Jaxon

Being "set" has nothing to do with the QB yelling "set". A lineman is considered set if he puts a hand down on the ground, or if he supports his upper body by resting his hands or forearms on his knees or thighs. He is able to move if his arms hang freely by his sides. He does have to be still for a full 1 second prior to the snap. The QB yelling "set" is an age-old coaching technique to discipline players into being still for the snap of the ball.

yes.

I go to the Grey Cup every year. I usually buy a few extra seats for family. Last year I just bought my 4 regular season tickets, but last time in Vancouver I bought 7 to take my brother's family who live out there. Even I gasped at the prices this year. I'm still going, but I only bought 2 and will take my daughter. The CFL has to realize that they can't charge these kinds of prices. They develop fans, and then piss them off and exclude them for the big game. "Ya gotta dance with the one that brung ya". In 2007 in Toronto I bought 7 tickets, and in 2012 I bought 4. The ticket price definitely had an impact on my decision. As a note, I did buy my pair as soon as they were available to season ticket holders from other team (ahead of the general public). I checked a couple of days ago, and there are better seats available now than when I bought, which was irritating. I would say that this year's Grey Cup event has not been well managed.

CJOB reports that his numbers are dropping: http://www.cjob.com/2016/09/26/poll-is-bowmans-popularity-dropping/ Personally, I'm quite disappointed in his performance. I voted for him, so I carry some blame, but to be honest, I simply wanted to pick the candidate that was best positioned to defeat Judy who would have been a complete disaster. I was disappointed that he didn't stand up for Winnipeg when the writer from McLean's wrote that butcher article on racism in Winnipeg. Instead he cowardly apologized despite the fact that the article was full of holes as exposed by local radio. I wish the Mayor acted more like Dave Wheeler on this issue. http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/2015/01/welcome-to-macl.html The Mayor has now lost my support. He's increasing taxes, and now is adding 3 more senior bureaucrats, which is the exact opposite of what he should do. I realize that they did cut some positions, but they needed to be permanent cuts. He needs to streamline city hall, not add bureaucracy. IMHO we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and he's making it worse.

What a crappy debate. I'm sure glad I'm not an American. I consider myself somewhat right of center, I believe strongly in personal freedom and personal responsibility. I believe that small government is generally better than big government, but I do recognize the need for social services. I believe in public healthcare, good education, and strong investments in infrastructure, but all of these should be delivered in the most efficient method possible. At home I've tended to vote Conservative, but have at times voted for other candidates when I felt they better represented my position. (never ever voted NDP). I usually (but not always) favour Republicans over Democrats in the US. I also believe that both Trump and Clinton are crooked. They both lie and cheat. I wouldn't do business with Trump as he has no moral compass and would do anything to avoid paying his bills. Every time I hear him speak, I get the feeling that he's simply about self promotion for his own business interests. In the debate, he had no depth to his arguments, other than the ones on the economy. I thought he started strongly and was the better of the two on domestic economic platforms. Clinton flip flops on issues and also appears to have no soul. Her big government approach would be devastatingly bad for the economy, and would drive more business out of the country. She was, however, the stronger debater. This wasn't based on what she said so much, as how she was smart enough to let Donald rant and rave over every issue until he buried himself. Trump's biggest mistakes: 1. Debating the birther issue. All he had to say is that it is over, it is in the past, and it has no relevance on the future. Instead he tried to twist it onto Hillary, and he looked like a fool. I was amazed a how much post-debate time CNN spent on it. 2. His personal taxes. He flipped and flopped at one point saying that he'd release them when the audit was done, and then later saying that he'd release them when Hillary released her emails. One of the best lines of the night came when the moderator asked if it was now negotiable. He compounded his problems by boasting about how not paying his taxes made him "smart". I don't think that this resonated well with the general public. It also came back to bite him when he ranted about NATO partners not paying their fair share. 3. Taking the bait time and time again. He lost composure and reminded me of Abe Simpson at times. 4. Not being prepared. He rambled from topic to topic. I still don't know which was the worst deal of all time, NAFTA or Iran. He used the same description of each: "worst deal of all time". By using hyperbole on every issue, he diminishes the importance of each one. Clinton won the debate, but I'm not sure that this election is over. If it were my vote, I'd vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian. He's on the ballot in all states, and is much cleaner than either of the two main clowns. It may be a wasted vote, but I couldn't vote for either of the two. IMHO voting or spoiling a ballot is much more meaningful than not voting. Not voting says you don't care. Spoiling a ballot says I need better choices but I do care enough to come out to vote.

You are correct, I mis-read his statement.

How can the rule be good if we are getting too many frivolous challenges? I'd like to see the challenge rule changed to a 10 yard penalty if you are wrong. You would eliminate some (but not all) of the challenges. If you have any challenges at all, coaches will throw them late in the game in desperation. Any failed 3rd down will garner a flag in the hopes that something is found to keep a drive alive.

or 2001 when we were the best team all year, and then Calgary took the cup!

I guess Simonise isn't a difference maker. The Sun got hammered 58-2 by the Hilltops on Saturday. The Rifles trounced the Huskers 35-0 as well in the first pair of regular season cross-over games. Once again, in the CJFL, the prairie teams prove that they are at a higher level than the BC teams. Prior to the game, the CJFL had the Sun ranked higher than the Hilltops in their power rankings. http://www.cjfl.org/news_article/show/698224?referrer_id=1265597 I would suggest that the next power rankings put all PFC teams ahead of all of the BC teams.

I'm anxious yet optimistic for us. Calgary is certainly the top team in the league this year, and the favourite to go all the way. We're improving, gritty, balanced, and we've found a way to win in different ways. I think it will be a great game, and I believe in Blue.

I love the picks and all but, IMHO, the play of the day was the Denmark TD. Our O was getting yards, which lead to field goals, but that wasn't going to get it done. Once we scored the offensive TD, it was like the seal was broken and we decided that we could put the ball in the endzone. Kudos to Denmark and to Nichols for that play.

He's probably being knocked for being academically ineligible. Scouts don't like that. At least he's continuing to play football in the CJFL for the Sun. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/ex-cis--ex-nfl--current-cjfl-wr-rashaun-simonise-stands-out-on-prospect-list-211426077.html

From the "In Case You Missed It" thread:

but but but.....the RiderFans say that viewership is down because of the conspiracy......

I've been a season ticket holder since '68. I've attended CFL games in every city in the league, many of which have been Bomber games for which I proudly have sported my colours. I've been to many non-Bomber games as well. At various times I've taken my kids, my nieces and/or nephews. 1. There are great fans across the league that support their teams and who have treated me very well. Nothing wrong with some playful banter so long as people are good natured. My kids can take it, and they can dish it out too. 2. There are a few &$#%^&^ in every city. Winnipeg is no different. 3. When my kids were younger, I would discuss how to tell the difference between the playful banter and the real trouble makers. 4. I would hope that the good fans (from any team) would stand up for any youngster (or other good fan) from any visiting team who was being unjustly abused, especially if it becomes physical (such as dumping beer or worse) 5. Not that it applies in this case, but there are good visiting fans, and provocative visiting fans. When visiting another park, be a good fan, and don't bite on the bait. I recall going to a game in the mid 80's in BC. I was there with my brother and my father. I was sitting next to a big guy who had played CIS. He cheered for the Lions, I cheered for the Bombers. It was a tight game, but we had a great football conversation. The game changed hands a couple of times, and the Bombers eventually won. After the winning score, the guy sitting in front of me took a swing at me, completely unprovoked. Fortunately I saw it and was able to dodged it. Immediately, the big guy next to me grabbed him, slammed him down in his seat and told him that there would be none of that. I was grateful because while I was certainly capable of defending myself, doing so would have escalated the situation and other people may have made assumptions. The big guy stepping in made in clear that it wasn't about fans blindly supporting their team and looking for trouble. A couple of years ago, my daughter and I got stuck between rival fans who were heading to a soccer game in Europe. Riot cops on the scene trying to keep the sides separate. This is not simply a Winnipeg problem.

IMHO, the biggest plus to Nichols is the leadership. How he acts, how he reacts, and how he interacts with his teammates and coaches. He is a natural leader with enough confidence to inspire others, without being all about himself. I believe that this is why he can put together drives with the game on the line; he understands the situation. All good QB's need to know when to be aggressive, and when to take what they give you and move along. I cite three examples from the last game: 1. TD drive after the fumble. He took shots downfield to little used JFG. He knew that it was time to get aggressive and he went for it. 2. Short yardage. He stays in, and he's been good at getting that yard. 2 TD's vs the Riders at the Banjo Bowl. He goes full out to get the hard yard, and not all starting QB's want that job. 3. I was very impressed with the tackle he made on the missed FG. Sure it ended up not mattering due to the penalty, but he didn't know it at the time. It showed his character and desire to win the game. Full marks, and I'd bet you top dollar that his teammates noticed it as well. I'm very pleased with Nichols, and he is our starter for good reason.

A bit surprised that a DB was in the mix, but I'm comfortable with Glenn as our #2 guy. A first rounder is a nice pick up anytime, but doesn't do much for this year. I still like Dom Davis, and this is good for him because clearly Glenn is not a long term pickup.

My memories of Jay Washington are a bit different. My recollection of him was that he was flat out fast, but not as shifty as some of the other backs. IIRC the Bombers pitched to him and usually ran him outside, but he wasn't as effective between the tackles. Good back though, had a nose for the endzone.

Highlites of the 1980 season. Wow, Brock had a arm, but his receivers were damn good too. Pop, House, Goodlow, but especially Holmes #70. I remember going to many of those games.

Will Davoren or any of the other coaches still be there in 2017?

I'm all for signing Demski once he becomes a free agent.

Sometimes you have a good player on a bad team. For the record, Wall is the best premier in the country. (note* not enough time to evaluate Pallister yet). The worst: Wynne, but Notley is in the hunt.

Bauming. He's been doing play-by-play for the Rifles for the last few years getting ready for the bigger gig. He's good and he's ready.

The Rifles will play their final regular season home game at the Nomads facility this year. The reason is that IGF is prepping for the Heritage Classic, so the Rifles are being moved out.

I don't disagree, but it comes down to $$$ With the exception of Saskatoon, all the PFC teams play in CFL cities, so those cities have investments in their CFL sized stadiums. They are not as likely to pump money into building another 2000-3000 seat facility to house 4 home games for a CJFL club. The Edmonton CJFL teams play out of Clarke Park which is a properly sized facility for them, but they have 2 teams that use it plus lots of other amateur football. (For those younger than me, Clarke was were the Eskies played prior to Commonwealth being built in 1978....although it's been completely re-done as a minor football facility. It's right next to Commonwealth Stadium). Also in a place like Kelowna, which is the flagship of success for the CJFL (off field), they are the top level of football in town. In Winnipeg, there are the Bombers and the Bison as well as the Rifles, so fans who want to watch a live game of football have more choices. I've felt for a long time that it would be great to have a 2,000 seat amateur park in Winnipeg that could be shared by the Rifles, WHSFL, MMFA etc, but the trouble is always the money. Who would run it? Most of these leagues are run by volunteers, and it's one thing to run your own program/facility, it's another to run a full time multi-use facility.