Official Game Day Thread - Saskatchewan at Winnipeg , September 6, 2025

[TrueBlue4]

Here's my opinion -
Coaches - I don't think they got stupid over the off season - sure I've questioned some of their decisions BUT this is close to the same group of coaches- yes I know Hogan wasn't our OC lady year but I recall many posters questioning Buck's game calling. I also have to remind myself that any given call has multiple options depending on what the D is doing - also things like depth of the route run by receivers, Oline blocking etc factor into the success of any given call- I am not the guy to judge a good play call since I know nothing about what each call involves. Have I been surprised/disappointing calls yes but have to go back to what I was just pointing out.
Ditto for our D - personally I would like to have a our D line be dominate as that also affects how well our backend plays. I also would like some better disguises of our blitzes as I- for the most part can see them coming. I also saw Sask was blitzing from both edges before Collaros got hurt - surprised he didn't pick that up BUT who knows what he was thinking in that moment.

Having said all that I don't think we did a good job in free agency or recruiting but as a poster noted - we lost alot of experience and knowledge this off season. Better to judge after next year.

I am however still optimistic that we will make the playoffs and can do some damage. Time will tell.

[Sway]

Did anybody else at stadium see Zach get clobbered in first quarter, after he got up he looked lost, staring at Sask sideline?

It was a second down, he tossed it to Brady for incomplete pass.

TV cameras don't show Zach so it wasn't talked about.

I think he was messed up on that play and the Reavis hit really knocked him out.

[TrueBlue4]

Yes I remember that he was slow getting up after a hit. My wife noticed it first.

[Tecno]

Did anybody else at stadium see Zach get clobbered in first quarter, after he got up he looked lost, staring at Sask sideline?

On any big hit or injury I use the binocs to watch the player (on any team).  I remember worrying about Zach (any tap gets that reaction from me).  However, I didn't notice him wobbly (no zombie walk!!) or anything.

His staring at SSK could have just been him yelling at them for taking cheap shots at him.  He knew they were trying to knock him out all game.  It's what they do.

And yes, the early hit could have made the "kill shot" worse.

[Tecno]

You must be mixing up Zach for some other QB like Nichols, Zach has been known to play favourites and completely ignores certain receivers for games on end. You may be right about recievers route running ability as that is usually supported by YAC ability, which seems to be limited to Demski and Wilson presently.

Zach (and Buck) would look for the hot hand of the game, then focus on them.  The hot hand in this game was Pokey, and that is why they were trying to force questionable balls into Pokey the rest of the game.

It's not always a bad idea.  Look at Kenny in the last WDF, eh?

But yes, back in the day (Lapo?) we'd spread it around more and seem to have more success.  You need to make the D somewhat scared of every REC.  It's good if every one can get a TD at least once every 5 games.  Make them all a threat.  We used to do that!

Hard to compare the Rider receiving corps, they're 9 strides ahead of the Bombers currently in planning and depth, and Harris is playing the best football of his life.

Riders RECs actually suck donkey nads.  Total no-name nobodies.  Only Johnson is any good.  Well, and KSB and Emilus, but they are 6GIR.  Our current RECs are 10X better on paper (20X if Schoen was healthy).  Seriously.

SSK O is such a powerhouse because of that OL (that only CGY can dent) and the absolute perfection that is their scheme and calling to suit Trevor.  And Trevor himself.  And their better-than-average run game that can punish you if you forget about it (and that's 75% their OL, not just their RB).  And their hold-always REC corps.  And they mix things up, balance the targets, complete 1-2 deep shots a game when you don't expect it, and keep you guessing all the time.  They are putting out 100X our brain power right now.

Give us their OL and their brains and our RECs would win the same # of games as SSK.  Yes, even Mitchell.  Hard to get these tall lanky deep/wide RECs balls when Zach has 1.7s at best, and is always worried about the untouched guy who is about to paste him.

[Tecno]

It defies logic that we aren't throwing to them if the are open. Everyone of them might be the 1st read on some designed plays.
[...]
This can't all be on Collaros. Who did Streveler try to throw to when he went in?  It's hardly worth checking 9 attempts, 2 int's 5 completions for 39 yards.

Zach has no time.  And the rare time he gets some time he still thinks he has no time.  Look at how long Trevor, VAJ & BLM have to throw... literally all day.  And the odd time they face someone who can get to them regularly, they also start sucking.

Simply time.  Time is OL (#1 issue), then protection scheme (Hogan), then balanced/confusing play calling (Hogan + RB/OL making run game viable).

If Zach had the time VAJ & BLM do then Zach would be lighting it up to our 4 home run capable RECs.  Guaranteed.

As you said, did Strev have any more time, or was he getting D in his face after 1.7s.  Even with his run threat they just came and pasted him.

Embarrassing.  Our OL, OL coach, and OC (and GM!) should be very very ashamed of themselves.  Wallace and Randolph are butt.  Should have been Stan Vant Ko Neuf Lofton from day 1 and for every single game.  Trying to force guys into positions they aren't ready / capable for has possibly cost us the entire season.

[Tecno]

Loss of revenue and home crowd is very important in the playoffs and in general.

I don't think they give a rat's butt about WSF/WDF revenue in a home GC year.  They actually are "off the hook" on this one.

And they locked us all into 2 more years of STH even if they start to lose every game for 2.5 years.  Yay!  (Though I'd go & cheer anyhow, I started in '12, I know pain... but many others don't!)

[Tecno]

There has to be a lack of confidence, talent and play calling for that to happen.

You better believe morale & confidence is in the toilet right now.  Even if they "talk tough" they are all in the middle of "we suck so bad" mode right now.

Losing 3 games to CGY by week 10 was devastating.  It may have destroyed their headspace.  Losing the season series to SSK, and now letting SSK paste Zach into oblivion and clearly having the worst OL in 6+ years, must be insurmountable.

It'll take some crazy leadership to pull out of this funk.  And I'm not sure we have the leaders anymore.

I watch the pre-game post-warmup pep talks with the binocs every game and Willie J always does them.  One thing I've noticed is they are crazy short.  Like 30-45s.  That's not good enough.  And no one is hyped up like AH's "you got my back" thing.

It must be hell for the newer guys, who never felt what our team had before.  I bet guys like Mitchell are just destroyed -- thinking that this is like EDM in their darkest days.

[Tecno]

Wallace ended up playing some jumbo.  How much, I'll have to see when I rewatch.

So... was he always ok, and doing the GTD thing was just a ploy to throw SSK off?  Make them think Wallace is LG, then put in Vant who you wanted all along, then also keep in Wallace as jumbo!

It's like having your cake, eating it to, and having 5 leftover for your buddies.

Although, it doesn't really buy us much.  Doubt SSK cares who our LG is.

And, isn't it a bit strange having a GTD be a "nay" but stays in the game and just doesn't "start"?

[Ridermania]

Over stated on the negative
Terrible idea to cut Mitchell at this stage imo
Agree all

Our receivers are not our problem at the moment but need to be more consistent and getting Sterns back is key

After Labour Day, you would still have to pay Mitchell his salary, doesn't make financial sense.

[Ridermania]

Did anybody else at stadium see Zach get clobbered in first quarter, after he got up he looked lost, staring at Sask sideline?

It was a second down, he tossed it to Brady for incomplete pass.

TV cameras don't show Zach so it wasn't talked about.

I think he was messed up on that play and the Reavis hit really knocked him out.

I think he got hurt on Micah Johnsons' sack early in the 3rd. 

[The Zipp]

Did anybody else at stadium see Zach get clobbered in first quarter, after he got up he looked lost, staring at Sask sideline?

It was a second down, he tossed it to Brady for incomplete pass.

TV cameras don't show Zach so it wasn't talked about.

I think he was messed up on that play and the Reavis hit really knocked him out.

saw it and noticed as well.  said to my son "he doesn't know where he is and what sideline to go to"

[blue_gold_84]

"How was the game on Saturday?"

[Blue In BC]

After Labour Day, you would still have to pay Mitchell his salary, doesn't make financial sense.

Suggesting to keep a player on the AR that doesn't deserve to be there for financial reasons? That should never come into the equation. We can debate whether he should be there or not but money is irrelevant. He got a substantial SMS up front so his remaining money is not that much.

[Sway]

saw it and noticed as well.  said to my son "he doesn't know where he is and what sideline to go to"

I said exact same thing,

Then he started throwing his usual interceptions.

I am worried this team won't make playoffs now. And maybe only win 1 more game