Eternal optimist

I can't recall in recent memory a single defensive back getting lit up as much as Carmichael did over the last two games. I know there's a learning curve in adapting to the CFL game, but I think it says something when two different teams/QBs/offensive schemes find the same weak link night in and night out.

What about that offside penalty Carmichael took? If he had remained disciplined the Blue would've stopped the Stamps on 3rd and 1 and the place would've gone bonkers. Instead they managed to get 6 off the penalty.

If that's the case and he's healthy I'd give him a shot next week. Lankford has looked unimpressive at best.

Well I stand corrected... that gives him even less of an excuse then. Also, pretty sure they released Thorpe: https://www.bluebombers.com/2017/06/21/bombers-add-three-release-two/

Unintentionally convinced the father from the father/son combo that sit next to me to get his son a cowbell at halftime yesterday. Looked like the little guy had a ton of fun yesterday despite the loss which was nice to see. Agreed - My vote is for Fort Garry Brewing Co.

They actually stuffed them five times. Agreed - also I know he's a rookie but he should know better than to carry the ball with his inside hand. Typical young returner that doesn't yet realize that sometimes you just gotta duck and dive for five yards - tries to take it outside too much. On that same return he fumbled I was worried he was going to get tackled inside our own 10.

Agreed, I know last night when Lankford fumbled that return the general atmosphere at IGF was "here we go, again...". The silver lining I guess is that considering we served up 5 turnovers, we managed to hold one of the best offenses in the league to under 30 points. It's too bad the offense couldn't muster up more positive plays.

Agreed, the sky is not falling yet. I think the majority of people were just disappointed the Blue didn't put up a better fight in front of a big home crowd.

At the stadium they called #4 (Carmichael) - its entirely possible the refs just got the wrong number. Hurl would make more sense as its usually guys on the line that get called offsides in those situations. TSN's detailed log has it listed as Carmichael as well: http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/calgary-stampeders-winnipeg-blue-bombers-20170707/log

Couple things: 1. I wonder how much of this is Hall's schemes... I remember last year Johnson was a bit of a whipping boy, now everyone seems to be clamoring for him to get better. 2. Carmichael was awful - on top of getting eaten alive, he was the one called for offsides on that 3rd and 1 that gave Calgary another 3 cracks at scoring. 3. We need to be more aggressive on play offensive calling, it's the difference between playing to win, and playing not to lose. I also didn't like the call to take a knee going into the half.

I hope the Riders manage to put a couple wins on the board before the Labour Day/Banjo Bowl games for no other reason than I've seen that stupid series derail our season on too many occasions. Nothing would be more dangerous than for the Blue and Gold to go into those two back-to-back games above .500 (hopefully) and with the 'Riders with like 2 wins or something.

Man I am terrible at this, let's say Demski.

Burke - for no other reason than his inept ability to lose the room before he entered it. I remember in one post-game Demond Washington had a chance for a interception that would've sealed it for the Blue, only to have it deflect off his hands, caught by the receiver and go for a TD. Post-game Burke completely threw Washington (a rookie at the time) under the bus, saying he should've just knocked down the pass instead of going for the INT. I understand that players make mistakes and have to be held accountable for them, but there is also something to be said for winning as a team, and losing as a team. Also y'know... 7-21 win/loss record is like RIDER bad.

Regarding the slow start, as much as I hate to give any credit to Rider nation, that crowd definitely pumped up the D in the 1st (and 4th). Hopefully our crowd can do the same for the Bombers on Friday against the Stamps. Other things I liked about Nichols: - 1 turnover that wasn't really his fault, the ball hit JFG pretty much in the mask, but it was certainly catch-able. - Minimal time count / procedure penalties, given the conditions. - Was able to sling it when the opportunity presented itself. - Kept his cool in OT.

Yeah Hardrick (thankfully) did come back in a few series later. I think the defensive lineman you're thinking of is Tristan Okpalaugo... I think him/Westerman had 2 or 3 roughing the passer calls against them. Hopefully that was just them shaking of the rust and becoming accustomed to the new rules regarding hitting quarterbacks. We can do stuff like that against SSK, but it'll be a long night against CGY if extend any stalled drives with Mitchell at the helm.

I'm all for pressure and love the intensity that Westerman and Okpalaugo bring to the table... but they can't take those 15-yarders against the 'Stamps and expect to win.

Agreed Nichols managed the game well last night. Does anyone know the status of Jermarcus Hardrick? After he went out due to injury, our O-line didn't seem to play the same - gave up a few sacks etc.

I really thought he should've gotten a delay of game penalty for that. He was obviously fishing and was challenging something you can't challenge. Thank goodness they at least got the call right

2017-Jul-01 Riders count with me! and celebrate one fifty, Next week oh and three?

I've never worked for his ***, but I'll kick it for free.

S.J. Greene

Take a moment, sit back and realize that someone was paid to design those uniforms. Now take a moment to realize that his/her superior (who is likely getting paid MORE) was like "Yep, that looks great!" On an interesting side-note, it will make them blend right in with the Stamps / Redblacks colors... when we said the best reffed football games were ones where you didn't see/notice the refs, that isn't what we meant!

Exhibit A: 2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers That said, I think we'll do alright this year.

This game is making me look forward to heckling Hajrullahu when he visits IGF.

Is Toronto the real deal if Ray stays healthy? Or is Hamilton's stink making the Argos look better than they are?