Mr Dee

Good catch Jacquie, I missed that. No, those thoughts were all mine, no article. But I did move it from my pages page, so it could have been corrected before then. Yes, commisioner was what I intended but maybe on second thought...

After Week 18 Bye Winnipeg Every single team in the league will be willing to take a chance on Duron Carter. -Lawless ?‍?This could very well be true. After all, Carter is Milt Stegall-approved. Here is how everything shakes down heading into Week 18: Hamilton Win = Hamilton clinches playoff berth and a home playoff date; Toronto and Montreal eliminated from playoff contention. THIS HAPPENED Ottawa Win = Ottawa clinches first place in the East Division and will host Eastern Final. NOPE Hamilton Tie + losses by both Toronto and Montreal = Hamilton clinches playoff berth and home playoff date. HALF Hamilton's in the playoffs. Montreal loss = Montreal is eliminated from playoff contention. NO, THEY WON - STILL OUT Toronto loss = Toronto is eliminated from playoff contention. YEP NOTE: Edmonton (3-1), Winnipeg (3-2) hold the advantage over BC (0-3) based on their record in event of a three-way tie. Who has clinched a playoff berth Calgary Stampeders, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, Ottawa RedBlacks, Hamilton. Who is eliminated from playoff contention Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto and Montreal If the playoffs started today (Oct. 17) … Western Semi-Final: BC at Winnipeg Western Final: TBD at Calgary Eastern Semi-Final: Edmonton at Hamilton (Not determined yet) Eastern Final: TBD at Ottawa Out of the playoffs: Toronto, Montreal, Saskatchewan Donnovan Bennett 3) Historically, it has been difficult for West teams in the playoff crossover as they've gone 0-8. However, BC, Edmonton and Winnipeg (one of whom will be crossing over) are a combined 9-2 playing in the East this year. Not too shabby. Deron Mayo is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s game against Montreal. CFL News Sean Payton lobbies for NFL to make pass interference calls reviewable. thesco.re/2ezrOM3 #CFL via @theScore Drew Edwards Despite costly error, #Ticats Kent Austin still supports replay in the #CFL #HamOnt #NFL #Falcons wp.me/p65Ld4-4Si ?‍?When asked about extensions for Walters and O'Shea, Gary Lawless responded -"Walters will get 5. O'Shea 3 or 4." Gord Holder Ottawa Sun Ray Early, that is, the 24-year-old punter from South Carolina who was assigned to the Canadian Football League team’s practice squad after signing Monday. He could see game action as soon as Friday night at TD Place stadium against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Another “international,” Sergio Castillo, averaged a net of 36.3 yards in two September games, but wasn’t seen as enough of a difference-maker to warrant occupying a roster spot ahead of the “national” Medeiros. This is not a new problem for the Redblacks, who for various reasons have employed a staggering eight different punters since the 2015 season started: Milo (more than once), Thomas DeMarco, Anthony Alix, Maher, Andy Wilder, Ronnie Pfeffer, Medeiros and Castillo. Kirk Penton Can't recall a bigger line in a #CFL game. #Stampeders are favoured by 16.5 points against the #Argonauts. Lowell Ulrich “Here’s what I saw…Winnipeg was having a better time even though we were ahead,” Buono began. “I sense [there’s] not the same joy, and you’ve got to address that. “You take the message differently. They’re a little more defensive, because they’re tired. This is something every team goes through and you’ve got to work your way out of it.” Darrin Bauming The #Bombers have released two Internationals from their practice roster: quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and D-lineman Brandon Williams. Ottawa Redblacks ? on 10 consecutive sellouts. Fewer than 500 tickets remain for Friday's #CFLPink game vs the Ticats! ?‍?But the Senators had just 11061 in attendance... Gerry Moddejonge - Edmonton Journal Coming on the heels of Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford getting released by the Montreal Alouettes following last week’s CFL trade deadline – making them ineligible to play for any other team for the rest of the season – the question is, what the heck’s going on with receivers in the East Division? ?‍?So, what's Jason Maas's opinion on this? “It’s not my problem,” Maas said. “So I’m not worried about it at all.” ?‍? A big hmm to that. Mike Beamish Vancouver Province The Lions indeed have just nine interceptions as a team. With three games left in the regular season, they are flirting with the all-time franchise-low of 12. That happened 62 years ago, in B.C.’s inaugural year in the Western Intercollegiate Football Union, when the club finished 1-15. Oddly enough, the 14-1-1 Calgary Stampeders, vying to become the first CFL team to lose but a single game in the regular season, also have the same total of interceptions as the Lions — nine. The 5-10 Saskatchewan Roughriders have the fewest picks among all teams at eight. Not only are the Lions trending toward a franchise low, the CFL interception rate is headed in the same direction. With only one interception for every 42.5 pass attempts in 2016, the pickoff rate is an “unbelievable” (statistician Daniel’s word) 2.35 per cent heading into Week 18. The outlier is Winnipeg. The Blue Bombers have a remarkable 28 interceptions. Their overall turnover ratio, plus-31, is even better than Calgary’s (plus-17). All of the remaining seven teams, including the Lions at minus-eight, are in negative territory. Lawless look at @cfl sked. no surprise if @EdmontonEsks win out, get to 11-7. @Wpg_BlueBombers would need to win out, get to 12-6 to host West semi CFL - Kirk Penton It appears the CFL has found its price point for the Grey Cup, and it's not what the organizing committee came up with for this year's bash in Toronto. Last week it appeared nearly half of the 35,000 or so seats for the game were still unsold, and it had clearly reached a point where fans weren't going to make the annual pilgrimage to the game just because it's what they've always done. ?‍?This This ticket price reduction should serve as a stern lesson for the CFL that it is not the NFL. The Grey Cup isn't the Super Bowl, and ticket prices should never be set as high as they were this year. If you want it to be the Canadian party that it's always been, make it affordable for as many Canadians to get to it as possible. - If you're going to do away with the divisions.... Wally Buono has the best solution: The top seven teams make the playoffs, with the first place squad getting a bye. There would be three games on the opening weekend of the post-season, giving teams a better chance of hosting one. All told, there's a chance there could be as many as 16 receivers with 1,000 yards. The record is 18, which was set in 1993. - 41 – Days between clincher and West Division final for Stampeders this year 6 – Teams, since 1986, with at least 41 days between clinching first and division final 3 – Teams that had at least a 41 day break but failed to win the Grey Cup CFL News #AlsMTL are $300,000 over the salary cap, according to league sources, but save only $12,500 by releasing Stafford. - @HerbZurkowsky1 #CFL CFL History Let Thee Who Has Spent the Weekend in Hamilton Without Taking MDA, Cast The First Stone #Boring #SpeedyB #TiCats #CFL CFL News 'I am the quarterback of the #Riders: Darian Durant keeping quiet on contract talks cbc.ca/1.3811256 #CFL via @CBCSaskatoon ?‍?Hmm CFL News #AlsMTL reportedly $300K over cap. So what are the rules if they exceed it by that much? cfl.ca/game-salary-ma… #CFL -Monetary Penalties: $1 for each $ a Club exceeds SEC up to $100K $2 for each $ a Club exceeds SEC between $100K and $300K #CFL $3 for each $ a Club exceeds SEC over $300K -Non-Monetary Penalties: Forfeiture of next available first round draft pick for Clubs that exceed SEC over $100,000 #CFL #AlsMTL -Forfeiture of next available first and second round draft picks for Clubs that exceed SEC over $300,000 #CFL #AlsMTL via @CFL ?‍?It's now become clear why the Alouettes were willing to part with their 1st pick in the draft next year and trade with BC for a QB - Vernon Adams. Because they're so much over the cap, they were going to lose the pick. Might as well throw the roulette ball on the spinning wheel, and take your chances.. Paul LaPolice We need a full & loud house for Ottawa game. Make sure you are going, buy tix if you haven't. I have a new special play for game. #support Lawless Argos are helping out folks with ticket concerns after price reductions to some seats. Team is calling people directly. ?‍?Jennings has thrown 13 picks this year. 38.5% in two games. - (Two games against the Bombers.) ?‍?According to Scott Milanovich, Sean McEwan will probably be the Argos nominee for outstanding Canadian and top rookie. He's played in all Argo games so far this year, at centre, and: “Without giving the kid too much credit, he has exceeded our expectations,’ CFL Communications .@Rikester13 is within reach of 6000 yards in 2016: he is currently on pace for 6,064 passing yards this season. #CFL -#CFL teams continue to run the ball: last week averaged 204 rushing yards per game. Average of 200+ rushing yards/game in 4 of last 5 weeks. ?‍?Love how Emmanuel Arceneaux, Shawn Gore and Stephen Adekolu just showed up at some kids' team practice and gave them some time to show them a few tips. CFL strong. Stamps Fact Quick Fix: Stamps hold 73-17 scoring advantage in 1st qtrs over past 7 games. On the season, they've outscored rivals 127-51 in opening qtrs Rod Pedersen From the Riders on contract extension talks with @dariandurant: "Hopeful but nothing imminent or close." Kirk Penton Interesting news from the #CFL today: The #Eskimos, not the #Riders, have had the most viewers this season. Dave Campbell #CFL says the #Eskimos lead the league in overall TV ratings averaging 649K viewers per game. Riders averaging 627K, Bombers next at 615K. Darrell Davis Nonstop rain at #Mosaic. Too effin wet to Tweet from Sec 25. #Als 6 #Riders 5 at 1/2-time. Game only marginally better than weather. #CFL ?‍?More conspiracy? Rod Pedersen "sources within the officiating fraternity tell me that Austin is the hardest on CFL referees amongst head coaches". ?‍?Not really a surprise there, if you ask me.. "And furthermore, the refs don't like having multiple voices in their headsets while they're trying to call the games." BC LIONS DEN 22,831 Was the attendance tonight at @BCPlace. Crowd was loud and involved. Lots of kids too. Great atmosphere. #BCLions #CFL Next Week Bye - Toronto Week 19

BY THE BYE Damn, that's good. Eight overtime games in the CFL this year. Pretty exciting! Oh, and the NFL had an overtime game Sunday night between the Seahawks and Cardinals. Yep, it was tied 3-3, so they went for double or nothing. And they did it! 6-6 in OT No word on the call for defibrillators. Riveting.. It's special plays like John Chick made in overtime, to create that fumble, that separate the good from the great. Chris Jones, were you watching? Is it time for Ricky Ray to retire? Or maybe become an inexpensive vet. backup? It's a nice feeling to see Chris Jones lose... It's equally nice to see BC defeat the evil empire.. And man that Dickenson is so good at making decisions, he should be commisioner too! I see the Eskimos still think they're so special, they don't have to follow game introduction procedures. How did the Bombers hold Arceneaux and Burnham to nothing yards last time? Wow, 2 objectionable conduct penalties on one play? Does Maas get Maad or what? I'm thinking I'm glad we never hired this guy.. Vernon Adams - 11-24 for 177 yards 1TD and 1 int....and wins the game. Strange game this football called CFL. Relevant comment: #BCLions @MannyShow84 at halftime: "Mike Reilly is useless on the sidelines. Our job is to keep him there." @CFLonTSN Well, for the Riders against the Alouettes - at least they won the sack battle.. Stoudermire is still 'adventurous' on returns I see... That roll the Eskimos do..on QB sacks..is getting really old. Curious how Kent Austin went for two-point conversion when he didn't have to..and yet went for a single-point convert when he maybe should have gone for two? Dickenson would have got it right.. Bombers return to practice Tuesday...

Burris had his QB escape clock going. He would have made a play, if it we're not for Chick. Chick put just a little bit more in his jump to turn a normal rush into a game winning play. At least, that's how I saw it.

OK, it looks like you're in the trolling mode now as you seem to assume Dickenson is this boy wonder who would have been a much better coach than O'Shea, with the same lineup, and under the same circumstances. And your reasons were: You bring up the roster - like Dickenson is the one who had all these connections to better players and would have made our roster, at the time, a better one. As if the players in Calgary you named came from Dickenson's player piggy bank. Sticking with the vets who you say weren't playing too well. - Frankly I don't know what Dickenson would have done. Starting 8 NI starters? Probably, he wouldn't have. The O-Line? Well, he'd have to deal with the same inadequacies that existed at the time, now wouldn't he? 3 Ints instead? If we had them and could play a Nat. somewhere else instead. Hire different coordinators? - Why would you think different coordinators would come over for rookie HC Dickenson instead of O'Shea? Don't forget, at that time Dicky had less experience than he had this year... He make excuses for players? That's your own personal beef and phrasing. The bottom line is, you didn't give reasons why Dicky would have fared better, only that he would done things differently. And really, that's all you can say. That, in no way proves he's a better Coach. You know what? He very could be. But since the same circumstances cannot be duplicated, we can only surmise. All that the rest of us are saying is - Coach Dickenson didn't step into the same void as Coach O'Shea, and there's no way to say any different.

Exactly. Sometimes you have to give credit to the one who made the play. Chick put an extra jump into knocking that ball loose. Great play.

More loose ends... CFL.ca News - Staff 2nd Half Standings: Calgary 7-0 Winnipeg 5-2 Saskatchewan. 4-2 BC. 3-3 Edmonton. 3-3 Ottawa. 3-3 Hamilton. 2-4 Montreal. 1-5 Toronto. 1-7 ?Opposing teams have been feasting on the Argos all season, opposition players being recognized for their play at the expense of Toronto. Toronto has the dubious honour of having 8 players being acknowledged for as a Shaw CFL top performer following a game against the Argos. The roll call began in Week 1 when Simoni Lawrence was honoured after he helped Hamilton to its rout in Toronto’s home opener. Trevor Harris, Kevin Fogg, Clarence Denmark, Patrick Watkins, Solomon Elimimian, Jamill Smith, and Joe McKnight, all followed. ?1K Club: Last week, Calgary’s Marquay McDaniel (1,074) and Ottawa’s Ernest Jackson (1,024) eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. McDaniel and Jackson grew the list of receivers with over 1000 yards to nine, joining: Adarius Bowman (1,609), Derel Walker (1,464), Chris Williams (1,246), Emmanuel Arceneaux (1,186), Bryan Burnham (1,151), Naaman Roosevelt (1,095) and Greg Ellingson (1,100). The next receivers looking to join the club this week include: Andy Fantuz (938), Brad Sinopoli (928) and Nik Lewis (901). ?Ottawa is looking to become only the second team in CFL history to have four receivers with 1,000+ receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. They could also become the first team with the same set of receivers (Chris Williams, Greg Ellingson, Ernest Jackson and Brad Sinopoli) to record 1,000+ yards for the same team in consecutive years. ?Toronto native Jerome Messam still leads the league in rushing yards (1,051) and is the only running back to rush for over 1,000 yards. Messam has added 470 receiving yards on top of his rushing total. Toronto’s Brandon Whitaker is second in the league with 855 rushing yards and Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris is third with 816 yards. However, Whitaker (1,352) and Harris (1,327) as well as Edmonton’s John White (1,105) have 1,000+ yards from scrimmage. ?CFL - Game Notes - Winnipeg’s 6-2 road record is their best since 2001 when they ended up 7-2. - Ottawa is 5-3 on the road and will finish above .500 away two years in a row; the last time they did that was in 1972 & 1973. - Montreal has lost the TOP battle in 9 of their last 10 games and their 121 net yards last week was their second lowest since 1996. - If Vernon Adams starts at QB for Montreal, he will be the 9th different QB starter for them in the 64 games since Calvillo’s last start (Neiswander, Marsh, Smith, Crompton, Brink, Glenn, Cato, Bridge and Adams). Adams would the third debut QB starter in 2016. - Four of the five West Division clubs will finish with better records than they had last year (2015: 43-47 .478; 2016: 49-30-1 .619). - Toronto has now gone 252:48 of play without having the lead at any point; they have lost wire-to-wire in the last four games. - There are two players on pace to reach 200 points, Justin Medlock (208) and Rene Paredes (186). Chris Milo’s pace is for 199. - Saskatchewan’s 4-game winning streak is their longest since a 7-game winning run in mid-2014- If Ricky Ray starts it will be Toronto’s fifth week-to-week change in starting QB this season. - Joe McKnight ran for 150 yards in his first career start last week; he reached 100 yards on his 11th carry of the game. Josh Bartel and the Rider punt cover team forced Toronto to start three drives inside their own 10-yard line last week.

No, no, no, you can't colour outside the lines. Well, that's the conjecture part.. Does the name John Hufnagel mean anything to you? I firmly believe that Hufnagel was there for Dickenson in many decisions made by the football team. And as far as on-field decisions, Bigblue204 is right about the difficulties that Dickenson has faced. They're not the same.

Misc. loose end pieces... Kirk Penton's 'the Insider:' CFL coaches and managers give their anonymous thoughts on what they’re talking about behind closed doors: One of Toronto's problems is we've all figured out match coverage. As coaches, we have to evolve or we lose our edge ... We're going to catch B.C. at a good time. Injuries have really hurt Wally's secondary I expected a suspension for (Jason) Maas or the loss of a draft pick for the Eskimos after they didn't wear the mics. As for the good of the CFL, that was way worse than what the Riders did with their roster. The CFL depends heavily on TSN and advancing media deals to get a younger audience, and that was just totally ignorant on their part ... Get this officiating crap right. If he fixes it and fixes all of these (bleeping) replay delays and mistakes, our commissioner will be a hero ... Maybe we should take a chance on Duron Carter. If he gets his head out of his (bleep), Carter can be a difference maker. I might talk to (our GM) about taking the risk. I always like coaching guys with something to prove ... When it comes to the Bombers, Lions and Eskimos, the last team I'd want to face in a do or die game is the Eskimos. They have championship DNA and experience. They've found a run game with two different running backs, and (Mike) Reilly is the toughest quarterback in the league. That's scary in a one game takes all. Odell (Willis), (Phillip) Hunt, (Marcus) Howard and (Almondo) Sewell equal problems. Against Winnipeg, if you take care of the football you probably win. Against B.C., that's a tough spot for a first year starter to be in. I'd take my chances ... I know the Argos are terrible right now, but I'm not the only one who would like to coach there. They have great ownership, a new stadium, and Jim Barker always gets good players. Their problem isn't players ... Good for Jacques (Chapdelaine) if that's what he felt he needed to do. However, we've seen what's happened to Toronto when they let go a less talented trio. There are no real weapons for two young quarterbacks ... I think Winnipeg's going to finish second. Their defence is (bleeping) flying around and creating turnovers. (Paul LaPolice) is using (Matt) Nichols the right way. They can run the football good, and they have the best kicker in our league. And now their bye is coming at the perfect time. They can rest and get their bodies better before they play Ottawa back to back ... The precedent for (Duron) Carter and (Kenny) Stafford was set with what Toronto did. Plus those two carry huge price tags for the headaches they provide. It was time for Montreal to move on. Carter will get another shot, but that team will need strong coaches and an even stronger locker-room ... We get fired as coaches. GMs get fired, too. But what happens with our refs and our head of officiating? Does saying 'Sorry about (bleeping) up again' somehow make it OK? If we coached like command centre reviews (bleep), we would never get another coaching job ... My guess is (Duron) Carter ends up in Saskatchewan ... I'm not the only coach with a bonus for finishing first or with a bonus for a home playoff game. Most of us have those kinds of bonuses. When replay blew that call in the Ottawa game, I wondered how much money they might have cost (Kent) Austin ... I am guessing the Argos and Alouettes will both take hard runs at (Marc) Trestman. If he goes back to Montreal I see Toronto looking at (Jim) Popp as an option ... Drew Willy or Ricky Ray? Probably Ricky. Drew is either struggling or just not good. Around QB coaching circles, he's not good enough ... Screw long term. After a while, survival teaches us to coach year to year. Even though he's going to be 35 or 36, I would pay (Darian) Durant and try to get another good year out of him. But that's not (Chris) Jones. He has the balls to go with a young guy if Durant's agent asks for too much ... If I had to bet on who was going to be GM and head coach in Montreal next year, the answer is easy: Marc Trestman. They'll back up the Brinks truck for him, and it'll be up to Marc at that point.

Yeah. Bottom's up only applies to drinking...

You're making a lot of assumptions in your version of this switch over. I know it really bothers you that Willy was anointed the starting QB. It's really a burr in your gess. But this was what Dickenson would have been presented with. That roster. He cannot bring the roster depth of Calgary over with him in J5V's scenario. The only thing Dicky boy would have had was a better OC. On that we can agree. The rest is pure conjecture...

Games this week without the Bombers... Hamilton at Ottawa - Short game: The last Ottawa/Hamilton game lasted two hours and 36 minutes, making it the second fastest game of the season. The fastest game took place in Week 11 between BC and Toronto (2:30). Toronto at Calgary Montreal at Saskatchewan Edmonton at BC ?‍?Hamilton - no Collaros, no-no Banks Ottawa - can clinch first place if they beat Hamilton this week (but not if their game is a tie) Toronto - Ricky Ray is back. Ok, enough about that. Calgary - No Deron Mayo, but apparently the win/loss record is more important than subbing players going forward?!? Montreal - Vernon Adams Jr, will be welcomed to the CFL by the Riders Saskatchewan - Fun times for now.. And the the game of the week...Edmonton at BC CFL News #BCLions must win by five points to take the season series w/ #Esks and remain in West Division during the playoffs. - @FifthQtr #CFL The Eskimos will have the edge on Saturday night because of experience and quarterback play, but B.C. has the big play capability at wide receiver against a suspect Edmonton secondary. (Chris) Rainey has the ability to change any game, but in a close game Sean Whyte will likely be the difference ... -Edmonton comes into this game having scored 40+ points in back-to-back games for the first since 2004 (Jul 16-30/04). - BC ‘s loss last week gave them their first 2-game losing streak of 2016; they had followed their first 4 losses with a win the next week. *The last three BC losses have come by a combined margin of just 9 points (by 4, 2 & 3 points to Western rivals). *Hamilton and Ottawa had 5 lead changes in a game that was the second fastest this year – played in just 2:36. ?‍?Which QB plays it out for their respective teams? And who should or shouldn't? Durant - yes, he can at least get the Riders the lead before they look at other QBs BL MItchell - no. He should start, get in rythym, then Tate should come in. But are they thinking too much about records? ?‍?There would be nothing finer than a complete upset of the Stampeders by Toronto, or anybody. I'm getting tired of all the greatest team of all time bullshirt. CFL - Low penalties: Last week’s games averaged a season-low 13 penalties per game. There you go - Friday Night Football starts it off...

1st thing - if you're PVR'ing the football games Friday night, double check your local listings. TSN1 will not be showing the entire Hamilton-Ottawa game, but TSN3 will. Calgary has asked to have the game played 1 hour earlier, resulting in these changes..

I'd argue that that statement applies to all Head Coaches. Every HC applies their knowledge from past experience and game knowledge. O'Shea is no different. And he's getting better. It's been acknowledged that O'Shea has outcoached more than one Coach on the sidelines this year. That's disputable. We're doing better in the Red Zone than a lot of fans think. For instance, in the last game we were in the RZone 4 times and we scored all 4 times. 2 FGs and 2 TDs. We could have gone for another TD from the 1 yard line, but that was a Coach's decision to kick. We have averaged 31.8 points per game since our last 8 games since our last bye. And that's not all FGs.

Ah, the old switcheroo as a means of comparison. Well, why don't we look at that? How good would Mr Dickenson be on the sidelines of the Blue Bombers without a BLM at QB? But Drew Willy instead? I don't know if I even have to go further than that. And no John Hufnagel to bend an ear? Yes, do tell me how the full impact of a completely different lineup would have not have perplexed Mr. Dickenson. Obviously, Dickenson has a great CFL thinking mind, but if you don't think he hasn't benefited from the inheritance of an already solid lineup, them you're kidding yourself. But I have a feeling you might have a different rating of Dickenson without his current lineup...

Think of it as an insurance policy. Seems like a waste of money...until you actually need it.

And our decline as a strong football franchise can be traced from that moment onwards.

This morning, I have the feeling, after watching that comeback last night, that we witnessed something special in that game against the Leafs, and his name is Laine. It truly was a team effort comeback, but it was only made possible by that kid (18 1/2) who is the second youngest player to have scored a hat trick (since records were kept) from 87-88. (Jordan Staal) (also against Toronto) And I absolutely love his new nickname "Hattrick Laine"

I certainly can't talk for Mike but I will say that the steps Mike O'Shea has taken, with the blessing of Miller and Walters, in valuing character in the dressing room has helped the change of the how Winnipeg is perceived throughout the league. We are now a go to place. And a lot of that is the reputation of Mike O'Shea as the Head Coach. I don't know how much value you can attach to that but I think it's enormous. Mike O'Shea, in his own words, when asked, has said that he doesn't try to emulate any Coach, but he has taken the words of the wise to heart. He's said that he doesn't try to be someone he isn't. He's says he's honest and wants to come across as authentic. The players see this and respond accordingly. Again, how much value does that bring? If you've listened to commentators and sport writers, many have said how they cannot believe how much knowledge O'Shea has about the game. And we're seeing more and more of it now. We want that continuity. That brings stability. That then brings winning. And who doesn't want that? Sign him, sign him now, and let's continue the winning.

This piece of logic comes from an anonymous source reported by Kirk Penton, and rings very true in this day and age... "This league is so reactionary, and that's part of its problem. They need to think about all the ramifications of doing away with the East and West Divisions before making a hasty decision. I say keep it status quo. Try selling the league in the east with only Ottawa and Hamilton as possible playoff teams. It's hard enough now, and Toronto and Montreal aren't even eliminated yet"

I personally don't believe instant success is a sign of total failure. I guess it depends on whether you believe the right road is being travelled. In any regard, I don't believe you have to go further than 3 years as sign of approval. Hey, if things are still going right you can always extend at any time in any year.. A pat on the back, and an extension seems appropriate enough. Long term extensions..not so much.

Yeah, I tried getting inside information from the onfield officials but they wouldn't let anything get written without it first being reviewed...

Yeah, it's not like Johnson wasn't being chased or anything..it was a dumb play, but he was 'forced.' Now, here's where it gets tricky. As Jpan mentioned, Shane Gauthier WAS in the picture. He missed the tackle, BUT, he did reach out and grab at Rainey, and made contact, just enough for Rainey to not be able to turn away from hitting his own guy. Gauthier helped cause that fumble. So, that takes us down to a maybe by Johnson, and one unidentified. That takes it down from 3 GIFTS..to at best... a GIF - and here's one for that:

ICYMI After week 17 CFL Communications Last week was the highest scoring single week (65.5 points per game) since 2013, Week #1 (69.3). #CFL Blue Bombers The team has released OL John Kling & DB Keith Lewis. Arash Madani Don't expect fine for Esks QB Mike Reilly. Section 34.22 of #CFL CBA: A mic shall not be attached to a player uniform unless player consents TJ Heath Fun Fact: my first ever interception with Toronto was against B.C.and my first interception being part of the bombers was also against B.C! ?‍?Full credit on the Leggett - BC tackle Matthew Cauz CFL.ca But wait! Before we go into Leggett’s heroics, we need to back up one play. Before Maurice can get a chance to be a hero, he needed some help from his teammates on second down. On second-and-two, Anthony Allen slammed up the middle of the Bombers defence and was immediately pushed back. Ninth-year pro Keith Shologan, who was the heart and soul of the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ resurgent defence in 2015, was in the middle of this short yardage stop. If you go back and re-watch the play, you’ll also find All-Star Jamaal Westerman somewhere in the mass of bodies doing his best Gandolf ‘You shall not pass!’ impersonation as Allen is rebuffed (quick aside about Keith. I have no idea which defensive lineman currently is the active leader for most consecutive games played, but over the past eight seasons Keith has only missed five games. Think about how tough that is for that position!). ?‍?So, Marquay McDaniel and Devin Smith get tossed from the game -Argos and Stamps, yet the punch thrower, twice, Joshua Mitchell gets two unnecessary roughing penalties and stays in the game. The on field refs got that one wrong. RT .@BobIrvingCJOB $20,000 dollar fine for #Esks not enough. But $15000 for Maas is solid. Utter arrogance in refusing to be miked up. #CFL ?‍?Only 7 total penalties in the Edm.-Mont. game. The real penalties came later...to Edmonton. David William Taylor TSN Interesting Ottawa sports factoid: CFL team has sold-out all 7 home games this season. NHL team couldn't sell-out home opener vs the Leafs! Blue Bomber Alumni 60 years ago today, RB Bob McNamara scored six TD's to set a @Wpg_BlueBombers & @CFL single-game record that still stands. #BombersTBT #TBT CFL News #CFL Week 16 average TV viewership numbers are up 33% versus Week 16 last year. CFL News Sacks Allowed: In 2016, total QB Sacks allowed have averaged 4.52 per game compared to 5.27 in 2015 and to an average of 5.40 over the 2013-2015 seasons. That represents a drop of 16% in Sacks Allowed this season Kirk Penton The Lions have been in the West Division since joining the league in 1954, but they have finished second only twice. The last time it happened was in 1986. A unilateral and planned act of defiance': #CFL drops hammer on Eskimos, Maas cbc.ca/news/canada/ed… #Esks via @cbcsports - ?‍?Maas hysteria in the coach's family as the CFL fines him 15k Scott Billeck Leone is now 29-for-41 on FGs this year. Most guys would be gone by now with that percentage. ?‍?Inspector Gadget - fake the plunge up the middle, throw to Denmark....first down ?**Arcenaux 16 yards Burnham 48 yards BC Lions Den Make that four turnovers three gifts...just brutal. Nothing to do with a "ball hawking" D. #BCLions ??‍?Oh really? Nothing to do with 'ball hawking" eh? That sounds like "bawl hawking". Jonathan Bernier Rainey throws a tantrum when they don't go for it on 3rd and 1 and the #BCLions start taking all kickoffs on the 35. Coincidence? No. Buono. Milt Stegall Can the @Wpg_BlueBombers and @BCLions play again next weekend? Blue Bomber Talk Yards from scrimmage from starting RBs in WPG/BC 2-game set: Anthony Allen & Jeremiah Johnson: 81 Andrew Harris: 269 #Bombers #Lions #CFL John Hodge It’s difficult to imagine Loffler not being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie during Grey Cup week next month, a remarkable feat for a player who slid into the third round of the draft this past May. Loffler, who did not start for the Bombers until week six versus Edmonton, would become just the third Canadian player named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie since 1993. The player who earned the honour that season? Retired linebacker and Blue Bomber head coach Mike O’Shea. -Credit where credit’s due: the Bombers were stellar against the run versus the Lions in the club’s back-to-back games, holding Anthony Allen and Jeremiah Johnson to 79 yards on 24 carries (3.3 yards per carry). B.C.’s rushing duo has a combined 996 rushing yards this season, averaging a combined 5.5 yards per carry. ??‍?Straight from one of the chain gang guys - on the sidelines. Live- at the game... BC side- tidbit - Buono swearing and bitching mad at the poor play, especially tackling by the Lions in the first half. Bomber side tidbit - a teaching moment. Coach O'Shea speaking to Justin Cole on a BC FG attempt. In that situation Cole was bouncing around left to right and back and forth. When returning to the sidelines Coach asked him what was going on and Cole explained to him, he was trying to draw movement from BC and create a penalty. But O'Shea calmly explained to him that in situations like that, there are far more possibilities of us making a mistake with that movement, and creating a first down, and that he should just follow what he was taught. He related this to Cole calmly. Something we never get to see or hear. Lots of oohs and awes at the double move Smith made to get so wide open on the Nichols overthrow. Impressive. Oh, and Loffler's timing was phenomenal throughout the game. Rob Vanstone ?The Roughriders played Marcel Marceau recordings during practice this week to prepare for the crowd noise. Herb Zurkowsky #Als relinquished seven sacks vs. Calgary. Offence had 11 first downs and 121 yards' net offence along with 24:19 time of possession. ?‍?Montreal had 4 sacks on Mitchell Eric M. With Moe Leggett out, Taylor Loffler played a ton of Nickel Linebacker against the Lions. Put in a lot of coverage situations, too. #Bombers ??‍?Poor Stampeders - Head coach Dave Dickenson lamented the team’s lack of focus during it’s 22-8 victory of the Montreal Alouettes. Daniel Austin Calgary Herald On playing BLM right through the game.. “I’m playing to win, we might do something later on in the next two games,” Dickenson said. “But listen, you’ve got your jersey and I want Bo to keep getting better and competing and seeing different looks. “He took some hits but he seems good to go and I’m gonna keep playing him.” ?‍?I can't say I agree with this sentiment. Looks like they just lost Mayo to injury.. FAN POLL - CFL.ca Staff WHOSE COACHING JOB HAS IMPRESSED YOU MOST IN 2016? MIKE O'SHEA 56% DAVE DICKENSON 44% Controversy of the week.... "After Burris’ pass to Ellingson, that appeared to be fumbled and recovered by Larry Dean, was challenged and the ruling on the field was changed to an incomplete pass, Milo was forced to kick a 35-yard field goal. The REDBLACKS regained the lead (30-28) with just under six minutes left in the contest." - CFL News How is this NOT a fumble? Was ruled as incompletion but in end, #CFL admits error. i1.wp.com/3downnation.co… via @CFLonTSN via @3DownNation ?‍?Yep, thought the Ticats got (r)jobbed there. BCLions ? "Those are critical mistakes that he'll learn from." @GM_Brillo on the turnovers in last night's loss to the Bombers? ? #BCLions ?‍?32 in two minutes. That's the number of times Wally Buono ^^ said "you know" in his post game interview. And you know what Wally...I don't know. Mike Beamish - The Province Lions are 1-5 this season against Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg — their main rivals in the division. And, in six career starts against the Blue Bombers and Eskimos, Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings is 0-6. ?‍?what? Willy only sacked twice? Meanwhile the Argos got 5 sacks. Willy - 47.8 passing % CFL News -Milanovich insists it’s not fair to say what the #Argos would be had Ray been able to stay healthy - Zicarelli #CFL -Everyone #CFL, players and executives alike, are privately mocking the #Argos for acquiring Willy at such a steep price - Zicarelli -If upper management decides to clean house by firing GM Jim Barker and Milanovich, it won’t be cheap (close to $1M) - Zicarelli #CFL #Argos -.@sportsnag suggested the #Argos should be in the bidding for the services of Marc Trestman -Chris Jones said on @CKRMRiders postgame show that a "large contingent" of #Riders will be back in 2017 - @rodpedersen #CFL ?‍?My question is still - will Darian Durant be one of them? No word yet... Kirk Penton I made a mistake earlier, folks. I'm informed Carter's and Stafford's salaries are not guaranteed. #Alouettes #CFL TSN The @TorontoArgos quarterback Ricky Ray practices, and could play Friday. MORE: tsn.ca/argos-qb-ray-p… CFL News RT .@DC_CHILLIN_8 If I had a nickel for all the times I heard," you always have a home in Montreal" ? #CFL ?‍?If you had Nichols for all the times you heard that, you might still have a home in Montreal. Davis Sanchez Body language and effort was inconceivable In do or die game. @TheBEAR45 @kyhebert and others fighting like there lives depended on it . twitter.com/rickmoffat/sta… ?‍?Yeah, it would take Sanchez to appreciate the head-hunting Kyries Hebert was doing on the weekend.. CFL Willy injured. Ray back at QB for the @TorontoArgos at practice ➡ on.cfl.ca/pFRc305guYJ "I feel like physically, I don't have anything hindering me." -Ricky Ray Week 18 Bye - The Blue Bombers Remaining schedule: Week 18. Hamilton at Ottawa Frid. Toronto at Calgary Frid. Montreal at Saskatchewan Sat. Edmonton at BC Sat Week 19 Edmonton at Hamilton Frid. Ottawa at Winnipeg Sat. BC at Saskatchewan Sat. Calgary at Montreal Sun. Week 20 Winnipeg at Ottawa Frid Montreal at Hamilton Sat. Toronto at Edmonton Sat. Sask at BC Sat

The usual annual stats compilation. These are based on opening night 23-man rosters and do not include players on injured reserve. Ht HRk Wt WRk Age ARk ANA 73.6 10 202.2 14 27.7 12 ARI 73.4 13 201.2 16 26.6 23 BOS 73.0 23 197.9 25 27.8 10 BUF 73.4 17 207.1 2 26.2 26 CGY 74.0 3 200.9 18 27.2 20 CAR 73.6 10 199.4 20 25.9 27 CHI 72.7 28 195.3 29 28.1 7 COL 73.7 6 209.7 1 28.2 4 CBJ 73.3 18 206.3 5 25.5 30 DAL 74.0 3 206.7 4 28.3 3 DET 73.4 13 201.1 17 28.2 6 EDM 73.6 8 202.0 15 25.8 28 FLA 72.7 26 198.6 24 27.9 9 LAK 74.0 2 207.0 3 28.2 5 MIN 73.4 15 200.9 19 27.4 17 MTL 72.5 29 199.0 23 27.5 16 NSH 72.7 26 202.4 12 27.2 19 NJD 72.7 25 197.8 26 26.9 22 NYI 72.8 24 202.3 13 27.3 18 NYR 73.6 8 204.0 9 26.9 21 OTT 73.0 21 199.2 21 28.0 8 PHI 72.4 30 196.4 28 27.7 11 PIT 73.0 20 197.4 27 28.4 2 SJS 73.1 19 203.1 11 28.9 1 STL 73.5 12 206.1 6 27.6 15 TB 73.4 16 199.2 22 26.5 24 TOR 73.0 22 203.3 10 25.7 29 VAN 73.7 6 194.9 30 27.6 14 WSH 73.9 5 204.7 8 27.7 13 WPG 74.4 1 205.6 7 26.4 25 Average 73.3 201.7 27.3 .