Captain Blue

I honestly would not be opposed to having Richie Hall as interim the rest of the year.

He did look better. I place much more emphasis on Nichols' first drive than the one at the end of the game. He had no trouble connecting with receivers when he took over with 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Those same receivers that Willy had somehow did create separation, enough that he marched the team right down into the endzone. Neither quarterback got help from the run game, so I don't really see how that plays into a QB comparison. Both Willy and Nichols were given the same disadvantage in that respect. At least with Nichols, lack of run production was to be expected playing from behind late in the fourth quarter. I don't think that Nichols' playing in "3 down football territory" had any effect either. On Nichols' initial drive, the Bombers never faced a third down. The plays and routes weren't even more aggressive than we were used to seeing with Willy. Nichols was just pushing the ball down field more effectively. Nichols' second drive, he took over with 2:24 and down 15. At that point I think it was much more obvious the disadvantage Nichols was in, and yet he was at least able to bring the team down the field before turning the ball over on downs.

Willy struggled with consistency most of the game (continuing the trend of the season). He's completing a bunch of short screens and quick throws. The rest of the job he is really poor at right now. He's not working his reads well, he's not hitting deep receivers and he's continually awful when a defense gets pressure. I thought the difference in offense was quite noticeable when Nichols went in. Like, I expect any QB out there to hit all the short stuff, so Willy, Nichols or whoever should be able to handle that. Its the rest of the job that Willy is struggling with, and that's where Nichols may or may not be better. In the few minutes we saw of him, he did better than Willy. The sample size is small and so we very well could end up in the same argument in a few weeks regarding Nichols vs Willy vs Bennett. What I will continue to argue against is the propagation that the team has multiple issues and that QB isn't one of them. Willy is not only part of the problem, but arguably amongst the first or second issues right now. Despite falling way behind, the team actually had a chance to come back but we waited too late to get the offense moving. So we can blame rookie defensive backs or passive coaching or a terrible OL or whatever you'll continue to heap blame on, but that game was in reach despite all those factors and it was Willy that was really limiting the success of the team. This isn't even an endorsement of Nichols, because he's generally a turnover machine and isn't great with progressions either, but at this point Willy has shown himself to be a subpar QB and until we get better play at QB then this team isn't going anywhere.

Why is it everyone's fault except O'Shea and Willy's? This just sounds like a lot of excuses for the both of them. "Its not us, its just literally everyone else around us." Maybe they just all suck.

Would have been leaked by now. My guess would be that it'll be that Matt Nichols is the starter.

At this point, I'm done with the Walters-O'Shea-Willy trio. They have all failed at their jobs, maybe at varying degrees of disappointment. We are into Year 3 so the only thing that matters is results. I don't care if Walters is talked up by the media (he still sucks). I don't care that O'Shea is loved by players (its sure not helping win). I don't care that we thought Willy was going to be really good (he currently isn't and doesn't look like he'll turn around). I don't know if Osh will be fired after the Edmonton game, but I think its pretty clear he isn't getting a new contract for next season. I'd give it a couple more games with Osh and Matt Nichols at QB. After that I expect the season to be in the toilet, so start planning for the future. We aren't going to win until we find a quarterback. Going to have the start up the carousel again in a few weeks.

I would eliminate the ability to challenge penalties (called and uncalled). You watch a big play happen and then its gone because of some ticky tack PI that has now been challenged and ruled a penalty. Its one thing for a penalty to be thrown during a play that takes away a big gain (as with most of the holding calls) and its another to have the play be over and then changed. I really worry what direction the CFL is heading with its product. The flow of games was bad last year and is even worse this year.

I think they are doing a lot to support Willy. The players around him are better. His receivers and running back and yes, even his offensive line is better than last year. The short passes are designed to build confidence, build momentum and space out the field. I would argue they have done quite a lot to support him and that those short passes are the only thing keeping his numbers looking decent. I would be interested to see the split, because if we threw more intermediate and deep routes I don't think Willy's numbers will look near as good. He underthrew several deep balls today - including one near the end when he had Dressler open for a moment for a game-winning TD.

He has a longer leash. He'll at least get half the season. There are no other options. Nichols has some advantages but is also a turnover machine. To be honest, I don't think there is an "answer" at QB on the roster this year.

Willy was bad. He is locking onto receivers, failing to anticipate blitzes and missed open throws with a clean pocket. Those are some really bad tendencies for him right now. I've supported Willy (and will continue to, as he should get more starts) and blamed the majority of it on the OL. Today I thought a lot of it was on Willy. He had a clean pocket on his first interception. He had a clean pocket when he put a few of his tosses today in the turf. Those are throws that must be completions. I don't think there is a need to choose between the OL being the problem or Willy being the problem though. I think the OL is bad, but I think Willy exacerbates the issue. I would have pulled him today.

I gotta admit I struggle to listen to either 1290 or 680 now. 1290 has Westwood. That's an auto channel change. I'm not sure how Westwood became a media figure in this town (remember his adventures as a Sun writer?!) but he is awful at his job. Bauming knows his stuff and Walby can make some nice points sometimes. He's at his best when he can get technical. Give me OL breakdown with Walby and I'm happy. CJOB just has too many commercials. Was listening to last week's games and they've got poor Bob saying "And that's a first down, for the Manitoba Teachers' Society" and "A Manitoba Teachers' Society first down!" He is a legend, but their product simply beats you over the head with ads.

From afar it seems like Ottawa's jerseys say "BLACKS." Not sure putting the red in RED was the best move.

I think Masoli can be a legit talent in this league. Hamilton should be pretty pleased with his development so far.

Also the O'Shea-Reinebold special teams battle was fun to watch.

What a difference a win makes. This is closer to the Bomber team I was expecting this year. They've got plenty of things to work on still, but today there were a lot of positives as well. Offense looked much better. Chipped away at the defense with high percentage throws for easy yards. I don't trust our OL that much and Hamilton's defense can bring pressure even against the best lines in the league - the short yardage gameplan was excellent. LaPo had been working on the WR sweeps all camp and they paid off today. Jace Davis continues to look good. I was never impressed with him in camp and he's proven me wrong so far. Andrew Harris was excellent on the short dump offs as well. It was nice to see Leggett have a good game. I still think he's had less impact at LB than he did at safety and so it was nice for him to really show off today. Our DL was also really strong today. I had expected them to be a major strength of the defense and today they started playing up to that. Love having Adrian Hubbard opposite Westerman. I'd like to see him get more time over Green.

Hall is superior to Champlin and it's not even close. Chamblin accomplished little as a coach other than a few lucky breaks.

I would still rather have Mack over Walters. Ya. I said it.

Picked mine up today. They all look fantastic. Mine is royal blue but the white away is actually really nice as well. I did notice that the size is a bit smaller than the Reebok ones but not by much.

Waiting for my Westerman one as well...hoping to get the call tonight.

I wouldn't have kept Castillo. Would love to see if some other team wants him. I don't think he's that good, plus we are paying big bucks to Medlock. I am surprised they cut Veltung over some of the over receivers. Definitely agree McDuffie beat him out for the WR/KR spot, but some of other guys over him? I really don't think Davis is that special.

I think the move back to corner for Randle is the right move for him and the team. Bruce Johnson was very good last year, and I'm not willing to throw that out for one or two preseason games. I'd be surprised if he was cut.

Thought Hubbard and Butcher stood out defensively. Despite the drop-turned-interception, I thought McDuffie looked good. Both Davis and Bennett looked decent in the third/fourth string time, so I'm eager to re-watch the film on them tomorrow. I also thought both Anderson and Flanders looked solid.

Just as an FYI you can't actually pick up a new jersey yet physically. You have to pre-order one and they'll come in around Week 1, I was told (placed my order today at the store). They have over 600 pre-orders so far, so the next 400ish will get a free player T-shirt (Willy, Harris, or Westerman, that I saw).

I can't say enough good things about Westerman. He is blowing guys up in one on ones. Corney has serious speed off the edge. Veltung working a lot with the 1s, same thing with Mayo. Mayo got a lot of work yesterday with the first team too. He doesn't really impress me all that much.

I thought Macho Harris was pretty invisible today. I mean, you see him in the lineup but you don't see him making a ton of plays. It should also be noted that one of his biggest weaknesses - tackling - is more easily hidden in a training camp setting. I was trying to create a starting lineup today while watching and we have so many talented LBers that I really wish they would just move Leggett back to safety.