M.Silverback

O’Shea rarely calls out players. And I have heard him refer to coaches having to be better. Two games like we just had warrant something more than “it’s a team game ...” Hall should be gone next season, but, so will a bunch of players if this keeps up.

Surprising coming from him. But what is he supposed to say - “good effort fellas, have an orange slice”. What do you want a coach to say to the fans after that **** show?

Agree the offense has to do more but come on. 500 yards last week and this week! They’re soft in coverage, Bighill has been replaced by a mellower clone of himself, and the D-line gets virtually no pressure. Let’s be real - we’re not good on either side of the ball. Consequences ....

In the well deserved Nichols and general offense bashing, let us not forget the 516 yards our defense gave up, including 249 to Jorden. Mind boggling with that much high priced talent out there.

I'd like to see that too. But, I don't think it will happen. Football coaches in general are very reluctant to pull their starting QB when they're struggling. They aren't like hockey coaches pulling their goalie who's struggling, even if they are the established starter (like Peter Laviolette yanking Rinne whenever he sucked). I'd like to see that approach, but, I also get why you wouldn't do it as a HC in football. Unless you're really unclear on who your starter is, like in Toronto where Franklin never really was the set-in-stone starter. That said, Streveler has the bigger upside than Nichols. I think the coaches and management see that too. Just a matter of how and when you start considering that. I think a 9 - 9 season, and a first round knockout, might create a "competition" for QB next camp.

Fair point. But how does he take the next step on the bench? I like Nichols, but he is who he is. And at some point soon management has to decide whether it’s worth paying $400K plus per year for the sixth best starting QB in the league, or roll the dice on $200K or so for Streveler, who might end up being better.

Definitely. And let’s remember that this regime has been there before. Not too long ago Winnipeg was “Willypeg”. They’re loyal, but not stupid (maybe about WR’s ...) I trust they see what we do - Nichols is good, not elite; and Streveler could be something special. My only fear is Streveler gets an NFL look in the next year or two.

I like your idea of Simonise and Petermann in rather than Lankford. NI versus import aside, they're just better options at this point. And definitely Flanders in place of Lankford I fully endorse.

Definitely. And I hope for his sake he does come back. I'm not defending the current management's ability to find receivers. So far they suck at it. But, let's not imply that somehow the Bombers missed out on signing an AJ Green in his prime level talent just because they chose not to bring in Kenny Shaw. I'm sure they looked into it.

Agree. But, how else do you evaluate a player with limited or no CFL experience? College game film? Manziel has some great college game film. You have to go by how well they perform in practice against your DB's, how well they know the playbook, connection with QB's. And, how they're buying into your system and their role in it. That matters. I know people loved good old TJ Thorpe, but at the end of the day if he was that talented, and had a positive attitude, he'd be playing somewhere. Many of the guys Jones brings in are major head scratchers. And I'd reserve judgement on the wisdom of signing a post ACL tear Kenny Shaw.

In all pro sports today it’s a really fine line between authoritarian a-hole coach and players coach. You really can’t succeed being too far one way or the other. I think the best balance is an organization where the players feel that the coach has their back (doesn’t call them out publically), but management makes decisions based on constantly upgrading talent, salary cap, admits mistakes, and is ruthless about it. I think we’re getting closer to that (like trading Bowman for a box of tape; waiving super bust Faith). Our import WR’s is and has been our weakest position talent wise for a long time. I don’t like Lankford, but, don’t you think if they had a clearly better option they’d be in there? I think if Corey Washington were absolutely crushing it in practice he’d be in there. As O'Shea always says, if he gave them the best chance to win ... And if Zylstra gets cut and the money would work, Walters would replace someone on the roster for him in a heartbeat.

Legitimate points and concerns. But, we’re still averaging 32 points a game with mediocre QB play. And 5 - 4 is not terrible considering we had a raw rookie start the season for us at QB. I think we are who we thought we would be - average, playoff team, but not a cup contender. Question is, will that be good enough to save some jobs next season?

Exactly. Bad decision by the coach on so many levels putting him back in.

Fair enough. And certainly the overall team play tonight was worthy of some boos. It’s baffling how bad the looked on both sides of the ball. I blame Langford! Gotta be his fault.

Nichols was not good tonight. But I really don’t see how booing him helps. Plus the defense got lit up; the O-line got dominated. It’s not all on him.