Mark H.

Horrible game...the D deserved better.

Agreed, except that the drop off in talent when 'you just slot another NI in somewhere else and play an American at MLB' can pretty steep. Not so much when you go from NI OG to NI OG, if you've been drafting and developing NI OGs. I don't necessarily agree. The drop off is usually going to be steep in any situation. If you're capable enough to start as a Canadian in this league, you rarely sit on the bench. When OL like Labatte, Perrett, Tsoumpas, et. al. are not in the line-up...I would be willing to bet it shrinks the offensive playbook.

That's not necessarily a reason to change the ratio...it could also be a reason to scout for better Americans.

Except that many of our NI OL are unproven. Muamba is an MLB who has proven he can be effective at his position. If we lose him and don't have an NI for the starting safety position, we'll need at least 4 NIs on the OL. Who would they be?

Or more accurately, how stupid Tim Burke is. The depth on this team isn't good, but there are 4 or 5 different ways to work the lineup better than putting in three import OL. What is his plan here? It can't be talent evaluation or MSW would be in to see what we have there and Pencer would continue to get a shot. But we can't actually be trying to win, right? And if we were trying to win, wouldn't we want to play a guy like Ian Wild, who has been a significant bright spot on the team? Sure doesn't seem worth starting an ineffective Will Ford at his expense. The funniest part about this is that the run game will still suck. That's what drives me nuts the most. If we're evaluating, he's doing it wrong. If we're trying to win, he's doing it wrong. The only way he's right is if we're just throwing darts at a dartboard to fill roster spots because hey, nobody can be wrong that way. I hope Pencer is at least dressing as the 6th OL...at least then making a ratio change is possible...

Quality non-import starters and dominant imports.

Yes, which was pretty much 100% of the logic behind IMWT.

Well they have to have it done at least before the season starts. They haven't in the past. The PA doesn't have a whole ton of leverage because there is no shortage of football players and they are hardly a unified group. They will play under the terms of the current deal until they get a new one. Ok thanks. I've been trying to research that but haven't found a conclusive answer.

Oh.

It started with a reach...

Well they have to have it done at least before the season starts.

Yes, but a new deal will be negotiated during the off-season. The details will be out even if it isn't in effect.

Seriously? Give me a break. Such a double standard lol It's a pretty good article. Until he says the Bombers are missing a third of their starting 24 to injury...and cites Boatman and Morley as part of that third.

This week Wally will call time out to ice Hall in fourth quarter...Burke's secret it out now...

Just heard from the coach's show that Pencer is indeed sitting.

I don't buy that it's a pile of crud for players. There's a hell of a lot of talent on the defense there that the coaches are utterly failing to get the most out of week in and week out. We've seen what they can do in week 2 and in the banjo bowl with proper coaching, it's damned impressive, but most weeks they're lost, that's a lack of clear direction from the coaches. I know full well who hired Burke and I've been talking about that being an issue for longer than anyone else, but to simply say the talent isn't there is a fallacy. There's talent there, the coaches aren't getting the most out of it, not even close. I can make a guess that these tackles didn't just pop up out of nowhere simply because the scouting system hasn't changed through it all. It's a pretty safe assumption that these same scouts would have presented these same players to whoever the GM was. Once you put down the haterade you're drinking and look at things objectively you might stop blaming absolutely everyone on this false notion that Joe Mack couldn't and wouldn't bring in any talent worth a damn. Mike Kelly's team had an impressive defense too...DB and DL in particular.

why do you care who your QB is in 5 years when you ought to be trying to win a Grey Cup next year?? Because this team isn't good enough to win a GC next year, and (if there is a God) will be adjusting to new coaches and schemes. Why take on Ray's contract and the limitations it'll put on the rest of our roster; if we're more than Ray away from being a GC contender? I'm not saying Collaros is a better QB than Ray... I'm saying Collaros makes more sense for a rebuilding team that needs more than just a QB. >implying that teams haven't turned around from **** to win the GC in recent years >implying that teams with new HCs and systems haven't won GCs in recent years >implying that teams with big contracts at QB haven't won GCs in recent years Good points all of them. I'm implying that there have not been a disaster of the Bombers' magnitude turn it all around into a GC in recent years. I'd love to win a GC next year... and I'd love Ricky Ray too. I just think we need more pieces than just Ray; and that his contract could well handcuff us from addressing those areas. Why not spend the $400k between Collaros, Chris Best, and another piece? And yes, I am implying that I'd like us to trade for/sign Chris Best as well. The 1999 Hamilton Ti-cats?

Assuming the freeze is a week before the expansion draft on Dec. 13, the trade freeze would be effective Dec. 6. So there is a bit of time between the Grey Cup and the trade freeze to swing a deal.

Given that he's a FA after this season that would be a rather *ahem* high price. Maybe pull an Eskie move and deal a 3rd or similar for the exclusive right to talk to him? But obviously that doesn't guarantee anything, and given the Ottawa complications he may be smart just to wait it out and hope for a bidding war to develop. Considering all that, giving up a first rounder should be considered. Or maybe a second rounder and Henoc Muamba...then Toronto can work on signing him till Feb. 15 I don't even think you need to include a 2nd rounder in that trade with Henoc. Collaros for Henoc straight up. Since they're both pending FA's with the dispersal draft coming up, you might be right. Plus TO has a history of starting NI LB's.

Given that he's a FA after this season that would be a rather *ahem* high price. Maybe pull an Eskie move and deal a 3rd or similar for the exclusive right to talk to him? But obviously that doesn't guarantee anything, and given the Ottawa complications he may be smart just to wait it out and hope for a bidding war to develop. Considering all that, giving up a first rounder should be considered. Or maybe a second rounder and Henoc Muamba...then Toronto can work on signing him till Feb. 15

I don't disagree with you Bluto .... but Ray is what 35? At SOME point you have to consider it, especially if you think you have a young, viable option on hand. Look at Montreal. They kept Calvillo for too long imo. RR turns 34 next month...that's not bad at all. With good protection he's got 5 seasons left.

What??? He clearly blamed Washington for not knocking it down, saying he is too young. He did not blame it on the O. He blames everybody for everything IN PUBLIC! That's exactly what I heard.

I'm in. And maybe, just maybe, we're on the way to building a good OL for him. Some good things shown on Friday night.

To me it looked like the Esks made adjustments to our scheme after the first quarter. I guess it takes more than four weeks to rebuild a playbook.... That's working under the assumption that Bellefeuille is actually a quality offensive coordinator, he isn't one either. He's better than what we had. If he's not using Crowton's stuff, then there's no way the O can be very deep right now.

No, it isn't rocket science. Which why the opposition just might make some adjustments to what you're doing. And using OT's that have only been here few days means you have to go with a simpler playbook.