BigBlue

Frequently, especially when I'm busy, I like to separate fact from opinion. What makes this site so enjoyable is the opinions and disagreements that we find from our members. However sometimes I just am not interested in opinion. I want to know what's changing for our next game. New injuries, recovering from past injuries, possible replacements and other moves the coaches might make is all that really matters to me sometimes. I do not know what we all like best but the most important thing for me is the injury report and personnel changes. I am mainly interested in the Bombers but I don't mind hearing about what's happening around the league. So here goes: as a start. "Attention now turns to Demski's injury, this O can't afford to lose anyone let alone him for considerable time" "I don’t think it’ll be too serious. He was walking on it no boot or any thing. Worst case I would think a high ankle sprain that takes a couple weeks. " So if Demski is out for the next game how do we change our lineup? One of my chief interests is how Brandon Alexander is coming along. Has anybody seen him out on the practice field in the last week or so? Did anyone notice if any of our other starters besides Demski got a little nicked up on Friday night? Now I realize some of this is conjecture but we do have some excellent sleuths on this site, people who can see what MOS and the gang don't want to say. I would just like to know sooner than when we publish the game day roster.

Now that Glenn Suitor has made the sportscaster HOF how do we improve the colour men? Is there a place we can promote him to?

After watching the 1st 2 CFL weeks, I am revising as follows: Bombers Stamps Lions Riders Elks and out east Cats Red Blacks Alouettes Argos Anybody else CHANGE their minds?

"For my money, Dustin Nielsen and Duane Forde are TSN’s best play-by-play crew. Their mix of enthusiasm, passion for the Canadian game and ability to know when to let the play and crowd reaction speak for itself is second to none." (3DownNation) TSN media staff appears to be relatively the same as last year. Are you happy about that? Personally, I know that announcers and commentators are going to be noticeably similar to Captain Obvious and I do not think that can be changed much. I like Steagall's courage to speak his mind. The rest of the panel seems scripted with talking points. Sharp criticism is seldom seen. But I am happy. Rod Black is gone and that's all that matters on this topic. I am even able to put up with "homer" Glenn Suiter. I thought he was rather restrained during the Regina game. He seldom foamed at the mouth AND he did not harp on just one player's hilites all game. So growth is possible even in the face of entrenched personality. Your thoughts on the TSN crew?

What's going on with Jeffcoat?

I see the WEST ending up in this rank order: Winnipeg Calgary Saskatchewan Edmonton BC In the EAST, I expect the final order to be: Hamilton Montreal Toronto Ottawa I see a lot of differential in the west, very little in the east. Forecasting with history I am! Who sees this differently?

What I would like to see is the ADDITION of 4 (or so) developmental roster spots for 1st (and maybe 2nd year) Canadians in which skill levels can be worked on throughout the year to earn full roster spots later. [The taxi squad would remain the same except 4 players bigger.] In this scenario they would be paid 50% of the minimum salary, they would not travel to away games (keeping costs down) but would dress for home games; they would only play in a home game if another player was declared injured and out of the game (subbing in). That's how I would like to see that $1 million spent that the commissioner is throwing around. Gaining an extra year or two in skill development means more long term jobs for Canadian players.

What I would like to see is the ADDITION of 4 (or so) developmental roster spots for 1st (and maybe 2nd year) Canadians in which skill levels can be worked on throughout the year to earn full roster spots later. [The taxi squad would remain the same except 4 players bigger.] In this scenario they would be paid 50% of the minimum salary, they would not travel to away games (keeping costs down) but would dress for home games; they would only play in a home game if another player was declared injured and out of the game (subbing in). That's how I would like to see that $1 million spent that the commissioner is throwing around. Gaining an extra year or two in skill development means more long term jobs for Canadian players.

https://www.bluebombers.com/players/dakota-prukop-2/159945/ "In eight games last season with the Elks, Prukop completed 18 of 26 passes for 183 yards with one TD and two interceptions while rushing 27 times for 134 yards and two scores. He had started the season in training camp with the Calgary Stampeders after signing with that club in 2020, but was released at the end of July. Prukop has dressed for 49 regular-season games in his career with Edmonton and the Toronto Argonauts, completing 36 of 56 passes for 467 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing 38 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns." https://www.cfl.ca/2022/02/19/tait-timing-syncs-prukop-bombers/ Ed Tait: " Prukop’s experience – he has 49 regular-season CFL games to his name in Toronto and Edmonton over five years – means he likely slides into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Collaros, the league’s all-star pivot and Most Outstanding Player, with Sean McGuire telling Bombers management he was moving on from the game. He became expendable in Edmonton with new Elks boss Chris Jones stockpiling quarterbacks in what he hopes is a rebuild in Northern Alberta. Prukop’s passing numbers are modest – 36 for 56 for 467 yards with four TDs and four interceptions – but it’s his adaptability and his athleticism that continues to intrigue offensive coordinators across the league." So Dakota sounds very promising. But he is not the "fallen vet" that can some how pick up the pace should Zach go down for a few. I am pretty sure Collaros won't play all 18 this year.

when I look at the roster now plus a couple of US recruits likely to make the club, our roster might actually be stronger this year than last. We do have guys who have been biding their time and are ready to go: RB, G, REC, on O: D by contrast has just lost 2 or 3 very good players but will be covered off by the rotational players from last year - - then think of the guys trying to get off the practice roster; they have had extreme tutors to direct their high potential Some how recently each year we keep adding a couple of out standing rookies (thank you Danny McManus). The press has their eyes on what they can see, the past; the coaches know what they have been developing on the bench and especially the practice roster. My only concern: just 2 QBs on the roster... Dru Brown gives me no comfort no matter how management rants and raves about his talent. I would like to see a fallen star QB come here for rejuvenation... how much would that cost? https://www.cfl.ca/players/

Bauming - - Injury Report

Another Great Season Ahead! Calgary has great management. That is my basis for picking them for first place. They do seem to come up with a talent in abundance all the time. Winnipeg is my pick for number two in the West; great management but not as good as Calgary's. I still think we have offensive personnel problems to solve in both the backfield and at receiver. I hope our number two quarterback doesn't take long to learn the game. I would be very happy if Collaros can play 65 to 75% of his games as a starter. Our defence looks invincible but we will see. I believe the D will be winning most of our games for us this year. I'm picking BC for third just because it's time for them to come out of the pit. They been doing stuff for three years now. They have a great quarterback. I think they will patch together a winning team. I could be terribly wrong about this. They have never stayed cellar dwellers for that long. Here I am way out on a limb. The Elks just seem to have unsettled management and controversy seen sub surface with not everybody on the same page, as far as the higher ups go. It's what I believe but I could be talking through my hat. They have talent and even more so this year. I just don't see harmony at this point. I could be terribly wrong about this. The Rough Riders have seemed in disarray for the past few years (since winning the Cup) without any kind of stable management structure. As community owners they do great. Translating that into corporate success in getting to the Grey Cup is a completely different matter. Maybe they are number one as homers, but that does not translate into points on the board. Like Edmonton they have talent. They have promising quarterbacks. However, it just seems like helter-skelter chaos in the last three years. I need them to prove different this year. So for now I am slotting them to finish fifth in the Western division of the CFL. I know a little bit about the Western Conference. I am out of touch with East. So I don't even know whether I can speak into my hat. Just call me clueless. However, here's one uneducated completely biased opinion: The Tiger cats seem very well-managed and it looked like they were going to win it all last season. I believe that momentum will carry them to first place. Montréal seems to be emerging from its pile of rubble in the new quarterback post- Cavillo era. Maybe they got the right people now; who knows? I like many of their new people from last season. They have a spitting chance to finish second. Toronto is a hive of activity. I have no idea how smart management is. I just know they're doing stuff. But they have an awful lot to prove. Maybe, this is the year they get their act together. But the big gaping hole is their own offensive line. If that could be improved they might have sufficient quarterbacking to go somewhere. I just don't see how they fill some of their talent shortages in the trenches. I have respect for Ottawa's management. They did a lot from the beginning. But now it feels like they are stumbling around. They are gambling on a potentially washed up quarterback. The way they handle their quarterbacking in the off-season amazed me. Letting Arbuckle go to Toronto because Lapo loves Nichols seems very foolish to me. They may have let a premium quarterback slip through their hands. And if the QB spot is not stable, the whole team languishes for lack of leadership and later confidence. Lose your confidence and all you have left is a paycheck with some credentials. That doesn't make for the heart of a champion. Anyway enough of me rambling. I pick Ottawa for 4th in the standings while Lapo "rebuilds". The biggest wildcard for all teams is going to be a very high injury rate. It's inevitable after a year off. Some will return in very good shape benefiting from the year off. Others have just been in a maintenance plan and without the constant hitting from a typical season, I just expect that injuries are gonna play a big and weird role this year.. So the biggest deal will be how good is each teams depth. Coaches everywhere will be saying "Next!" The ones hearing that call have the best shot at winning it all. I am super excited that the CFL is back to being a major part of the Canadian culture. Maybe it will lead us on a very nice path and give us hope that things can be better than they used to be. At least, that's the hope I'm taking. We will see.

yes mods please split thread into two or more

The 31-0 Shutout a couple weeks ago .... nothing comes closer for me

Any news out of Bomber practice this week? Which starters took a day or two off? Who has been practicing kick returns? Any change in first team reps? Did we have a closed practice? Anybody been able to chip out any Gatoraid? Will Lapo change his cast-in-stone game plan? Will Hall blitz on 90% of the defensive downs? Please list all planned trick plays:

I don't know what any of you have seen (or felt) but we have blown some leads this year. We find stuff that is working, we get a lead and then try and sit on it, often pounding Harris into an overloaded box ... leading to 2nd and long and then of course a punt... multiple 2 and out's allow the other teams' offence to finally find itself and get into high gear ... I guess we have blown good momentum and leads at least 3 times this year (maybe a lot more) ... I put this mainly on Lapo who despite his brilliance too often plays "not to lose" ... I am hoping we can correct this misjudgment even while making sure we don't make silly turnovers ... we can still play ball control offense with Nichols at the helm ... we just can't afford to give up what's working so well when we get momentum ... we are allowed to put the other team away when we are up a bit! Do you concur?

"SO JUST STAND THERE, DON'T DO ANYTHING" ... THAT'S WHAT I MEAN ABOUT BEING PASSIVE INSTEAD OF CREATIVE AND PROACTIVE .. Bill Belichick keeps replacing his injured/failing no names with other no mames ... we set our feet in cement on opening day

Well I have been cheering for the Blue since 1962 ... 2008 & 2011 we were total underdogs ... gotta go back to Kevin Glenn leadership to see a serious chance at the Cup .... I would like to see the Bombers hoist it before I die The Patriots have been great and don't cause emotionally induced illness for their cheering fans

My first question is will the Bombers start Streveler against Montreal? My second question is what is MOS and Walters doing to right the ship? My third question is based on the answer to the second question: why are you doing what you are doing? It breaks down to management philosophy ... are we sticking to what we recruited in training camp? It sure seems that way ... I can't recall one newbie since camp (other than maybe replacing some Canadian special teamers) Hamilton have made trades and just signed Chad Owens ... BC has brought in more receivers, Toronto switched QBs and is rehabing Carter, Chris Jones doesn't sit on his hands ... top teams might be able to stand pat but those of us with losing records need to fix what is broken ... we have a long record of being passive even before MOS came to town ... are we being delusional by standing pat? In the very least can we develop Streveler into a starter and the leader needed to win a Grey Cup, finally ... winning Cups are not a statistical probability, they have to be soundly earned Cutting Bond was bad judgment as was not replacing Loffler and Ritchie Hall We are not even tinkering in our downward spiral ... even a couple of adjustments earlier may have led to a winning record I am very close to giving up on this club and focusing on The New England Patriots, perhaps the best coached team in the world

Will the roster changes make any difference for the Blue? Can Matt Nichols pick up his game? Do they have Streveler prepared in waiting in case Nichols is flat again? Statistical probability favor the home team in back to back games ... Can Bob Irving or the crowd help us?

Andrew Harris

Andrew Harris

If hamilton can beat edmonton we can beat calgary

After wading through 13 pages of the "Sky is falling" (the Mat Nichols thread) and more of the same on the LaPolice thread, I saw a lot of grumbling and nonsensical blather. The " what a difference one game makes" sort of said it all in terms of a frustrated board of posters. But now that we have got that out of our system, let;s look at what we can do to be positive and to put our team in a position to win. It is possible to beat Calgary if we get a couple of non-offensive TDs like the Roughies were gifted at perfect times. Note too Regina replied to Calgary's attempted come back with more scoring of their own to really put them in their place, Assume that Lankford & Folketti start and that Chandler Fenner plays most of the gane What would you do as head coach/OC/DC to give the Bombers their best chance of winning?

Andrew harris