trueBlue83

basically what you're saying is that Streveler has hit his peak, and isn't going to get any better with experience. That you Coach O'Shea??

tough for the D to come up with holds time after time, when they're on the field for 10 of the 15 minutes in the 4th quarter. 2 and outs suck, but they're a double whammy when the D is trying to get a bit more rest before their next series.

yeah, I guess you know better about what I'm trying to say than I do! the receivers aren't the whole problem.... they're limited in what they can do because of a QB with limited capability. If LaPo got to gameplan 4 quarters for Streveler, I bet you there would be a much more spread out offense, and you'd see these guys making plays. Everyone just seems to be going through the motions come the second half when Nichols does 2 and out again... stuff like this eventually divides the room when the belief is gone.

so they finished the season 6-2, made the playoffs and still proceeded to can Doug Berry? If I remember correctly, that was a Lyle Bauer move, in wanting to get his old buddy The Professor back in the saddle! Now there was a season for media! Can you imagine if Twitter had been big when Mike Kelly was here!?? Oh my that would have made for some interesting banter!

"Matt has had a rough few weeks, and I think we're going to let him watch a game or two and see if that helps him out. Chris is going to start for us on Saturday, and we're going out to win that football game. At the end of the day, we're in the business to win, and our offence hasn't been performing up to expectations lately, so we're going to see if a change of pace provides a spark." something along those lines would be just fine. but would also end just like Will Ferrell in the debate scene in Old School!

This was in reference to Austin last year.... I never said O'Shea has lost the room. Also not saying that he may not eventually either though.

but Montreal is showing signs of life, whereas we are showing signs that the ship is taking on water. who in their right mind after week 2 would have thought that our next game after Banjo Bowl against, at the time, the lowly Als wouldn't be an absolute gimmie. Now it could be the most critical game of the season if we're carrying a 5 game losing streak into it.

Thinking today about where Hamilton was around this time last year... sure the Bombers aren't 0-8. But the similarities are absolutely there. A lot of talent on the field, but a coach who had clearly lost the room. The first domino to fall, was Jeff Reinebold being relieved of his duties as Defensive Co-Ordinator. The losing continued, and a month later, Kent Austin "stepped down" (although come on, no coach ever truly steps downs willingly). Zach Collaros was Kent Austin's guy, and he seemed to stick with him through thick & thin. Masoli actually started the 2016 season due to an injury to Collaros, and won his first game, and showed some real flashes that be could play. When Collaros was good to go again, back to #2 for Masoli. That's life when you're the "unproven" guy. 2017 Collaros, clearly wasn't the same QB and it was showing. Enter June Jones in late August 2017.... his first move, naming "unproven" Jerimiah Masoli his starting QB. Although Hamilton did not make the playoffs, they completely turned their team around, and finished a respectable 6-4 after the coaching and QB change. Some believed Hamilton to be the hottest team in the league as the season ended. Now does the Bomber brass have the stones to make changes like Hamilton did? I think most would believe NO. But we are trending very much like Hamilton was early last season. The talent is there... but the belief has to be slipping. O'Shea sticking with Nichols seems exactly like Austin sticking with Collaros. Something has to change, and if O'Shea wants to continue to tie his hitch to the Nichols carriage, I think he's in for a similar fate to Austin. He's proven time and time again over the last while that he's too stubborn to do the right thing, and when he does make mistakes, just arrogantly argues that he'd make the move again. If this is going to be a similar story, where the team gets turned around midway through the season... it starts with a coach getting the axe. Only we're 5 weeks behind what Hamilton did last year. So... given that, skip ahead to the QB switch. This coaching staff has nothing to lose and everything to gain trying something new.

part of me has really been wondering for a few weeks now if these receivers just aren't as engaged in the game, knowing they've got a QB very limited in ability. I have to think that if the receivers knew Nichols could escape a rush, roll out to extend the play and buy a few extra seconds for them to find some space, they'd be playing harder. Maybe these guys have checked out, and don't themselves feel like O'Shea does, that "he's our QB, and he's very good". That's never going to come out in the media from anyone, because they're smarter than that. But you have to wonder if the belief is gone?

When was the last time Nichols drove the field in crunch time to win a game when tied or behind. There was the fluke last year against Montreal. Besides that? Honest question... I can't remember one.

That's a full quarter worth of production for Nichols

Masoli moving around nicely in the pocket.... amazing how these mobile QBs with a decent arm can make some plays to get the ball downfield!

It's amazing how they can extend a play by a few seconds and give receivers more time to find open space.... if only we had someone capable of something like that! 😬

this is spot on.... the D can only be expected to do so much, and when they're being trotted out there after only a few minutes of rest because of 'ANOTHER WINNIPEG.... 2 AND OUT!' they're eventually going to wear down. The secondary has been pretty bad, and I really think there needs to be a change in scheme if these 400+ yard games continue. The Richie Hall bend but don't break seems to do okay when the D gets rest... but there's gotta be some tweaks they can make (possibly adding personel) to this secondary. They're going to get torched the second half of the season with the QBs were going to be playing.

and he still had all kinds of time, no pressure... did not have to throw that ball where he did.

I watched that highlight too.... the strangest thing was that he was nowhere near even getting hit, and needed a big play. Nope... check down!

it's being used.... there's just 3/4 of it that probably says 'Do Not Touch'

are you talking about his feelings?

bad case of tunnel vision?? can they not find a way to fit him in? guys like Thigpen have been used as SB before elsewhere... if we're going to throw short anyways, why wouldn't you want another YAC guy in your receiving corps?

was just talking to a customer out in Regina... they very much doubt their offence over there too. Doubts Collaros can put together a string of games. Said 'well you might be getting just the cure unless our front 7 can get pressure!'. They aren't super confident in their squad either.

I would disagree... I thought he's had lots of time. But when he stands still, and the pocket starts collapsing around him, he's gotta be able to move. If he can't, or isn't seeing the collapse around him, come on, that's a huge red flag for what he's seeing out there.

as far as this goes.... debateable. Nichols has had 3 good games since this time last season. Banjo Bowl, 2 weeks later against Ottawa and the Western Semi Final. If you're going to pick apart my words, I'll do the same... "playing at a very high level". "Has played at a very high level" but that's almost a year ago now.

and I've never said 'I know this is what's going on' I'm making assumptions... this is what fans do. Portray thoughts to create discussion. With the direction this team is headed, I think delving into this area of the team is arguably just as important as what's going on on the field. If this crap continues, I can see a divided room on the horizon. I just hope to hell it doesn't come to that!

like I said... one can assume. just because you think Matt Nichols is a good quarterback, doesn't mean you have to sh!t all over me. Have you been hurt by everyone's comments lately too??

One can assume... don't have to be "on the inside". Cranky this morning JCon?? It's obvious that O'Shea calls the shots... but when you've got someone (LaPo) on your sideline that has even more experience than you, you'd think you'd want to utilize that experience. I bet if it was LaPo's call, he would have let Streveler play in the last couple games. His offence looks more effective with Streveler in, and I do believe the play calling has been dialed back to suit Nichols limited ability this year. Those suggesting the play calling has been holding Nichols down... I think it's the other way around. LaPo isn't the one (not) throwing the ball.