Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Hamilton, September 16, 2023

[3rdand1.5]

Rack that up to poor coaching by Ottawa. They didn't need to try the FG which resulted in a return TD. Good on the Lions for making that play but we all know the risk of long FG attempts. Game situation dictated Ottawa run on 2nd down to run the clock and to not try the FG. 

Yes a punt either to try and pin them deep or for a single would have been a "smarter" play. but at the end of the day it was a makable field goal, that they missed, then they allowed a 122 yard return, due to poor special teams play. When a coach puts you in a position to make a makanle play as a professional player you need to make it.

Similarly we trotted Castillo out to make a very makable FG, he missed and not only that we allowed a 100plus yard return. Our coaches put us in a position to have a 10-7 score instead it was a 12-6 score and we never recovered.

All of the big three T.O, BC, and WPG had games decided in a large part by special teams, the difference was two of them had special teams make plays and one didn't guess which one was the only one to loose.

[Blue In BC]

Yes a punt either to try and pin them deep or for a single would have been a "smarter" play. but at the end of the day it was a makable field goal, that they missed, then they allowed a 122 yard return, due to poor special teams play. When a coach puts you in a position to make a makanle play as a professional player you need to make it.

Similarly we trotted Castillo out to make a very makable FG, he missed and not only that we allowed a 100plus yard return. Our coaches put us in a position to have a 10-7 score instead it was a 12-6 score and we never recovered.

All of the big three T.O, BC, and WPG had games decided in a large part by special teams, the difference was two of them had special teams make plays and one didn't guess which one was the only one to loose.

The returned PAT was where we lost 2 points instead of gaining a point for a 3 point swing. IIRC the missed FG was nearly returned for a TD but wasn't. However yes those two lapses were a 6 point swing and the difference in the game.

[Waffler]

I have a question. Is this team "saving it" for the playoffs? I only ask because they don't show up with their A game unless motivated. Almost like we are playing exhibition games right now is how they treat it. Zach in particular loses focus.

[Blue In BC]

I have a question. Is this team "saving it" for the playoffs? I only ask because they don't show up with their A game unless motivated. Almost like we are playing exhibition games right now is how they treat it. Zach in particular loses focus.

I don't believe that is the case. Motivation doesn't seem to be as big an issue as not being able to resolve our weaknesses. Those are apparent even when we've won.

The two games against the Argos and Lions will determine whether we finish 1st or 2nd. Obviously 1st is the goal and still possible. Getting a few players back from IR: Hansen, Grant and Gauthier would help but I don't know if we'll see any of them again in 2023.

[Waffler]

I don't believe that is the case. Motivation doesn't seem to be as big an issue as not being able to resolve our weaknesses. Those are apparent even when we've won.

The two games against the Argos and Lions will determine whether we finish 1st or 2nd. Obviously 1st is the goal and still possible. Getting a few players back from IR: Hansen, Grant and Gauthier would help but I don't know if we'll see any of them again in 2023.

Still say the game against the Argos means nothing provided we beat BC and then take care of Edm at home and the last game, although in Calgary, I expect them to be eliminated by then.

[Blue In BC]

Still say the game against the Argos means nothing provided we beat BC and then take care of Edm at home and the last game, although in Calgary, I expect them to be eliminated by then.

It's more about whether the Lions win more or their remaining game aside from the game against us. Good chance Calgary is eliminated by the time we play them, Elks as well. However a better than good chance the Argos will be in the Grey Cup so it's important we send them a message as well.

Based on how we play bad teams, winning against the Elks or Stamps is not a given. Injuries over the next 4 weeks may become factors.

[Waffler]

It's more about whether the Lions win more or their remaining game aside from the game against us. Good chance Calgary is eliminated by the time we play them, Elks as well. However a better than good chance the Argos will be in the Grey Cup so it's important we send them a message as well.

Based on how we play bad teams, winning against the Elks or Stamps is not a given. Injuries over the next 4 weeks may become factors.

Agree except for the sending message part. Playoffs are a different animal. I'd rather be the underdog should we get to the cup anyway.

[Blue In BC]

Agree except for the sending message part. Playoffs are a different animal. I'd rather be the underdog should we get to the cup anyway.

Yes but it is a confidence booster as well.

[Waffler]

We play better in a revenge game. At least that has been our pattern thus far this season.

[Zach Schnitzer]

Yesterday?s performance has me quite worried about this team?s inconsistency. When they show up, they are, bar none, the best team in the league, but they don?t always show up. I?m not sure what the issue is but it?s just not good enough. And Castillo missing a number of extra points this year has me annoyed. If he hits that extra pt and the 48 yard field goal, it?s a tie game 27-27. Very disappointing.

[Pigskin]

Bombers need to address our KR issues ASAP. Seems like our O is starting deep in our end of the field most of the time. Ford could be the answer, but he is still hanging around the NFL. There must be an experienced CFL KR sitting around waiting for another shot.

We also can't let others teams start on the 50 yard line on a regular basis.

[Blue In BC]

Yesterday?s performance has me quite worried about this team?s inconsistency. When they show up, they are, bar none, the best team in the league, but they don?t always show up. I?m not sure what the issue is but it?s just not good enough. And Castillo missing a number of extra points this year has me annoyed. If he hits that extra pt and the 48 yard field goal, it?s a tie game 27-27. Very disappointing.

Even on a bad day our offence racks up yardage and points. Not having help from the defence getting the opponent off the field and losing TOP is not good.

I'm also annoyed with Castillo / Sheehan over Liegghio. An import and a global over 1 Canadian cost us other ways on defence for DI's etc. Yes Castillo is generally better in the FG risk department but we're a top scoring team and FG's are less of a factor.

It's the decision for 2023. Can't change that completely now but I might be inclined to see if our other global punter is " better ". Need more distance, better hang time and improvement in placement. What he shows in practice we need someone that attends in practice to comment I suppose.

Looking at stats for 2022, Liegghio had about 1 yard more per kick on punts. I can't tell whether the net yardage on returns was better due to placement or hang time. My general feeling is that he was better than Sheehan in most aspects and he is a Canadian.


Water under the bridge.

[Pete]

Best thing I can say about the way our corners played in that game is that we didn't have to worry about interference calls. cause they were nowhere near the receivers on a lot of those catches.

[Blue In BC]

Best thing I can say about the way our corners played in that game is that we didn't have to worry about interference calls. cause they were nowhere near the receivers on a lot of those catches.

Opponent receivers don't often get behind our DB's. Soft coverage means they're always playing off the receivers and fewer passes are contested. OTOH, that's the opposite of what we saw the Ti Cats try and do. They contested receptions more but also got beat for longer passes often.

The soft coverage works if the QB gets pressure and can't make on time accurate throws. That leads to incompletions or turnovers. The opposite is true for Winnipeg. If Collaros gets time and / or run game is succeeding, he'll burn you deep.

In that sense I can't blame our CB's. It's Hall's scheme and it works IF you get pressure on the QB.

[northof30]

I have a question. Is this team "saving it" for the playoffs? I only ask because they don't show up with their A game unless motivated. Almost like we are playing exhibition games right now is how they treat it. Zach in particular loses focus.

There was no need to be unmotivated for this game. A win would have kept them 4 points ahead of BC with BC having a game in hand. That would have given the Bombers some needed flexibility. Now, in all likelihood, they will need to win the game in BC to finish first. There is just unexplained inconsistency with the weapons and experience they have.