JCon

Sits out. Did it before and why would a team want to deal with KO. The other GMs aren't dumb. They know KO gets his way.

And disrupting the team going into the playoffs.

Hosed?

Way too many factors to think that week 1 success means long term success. But, looking at the pieces, I think we have a very good team.

You picked them third in the West. So, that's at or bottom half.

Yes, but Chungh could have blown a knee, Gossenn, etc. And, yes, the team can still lose, even if the oline plays great all year. Playing great in the first game of the season does not mean long-term success. Tons of factors. But if this group stays together, I am very confident that they will continue to improve and be one of the best olines in the league. My point was that we were being told that we would be significantly worse because we lost 3 NI All-stars.

Honest question. Do you think that the o-line is likely to regress and get worse over time? Or, as they build familiarity, are they likely to get better and more cohesive?

Cap space. It's probably why they took a cheaper D-man from the Rangers. They have a long list of players to sign, so getting an excellent return for him might be good. They can restock a bit and fill a need. I still don't like it.

Your mea culpa sounds off.

How could I forget! All-Stars!

I've heard the sky is falling and that our team is going to finish in the bottom half of the league because we lost 3 NI starters, including 2 on the line.

I guess it's based on expectations and past performances. It's akin to the college sports rankings before the season even begins.

I wonder if they move Poink as part of another package? They don't really need him.

I'm not sure how they put Calgary ahead of Edmonton. Yes, they didn't look good but better than Calgary.

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Record: 1-0 Last Week: 2 What a statement the Bombers made over the weekend, going into BC Place and pushing the Lions around in their home-opener. Andrew Harris rushed for 148 yards, Jeff Hecht had two interceptions and the defence allowed just four rushing yards, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. It’s early, but the hype seems to be legit. 2. Calgary Stampeders Record: 0-1 Last Week: 1 Despite losing much of their starting defence, it was the offence that lagged in a rare season-opening loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Bo Levi Mitchell failed to generate a point in the second half as the Stamps couldn’t take advantage of four Dominique Davis interceptions. Minor setback, Grey Cup hangover or a crack in the armour? Time will tell. 3. Edmonton Eskimos Record: 1-0 Last Week: 5 The Eskimos’ offence was simply stunning in the season opener, racking up 35 first downs and 607 yards of offence. We had a feeling Trevor Harris and Jason Maas would jive quickly, but this was beyond expectation. A Week 2 matchup against the BC Lions — and former franchise quarterback Mike Reilly — might better measure where the Eskimos stand. 4. BC Lions Record: 0-1 Last Week: 3 Despite taking the loss, Mike Reilly looked sharp in his return to the Lions, throwing for more than 200 passing yards in the first half alone. Quarterback is certainly no longer a question in BC, but there’s plenty to iron out if the team is going to contend for a division title. In Week 1 the Lions could neither run the ball nor stop the run. 5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats Record: 1-0 Last Week: 4 The Ticats fall one spot despite a season-opening win over the Riders. Style points mean nothing in the standings, and Orlondo Steinauer was able to pick up the first ‘W’ of his head coaching career. But Tommy Condell’s offence hasn’t exactly lit it up so far, with Jeremiah Masoli throwing for just 169 yards in the opener. That could change in a clash with the rival Argos at BMO Field. 6. Ottawa REDBLACKS Record: 1-0 Last Week: 8 The REDBLACKS are taking names and, well, you know the rest, earning a 32-28 season-opening win over the defending Grey Cup Champs. Players felt disrespected by things like writer picks and power rankings, and they backed it all up by beating a good football team on the road. Plenty of questions remain — can they do this consistently? — but it’s a feel-good story after a tough off-season. 7. Toronto Argonauts Record: 0-0 Last Week: 7 One of the CFL’s biggest mysteries going into 2019, the Argos will learn a lot about themselves when they host the Ticats on Saturday in their season-opener. Expectations are high in Toronto, where Corey Chamblin was named head coach and the team has bolstered its talent on both sides of the ball. The biggest factor may be James Franklin, the team’s undisputed No. 1 after a strong camp. 8. Saskatchewan Roughriders Record: 0-1 Last Week: 6 The lack of a proven backup could haunt the Riders early in 2019, after Zach Collaros was injured in the opener and placed on the six-game injured list. A dominant defence and elite running back in William Powell should keep games within reach, but one of Cody Fajardo or 23-year-old rookie Isaac Harker will have to make strides quickly to keep this team afloat in a tough West Division. 9. Montreal Alouettes Record: 0-1 Last Week: 9 The Alouettes were at least resilient in their opener, erasing a 17-point deficit to tie the game with two minutes remaining — but their opponent moved the ball at will, racking up 35 first downs and 607 yards. Despite a talented, veteran defence on paper, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik has his work cut out for him in his first CFL job.

What worries me about an Ehlers trade, beyond giving up a very good player on a very good contract, is that he's so close to Laine. Not a good reason to not make a move but we're trying to convince the kid to stay long term and trying to deal his Jets BFF.

They're counting all three bye weeks. Total domination.

Looks like Trouba wasn't willing to negotiate an extension, which means Chevy couldn't get much in return. They must have thought he was going to be a distraction this year, so they just moved on. But Poink and 1st round 20th overall is very underwhelming. So Lemiuex and Trouba for Hayes and Poink.

Carter's reaction is priceless. Like "common man, that's not fair". He didn't even really stand up for himself.

Yeah, but does he have enough 50/50 type fighters in his new receiving corps? Carter chickened out of a tough catch. Burnham is definitely a fighter.

Gable.

It's certainly a unique situation. Unions often find themselves defending the actions of one individual against another union member. In some ways they're a collective and in others they act for the individual.

They're protecting the payments. Collaros is still getting paid but Lawrence isn't, if he's suspended. They want as much money out of the league as possible.

They're just realizing what everyone has known for months.