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.