MC

The time is right. The league found the way to make an expansion team relevant with the last expansion effort and the feds can't spend our grandchildren's money fast enough. When you think about it, this would be a great way to celebrate Canada's 150th with an announcement at Grey Cup. The league needs a 10th team. The maritimes need something like this. I guarantee the people of those provinces would revel in their team kicking Toronto's/Ottawa's/Calgary's butt in something that matters to some of those markets.

Gambling on 3rd and 5 is not going to work very often. There is a big difference between making 5 yards by breaking through the front on a 3rd and short and making 5 yards on 3rd and five.

Most kickers have a preference, especially for longer kicks. His is the right hash.

Unless they were running it to the right to get it on the right hash... which is where Medlock likes it.

That's probably the point. They want to run through options with nobody reporting who lined up where on both sides of the ball. Also gives Toronto nothing to work with.

No reason for the Bombers to sign him for two years. That would be just the rest of this year - when he would be no help - and next year. The agent is playing the only card he has - to go public and hope public pressure helps. Even if he signs for three years, he can always quit after two and pursue his other interests.

Sounds like normal negotiating positioning to me. The Bombers have lots of game film from preseason action over the last few years to grade him, and their contacts from the various teams will tell him exactly the type of player he is. This is just the agent trying to squeeze a little more. The Bombers hold most of the cards because he is their draft pick. Completely different from Westerman who was a free agent.

Why do we keep talking about someone who is gone? Get over it and move on to people who want to be here. This team is playing like they are all focused on the same goal. BC has incredible talent at the receiver position. Four weeks from now, our less talented group are going to be catching more passes on the IGF turf than theirs will be on their couches.

Even the players' quotes have a feeling of "we are better than them" tone to them. The gap in talent level is never as big as the records would indicate and anybody in this league can beat anybody else. Expecting to find a way to win is a lot different than expected to win easily. The latter will get you a loss.

The last line in the press release is interesting. They just cut the DB that everyone in Regina was excited about.

There is no such thing as an easy win. Unless you are playing Montreal right now.

Whether he sees the field could be an indication of how excited the coaches are about him. This is strictly a meritocracy.

He might be the biggest bust. Young played a couple of decent seasons and only cost one team a first round draft pick. Richardson cost the Browns a first round pick (3rd overall I think), and then cost the Colts a first round pick a couple of years later when they traded for him. To be able to ruin two drafts for two different cities in three years is a special kind of bust.

I usually agree with you Mr. Dee, but you forgot one important element. For the W...and the $ That's all that matters. We don't want to think that way, but there had to be a bonus in Harris's contract last year if he hit 1,000 yards. He was pulled and the full back got carries when the goal was not only in sight but right there. Granted this is a bigger record, but when the last game could be meaningless and there is money at stake, those two things combined are bigger yet.

Richardson is not suited to the CFL but has a lot of potential. The problem in the NFL was that he was a typical Alabama running back. Outstanding power and great speed when he gets going. He is not overly quick or elusive. Alabama always has a line of future NFLers road grading opposition defenses giving their backs enough room to use their power and speed. I don't expect him to do much, but has skills. Also, in the litany of big name players coming up here, don't forget Doug Flutie and Johnny Rodgers to go with Farragamo and Manley. They don't all wash out, but they all have targets on them from day one.

I expect nothing to happen at the trade deadline, because nothing ever does.

It is truly staggering that a 7 win team could secure first place with a month to go in the season. Especially when a team with only one loss has no chance of securing first place in the other division this weekend and still could go down to the last game of the season to secure it.

Roberts was a generational talent. What he did on the field was absolutely special. While the other players loved him, he forced the coaches to allow him to break the rules. What that cost the team over the years is up for debate. Harris is one of the best running backs in the league today and a big part of the success of the Bombers the last two years. He helps hold the team together and support the coaches. If you are asking who the best Running Back is between them, then the answer is Roberts. If you are asking who would fit better on this team, then the answer is Harris.

Is this always the case?

Edmonton is a very good team that absorbed a lot of injuries and kept finding ways to win. It caught up to them and they are on a slide. But they are still very dangerous and are due for a big game. They have a better defense than the Bombers, a better receiving corps and the best QB in the league. It seems strange to say that the Bombers are a better team at this point in the season, but it is probably true. Defensively, the Bombers need to get consistent push up the middle and hold contain (more important than pressure), and ... need to avoid breakdowns in the back end. That last point is the crucial one for a win. Offensively, I have lots of faith in our OC. My guess is that they will emphasize protection schemes this week and expect Nichols to be careful with the ball because there will be limited receivers downfield. Because of that, there will probably be some 2 and outs and some stalled drives.

Maybe Richardson just wants to come up to Canada in order to run for the leader of a provincial political party?

We have way too many defensive breakdowns to say that our defence is getting better. Plays were there for the Red Blacks. If they had a halfway competent QB, the offence would have needed to come up with more than 29 points in order to win.

I have no problem with the kickoff ovation - pretty much a standard in all football (except here surprisingly) Why not make it a reason to cheer? Love the 1st down cheer. Hate hate hate the true north yell during our country's national anthem. Maybe we should place a Birchwood Honda emblem on the flag at the stadium?

That's fair.

I don't see a blow out. Ottawa is a good team that is strong on both sides of the line and has a good secondary. The "rookie" QB has already faced a lot of live ammunition and won't be overwhelmed. I think I remember him winning his first start as a Cardinal. I am not high on him over the long term, but he could come out and surprise us tonight.