Doublezero

I'd like to think that Chris Smith kick return for a TD in preseason was due to everyone being tuned in and executing their assignments on the return team. So, although I really miss Janarion, let's see how Myron Mitchell does and whether there is a flicker of potential there.

I count 18 new faces on the roster (including PR). That is a lot of turnover - the most, I think, of any Blue Bombers lineup I can remember in the past several years. Usually, continuity has been the hallmark. There were holes to fill due to departures of certain vets and very few vets (so far) have been outright released unless you count OL Chris Ivy - not sure of his health status. Not predicting anything, but often when this degree of turnover happens a team takes a step back for the first few games.

Anyone know why? 2024-06-01 TOR Shin, Daniel OL N Alberta TRF TO LEAGUE SUSPENSION League Suspension

Yes, Grant scored a TD on a punt return in the West Final vs BC in 2022 and also took one to the house in the Grey Cup Game vs Toronto. Don't remember the whiff but definitely could've happened. https://www.google.com/search?q=winnipeg+blue+bombers+2022&sca_esv=8935ef200ca57f75&sxsrf=ADLYWIImn3Z2yrEWy039h-O9p9bQoWmEwQ%3A1717200107058&ei=62RaZvucA5HL0PEPnZO8-AY&ved=0ahUKEwi7vo7zjLmGAxWRJTQIHZ0JD28Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=winnipeg+blue+bombers+2022&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiGndpbm5pcGVnIGJsdWUgYm9tYmVycyAyMDIyMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHSJgHUABYAHABeAGQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQPIAQCYAgGgAgeYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwExoAcA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#sie=m;/g/11sh5flbjj;6;/m/0fnw5;tb2;fp;1;;;

He did not have a return TD after coming back from injury in 2023. You may be thinking of 2022 when he returned a punt for a TD vs Argos in the Grey Cup Game. So painful we lost that game.

His injury last season was a bit of a mystery, looked like high ankle sprain or hairline foot/ankle fracture. (BTW it was a dumb play call by Buck that got Grant nicked - a hand-off up the gut into high traffic on 2nd and long). IMHO Grant did not appear as lethal after returning from that injury. Took him a long time to rehab and might have had a setback after trying to come back early. No one tougher. Janarion has great vision but if you can't plant your foot to make the cut you're just not as elusive. Of course our team blocking on return teams was **** last year too ... Honestly, Argos taking a bit of a flyer unless they worked him out prior. If he is 100% healthy with nothing lingering, he is electric.

Hope he takes one to the house every game - except against us. Guy has been a force, top return man in the CFL for several years. But does he still have it? Guess we will find out.

Weird seeing Rasheed Bailey #88 in an Argos uni.

Roster decisions at every player position are also governed by available dollars. Bombers have spent over the cap and been fined for that for several consecutive seasons. You allocate $xxxxxx.xx for each position, plus $$$ for so-called back-ups. Then factor injuries. This is why Bombers are so keen on players being able to fill multiple positions, esp on D. It is a balancing act. A guy who can play multiple roles is actually more valuable to the club than an ace who fits/excels in just one role. Roster composition is not just based on fans perceptions of which player looks promising at a given position, it's a bigger picture.

Small sample but Wilson looking better. Couple of nice throws. Looking more relaxed and confident - in command. Like him.

OL doesn't cause you to toss the ball into the dirt. Both rook QBs showing nerves.

Missing Dru Brown ...

Ya, he got up clean after the catch and then had the ball stripped. Shouldve been Bombers ball.

That was a catch and fumble/strip

Mike O'Shea said that pound-for-pound Janarion Grant was undoubtedly the toughest player on the squad. Of course no one is irreplaceable. But guaranteed whoever is returning kicks this season will not be in Grant's class. I feel bad for him because the ankle/foot injury that cost him was a really dumb play call - a handoff that had him running a counter up the gut into heavy traffic.

This return vs Sask was such a beaut. Did it on his own, amazing:

Special teams? Who will step up to make me forget about Janarion Grant? Losing him gonna hurt. Best returner we had in Blue & Gold for a very long time.

What's the point in getting personal about it? You can't prove my observations are invalid. This is a fan forum and I have an opinion about who gets the ball off quicker, Collaros or Brown. It is a valid opinion based on what my eyes are telling me. And you are welcome to disagree. If you did disagree I would respect your opinion rather than resort to an ad hominem argument. I guess we could run a stopwatch off game tape and test my observation. No, I have not played QB or coached at the pro level. I would describe myself as just a fan. Although I have lined up as a player in the CFL. In the backfield. And I know how to run a route. And that's all I'm gonna say. Since you asked.

Conjecture. For sure both Collaros and Brown have benefitted from Winnipeg's development of a solid Oline and a scheme that offered pretty dang good QB protection. But how Brown might fare elsewhere is irrelevant to the opinion that we should have kept him here. The size difference between the 2 QBs is also irrelevant. After all, Doug Flutie was 5'!0 180lbs - bigger does not equate to more success or durability. For sure Zach is a warrior who, as you say, has had to sit out for extended periods due to serious injuries. The fact that he has suffered so many injuries - especially hits to the head - underscores my basic concern about him. After all, Collaros missed games in 2015 and 2016 with the torn ACL - not clear he ever recovered from that 100%. In 2018 he was sidelined for several games due to a head injury and he did not play for most of 2019 due to head injury. We have a valiant QB who is 35 and needs to avoid hits at all costs as they could be career ending. To me, it appears that is taking him longer to process things out there post-snap. Brown definitely got the ball away quicker than Zach and was more accurate and threw with velocity. That's how it appeared. Plus Brown knew Buck's offence. That's why I'd have kept him. But we didn't. Glad we've got Strevy though.

Runs like Milt.

I really wish Bombers had been able to keep Brown and had somehow dealt Collaros. But I guess Zach is at the point in the life of his contract, with possibly some guarantees, that made that impossible. The problem is that Zach is 35 and has developed happy feet - starts to scramble early and throws with a hint of desperation. Brown looked more poised when he came in last season and definitely throws a more accurate ball. It'll be interesting to see how pass pro goes this season with changes on the Oline. There will be tweaks and adjustments, no doubt. Hoping Collaros can stay healthy but ... I think Strevy could end up starting for us sooner rather than later.

Since we're talking memorabilia, here's a jersey that claims to be a game worn Leo Lewis 1958 Grey Cup game jersey. There's a letter of authentication but it means nothing, just says that the jersey looks like one Lewis wore at the time. There is no provenance outlining the chain of ownership etc so I'd be wary. I think it was for sale, or one like it, couple years ago for around the same asking price. Looks cool though: https://glorydayscollectibles.com/products/1958-leo-lewis-grey-cup-championship-game-worn-winnipeg-blue-bombers-jersey-loa

Are you suggesting criminal harrassment? I'm no lawyer but that is a form of harassment that crosses a very specific line. I don't know that that has been alleged and don't believe the cops are involved in this yet ...

Stamps GM Dave Dickenson hires his brother as a consultant https://3downnation.com/2024/02/23/former-riders-head-coach-craig-dickenson-hired-by-brother-dave-as-consultant-with-stampeders/

Oh yes, CFL Free Agent tracker shows Terry Williams "just" was extended on January 3rd - more than a month ago.