blitzmore

we gave up more than just a 2nd round pick. We also gave up a player who was one of the best at his positions who helped the Riders win the Grey Cup. People need to stop pretending that Hall had 0 value and shouldn't be counted as part of the trade. We gave up a star player AND a 2nd round pick to get an injury prone OL. That trade stank from day 1. Could have used those assets to get something more worthwhile. I look at the trade as: Neufeld for 2nd rounder 4th rounder for Hall that's a pretty silly way to look at it. it was Neufeld and a 4th for Hall and a 2nd. We gave up the better player and the better draft pick in the trade. Now sure the contract lengths come into play and maybe shift the value to Neufeld over Hall, but the fact that he's injury prone sure doesn't help. Some people just get such raging hard ons over trades they have to tell themselves it was a good trade no matter what. Walters has been pretty iffy in trades. He over pays to get what he wants and that can damage you long term if it becomes a trend. oops

Wow! Didn't know that...you're one liners are so informative!

we gave up more than just a 2nd round pick. We also gave up a player who was one of the best at his positions who helped the Riders win the Grey Cup. People need to stop pretending that Hall had 0 value and shouldn't be counted as part of the trade. We gave up a star player AND a 2nd round pick to get an injury prone OL. That trade stank from day 1. Could have used those assets to get something more worthwhile. Actually if you go back I think you will see that Hall did not in fact do much to help them win the cup. He did not play every down, and I don't seem to recall him having great numbers.

For all the criticisms of the defence, the D hasn't been our most glaring liability. Lack of offensive production has been the achilles heel. In those fluky wins earlier this year, it was defence and special teams had to chip in and help score points. If you look at it objectively, this team hasn't progressed much beyond last year. We've relied too much on a rookie QB who is essentially an NFL-style pocket passer whose become gun shy from too many hits - and an uncreative offensive scheme that seems unable to adjust. If you want to go to this kind of Calvillo-style, straight drop QB, you have to pass protect and have a decent running game to take pressure off the thrower. We've had neither. Bombers don't have top level offensive experience and collective offensive memory among the coaches, unfortunately, and it shows because they haven't done anything to correct these problems which, as you point out, started 2-3 games in. I don't think there is any way that you can discount the defence for having lost us games. It's a combination of both. The defence can't stop the run in the 4th quarter of games because they are not schemed to stop the run, and are often tired because they have been on the field too long in some games. Yes that may play into your argument, but it is not the case in all games. To blame the QB and the offensive play calling solely is foolish. Everything has to be looked at in context, and not generally over the period of games, but even each game individually. Your comments certainly do not apply to every game played..e.g. Bombers vs Lions in their first game. Yes lets blame the QB and play calling solely for all the sloppy tackling on the defence...that will solve everything.

Bob asked Oshea about this. I don't want to put words in his mouth, but I recall that he said there are always two or three plays called, and it's willy's decision which one he goes with. as an explanation for the long throws on short yardage. Not sure what the solution is there. Bob asked the question because I emailed him the question. It has been asked several times because it has happened multiple times, and O'shea always says the QB usually has four choices and it all depends on what the defence is showing. Trouble with that is that the passes over 20 yards when it second and 3 or 5 happens with much too much regularity for it to be the defensive formation being the sole cause of that happening. This is a real annoyance for me, because it kills drives! My son and I have many interesting discussions about this. I always said it was the play calling, he always said it's Willy because he is basically a gun slinger and tries to do too much. I have come around to the idea it is Willy...I still like him though and think he will just get better. O'shea must have been asked this in different ways at least 4 times now, and always answers it exactly the same way, which I also find frustrating. Bob says he agrees with me that it is a problem, but O'shea just side steps the issue.

I agree Willy should play, I wasn't really impressed with Brohm until I saw him play in this game before he got injured. I was impressed with Marve in pre-season and he did nothing to alter that opinion in the game. Willy is not the same as he was, as a result of the pounding he has taken. It was the same with Reilly last year. One thing though...Many times this year we have been in 2nd and three or 2nd and five situations, and almost every single time, Willy has tried a pass over 20 yards. It has also happened from the 1-3 yard line in the red zone. I think Willy tries to do too much in those situations, but they are low percentage plays. I think he just really wants to help the team too much and also has a gunslinger mentality. What I liked about Brohm in the game was that he didn't try to do too much in those situations, and instead of us having to punt, we got first downs. I just hope Willy matures as a QB so that he is more patient, and takes what is given to him.

Might that not indicate that they were unsatisfied with Dyce as OC and went on the search for someone better? Just as likely probably more so! Except that everyone from the Riders has basically said that when Cortez came available they recognized a chance to get one of the best in the game and moved Dyce to STs. They didn't go looking to upgrade, but an upgrade was there and they took it. Perhaps...but if they were truly satisfied with Dyce...they would have stuck with him.

Might that not indicate that they were unsatisfied with Dyce as OC and went on the search for someone better? Just as likely probably more so!

Well good for you...the whole point is that Calgary has been solid for longer than 2012 and we haven't...so what is your point again?

That wasn't what you said...you talked about injuries not free agents...so which of their starter free agents signings were injured last night and how did that affect them? You just don't get it and just make stupid one line statements constantly! We finally have what looks like a solid front office staff and a QB or two or three and are building. Calgary has been solid for years and continues to build.

With our inability to stop the run we are lucky we won as many games as we did.

Give us a break with you one line stupid statements! Calgary has been building a winner a lot longer than we have!

not me...he drops quite a few.

Actually you have no idea how they're going to play...maybe bad, maybe good...Willy has obviously been playing behind the worst, so what difference is there? At least one of them hasn't played sooner because he wasn't here....get it?

How would you have ANY idea if that is true or not? You FULLY know the capabilities of all the inserts?

We do invite at least a couple of guest coaches every year.

I agree in some aspects. For an example, one only has to look at the receivers that were brought in for training camp, not one of them were good enough, and the ones that have been on the PR of which there have been several, they're gone. There is only one left on the PR now, so you can't actually call that good scouting. BC seems to have no trouble finding one very good receiver after another.

Give your head a shake! Who cares? the guy didn't want to be here and wasn't going to play this week...what part of that don't you understand?

I think our Oline last year actually played somewhat better than this year. I also think Ottawa's Oline plays better than ours which is pathetic. I don't know if it is the schemes, someone more familiar with Olines may be better to say. All I know is that they were supposed to get better with the Oline Coach Guru and they're worse. For me we need two new import tackles, as far as I'm concerned the ones we have and that includes January are not good enough. A new center is in order as well, also one guard position. Where we get them is Walter's job, but it needs to be done.

Except Burke confirmed himself that he was a doofus without any help from anyone

So that's the way you would lead? Happy you're not the coach. Just because YOU think it is the right way doesn't make it so!

Here is the difference between Bomber fans blaming MB and rider fans blaming Cortez... Cortez has been one of the best OCs in the CFL for years and years and years while MB has peaked at average and shown for years that the best he can do is average. He has had bland and dull offenses every where he's gone and they've done just enough to not be a total embarassment at best. Cortez on the other hand has had CFL leading offenses many times on many different teams. One guy has a stellar resume and the other is the guy you hire when you have no other choices. Yes, it seems MB mediocre as our OC and should be replaced. Bombers inability to produce on Offence is their biggest problem. Defensively we are not great - but not as bad as everyone is making out. If you look at points surrendered you see that this year our defence actually didn't cost us too many games. D contributed points with turnovers and held opposing teams to low points against. My concern is actually with MOS in relation to the O. He admits he knows nothing about the offensive phase of the game and therefore delegates to his OC. This was fully revealed couple weeks back on the Coaches Show when a caller asked why Bombers don't run more outside runs and power sweeps. MOS said those plays don't work in the CFL because opposing Ds have their fastest players between the hashmarks and sidelines. The field is 65 yards wide. These plays do work. Also, MOS said you can't have extra blockers and delayed release plays but of course this is rubbish also. Never did MOS say that he knows nothing about the offensive phase of the fame! You obviously have a selective memory...that was Burke last year who said he knows nothing about offence.

And what's the point in saying that? It's water under the bridge!

Hey max I disagree completely with this. Not sure why you'd say that? Unless your being sarcastic - in which case maybe you should re-read my post. Or phone Khari Jones and ask him how his shoulder is doing. Tell me, what's the point of playing your #1 guy, who you are banking on for next year and beyond, with a banged up hand and shoulder, with an offensive line that can't block and zero running game. Go ahead, I'm listening, I'd love to hear you non-sarcastic comment on why playing Willy to finish out the string (who btw is probably the worst QB in the league right now - don't believe me look at his stats the last few games - don't take my word on it) and risk his career on a lost season. I agree it would be good to rest Willy, but unless he is not ready to go Doctor wise, or until we are officially eliminated from the playoffs, I still think you'll see him playing.

It's sad that even Ottawa's offensive line is better than ours, and we're playing three imports, and that's with the supposed guru of offensive line coaches, coaching or something.