Calgary @ Winnipeg

[Blue In BC]

I'd say "nothing has changed to decrease the participation in [ U ] sports" because the CFL continues to provide the promise of a pro-level future and decent-to-big money.  If you take that away by ditching the ratio, guaranteed the participation in Usports declines.  You're making it sound like something has changed already re: ratio or earning power of Canadians in the CFL: it hasn't.  Attendance is irrelevant to this argument.

Many of the recent DPs (i.e. the Philpots) talk about how their dreams all through high school and U were getting to play pro in the CFL.  No ratio, virtually no Canadians hired (the truly best going to the NFL), thus no dreams for the Canadian teenagers.  Ya, maybe the 1% of the 1% might be told/think they are NFL material, but all the rest, nah.

Kids play football because it's fun. Everybody wants to be a star both in the NFL and the CFL. You think no ratio means kids stop playing football at an early age and don't participate in College football? Even though there are less roster spots, interest has increased at all levels of Canadian football. Players are getting better each year.

I'd strongly disagree. I'd use hockey as the example. Every kid wants to play in the NHL and it has no ratio. Teams are still filled with top Canadian players

[Sir Blue and Gold]

30 games over 3 years... is that enough for an NFL pension?

Yes. You need to be on a game day roster a minimum of 3 times in 3 seperate seasons. However, the NFL pension isn't fantastic -- the average player makes ~$45,000 USD per year once they are 55-years-old. It pension goes up the longer and more they've played.

Somewhat on topic, Streveler is not eligible (he missed it by 2 games).

[TBURGESS]

We're already an NFL feeder league. Our best get a shot at the NFL. Reducing or eliminating the ratio wouldn't change that. 

U sports players want to make the NFL first then settle for the CFL next. U sports has basketball and their is no CBL, so I don't see the lack of a CFL equaling less U sport football. 

[3rdand1.5]

Why so much talk about ratio etc. please put that in "ratio" thread.....

[Blue In BC]

Yesterdays IR report was fairly encouraging. Bryant and Chris-Ike were the only ones listed as DNP. I'll be surprised if Bryant doesn't play. He's not a player that needs practice every week. Giving him more time to rest is a good idea.

OTOH, I expect Chris-Ike will miss this game after Samson was moved to the AR from the PR earlier. That and Chris-Ike hasn't practised this week yet and he's a rookie.

Depth chart will be interesting as it is every week. Any of Garbutt, Whitehead, Alston or Case might be activated.

I'm expecting Garbutt and Whitehead as most probable but I'm not sure what to base that on other than good PR. lol

I expect a Bomber win as the team has been improving week to week. 3 losses by a total of 7 points says improve a few things to turn the tide.

Bombers 27 - Stamps 14.

[Nic16]

From what I witnessed in practice...
Garbutt will finish his stint on the 6G.
Whitehead will not be an option this week.
Alston is looking good, but on 2nd team O.
Case looks like PR Returner insurance.

[Blue In BC]

From what I witnessed in practice...
Garbutt will finish his stint on the 6G.
Whitehead will not be an option this week.
Alston is looking good, but on 2nd team O.
Case looks like PR Returner insurance.

If that's the case is there another import that might be added to fill the vacancy opened by cutting Fayad?  By process of elimination based on other comments, Tony Jones might be the only import considered to add for this week?  At the very least he might be useful on ST's. I don't think we need another DB from the PR at the moment.

We need a small airlift of players to consider for the PR. The catch is space on the PR.

Or are we starting 11 Canadians this week?

[theaardvark]

Meh, Thomas should not have even been starting this season, but Lawson got hurt.

Why do you hate Thomas?  He is an effective DL that makes a good push and has actually knocked down a pass, as well as harrassing QB's all year.  12 tackles, and with the DL depleted, he has been utilized more than he should be, and is holding his own in spite of other teams being able to target him with double teams.

Rotating with Lawson, he would be even more effective, for sure.  And it would be hard to define whether it is Lawson "starting" or Thomas.

[blue_gold_84]

Why do you hate Thomas?

Jesse suggesting Thomas shouldn't be starting does not mean he hates him. Jee-zus.

[Jesse]

Why do you hate Thomas?  He is an effective DL that makes a good push and has actually knocked down a pass, as well as harrassing QB's all year.  12 tackles, and with the DL depleted, he has been utilized more than he should be, and is holding his own in spite of other teams being able to target him with double teams.

Rotating with Lawson, he would be even more effective, for sure.  And it would be hard to define whether it is Lawson "starting" or Thomas.

I love Thomas. I think he'd be at his most effective in a back-up role spelling off Lawson. And I think that was going to be the plan. 

[theaardvark]

Jesse suggesting Thomas shouldn't be starting does not mean he hates him. Jee-zus.

Sorry, hard to pick that up in a text.  I apparently mistook it for Thomas shouldn't be on the team...

I love Thomas. I think he'd be at his most effective in a back-up role spelling off Lawson. And I think that was going to be the plan. 

Sorry I mistook your remark.  Thomas will do anything the team asks him to, still remember seeing him downfield on ST plays.  Yes, "game management" of Thomas would possibly allow for better output by reducing the workload and allowing him time to recover better, he is the longest serving Bomber and 33 this year...  but I think he will give everything he's got whenever asked.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sorry, hard to pick that up in a text.  I apparently mistook it for Thomas shouldn't be on the team...

Sorry I mistook your remark.  Thomas will do anything the team asks him to, still remember seeing him downfield on ST plays.  Yes, "game management" of Thomas would possibly allow for better output by reducing the workload and allowing him time to recover better, he is the longest serving Bomber and 33 this year...  but I think he will give everything he's got whenever asked.

It's the cancerous fallout from the other forum were some members want Thomas, Bighill, Wilson, BA and Kramdi cut, Collaros dumped and O'Shea fired. Seriously crackers.

[BomberFan73]

Man, its gonna be a hot one on Friday, and ofcourse severe TStorms very likely
What's the odds we make it thru the game?

[theaardvark]

Man, its gonna be a hot one on Friday, and ofcourse severe TStorms very likely
What's the odds we make it thru the game?

I'd bet on me being in the Pinnacle Club alot...

Oh, by "we" you meant whether the team finishes the game without interruption/suspension... 

[TecnoGenius]

I'm expecting Garbutt and Whitehead as most probable but I'm not sure what to base that on other than good PR. lol

MOS said in presser this week that Whitehead is almost certainly not a starts this week guy.  Ya, he could be bluffing, but it seems like he's being truthful.  Maybe Lucky's week 2 he'll start.  MOS also said it was important Lucky was ok with being on the PR.