HardCoreBlue

Yes the interest is there, however the NFL sure interests/consumes my 13 year football playing son over the CFL. I tried to brainwash him early (once he came out of the womb) with the Bombers /CFL but he gradually lost interest. Something sure draws his interest to the NFL, whether it's watching the NFL/College games, following his Eagles, playing the videogames, being impressed with the talent level etc. It would be nice to continue to work on that age demographic to not only make attending a CFL game fashionable, but making the CFL fashionable for the younger generation to follow. I know I'm missing tons of complexities when I say this and we've talked about this over the years on this board but making a sophisticated top level CFL video game would be a start to really hook a larger following of younger football enthusiasts. I feel some underestimate the impact this would have, just my feeling only supported by how it has really engaged my son with the NFL (knowing alot of players, wanting to buy NFL merchandise, wanting to watch a live Eagle game , giving him specific goals of developing himself as a football player etc ).

What coach doesn't want this though? Of course they are always looking/wanting to upgrade their existing talent base. But this can't be the only reason (and sometimes it's not even a viable reason)a coach justifies the limitations of his area of responsibility. It's a shared responsibility, players, coaches, management, scouts etc. I'm wondering what Richie Hall would say about this year, other than him needing increased talent at key positions and key injuries hurting us on defense. What things could he have done better himself? Nothing? If I'm Micheal O'Shea, that's the question I'm asking my coordinators and myself.

For arguments sake, let's say that's true. That would then tell me that maybe our GM, scouts and Coaching Staff weren't on the same page as teams develop schemes to get the most out of their existing talent (or bring in that type of player (s) needed post haste) not try to fit existing talent into a scheme you want to run but may not have that type talent to run it.

Immediate success?

My guess is that Goosen probably thought Sewell crossed the line of Scrimmage and was waiting for the ref to call it. He was wrong on both accounts. You suggest this was the turning point while a lot of others are suggesting the fake punt was the turning point, both feasible arguments but I think ultimately it was Dressler's fumble that did us in. I still felt we had a chance right until that moment.

True but from the loyal Bomber fan's perspective who have been around for that time, it's getting harder and harder to swallow not winning a cup in 27 years in a nine team league. If Edmonton gets to the Cup this year, We can't even say we're number 1 in most GC appearances anymore, we'd be tied I believe. So whatever regime is in place now (four years and running) doesn't get as much patience whether they discount the previous 23 years or not. I think it's fair to say our patience is being tried here and to use the previous regime approach will not cut it. Imagine if Walters came out and said hey, we've only been in place here for four years, the previous 23 years aint our doing (which is true). I don't think that would help people be more patient. Most sensible loyal fans aren't blaming Walters and company for the extended drought but don't use the hey not our fault we haven't won in a long time. Doesn't help matters imo.

Yes a 27 year and counting process . . . But Gotta support the team

No but it sure does help.

Fear? Does not compute.

Not his knee, his butt was where it was close.

I'm perplexed on why we would use a MLB as a block eater? Isn't that the DT and NT's job? Hearing Suitor explain Hurl as the Unsung hero and O'Shea saying some people don't realize what his job is was unbearable. O'Shea I love you but yes some of us do realize what you are trying to do with Hurl but it's not working. Most yards given from the line of scrimmage is a good starting point to understand why. And even when he gets himself into the position to make the tackle, he usually struggles. I'm not trying to pile on Hurl here because he wasn't the only one struggling out there, he's probably a super nice young man but we need to have our MLB as one of our best players on defence. That's the way it works in reality.

I was thinking this as well. What did we have 4, 5, 6 blown coverages? Maybe 1 or at the most 2 I'll pin that on the player but if there's a pattern maybe the scheme laid out for them was confusing. Regardless, very frustrating to see Bowman and Zylstra, their two best receivers, wide open on a regular basis. Unforgivable. Intolerable. If I hear explosion play once more, I'm gonna barf.

Phoenix looks like a top end AHL team. Frustrating to watch. No structure to their game imo. With our talent this game should no where be close. Mason played positionally sound tonight despite the one and only goal he let in. I'm really liking Tanev's game, with a little more polish he will move up the depth chart. Connor's game is coming into it's own albeit playing with our two best offensive players. What does it take to get an interference call? I see our PK has gone back to a collapsing box, ugh. Not impressed with Adam Lowry, loses a lot of puck battles and seems to float. Get's minutes I'm not sure are deserved. Maybe he's an awesome practice player. What a play by Mark Sheifele to pass to himself behind the net by throwing it off the net. Very Gretzky esq. Me being hyper sensitive but the play by play commentator leading into the piece on Paul Kariya during the break. 'Termination of his hockey career'. What an odd thing to say. The Oilers lose, the Jets win, so bring on the Schmoes. Go Blue!

Not today. They are going to warm us up for tomorrow's tilt.

Loffler my man is going to show-up for this game in a big way I can feel it.

He is one of the best receivers in this league. His size has not impeded his production and being taller doesn't mean he wouldn't get hurt as often or be better. If anything, his physical makeup and his talent to go along with it makes him the lethal player he is. Although I'm more a fan of the defensive side of the game, Dressler is probably my favorite player on this team (Mo being a very close second :-)) I really hope Lapo continues to try to throw different looks at Edmonton so they have difficulty in spying Dressler.

Added to this, I hope they come in over confident. They will attempt to mentally prepare for that to ensure that doesn't happen but here's hoping they do. And I really hope Brandon Zylstra hates windy cold conditions. Shut him down, game on. The colder and windier it is, the better (i.e., Harris) it is for us imo (except for Nichols of course, cold will not bode well with that calf and hand injury). A nice 15-5 win be suffice. Then we go shut down that horse in Stumpeder land.

Next man up if there's any left. Jebbus.

Maybe it's the circles I run in but as long as I have been around football as a fan and as a coach, I don't think I have ever actually heard a defensive coordinator describe his defense this way. I've never heard a defensive guy say we are going to give up tons of yardage but will hold them when it matters. Most defensive coordinators I know and hear from scheme their defense to their existing talent base to maximize two and outs and to force turnovers. If there is a creature like this that describes his defense as a bend don't break, I'd get that out from them in the interview hiring process and would not let him anywhere near my team.

Loyal is the key adjective there.

I find Lapo and Maurice are actually similar in nature. Both very well spoken, know their games inside out but sometimes struggle with how their thought process translates into real game situations. I actually enjoy listening to them both when they are talking about their respective football and hockey teams. They can string more than one sentence together in a not run of the mill understandable way which is nice perk to have as a fan. We could have better but we could also have a lot worse. However I think it's legitimate to say overall loyal Winnipeg fans have been a patient fan base but need to see growth post haste (increased chances at winning Grey Cups and more consistent hockey playoff appearances).

I think it would be fitting if Medlock seals the deal for us this Sunday to answer the question some posters here have been asking 'what have you done for us lately?' There is no other kicker I would want heading into playoffs, especially with the significant injuries our offence is dealing with. Even if Nichols is a go, how long will he last with that calf problem, hand issue, especially in cold weather? JM kicking eight field goals this game, defence holding strong with one one pick six and a punt return for a touchdown will do just fine. I personally have a lot on the line here in making some wagers around the office here in eskiblow land. I do not want to have to wear eskiblow apparel around the office on Monday to cover a bet. Let's get it done Blue, we are due.

Yup cause all the eskiblows will do his key in on Dressler, Harris and Flanders and force our tier two guys to make plays. Let's see what Givens has for the playoffs. Let's hope he's the type of guy that raises it a notch come do or die games. Our defense/special teams may have to do the bulk of scoring for us.

Yea I'm with you. I'm hoping for a Harris win as well, He's earned it, love they way he competes. He's up against one of the best players in the league right now, that's all.

Even with their losing, they are benefited from jumping over to the East. Argoblows and Renegades don't scream powerhouse to me. A GC final against Sask would be special.