Winnipeg at Calgary - pregame discussion

The Zipp · June 25, 2024, 04:03:56 PM

Kind of an odd practice week. Practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday then off on Thursday?? Seems odd but I guess you can only practice 3 times ??

I don't honestly know what to expect on Saturday on the road...this team still hasn't found itself and the injuries aren't helping at all. Seems like the first 9 games are goin to be tough and we have to expect some players returning and make a run in the second half.

Blue In BC · June 25, 2024, 04:11:27 PM

Last week we had 3 + a walk though. I think the number of times you can do that is restricted.

Practices should be finer tuned as each week happens. The issue now is the need to constantly replace one more starter with the next man up.

We seem to be the favourite this week in our game against the Stamps. On the road against a team coming off a bye.

Either way, this is another 4 point game and going 0 - 4 would not look pretty.

Bombers only play the Stamps twice. Technically a win or loss doesn't automatically win the series for either team. Obviously a win is preferable without taking current record in hand.

Bombers 27 Stamps 14.

M.O.A.B. · June 25, 2024, 04:42:20 PM

We will have new receivers starting. Demski and Woli are probably Zach has confidence with. Not sure if Oliveira is 100%. Stamps have good RBs and I would think they will run over the Bombers front 7.

0-4 here we come.

Blueforlife · June 25, 2024, 06:19:23 PM

Tough game to be sure. Need new faces to step up, vets to firm up and play error free ball. Game will be won in the trenches.

I expect a close game.

Pigskin · June 25, 2024, 07:31:57 PM

Tuesday Practice'

Injured: Nichols, did not practice. Woods, full practice. Ford, full practice but limping on his right side. Lawler, running in the end zone, with a wrist brace. Parker, does not look good for 6 games, could be more like 12. Had to climb stairs backwards. No DS83 in sight, sounds like he could be gone for the season. AB4 tweaked his calf early in practice, but ran it out. Wheatfall, walking with a slight limp. Kelly, working out in the end zone by himself. Lawson, also looks like he might be gone 12 plus games.

Feltmate, AB4 and Lawler, running extra sprints across the field at times during practice.

Woli82 playing DS83 position, Murphy in for Woli82.

McGhee in for Ford on and off during the practice.

BA with no knee brace today.

Alston with a great catch in the corner of the end zone, and another beauty down the side lines.

Hallett on the Safety blitz much quicker than BA.

Smith the only player taking KR/PR.

Chris-Ike on a screen, excellent speed.

Josh Johnson looks pretty quick.

Hall more involved with the D today.

Blue In BC · June 25, 2024, 08:12:32 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on June 25, 2024, 07:31:57 PMTuesday Practice'

Injured: Nichols, did not practice. Woods, full practice. Ford, full practice but limping on his right side. Lawler, running in the end zone, with a wrist brace. Parker, does not look good for 6 games, could be more like 12. Had to climb stairs backwards. No DS83 in sight, sounds like he could be gone for the season. AB4 tweaked his calf early in practice, but ran it out. Wheatfall, walking with a slight limp. Kelly, working out in the end zone by himself. Lawson, also looks like he might be gone 12 plus games.

Feltmate, AB4 and Lawler, running extra sprints across the field at times during practice.

Woli82 playing DS83 position, Murphy in for Woli82.

McGhee in for Ford on and off during the practice.

BA with no knee brace today.

Alston with a great catch in the corner of the end zone, and another beauty down the side lines.

Hallett on the Safety blitz much quicker than BA.

Smith the only player taking KR/PR.

Chris-Ike on a screen, excellent speed.

Josh Johnson looks pretty quick.

Hall more involved with the D today.

Good info. Thanks for the update. Now it sounds like Nichols is still questionable. Hopefully they are just easing him back in and he does play.

Is Streveler getting much work with the receivers?

Waffler · June 25, 2024, 08:24:26 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on June 25, 2024, 07:31:57 PMAlston with a great catch in the corner of the end zone, and another beauty down the side lines.

Alston had a good one Monday too, in tight coverage. Makes me want to see him in a game.

dd · June 25, 2024, 08:27:22 PM

Too many injuries, stamps by 7, 27-20

Pigskin · June 25, 2024, 08:45:28 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 25, 2024, 08:12:32 PMGood info. Thanks for the update. Now it sounds like Nichols is still questionable. Hopefully they are just easing him back in and he does play.

Is Streveler getting much work with the receivers?

Strev17 works with both the #1 and #2 teams.

Also BO20 full workout today.

Pigskin · June 25, 2024, 09:03:57 PM

I am a little worried about Murphy picking up Woli82s blocking assignments. Woli has nearly 35 pounds on Murphy.

Blueforlife · June 25, 2024, 11:04:52 PM

Brian Cole   LB   Illness   DNP
Deatrick NicholsDB   ShoulderDNP
Dalton Schoen   WR   Knee   DNP
Keric Wheatfall   WR   Knee   DNP
Tui Eli     OL   Hip   DNP

ichabod_crane · June 25, 2024, 11:44:46 PM

Anyone else going to be at the game in Calgary on Saturday? I plan to be there unless it turns 40 below or raining cats and dogs! Not sure of my seats yet either. Waiting on some friends to make up their minds if they want to go. May not know what seats I hold until Friday or even Saturday. No worries of a sellout here (outside maybe labour day game vs Edmonton), so can get tickets even at the gate if necessary.

Picking Stamps in the pool, but maybe the Bombers surprise and get off the schneid! 0-4...hard to imagine but very realistic right now!

Throw Long Bannatyne · June 26, 2024, 12:34:21 AM

Quote from: Pigskin on June 25, 2024, 09:03:57 PMI am a little worried about Murphy picking up Woli82s blocking assignments. Woli has nearly 35 pounds on Murphy.

Murphy, ok, trying to remember if they had a Murray on the team. Murray does not seem like a football name.

TecnoGenius · June 26, 2024, 05:06:20 AM

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 25, 2024, 04:11:27 PMWe seem to be the favourite this week in our game against the Stamps. On the road against a team coming off a bye.

Vegas hasn't yet figured out all the dire horrific doomsday garbage we're going through here in Bomberland. I'm shocked they didn't figure it out by week 3. We basically have no players left, and the existing vets are playing their worst ball in 4 seasons.

Someone taking the opponent in all our games after week 1 could have been making major $$$. I called it when we lost week 1. 6 losses here we come.

I really see no way we can possibly beat a much-improved Maier and Stamps with our current injury situation. However, I'm reserving my decision on the pickems for a while longer...

TecnoGenius · June 26, 2024, 05:07:57 AM

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 25, 2024, 04:42:20 PMWe will have new receivers starting. Demski and Woli are probably Zach has confidence with. Not sure if Oliveira is 100%. Stamps have good RBs and I would think they will run over the Bombers front 7.

0-4 here we come.

You bet. Stamps will double-team Demski & Woli and leave the nobodies in man or just open. Zach will underthrow/overthrow anyhow. If a miracle happens and one of the noobs makes an explosion catch, then CGY will adjust to include them in the coverage.

Where's that ledge!

TecnoGenius · June 26, 2024, 05:12:23 AM

Quote from: Pigskin on June 25, 2024, 07:31:57 PMHallett on the Safety blitz much quicker than BA.

Ya, no kidding. I'd pull BA37 and put Hallett back there to become our own Dequoy. And he has just the right tinge of crazy to still lay the big wood on runners. Then use the extra ratio space by fielding some big IMP as DT with Fatboi spelling, or ending the Kramdi experiment in favor of someone who can keep up with SBs. Painful for me to say all of this, but we're sinking fast and heretofore unimaginable moves may have to be made.

TecnoGenius · June 26, 2024, 05:13:55 AM

Quote from: Pigskin on June 25, 2024, 09:03:57 PMI am a little worried about Murphy picking up Woli82s blocking assignments. Woli has nearly 35 pounds on Murphy.

Ya, Murphy looked skinny in the few times he's seen game reps. Oh look, 6'1 191lb, he's the same as Lawler/Moore. Hope he doesn't suffer the same fate.

Does all this mean we'll start 11 NATs?? Chris Jones is sitting there shaking his head...

TecnoGenius · June 26, 2024, 05:17:00 AM

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 25, 2024, 11:04:52 PMDalton Schoen WR Knee DNP

There we go. ACL or MCL, as I predicted. As Pigskin said, probably season done.

Things just went from bad to horrific horror movie levels.

Time to admit 2024 will just be a "rebuild" ("fall apart"?) year. Time to look to Chris Jones on how to turn each week into glorified tryouts. We need to find the talent that will let us make a run at 2025 and the home cup.

Well, on the bright side I don't need to spend a fortune going to BC in November if I don't want to!

TecnoGenius · June 26, 2024, 10:46:08 AM

I think it's a very lucky and good thing our next 2 games are away games. It's going to be hard to score any points and even harder to come away with any wins. Last thing they need is the boo birds @PAS raining down on them like they got after the 1st 2&out vs BC.

I think we may do better (but not well) in opponent barns because we won't have the pressure of having to make the home fans happy.

On the bright side: Kenny on the podcast on Tuesday is looking like the arm isn't a major thing and he might be back sooner than the 10-12 weeks I was guessing. Gone 2 already, maybe he can start catching again after 5 more (7 total)? If we want to have any hope for a "comeback" season, we'll need Kenny leading the R corps as soon as possible, and not getting injured again (knock wood).

Also on the bright side: Fayad looked amazing vs BC and may turn into a real game-wrecker havoc-maker. If teams have to start respecting our "other DE", that would make Willie more open. I didn't know Fayad apparently had a ring with TOR in '22 (grrrrrrr...), but am happy this makes him kind of a vet-ish / sophomore-ish player, which is what I want to see right now instead of the green TC cuts. And he seems to have the right attitude. And maybe he has his injury frequent-flyer-punch-card all filled up and will be injury free for a nice long stretch.

Getting good looks at all these backup/TC guys can yield a few surprising gems, and also show who needs to be shown the door eventually. So it's not all bad, if you can overlook week after week of losing...

Jesse · June 26, 2024, 10:49:43 AM

Fayad did look really good. I noticed him several times throughout the game.

Hopefully Nichols is back this week and our D holds a bit better. I have faith that Brady is going to get his usual snaps this week and our offence will have its best day yet.

Throw Long Bannatyne · June 26, 2024, 01:29:52 PM

Don't know if the Bombers have enough working mechanisms on offence to beat the Stamps but believe they will come close. Without a full complement of experienced receivers, BO needs to have a massive game running and receiving, which I think he will. Expect Demski and Woli to be covered every route they run, newcomers need to step up and contribute.

Blue In BC · June 26, 2024, 02:37:14 PM

It's going to be a very difficult game for the Bombers. Calgary has improved and they will be angry losing to BC. At the very least I hope the team plays well, win or loss.

Obviously another loss is another free fall to the bottom that will be hard to recover from.

Blue In BC · June 26, 2024, 05:19:02 PM

We're going to have some roster changes forced this week due to more injuries. A few possible choices so we'll see how that works out.

OTOH, it appears that Karamoko was moved to the PR and that was not a forced change. It could be that one of the new global players makes the AR. The transaction made on the same day was adding Canadian Murphy. So it might be improving the receiver depth and only having 1 global on the roster.

Karamoko did play on ST's but I don't think Murphy does or will. It does mean an adjustment to the ST's. What that will be is something else to watch.

I've wanted to see Jones added at LB, but that requires another import to come off the AR. Cole was nicked and Ayers are the only other import options. All can play on ST's but role on defence vary for each player.

bluengold204 · June 26, 2024, 06:21:58 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on June 26, 2024, 10:46:08 AMI think it's a very lucky and good thing our next 2 games are away games. It's going to be hard to score any points and even harder to come away with any wins. Last thing they need is the boo birds @PAS raining down on them like they got after the 1st 2&out vs BC.

I think we may do better (but not well) in opponent barns because we won't have the pressure of having to make the home fans happy.

On the bright side: Kenny on the podcast on Tuesday is looking like the arm isn't a major thing and he might be back sooner than the 10-12 weeks I was guessing. Gone 2 already, maybe he can start catching again after 5 more (7 total)? If we want to have any hope for a "comeback" season, we'll need Kenny leading the R corps as soon as possible, and not getting injured again (knock wood).

Also on the bright side: Fayad looked amazing vs BC and may turn into a real game-wrecker havoc-maker. If teams have to start respecting our "other DE", that would make Willie more open. I didn't know Fayad apparently had a ring with TOR in '22 (grrrrrrr...), but am happy this makes him kind of a vet-ish / sophomore-ish player, which is what I want to see right now instead of the green TC cuts. And he seems to have the right attitude. And maybe he has his injury frequent-flyer-punch-card all filled up and will be injury free for a nice long stretch.

Getting good looks at all these backup/TC guys can yield a few surprising gems, and also show who needs to be shown the door eventually. So it's not all bad, if you can overlook week after week of losing...

We play back at home next week against Ottawa

Pigskin · June 26, 2024, 06:29:54 PM

Quote from: bluengold204 on June 26, 2024, 06:21:58 PMWe play back at home next week against Ottawa

Yes, and then July 12, against Calgary. Back to Back home games.

TecnoGenius · June 27, 2024, 02:21:49 AM

Quote from: bluengold204 on June 26, 2024, 06:21:58 PMWe play back at home next week against Ottawa

Sorry, you're right, it's the 2 games in a row at home I was thinking of coming up. Got my color coding wrong on the fridge magnet!! Doh

Our 2-in-a-row away games are week 7 & 8.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to accept the boo birds at home in week 5. It won't help our team in any way shape or form. People need to understand what kind of a bind we are in. I don't see how we win any game until Kenny returns, unless one of the new TC guys turns out to be the next Kenny.

Luckily, my logic still applies for week 7 & 8, as Kenny probably won't be back by then.

Slingin Sammy · June 27, 2024, 02:31:28 AM

Quote from: Pigskin on June 25, 2024, 07:31:57 PMTuesday Practice'

Injured: Nichols, did not practice. Woods, full practice. Ford, full practice but limping on his right side. Lawler, running in the end zone, with a wrist brace. Parker, does not look good for 6 games, could be more like 12. Had to climb stairs backwards. No DS83 in sight, sounds like he could be gone for the season. AB4 tweaked his calf early in practice, but ran it out. Wheatfall, walking with a slight limp. Kelly, working out in the end zone by himself. Lawson, also looks like he might be gone 12 plus games.

Feltmate, AB4 and Lawler, running extra sprints across the field at times during practice.

Woli82 playing DS83 position, Murphy in for Woli82.

McGhee in for Ford on and off during the practice.

BA with no knee brace today.

Alston with a great catch in the corner of the end zone, and another beauty down the side lines.

Hallett on the Safety blitz much quicker than BA.

Smith the only player taking KR/PR.

Chris-Ike on a screen, excellent speed.

Josh Johnson looks pretty quick.

Hall more involved with the D today.

I was there on Tuesday as well. I think when the depth chart comes out on Friday, we're going to be starting 10 Cdns: 3 OL, 3 receivers, 1 RB, 1 DL, 1 SAM backer and 1 field corner...which in terms of the ratio, is pretty much how we ended up last week after Schoen and Wheatfall went down

We don't seem to have a lot of Import depth that the staff are confident in...Maier will likely have a ton of time to throw the ball as it looks like our D line rotation includes rotating Hubert, Schmekel and Thomas on a number of plays (like last week).

My heart wants the BB to win of course...but based on what I think our lineup will be - especially on DLine...I think we're 0-4 after Saturday's game.

TecnoGenius · June 27, 2024, 02:42:03 AM

Quote from: Slingin Sammy on June 27, 2024, 02:31:28 AMMy heart wants the BB to win of course...but based on what I think our lineup will be - especially on DLine...I think we're 0-4 after Saturday's game.

The schedule is totally brutal. I actually don't see how we can win any, unless another team starts to have as many problems as us. With the pieces we wanted we could have beaten CGY twice; now: not so much. OTT is the best chance at a win, but that's coming right up before we have any time to stabilize. It would have been better if we had all our games vs the "good" teams early in the season to take all the losses while we have everyone on the IR.

If SSK keeps being good there's no way we beat them at home (twice!). TOR, then 2 BC (ugh).

Maybe we can beat HAM in week 12 & 18? If BLM sucks and our 9th stringers can get INTs. Maybe.

EDM back to back will depend on if they can learn how to win or not. TOR & MTL will start their backups in week 19 & 21 and still whip our butts.

Is there an option cut everyone we don't want to keep for 2025 and take all that SMS savings to spend Dec 31 2024 early-signing-bonuses to build a superstar team for 2025?

I suppose we could get back to winning ways once Kenny gets back IF we can find a new star R somehow. And if Zach finally dials in. I still believe the focus has to be 90% on O. Score on every drive (3 or 7) and it won't matter if the D is all in the hot tub.

Slingin Sammy · June 27, 2024, 02:58:00 AM

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 26, 2024, 05:19:02 PMWe're going to have some roster changes forced this week due to more injuries. A few possible choices so we'll see how that works out.

OTOH, it appears that Karamoko was moved to the PR and that was not a forced change. It could be that one of the new global players makes the AR. The transaction made on the same day was adding Canadian Murphy. So it might be improving the receiver depth and only having 1 global on the roster.

Karamoko did play on ST's but I don't think Murphy does or will. It does mean an adjustment to the ST's. What that will be is something else to watch.

I've wanted to see Jones added at LB, but that requires another import to come off the AR. Cole was nicked and Ayers are the only other import options. All can play on ST's but role on defence vary for each player.

Lucky Ogbeovn likely draws into the lineup on ST. Seems to have a great motor.

dd · June 27, 2024, 03:13:36 AM

We ve been relatively lucky when it comes to injuries the past couple of years, so the law of averages has caught up with us. Teams may take us lightly with our depleted lineup, but I double it. I m thinking they ll be looking to hang one on us as we ve been one of the best teams for 4 years now so some will be looking for payback for beatings we d given in the past.

Could be a rough month coming up

J5V · June 28, 2024, 12:48:41 AM

Quote from: dd on June 27, 2024, 03:13:36 AMWe ve been relatively lucky when it comes to injuries the past couple of years, so the law of averages has caught up with us. Teams may take us lightly with our depleted lineup, but I double it. I m thinking they ll be looking to hang one on us as we ve been one of the best teams for 4 years now so some will be looking for payback for beatings we d given in the past.

Could be a rough month coming up

For sure there are teams with good memories of how we played bully-ball with them and they'll be looking to really kick us when we're down. The challenge for O'Shea is going to be keeping the fight in the dog and I think that's right in his wheelhouse. He's a player's coach and there won't be any quit in our players -- too much veteran leadership on this team. That alone is going to win us some games and it may as well start Saturday night. A wounded animal is a dangerous animal.

TecnoGenius · June 28, 2024, 05:52:29 AM

Quote from: J5V on June 28, 2024, 12:48:41 AMThat alone is going to win us some games and it may as well start Saturday night. A wounded animal is a dangerous animal.

Unless we are (now, due to injury and bad sms management) this season's EDM... 0-9 to start 2023.

Ridermania · June 28, 2024, 01:40:50 PM

Hope Schoen is back healthy for the 2025 season. Good players are good for the CFL.

TecnoGenius · June 29, 2024, 05:00:18 AM

Quote from: Ridermania on June 28, 2024, 01:40:50 PMHope Schoen is back healthy for the 2025 season. Good players are good for the CFL.

Too true, Ridermania. Thanks for the class post and well wishes. I think injuries have somewhat spared SSK this season, eh? You had that horrifically bad '22 (and I think '21?) vis a vis injuries. I guess the injury bug / gods have to even things out eventually.

Good luck, and make hay while the sun shines! I bet SSK is wishing they didn't have the bye this week... when you're hot, you should play!