Ottawa @ Winnipeg Pre-Game

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Strangely enough, we're kind of still in the hunt. The west isn't insurmountable, especially if Trevor and Rankin go down.

I thought about going back into my 2013 mindset... But I'm not quite there with you yet.

My main beef is, if that's our state, why are Zach and mos and everyone blowing smoke up our butts like this is just a minor setback and we still have a great team?

I mean, ya, they can't just come out and admit we suck, but they certainly could be realistic and talk to the obvious situation. You know, like they did in 2013...

If you didn't watch any games, and only watched mos pressers, you'd think we were as good as mtl but just had some bad luck.

Goes to show how hard it is to reload when the HC bases a lot of his player decisions on past performances.  O'Shea has never been fired before so he probably doesn't have an awareness of how quickly everything can go to hell, if you don't continually strive to improve you end up sliding backwards, status quo rarely works.

They've got a couple months left to make the best of what they have, after that they're into an off-season filled with huge doubt and question marks.  Getting perilously close to playing musical chairs with the coordinators which creates more instability and uncertainty
which the players hate.  These slumps usually take about a decade to turn around in the CFL, a few players can't change the direction quickly, the entire team has to get good together and right now neither the offence or defence is performing well.

[blue_gold_84]

O'Shea has never been fired before so he probably doesn't have an awareness of how quickly everything can go to hell, if you don't continually strive to improve you end up sliding backwards, status quo rarely works.

This is a pretty silly assumption, especially when you base it on something like not getting fired.

O'Shea didn't get this far as a coach by dumb luck (remember 2014, 2015, and early 2016?).

It's going to take more than just his efforts to get the team back on track, anyway.

[RebusRankin]

Weirdly enough still in the hunt but we're clearly not in the same tier as Montreal or Saskatchewan.

[LXTSN]

Goes to show how hard it is to reload when the HC bases a lot of his player decisions on past performances.  O'Shea has never been fired before so he probably doesn't have an awareness of how quickly everything can go to hell, if you don't continually strive to improve you end up sliding backwards, status quo rarely works.

They've got a couple months left to make the best of what they have, after that they're into an off-season filled with huge doubt and question marks.  Getting perilously close to playing musical chairs with the coordinators which creates more instability and uncertainty
which the players hate.  These slumps usually take about a decade to turn around in the CFL, a few players can't change the direction quickly, the entire team has to get good together and right now neither the offence or defence is performing well.

I agree with you here. Although it's leading more to steady decline year over year. We had a great 5 seasons but it's sadly come to an end. We do need to revamp, and I hope that gets through to MOS. There are some key pieces that we can build around but some positions need an overhaul. I'd start with these:

QB - To me it's clear that Dru Brown and Zach are not going to become top QB's in this league. Zach would be a great mentor and reliable backup QB, but he's not an above average starter, and that's what we should be looking for. Build up Elgersma, and hunt down the next big QB on the negotiation list.

OL - Pat Neufeld and Bryant have had great long careers and we're afraid to say it, but they have been pretty bad on our OL this season. Smart, hardworking guys but they just don't have what they used to have. Really hoping for Cline or Manu to make their way up North soon.

Our defense seems to cycle in new players and I think it's working. There's a few veterans on this team still but they've been good.
Willie is leading the league in sacks.
Kyrie Wilson is doing what he's done, although I wouldn't be opposed to upgrading this position.
Nichols has had a bit of a down year in my opinion.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Weirdly enough still in the hunt but we're clearly not in the same tier as Montreal or Saskatchewan.

I have a feeling Labour Day and the Banjo Bowl will define this season, if the Bombers can rise up and win one of those games they may still be able to surprise anyone that has written them off.

[blue_gold_84]

Weirdly enough still in the hunt but we're clearly not in the same tier as Montreal or Saskatchewan.

I'd include the Elks in that tier as well.

[Ridermania]

Here you go......Ottawa release veteran starters Amari Henderson & Demerio Houston.

https://3downnation.com/2026/08/10/ottawa-redblacks-release-starters-amari-henderson-demerio-houston/

[Blue In BC]

Here you go......Ottawa release veteran starters Amari Henderson & Demerio Houston.

https://3downnation.com/2026/08/10/ottawa-redblacks-release-starters-amari-henderson-demerio-houston/

Yes and they had to replace their LS who was injured in the last game.

If we can't win and even dominate this game at home, then the end is closer than we think.

[theaardvark]

If there was even more reason to keep ZC8 on the 6 game...  OTT has release 2 of their starting DB's. Even if Dru isn't ready, Elgersma and Perkins could still shred them.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Trap game! 

[3rdand1.5]

We can make all the tweaks and minor roster moves....but unless the schemes change it will be the same results...I have zero faith in the defensive scheme...my eyeballs tell me its bad, the stats tell me it's bad, a player or two doesn't allow almost 400 yards rushing against, a tweak, more film time or a minor roster move doesn't fix that, not when that is just one example of us being run over this season, it's not a one off, it's a faulty scheme.

Thankfully we are playing Ott, so we have a shot, after week one I called us a 6-8 win team and now going into week 11 I still stand by that....

I don't think it matters if it is Zach or Brown, Lawson of Korny, Corcoran/Cobb or Singer, and extra LB or an extra DL....the results won't change drastically enough to turn us into a competitor.....We are at our best when our HC and coordinators are a well oiled machine, the only thing well oiled is Osh and Miller on specials...

In saying that the only group I expect to look good against OTT is our special teams, I think our special teams will dominate the Redblacks. I expect our offence to show flashes and our defence to make Mair look way better than he is.

I think we win, but not by the margin many are hoping for....

[Blue In BC]

If there was even more reason to keep ZC8 on the 6 game...  OTT has release 2 of their starting DB's. Even if Dru isn't ready, Elgersma and Perkins could still shred them.

The problem is that our next game after Ottawa is Edmonton and then Montreal. So Collaros needs to get back into game condition.

[Waffler]

Here you go......Ottawa release veteran starters Amari Henderson & Demerio Houston.

https://3downnation.com/2026/08/10/ottawa-redblacks-release-starters-amari-henderson-demerio-houston/

and sign Lawler's brother, a DB.

American defensive back Kenzel Lawler
HEIGHT: 6-0 | WEIGHT: 185 lbs | BIRTHDAY: 2001-05-11
HOMETOWN: Carona, CA | SCHOOL: Montana

Lawler most recently attended rookie minicamps with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. Before turning pro, Lawler played two seasons at the University of Montana (2024-25), registering 69 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and 15 passes defended. He began his collegiate career at Utah, where he played 16 games over two seasons, registering one total tackle and one pass defended. He is the brother of CFL receiver Kenny Lawler.

[Pete]

Here you go......Ottawa release veteran starters Amari Henderson & Demerio Houston.

https://3downnation.com/2026/08/10/ottawa-redblacks-release-starters-amari-henderson-demerio-houston/

I wouldn't mind Houston being back I havent been impressed with moxey and Nichols this year

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I wouldn't mind Houston being back I havent been impressed with moxey and Nichols this year

Henderson can't be worse at halfback than Nichols.