B-F-F-C

This thread had very little relevance to it to begin with, it's turned into a more spirited discussion. Spirited discussion? This discussion has been beaten to death over the last two years and you're usually the first to call posters out on that. If Lapo and Mack's names were never mentioned again. It would be too soon. Let's discuss the present not the past.

Can we take the Lapo conversation to a new thread? It really has no relevance to this thread.

Wow...who pissed in your cornflakes today? We as fans don't always get these behind the scene looks. Was if fluff? Maybe but again it provides me assurance that this team is in good hands. To that, I'm extremely grateful.

I swear to god that Walter's takes his lead from us.

Did you check Troy's shorts? This stuff just writes itself.

This is good news!

I hope somebody tweeted that to Cornish & Federkeil. I sure hope so. Holy crap Geebrr is back. Welcome back and I hope you stick around for awhile. Mm

Boot off the Rider fans who are wannabe Bomber fans.

My internet is down, so I'm limited to checking for updates on my phone. Damn Shaw!!!!!!! Thanks to all of you for posting updates on the board.

A third string QB who's about to be a free agent? That would have taken a miracle.

GOLDBERG

I was surprised by the news today about Heenan. As far as I know, this is the first I've heard that he was interested in the NFL or there was any interest by the NFL.

There is a strong, new message to would-be attackers of homosexuals in a city often labelled the gay-bashing capital of Canada. "They are being watched," declared Jennifer Breakspear, head of the "***** resource centre" Qmunity, moments after Shawn Woodward was convicted Wednesday of aggravated assault for a vicious attack last year on a patron at a local gay bar. "If folks are looking to cause trouble on Davie [centre of the city's so-called gay village] know that the police are looking out for us, and we are looking out for each other." Ritch Dowrey, 62, suffered permanent brain damage in the high-profile incident that provoked hundreds of neighbourhood residents to take to the streets to protest ongoing violence against gays. Recent statistics show Greater Vancouver has, per capita, more reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation than any other major urban area in Canada. But Ms. Breakspear said there has been a sea change in the attitude of Vancouver police and the justice system toward assaults on gays, as evidenced by Mr. Woodward's conviction. "The ***** community is on the Vancouver Police Department's radar," she said. "They are taking these crimes more seriously. So are the courts. That's why more people are reporting them." Indeed, Provincial Court Judge Jocelyn Palmer used strong language to denounce Mr. Woodward's crime, particularly his claim that he acted in self-defence to ward off Mr. Dowrey's advances. Mr. Woodward, who is not gay, knocked the victim unconscious with a single sucker punch to the face. When he fell, Mr. Dowrey's head hit the floor with "a sickening thud," court heard. The 37-year-old construction worker told patrons of the Fountainhead Pub immediately after the attack that Mr. Dowrey was a "******" who deserved what happened to him. On the witness stand, Mr. Woodward testified that the victim's hand had brushed his crotch as he went to leave. "There is no air of reality to this evidence," Judge Palmer ruled. "His intention was to deny, deflect and dissemble. … He fabricated this story to justify his outrageous assault." There was some evidence that Mr. Dowrey may have briefly touched Mr. Woodward's shoulder and the accused was offended by this, she said. "He chose to go directly to Mr. Dowrey for the express purpose of punching him" to demonstrate his manliness, the judge concluded. "I find him guilty." She quickly cut off a short burst of applause from the packed courtroom with the words: "Don't you dare." Supporters and members of Mr. Dowrey's family tearfully embraced outside the court. While welcoming the verdict, some said it was a sad occasion nonetheless, considering the state of the victim's health. "I'm satisfied, but this isn't going to help Ritchie," said friend Brian Wawryshyn, who wore a B.C. Lions cap to commemorate Mr. Dowrey's long, passionate support of the Lions and the Canadian Football League. "He's not coming back." Father of two daughters, the victim remains in a long-term care home, unable to speak clearly or care for himself. As he left the courthouse, Mr. Woodward stared stonily ahead, refusing comment to reporters pressing him for reaction. Michel Duprat, majority owner of the Fountainhead Pub where Mr. Dowrey was a well-known customer, agreed with Ms. Breakspear that the guilty verdict is significant. "The more cases like this come out and convictions result, the more people realize there are consequences for this kind of homophobia," said Mr. Duprat, who joined a large number of pub employees in the courtroom. "The more precedents set, the easier the message becomes." He said Mr. Dowrey's honour was restored by the guilty verdict. "He was always a gentleman and would never have done what the accused claimed. But sadly, it doesn't change anything. Ritchie will never be Ritchie again." Ron Stipp, of West Enders Against Violence Everywhere, said it would be appropriate for the Crown to seek designation of the assault as a hate crime, when Mr. Woodward appears for sentencing Oct. 22. "He's a gay basher who tried to deny it," Mr. Stipp said. "It was an attack on an innocent man who just wanted to have a game of pool with his friends. He expected to go home that night as a whole person. It's tragic." Prosecution spokesman Neil MacKenzie said no decision has been made on whether to ask the judge to find Mr. Woodward the perpetrator of a hate crime, which can result in a harsher sentence. "But clearly the judge used some extremely strong language," he said, "and those are factors the Crown will look at very closely."

Rest in peace my friend. In your memory I'm enjoying a three olive gin martini as I write this. A senseless act of bravado by some neanderthal ended your life and took away a very good friend of the CFL. Till we meet again my friend.

That brings back a memory from my youth. My grandparents owned a general store in Selkirk and my grandfather told me about this guy who lived in Selkirk and played for the bombers. I didn't know he was a milkman but my grandfather seemed to know him quite well. Thanks for that.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/cfl-off-season-analysis-winnipeg-blue-bombers-1.189151 Nothing earth shattering but interesting all the same.

Herb Zurkowsky tweeted that Kavis Reed will be the Als new ST coach. How the mighty have fallen

Not something to put on the resume

Walters didn't come out and exactly and say it but he sure infers during his CJOB interview that Bilukidi could be out of NFL options. That would be a nice addition if true.

@CJOBSports #Bombers Dominic Picard "Dream come true, I feel like I am coming home today" Credits Bob Wylie & Fan Base & Drew Willy reasons for coming Fan base? Interesting comment.

Picard was named offensive lineman of 2014 but was due a large bonus that would count against 15 cap. Riders have cap issues gary lawless (@garylawless) Brendan Taman = Cap issues

On the 2nd night of Hanukkah my Bubby gave to me...a new DC Finally we can put the whole "we need a presser" discussion to bed.

Huh? We don't have any coaching vacanies.

That's great news! Good to see you back and on the road to good health. Gonna drink a couple of gin martinis tonight to toast your BIG win.

Do you want to elaborate as to why you think he was mistreated?