M.Silverback

That's the key point - it was penalized because it was a dangerous hit. Not necessarily dirty. Dirty implies that it was pre-meditated, which it certainly didn't look like. It was a split second decision, with a vulnerable player coming across the middle. Dirty is also harder to assess, as it's based on trying to guess what was going through a player's mind, and their reputation (Jets fans, remember the Scheifele hit debate? To me dangerous, not dirty - still worthy of suspension). Dangerous is easy to assess - you hit someone in the head hard enough to knock them unconscious and remove their helmet, it's a dangerous hit. And, like it or not, those are not allowed. Period. Player safety, which overall is a good thing. No debate. Penalty. Maybe a fine.

I think by mid season a lot of CFL watchers are going to be talking about Sayles and Kongbo, in addition to the Jeffs. Kongbo was disruptive, quick. Sayles looks like a player with experience in pro camps, which he is.

He does remind me a bit of Clements. Before his multiple concussions, Collaros was excellent. People forget. The cancelled season may have helped him recover more and come back healthy. Made some plays last night that I haven't seen a Bombers QB make since Jones or Clements.

Exactly. Rookie head coach mistakes by Elizondo. Hold players accountable in practice, meetings, games. You don't do it in the media. Especially for a rookie head coach. He's not Belichick or Popovich. Even then, they rarely crap on players publicly. You're earned nothing yet. Earn some respect from your players first.

"Short period of time" ... hmmmm, pretty close to my prediction of "should be okay". That's a good thing!

Coach O'Shea injury update guide: "Should be okay" - possible shoulder strain "He'll take some time and doesn't need to practice" - possible separated shoulder "We'll have Al and the doctors look at him and let us know" - possible arm amputation at shoulder

https://3downnation.com/2021/07/16/expect-to-see-nfl-style-injury-reports-in-the-cfl-for-the-2021-season/ Interesting. Finally happening. Over/under on number of games before O’Shea gets fined for reporting body part as “he should be good to go”?

Good clip from Darrin Bauming about the impact of single game gambling on injury reporting in the CFL. Basically that it has to change to be more in line with what the NFL does if you're going to expect people to bet (lose?) money on CFL games. Hope so. Really tired of O'Shea's old school "he should be okay", "he'll be fine", "he had an appointment (!?)". Ridiculous to think somehow other teams' primary game plan is " hey, let's go after one specific player's ankle, knee, shoulder ..."

Hope he's okay.

He was in nine different NFL training camps, with five different teams. Several teams asked him back more than once. Never said he racked up NFL stats. Did say he bounced around NFL camps a lot. Nine times. Much more than most journeyman or prospect QB's get. More opportunities than Matt Nichols got. Obviously didn't make an NFL roster like every QB in the CFL. But, like I said, had enough talent to be asked to attend camps nine times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLeod_Bethel-Thompson https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BethMc00.htm

Nichols - I'm not going to debate you. Admittedly I've never been a Nichols fan. But, his CFL record speaks for itself. Still unknown what he'll be like post surgery and lengthy layoff, but I'll concede. But the gap between them right now, is slim. Arbuckle - He's been given the starting job in Toronto, but his stats in the last CFL season were worse than MBT, playing for a much better team. Take a look on cfl.ca. Don't be shocked if the Argos stumble a bit, or if Arbuckle misses time, good old MBT comes in and takes the starting job. He's not a scrub. He bounced around the NFL a long time because he has some talent. NFL teams don't keep giving you a shot to be nice guys.

MBT isn't the second coming of Warren Moon, but he's a legitimate CFL QB. He's average at best, but might be better than Arbuckle, and he may be better than some CFL starters (Nichols). Back to the point - we have a completely unproven back up QB. Period. Hope he's good, but putting on my amateur CFL GM hat, I'd always want a back up QB on the roster with some CFL experience. Especially if my starting QB has a history of injuries. Maybe I'd stash the experienced QB on injured reserve, or practice rosters, still give McGuire the QB2 spot. But, I'd want someone who knows the playbook and has practiced with the team, rather than trying to parachute some QB in week 6 who's been working out at a Goodlife.

You're right about next season. For this year, Hamilton and Toronto are in a much better spot than the Bombers if whoever their QB1's are go down. A bit scary in a shortened season for the Bombers. Can only hope McGuire is a phenom.

You could be right! Can't fault Ambrosie and CFL owners for considering all options for growing revenue. That's the thing that drove me nuts with the anti XFL'ers. I'm not pro XFL merger, but the "let's just keep the CFL the way it is" crowd were delusional. Owning a CFL team was, and still is, a money pit. Maybe single game betting is the answer.

Good points. The role of RB's in general is changing in football. Many NFL teams are going to the RB by committee approach, not overpaying a feature RB, and making sure the RB is versatile - can catch and pass block. I love Harris, but I also think we could get 80% of his production from our current Canadian RB committee. Especially with our O-line. I think the Canadian mafia might be ahead of the curve - why not have the RB position as a national position, and use the extra import in what is now a more impactful position - DE, DT, CB, WR? Plus, if you cannot find a decent Canadian RB, finding an American one is pretty easy.

You're right. I guess the good news is most CFL teams are in the same spot - unproven back up QB's. The Argos have the best QB depth right now. And Streveler - not sure he's even a quality starter in the CFL, but as a Bombers legend, he is officially welcome back at any time, in any capacity.

I'm so glad we're back debating the back up QB situation rather than talking about covid! Welcome back CFL! Finding a back up QB in the CFL is challenging. It's not like the NFL where you can overpay a veteran guy to hold a clip board, or basically put all your eggs into the starter basket and don't even have a capable back up (Vikings 2020). In the CFL because of the limited $, you definitely have to find and develop QB's and hope they turn into starters. But, because the O-lines are worse than the NFL, and because it's a passing league, CFL starting QB's tend to drop like flies. Rare for one to make it through an entire season, as we as Bomber fans have witnessed. Based on that, the fact is we have an unproven back up - McGuire. He may be good. And I'd have him as QB2. But, as a Grey Cup contender, I'd feel a lot better with some type of cheap vet back up QB on the roster who has played a few CFL games. If Collaros goes down, and McGuire isn't ready, we're in trouble.

Man that made me laugh! Well done. Best description I've seen of TSN in general.

It’s not great news. But his insights and analysis of the situation were excellent. I’d rather have a reality check. Great questions! I think based on Naylor a big driver of this is gambling. Football gambling is huge, and filling a gap between the NFL season might be the thing. I know people that live in England that bet on the NFL every week!

Excellent insights and analysis from Dave Naylor. https://youtu.be/OTGQpdluvbY

That would be ideal, I just don't think it will ever happen. We have to remember, Ambrosie is not going rogue on this. He's following the wishes of the owners. I would think every private owner in the CFL is open to some $$$ from the Rock. They were losing money before COVID. Lawless said on Peterson's podcast that the Montreal owners basically bought the team with the intention of the CFL looking for other avenues to increase revenue. To be clear, I love the CFL! I just am facing the reality that we are in now, and have been in for a while. The CFL is in trouble financially. Pre COVID I was thinking it was only a matter of time before the CFL would have to look at some type of single ownership model to survive. Didn't predict it may be with the People's Champ though.

Exactly! I haven't listened to the Doug Brown clip, but did he offer any alternative solutions? I haven't really heard any viable solutions from anyone who is vehemently on the anti-XFL talk side. If the solution is continue business as usual, my response is ...

You're right, that's the best option. But unless those dud franchises (BC, Toronto, Montreal) turn it around financially, start getting some actual decent attendance (unlikely), I don't think the TV deal grows. I think it disappears. I think TSN would likely drop CFL football if it was a six team league with no presence in the largest markets in Canada. The CFL is in a real dilemma.

I'd contribute. But I think that's a one-off. Not sure that's a sustainable revenue model. And government support ... given what the government has chosen to support, I would like to think the CFL would also be considered. But again, that's not a long term revenue model.

I think there's all types of different options for revenue. Not sure if I read it here, or Twitter, but seems like CFL fans immediately get very defensive about the sanctity of the CFL game, status quo, but have zero solutions for the bottomless pit of revenue in our largest markets. Worse, I know some personally who never attend Bomber games (NFL fans) but want to preserve the CFL product! At least pony up for some season tickets if you're going to take that hard a stance.