MC

I agree with you. But you never really know about these things that go to the media. They are in negotiations and their agents will be telling them to give both positive and negative vibes to maximize the teams bidding and keep it hot. There are only so many opportunities in this game to be able to cash in. This is likely the best opportunity he will ever have.

I get somewhat annoyed at this narrative that football is losing fans and losing the younger generations. The television ratings for the CFL were up this year. About a month ago, 15 NFL games were the top 15 rated TV shows in the US since the beginning of September. And both leagues have their best growth in the younger age groups. Sure, the negative perception of player safety has hit youth football enrollment. But have you checked out what has happened in Manitoba with high school football? There are now 5 conferences and 3 divisions in the WHSFL at the varsity level and two JV leagues (12 man and 9 man). The football scene is expanding in rural Manitoba as well. Then there is the girls and women's football leagues. This is huge expansion from the 90's when the whole thing was stagnant. In every one of these leagues and levels there is growing diversity. This are not just a bunch of white English speaking boys.

He is under contract for the next two years for the same amount whether he plays tackle or is the sixth offensive lineman. And you have to pay a lot more for a starting Canadian receiver than a very good American there too. We stacked our defense this year with 11 starting Americans and trusted Lapo to come up with the smoke and mirrors on offense. We need to increase the number of game breakers on offense - and the quickest way is to add another American receiver as a starter and a change-of-pace offensive threat as a DI. You can do the first part of that by going with 4 Canadian on the line.

The big upside on Gray is that he could possibly be a starting Tackle. We can find good Canadian interior linemen. He becomes a ratio breaker if he can replace Hardrick.

My guess is that they watched him play in all those games this year and his ugly mechanics make them concerned whether he is a long term answer or liability. I don't know the answer to that question.

Because a commissioner gets a presentation from a Mexican league and spends a couple of days looking into it, he has his head in the sand about poor crowds in Toronto? So, he should spend his 60 hours a week on nothing but a problem that a mega-rich owner is responsible for? I don't see how the two things are related at all. It sounds to me like a fledgling league with deep pockets wants to give the CFL some money and all they have to do is hold trials in that country (maybe find a couple of decent players) add a roster spot to each team and one of the teams gives up a home game . Oh, and there will be a Spanish broadcast of some games along the way. I saw him at Grey Cup in Edmonton. How he could he possibly drink beer in Edmonton when he should be pleading with passersby in downtown Montreal that they need to buy a ticket for a game in McGill Stadium that will take place just 7 months from now?

As long as he is able shed blockers, he will be fine. He may have a hard time playing super Mario though.

The posters saying to run away from Singleton are completely wrong. They need to run right at him early so they can hit him. You don't avoid good players in the front 7, you go after them. This is not flag football.

The NCAA targeting rule has been terrible for the game. And yet, leagues are forced to follow it because to do otherwise exposes them to litigation. The problem most often is that person turtles when expecting impact, dropping their head. The defender aims for the strike zone and finds it has shrunk at the point of impact. Players are ejected from a game, altering the competitive balance. And in the end, there is no difference to player safety.

One thought on the QB speculation: If Mitchell spends next year on the NFL treadmill - and there has been interest from a few teams - does Calgary look north for their next QB? It is hard to envision a Hufnagel team without a bona fide starter. We just haven't seen it.

In the same universe, the Bombers would still be positioning for playoff seating and would likely beat the Eskimos as well. The only game from the last week that still would have gone as it went down is the Calgary - BC game because BC started their starters.

Jones probably just signed both. Don't know why you gave him the idea. Dinwiddie and Ploen are on their way now.

Playoff games are always a hard sell in the CFL - which is why the season will change in the very near future. I suspect that the Riders will paper the stadium and have a sellout. While I don't say good things about them very often, Saskatchewan does have the best chance of any CFL team of getting a sellout in the playoffs.

When determining the most underrated player, do you take the player with the most votes or the least?

This feels like a bad idea. I guess nothing ventured, … If they get 30K in the stadium and some decent ratings on ESPN3, then it is a roaring success and free burritos for everyone!

I agree. But I also understand that when the player gets a call from the rival with a chance to exact some revenge, he will likely grab it.

Teams sign recent cuts from future opponents before big games all the time. The Bombers have done it as much as anyone else over the years. Don't make it sound like it is something nefarious. Johnson can be a major difference-maker and makes plays that fans remember. I wouldn't criticize any team in the league from signing him. I was very happy with the Bombers keeping him as a reserve. I also understand him wanting to go to our rival to gain some revenge against the team that benched him.

From your lips to God's ears

Bryant and Nevis are both better. Johnson is a pretty good option to have on the PR, but you can't blame him if he has a better paying option back home. It is really good to see the Bombers constantly improving their roster.

Good advice for all of us. Keep it safe out there!

I think that Harris will play long enough to get the rushing crown and then have an extended ride on his stationary bike. I expect Nichols to start and play for a half. During that time, the playcalling should be conservative with heavy emphasis on getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Dressler might not make the plane ride. Other than that, I expect everyone else to play normally, unless they have an injury that needs the week off to heal or protect.

I agree with most of what you said above from a Riders perspective. I think you sold the Riders short on the receivers and defense. Overall, the Riders have a better receiving corps over the Bombers. The Bombers defense has improved a great deal over the last 8 games, but is still has a way to go to compare to the overall speed, playmaking and scheming of the Riders. The one positive here is that the Bombers offense matches up fairly well to the Saskatchewan defense. Matt can be patient (one game is not a career), and that works against Saskatchewan.

Completely agree. And I have no idea why. Kickoff returns have been abysmal. We could have Gizmo in his prime back there and we would still be starting at the 25 yard line.

I want Halifax to get its stadium and team ASAP, but whenever I read about the funding needed I doubt it will happen. The feds should look at this initiative as more than just a sports team. It would be a major source of pride for the whole region and would be a unifier for the country. The CFL would need to give it the same advantages that gifted Ottawa a Grey Cup win in the first few years to make it work. But it would be huge in so many ways.

So sorry to hear that. That is absolutely terrible. My condolences.