Captain Blue

Also now that the good guys won I can point out that the refs were awful (to both teams, really) and TSN continues to do a terrible job of covering CFL games. That they avoided discussing a bunch of the huge calls (or no calls) shows how dumb they think their viewers are.

Great win. Richie Hall remains underrated, as the defense continues to be the best part of this team. Desperately need the offense to get going more consistently, but that was a well-deserved victory still.

Right now its hard not to feel like the CFL is dead. They've got some plans for sure, but boy do they need a lot to go right to have a chance.

At first blush, this looks like a bad idea. A real bad idea. I am not confident that Ambrosie can pull this off successfully without screwing up most of what CFL fans enjoy. But, I will also say that it still has potential. The XFL last year tried to do a lot of fan-friendly things. Some worked, some didn't. You had live mics and a whole bunch of interviews, for example, and there are plenty of folks who would strongly argue those were good or bad. I would like to see the CFL maintain its unique CFL rules, but I am also not against exploring some rule changes that may make the game more exciting. Mostly XP and kick/punt returns. I will also say that Ambrosie will likely - and perhaps rightfully - painted as the bad guy here, but I'm not sure there's a whole heck of a lot he can do about it. The pandemic has blown up their business model and full season this year remains unlikely in my opinion. The choices are to find a way to survive with potential new revenue sources, or call it quits.

This really sucks, but I think it was the right call. As much as a short season would have been fun, I really just want the league to be okay in the future. They absolutely, positively need to figure out a way to make the 2021 season work - and there's a decent chance they'll still have to pull that off with no or limited fan attendance. Everyone seems ready to blame the government but I can't really get on board with that. It sounds like there were avenues laid out for them to obtain reasonable loans, but the CFL didn't want to pursue them. I am not nearly as anti-Ambrosie as many here are, but have to admit he really misplayed his hand. He has struggled to come up with concrete plans through the whole process. In fact, his "plan" just seemed to be to wait things out and hope for a miracle. Perhaps though this isn't all on him either, as it sounds like the private owners were really driving the bus on this one.

Made sense given his quick success here. The pass game was able to get going a bit more for the playoff run. Given his injury history, the backup QB spot will be really important as well (though in the CFL that goes for pretty much every team at this point).

I am not a Whitehead fan but feel the need to stick up for him here. This is nothing but hilarious couch analysis. We have no proof that he "seems like the kind of guy who might not show up for camp" - and in fact he handled getting deactivated for some weeks just fine.

On a personal level you absolutely have to feel bad for Nichols. From a team perspective though they have to make the tough calls, QB being one of them.

Arbuckle would be my first choice but that dream seems dead. Can't imagine Ottawa lets him even get to free agency. Collaros is a good fit for the offense though. Can't fault them for thinking we want to see more of that.

Biggest and best news of the Bomber offseason.

Re: Dinwiddie/Toronto One of the things Mike O'Shea spoke of when reflecting on his work here was how they started to turn things around. That they wanted to learn from successful organizations, validate their processes and ours, understand "why" we or they do things certain ways. Dinwiddie may turn out to be a great hire for Toronto, but the process to landing him seems quite flawed. I think that reflects poorly on the organization and also indicates that they probably aren't doing the things O'Shea referenced. Don't get me wrong: I would absolutely take the unknown of Dinwiddie over the known in Chamblin, but they royally screwed Chamblin. Those are the types of things noticed by other coaches, players and management around the league. It may not matter at all if Dinwiddie becomes the next great head coach, but we'll see...

It will be really interesting to see who takes that gig now that they're seemingly way past Plan A, B and possibly C at this point. Some of those options would be pretty ridiculous.

Rigmaiden staying is fantastic news. I think Montreal is more of a mess than the league is letting on. I get that anyone coming in now won't get to pick their HC, but Khari did a good job last year and would likely be high on most lists for HC openings. I don't think his presence is scaring folks away. Much more likely would be the ownership issue. I was initially worried about Osh leaving but after Toronto looked like they were sticking with Chamblin it hasn't been on my radar. Really shocked to see them fire Chamblin for someone not named O'Shea. No idea what to expect with Dinwiddie in Toronto.

I am very much okay with this as long as they bring in someone else to battle Streveler. I'd love to sign Arbuckle but that will likely be a longshot. Collaros and Nichols both have significant injury question marks (albeit different ones) and are already on the older side (Collaros will be 32, Nichols 33 next year).

I am really happy for LaPolice. He was one of the top offensive coordinators in the league the past couple years. Hopefully they get a QB in Ottawa that gives him a decent shot at success. Now we'll get a chance to see what Buck can do as OC. LaPo's offenses are always designed around the run game. I'd like to become more pass-oriented. If we can get the pass game working consistently, we are a completely different team.

It would still be somewhat surprising given that Walters and Osh both have focused on finding and developing Canadian talent.

Honestly I think there is a significant chance that the 2020 starter will be someone completely new via free agency. I personally would prefer to move on from Nichols, and I don't think they'll re-sign Collaros given the first round draft pick price tag. I'd like to bring back Streveler and see if we can develop him more as a passer.

Reflecting on the win and the journey today, its amazing to see how far we've come. The Bombers were 3-15 coming off the Tim Burke era. Organization and roster were a mess. Lots of media folks reporting that O'Shea might be a good head coach, but probably not in Winnipeg. That he'd succeed in his second chance somewhere else. Now he's a Grey Cup champion, for us.

Absolutely amazing. This organization deserves it. Walters and O'Shea took this team from one of its lowest points and have turned it into a champion. Nice to see great guys like LaPo and Hall win too. Management, coaching, players - can't give them enough credit for this season and this Cup.

The Bombers have to be a hell of a lot better next week to have a chance. I still can't believe they overturned that fumble.

I am so happy. Team really came out and dominated the second half. Get rested and ready for Sask.

LaPo trying his very best to lose this game.

I am always happy to beat Calgary. Whiny a-holes like their coach.

I really didn't buy O'Shea heading to Toronto very much, but after this game I really am. I just don't know what we are doing out there.

Which is why he should have used at least one before this point. Kept waiting for some magic play that he could use it on, instead decided to throw it away on a play that had no chance.