BigBlue

On another media related topic, 3Down Nation, is starting to slightly annoy me. It's not about their football judgement. It is all about how they ignore the leading team in the CFL with two Grey Cups under their belt. Everything seems written from the perspective of their opponents, and the analysis ignores so much of what actually went on in the games. I love Ed Tate and the bluebombers.com site. I find TSN more than adequate. But 3DN is shooting itself in the foot when they could be doing so much better, in my opinion. I do not know if anybody else feels the same way but I would like to know your opinions, if you have any.

I am not sure why you think that unless you think the O-Line is progressing... If we start running outside the tackles it may open up a lot of other stuff, including traps, hitches, look ins ... it is crucial we do a lot of deceptive stuff to keep their D in a state of confusion (given their many personnel changes)

https://www.bluebombers.com/2022/07/21/game-preview-wpg-at-edm/ "The Bombers depth chart features two changes from last week. Coming aboard are receiver Tavaris Harrison and DE L.B. Mack III. Off are receiver Greg Ellingson – the CFL’s leader in receiving yardage – and all-star DE Jackson Jeffcoat, both of whom were moved to the one-game injured list. Their absences means the club will be without six starters against Edmonton, also including safety Brandon Alexander, linebacker Kyrie Wilson, slotback Nic Demski and centre Michael Couture. Janarion Grant is listed as the starter in Ellingson’s place with newcomer Tavaris Harrison also dressing for his first game. “It’s obviously tough losing a guy like Greg,” said Collaros upon arrival at the team’s hotel in Edmonton. “We have the ‘next man up’ mentality around here and we’ve got a bunch of guys who can play and know the system and I’m excited for their opportunities tomorrow.” Ellingson, FYI, not only leads the CFL in catches and receiving yards, but also in second-down conversions with 15." Grant (replacing Ellingson) is interesting... his chance to shine. Harrison replacing McRae is a lets see. It seems like Collaros likes to throw to familiar receivers. This is going to mean a lot of scheme changes. We will see a lot more jet sweeps with Grant & Bailey I believe. I am also expecting a lot more 1st down screens.

Still Jones is not to be underestimated. He seems to instill a will to win.

Is the Bombers only BYE on August 18?

Does demanding your team win and every player be super human, does that win you any games? Based on his actions Chris Jones might say "Absolutely!" The departed Nick Arbuckle is a perfect illustration: https://3downnation.com/2022/07/12/how-it-went-wrong-between-the-edmonton-elks-chris-jones-and-nick-arbuckle/ "Chris Jones never wanted Arbuckle in Edmonton....After an 0-3 start, Jones swiftly pulled the plug. ...So, here we are. Arbuckle is out, and the Elks have close to zero experience at the most important position in football....Arbuckle’s biggest challenge in Edmonton may have been his fear of making mistakes. In last Friday’s recap, I suggested that the risk of being pulled on any particular play was inhibiting his development. “Constant competition” is often considered a positive thing, but it has to be awfully tough on players knowing that any mistake can lose them a job..." "Arbuckle is a smart quarterback. The Elks staff have said it — even Ford has said it — with plenty of anecdotes about how Arbuckle could answer any question he had. He’s also very accurate. Not perfect, obviously, but capable of consistently putting balls into the right spots for his receivers. He also showed impressive leadership and compassion when consoling a distraught Dane Evans after the game in Hamilton...." "I was recently reminded of Saskatchewan’s 2017 season in which Chris Jones unabashedly swapped Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge on the fly. He went from Glenn to Bridge to Glenn and back to Bridge in a matter of plays that included two interceptions. It’s hard to imagine anyone getting into a rhythm with that schedule." So this Friday night who is going have the psychological advantage, Jones or O'Shea? Is MOS preparing any traps?

It's just a stat, with Andrew passing Milt for 4th in the all time yardage from scrimmage. But NO!!! Those statistics are more than that. To us it is a tribute, a celebration. The Bombers have had many, many heroes. And here are two more: not just for achievement and longevity. There is leadership, personality, and heart. As individuals, they are different, but as Bombers they stand tall amongst our best.

Back to the definition of insanity. Expecting our O-line to out muscle our opposition D's front seven is kind of like that. Running inside the tackles makes about as much sense - - right now - - as ordering Chateau Briand at a hamburger stand. Nothing is going to happen. To Pierce's credit we are not bucking up the middle on every first down. I see us passing a lot on 1st down. Maybe this is just compensating for our nicked up starters. So I am glad to see some strategic thinking going on. If we start running outside the tackles, and mix a few traps in, then when we go inside, perhaps some of the 2nd and 9s will disappear. I thought Friday night was one of our best called games. Still the D line was charging in all night full tilt with no provision for a possible run. (That's why I talked about trapping earlier). So no wonder Zack was so constantly being chased out of the pocket. With that kind of charging rush, eventually Collaros is going to get nicked. Still what's a coordinator to do?

The most important stat of the game for me? Bo going 12 of 28 in the passing game. Something very curious there.

We don't need a new kicker, we just need to turn him slightly to the right. Almost every attempt drifts to the left... I do not know if he ever misses right

Looks like we got through the Calgary game without any serious nicks.

I love listening to Matt Dunigun as a colour man.. My fovourite: "BAM!!!" And then he followed up with a wry comment suitable for life in the trenches. In the post game: "He lost his legs... he was just gassed" speaking of real life on the field. He was talking about Augudosi who was being hailed as a star in Captain Obvious fashion.

I am curious how Pierce is going to alternate Carlton Agudosi with RB/SB McRae ... Will McRae be used primarily on 1st down? Will he be in only when we are on a running down? Or will he just be a floater with Aqudosi the primary slotback? Ratios make it interesting.

We need to keep the number of Canadian starters constant on offence. The ONLY solution I see is at either S.B or FB. Do you see otherwise?

With Brendan O'Leary Orange now on the six, no matter who we might sign, we have run out of Canuck receivers. This is a structural problem. We need to go to a 2 running back system, meaning the 2nd back is a FB or a SB. That young RB we cut in camp might be useful to us now for depth. This puts Augustine on the field most of the time.

https://www.cfl.ca/2022/07/11/cfl-suspends-marino-for-a-total-of-four-games/?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2022-07-11-CFL-suspends-Ga The 4 games is actually 2 + 1+1 = 4 so this is going to be really hard to appeal 2 games for the Masoli hit 1 game for an earlier hit same game 1 game for racial/verbal slurr 0 games for celebrating it before the home crowd

https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/2022/07/11/redblacks-acquire-qb-nick-arbuckle-from-elks/ The Ottawa REDBLACKS have traded their fourth-round selection in the 2023 CFL Draft to the Edmonton Elks, in exchange for quarterback Nick Arbuckle, the team announced today. “We’re pleased to be able to add Nick to our locker room at this point of the season,” said REDBLACKS General Manager Shawn Burke. “He’s an experienced player in our league and we look forward to having him on our side as a member of the RNation family.” Arbuckle, 28, is a veteran of four CFL seasons, having signed with the Calgary Stampeders in 2017, and winning a Grey Cup with the team the following season. He briefly joined the REDBLACKS in 2020 via trade, but with the season lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arbuckle moved on to the Toronto Argonauts, and was traded to the Elks in 2021. All told, the Oxnard, California native has appeared in 48 CFL games, completing 361 passes for 4,297 yards, and 19 touchdowns.

Ottawa acquiring Arbuckle from Edmonton may be Lapo's salvation. He can shape him better there is more talent to work with. Jones continues to burn his burn his bridges behind him.

Masoli "is a player too" ... "something needs to be done" The TSN Panel did very well to condemn and judge Marino for his intent to injure. They noted his history and his overt celebration of his destruction of Masoli. They said he needs to be suspended for at least 3 games. They pointed out the CFLPA needs to focus on more than protecting the aggressor; they need to hone in on protecting potential future victims and the need for clean play. That means security for not only the player but also for his family. Such policy would make the game more enjoyable for both players and fans alike. There is nothing more egregious than going after a team's pivot.

With Montreal first firing Tre Watson and then signing Michael Awe, MOS and company showed no committed interest to hiring either one of them. Bringing veterans in mid season just does not seem to be the Bombers style. Develop, develop and develop from the start of the season opener's roster. Only Castilio comes to my mind in recent times. Go Clements!

I enjoyed watching Dunnigan run his BBQ on Canada Day I thought it was classy and mad me hungry for it I actually warmed up to TSN for its efforts here

what does FIFO mean?

One thing we have now and we didn't use to have is a reliable scouting staff. McManus & Goveia have done a wonderful job. They are capable of bringing iin some real studs over the summer, difference makers. Not everyone has to incubate on the PR.

So how are we going to replace Kyrie Wilson? Injuries are piling up. Yes we have a decent PR. Maybe there is talent or super talent. BUT, nobody can match Kyrie.s experience and know how.

As I recall, as a QB Buck Pierce seemed to me somewhat of a Mississippi gambler, both in his passing style and in the way he sacrificed his body. He was all heart and an automatic hire when his body was done. Then he did his apprenticeship under Paul LaPolice. PLOP's dink and dunk style drove many of us fans crazy. Now we are grumbling about Buck's play calling. Was he tainted to not be his own man? Yet we have had great success even tonight. So do we just have a great defense and a barely adequate offence? Is it our offensive strategy and overall "careful" philosophy that has led to tepid performance this year? Or are we having a personnel problem at O-Line, running back and receiver? What is the remedy for this under performing offence?