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Compared to Nichols who is ready to start but doesn't look good.

If there is logic behind the decisions, then they are not personal, and thus not emotionally-based.

Could it be that O'Shea (and maybe other coaches) make their decisions on the basis of personal likes or dislikes?

Anyone expecting an offensive orgy in this game is going to be disappointed. It may come down to which defence decides to show up.

Can't put the blame wholly or even largely on Pipkin. He got no protection from his O-line and little help from his receivers. I am not sure that his coach knows what a "rouge" is yet If the Bombers manage to lose what is a close to a gimme game, they will deserve whatever scorn and derision they would get. Nothing less than a good old-fashioned ass-whupping of the hapless Als will do.

Who knows? He is demonstrably stubborn and resistant to change.

After a while, you can't write it off as luck. The best players have a sort of spider sense which allows then to do the right thing at the right time.

Apparently Nichols was upbeat and relaxed at practice today. What- me worry?

All are retreads who failed to win a job at spring training camp.

Aaaand,,,,to absolutely no one's surprise, O'Shea has confirmed that Nichols will start against Montreal this Friday.

The NFL has lost lawsuits over shady practices. Do some research about Donald Trump, the USFL and the NFL lawsuit.

Now, now. That just wouldn't be cricket, would it?

You can bet your bippy it won't be LaPolice or Hall.

My thinking exactly. We are going to find out if Nichols blossoms or wilts under pressure.

Bombers have added two training camp rejects: national defensive back Jacob Firlotte, international receivers Charles Nelson and Kenny Lawler, international linebacker Kache Palacio and international defensive back Boobie Hobbs. That's as good as it gets, folks. Cue the Boobie jokes.

I have mixed feelings on this. Some players like Mike Sellers, grew out of their mistakes but Chris Jones has been bringing in problems children for some time and still has a crappy team, so there is no magic in this.

For a miracle comeback to happen, the Bombers would have to have better coaching, a viable quarterback (and Nichols has been declining for a year now) and a couple-three receivers who scare the opposing defences. So far, we are zero for three on this.

But think how much they would save on shampoo and conditioner.

Its damned hard on the assembled faithful, though.

Yes, but did he say what year? Was it still in four digits?

Apart from Muamba and Bowman, scheming against the Als' defence is like shooting fish in a barrel.

What some here have been predicting came to pass last night. The Rider defence was good, but not quite as good as in other games, the offence was its usual self, and Elizondo came up with a plan to beat the Rider defence with an average O-line. As Suitor pointed out repeatedly, the Rider game plan was to load up the box and stuff Powell. Ottawa countered with an outside passing game and when the Riders tried to adapt, Powell was sent into the line to seal the deal.

I am not expecting much from the 2018 Bombers except that they will stumble into the playoffs by way of crossover and lose in the first game. What I am hoping for is that the players who are worth keeping will show themselves in a much better effort in the games to come. Until recently, I had thought that we had the talent to not only get to the playoffs but maybe even get to the western final. I am not smart enough to judge whether its a lack of talent, inept coaching or a combination of both, but whatever the problem is, I think we are way past the tinkering stage and down to the rebuild stage.

Five years of rebuilding and the best we can hope for is a crossover. Sad.

That was then and this is now. The September team has to know how close they are to the abyss and that Nichols can no longer be relied on.