Captain Blue

Not sure the line should get all or even most of the blame. Buck, Crowton and the line should share it. Crowton has to call some plays to take advantage of the blitzes. Buck has to recognize that if there are 8 guys on the line matched up against our 5 OL, you need to figure out which extra guys are going to break free (ie. think of your protection call) and work around it or use a hot route.

In general receivers were able to get open, maybe less so in the second half as the Als tightened their defense up. I know I'm beating the drum hard on this one if the QB had made the right reads Crowton's offense would have looked a lot better. Between Barressi, LaPo and Crowton I really think we need to consider that (most of) the problem isn't on the schemes right now.

You know I forgot the Denmark pass. Tight window, good spiral. I'll give Buck credit for that one, I don't think either of the other two QBs make that throw yet.

The thing is, and I expect to see this tonight on the tape, how many big throws did Pierce make? Nice one to Denmark early but the TD pass, Etienne pass, and a few others were fairly simple throws. Goltz could have made them. Maybe Buck turns it around but that is unlikely and it will cost us. We have so much talent but you can't win without better qb play.

Quick thoughts: - Buck's still far too inconsistent. He'll have his moments like he did early in the 2nd half which will lead everyone to believe he'll turn it around, but then his play drops again. What bothers me most is that he's playing like a rookie. Locking on to receivers, determining where to throw before the snap, not reading blitzing defenses properly...I'll reevaluate it again tomorrow when I watch it over but it looked like classic Buck to me. He's not good enough. - Don't mind Burke punting from the endzone. The defense was playing well and they did hold the Als until there was a penalty. Have to see the blown coverage by Cauchy on the replay tomorrow. - Defense overall was great. Got boned by the turnovers early but they held Calvillo and them down. - If someone can figure out when a PI should or should not be called please let me know, 'cause I swear the definition changes every few minutes in this league.

This place is amazing already.

#thesethingsannoyme

I really thought McGee would start at nickel.

I don't really think there is a need for each viewpoint to be so extreme. I think we all know the score itself is irrelevant and understand that only a few players from the roster last night will actually make the team. Still, I understand the concern with the roster too. Injuries are inevitable and obviously it'd be a lot better if some of the young guys played well. At some point this year we may need these backups to win a game...or several. The "big" position being QB, I think people have valid concerns and worries about the backups. I guess to sum up I don't think its time to panic, but I also don't think anyone needs to plug their ears and pretend that absolutely, positively everything about preseason games are meaningless. That's false. Scores and schemes are (since most playbooks are vanilla at this point) but player evaluation is important in the exhibitions. That's really the whole point of them.

I guess my biggest concern tonight is that it's hard to evaluate some of the important positions since they were all surrounded with young guys and many that won't make the team. Really, it's hard to separate which backup qb might have a chance for success, which defensive back should be the next guy up in the rotation, etc.

Sheesh Goltz with two picks and another reversed. I'd love to be able to see the tape and look at the reads. Right now it sounds like he's getting duped by the secondary.

Sure would be nice if some individual players had good games... Hopefully Hall gives us something in second half.

Goltz playing good or bad? Listening while I sit at a convocation. A pick and a fumble so far for him.

Not all that shocking - the release was a wakeup call - but still one jerk move.

This is HUGE for the league, but I'll echo the sentiment they need to elevate their officiating ASAP. The CFL's referees are in my opinion the worst of any league (I don't watch baseball but I've heard those are bad too) and it really looks bad when everyone at home is scratching their heads at some terrible calls.

Did Mack not recruit in January?

Really depends on how much emphasis you point on the money and time. Personally I don't think either are huge issues. Regarding the money, I doubt getting rid of Hefney would have resulted in us going out and landing someone else or even handing out a bigger deal to someone but that's just my opinion. The time concern is minimal. No different than other player cuts. We won't be the only team to cut a starter, this is whole purpose of camp. If you don't perform you lose your spot.

The conversation would be a lot different if they had cut him in January. Whereas we're arguing about money right now, I think people would have been more upset had we not brought him to camp. It's not like the Bombers are in a position to let go of ANY talent they have right now, even if a player like Hefney had a big drop off last year. This is even excluding the party the media and some fans would have had to pull out their overused meme of "THE BOMBERS ARE CHEEEEEEEAAAAP!"

Is the money really that big an issue? Maybe Burke wanted to see if Hef could step up his play this year in camp and Hef didn't do enough to survive. Also the pot charge could have affected it as well and that was new info.

Once you're on the trading block teams have the option to wait it out for his release if there isn't a high demand. Hefney will land somewhere quickly, but I doubt teams were THAT interested that they were willing to give something up for him.

I think we've seen Pierce has his own set of rules now (not that I agree with it - I am firmly in favour of starting NotBuckPierce at QB).

I really thought there goal was to move Hef there first and then he screwed up that plan.

I think Eastern - Hamilton or Toronto.

Honestly not completely surprised by this. Let's look at what was working against him: - Decreased play last year - Made some negative headlines with Twitter - Burke unhappy with the veteran defensive backs - Hefney's pot charge comes out - Bombers look awful on Wednesday Obviously not all those are weighted equally but things piled up against him.

http://www.bluebombers.com/article/blue-bombers-release-defensive-back-jonathan-hefney Well there's one big move so far. Not completely shocking and I'm in favour of it. Hefney's play had dropped, and obviously he's made some bad headlines.