Jaxon

Does anyone know the contract lengths ?

Demski.

As someone who attends the Grey Cup every year, my perspective may be a bit different. Certain cities are better suited to host the game due to the number of hotels, transit system, and transportation in and out. Toronto is one of best locations due to these factors. Regina is by far the worst for out of towners to attend, primarily due to the lack of hotel space. The revenue questions should be addressed by the league taking a higher percentage of the profits, so that all teams benefit more each year. Yes, the home team should still make a decent profit to ensure that they have the incentive to run a great event, but the massive windfall ought not be an on-going situation. I do agree that the ticket prices have been escalating at an absurd pace, and I don't believe that this is sustainable. I paid 388 per ticket (after fees) and got nose-bleed seats at BC Place. I bought the tickets the morning they became available to me as a Bomber season ticket holder. I was at centre field, but still, that's a big price for seats that high. The CFL has always relied on the middle class fan for their base of support, and they are now starting to price them out of attending the Grey Cup.

Had the pleasure of meeting Rich in person at the Grey Cup in 2005 in Vancouver. (Before the incident). He was a great fan of the game. Sad to hear of his passing.

I don't fault a guy making a positive comment about a team he is heading to. He didn't say anything negative about the Bombers, so there is no reason to get our knickers in a knot.

I'm sad to see Watson go. He was a top notch receiver who always played hard. He was a force on specials too, and I appreciated his great efforts. I'd love to see one (or more) of the local guys step up: Carter, Demski, Goodrich.

My choice on the list would be Benevides, but I hope they at least take the time to talk to Claybrooks.

Wow, talk about horribly misrepresenting a story. Here is the actual story for anyone interested: http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2014/11/canzano_her_name_is_brenda_tra.html From that article: "After the arrests, Riley ignored the cries for due process and immediately suspended Dandridge and Carlyle from all team activities." and "Pam Hediger, a deputy district attorney for Benton County in 1998, announced 20 days after the arrests that criminal charges would not be filed." I think it is a stretch to suggest that Mike Riley is guilty of anything here. The DA investigated and decided not to press charges. There was no mention of a "cover-up" at all on Riley's part. The incident is 16 years old, and Riley left for the NFL and then returned to OSU in that time frame. I don't think this incident had anything to do with his going to Nebraska.

I think any preliminary list would have to include Trestman. I know he is still in Chicago, but there is lots of speculation that the situation might change.

I'm a big fan of having onside players on a punt.

The best middle class program that the federal Tories have implemented is the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) At a limit of 5,500 per year, it really doesn't mean much to the top earners. The typical NHL player goes through that in the first period of the first game, so for them, it's a drop in the bucket. Not much benefit either for the welfare recipients, or for lower income earners, but we already have other programs for them. This program was aimed at the "middle class", and for those smart enough to do some long range planning, it is a significant program. It also doesn't have much immediate benefit, but It does, overtime, make a huge difference to your savings. I just wish that it had been available when I was younger.

Actually it is quite different in that the CIS programs have funding from their schools which allows them to field their teams. The CJFL teams rely on funding from their CFL partners. Without that funding, the CJFL does not exist, so there would be no players to draft.Looking at the situation from a fan viewpoint may make sense for player selection, but it doesn't solve the funding issue, and it doesn't develop players who are not suited to the academic standards of the CIS. I'm not sure why you are linking financial support from CFL clubs with the territorial exemption. Why couldn't the CFL as a whole continue supporting junior football while entering all Canadian players into the draft? I don't think the Bombers write a cheque to the Rifles while having one Brett Carter on the roster every decade in mind. They aren't funding the Rifles to produce CFL players, they are doing it in good faith. You know this as a fact? I'd say it's a bit of both. GBILL is correct, it is a bit of both. The CFL teams financially support the CJFL primarily through 50/50 sales, which are often divided up between the junior club(s) and other levels of minor football. It has been vocalized by several CFL people that large share flowing to junior clubs is part of the longstanding player development program that is promoted by the CJFL. I believe that the levels of funding and the desire to develop players in practise are definitely tied to being able to protect those couple of special players that come up now and again. I can correctly state that the CFL clubs that take the biggest advantage of the Junior territorial exemptions are the strongest supporters of the CJFL, and they see the link as vital. These are the clubs in western Canada, lead by the Riders who are the most supportive in dollars, and the most active in having junior players practising with their club. The Bombers under previous management, wasn't as tuned in, and didn't know the value of the relationship. The current management is much more supportive, and has seen the benefits that other clubs have attained. I would suggest that you will likely see Bombers continuing to invite 4 Rifles to the rookie camp going forward in the hopes of landing the next Andrew Harris. The Bombers, under the current management, have worked with the Rifles to increase the knowledge of local high school coaches and players with regard to the system. The Rifles have hosted events for the U-18 provincial team and selected High School and Midget players and coaches to let them know what their options are. The Bomber management have attended and supported these events. It's fairly new from a Winnipeg perspective, but it's not a secret. It's true that if you look backwards from a Bomber perspective, you see Carter. If you look backwards in Regina, Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver, you see much more. The Bombers see what the other clubs do, and want to develop that relationship.

Actually it is quite different in that the CIS programs have funding from their schools which allows them to field their teams. The CJFL teams rely on funding from their CFL partners. Without that funding, the CJFL does not exist, so there would be no players to draft. Looking at the situation from a fan viewpoint may make sense for player selection, but it doesn't solve the funding issue, and it doesn't develop players who are not suited to the academic standards of the CIS.

There are 2 limits in place. First, it only applies to 4 players. Secondly, it does expire after the Junior player completes his eligibility. That is the case with Goodrich, he has completed his junior eligibility, so the Bombers have to sign him, or he will become draft eligible. In his case, because his junior eligibility is now up, he would now count against the numbers.

I completely disagree. The CJFL has a very strong working relationship with the CFL, especially in the PFC. (Prairie Football Conference) This agreement allows CFL teams to have junior players in their camps without counting against the numbers. It also allows for players to practice with the CFL club while continuing to play for their junior club. CFL teams are allowed 4 players in this window. It is part of their commitment to help develop football players in Canada. The CFL teams (especially in the West) financially support the junior clubs. Their reward is that they can protect the players that they have invested in, but only if that player doesn't play CIS. Once that player plays in the CFL or CIS, he becomes just like any other player, and the special status is removed. Without the agreements, it would likely be the death of Junior football in Canada, as most teams would not survive financially without the support of the CFL. Running a team on the Prairies is about a quarter million dollar per year program. It is true that there are more teams in BC, but historically, they haven't been as talented. The PFC teams have won 4 of the last 5 championships, and 15 of the last 20. The Riders have been the most successful in having players move from Junior directly to the CFL. The majority of former Junior players who go onto the CFL, spend their first couple of years in Junior and then progress to the CIS and are exposed to the draft. The CJFL is actually the best choice for most players coming out of high school, as they can play at a high level for 2 years without burning any CIS eligibility. Top players in the league get the best college scholarship offers, usually much better than players coming fresh from high school. The CJFL is an "age group" league, so unlike the CIS there is no incentives to "red shirt" a player. The other role that the CJFL has taken on, is it provides a high level of football for players who may not be well suited to university, or who's school of choice doesn't have a football program. Many Rifles are students at RRCC or UofW, in addition to those who are at UofM or have jobs. As for Goodrich, he is an outstanding young talent, who puts more time in the gym and training than most pro players do. 2 years ago, when Goodrich and Carter were both on the Rifles, they were both outstanding. Carter was more the Joe Poplawski type of receiver, great hands, good routes, very reliable. Goodrich was more of a big play guy (the Milt of the CJFL). Faster than anyone else in the CJFL, and once he got into open field it was a touchdown. That has continued even though he normally gets double coverage and teams try to bracket him. I certainly hope the Bombers sign him and bring him to camp.

Wow, some of the names on there... a trip down memory lane Proud to come in at 49% posting after a loss. I am a loyal Bomber fan, but I'm not a cheerleader. I'm also a huge fan of the game, plan to be at IGF Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week for WHSFL/Bison/football Manitoba championship weekend. One of the things I learned years ago on some of the league sites that I used to frequent is that there are some posters, using multiple nicknames, who post doom and gloom on all team's sites. "We'll never win the cup this year because........" Then they get to go back to 8 out of 9 sites and say "I told you so" at the end of the year. I like a good football discussion, and I can take the good with the bad. Trollers, pretenders, and those prone to hyperbole, however, serve no useful purpose.

I like what Marve did last week. I think he brings great physical tools, a positive attitude, and a desire to win. That being said, Calgary didn't game plan for a dual threat qb. They game planned for a pocket passer. It's tough to make adjustments on the fly for a completely different style of QB. Calgary wasn't prepared for his style of play. If the opposition prepares for a running QB, the success could be limited. I'm a fan of a 2 QB system for this reason, it's tougher on the defence when things change that radically. That said, Willy is the starter, and I look forward to seeing what he can do against BC.

34-7. This is fun to watch.

Als are stomping the Riders. Teams in the east have certainly gotten better as the season has gone on. Als receivers sure fight for the ball.

Ottawa looking good. Smiling Hank is looking good.

Okay, I agree with KP, due to the wins and the longevity but I'm going to show my Cliff Claven side a bit here. KP took us to the Grey Cup, but lost in 1957. He was beaten out of the starting job in 1958 by Jim Van Pelt, who was the Bomber QB for that year's Grey Cup win. KP still played as a safety and as a half back, so he has a ring from that year, but not as a QB. JVP was a freshman out of Michigan who was drafted by the NFL, but came to Winnipeg for the higher pay, which would shock todays young fans. JVP continued as the QB in 1959, until injured late in the season, and KP came back in an won us another cup. Jim Van Pelt was drafted into the US army Airforce in 1960, which caused the end of his football career. KP has 4 Grey Cup rings, but only 3 as a QB. JVP was a great QB, having won a Grey Cup, and the best QB in the league in the next season as well until his injury. If not for the US Airforce draft, he may have won the designation as best of all time, but the fates were not with him. Bud Grant chose JVP as the best QB at the time, over KP, so that adds to the story line as well. As a youngster I saw KP play, but I learned of JVP from my father, my uncle, and my grandfather. Self Edit Note: I should have looked up facts on line before posting, instead of using my old memory. JVP was drafted in to the US Airforce, not Army as previously reported.

I enjoyed watching the Ticats win. They have some good fans there in Hamilton, and it was good to see a little more balance in the league, east vs west. The old Ivor Wynne was always one of my favourite parks to go to a game. Very intimate place. I haven't yet been to the new Tim Horton's field, but hope to next year, along with a visit to Ottawa. The Ticats looked good at home; we'll have a tough time with them next week with Willy likely out. Hopefully with Brohm getting some 1st team reps, he'll be in better form. The Ticats look much better with their #1 QB at the helm, and I think they will give Toronto a run for 1st place in the east. They have some decent "National" talent on that club, so I think that they could make a run.

If the beer conforms to the Reinheitsgebot, it is worth drinking. If it has fruit in in, it is no longer considered to be beer.

the paper said that the players will return to the practise field on Monday. Sounds correct, M.O.S. are the rest of the Bomber brass likely to be watching the Rifle game at IGF at noon on Sunday, so having a press conference at 2:30 after the Rifle game makes sense for everyone.