Captain Blue

I think I'd be embarrassed to wear one to a game. We're only going to wear them a few times plus I have two other jerseys (retro gold and royal blue). They would feel so out of place. Definitely not buying one.

Just looking around online a bit and perhaps I'm reading too much into it but it doesn't seem like the Bombers are really touting this jersey that much? I mean I've seen more PR for their Ice Bucket Challenge than this today I think.

Looks incredibly weird to have such a plain uniform with such a ridiculous helmet. So weird. Basically the helmet reveal was the real surprise. The rest doesn't look like it has much thought given to it.

The weirdest thing to me is that for the Redblacks, Argos and Bombers they basically just did the same design for each uniform: stick the logo on the chest, make the jersey a primary colour and make a unique helmet. These feel decidedly common, rather than unique.

I was expecting hideous, so surprisingly I don't truly hate them. They're still kind of ugly and they are definitely not meant for the Bombers. These would be decent Argo jerseys. If they had just put gold in somewhere, they would actually make it a decent Bomber one. Why not colour the 'W' gold? Or throw in some gold trim on the jerseys? If anything these are actually the most plain jerseys of the ones we've seen. One colour, almost no features whatsoever. They pretty much went blue with just a little digital camo and went "BAM! SIGNATURE JERSEY!"

Hmmm for some reason I thought it was in the evening. Something about an autograph session and all that jazz. Re: marketing The Bombers do sell retro royal blue jerseys (I have one) and so it seems quite reasonable that the team and league is looking for and likely to receive an additional revenue stream from these jerseys. While the royal blues are my favourites, they might not sell as many 'new' royal blue jerseys since fans may already have them. Also, let's consider that those of us on a Bomber blog do not represent the whole Bomber fanbase. I know a lot of people who love "modern" jerseys. While they're really not my style, I understand the league's desire to capitalize on that potential cash. I still think they're going to look like garbage, but now I'm just irritated that people are going to have shouting contests for a third jersey.

I see where you're coming from but... you're basing everything on the assumption that the eastern teams will always be bad. The same number of teams will be without playoff revenue with or without a single division. With a single division, it will always be the worst teams. I don't think the East vs West is what makes the Grey Cup a national celebration. I'd rather have the two best teams play. I do believe that we need as many teams in the CFL as possible and that losing any would cause major concerns. Giving the east free spots on the Bingo card might allow more of them to be viable. Maybe it's one reason that the CFL has lasted so long. The assumption is based off the fact that the East hasn't been the dominant division in 13 years. Yeah, teams would rotate missing the playoffs, but if it is continually two East and only one home game, they're going to start to lose money. If the thinking of 'if you don't like missing the playoffs, don't finish last in the West' applies, as one poster suggested above, then why wouldn't that same theory apply to "East" teams when placed in one division? Maybe the East teams should step up their game...

Hell yes, scrap divisions. Who gives a crap about them? I just want to see the best football out there. If the two best teams are in one division, I'd rather see them in the final than in the divisional final. Was anyone thrilled to see a mediocre Hamilton team go up against a tremendously talented Saskatchewan team? Its not even just that the East is terri-bad this year. Its that in such a small league it doesn't make sense to possibly hamper your best teams (by leaving them out of the playoffs, or making it tougher with a crossover). Watching good football is more important than some misplaced sense of East/West interest.

Why can't it be both? And what's wrong with that? No one will be forced to buy them. If they want to spend their money on one that's fine and dandy. What's wrong? They're forcing garbage on the fans all across the league, that's what's wrong. In Winnipeg's case, the unis most fans want & the Bombers promised they'd wear, we never see. Like you, I think these are crap. But I'm going to interrupt you here because they aren't forcing anything on you. Don't want to buy one? Okay. Decide that this is the last straw for you? Fine, don't watch a game. The CFL is in the business of making money. You can vote with your wallet. Spare us though that these atrocities will somehow be forced into your life. Glad we agree on something. I'm a fan & I'm not going to stop watching a game so you can stop right there. Because I will watch, it is being forced upon me & thousands of others who feel the same way I do. And I know there's a lot of us out there. Just like Rod Black is forced upon all of us. Most CFL fans hate the new looks. But you're right about one thing, I'll never buy one of those jerseys. "Forced" means you have no other option. Mute the TV, listen to the radio, I don't care. We even agree that they are ugly, just don't try and say you're being forced to do anything.

Why can't it be both? And what's wrong with that? No one will be forced to buy them. If they want to spend their money on one that's fine and dandy. What's wrong? They're forcing garbage on the fans all across the league, that's what's wrong. In Winnipeg's case, the unis most fans want & the Bombers promised they'd wear, we never see. Like you, I think these are crap. But I'm going to interrupt you here because they aren't forcing anything on you. Don't want to buy one? Okay. Decide that this is the last straw for you? Fine, don't watch a game. The CFL is in the business of making money. You can vote with your wallet. Spare us though that these atrocities will somehow be forced into your life.

I know when I judge a player the only thing I need to know are his measurables.

Re: TSNJETS I wouldn't get too excited yet. Can't see how TSN or the Jets would be thrilled about losing that additional revenue.

Gold helmet, blue jersey might actually work out non-hideously. But we are the BLUE Bombers so everything is going to be BLUE.

Can't wait to play the Argos...we could go double blue vs double blue, because apparently working with multiple colours is too difficult...

My biggest problem with our helmet in that pic is that there ISN'T any gold. Like, I get the desire to be 'modern' and any other marketing terms the league wants to throw around to pretend this isn't about making more money, but how can you freaking ignore that the Bombers have TWO main colours? Does anyone know anything about this league? The Argos are double blue, the Bombers are blue and gold. This shouldn't be that difficult to figure out.

I think Bellefeuille misses having that Thigpen-like player in the offense. Tried it only rarely with Woods but it didn't work that well, and Cotton doesn't seem suited for that WR/RB split role. Oddly enough I would have said Grigsby could be that type of player but we're too busy trying to make him a RB. I'm excited about this.

Hamilton is in deep trouble. Scrap the divisions, this is hogwash.

What is going on with the helmets though? Sheesh. No logos, just colours again. The Argos had the best one I think. Easily the least hideous of them so far.

I like it. If they had done usual numbers instead of the logo on the front it could be used as their primary.

The Riders jerseys look very much like the Oregon Ducks uniforms. I think the wheat design makes it worse. Take out that and maybe its less busy.

I'm always amazed at how bad teams can be at running a no-huddle offense. Clock doesn't even start 'till they wave the ball in. Sheesh.

Personally I think we are better than what the two losses have shown, and so I still feel good about this season. They're showing good signs. There are some ugly spots for sure, but most teams have that too. The West is tough and anyone thinking it wasn't going to be a helluva challenge to make the playoffs was insane to begin with. Give it time guys. Positives and negatives to each game.

Been clamouring for Neufeld to be at tackle since the preseason.

They look really good. I would be stunned if these aren't the best ones. They look new but not overly ridiculous. Sure the "A" on the chest will be more problematic for viewing actual games, but the colour scheme and design is solid. At least the numbers on the back will be visible.

Quick thoughts: There are roster changes that need to happen, and already should have happened. If this last longer, than that is on Walters for not finding better players and Osh for not dressing different ones. Romby Bryant has done nothing but be a negative-effect player every game. He is actively hurting our chances at winning, Dress three Canadians at WR. Yes, Moore should be back and that should mean Romby sits, but honestly its time to just send a message. Two ridiculous penalties (though pretty sure one was just from bad reffing). No after-the-catch ability. Drops. Blah. Howard is awful. I have said that from Day One. Now to be fair, he got gipped on his second 'shot to the head' call because I didn't see direct hand-to-head contact. From one angle you could see the DL's head move to the side a bit but I didn't see enough to really blame Howard. Still, he was a weak spot and needs to go. There has to be someone better, and if not, then we have scouting problems. Offensive line in general did better tonight I thought, but still struggled. They've desperately got to figure this out. I think January is going to get some blame after I re-watch. Grigsby was the same old story. Can't create anything on his own. Can't figure out which blitz pickup is his. Can't read plays correctly. But hey, the end game numbers were decent and he scored so that means the media will proclaim we need more of him. He's another guy who I think has a negative sum on the roster. What he brings in the pass game is not enough to overcome the huge negative in the run game. Defensively it was obvious to everyone that we got ran over. Kuale is an underrated part of this defense. We desperately need him in the middle and are a far weaker unit without him. Wild got killed tonight. I don't want to get too down on the defense for a few reasons. Obviously, the short week killed. So too did the Kuale injury. And top it off with a lack of holding calls. Get healthy and have fair officiating and I think that helps a bit. There's no doubt its a weak spot, I just don't think its as huge as it was tonight. The whole DL was getting held tonight. I still think we are on the right track, but I want to and expect to see roster changes. We saw the positive impact of Stoudermire tonight. Change isn't always bad.