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We've beaten the pros and cons of O'Shea to death in this forum and it probably had little effect on Walters' decision. Time to move on and we will see if this was a smart move in 2017.

Despite my reservations about O'Shea, at least this is resolved. If nothing else, we have continuity and I am pleased with Walters' work.

This is where you and I differ in view. When Nichols took the field, the whole team, both offence and defence were galvanized. For at least the two games prior, the body language of the players, particularly on the sidelines, was defeatist. A few players were still rah-rah but it sure as heck looked like few expected to compete, let alone win with Willy. Yes, the O-line was upgraded, but I do not believe it was the determining factor. Beyond Willy's lack of performance, I would bet that the team was losing trust in the coach(es) to make the necessary changes to alow them to compete. That would be very corrosive.

I believe the evidence suggests it was at the last minute. Had Willy coninued to start for one or two more games, not only would the Bombers have been looking at two more losses and missing the playoffs once again, but the fans would have given up as well as the team.

The scariest thing is that under the law in almost all states, all a killer has to state is that s/he felt threatened without any real objective proof. Thus, any paranoid gun-carrier can be "justified" in killing. In Canada, the law states that any such incident has to be credible to a reasonable person. A few years ago in California, two Chinese students went out in costume on Halloween. When they rang the doorbell of a house, the householder fired several shots through the door, killing both. It was ruled a justifiable shooting.

A "'wild west mentality" is probably inaccurate. I visited Tombstone Arizona during a snowbird trip, and was told by the guide that most old west towns including Dodge City, Laramie etc required visitors to leave their guns at the local sherriff's office and pick them up on their way out of town. The main-street quick-draw duels were pretty much unheard of as a result.

From 3downnation today: Last winter, I did a story on an American player who had decided to stay in Canada over the off-season. There were a number of reasons why but this was the poignant one. “I feel safer here. When I go back to the U.S. I always have to give a glance over my shoulder. I’m not saying that you don’t have racism in this country but I don’t feel like a black man here. I just feel like a man.” I thought about that conversation last night as news of Joe McKnight’s shooting spread across the league. The reaction ran the usual gamut: shock, anger, disbelief, sadness, grief.

Just as most Americans will never "get" Canadians and our culture, most of us Canucks will never "get" American values and culture. A few years ago, I was driving down the Interstate in Georgia and saw this huge sign rising above the trees. I told me that, a few miles ahead there was an enterprise which sold the cheapest, guns, ammo, booze and fireworks in the state-guaranteed. Can't see how that could possibly pose any problem. And the day after 9-11 was the highest sales of guns in the USA, ever. Fear is darned good marketing.

Pretty much all states allow for the carrying of guns, and many have "open carry" laws where people can carry weapons without permits and wear them in holsters. One statistic I hear of some 20 years ago was that one on four cars in the US had a gun on board and I would imagine the percentage is a lot higher now.

You are correct. I had meant to point out that evidence, even if solid, does not ensure a conviction. But I had a brain cramp. Sorry about that.

Cops in the US rarely get convicted, even when the evidence is overwhelming.

The criticsm of O'Shea about repeatedly saddling a dead horse (Willy) was, IMO, totally justified. I obviously don't know all the facts, but it sure as heck looked like finally starting Nichols was either a deathbed repentance or Walters holding a gun to O'Shea's head. Before the Big Switch, pretty much everyone on this forum and God knows how many other fans knew that Willy was broken beyond repair, but O'Shea kept throwing Willy out there.

Good news, then.

Don't think it will come to that. The Riders are so woven into the culture of the province that they're like McDonalds in North American culture. Besides, what else do they have to root for?

Particularly when the RB's were such underdogs.

I can see Medlock being pursued as hot property.

The criminal code in the US is not like here in Canada- it varies from state to state, and many states have laws that state a killing is justified if the killer believed he/she was under threat, or like Texas if your livelihood (tools, vehicle etc) is at risk.

You have no idea of the fear and rancor that so many Americans live in. A friend goes to west Texas to a gated community in the winter and has neighbours who strap on a gun to walk 200 meters to the store inside the fenced area.

Of course. Just another unarmed black guy shot by a panicked, gun-carrying white guy without provocation. Nothing to see here. Move along...

You gotta be macho to be a Victor!

Not that its Miller time for Walters on his QB hunt, but after all these years, average sounds pretty good.

Vaguely comforting to know that if we can't have Franklin, the Riders can't, either.

There are not too many Fantuzes out there, but I would settle for a Rick House type.

Overall, with a couple of exceptions, Walters has to be the best GM in terms of recruiting we've had in a dog's age. Since we really do not know how good Dominique Davis might be and Bennett is gone, we do not know how effective the QB search has been. When they hired McManus as scout, I hoped that he would be better at this than he's shown to date. The other needs seem to be defensive end and middle linebacker, but we do not know if O'Shea looked at who we have and said that it was good enough, so a possible mulligan there.

I would think that Getzlaff and Bagg would be pretty close to being premier receivers, although Getzlaff is very near to the boneyard.