NotoriousBIG

Here's where I show my Bomber homer side -- if we can't get Cortez, I say Khari. He's a very intelligent guy and I would like to see what he can do in a tactical spot like OC. Plus I could see him being a really good mentor to a new QB. AND he would know the importance of a good Oline. There's also the whole Winnipeg connection blah blah that even a cynic like me can appreciate. Speaking of WPG connections, get Dyce to ST. He did a good job in SK and I'm sure his family still lives in WPG. The fact that both Khari and Dyce are both extremely likeable guys does not weigh into my decision at all.

Cortez as OC/Ass HC. That would be awesome. Stubler or Nelson on the D.

Yes. Its an homage to both our new coach and the 12000 Apple updates I've had this month.

Those early rumblings about Rick Worman -- I'd be interested in him as an OC. I can't see OS liking Kavis or Creehan for DC. I can see those guys ranting and raving and OS finally just telling them to shut the eff up.

And it's also a lot more than drawing plays on a whiteboard and barking formations into a headset, which is apparently the only things guys like Cortez and Burke are good at. Or just yelling at the refs and giving your inconsistent QB withering looks as he throws an INT in the last two minutes and loses the game, like Austin. You wouldnt want Austin as HC here? Not sold on Austin the GM. At least not yet. Would love him as my HC though. And yeah, a ballsy player to great HC. Hope OS is the same way.

Cortez as a head coach also outsucked the Lapo/Burke tandem so not going to worry too much about that Yeah I was hoping we'd snake him over as an OC/Assistant HC. Be a lot less of a fish bowl in WPG than in SK. Looks like it will be Khari the OC. Which isn't too bad.

I'm really pleased with this. I do hope Miller can finagle Cortez into the mix. Knowing Wade the way I do, I guarantee he has been selling Georgie very hard.... Been a solid week in Bomberland. Maybe I'll give the season ticket renewal office a call with my credit card # today?

This news conference is worth the listen as it introduces the two, (3&4), new guys and the thought process that worked towards these decisions. It also helps validate the reason(s) Kyle Walters was selected as our GM. With each announcement, and the reasoning behind each announcement, it becomes apparent that K Walters is not just a Hollywood look-alike comparison, but an intelligent team guy. In my case, these moves help strip off the layers of doubt that has crept in because of past team Management. Right now, there is a world of difference. And now for the Head Coach... Easy tiger. Although if Walters doesn't have a date for Valentine's Day he can always come on here....

You mean a decent DC? I would hope George runs the O, provided he can wear both hats. Maybe hire a very good DC who can assistant HC (Stubler?)

Agreed. Although I made fun of all the "Cortez is sooo cerebral" nonsense, he is a very good offence-mind. Which we could use. In a perfect, "never gonna happen" world I'd have O'Shea as my HC and Cortez as my OC.

No they didn't. Not taking anything away from Burke as a DC, but Chris Jones is much better. Meh. Perhaps. I think Burke is a good man though, as evidenced by the classy way he handled his buy out. He'll flourish as DC in TO. Chris Jones on the other hand, paired up with that asshat Ed Hervey, will be a disaster. Bank on it.

Agreed. Living in the States, I can tell you that the average American male athlete has NO CLUE about Canada outside of TO and Vancouver, and if you're on the eastern seaboard, Montreal. Need guys with some credibility to tell them WPG isn't just fat white people in monster trucks.

Awesome. Not sure whom I'd want more for HC, O'Shea or Cortez. Definitely take either before Khari.

Toronto just got better.

Nah, it's a results-driven business. So if Danny Mac "produces" results in the form of some import talent (and a QB prospect or two) I will get excited. As of December 1st though, lets just say I echo posters who say its a step in the right direction.

Definitely a step in the right direction. I'll defer getting too excited until I see the quality of players he brings in. Still, nice move.

i'm inclined to agree. I certainly don't "hate" Mack for his approach to the draft, though the parting shots from Miller & Walters suggest otherwise. Still, I just don't see CIS drafting as our team's (and Mack's) Achilles heel....More like an atrocious approach to Free Agency (brought to you by Nyquil) and zero success at fixing the QB. Oh, and cost cutting guys that never really made sense (Kent). And of course, firing coaches at the absolute worst time and then letting the team disintegrate under Burke after that. Other than that, Mack was great. ;-)

Cortez reportedly made $300k in Hamilton. Burke made $225 last season. Not a huge difference. You more times than not get what you pay for. If the Bombers are relunctant to understand this concept when it comes to key positions at the player or management level, they can't be surprised by negative results that ensue and will have to accept we will continue to be mediocre if we continue to fool ourselves. Giving Khari Jones the keys to this football club because he would come with a cheaper price tag and coupled with errenous rationalizations (such as being a former Bomber) and over-rating of what he brings to the table to justify this decision will more than likely not turn out well. Especially in sport where careers tend to be short, compensation can not be compromised when it comes to attracting quality talent whether one likes it or not. Yes, but let's be honest -- that's what we tend to do in Bomberland. See Joe Mack, Mike Kelly, etc. Both with strong ties to the Bomber glory days, both not exactly being courted by other teams for GM when we gave them the keys, both were basically useless and left us in a hole. Not sure what Waters is making but you know its not Wally money and likely more like Mack money. At least he wasn't a former Bomber player, just a middling ST coach -- so maybe we've kicked the habit? ;-)

I would love Cortez for OC. Would even consider him for HC.

This is really true, he said a lot of good things when he was introduced and you can tell that this guy wants to build a good team here and cares about doing what he thinks will get that good team. Any one of us could get up there and rattle off what needs to be done to do it so the things he actually pointed out don't mean a lot but I like the level of passion he seems to show. I don't think this guy is going to slack off when it comes to trying to get things on the right track. Well, in his first press conference, Mike Kelly showed a lot of passion too -- and then even more in the coach's call in show. Nah, kidding. I guess we'll see.

Because....? Because a year ago, Walters was a lousy ST coach...........today he is GM of the football club. Miller is taking a huge chance hiring him to GM. It could ruin Miller's name in the football community. If Miller just wanted to focus on the off-field stuff and not be involved in field ops, wouldn't he want someone in the GM chair that was more experienced? Which leads me to think he wouldn't hire Walters if he couldn't exert considerable control over him and the day to day decisions. Bottom line, unless Walters is the Doogie Howser MD of the CFL, he owes Miller huge for this. Walters would be lucky to AGM anywhere else. But hey, if we win, I won't complain.

This is complete and total speculation that it's Walters/O'Shea vs. Miller/Khari....ridiculous that we're treating it as fact. Well I'm glad you said it. Bugs me to no end that people are willing to treat this crap as fact. Isn't it funny how when it became apparent that Walters was the GM the rumours switched from Khari for HC to O'Shea for HC? Sounds to me like a lot of speculation prior to a GM being in place and once a GM was in place his choice is the front runner, is that not how it's supposed to be? But nooooooooo you all gotta be typical Bomber fans and run around like ******* talking about a conspiracy. So are you going to also say the search for GM was thorough and transparent process or that maybe, just maybe it was a one-horse race since Miller got the chair? and that has what to do with this silly idea that miller and walters are butting heads on a head coach? Miller is the CEO he can hire whoever he wants as a GM The point is, maybe Miller hired -- and likely, only interviewed -- the guy he knew he could tell what to do. I'm not buying that there's this big push back from Walters either. Frankly, I think Walters will do whatever the hell Wade tells him to do. OK, so Miller hired a puppet, or he and Walters are butting heads. It can't be both. Sock Puppet FTW.

This is complete and total speculation that it's Walters/O'Shea vs. Miller/Khari....ridiculous that we're treating it as fact. Well I'm glad you said it. Bugs me to no end that people are willing to treat this crap as fact. Isn't it funny how when it became apparent that Walters was the GM the rumours switched from Khari for HC to O'Shea for HC? Sounds to me like a lot of speculation prior to a GM being in place and once a GM was in place his choice is the front runner, is that not how it's supposed to be? But nooooooooo you all gotta be typical Bomber fans and run around like ******* talking about a conspiracy. So are you going to also say the search for GM was thorough and transparent process or that maybe, just maybe it was a one-horse race since Miller got the chair? and that has what to do with this silly idea that miller and walters are butting heads on a head coach? Miller is the CEO he can hire whoever he wants as a GM The point is, maybe Miller hired -- and likely, only interviewed -- the guy he knew he could tell what to do. I'm not buying that there's this big push back from Walters either. Frankly, I think Walters will do whatever the hell Wade tells him to do.

This is complete and total speculation that it's Walters/O'Shea vs. Miller/Khari....ridiculous that we're treating it as fact. Well I'm glad you said it. Bugs me to no end that people are willing to treat this crap as fact. Isn't it funny how when it became apparent that Walters was the GM the rumours switched from Khari for HC to O'Shea for HC? Sounds to me like a lot of speculation prior to a GM being in place and once a GM was in place his choice is the front runner, is that not how it's supposed to be? But nooooooooo you all gotta be typical Bomber fans and run around like ******* talking about a conspiracy. So are you going to also say the search for GM was thorough and transparent process or that maybe, just maybe it was a one-horse race since Miller got the chair?

I don't understand why it's easier to assume Higgins was not hired because it was his decision and not because it was because of something he demanded or lacked. Because it's easier to blame the Bombers org.? It's easier to assume because GM jobs are highly coveted around the league -- and for a former GM who's challenged for previous GM openings to suddenly pull his name for a job that would likely double or triple his current salary is very odd. Maybe you're right though. Maybe he demanded autonomy to pick his HC and AGM and Wade said no?