Doublezero

Marshall

Bombers have some tricky roster moves to make this week if they have in fact agreed to terms with QB Dominique Davis. Where do they roster him? Will they release an Int receiver from the PR? Who, if anyone, will drop onto IR or PR from 46? Will they swing a trade for a surplus QB? (I'd be surprised). What about the players on the 1-game IR? Can they just be extended another week or do they need to be activated? Was Lyn-J better out there on ST than Unamba? I saw him out there once on the Veltung return that got called back for holding. Questions ... Questions ...

Nick Moore made a great block for Marshall on the 2-pointer. And yes, once Cotton penetrated the LOS he was shedding tackles. Lots of complaints in Riderville about sloppy tackling by their D. But Cotton helped himself too - runs hard and he's very able at changing direction.

So all this ACL talk is just speculation. Watching the replay of Reilly go down it looked like a knee. And more than a sprain. But there is no confirmation of a ligament tear.

Bombers defence gave up almost 500 yards. Usually you can't do that and expect to win. So they've got to tighten up and correct some things.

Less hopeful here too, than I was before TC for the reasons above. Worried about Sask's tailbacks running over us. Hopefully Hall has a solution. Hopefully Willy plays with urgency. Hopefully MOS shows decisiveness as a sophomore coach. We were very close to Sask stats-wise last year in most categories and I think we have improved on the O-line - while Sask has lost some key people. I predict it'll be a close game and that Kevin Glenn, replacing Durant, with throw a last minute pick-6 to someone like Lyn-J and that seals the Bombers victory! First CFL game I ever saw was in 1966 at Taylor Field. Ronny Lancaster was QB for the Riders and Ken Ploen QB for the Bombers. It was an amazing game, although the final score was 11-11. Been hooked on CFL football ever since. Go Bombers!

Here's an odd/sod: Waggoner now wearing #22.

All of the other debate aside, one thing I noticed that no one has brought up yet: On the one series of plays in the first quarter where Marve was brought in and did run the plays exactly the way the coaches wanted them run, it was the QB sneak at the goal line. And he struggled mightily. Not sure where the blame lies, but it was so predictable it was frustrating to watch. he doesn't take the ball and just push the pile behind centre, he likes to take it left or right for about 3-5 steps before cutting in, and the club has run the same play every time in goal line situations with him going back to last year. Teams have figured it out now (they started to last year, IMO) and rather than plunge over the centre the linebackers just hold back, read which way Marve runs and then collapse the line on that side, and he hasn't shown great strength in pushing the line forward. Hope either he changes his approach, the club disguises it better, or they just leave Willy in to give the illusion of a pass. That's one area I thought Portis looked OK in as a big QB who could surge on a QB keeper. Just my 2 cents, any other opinions? I think it took 5 tries and eventually Marshall ran it in for a penalty-assisted TD on a possession that started out at around the 3 yard line. Bombers have sucked at short yardage plays for several years now. And we are particularly bad at short Red Zone. A few years back Goltz got folks excited for awhile with a QB sweep to the corner post but that got predictable after awhile too. Hope we can correct this as we have the option of the 2-point conversion from the 3 under the new rules, I believe.

Actually it is running QBs like Marve who benefit most from a quality O-line. Especially at the Centre position. You have to wonder if the mediocrity of Winnipeg's O-line has previously constrained Bellefuelle's ability to really reach into the option style offence.

Nic Demski

It's almost like Marve knew he shouldn't sign a contract extension because he knew his style's wrong for our HC. Once MOS declared Willy the starter in Feb 2014 they had to design an offence suited to his strengths: 3-5 step drop. Then Brohm was signed, similar style, as Walters said, to provide competition. Marve is a different cat, and would require a change in O philosophy if they were to contemplate using him in anything more than a situational role. So yeah, Marve has to adapt to the system they've got in place here for Willy. Now, whether Drew Willy's style of drop back pocket passer is correct and successful for 3-down CFL wide-field ball is another very legit question. We might see Willy run a bit more this year which could be interesting - also gives Bellefueille & co a chance to use Marve a bit more often.

Brohm gets no love around here. So he must've thrown for 10,000 inaccurate yards at Louisville. Ended up being nominated for a Heisman even though he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Was drafted 56th overall in the NFL draft because he was always overthrowing or underthrowing his receivers who always ran the perfect route and never dropped a catchable ball. What is it that you are seeing about Brohm's "accuracy" that the scouts and coaches at Green Bay and the Bills (and Danny McManus) missed? Brohm's college stats mean he gets chances to play pro. Other than that, they no longer mean anything. The NFL's already decided they don't want him even as a 3rd string QB because the NFL scouts and coaches found his game wanting. Brohm's our 2nd string QB. His accuracy leaves a lot to be desired. No... thats not the same as 'can't hit the broadside of a barn', nor does it mean his receivers are always running perfect routes. It means he isn't throwing on time on target enough to move up the ranks. Willy's style is similar, but his accuracy is better. For sure, both Willy and Brohm are similar. Both prefer 3 or 5-step throw from the pocket. Brohm reminds me a lot of Danny Mac in terms of throwing mechanics and my guess is that he reminds Danny Mac of Danny Mac. But I have to disagree with you that his timing is off. I have not seen that. He looked very good in the 4 TC practices I attended. He threw on target, on time, with velocity. I like that he gets the ball off faster than Willy and doesn't dawdle forever between snaps. With more playing time he might prove to be Willy's equal or better. I hope though for the sake of Drew Willy and our team that Brohm doesn't get that chance - and that Willy succeeds. Brohm is #2 because Willy was declared #1 from the get-go and is now being compensated as such.

Julian Feoli-Gudino made a beauty of a catch in traffic and then tore free and carried 2 defenders on his back for another 20 yards down field. Kid sparked the team and the crowd with that energy and grit. Walters looking very smart to sign this kid to a 3-year extension.

Brohm gets no love around here. So he must've thrown for 10,000 inaccurate yards at Louisville. Ended up being nominated for a Heisman even though he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Was drafted 56th overall in the NFL draft because he was always overthrowing or underthrowing his receivers who always ran the perfect route and never dropped a catchable ball. What is it that you are seeing about Brohm's "accuracy" that the scouts and coaches at Green Bay and the Bills (and Danny McManus) missed?

Riders will show Winnipeg the importance of a solid run game in the CFL. Just about everyone should be able to beat the Argos and the Esks will win by a wide margin. I agree with tburgess Cats over Stamps as Collaros outplays Mitchell. Redblacks still have a long way to go but might just take this one from Montreal.

We could see that from time to time, no? MOS said they will move D players around depending on variables such as injury, ratio, or even cover schemes and what they think they can exploit of opposing teams personnel + weaknesses. I know Randle gave up an endzone catch against Ham as cover lb but he was close on the play, very close, and it was a beauty of a throw by Collaros. It's a testament to Randle's versatility they would play him in the box. More concerned about the O, over here. How many times did we try unsuccessfully to pound it in from the 2? Was it 5 times and penalty assisted before Marshall took it in? Still liking this team, though Cats made 'em look bad.

Significant turnover in Winnipeg's Canadian depth over 2014: Picard Hurl Chungh Bastien Cronk Westerman Gibson Waggoner Morgan Rempel - 10 Canucks who didn't play a down for us last year - 11 if you count Newman who was hurt. The fact that Bastien and Morgan made it - pretty cool. I'm going to go out on a limb and say, pretty soon, sooner than later, those 2 guys will be very good adds for us.

And I'll add that the lack of execution by some of our players is the exact reason for exhibition games.It may not be fair to judge a player(s) on a single game or two, but that's all they have. C'est la vie. Our OC, imo, is not unlike most OCs. When effective, they look quite brilliant (see start of 2014). When stumbling, (see the rest of 2014), questions arise quickly and second guessing starts anew. You can look to George Cortez as another example. Genius one year, kicked to the curb the next. Who's right? As to Willy, this is the year Willy has to start looking like a starting QB. He both, scares me and fascinates me at the same time. The D? Sounds like even with a simple attack, they got beat by a simple offence, led by a QB who 'gets' the game and loves to attack the other team. Willy hasn't shown that instinct yet. But they are different style QBs. Our B/U QBs are still a big concern for me. Nobody has shown they are a potential starting QB, and isn't that what we want? Without seeing the game it is hard to comment further. All I know is Hamilton whipped us...in an exhibition game. It must be noted that we play them in our second league game and if there was a reason to not show many facets of our game..I hope that that is the one. I'd include Drew Willy in that list - guy who was brought here because of potential but hasn't shown it yet. Collaros looks like CFL elite, Willy not so much. I truly hope he steps it up but also hope management doesn't wait forever to replace him if he fails to produce. Most of the ingredients are there for him to succeed, except maybe OC.

I was at the game and didn't hear the play-by-pay or commentary after. Here's what I saw: Overall I was disappointed and expected more from all 3 phases out of this team. Whole thing kind of reminded me a lot of last year. We have tightened up our run defence though and Winnipeg's QBs all had pretty fair to good protection from the new offensive line. Washington didn't have a very good game and T Gibson took a very undisciplined penalty against Collaros. Johnny Adams looked pretty good but not outstanding. Kahlil Bass had his nose in a lot of plays, Hurl looks to me like he is always in pursuit - i.e. behind the play. But he was there on a couple of run stops. Derek Jones and Graig Newman I liked. Did not see Waggoner at all. #14 Freeman was mostly good given the short time he's been here. Not much push from the D line - but it appears Westerman is just getting warmed up. It was the backup O line - Tyler Griffiths Goosen Chungh Lewis that made holes for Cotton on that TD drive. Tommy Condell called a good game for the Ti-Cats O - who look much further ahead than Winnipeg's O. Willy brings no tempo to the game and failed to pick up the blitz both times he was sacked. I am not buying a Willy jersey yet. I liked JFG and Bastien, Denmark and Moore. The rest of the receivers, not so much. Good to see Willy running a no-huddle and his pass to Denmark gives cause for hope. They should run the no-huddle all the time, bring much-needed tempo to the offence. Marve is very exciting to watch, does things with his legs, and makes things happen. He could be good for certain situations. Portis looks like a very laid back guy, is he from California? I felt badly for Yantz who didn't get to play. I am still a Brohm fan. Will we pick up a tailback from other teams cuts? Marshall is a bruiser but doesn't look fast enough. Anderson went down in a heap at practice the other day too - and so without knowing anything about his injury, although he shows promise - is he durable? Placekick and ST kick coverage pretty dubious, to be honest.

I'm interested to see if we run any kind of hurry-up offence.

http://morningbigblue.com/community/topic/7419-merged-pre-season-game-2-depth-chart-etc/ Beauty! Tnx mbrg.

Where's the Winnipeg Depth Chart for this game? Ti-Cats have posted a chart but none for us. Anyone?

I could see them sitting one of Richards, Waggoner (the two green-horns) or Thomas. It's possible we see Normand instead of Lattanzio. Going by versatility Lattanzio may win out, especially if they sit Thomas. Look forward to seeing how our team performs in a game. Cats will be no push over. They are a good team but they have a lot of injuries. I agree Richards and Waggoner could sit when the roster shakes out. Didn't OShea say they would look at keeping Santella depending on how things work in other positions? Hang time even more important with the new rules. Thinking they like Burnett who has a chance to play his way onto the roster with a good game tomorrow.

I was only there a short while. Nick Moore running the right direction following catches today. Toney Clemons and Shaq Richardson beaking grill-to-grill and uttering bad words after Richardson earholes Clemons with an elbow after the play. Portis taking reps ahead of Marve. Hurl def in the starting rotation at MLB. Randle picks Willy on a nice int. Just really like Randle and Greg Peach. Willard Reaves watching his son #72. Didn't Leo Ezerins wear #72 for Winnipeg? #14 Malachi Freeman getting a fair number of reps at DB and CB and looking OK in the short time he's had to digest things. Carlos Anderson definitely hurt something on a return - limped off the field. Unamba looking solid. Can't help but notice Z Anderson and Thaddeus Gibson out there. Bryant Greaves Picard Chungh Daniels look to be starters on the O line. Cotton, Gordon and Veltung on returns after Anderson went down - Stoudermire still has his hand heavily taped and he was just watching, obviously.

Surprised he wasn't suspendered.