The Banjo Bowl

[Pete]

Another possibility is Cobb, he did it for edmonton.
As for our defense despite having issues at corner (long ball, and getting run over) they've played well the last two games. Its been more of a roster issue hopefully we get Houston in and get help at import dt going in with 6 dlinemen while other teams roster 8-9 is suspect at best.

[Blue In BC]

What the choices / options for the starting receivers will dictate what happens with the returner role. Much banks on Schoen playing but that's not certain.

It's not impossible that Moore could replace Mitchell in the starting group. I've suggested that could bump Mitchell to a returner role with Logan bumped to 1 game IR for a game or 2. Moore also has return experience and this combination would give some additional depth at receiver. IE: Moore being a better option starting than Mitchell IMO.

Preferable Wilson and Schoen are the starters.

EDIT: Now hearing that Moore was cut today, so my theory is out the window. lol

[ModAdmin]

Some posts causing distractions in this thread were removed. My apologies to posters who had non offensive comments nested in the removed posts.

[BBRT]

Unfortunately I was only able to watch the first half of the Labor day game as I had a flight to catch and forgot to tape the game.

I am now finally back in good ol Calgary (Dallas was hot hot hot). From everything I have seen posted it sounds like the Bombers held their own and did somewhat better than most of us thought.

From my perspective I have no idea what to expect for the Banjo Bowl rematch. However based on only the first half it would appear to me that the Rider DL was superior to our OL and conversely the Rider OL seemed to be able to handle whatever the Bombers threw at them. Just my opinion only having watched the first half. And as a number of folks who have been around as long as I have, defense wins Grey Cups! We shall see what evolves with injuries as the week progresses.

The best news for me is that I am finished with any travel down to the Excited States until 2026!

[RebusRankin]

Shoring up the Oline would help on Saturday. 3 Import Olineman is a possible upgrade.

[Pete]

Shoring up the Oline would help on Saturday. 3 Import Olineman is a possible upgrade.

Vanderpool is injured so is there a choice?

[RebusRankin]

Vanderpool is injured so is there a choice?

If he can't go, the only other option would be Eli for Wallace and I'm not sure that's a huge upgrade.

Truthfully, its easy to sit here and say they need to upgrade the line but harder to say this is the move to make.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If he can't go, the only other option would be Eli for Wallace and I'm not sure that's a huge upgrade.

Truthfully, its easy to sit here and say they need to upgrade the line but harder to say this is the move to make.

Good lord, if neither Wallace or Vanterpool can play in the Banjo Bowl that could turn into an utter disaster and nullify any advantage the Bombers have playing at home, chalk it up as a sure loss.  On the other-hand it would be a great test of fire for Eli and might finally push him to the next level that he needs to get to if he wants to progress beyond his backup status.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Vanderpool is injured so is there a choice?

Right, sorry I forgot about his ankle.

[blue_or_die]

Good lord, if neither Wallace or Vanterpool can play in the Banjo Bowl that could turn into an utter disaster and nullify any advantage the Bombers have playing at home, chalk it up as a sure loss.  On the other-hand it would be a great test of fire for Eli and might finally push him to the next level that he needs to get to if he wants to progress beyond his backup status.

This is exactly the reason we've kept Eli around all these years. I'm disappointed about Wallace and Vanterpool being injured but we shouldn't expect that huge a drop from these 2 newbs down to someone who's been with the club, what, 6 years? LG was always a spot of concern after we lost Dobson. Heck, it was a concern when Dobson was in and it took a third of a season for the OL to gel. Before that it was Geoff Gray who was called "the weak link" during his time.

I'm generally concerned about our OL this year but this series of unfortunate events shouldn't equate to a "sure loss". If it does, we have bigger problems than our LG.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

This is exactly the reason we've kept Eli around all these years. I'm disappointed about Wallace and Vanterpool being injured but we shouldn't expect that huge a drop from these 2 newbs down to someone who's been with the club, what, 6 years? LG was always a spot of concern after we lost Dobson. Heck, it was a concern when Dobson was in and it took a third of a season for the OL to gel. Before that it was Geoff Gray who was called "the weak link" during his time.

I'm generally concerned about our OL this year but this series of unfortunate events shouldn't equate to a "sure loss". If it does, we have bigger problems than our LG.

The Riders have

This is exactly the reason we've kept Eli around all these years. I'm disappointed about Wallace and Vanterpool being injured but we shouldn't expect that huge a drop from these 2 newbs down to someone who's been with the club, what, 6 years? LG was always a spot of concern after we lost Dobson. Heck, it was a concern when Dobson was in and it took a third of a season for the OL to gel. Before that it was Geoff Gray who was called "the weak link" during his time.

I'm generally concerned about our OL this year but this series of unfortunate events shouldn't equate to a "sure loss". If it does, we have bigger problems than our LG.

Sounds like Wallace did participate in practice yesterday but was limited, so hopefully nothing too serious.  Riders have Mike Rose and old man Johnson on their D-line, if there is a weak link on the O-line they're going to exploit it endlessly.

I've seen O-lineman's careers ended in one game when they couldn't do anything to stop a better player from dominating them.  Sometimes this situation is unavoidable as the team has no options left but to leave a player who's confidence has been smashed in the game to the bitter end.

In the podcast yesterday Cam Lawson said he could play O-line with one week of prep. no problem, as he has played there earlier in his career.

[theaardvark]

Sorry, but I just love it when people think we should have the best "player at this position" for every spot on the depth chart.

The key is to get the best players you can, hope they stay healthy, and make the best with what you've got.

Yes, you are going to have below average position players, because that is exactly what average means.  50% above, 50% below.  If you have more than 50% of your team as above average, you are doing a good job.

That said, the key to the OC's game plan is using the best players to his advantage and "hiding" any below average deficiencies.

Is that one of the reasons we aren't using BO20 as much?  The Oline can't open things up for him?  Or is BO20 nicked, and can't get to/through the holes that they can create.

These coaches are not idiots, they make choices for a reason. Hogan has Jackson there to advise him, Marty Costello has been here 10 years as well.  They know the talents and deficiencies of every player and position group, and will game plan accordingly.

Yeesh...

[blue_or_die]

Sounds like Wallace did participate in practice yesterday but was limited, so hopefully nothing too serious.  Riders have Mike Rose and old man Johnson on their D-line, if there is a weak link on the O-line they're going to exploit it endlessly.

I've seen O-lineman's careers ended in one game when they couldn't do anything to stop a better player from dominating them.  Sometimes this situation is unavoidable as the team has no options left but to leave a player who's confidence has been smashed in the game to the bitter end.

In the podcast yesterday Cam Lawson said he could play O-line with one week of prep. no problem, as he has played there earlier in his career.

I'm sorry but your post is projecting something that's very unlikely to happen, based on very little. The reality is we have some injuries that will affect us for sure to an extent, but "career ending", "confidence being smashed"? These things literally haven't happened. I understand being concerned about having to test some depth but this isn't crisis mode here. Riders have some players on D but I'm not shaking in my booties over Mike Rose or Michah Johnson. Never have, even when they were in their prime.

Hoping we gameplan ourselves to mitigate weaknesses just as the Riders are trying to exploit them. We will be doing the same to them.

[Blueforlife]

Our OL will adjust and play reasonably well.  There is no panic in my mind or worst case scenario happening.  The only worry would be injuries to our best players on the OL.  I do like consistency with our group, which hasn't been the case this year but hopefully we can gel and get healthy down the stretch.

Calling the game a sure loss and no home field advantage due to a tweak on the OL is full stop sky is falling mode imo.

That said our success is directly related to how well this new group plays imo.  I expect an average showing for the OL.  Need above average to win imo.

[Pete]

I think we've been lucky to have O"Shea as a coach but it continues to be annoying how he treats reporters and indirectly fans with his lack of transparency and games. On the coaches show he was asked directly about Schoen - his response; "he's good to go" knowing full well he wasn't
Now with Pokey he won't say yeah or no even when its a matter of hours til its public info
anyway.
Some will say that hes just taking any advantage he can but then why arent we utilizing the DI?
The childlike I know something you dont attitude is getting thin