroy.

Just spit balling. It will be something else to watch to see if these players are used and how.

The changes are all because Miller is not being able to play. Jackson will be needed in offence for their heavy set packages. I dont forsee him on defence unless there is an injury or two...

[Jesse]

The changes are all because Miller is not being able to play. Jackson will be needed in offence for their heavy set packages. I dont forsee him on defence unless there is an injury or two...

"Needed" is a strong word.

[Blue In BC]

"Needed" is a strong word.

We don't use Miller on offence that much. Sometimes and probably more often we use a 6th OL. That said Jackson did see more reps like that in pre season and in TC. He's younger and 40 lbs heavier than Miller, so he could see a few more reps on offence. If our OL struggles somewhat against the TiCat front 7, we might need the extra blocking power a few more times.

Either way, if the two players couldn't play then that's why teams have PR rosters. Jackson has a chance to make a mark.

[ModAdmin]

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce the following lineup changes for tonight's game:

National fullback Mike Miller transferred from active to one-game injured
American linebacker Brian Cole transferred from active to one-game injured
American fullback Damian Jackson transferred from the practice roster to active
National offensive lineman Jakub Szott transferred from the practice roster to active.

[Jesse]

We don't use Miller on offence that much. Sometimes and probably more often we use a 6th OL. That said Jackson did see more reps like that in pre season and in TC. He's younger and 40 lbs heavier than Miller, so he could see a few more reps on offence. If our OL struggles somewhat against the TiCat front 7, we might need the extra blocking power a few more times.

Either way, if the two players couldn't play then that's why teams have PR rosters. Jackson has a chance to make a mark.

We're using a DI spot for him...I can think of a few more places where a DI could be used and be more effective.

[Blue In BC]

We're using a DI spot for him...I can think of a few more places where a DI could be used and be more effective.

That's the conundrum. Cole obviously had made the roster as a LB which could have been a significant role. Adding Caleb Thomas or one of the rookie DB's would seem to have made more sense. Even McCrae might have been a choice if healthy.

These comments based on lack of depth at certain positions, injuries to players moved to IR being replaced by back ups. Lack of practice and injury at RB for example. Those were the other choices not taken.

I know that O'Shea really likes Jackson but is a Swiss army knife our best choice? The coaches feel that's the case, but I find it an odd switch.

[BBRT]

As it has been stated by other posters.....we are at the beginning of the season and the next 3 games will answer a lot of questions about our team and other teams.   Having a "gut feeling" is just what it is and it's not based on anything really and it's not being negative or a Debbie downer either.

Fact is, we have a great team assembled and every team in the league is going to give us their best shot each and every time, including BLM and the TiCats who are here to make a statement.

That being said, I also am not prone to being rabidly and blindly rah rah pro Bombers and after 60 plus years of being nothing but a loyal Bomber fan, through both lean years and glory years, have earned the right to express my view point.  

I respect each and every poster on this forum, even if I don't always agree with them and I hope everyone on this site does too!

Go Bombers and throttle BLM and the Cats!!

Well said from someone who actually saw the "Lincoln Locomotive" in action on Wide World of Sports back around 1960 or 1961. Sorry can not remember the exact year -  Watched the game from the Lewis Bros Barber Shop in Des Moines Iowa (the owner was Leo Lewis's uncle). I guess I have been a Bomber fan for over 60 years now as I was 14 or 15 when I saw Leo Lewis play.

[VictorRomano]

Houston playing possum last game LOL?

[VictorRomano]

Just wishful thinking, but ZC looks like he might challenge Matt Dunigan's 713-yard game tonight.

[Tee42]

Holm is really good!

[LXTSN]

Holm is really good!

He's playing great tonight! Much improved from a year ago!

[Tee42]

Penalties are killing Ti Cats.  Undisciplined. 
Great start Blue!!!

[Blue72]

Our Oline are playing great for the first game, D needs a bit more presser on BLM.

[Tiger]

Our Oline are playing great for the first game, D needs a bit more presser on BLM.

Yup
Will we see Dru in 4th for some reps?

[dd]

Ticats making a game of this, look out.....we need to get the momentum back

[Blue72]

Is Jeffcoat playing as there is NO rush from that end?

[Blue72]

BLM seems to be starting at the 50 most of the game

[dd]

Oh my gosh that was the ugliest offensive play followed by a whiffed tackle by bailey , tabbies score 6. Ugly ugly ugly

[The Zipp]

Panic mode activated

[dd]

What the h*ll is happening!!! We are imploding right before our eyes!!!! We ve given the Ticats 21 of their 31 points from screwups!!!

8 point ball game. Time to get focussed and quit goofing around

[Blue72]

No more fancy stuff just start moving the ball up field like first quarter

[dd]

Oh my gosh, that?s what a field goal kicker looks like!! We needed that, 2 score game now

[Blue In BC]

A bit of ugly but we dominated the game and won. Not often a team can give up 3 TD's directly on turnovers and still win. I'll attribute that to a bit of rust.

Ugly bits

1. Short kick offs
2. Poor coverage on kick offs
3. Blocked punt. I wonder if Kramdi was supposed to block that player.

Good bits

Pretty much everything.  A couple of warts but little playing time in pre season and a couple of good plays by TiCats on defence.

I'll re-watch game in the morning.

[Blue In BC]

Haba forced a turnover on a hit of BLM. To end the game he sacked BLM on 3rd down. Overall he seemed to play very well.

Jeffcoat was taken out of the game at half time. He looked ok on the sidelines. Did he re-injure whatever was bothering him in TC?  Or was the lead so big they allowed Haba to play.

Agudosi was invisible after that 1st catch. Didn't see him again. What happened? Don't tell me he experienced another injury!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw Jackson a couple of time but he didn't make a specific impression. Still confused on why that change was made unless Cole was injured this week?

A few of our players are going to need some ice tonight. I don't think there were other injuries.

The new stats info on CFL.CA  SUCKS!!!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Oh my gosh, that?s what a field goal kicker looks like!! We needed that, 2 score game now

If Castillo kicked like that in the Grey Cup, we have three rings.

[GOLDMEMBER]

If Castillo kicked like that in the Grey Cup, we have three rings.

that is what crossed my mind many times during this game.

[pjrocksmb]

If Castillo kicked like that in the Grey Cup, we have three rings.

Better team won that day wasn't just the kicking that let us down

[ModAdmin]

Game Recap | HAM 31 WPG 42

It had the early makings of an Oscar winner, temporarily morphed into a horror show and ultimately settled into a **** fine bit of drama.

And my goodness, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers season-opening, all-over-the-map 42-31 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had enough moments to keep the 29,057 diehards at IG Field on the edge of their seats all evening long.

"That was a wild one, for sure," said Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, who was sensational in throwing for 354 yards and three TDs. "The viewers at home and the people in the stadium got their money's worth.

"Our fans were probably a little nervous there at the end, but it was a great CFL football game, and it was a great team we played over there. Thought we did a lot of good things and lot of things we can clean up. It's always better watching film after the win, there's a lot of things we can need to get better at, but we'll enjoy this one tonight."

The Blue Bombers forced six turnovers - and spit out four of their own in springing some leaks in the second half after a 29-4 lead at the intermission - in what started out as a waltz and transformed into a mosh pit brawl.

"It's a win. We made enough mistakes to make things interesting but listen (Hamilton) is going to be a very good football team, they've got a lot of very good players, so it's good just to come out with a win," said head coach Mike O'Shea. "We'll fix all the mistakes tomorrow."

"It was a little crazy out there, but you know what, we came through," added slotback Nic Demski, who finished with six catches for 113 yards and a superb touchdown.

"Our team is always going to depend on each other, we've always got each other's backs. We came through even through that roller-coaster of a game. Obviously, we've got a lot of things to clean up, but we got the win."

Here are the post-game observations from our perch in the press box...

FIVE THOUGHTS

1. THE ZACH ATTACK IS BACK

The reigning two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player was dominant with the 354 yards passing and three TDs as the Blue Bombers rolled up 481 yards of net offence. In addition to connecting with Demski, he also found Rasheed Bailey and Drew Wolitarsky for scores.

"We had some stuff we had been working on and we got the right looks in coverage and the guys made great plays on the ball," said Collaros. "As the game went on Brady (Oliveira) got on a roll a little bit and the offensive line got going so it was a complete effort on offence. So, it was good."

Six different players caught passes as the Blue Bombers flashed a ton of new looks and wrinkles for a season opener. And all this, it should be noted, without Kenny Lawler.

2. THE DARK SIDE RETURNS

Winnipeg's defence was stellar, forcing six turnovers - including two interceptions by Bo Levi Mitchell, both by Demerio Houston - registering three sacks and limiting the Ticats to just 229 yards net offence.

"The defensive backfield in general were challenged with some deep balls and made some nice plays all round," said O'Shea. "And stayed clean while doing it. I liked their game a lot."

3. BRADY AND THE GROUND GAME

Brady Oliveira missed a ton of training camp but looked fresh and dangerous in the season opener with 22 rushes for 115 yards and a TD, while pulling in two passes for an additional 58 yards.

"Obviously happy with the performance, but the main thing is going 1-0 every single week," said Oliveira. "Starting the season 1-0 is huge. That's the biggest takeaway.

"My individual performance... after missing camp, missing preseason I wasn't on top of my game fully and there's lots of times where if I had hit the hole, I would have got some bigger runs. I'll treat this game as a little preseason game for me and I'm just excited to get back into it."

And there's more on the Game Recap here!

[ModAdmin]

Post-Game interviews with Coach Mike O'Shea, Brady Oliviera and Zach Collaros...

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/06/09/zach-collaros-post-game-week-1-vs-hamilton/

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/06/09/brady-oliveira-postgame-week-1-vs-hamilton/

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/06/09/mike-oshea-postgame-week-1-vs-hamilton/

[Blue In BC]

Our offence is lethal. We did that without Lawler.

[M.O.A.B.]

Im all ready for the next game. 

[GOLDMEMBER]

Im all ready for the next game. 

Couple friends are heading down to the crotch for personnel viewing.
If I?m the Riders I?m am like YIKES! lol

[dd]

Better team won that day wasn't just the kicking that let us down

You keep telling yourself that and you ll believe it. Our kicking game consistently let us down last year, and was it?s typically brutal self in the most important game. Glad to see management isn?t following your patience theory and went out and got us REAL kicker. No more wincing and hoping when it?s time to kick a field goal.!

[theaardvark]

Agudosi seemed to be the man out when they bring in heavy, Dobson and Jackson were on the field a lot...  tough to bee seen when you're not on the field.

Holm impressed me, some real nice coverage and knockdowns, and pursuit to the end of the play.

Houston, we have no problem.  Great play, good ball hawking.  Does he get an INT for the PAT?

Watched JH51 vs JK4 a couple times, looked like JH51 was tossing around a toy.

Castillo, what we expected.  Sheahan, not so much.  I think we will be missing Leggs sooner than later.

JJ95 out by halftime, in street clothes for the 2nd half.  Lets get Lemon in here for a look...

HAM94 was out of control, the bodyslam should have been an ejection.

BLM, well... definitely needs time to get his timing down, overthrew a lot of passes, so the arm is there.  

If white is lost for any time, its going to hurt HAM and BLM

TP13 needs work on SY, frustrating night for him.

Pinnacle seats update:

Parking, awesome.  View great.  Seats good, no horrible neighbors so far.  Row behind me decided the Noggin Boss huge baseball hats ($129) we awesome and bought two.  Glad it was the row behind, and I feel for the two ladies in the row behind the hats.

Pregame meal and post game appies in the Pinnacle disappointed... m'eh at best.  

[Stretch]

If Castillo kicked like that in the Grey Cup and played for the Bombers in 2022, we have three rings.

If Liegghio kicked like that in the Grey Cup, we have three rings.

Not sure where you were going with this, so I fixed it in two possible ways. 

[Waffler]

Sheahan has been the holder for the entire camp. He'll get more chances despite that slow motion wind up. Schmitz kicks just as well but is older and does not hold.

3 flukey plays are the only reason Hamilton is even in it at any point. The stats bear that out.

[Blue In BC]

The common banter in Winnipeg is that they don't beat themselves. Last night they got an entire season of beating themselves mode into the 1st game. The 3 major gaffs would defeat most teams. In Winnipeg they just shrug it off and proceed to victory. Nothing to worry about here.

It certainly made the 2nd half dramatic.

Aside from those few plays, the team was operating at a very high level. Very few penalties. I'm getting used to the Bombers will an early big lead. It changes the opponent game plan in our favour.

We win TOP and field position most of the time. Our opponents often self destruct as a consequence.

Great game for the home crowd on a nice night.

[Blue In BC]

Sheahan has been the holder for the entire camp. He'll get more chances despite that slow motion wind up. Schmitz kicks just as well but is older and does not hold.

3 flukey plays are the only reason Hamilton is even in it at any point. The stats bear that out.

Football is full of situations like that. Adeleke fell twice and we scored TD's to some degree as a result. We might have still scored but it made it look easier than it might have been.

Houston makes an astounding int on the sidelines. 6" closer to the sideline and it's an incomplete pass.

A couple of forced fumbles by both defences.

Winnipeg generally wins the turnover battle as they did last night.  There is a fine line between a great offensive play or bad defensive play at times.

I don't think we saw anything to be concerned about last night. Coming out of pre season where starters played very little, the team played well overall. Stats do show that.

[Pete]

Our special teams were poor, I think last minute scratches of cole and miller really impacted this. Both on kick returns and in the case of the blocked punt where miller normally would have block coverage.
Also I think they need to work on fumble recoveries, both Holm and Dobson got outfought

[blueraid]

Errors made this one close.....we'll shore those one's up....Made the game entertaining but giving up the lead we had as quick as we did got scary.....Zack was on his game....Bo ...not so much....We seem to have the cats number and it continues on

[Lincoln Locomotive]

To be honest I predicted a Cat victory by a narrow margin based on my "gut feeling".  Well. it turned out it was a bad case of gas however there were moments in the game both very early and later in the game, where it looked like the Bombers were imploding.    I've never seen a game with so many turnovers resulting majors, in fact 21 points for the Cats and yet we still win the game, racking up close to 500 yards in offence.    Brady was magnificent in his home opener....and yeah throw to him as he is effective as a receiver coming out of the backfield.    Demski was a force as well despite turning over the ball on our very first offensive play.

We really missed Miller on special teams and our new punter had a rough night especially the blocked punt for a Cat TD!  

Castillo showed us why the Bombers signed him as he was picture perfect on the night and there wasn't this sense of dread every time he lined up.  He's a winner for sure!

Jeffcoat leaving the game allowed Haba a chance and for only being signed just over a week ago, made an impression, especially that timely sack late in the game, sealing the W for us.

It was a wild and roller coaster ride and an extremely entertaining game....albeit somewhat nerve wracking!    

It was great to get that first game out of the way and secure the W....

[Stats Junkie]

Sheahan has been the holder for the entire camp. He'll get more chances despite that slow motion wind up. Schmitz kicks just as well but is older and does not hold.

3 flukey plays are the only reason Hamilton is even in it at any point. The stats bear that out.

Sheahan & Schmitz alternated holds during the pre-season - perhaps that was a sign that Liegghio was on his way out.

Sheahan held 3 times (2/3) - included Staton's missed convert vs Ssk & the convert off the post and in vs Edm
Schmitz held 4 times (4/4) - 3 converts and Castillo's FG

Houston, we have no problem.  Great play, good ball hawking.  Does he get an INT for the PAT?

Houston does get credit for the interception on the convert attempt. It does not count as a turnover for the team because Winnipeg didn't get to scrimmage the ball on the next play.

[Blue In BC]

Starting field position after a FG is the 40 yard line. Is that a rule change new this year?

On the positive side, better starting field position. Less injuries due to K/O returns.

On the negative side, less returns which can be very exciting plays. Bad field position for the opponent if kick is deep and coverage is very good. Potentially takes away certain wind advantages.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Starting field position after a FG is the 40 yard line. Is that a rule change new this year?

On the positive side, better starting field position. Less injuries due to K/O returns.

On the negative side, less returns which can be very exciting plays. Bad field position for the opponent if kick is deep and coverage is very good. Potentially takes away certain wind advantages.

Nope.

[TecnoGenius]

Starting field position after a FG is the 40 yard line. Is that a rule change new this year?

I think it was new in 2022, not 2023.  Part of the "more O" initiative.

Almost all starting points have been moved up 5Y.  But the kickoffs are moved up 5 also, so whether you opt for a kickoff or placement on the 40, it's kind of the same advantage.

My fave was that illegal kickoff in our game where we got to start at the 50.  Can't argue with that!

[GOLDMEMBER]

To be honest I predicted a Cat victory by a narrow margin based on my "gut feeling".  Well. it turned out it was a bad case of gas however there were moments in the game both very early and later in the game, where it looked like the Bombers were imploding.    I've never seen a game with so many turnovers resulting majors, in fact 21 points for the Cats and yet we still win the game, racking up close to 500 yards in offence.    Brady was magnificent in his home opener....and yeah throw to him as he is effective as a receiver coming out of the backfield.    Demski was a force as well despite turning over the ball on our very first offensive play.

We really missed Miller on special teams and our new punter had a rough night especially the blocked punt for a Cat TD!  

Castillo showed us why the Bombers signed him as he was picture perfect on the night and there wasn't this sense of dread every time he lined up.  He's a winner for sure!

Jeffcoat leaving the game allowed Haba a chance and for only being signed just over a week ago, made an impression, especially that timely sack late in the game, sealing the W for us.

It was a wild and roller coaster ride and an extremely entertaining game....albeit somewhat nerve wracking!    

It was great to get that first game out of the way and secure the W....

I agree on all fronts. People under estimating Willie in the heat especially.
Brady was been better than what I thought he be like but wow A+.

[TecnoGenius]

I want to note Bighill's play: simply outstanding.  He's been working hard in the off-season, I can tell.  Did you guys see that spin move to get to the QB?  And a couple of amazing open field tackles.  He doesn't wait for the fake, he just pounces.  Very few players can or will do that.  There's also a play where he masterfully sheds a tough block to make a tackle.

He was always around the ball and didn't make a single mistake that I saw.  Could Biggie actually be even better this year after his great '22 revival?  Does the guy never age?

And a shout-out to Willie.  Off to an amazing start.  He's listened to the "takes too many games/plays off" chatter and brought his A-game.  Willie was worth every penny in this game.  He's showing he still has ball, and against a very good (on paper) OL.

BLM will have night terrors seeing Willie's face.

[TecnoGenius]

Watching Pigrome's 2 failures: he's too slow to hit the line.  Not sure what he's waiting for.  He needs to just immediately follow the line.  Don't stand up straight, don't hesitate, just go, especially on that last 3rd & 1.  He'll learn.

HAM's big-$$ DL earned their money on those 2 plays.  Lots of beef.  They were submarining the line real torpedo-like.  It's not all on Pigrome though because our OL wasn't winning on that DL on the sneaks.  Looking back it may have been better to do the over-the-top jump trick.  They probably guessed (correctly) that not-tall PiggyT wasn't going to be jumping.

I still think PiggyT is the better SY choice, but it's going to take more practice.  Brown isn't the right body type.

I bet PiggyT thought the CFL was going to be a walk in the park and the sneaks a piece of cake.  Welcome to the meat-grinder CFL short game, Piggy.  Go watch old Marve, Le Fevour, Strev and McGuire film.  Those 95%+ guys will show you the way.

[GOLDMEMBER]

I want to note Bighill's play: simply outstanding.  He's been working hard in the off-season, I can tell.  Did you guys see that spin move to get to the QB?  And a couple of amazing open field tackles.  He doesn't wait for the fake, he just pounces.  Very few players can or will do that.  There's also a play where he masterfully sheds a tough block to make a tackle.

He was always around the ball and didn't make a single mistake that I saw.  Could Biggie actually be even better this year after his great '22 revival?  Does the guy never age?

And a shout-out to Willie.  Off to an amazing start.  He's listened to the "takes too many games/plays off" chatter and brought his A-game.  Willie was worth every penny in this game.  He's showing he still has ball, and against a very good (on paper) OL.

BLM will have night terrors seeing Willie's face.

Biggie was all over the field.

I am at the point of expecting top notch DB play. Can you blame me?

Willie is a physical anomaly simply put!

[Pete]

with piggyt , his size makes it difficult to get over the pile so teams will focus on getting low and filling gaps. Dru is the better option right now, what i would like to see is him get in on 2nd and less than 4,, that's where a special package can be a big benefit.
Also later in games when we are trying to kill the clock and opposing teams know were gonna run anyway. he gives them more run options and opens it up for Olivera/Bailey etc Also adds a lower risk factor than leaving Collaros in

[TecnoGenius]

with piggyt , his size makes it difficult to get over the pile so teams will focus on getting low and filling gaps. Dru is the better option right now, what i would like to see is him get in on 2nd and less than 4,, that's where a special package can be a big benefit.

But I don't think we can or will make Dru the SY guy, even temporarily.  He's all wrong for it, has looked iffy at it in the past, and we need him as the #2.  We can't get him all beaten up doing SY.  I think we replaced him in-game solely to avoid the loss of morale/momo another botch would create.

Nope, Boudreau and the crew will work all week with PiggyT to address the issues.  The OL will just have to be better, and Piggy will have to move faster and harder.

We should have PiggyT do one or two sideways sneaks just to mix it up for the DLs and force their effort on contain.  Risky, but PiggyT has great mobility, decent speed, and lots of power.  If it's him vs a small DB at the end of the line at the 1, my money is on PiggyT.  Like you said, if we don't do anything every team will just key on stuffing the A gaps down low.

[PloenFan]

On the short yardage plays where Pigrome unfortunately got stuffed twice, I was wondering why with the speed he showed in the pre-season game against Edmonton, we didn't let him run a sweep on the right side, where there seemed to be room for him to easily get to the end zone. If we really wanted to run up the middle, why didn't we hand it off to our biggest RB, Oliviera ? Another option might have been to let Bailey run a sweep to the right, since I believe he had a pretty good gain on a sweep earlier in the game.

[Pete]

In recent years we along with other teams have gone to minimizing handling ball on short down yards, however we may not be able to plug and play with piggy. Like I said if we maximize his strengths he can be a real asset

[TecnoGenius]

On the short yardage plays where Pigrome unfortunately got stuffed twice, I was wondering why with the speed he showed in the pre-season game against Edmonton, we didn't let him run a sweep on the right side, where there seemed to be room for him to easily get to the end zone. If we really wanted to run up the middle, why didn't we hand it off to our biggest RB, Oliviera ? Another option might have been to let Bailey run a sweep to the right, since I believe he had a pretty good gain on a sweep earlier in the game.

Ya, I think you QB sweep once or twice just to stretch the DL and make teams double-think going forward.  But we must acknowledge that MOS/Buck never "sneak wide" on 3rd & 1.  We're always straight ahead A, or B gap.  Maybe we look C once in a while.

We also never hand off on 3rd & 1 either.  We just don't.  MOS won't allow it.  And in the CFL, I don't like the hand off to the tail on 3rd & 1.  Remember last season a couple of HC/OC's called that play (C.Jones and one of the Dickensons?) and the fan forums went apoplectic (because it almost always fails, and did then).  It's an NFL thing, not a CFL thing, because of the neutral yard.

But we need to mix it up a bit somehow if teams cheat up on our plays because they know we have only 1 SY play.  Even if just to plant the seed of doubt in DLs.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Just rewatching this game now as I?ll waiting for tonight?s match up.

WOW the D was just amazing! All 3 levels had superb contributions.

Shockingly good really.

[dd]

With the 1 yd neutral zone, it?s crazy to hand the ball off in the backfield, just take the snap on first touch and push forward. It?s so simple yet people try and complicate it. I just cringe when I see shotgun snap on 3rd and short, like what are you thinking!?! Oh right, you?re not!!

[Jesse]

In recent years we along with other teams have gone to minimizing handling ball on short down yards, however we may not be able to plug and play with piggy. Like I said if we maximize his strengths he can be a real asset

The whole league needs to break from some of these conservative ruts we?ve gotten ourselves into.

[3rdand1.5]

After watching week one;

Is our defence that good or is Hammy's offence that bad?

Is Sasks D-line that good or is Edm. o-line that bad?

Has Vaj finally turned the corner?

What will our passing attack look like with Lawler in it?

Is it a really bad O-line in front of Fajardo again, or does he somehow make them look worse?

[DM83]

Wow!  some unbelieveable comments.

yeah, a dive up the middle seems pretty stupid.  So in all the last 100 years, there were a lot of stupid people.

Did you consider the little QB sneak guy is way too small.  He's not a first down getter. In fact he might not have a role at all.

Yes I would run power off tackle, or something like it  have a two way cut available so a good back can hit it over the tackle, or bust it wide

[TecnoGenius]

Re: the blocked punt, the MOS post-game interview, at the very end, the reporter says Kramdi & Briggs have said the fault was a "communication issue".  That could be why Kramdi just ignored the kick rusher (even jamming him would have helped) whilst Briggs blocked air.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/06/09/mike-oshea-postgame-week-1-vs-hamilton/

I also learned for the first time MOS considers Briggs the leader of the ST (or at least on coverage duty).

But, that play brought flashbacks to the broken blocking on the GC blocked-FG play... have to exorcise those mistakes.

[barrywpg]

Darcy Oake illusion on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLVhHy3W9OI

[TecnoGenius]

Darcy Oake illusion on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLVhHy3W9OI

My son really liked that halftime show.  He was on the edge of his seat!  And couldn't stop talking about it.  We used the binocs (from high up) and think we've figured out the trick, but won't divulge 

I thought it was very well done and kudos to the WFC on the good choice.  Maybe more of this?

[blue_or_die]

In recent years we along with other teams have gone to minimizing handling ball on short down yards, however we may not be able to plug and play with piggy. Like I said if we maximize his strengths he can be a real asset

MOS needs to enroll Piggy in Dunigan's Sneak School Academy.

[DM83]

Sad to say if you as an offense can?t get a first down via a QB sneak, in the CFL, you shouldn?t  call yourself a man. It?s all about the O-line

It has to be one of the most macho things left in the world, for determining what team can establish bragging rights.  I would say that teams that can?t get a yard are not championship material. 

That is just my opinion.  I admit I do not know how to block it up, other than follow your center and guard who block it like a normal play regarding angles.( but with gap control all covered by the defense it seems really stupid trying to run where the defense, is out manning the offense at the point of attack) so yes I would stretch it out to C gap, where the offense has bigger people vs. smaller defenders, and eventually the end of the line, and the ball carrier can just keep going wide to the eventual open field.

But even then, your O line still has to block the defenders.  So if you can?t do that, it seems that inability is a precursor to determining a loser and a winner. 

But that?s just a basic football idea.  Out manning/blocking at the point if attack.

The defense has the same view also. I always expect the offense to win that battle.by brute force and out macho-ing the defense.

Not a lot of logic to winning this battle other than the brute mass of humanity being moved by the other, and the stated out macho-ing of the other guy.