M.Silverback

I think we’re basically agreeing. I don’t think Eli has shown much either yet. And, I said if he clearly had in practices, meetings, pretty sure the other coaches would be lobbying harder for him. I don’t think Kolo is a great center. Below average. So why not try Eli based in part to his pedigree - Remington trophy consideration - over Kolo?

100% agree that Eli should be starting over Kolo. And no debate that Osh makes many baffling roster decisions. I do wonder though if there's a bit more to him not starting than just Osh. OL coach, OC, even the DC and DL coaches give some input as to who they see as the best options. OL coach and OC give a lot of input on all teams. You have to wonder why they're not seemingly beating the Eli drum as hard as we fans are. Maybe they're seeing something in practices they don't like? Blown assigments, communication, conditioning ... just guesses. I get it, head coach has final say. But you know that in football the assistant coaches and especially coordinators are really vocal about player choices. And one final thing - if Eli was clearly blowing away Kolo in practice, regularly pancaking DL's, he'd be starting. I just think that although he's better than Kolo, the margin isn't massive. At least at present.

I wonder what it’s going to take for a change. Either from Osh, Walters or both. Team is 2-5, worst QB in the CFL statistically by far, and the Argos next week in TO. 2-6 enough to convince them to do something? It’s frustrating because the fanbase knows this team as currently constructed is done.

100% agree. Especially with O’Shea playing him in the Grey Cup. For a guy who is a supportive, players coach letting a guy play who had basically a career ending injury was stupid and cruel actually. And a coach’s job is to win. Playing Biggie and an injured Schoen was not doing your job. Like you said, tarnished his legacy for me because of that, and how he’s allowing that mentality to continue.

Was he there as a GM or fan? Because I’m not seeing much GM’ing these days

Did he have a paper bag on his head?

It’s about time the fans hear from Walters. At least as proof he’s still alive.

Didn't Osh play an extra Canadian most of last season? For some unknown reason? Patriotism? Stubborness? You're right about looking at other contracts first. I still think however that Walters should stick to the basic "rules" of contracts in pro football - never overpay a RB; never overpay an aging vet on the decline out of loyalty. And don't let a coach dictate the roster. Consecutive Grey Cup losses should have proven that. Close scores doesn't matter - Bombers were favoured and lost both. Should have been a wake up call that something needed to change.

No question he's better than Augustine. Not sure he's better than some late NFL cut who we could bring in. I like him, I just would have let some other GM overpay him.

Great point. Honestly that's what worries me most - we can't pin all of this on Osh. A lot of it for sure, in terms of player deployment, roster decisions. But, Walters is the boss. A lot of very questionable decisions. Paying two Cdn RB's so much money as many of pointed out. I know we're obliged to support BO because he's a Winnipeger, but good teams do not overpay RB's anymore. Especially one who is not really a game breaker. He's a reliable, 4-5 yard ball control RB. I don't think opposing DC's are in fear of BO lighting them up. NFL teams rarely overpay RB's. So many high profile ones are released. There's such an abundance of American RB's available I would never pay big bucks for one. I'd constantly be recruiting for new RB's, keep the prices reasonable. The other thing is as much as Osh's loyalty to certain players is an issue, the simple solution would be for Walters to have cut, traded, or not resigned some of these players. He's the boss, he could have told Osh that's the direction we're going. Like Thomas for sure, even Biggie I would have moved on from.

Changing the culture of a team is tough. Kudos to O'Shea (and Walters), for doing that. Four straight Grey Cup appearances. Can't take that away from O'Shea. Next toughest thing is knowing when to move on from some of the veterans in order to maintain that competitive, yet supportive culture. O'Shea is failing at that. One of his mistakes is thinking the "culture" is the veterans. It's not. Thinking that he has to hang on to Thomas, Neufeld, Biggie, even Collaros to some extent, to maintain the culture. It's Blue Bombers football. Like Patriots football, or Celtics basketball. Like you said, Mathews would have cut a vet. Belichick let players go all the time. Loyalty isn't about letting a player tell you when they want to stop playing. Sometimes it's about thanking them, respecting them, honoring their contributions, but telling them it's time to move on.

Good thing Osh dressed 19 LB’s

Is Oakman still available?

The O’Shea post game presser is going to be a new level of infuriating.

Just curious, why are people so excited about Mason Bennett considering he couldn’t stick with the Ti-cats? Local guy, but what else?