trueBlue83

I remember hearing the words 'hottest offence in the league', I believe on Sportsnet, before we played Ottawa at home and thought 'this guy is looking at numbers only and hasn't actually watched a full Bomber game'

I think coaches quickly identify the talent in good returners and turn them into receivers or RB's quickly, and try and get them off teams exposing them to injury. The 2 most recent I can think of are Jackson in Toronto (now Edmonton) & Rainey in BC. Two of the best in the league, and I don't think they take kicks anymore, do they!??

maybe a shock collar that can be buzzed when he's staring down a receiver in double - triple coverage and is ready to pull the trigger!

So you figure he's washed up and can't play anymore at 28 years old?

where is Chris Matthews???

and yeah... the QB would be the last to be introduced. Rolling out #15 is going to fill the stadium with negativity right off the hop.

Nichols 2nd down conversion rate low??

had to look this up, and no, not true... he's been toiling around the last 10 years in the CFL, employed every year. Interesting, and did not realize this. He was actually our DC in 2009 under Mike Kelly. Understandably, the brass blew up that coaching staff completely wanting nothing to do with Mike Kelly's people... but he's been in the league ever since after spending the prior 12 years with a variety of College teams. the 4 years now he's spent in Ottawa, is the longest he's ever stuck with one team.

was Nelson available?? if we missed that boat on him, that's an epic failure on Walters not pushing O'Shea to move on

I was looking at that Friday night too after they won... they've got a much softer schedule than we do. If Montreal can do us a favour next week, it's sadly possible that we could still make it in by only winning 1 more game this season. I don't see BC beating Hamilton who they've got twice, Edmonton or Calgary. They should beat the Argos, so if that's their only win, maybe we squeak in!

it would have been a gong show..... I re-watched the game this morning, and as brutal of mistakes as Nichols made, he really wasn't having that bad of a game until his complete melt down. If he throws away that first pick to Jefferson, they kick a FG and it's 13-0 rather than 10-7. The underhand debacle, take the sack and go to second down. Maybe we get a TD, very least, come away with 3 more. Those 2 complete brain farts totally changed the game. These are mistakes that he prided himself on not making last season, and where everyone said he does a very good job protecting the ball. You obviously can't overlook those terrible plays... but if he just eats those instead of throwing them away, he's actually not having that bad of a game. He was finally hitting some intermediate routes, and the other INT he did throw, was deep downfield. He was technically actually on pace for his first 300 yard passing game of the year. You can live with a deep INT once in a while, because it can be argued it's somewhat equal to a punt. When he's throwing INTs on 3 yard dump passes though, those are just inexcusable. He needs to sit out against Montreal and watch a whole game from the sidelines... the emotions will be running too high at IGF next game. Nichols will probably start again, but I feel it needs to be on the road against Edmonton. He always seems to get up for games against his former team, so this cooling off period could be a good thing to him. He's very much lost out there.

still lots of football to play... I see Hamilton passing Ottawa and hosting the East Final. Ottawa is trending in the wrong direction too, and so long as the Bombers have a solid last few weeks of the season, could sneak into that spot. I'd be just fine with a crossover against Ottawa! That said, it's really all we have to hope for at this point. Doesn't seem like we're going to win enough to get in through the West having now lost the tiebreaker with SK.

lol.... ummm... Ottawa didn't exist and won a Grey Cup 3 years later.

I always thought LaPo got a bit of a raw deal back in 2012... but maybe he really just doesn't have it anymore.

As much as this is partially true, I also felt the Riders were ready for Streveler. With Nichols struggles, I'm positive they watched all the available film on Chris knowing they'd likely see him in the second half. On his read option where he tried to take off up the middle (a play that has worked for him almost every time), they knew to watch for it and snubbed it out right away. Also, knowing he's still a rookie, brought the heat and said 'force him to make a quick decision' . There was still positive signs though, and I think they can build from it!

If we don't see a couple NFL cut receivers in here this week, the scouting team is failing big time. With the injuries sustained at that position, they have to be adding depth at this point.

Exactly what I told my brother... it was funny and sad at the same time.

Rock bottom was when the Nichols anti-bullying video played in the third quarter and it got booed. i don't even want to dwell on his performance, it's just beating a dead horse at this point. Hopefully now that Streveler has some meaningful film to watch, he can build off the mistakes he made and get things moving. We don't need him to throw for 400 yds a game, just need to move the ball consistently, score points once in a while and give the D enough rest to play well themselves. the bye week, despite what the TSN panel said, I think couldn't have come at a better time!

nope.... I've watched almost a year now of mediocre football from him, and I'm not going to cheer mediocrity. Either he steps up, or please sit down and get out of the way.... this team still has potential to do great things. Unfortunately for him, he may have to watch it from the sidelines. 2 and outs shall not be cheered with 'ah shucks, get em' next time Matt!'

Do you honestly believe what you just wrote?? That the organizations is fine with losing and has no intentions of trying to win a Grey Cup?? Sure, maybe there's a few personnel moves that have been questionable, people held on to for too long... but to think that everyone involved doesn't ultimately share a goal of bringing a championship back to Winnipeg, you're sorely mistaken. Wade Miller was a part of a Bomber team that ALMOST got there... you don't think he wants to be a part of the team that finally gets the job done!?? Lyle Bauer, Brendan Taman... these guys wanted to win, they just never got across the finish line here. Both went on to win in their next job.

Ugh... or a Charlton Hughes sack. I think they need a long methodical drive to gain the confidence. Nichols hasn't had one in a long time, and that could be just the cure. Spread it around, utilize the running attack... maybe a pitch to Flanders in a dual back set!? Will be interesting to see the formations with Flanders back in the lineup today! Hopefully LaPo has some goodies dialled up!

Darian Durant appreciation day at the stadium today! Any Rider fan seen wearing a #4 jersey is going to be asked to buy me a beer, and send him the bill!

he's always a guy I hoped somehow would land here!

1. Yes, but Hughes will pick up a sack to continue the streak. 2. Yes... like they did last game, where they played 10 of the last 15 minutes due to an inept QB not being able to move the ball. 3. Yes... if it's not #15 and they don't have to reach back, down, or wait for under thrown balls. 4. If the offence can move the ball, maybe we get lucky and see a classic 7 FG performance from Medlock because Nichols can't finish a drive!

if he continues on the current trajectory, there will be ZERO trade value. Why would a team give up anything when they know a guy is about to get cut??