Winnipeg @ Montreal Pre-Game

[Tecno]

You can't plan against what was, you have to plan against what is now.

But you don't know the future, so it's hard to game plan against.

I remember now, it was henoc who said that in the bomber dynasty years every team he was on would come into camp with the single question: how do we beat Wpg. That basically proves my point, straight from the horse's mouth.

You say it's impossible because of personnel turnover, but I say most teams have a character. And that character rarely changes, and when it does it does so slowly.

Thus the past is a window into the present, and finding a way to beat the last season team is finding a way to beat the current season team.

For example, around 2021 you would try to build a team that could stop Winnipeg's run, and also run against them. And that's what some teams did. It didn't work in 2021 because we were just too good, but it did work in 2022.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

But you don't know the future, so it's hard to game plan against.

I remember now, it was henoc who said that in the bomber dynasty years every team he was on would come into camp with the single question: how do we beat Wpg. That basically proves my point, straight from the horse's mouth.

You say it's impossible because of personnel turnover, but I say most teams have a character. And that character rarely changes, and when it does it does so slowly.

Thus the past is a window into the present, and finding a way to beat the last season team is finding a way to beat the current season team.

For example, around 2021 you would try to build a team that could stop Winnipeg's run, and also run against them. And that's what some teams did. It didn't work in 2021 because we were just too good, but it did work in 2022.

In specific cases I think your theory is true, in recent years it's pretty obvious the Riders were built to defeat the Bombers, they accomplished their task last season but now have to refocus on how to  defeat the Als and the Lions.

Another good example is the Jets of the 80's led by Hawerchuk, their monumental task was to figure out how to get by Gretzky and the Oilers in the playoffs, in 5 or 6 years they came close once but never accomplished it.

[Tecno]

You're exactly right about ssk. The 2025 ssk team was built to be the most effective bomber killers. And they succeeded wildly. I wonder if the max d&d scheme was purely to defeat Younger. And hiring ah33 was the coup de grace.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You're exactly right about ssk. The 2025 ssk team was built to be the most effective bomber killers. And they succeeded wildly. I wonder if the max d&d scheme was purely to defeat Younger. And hiring ah33 was the coup de grace.

I think Harris joined the Riders a couple of seasons after Ouellettie, brought in specifically to help re-establish his career. 

I don't think a RB would have much insight into a defence, can't recall any ever being promoted to OC or HC.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Feels like malpractice.

I agree if it's early in the season. The reality is we've installed for Montreal twice already and it's not going to be vastly different this time. We've got no shot unless we're rested because Montreal's been sitting around 2 weeks.

[barbk]

Any update if ZC is ready to play on Saturday?  I looked at the long range forecast on Saturday and it looks like its going to be raining, too early for that I guess... High 7 with winds gusting up to 29 KMS NE... 

[markf]

I hope the bombers d backs don't give up any backbreaking long passes where the defenders look dazed, and confused.

[Blue In BC]

Two days with no practice. Followed tomorrow with 8 -10 regulars not practising or limited practising. It's all well and good if they win but if they don't it will be one of the off season questions.

Rest is good and vet players like Demski don't need to take practice reps.

It does seem that we have a larger group of players that don't practise on a regular basis. A 9 - 9 season makes you wonder if that is a wise decision.

[BBRT]

Any update if ZC is ready to play on Saturday?  I looked at the long range forecast on Saturday and it looks like its going to be raining, too early for that I guess... High 7 with winds gusting up to 29 KMS NE... 

Here is hoping for a wet cold field as I would think that would be in the Bombers favor.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Two days with no practice. Followed tomorrow with 8 -10 regulars not practising or limited practising. It's all well and good if they win but if they don't it will be one of the off season questions.

Rest is good and vet players like Demski don't need to take practice reps.

It does seem that we have a larger group of players that don't practise on a regular basis. A 9 - 9 season makes you wonder if that is a wise decision.

This is a non-issue IMO, most of the players that DNP are vets, they already know the plays and they still attend all strategic meetings.  They're just resting their bodies as much as possible before the next game, 2 of the worst DNP offenders Brady and Demski performed beyond expectations once again, so no big deal.

[Blue In BC]

This is a non-issue IMO, most of the players that DNP are vets, they already know the plays and they still attend all strategic meetings.  They're just resting their bodies as much as possible before the next game, 2 of the worst DNP offenders Brady and Demski performed beyond expectations once again, so no big deal.

Maybe is the best I can suggest. We finished with a 9 - 9 record and just managed to squeak through wins in the last game of the season and ESF.

I don't know if not practising factored into any of this. OTOH, we often saw how we were un-prepared to start a game, play consistently for all 4 Q's or to make in game adjustments. We seem to have stopped giving up the broken assignments we saw earlier.

So I wouldn't entirely agree it's a non issue.

Win the EDF and Grey Cup and then we can say it was a non issue. Come out flat and there will be questions.

[Jesse]

I agree if it's early in the season. The reality is we've installed for Montreal twice already and it's not going to be vastly different this time. We've got no shot unless we're rested because Montreal's been sitting around 2 weeks.

We also got blasted by them last time around and maybe should be trying something else..?

[Tecno]

I don't think a RB would have much insight into a defence, can't recall any ever being promoted to OC or HC.

My ah33 reference was regarding his impact on morale. Yes, doesn't have much to do with my theory, but it was still pivotal in getting them over the top.