trueBlue83

One of the Top Dogs, on a list where only 3 QBs have been the starter for those past 3 seasons. You'd have to look at individual seasons, and bring Burris, Glenn & Ray into the picture. In fact, one could argue that the Bombers might have been better off with Kevin Glenn under centre last season! 2017 GLENN, Kevin SSK 17 318 468 67.9 4038 25 14 100.0 3.0 8.6 2018 NICHOLS, Matt WPG 14 254 392 64.8 3146 18 13 91.0 3.3 8.0

very reasonable compared to Bo-Levi and Reilly's new salaries? I believe at least year's rates (and Nichols signed the contract with this year's salary back in 2016) he would be a top 3 guy. Bo-Levi & Reilly both got overpaid, I don't think anyone is going to dispute that. A top QB in this league should be making $550 - 600K tops if they want to keep talent around them. At the current rate, there's no way we'd be able to keep Nichols & Streveller next season, as I would think some other team would be willing to take a chance on Streveller and pay him north of 300-350K. Something will have to give... and unless Nichols goes lights out this season and gets us a Grey Cup, I can't see how you stand by and let the young guy walk!

Justin Goltz, Alex Brink, Drew Willy, Robert Marve, Joey Elliott.... do I keep going!? all were thought to have potential to be the "next" guy.... one half does not earn you a starting spot (unless you were playing for the Als last season!)

But at $475K per season, are overpaying big time for the production we get out of him.

there have been plenty of times over the last year where Nichols has had open receivers downfield, but panics and throws it away or dumps it off 2 yards. It's been happening for a long time. Anyways... let's see how he plays the next few weeks, it's not like O'Shea is going to pull the plug on him anytime soon.

and has nothing to do with Andrew Harris having been the best back in the league for the last 3 years?? I point back to Nichols best season, in 2017. 105 receptions by Harris. Lots of QB's could be successful throwing dump passes to a workhorse like Harris! Once teams started to key in on that type of a play, Nichols play has dropped off, and so has Harris' receiving yards. With the weapons we have on the squad today, you need a Quarterback that is able to extend plays with his legs and allow time for our deep threats to get open. That's how this team will become a dominant force in 2019 in my opinion!

It's statements like this that I have a problem with.... "He" took us to the Western Finals?? No.... that win in Regina was a lot of good defensive play, and adequate offensive production against a team that couldn't put up any points. What did "He" proceed to do in the Western Final?? Have about 75 yards passing through 3 quarters of play, and show that when the chips are on the table, he couldn't get it done.

I'm talking strictly about Nichols play over the last 1 1/2 + seasons now.... not team play. There is nothing wrong with the team play. I just feel that this team isn't going to reach it's full potential with Nichols behind centre if he continues the way he's been playing the last 30 or so games.

I'm sorry, but the guy is in his 7th (1 full season lost to injury in 2013) season as a pro. At what point do you say "maybe this is as good as it gets?". His play has largely regressed since halfway through the 2017 season, and I know the wins are there... but why do we as a fan base continue to celebrate mediocrity!? This team has so much potential this season, and if they are going to stand by mediocre QB play like they did last season, unfortunately I think we're all in for a disappointing end to the season. That said, it's still very early, and maybe Matt does turn it on. I'd love to see it. However, I just don't believe it's going to happen, because his play has been mediocre at best for the last season and a half! I predicted pre-season that Streveler would be our starter by mid August, and after last night, I stand by that prediction! And if I'm wrong, and the Blue keep winning, well then even better! I don't mind being wrong if I'm watching our team win with good QB play!

just heard on TSN Radio that the Riders asked to speak to LaPo, were denied and he's not happy about it..... per Farhan Lahlji. Will be curious to see where this story goes! They did mention it was about the OC position though, so Bombers don't have to allow anything. If it was actually for HC and they denied, this is exactly the can of worms I mentioned they could be opening last week!

I don't know that the Bombers can prevent the Riders from talking to him, can they? Because it's a step up in the coaching ranks, isn't there somewhat of an unwritten rule that you don't hold your coaches back? If they roadblock the conversation, there will be some bad blood / elephant in the room sorta scenario. If LaPo is happy and wants to stay here, there's nothing wrong with granting the Riders permission so he can politely decline their offer.

This is a win win for both..... in Manitoba, Bighill and his family can afford a nice house, and if they choose to stay here, which it looks like the pieces are being set up for, can also buy/build a cabin for the same or similar price to what it would cost them for much less in the GVA. The upside outside of football, if Bighill is a big piece, which he certainly would be, of bringing a Grey Cup back to Winnipeg, he becomes an instant legend amongst the fan base, which makes his step into his off season/post season career that much easier! Not only do we get our most sought after free agent, a local business gets a huge piece to their business as well for the foreseeable future if that's infact what has happened!

if there was anyone that was for some reason iffy on wanting to come here, this should just solidify things.... now go out and get a big time receiver and this team should be a Cup favourite!

my honest belief is it's not going to take that long.... I think we're talking this upcoming season. It's not going to surprise me at all if Streveler takes over as starter by August. That is, of course if O'Shea can bring himself to make that move.

should be able to re-structure Nichols contract and make it incentive based and drop 150K.... but that's just wishful thinking that won't happen!

not "in the league" but, no mention of former Bomber alumni, and almost thought of at least once or twice in an act of desperation as a potential backup, ahh but maybe he just never got the right opportunity.... but was drafted ahead of Tom Brady. #1 in your hearts, and never quite made it to many programs..... Kliff Kingsbury! I know... you all thought I was talking about Stefan LeFors! sorry What a story! Never knew he went straight into coaching after his stint with the Blue & Gold. His time up here must have played into the style he chose to coach! Interesting stuff! https://3downnation.com/2019/01/08/kliff-kingsbury-goes-from-third-string-cfl-qb-to-nfl-head-coach/

well, the defence displayed in that highlight pack was certainly worth a chuckle!

and most importantly....... have a:

just trying to fill the void left by Duron Carter!

that was one play on a lighter note: @ 4:10 in

scrambled and threw it to the sidelines maybe. if LaPo is calling such bad plays, how come Nichols never seems to challenge him on the sideline and get on the headset? You never see that. You also never see him change any plays at the line. LaPo may call certain plays, but the QB should have the wherewithal to change them if he reads something in the D he doesn't like. But when that's not happening, you have no one left to blame but the guy behind centre, because ultimately, the plays still need to be executed by him, and no one else. Just to say no one is getting open... I think you've listened to that post game press conference from the Calgary regular season game a few too many times.

Nichols longest completion of the first half was 9 yds. He did that once. One other pass for 7, all others were 5 or less. He didn't actually complete a 10 yards pass (and it was only 10, on 2nd and 15) until 8:12 left in the 4th quarter. His first big play, a 26 yard pass didn't come until after the 3 minute warning. How the coaching staff stood by this for as long as they did was baffling. But if the game plan was in fact to dink & dunk the whole way through, when it wasn't working, Nichols should be having a chat with LaPo when on the sideline and talk about "opening it up" . This probably never happened because it takes him out of his comfort zone of 5 yard passes. He can't scramble, he can't stretch plays with his feet to let people get open downfield, he can't recognize when to call an audible or point out a weak spot a D is showing, and when even the slightest bit of pressure gets near him, he folds like a cheap camping chair. This, for the extremely low price of 450K in 2019! I can't wait!!

Nichols himself in the post game press conference blamed the wind on the Adams play.... so what do you have to say about that!? He also said he "thought he played a pretty solid game". That's the thing that bugs me the most about the guy, is he can't just man up and admit he played like crap. At least he didn't throw his receivers under the bus again and say no one was open. his leash has to be short next season... to pay a guy 450K next season to watch him throw 4 yard passes and maybe 1 TD a game? That will get frustrating really quick. He had one good game all year.... not sure how you can say with a straight face that he was "great". If that's what we are going to consider great QB play, then this fan base has been brainwashed into believing mediocre QBing is acceptable. If he comes out of camp healthy and still looks she'll shocked and can't Pull the trigger when needed, then it's time to move on. Football is very much a "what have you done for me lately" business, and the fact is Matt Nichols has only had 2 good games in the last year and a half, one of them being the 2017 WSF in a losing effort (which I don't blame him for... it might have been one of his best games as a Bomber), the other the home win against Calgary to clinch a playoff spot!

Nik Lewis was in essence a Phil Kessel type player.... turns it on when he needs to and is talented. But other times, looks completely useless. Was always an effective player though!

events like these haven't happened for a long time.... it's more about festivals now, like a Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella..... its easier on the bands to go one place and let the fans come to them. I doubt we see anything like an Edgefest / Summersault ever again, which is unfortunate. Its just the nature of the music business now though! As far as attendance / ticket sales.... if Wade is giving away tickets, that's his deal and will be up to him to explain & justify. To me, if he's "donating" to key corporate sponsors who are spending advertising dollars with the club every season, I'm fine with it. It's better to have more people coming through the building and spending money on concessions than it is to have empty seats. Now as a season ticket holder, I don't really like to see people getting free tickets, but they need to try and generate extra revenue somehow I guess.