Official Game Day Thread - Calgary at Winnipeg, July 18, 2025

[towelie]

Re Strev: When he was first with us his biggest strength was he was a threat to take it to the house on any given play. Teams had to respect him taking off every play and receivers would get left wide open. Strev doesn't have that speed anymore... he's still tenacious but lbs can keep him in check now. He is what he is, a 60% completion passer despite the majority of his passes being short dumps. His accuracy and decision making on longer throws has always been a concern. I hope Wilson and Chase are getting some good reps this week because our offense is going to be pretty easy to stop if all we have is a run game and short passes.

[TBURGESS]

The Stamps are the big dogs now. We hung with them for a half, then got owned... again. 

Folks who said Strev should be starting were wrong.

Our DB's look bad when we can't get pressure on the QB... and we can't do it with the D line we have. 

We might have the weakest group of receivers in the league right now. 

Flush this game and focus on Toronto next week. Lose to a 1-5 team and this place will go ballistic.  

[The Zipp]

outplayed

out coached

out talented

stamps are motivated and are feeding on their success.

we lost in the trenches and their recievers ran crisp high percentage routes and we had no answer cause he had no pressure. 

roster mismanagement, refusal to use the rules to our advantage, sticking with "favs" and not having quality depth. 

17 players rostered for 7 positions and this Person dude played 8 snaps according to the post game show. 

fat and sassy is what we have become - believing the press clippings and two games in a row we got punched in the mouth and beat up by the better team. 

the game Strev played against BC was the aberration - what we saw last night is the real Strev.

 we should have signed Fajardo when available. 

[Waffler]

I don't think there is anything we can do but look at the long view. The best players here are the ones already playing. The possible exception would be D Mitchell but that's a big if. I am ready to give him a game though, we need to know. Either way that is not a season changer. No one of value will be available at this time of year as a free agent. I am pretty sure Ontaria Wilson will be back sooner than later due to his 40 time of 4.6. If he is cut in New York I feel that will be the end of his NFL chances. I am hoping he makes it though. What we need to do is get Zach healthy as long as that takes. Long view. The worst thing we can do is bring him back early to win a game that may not mean much in the end. Montreal did this and is probably sorry now. 

It will help Strev a lot if he gets starter reps this week. That's the way it works here, the starters get the quality and quantity of reps. We will get better. Same as last year.

[Waffler]

To the people saying we got no pressure, Willie Jefferson, MOS and I disagree. I credit Adams for being a slippery and elusive guy. The new guy Person, didn't even notice him though. I was hoping he was some kind of pass rush specialist and that's why he played.

"I felt like we got some good pressures and stuff like that. We got in his face, got him off his spot, got him moving around and things like that," said Jefferson. "I don't think he necessarily had any rushing yards as a quarterback. We tried to get to him. We had some good pressure, just couldn't get home and put him down."

Mike O'Shea seemed to agree with his star pass rusher.

"Vernon was very slippery, so we get pressure, and then he manages to spin around and escape. He's always done that — he's pretty good at it — and he made us pay a couple times with it. He is pretty slippery. You can get pressure, it's just hard to bring him down."

[Blue In BC]

To the people saying we got no pressure, Willie Jefferson, MOS and I disagree. I credit Adams for being a slippery and elusive guy. The new guy Person, didn't even notice him though. I was hoping he was some kind of pass rush specialist and that's why he played.

"I felt like we got some good pressures and stuff like that. We got in his face, got him off his spot, got him moving around and things like that," said Jefferson. "I don't think he necessarily had any rushing yards as a quarterback. We tried to get to him. We had some good pressure, just couldn't get home and put him down."

Mike O'Shea seemed to agree with his star pass rusher.

"Vernon was very slippery, so we get pressure, and then he manages to spin around and escape. He's always done that — he's pretty good at it — and he made us pay a couple times with it. He is pretty slippery. You can get pressure, it's just hard to bring him down."

The Stamps continually managed to convert 2nd and 10 or more into 1st downs. That suggests whatever pressure they achieved was insufficient. Getting him off his spot only helps if he is forced into errors and fails sustaining drives. Didn't they drive the length of the field for a TD on their 1st possession?

We also only forced the Stamps to punt 4 times.

[Horseman]

Ah the panic is back.  Deep breath.  Two horrible games.  Need Zach back and gotta get better in a few areas but not as bad as some making it out to be.I'll take money on that.  Doesn't surprise me you take. 
We have 3 decent backups.  Strev played terrible, no need to pile on.  He is better than how he played today.
The suggestion that the officials want to beat us is false imoSecondary is average but Bridges got beat badly imo
Lbs are slightly above average imo
Pash rush inconsistent
When we did get there took penalties 3 and 2 we are decent and laid two eggs against a superior team that is red hot
Yup two areas of concernOur defense is middle of the pack imo

Our defense is middle of the pack imo

What?!? #1 D you said! now not so much.

[bunker]

Adams was getting way too much time. I would ignore MOS and Willie, who are not objective in the least. Adams was getting to his second, third and fourth reads. Jake Thomas played the majority of snaps at DT. He has one move, a bull rush against the centre or guard, where it take him at least 3-5 seconds to even push the pocket back, and even if he gets through eventually the ball is either out of the QBs hands, or a QB like Adams easily evades him because he's so slow. Our DE's seem to play a disciplined game where they stick to their lanes. This prevented VA from escaping the pocket, but made them pretty predictable, and easy to block. Calgary's O-line looked very good.


Our secondary is better than it looked. I think Bridges is the major weak link there. Parker is not great so far. I think Holms and Nichols are solid. No secondary can cover effectively forever. If Bridges is starting next week, (and my prediction is that he will), its a sign that we will carry on with what were doing regardless of result. Luckily, there are enough weak teams in the league that we have a good chance at the playoffs, provided Zach gets healthy.

I attributed our success since Zach got here to a a good system of scouting and coaching by Walters and MOS. Now I'm not so sure. I think part of it was a one off series of great FA signings (Bryant, Jefferson, Bighill, Lawler, Demski), most of whom are now contributing nothing or less due to aging. We are not bringing in enough talent now to sustain our success.

Its early in the season, and things can and will change by the fall. I'm hoping Calgary made us look worse than we really are, and that they are on a roll and not quite as good as they looked.

[Horseman]

From my view of the game, the following players need to have their play reviewed and pointed out:

Neufeld, has a player lined up directly in front of him on the snap of the ball Neufeld moves to his right to double team on the end with Randolf leaving the Cal player lined up on him a free run to the QB, inexcusable. I also observed Neufeld whiffing on a number of other blocks. His time here is done.

Bonds, Nichols, Bridges are by far our worse DB's especially Bridges trying to cover a rookie receiver #80 (Moose) embarrassing. He made Bridges look foolish. These three again need to have their performance reviewed and action taken.

[Waffler]

The Stamps continually managed to convert 2nd and 10 or more into 1st downs. That suggests whatever pressure they achieved was insufficient. Getting him off his spot only helps if he is forced into errors and fails sustaining drives. Didn't they drive the length of the field for a TD on their 1st possession?

We also only forced the Stamps to punt 4 times.

I agree with you. I am giving credit to Adams. He slipped away and made us pay. He did it in Sask too. How many times has he been sacked this year? I'll bet not many. He's like Ford but with accuracy. I credit him with learning the game too. He plays smart now.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

our halfbacks are average to above. Our corners are getting fried and I don't know where Parker is 90% of the time. Same thing with our LBs, especially in the passing game. All they are good for is blitzing and even then, they don't seem to be getting home like they used to

Agree, not sure the Parker at Safety experiment has worked, he's rather inconsequential in size and has a penchant for falling down at the worst possible times. Communication in the secondary has been terrible and mistakes are happening multiple times per game, the worst example being Holm left on his own to cover 2 receivers on the goal line. The two young corners are being exposed badly but it's not physical inadequacy hampering them but mental mistakes, so hopefully those can be fixed.

[ModAdmin]

Game Recap | CAL 41 WPG 20- Ed Tait

"...The Blue Bombers second straight defeat of the 2025 Canadian Football League season had so many similarities to the first meeting — a 37-16 beatdown in Calgary two weeks ago — and not only drops the club to 3-2, but has them falling behind the Stamps, now 5-1, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 4-1, are in action Saturday in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.

Winnipeg has now also lost the season series to the Stamps, with the two clubs meeting for a third time in Calgary on August 9th.

"Not very good," said head coach Mike O'Shea afterward. "I thought we weren't very smart in the first half and then we just weren't very good in the second. So, you add those two ups and this is the outcome."

More on the Blue Bombers second straight loss to the Stampeders from our view in the press box..."

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/07/19/game-recap-cal-41-wpg-20/

[Blueforlife]

What?!? #1 D you said! now not so much.

Defense started the year good and has had a couple bad games.  We are middle of the pack.  You wanted the entire club blown up the years leading up to our mini dynasty.  We have had the best D or close to it for many years.  Can't be the best forever but I still believe in this unit.  Need more pressure and gotta fix the explosion plays.  My biggest concern is Bridges who will learn from his mistakes and continue to grow hopefully.

From my view of the game, the following players need to have their play reviewed and pointed out:

Neufeld, has a player lined up directly in front of him on the snap of the ball Neufeld moves to his right to double team on the end with Randolf leaving the Cal player lined up on him a free run to the QB, inexcusable. I also observed Neufeld whiffing on a number of other blocks. His time here is done.

Bonds, Nichols, Bridges are by far our worse DB's especially Bridges trying to cover a rookie receiver #80 (Moose) embarrassing. He made Bridges look foolish. These three again need to have their performance reviewed and action taken.

Bonds and Nichols are good to great imo.  No action needed other than regular learning and adjusting after a couple bad games.  Bridges is young and patience should should pay off with him.  He will take time and we shall see.

outplayed

out coached

out talented

stamps are motivated and are feeding on their success.

we lost in the trenches and their recievers ran crisp high percentage routes and we had no answer cause he had no pressure. 

roster mismanagement, refusal to use the rules to our advantage, sticking with "favs" and not having quality depth. 

17 players rostered for 7 positions and this Person dude played 8 snaps according to the post game show. 

fat and sassy is what we have become - believing the press clippings and two games in a row we got punched in the mouth and beat up by the better team. 

the game Strev played against BC was the aberration - what we saw last night is the real Strev.

 we should have signed Fajardo when available. 

The negativity and worry is a 12/10 here, while yes we had two terrible games I don't think it's as bad as it make it out to be.  The tone of your post doesn't surprise me and you are allowed to be critcal but I don't agree with most of it.  100%, against having Fajardo here.  Can't throw a deep ball. Give Person time, it's his 1st game.

I see no roster mismanagement, I see a team with at least average depth at most areas. Fat and sassy disagree.  Disagree about Strev he will have terrible and good games.  Will be on average, below average.  We roster the best mix each game, while not perfect that not our main issue.  Disagree about dressing favs.  Much more complex process than that.

Great game.
Lol!
My hero from 2022?!
Strvlor is what he is. A rushing QB.  Let's call a spade a spade.  He sucks. He lost. The game for us.

In a post I made a few months ago, I suggested we would get injuries upon injuries. I thought it would be a bit later

But the the team is awful. Everywhere there are guys past their prime. I don't see them winning another game. The Bombers have poor players. Calgary across the board embarrassed a lot of players and coaches.

Rebuilding should start immediately. Plus re-signing some previous players. Our linebackers really sucked, the defensive line should be defensive after a pressure performance. Time to trade a Quarternack.  Zac is an accident waiting to happen.  Hello Fajardo.

What a shocker this game was. After a bye they shot the bed.

Plus as I complained a few months ago, the defensive co-ordinators, are in over their heads. Not sure what O'Shea does, so I can't identify him in that group of ill suited things. What a bad performance.

Sure missed these types of posts lol
Rebuild nope, retool
Won't win another game? I'll give 5 to 1 odds we do
Bombers don't have poor players we have a good mix of studs and a few duds imo
Our DC coaching mix is near best in league imo
Zach like all QBs will be hurt from time to time
Calling for us to move on from him is laughable imo
Full stop no on Cody
Team is not awful, middle of pack 3 and 2
Take a deep breath, couple terrible games, we are better than that
Give some credit to a good to great Calgary team

[Pete]

Bridges has had time, 2nd year with us and continues to make same mistakes. We cant afford to take a wait and see attitude
 That applies to our dline as well
How we brought in so few options is beyond me

[Blueforlife]

Great game.
Lol!
My hero from 2022?!
Strvlor is what he is. A rushing QB.  Let's call a spade a spade.  He sucks. He lost. The game for us.

In a post I made a few months ago, I suggested we would get injuries upon injuries. I thought it would be a bit later

But the the team is awful. Everywhere there are guys past their prime. I don't see them winning another game. The Bombers have poor players. Calgary across the board embarrassed a lot of players and coaches.

Rebuilding should start immediately. Plus re-signing some previous players. Our linebackers really sucked, the defensive line should be defensive after a pressure performance. Time to trade a Quarternack.  Zac is an accident waiting to happen.  Hello Fajardo.

What a shocker this game was. After a bye they shot the bed.

Plus as I complained a few months ago, the defensive co-ordinators, are in over their heads. Not sure what O'Shea does, so I can't identify him in that group of ill suited things. What a bad performance.

Sure missed these types of posts lol
Rebuild nope, retool
Won't win another game? I'll give 5 to 1 odds we do
Bombers don't have poor players we have a good mix of studs and a few duds imo
Our DC coaching mix is near best in league imo
Zach like all QBs will be hurt from time to time
Calling for us to move on from him is laughable imo
Full stop no on Cody

O'Shea commits to vets and players that were here on the PR in 2024. All those DB's and receivers brought in for TC and looked at in tryout camps. Vaval only made the roster due to an injury to Logan. Did those on the roster actually win their spots or were they given a free pass by O'Shea /Walters?

Many of the posters felt we wouldn't see too many real changes going into 2025. Now injuries are adding up.

As usual we'll have to see who might be returning from IR or who is going onto IR this week. Collaros is the 1st concern about being lost for at least 1 game.

I think a couple of players have played their way off the starting roster. I wouldn't go as far as saying they should be cut outright but bumped to the PR. OTOH, I don't know if we have anyone better to replace them.

IMO we should bump Parker back to CB and start Allen at safety. That might solve part of the problem. However our biggest weakness is the front 7. We don't even have bodies to consider much in the way of change.

Not ready for Allen at safety yet.  Might bring more problems than it solves.  Parker is good but might not be good enough at corner at this stage.  Allen likely better slowly developed than brought into the fire.  Did cross my mind yesterday.  Maybe later in the season.

We don't bump guys to the PR unless a better option is available.  Don't get better by deletion unless the addition is greater.

Agree biggest concern is Zach.

The Stamps are the big dogs now. We hung with them for a half, then got owned... again.

Folks who said Strev should be starting were wrong.

Our DB's look bad when we can't get pressure on the QB... and we can't do it with the D line we have.

We might have the weakest group of receivers in the league right now.

Flush this game and focus on Toronto next week. Lose to a 1-5 team and this place will go ballistic. 

Place is already ballistic imo by some but yes will go 100% manic if we drop another egg lol

Agree with some of your points

Toronto will be hungry and a tough out, without Zach really tough.