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A strong statement from the Commissioner of the CFL:

Can we get this topic back to what's importan? Namely.... RIDERS SUCK!!!! Looking forward to them losing again tonight!!!

I could say that I am a board member, But I wooden do that- I would make an ash of myself. But I have been pining to say that fir a long time. It might teak a long time to find another opportunity.

Just a gut feeling, but I really hope this works out....Lapointe didn't have the capital to make this work long term, but I definitely think he should be involved. A former Als player with a connection to their most recent glory days, and clearly a good businessman. If, between him and Starke, they have the funds to do this properly, this is the best situation. Eff the sleazy dragon's den guy....

Watching the Riders lose is a great way to start off the CFL week

The whole premise is stupid. As if Nichols just hands off. Guy throws TDs and protects the ball. They just feel inadequate because they were told that they were on their way up when really the team was just getting gutted. They are nothing and have been nothing for so long. They just listen to people like Pederson and Nye, drinking the green-toilet water.

Great video that really encapsulates the 2009 season. Huge throws from Bishop to Bowman, Edwards, and Titus Ryan. Jovon Johnson punt return TD. Brock Ralph drop in the endzone. The return of Troy Westwood as our punter. Ricky Santos QB sneak. What a ridiculous year that was.

I watch every Rider game because it gives me a chance to root for almost every team in the league.

Arash Madani comparing Ambrosie/CFL to Trump........siiiiiiigh. Such a ******* moron, that guy.

CFLPA upset they are called out for hypocrisy. Seriously it's all about optics at this point and in my mind, the CFL is winning. It's always the PA who complains about needing to do more about player safety, good on the league for turning it back around on them.

6 games without a passing td is a mindblowing stat. I mean we've had QB groups like Brohm/Hall/Goltz and McDougall/Vargas and not done that.

Also consider that if Strev. wasn't available and so proficient a large percentage of those TD passes would be added to Nichols stats. as they were typically achieved from the red-zone after Nichols put them in position to score.

Looks like this one will be an ugly game. Neither team has a starting level QB and both teams have pretty good defences. I'm going with Ottawa, but a big defensive play could win this one.

Regina... the only place where wins aren't a QB stat. 🤣

Ofcourse that idiot Arash Madani has to **** on the League.

This exact sentence was probably said at Rider practice this week.

Don't blame Ambrosie, apparently he is little more than Wade Miller's sock puppet.

Yeah .. when it came to our quarterback situation, we went through the wilderness for a very long while and *still* didn't manage to "accomplish" that feat. Bravo Riders for doing what should be near impossible in the modern CFL

Hitler maybe Stalin possibly...but Trump? That's going too far.

They make a good point here... assuming this is true... "On multiple occasions, including our recent collective negotiations, we proposed the CFL adopt a system, currently used with success in the NFL, that would introduce fair and transparent protocols for players facing supplemental discipline. The process would be more equitable for players, streamline decisions and remove the subjective and inconsistent discipline in the hands of the Commissioner. This process would also provide a binding decision."

They should not cry about the league does not care about player safety then.

Saw that

The fact that you have gone to the same two restaurants for 40 years says more about you that the city lol.

Right like the riders stats last year. They sucked with Collaros, and only got worse without him. When was the last time Nichols was shut out? I can't remember myself, but maybe you do. Or can you tell us which team won the WSF? I can't remember if it was the home team or not. Well at least Collaros had more TD passes than most back up qbs right? That would be ridiculous if he didn't. If there's something I want out of my QB, it's lots of td passes and no interceptions. Who cares if they win or not. That doesn't matter. Also, sands of time out of harris's career....might be the dumbest thing you've said yet. Congratulations on pointing out that the best RB in the league only has a few more years (if lucky) left in his career. I'm surprised you could do the math on that. I guess we will have to come to terms with the fact that the Bombers might only have the leading rusher for at least 1 more year...oh how sad.

yeah they are funny...really funny as people yapped about Collaros being a 10-4 starter last year and "back" and maybe...maaaaybeee one of the wins was a direct result of his play...how much sand do you think is left in just as old Powell with no QB whatsoever to help ease his pain and work load and a patchwork crappy o-line?...I bet nine times out of 10 whatever qb you trot out there won't have Nichols like stats...no INT's...3 TD'S 30+ points scored winning time of possession...be like 2-3 picks...multiple 2 and outs...no TD passes and maybe offence produced in the high teens

The grandstanding is the quickest way to lose everybody’s respect as a leader. What needed to happen was the league come up in the off-season with penalty criteria with the PA and GM’s on board. First offense auto ejection and 25 yard penalty. Next offense ejection and one-game suspension with escalating suspensions from there. All of this auto reviewable such that a ref in the heat of a game at game speed can’t jeopardize this situation with a missed call. No party would have disagreed with this in the off-season.

CFLPA represents Lawrence too. They aren't necessarily condoning the act, but Lawrence pays dues too. If he wishes to grieve/appeal, that's his right and they are his reps. He pays dues. He's well within his right.

OMG, you are contradicting Rod “swami” Pedersen. I agree with your post, Bombers do have a d3cent shot this year. I knew ther were some reasonable Rider fans out there.

@JeffPassan BREAKING: The Tampa Bay Rays have received MLB's permission to explore becoming two-city team: the Tampa Bay area and Montreal, sources tell ESPN. The plan: Play early-season home games in the Tampa Bay area and finish the season in Montreal. News at ESPN: https://es.pn/2L61Jmr

The velocity of those passes is amazing, Bishop throwing ropes.

LOL - at the .55 mark: Gord Miller: Matt, when did you get conservative? Matt Dunigan: When Michael Bishop was my quarterback. HAAA HAAA

We're falling apart, people. We need meaningful football stat! Unfortunately, we only have the Rough Rider-Roughrider match up tonight. Lord save our souls.

There once was poster named tracker at word play he was a real cracker (British meaning) not a big fan of osh but we like him becosh 😂 he 's a really big blue bomber backer 👀

If you read what the CFLPA's issue is, it is all about precedent. Yes, this hit is horrible, and has no place in the game, Lawrence should be punished. The CFLPA is appealing to not only protect one of its own members but the consequences a decision like this could have on future discipline when it isn't so clear. The end of this is a head shot = 2 games. The issue here is the unilateral power of the commissioner. Punishment and suspensions should be decided by a panel of representatives of the league and CFLPA. You may still get players appealing, but you at least don't have to worry about the power of one individual.

Arash Madani is an idiot and his arguments absolutely suck. But it really does come down to the CBA and the responsibilities of the CFLPA. Is anyone surprised he filed for an appeal? That's just how it works. As much as I like Ambrosie's passion for the league, he tends to treat it as his own personal plaything at times. That to me is a little concerning. His statement sounds childish. I like the thought that the appeal process could add games, but it's all about precedent. So it's kind of a catch 22. Precedent can't be made if the process doesn't allow for it. Guess both sides dropped the ball in the CBA talk. Id imagine nothing will change until the next CBA happens

Yet, they fail to mention exactly what the process is and WHY it was declined by the league.........

Do you research anything before posting or do you just post first the sake of posting? Nichols had the 4th most pass attempts in week one and the second best completion rating. Harris - 41 Reiley- 39 BLM -39 Nichols - 33 Sask QBs - 31 Masoli - 28 Als QBs - 27 It's been said numerous times. Lapo calls the plays for Nichols. He has a balanced attack of run and pass. If we didnt have a good run game he would call more passes. Has nothing to do with how many times Nichols throws the ball. If what Rider fans is saying comes true. In that Lapo is so mad at the Bombers for not allowing him to interview for the Riders and after this seasons bolts to the Riders (likely never to happen) then you will see first hand how the game plan is made up and called.

He gets one before me? Deeply insulted.

Don't forget 300 yards passing! It's the most important stat of all. Also, thanks for mentioning the back-up QB thing. I didn't realize Streveler threw 2 more TD passes than Collaros last year. That's amazing.

If McGuire beat out Bennett ....and Bennett is the best qb. on the riders roster as I see it....Then our third stringer is better than anything the toothless wonders have come up with....Better think hard ripper on any qb. talk around here

The important question about Harker to me is: is he better than Sunseri?

I wish I could like this comment x5. It's SOOO true.

A SK fan idea for a post on “How to make friends and influence people” at Morning Big Blue.

#IsItJune27yet 😴

From discussions I've heard, the PA can tell a player they won't appeal on their behalf if the punishment is reasonable and historically in line with past penalties In this case the argument could be made that no one had received a 2 game suspension for similar offenses in the past , thus is uncharted territory and has to be appealed I don't personally agree with it, but process must be followed

I don’t mind this avenue.. arbitrator, but this should have been talked about in the negotiations “Wow that's something I haven't seen before. CFL going after CFLPA for appealing the Simoni Lawrence suspension. If they want to appeal, great. But an arbitrator should be allowed to tack on another game if he sees fit. People would think twice about appealing.” - Joey Alfieri

If the CFLPA refuses to appeal on behalf of Lawrence in this situation then that makes them the judge of whether he is guilty or not. That is not their job. I don't like Ambrosie's statement here because he is clearly trying to drive a wedge between the members of the CFLPA. If he is so set on Lawrence receiving a 2 game suspension then he could have ruled it a 4 game suspension and let the CFLPA predictably appeal it and bring it down to 2. To ask the CFLPA to refuse to represent their own membership is asinine.

Mr. Ambrosie would do well to let the players association tend to their business in defending a member that would lose over 10% of his salary. If it were in the neighbourhood of 15 grand, that’s a very hefty fine that would not be given in the case of a conviction for an assault in a criminal case. However, he is standing on the side of angels by advocating safety.

the league has put on a tactical master class in how to deal with a situation like this. I wish the PA had gone about this differently, but I get it from their perspective. Money, always taking the side of the suspended party, they are consistent at least. This puts the onus on the players and PA reps on each team to go back to the PA and push for change. Especially all those players tweeting about how cheap/dirty the shot was and how punishment / better in game over sight was needed.

Just because you haven’t changed doesn’t mean the city hasn’t. A LOT of changes in Winnipeg in the past decade or so.