Rids

Is this to mean that you don't like the 4 guys on the DL right now or that you're upset that Walters hasn't replaced the three guys left over from Mack? Same with LBs are you not happy with the guys you have? It's a different defense than what they ran when LaPolice was in charge, more of a 4-2 front with a hybrid of Dime defense with Randle playing as a rover at times. I don't mean to single out just you 17to85 but would like to know what parts of the roster folks don't like here. You'd think it'd be happier around here with the Bombers holding down first place in the West, having a 1-0 record in the division and beat Saskatchewan once already this year. Plus you could still have this roster - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers_season#Roster

I don't get the point of this post. What does the composition of the current imports on the roster have to do with evaluating Mack's regime vs Walters' regime ability to find impactful imports? Given how quickly imports cycle through the league it's meaningless. I have the same problems with it. Too much turnover on all teams to really focus on the raw numbers, especially give we're 2 years removed from Mack being in charge. Not even taking into account that players that Walters brought in like Peach and Darvin Adams and Stanley Bryant and Chris Randle, and Drew Willy and maybe there's more I'm not thinking of all came from other teams initially anyway and shouldn't be in a discussion about a GMs ability to find guys down south to start with. If you drop all references to raw numbers then it's back to personal opinion and this discussion becomes a separation into two groups that preferred one individual over another for a multitude of reasons that go way beyond what is actually on the field. Here's the point. The initial question was with regards to Walters not bringing in the same level of talent as Mack. The caveat was that Mack's drafting was an achilles heel. So that makes the quality of the American players a good way to compare GM A vs GM B. Americans make up 50% of the roster but account for 67% of the starters. I'd say that Walters has done well with the additions of Paris Cotton and Cam Marshall in the backfield. Probably the best since the 2012 season. He's repaired the OL, the jury is out on the long term success there but 4 of 5 starters are Walters guys. Really it's a multi-faceted discussion that goes into several categories. Mack had a losing record as a GM so if he was bringing in better talent than what Walters currently is then you should be looking for paper bags right now and conceding the next pair of Grey Cups until the next GM comes to town. To the comment about just regular CFL roster turnover it does say something that there are only 2 American players still on the roster from 2011. Even using the averages and only replacing Mack guys with Walters guys (and not replacing any Walters guys once they get to town) there should be more brought in still on the roster than there currently is. Year 3 using the average CFL turnover of 33% per year should still leave 11 guys with ties to Joe Mack on the roster instead of the 4 identified above. Let me toss the softball back and ask why some of you believe that Walters and staff isn't doing enough?

That may be true. Looks like he was signed in late August and Mack was fired after 6 games. So Mack's down to 4 Americans.

Ken still lives in Kentucky. As far as I know he isn't affiliated with any CFL team at the moment.

Ok who needs an hour when you're on a lake in Idaho. Here's my findings: Based on the 46 Man roster used vs Hamilton and strictly looking at the Americans. 24 International players on the roster. 5 joined the team in 2013 or earlier (Denmark, Turner, Washington, Anderson, Peach) 16 are starters. 5 would've been signed by Joe Mack; 11 signed or traded for by Walters. Joe Mack's 5 players breakdown like this: 5 starters, 4 as new to the CFL free agents, 1 as a signing away from another team Kyle Walters' 19 players breakdown like this: 11 starters, 8 depth players 6 starters as new to CFL free agents, 4 starters were signed away from another CFL team, 1 starter traded for Depth players - 5 as new to CFL free agents, 2 traded for, 2 signed from other CFL teams Potentially 2 of Walters signings that are on the 6 game IR will replace 2 of Mack's starters. You can go back through my posts to see that I'm not necessarily a huge fan of Walters and defining "impact" is always in the eye of the beholder so I'll leave that up to you guys. (edited because I only counted one "Adams" instead of two)

17to85 you're going to force me to do some research aren't you. Give me an hour.

I'd also say that having Danny Mac at training camp this year is a great way to improve the play of the guys you already have.

QBs are incredibly tough to find and you could say that probably 5 teams are looking for a #2. Maybe all 9 given how many QB injuries have happened already.

I recall some complaints about the lack of #1/#2 QB and finding import OTs. Yes Mack had guys that could play but his 21-39 record as a GM would point to there being some issues with that talent. ************** I'll separate this from the above as a personal opinion vs facts I know for sure: Perhaps the difference for the Joe Mack era was that he threw more money at guys to come to Winnipeg as starters leaving less in the jar for depth players.

Good stuff. Every scout has areas where they are better at recruiting/assessing than others. It's part of the reason you have multiple scouts. Can't blame McManus for all the teams shortcomings in recruitment, he is only one of many. On top of that assessing talent is only half the battle. Getting them to come to Canada and sign a contract can be just as daunting a task as finding them. Who is to say that McManus hasn't turned up some gems at DE, or R only to have them walk away from the 45k a year we offered them. Joe Mack didn't have trouble getting DEs to come to Canada. Just excuses. There are areas our scouting and recruiting is lacking and it needs to get better. No excuses. People complained about what Mack brought to Canada and they'll complain about what Walters brings to camp and they'll complain about what the next GM brings in as well. Winning solves all issues. How long is the leash for this front office? 2 years? 3 years? The CFL routinely has 33% turnover from year to year so it's a constant rebuild/reload scenario for most teams. Many on this board have stated that they can see an improvement in the National depth which is harder to develop than airmailing in players from the US. The biggest issues surrounding bringing in players through the tryout camps is guys that do not have a passport and the length of the contract. For some players (especially those that are looking to use the CFL as a stepping stone back to the NFL) the 2+1 contract makes them return to beating the bushes looking for a sniff at an NFL.

If Calgary got him with a 7th round pick that means nobody else put in a bid.

Speaking from my own experience, Danny Mac is a great asset for whatever CFL team he works for. Between his own football knowledge, his love of the game and how he runs a tryout camp you guys are blessed to have him wearing Bomber blue.

The NFL has more people dedicated to their Fantasy Football section than the CFL has in their whole office.

Grant Hedrick (Boise State) and Aaron Wilmer (Delaware Valley) with BC this year. A lot of teams do clear out their QB arms at mini-camp so they don't need to bring a guy to training camp and send them packing but it happens. Ask Travis Lulay about his NFL experience with Seattle.

Really when you consider that if the QB position was part of the existing ratio the Bombers would still likely enter the CFL season with 3 International QBs. Was Yantz in for rookie camp? He may have sealed his fate at that point. If it really came down to a simple Yantz vs Portis decision (which it almost never does come down to a "simple decision") then it's a lot more than a 2 hour field session. Who was doing better in the classroom? I'm not sure how the Bombers run their organization but many teams have quizzes during their film sessions. Who was doing better in the weight room? Lots of aspects that go beyond throwing a football.