BigBlue

What you state is true, but, what you omitted was this statement:*"In this circumstance the Eskimos knew we were withholding consent to hire Jason until the matter of compensation had been addressed. They simply ignored that request and hired him anyway." *"The Eskimos decided not to seek compensation from Saskatchewan when the Roughriders hired then-Esks head coach Chris Jones as their new head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations." *By Dave Naylor, Gary Lawless and Ryan Rishaug Ta-da.....drama in the offseason. I dont recall reading that first part anywhere in the article. Unless it was edited to add that quote after the fact, I must have skipped that paragraph. It is a valid point,though I just dont see how you can enforce that this late in the game.Its a messy situation no matter how you look at it because, though technically there is nothing stopping teams from asking for compensation, it has never been done before. Coaches have been released from their contracts for promotions from the beginning of time in the cfl. Every single team has been the victim, and the victor, of this very situation numerous times... without all the hoopla. If the Esks do end up having to compensate the Redblacks, it changes the entire landscape of the cfl. How does one determine fair compensation? Roster player? Draft picks? Cash? How much did the Renegades give in return for their coaching staff? I dont look at it as though the Esks "chose" not to ask for compensation. No team in history has asked for compensation. They followed the protocal that has been in place for 100+ years. The media created this beast in the wake of the Chris Jones' signing and now the Redblacks are trying to cash in while the issue is at the forefront. Do I blame them? No not really. Why would you not try? At the same time, I think its a dangerous precedence to set at the drop of a dime. Some random on twitter says they are asking for a draft pick and cash. Now I dont know if thats true but is it fair? Should it be less/more? How do you determine that in the next 12 hours and how many teams would agree to this? Redblacks want it now because they are about to lose their OC.. what happens when they are the ones looking? I definately think this is an issue that should be looked at this offseason. But for the future... not tomorrow. There is something about longstanding tradition and culture: "the way we do things around here" Yes in the NFL there can be compensation on theses kinds of matters and we have seen the splashy headlines on them ... but this is not the NFL We have our own rules here, unwritten in many cases but very real and our modus operandi (especially roster/protection stuff) Rule breakers have been "shunned" in the past .... Ottawa may have a rude awakening if the defy these "rules"

In terms of Lapo at least we are not hiring in January or February when most coaches are already in place ... it gives us a chance to assemble a cohesive staff instead of picking over the leftovers

I have often wondered why Lapo looked so much different as an OC in Regina compared with Winnipeg I finally concluded that he coached within the capabilities of his personnel and especially his QBing His style was much more wide open and downfield with the Roughies -... Here in 2010-12 he played the short game and nursed his QBs to keep away from interception city .... it got the job done, sort of ... his 2002 O didn't resemble what he was to run 10 years later What Walter's give Lapo on the field will determine the kind of O he is going to run.

http://www.cfl.ca/2015/12/08/lapolice-back-in-blue/ For those who haven't seen the presser

In the CFL everything in a franchise depends on the starting QB .... the 2015 season was horrendous for QB injuries. Hurt QB's are in no one's best interest ... PERIOD ... EVER It's time for the CFL to put some teeth into protecting the franchise. Here is what I propose: If the QB is in a passing mode not a running back back mode (we will work out the definitions later) then: Hitting the QB above the shoulders or below the knees will be called a "dangerous hit" ..... this will include accidental hits or being pushed into the QB (meaning players will need to take care when getting near the QB). No interpretations - - it happened or it didn't ... and it can be "reviewed". A helmet slipping up into the QB's head is included. A hit there automatically results in a 25 yard penalty and a game ejection of the offender/s. A repeat offense that season will result in a two game suspension. A third offense 6 games. A fourth is season ending and not less than 12 games ( so it can be carried on into the next season if late in the year). No judgment or interpretations. There can still be roughing the passer for late hits but if it is a "blatant late hit" then it will also be a "dangerous hit" with the same penalties. The referrees will have some discretion in terms of whether it was intent to injure (or carelessness) or instead just arriving a fraction too late. This will change the league and increase everyone's entertainment. When we protect the QB we protect our game.

Because we have a Wade Miller savior who could bid for Jones

If Jones is good at recruiting why don't we hire him as our GM ... outbid Sask for once

I would way rather have Harris than Cortez .... also I believe Buono taints his coaches - not good

If it truly was just money, if we just got outbid, then my estimate of Bombers management goes down. Its the will to win, to do what it takes. Its the few Canadian stars that teams are built around. The role players don't make a huge difference. Good scouting will bring US all star surprises that can keep the payroll in check. It's all about where you choose to spend the $$$$ The Patriots are built around Brady. They draft for defense and pick up what they can for offense. Again they build around a few key players. Is it possible Ottawa's Desjardins knows what he is doing. He started with Burris and went after crucial Canadians. He is filling in with decent aging veterans, Does Walers have the judgment and the will?

Big time .... it's a huge clue about what we really have for management If not signing him looks bad as you say on our management. Does it not reflect just as poorly on the other seven GM's who lost out on the Muamba sweepstakes? Not really, no ... Its a self respect organizational pride thing ..... first overall pick ... leader ... all that jazz Ottawa had done their free agent stuff .... & others were already set ....Regina & others could have used an upgrade BUT there was no special holy grail like Henoc was to the Blue

Well we have all guesses .... I thought by now someone would know whether we were willing to break the bank for him

Big time .... it's a huge clue about what we really have for management

Did we really want him back? were we happy enough with Hurl? Was Henoc not really interested?

The attitude I detect right now is the most anemic and apathetic state I have ever seen a Blue Bomber fan site .... I just talked to an old friend (who has not had season tickets in years) order them up with a sense of hope and optimism .... my jaw dropped .... have I become a cynic and bitter? Am I alone? Watching Ottawa & Edmonton in the GC this year shows me the power of good leadership in transforming a basement dweller ... I have no reason to believe we have any such leadership here ... Do we have the elements in place here in Wpg that would produce a foundation for a run for first place in 2016 (or even 2017)?

I have been waiting all year ... no more sleeps What's the best thing in your world about today's Grey Cup party?

The Hamilton QB was ok, not that bad at all ..... And Hammy's D was very good

The media just love a Cinderella story

There is the Burris factor ... he has been coming up with big plays at key times all season .... and he shines over Reilly .... if Reilly doesn't get a good chunk of rushing yards then Edmonton's offense is going to have work very hard at its passing ... Ottawa's offense is more balanced On D I don't think Burris will be completely shut down I rate both D's very high .... I expect interceptions and possibly the punt returners to be the difference Slight edge to Ottawa

I don't know about a general thread .... I am specifically interested in the estimate of Ottawa's chances: [1] need a miracle [2] need a couple of extra breaks in terms of turnovers [3] about even chances [4] Ottawa actually has the better team

I will be cheering for Ottawa on Sunday because: (1) I want to see an expansion franchise win the cup in its second year (2) I really don't care for Edmonton's head coach's temper tantrums (3) we shared the basement with Edmonton not that long ago ... I don't want them to beat us to the cup Everybody seems to think Ottawa is the underdog, some say by a lot ..... What do you think of the RedBlack's chances & why?

Calvillo is under contract and it's waste of time to try him leave the Als organization. He will be the HC there in 2 or 3 yrs time. Here he might be promoted to H?C in less than a season

Burris didn't have multiple shoulder injuries. Also, we did try to get Burris.Of course he didn't. He is the most durable quarterback perhaps ever to play in the CFL. Hey we could have used a guy like that.And yes we tried to get Burris. Until he got offered more money, then we gave up. Great. Now Ottawa won as many games this year as we have the last 2 combined but I'm sure glad the Bombers saved that money on Burris. Really helps me sleep at night. You would actually rather have Burris right now than Willy? Burris has learned how not to get hurt ..... look at his injury time in the lasst few seasons .... noy invulnerable but can scramble or throw quickly

Pass on Lapo ..... couldn't stand his play calling & schemes when he was here .... Vanilla City Chapdelaine Benevides : disrespect from players Pry Calvillo loose from Montreal

I remember the ridicule on this forum as so many critiicized GM Desjardins personnel decisions. He drafted Glenn then outbid us on Burris .... he went out & acquired talent for him ... your QB doesn't have a record breaking career year without that We paid up for Westerman but we didn't do what it takes to get players like Muamba and Chris Williams or Collaros or Burris or further back Mike Reilly and so many others .... neither Montreal nor Ottawa has been shy about acquiring veteran receivers or others Teams are built on stars and leaders .... the middle class of players don't make a lot of difference, they usually live up to what is around them What would Ricky Ray in a BB uniform mean for us this year? More than Picard? As much as Burris? Of course acquiring one big signing per year isn't enough to hold a self-congratulatory fiesta but we seem to do exactly that every year with the exception of Mack's "everything from within" era. So do we: 1. lack the will to get the job done (building a champion)? 2. lack the football IQ to recognize what it takes? 3. care enough about a championship to make it an all out priority? And who is really responsible for answering these 3 questions, who is the one who really controls the purse strings? And is this person a genuine leader? Do we have anybody in our org that has what it takes?

Well Hillary Clinton would put the Bombers in such debt we would never recover from it .... who can make the Bombers great again?