M.Silverback

Good point. My post wasn't meant to absolve Lapo and Nichols. I just think it was an interesting comment from a smart former player. Also interesting how much better the receiving core is with Adams in there. I have to admit, I did expect Matthews and Whitehead to be consistently be better deep threats. I know, "Nichols checks down too much; Lapo is not calling deep plays". Agreed. But, even a casual watching of the film doesn't exactly scream that opposing corners are worried much about either as deep threats. Are they excellent route runners? Not sure.

A former Bomber goes to the same gym as I do. I overheard him in a spirited discussion with another gym patron who was expressing his displeasure with the Bombers offense this weekend. The former Bomber was diplomatic but said, among other things, "Bomber receivers can't get open. Except for Wolitarsky". Interesting take. Is it possible we as fans should shift some of the blame to the receivers? Not just Lapo and Nichols?

Wonder if there are any hotshot NFL backup QB’s who might be cut 😀?

Yes I suspect Hervey and Reilly would go pretty hard after Zylstra. Do they have the cap room? Could cut Carter I suppose. I was hopeful the Bombers could put together a better offer. I’d also be ok cutting Matthews for Zylstra if necessary

Zylstra is not having a great camp or first pre season game. I hope for his sake he turns it around and makes the Vikings. But I hope for our sake Walters has been in touch with him and his people. Big upgrade.

It's not all he does. But he does lead the league in pass attempts under 2 yards. And, attempts over 20 yards. A bit of a contradiction for sure. And yet he is still without a 300 yard game this season. So, is his completion percentage over 20 yards low? What about medium range - first down range - 10 -15 yards? Is he lower than average with that? I completely get it - 6 - 2; 300 yard games don't equal wins necessarily. But, he's average to slightly below. And the offense is predictable and lacking any consistent big threats or contributors, other than Harris. That's not exactly filling me with confidence we can go all the way without hoping for a Chicago Bears '85 level defense, and/or a punt/kick return TD every game.

Correct. And agree, truly only winning matters. And we'll likely be 7 - 2 by the end of next week. All good. Just think as the season goes on, as an offense you may want to increase the percentage of pass attempts beyond 2 yards of the line of scrimmage. Pretty easy to scheme against as an DC in the playoffs - stop Harris running and catching check downs. The end.

I'll just leave this here.

I can't defend anyone who calls into any radio show. Apologies to anyone on this board who does, but my tolerance level for listening to fans rambling questions/comments on radio is about 3 minutes. And they usually take that long to get to their "question". So, yes, it's not easy for Bob Irving to deal with.

Ha! He's excellent at game play by play. Truly one of the best ever. But, his tweets and call in show comments at times are drifting into "you kids get out of my yard!" range. Plus, I think to ensure O'Shea keeps coming back on his show he can't take a position too contrary to the head coach. Thus the Nichols love fest.

It's a moot discussion. Given the team is likely soon to be 7 - 2, O'Shea is not pulling Nichols. Streveler is only getting in for extended time if Nichols gets injured. Plus, he likes Nichols. This all gets revisited in January 2020 when the Bombers can walk away from Nichols $455K per year without a cap hit. Plus, Nichols will likely be looking for an extension and a raise for the following year. A lot depends on how we finish, but from a cap management perspective, Walters has to consider if he can replace or upgrade at the QB position for less salary. I cringe thinking of paying Nichols more than his current salary. Rather go with Streveler or Arbuckle or unnamed youngster for $300K or so per year.

To me I think the team, and the fans, need to start looking at QB's through a salary cap lens more. The question always should be do you want to spend say $600 - $800K on a QB? If so, which QB's? Right now there are only 2 in the entire CFL that you could justify paying that to, and one of them isn't exactly tearing it up in BC. If I'm a GM in this new tight cap world my rule would be who is the best QB I can get for $300 - $450K maximum? I'd feel that if I can get average to slightly above average play from my QB, and I build up the team around him, I could contend for a cup in a 9 team league. So, why not keep Nichols you ask? Because he's going to price himself out of that range and he is not worth a penny more than his current salary for his slightly below to average level play. I'd ride with a $350 K per year Streveler or Arbuckle. And perhaps a new OC. 😅

Nichols is signed for 2020 at $450K per year, but the Bombers have an out in January 2020 where they can let him go without any cap hit. That's where things get tricky, and a lot depends on how we finish. Grey Cup win - I'd say they re-sign Nichols to a Trevor Harris level contract. Not saying I'd be thrilled, but how can you not retain your Grey Cup winning QB? Playoff loss first or second round - not sure. Perhaps Walters and O'Shea realize that paying Nichols $600 - 700K per year is not worth it, and they try to go with a lower cost/higher return option. Streveler, Arbuckle, unknown promising youngster ... for somewhere near $300 per year, and use the remaining money to shore up some other areas of the team. You sell it to the fan base and Nichols as a cap decision versus a statement on him as a player. That's the way I'd go as make believe GM.

So is it Lapo or Nichols? I truly am confused. But the offense just isn’t working

We’re officially in trouble

Not sure why Jefferson isn’t in the NFL. He’s outstanding

Managing the sh#t out this game Matty Thin Ice! Check down.

I love this. Let’s make Matty Thin Ice a thing.

I got O'Shea and Da Bombers 72 - zip tonight. Da Bombers!

Ha! There are other possible coaches with potential to consider in the wide world of football than ones who have already failed as CFL head coaches. I don't have a list off the top of my head, but they exist. Good old Mike O'Shea was one, and has done pretty, pretty well so far. Just saying, let's not anoint him as a present day Belichik quite yet.

Culture and coach attracting players - That is very important, and a big part of building a consistent winner. A definite O'Shea strength. Hall and Lapo - that might indicate an O'Shea weakness. Failure to hire top coordinators and/or reluctance to replace them. Every coach has strengths and weaknesses. I like O'Shea and he's done well. My rants on this have been just to point out that just being competitive, to me, is not going to be good enough at some point. Not sure what point, but, winning the Grey Cup is the goal. At some point, find me someone who can.

Definitely on the right track. I like what they've done. And, they should only be evaluated on their time here. However, the organization with the spiffy new stadium is accountable for 29 years of no championships. I'm just saying at some point that has to factor into decisions about GM and HC. We're not there yet. I'm not chicken little here.

Agree. I'm not saying they deserve to be fired. The only thing I slightly disagree with is "a lot more time". Bill Belichik and Gregg Popovich have earned a lot more time, because of championships. Same with Hufnagel. O'Shea and Walters, have earned "more time". They are on the right path, and have built a contender. I'm just not ready to appoint them as GM and HC for life. And I do think at some point championships matter.

Ha! This is also the reason maybe teams and the league limit assistant coaches talking to the media. They're just not as savvy at what not to say. "43 mental errors" doesn't exactly fill me with confidence as a fan. So, you're saying our defense is bad? And I should take out my credit card and buy some tickets? At the very least if I were O'Shea I'd give him a how to speak to the media briefing. Short version - try to tell the fans we're doing great! Buy some tickets! All will be well!

I agree with you both. Plus, I like what Walters and O'Shea have done. And, I like consistency in a franchise's coaching and management. But, I also think in a 9 team league it's fair as a ticket buying fan base to expect a championship more than once every 29 years. I get that there are so many factors that go into winning the Grey Cup, with luck being part of it. But, using Calgary as the standard - 3 Grey Cup wins since 2008. That buys management and coaches a lot more leeway. Again, I'm not calling for anyone's jobs. But, at some point competitiveness and getting into the playoffs has to amount to more. And, I guarantee there are coaches out there looking at this team who think they could get us there.