Yourface

Drew Willy hasn't been half-decent in approximately two months. What makes you think he'll suddenly turn it around this week?

Serious question: Is this your first year following the Bombers? Because the things you are suggesting are the exact things that have doomed the Bombers to failure at the QB and Coaching spots for years. Honestly, this city might be suffering from it's worst and most irrational case of "backup QB envy" we've ever seen. We finally have a star in the making and we have multiple people clamoring to sit him for the the greenest backup we've trotted out there yet. It's like Bomber fans are addicted to throwing unproven quarterbacks into the fire and hoping for a miracle. Except this time we already have a good one! We don't have to ruin anymore young QBs people!!!! Just once we can let a young guy develop and JUST MAYBE he'll actually be ready when it's time to give him meaningful playing time. You know, like what Saskatchewan did with Drew Willy for us. Unless the plan is to keep on trying new quarterbacks until we find one who is perfect every single game. In that case, sit Willy and let's try out Marve. You're absolutely dead on. It can't have been that long that people have forgotten how this works. The backup QB envy around here, quite frankly, is disgusting and as a fan, I'm pretty embarrassed by our fanbase when they talk about this. Robert Marve, as much as I like him and think he's got the right tools in his toolbox, came into a game in garbage time and completed half his passes but ran around enough to make people stumble over themselves to hop on his bandwagon. It wasn't even that he played well, he just played DIFFERENT and people equated different to better because what Willy was doing wasn't working. It's like people have forgotten that young quarterbacks, especially those saddled with a poor supporting cast, are going to go through ups and downs. Especially when that supporting cast is allowing said young quarterback to get demolished on a weekly basis. The comparison to Joey Elliott? Embarrassing. Joey Elliott, as much as I liked him, put two quality games on his resume. Drew Willy, on the other hand, was probably the favorite to win the MOP award through the first third of the season. Two very different situations. The reality is this - Drew Willy is QB1 now and he will be QB1 next year. The point of this Saturday's game is to gain as much value from it as we can and the reps and experience for Willy are of more value to us than the reps and experience for Marve right now. If Willy was a 5 year veteran, everyone here would be right in their demands to see Marve start. But for all intents and purposes, Willy is a rookie. At least a rookie starter. He needs the reps, just like he needs to be able to be given the leash that Mike O'Shea has afforded him. Do I wish Willy had been pulled mid-game sometimes? Yeah. I get that concept, because sometimes taking a seat to collect yourself is what is needed. But with the starting job comes the first team reps in practice. The reps with your receivers, guys like Justin Wilson who need that chemistry to develop with their QB1 for next year. Going into next year on a positive note is important, but it's important to make sure it's positive all around, not just in the win column (which is basically one of the last things that matters at this point) If anyone thinks that by having Marve start this week, it means anything for next year, they're sorely mistaken. Marve could throw for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns and all it means is that the media will have some ammunition for when they conjure up their articles this offseason about a QB controversy. Willy is still QB1 going into next year, he's earned the reps, he deserves the reps and even if he's dinged up, beaten down and it ends up in a big loss for us, it's still all part of the process we need to be prepared to go through as fans. Because the end result will be a properly developed star QB. Period. How can anyone gain chemistry with Willy when he's playing as badly as he is right now? He's clearly not playing to the fullest of his abilities, and he's probably not going to be NEAR the same player on opening night next year (at least I hope not). Beyond that, I strongly doubt that the chemistry that is so bound to develop in your eyes, will carry over into next year, 8 months from now. Robert Marve has much more to gain from these reps than Willy does.

Well I suppose, but Willy still has a lot to prove before being labelled a "franchise QB" in my opinion.

I'm assuming this comment is directed at me... I never said Willy sucks. I said he's been awful in the second half of the season, which is 100% true. Based on this downward spiral he's been in, I'm fairly confident that Marve gives us a better chance to win at this point. Furthermore, my belief that Marve is a capable quarterback stems from more than just one quarter of football. He evidently has potential, as shown in mini-camp, in preseason, in practice, and again in limited regular season action. He could stand to gain some experience, and as such, I'm somewhat disconcerted in O'Shea's decision to start Willy this week. It was directed at no one in particular. A young QB with little experience, on whom the opposition now has some film and can game plan against him. I'm not an expert by any means, but I think Calgary would draw up a plan that forces him to stay in the pocket. Do really think a team with a good defense and solid coaching would him let ad-lib the way he did? Don't you remember what happened when Buck was forced to stay in the pocket? We only saw him play a bit more than one quarter so it's hard to say what his limitations are. Surely you can understand my point of view, as I understand yours.

I'm assuming this comment is directed at me... I never said Willy sucks. I said he's been awful in the second half of the season, which is 100% true. Based on this downward spiral he's been in, I'm fairly confident that Marve gives us a better chance to win at this point. Furthermore, my belief that Marve is a capable quarterback stems from more than just one quarter of football. He evidently has potential, as shown in mini-camp, in preseason, in practice, and again in limited regular season action. He could stand to gain some experience, and as such, I'm somewhat disconcerted in O'Shea's decision to start Willy this week.

Aside from the fact that Willy is in his first year as a starter and needs all the reps he can get, and has just shy of seven months to completely recover from whatever ailments he may currently be dealing with after Saturday....agreed completely... I highly doubt that one extra meaningless game at the end of the season is going to do him any good, especially if he's already ailing. On the other hand, I'm sure that Marve, with so little experience, could benefit from getting those same reps. The potential consequences of Willy starting far outweigh the benefits (if there are any) in my opinion.

Very well said. There's absolutely no reason to start Willy this week.

Well I hope Willy plays another stinker this week, just to prevent all you Willy lovers from going into the off-season with a heightened sense of Drew being a sure-fire star in the making. By the way, I still think he can be a good QB, but his season overall has been underwhelming to say the least. I'd rather see what Marve can do than to see Willy get killed in the backfield again this week. In my opinion, at this point in the season, Marve gives us a better chance to win.

And if Marve fails miserably? Then I'll be the first to admit that he'll need to be A LOT better to unseat Willy as the starting quarterback. Willy has been awful for many games in a row now, and he deserves to sit. Simple as that. Oh and I remember when Joey Elliott was a star in the making too. Remember those player of the week honours? Drew Willy has a ton to prove yet.

Why is everyone so defensive about Drew Willy?? He hasn't proven **** all yet. He had a few good games early on, just like Elliott did. They have similar skill-sets. Willy doesn't deserve all the praise he's gotten this season. He's had the worst second half I've ever seen from a Bombers QB, without a doubt.

I'm really really really starting to HATE this coaching staff. Considering how horrendous Willy has been the second half of this season, and how he's gotten progressively worse, I'm 100% convinced that Marve would give us a better chance to win. Do we not want to end the season on a positive note?

Except pocket awareness and mobility.

Can't be sure of that until he gets significant playing time. Chances are that once the DCs of the league get tape on him and his strengths, weaknesses and tendencies that his play will suffer... You are right, it might not but I cannot think of a single QB in the last 3-4 seasons who has walked on, blown the doors off due to the unknown factor... And then kept going... The point I'm making here is the odds are NOT in Robbie Marvel's favour here.. He definitely could be the exception to the norm but previous history doesn't lie.. I'm not sure I understand... Every QB has had to start somewhere right?? Are you saying that those who falter at first have a better chance at succeeding in the long run than those who "blow the doors open?" Thing is Marve clearly has a TON of talent, and it's been on display ever since he first partook in a Bombers mini-camp. We obviously need to see more of him before we come to any kind of conclusion, but he's certainly an intriguing prospect. Not sure if your following what we are saying here... I'll try to explain. A raw, unknown, talented QB who can run and throw will "shock" a team or two... Maaaaaybe 3 because none of the defensive coordinators know what the kid is capable of. They will draw up a plan they think will shut him down but often it will be one for the other QB the rookie is replacing or very generic. A QB like marve will make a defense built to defend against the things he doesn't do and is open to attack to his strengths (legs, shifty,strong quick throws) will be beaten... now, say 3 or 4 games in head coaches and defensive coordinators get to watch hours of film on him... His tendencies, his abilities, what he is excellent at, what he isn't good at, etc etc... They then game plan to limit the good stuff he can do and exploit the bad things he does... 9.8 times outta 10 the coaches win this battle and the QB is brought back to earth.. Now, this doesn't mean the QB is now done and shown to suck... Now the OC needs to build the offence to suit his QBs skillset.. And the chess match begins.. Well I definitely agree with you in that we can't get our hopes up too high just yet. Nevertheless, in the six years that I've had to watch the Bombers, I've never been as impressed with a young QB as I've been with Marve so far.

Can't be sure of that until he gets significant playing time. Chances are that once the DCs of the league get tape on him and his strengths, weaknesses and tendencies that his play will suffer... You are right, it might not but I cannot think of a single QB in the last 3-4 seasons who has walked on, blown the doors off due to the unknown factor... And then kept going... The point I'm making here is the odds are NOT in Robbie Marvel's favour here.. He definitely could be the exception to the norm but previous history doesn't lie.. I'm not sure I understand... Every QB has had to start somewhere right?? Are you saying that those who falter at first have a better chance at succeeding in the long run than those who "blow the doors open?" Thing is Marve clearly has a TON of talent, and it's been on display ever since he first partook in a Bombers mini-camp. We obviously need to see more of him before we come to any kind of conclusion, but he's certainly an intriguing prospect.

Can't be sure of that until he gets significant playing time.

iso iso iso - NO ONE is open on a Hail Mary. Since when do you see an 'open receiver'? You know that for crissakes. Take your fingers out of your ears and stop going LALALALALALALALA. In a Hail Mary you send everyone down the short side, you roll that way, you get about 4 seconds or 5 (and he had that) and you heave it up there and hope for a miracle catch or a PI call. That's why the play is called a "Hail Mary". The chance of success on that play is about 0.01% but the chance is zero if you don't throw the ball. I know you know better, you just can't wrap your head around it. And again Willy himself says he blew it. GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF SAND How could Willy throw the ball when he didn't have time & his pass blocking broke down? But we know you think Robert Marve would have completed that pass, right? Just because you say so. Of course, you'll love the guy until he fucks up then **** all over him. That's what fans like you do. This is exactly the type of reaction MOS was hoping to get from the fans with his unwillingness to pull Willy last night. By failing to give Marve some playing time, no one knows how well he could have done. O'Shea probably knew Marve was capable of a much better performance, yet he refused play him in fear of it hurting his ego, and potentially creating a QB controversy. I fear that his loyalty to Drew Willy is unshakeable.

This is a pretty decent comparison actually, as much as people won't want to admit it. Two guys with similar skillsets who had a couple of great games early on. I still think Willy has the potential to be much better, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he becomes Joey Elliott v2.0.

Top three people to blame for the loss last night: 1. Willy (stupid decisions and terrible throws) 2. Bellefeuille (for abandoning the run) 3. O'Shea (for refusing to play Marve)

Okay, other than saying the same thing over & over & over about how bad Willy is/was/ always will be, you tell us why a qb who suffered thru 11 sacks tonight would hold onto the football too long instead of getting rid of it quicker. I'd be interested to read what you have to say. Go ahead... Oh & don't give me that shell shocked answer as it is more complex than that. Shell shocked means he'd be panicking & throwing the football too early. I want a real insightful answer. How am I supposed to know what's going on in his head?? Maybe it's just a lack of pocket awareness (as has been on display all year), or a case of Willy trying to protect his stats, as SmokinBlue suggested? I surely hope it's not the latter... Not surprised with your answer because it's as I expected. Protect his stats? Yeah, that's what he's thinking alright as he's running for his life. Just spouting continual garbage. I know it might seem a little far-fetched but honestly I can't see any other explanation for him to continually hold onto the ball like it's his child during the entire game. It seemed like the only time he threw the ball was when he had someone wide open, but even then he was making bad throws.

Okay, other than saying the same thing over & over & over about how bad Willy is/was/ always will be, you tell us why a qb who suffered thru 11 sacks tonight would hold onto the football too long instead of getting rid of it quicker. I'd be interested to read what you have to say. Go ahead... Oh & don't give me that shell shocked answer as it is more complex than that. Shell shocked means he'd be panicking & throwing the football too early. I want a real insightful answer. How am I supposed to know what's going on in his head?? Maybe it's just a lack of pocket awareness (as has been on display all year), or a case of Willy trying to protect his stats, as SmokinBlue suggested? I surely hope it's not the latter...

There's absolutely no excuses for such a terrible game from Willy. His performance was an abomination, and there's no reason for ANYONE to defend him. I can't fathom how anyone could watch that game and think that he was anything but horrendous.

We only have one game left... I'd much rather see what Marve can do against Calgary than see Willy get killed in the backfield, in a meaningless game.

Willy hasn't shown the ability to even be half-decent in like two months. Edit: Actually, I might be exaggerating a bit here, but there's no doubt that he makes a large amount of questionable decisions every game.

I really really don't understand why most people here are in love with Willy... He might have had the worst second half of a season I've ever seen from a Bombers QB.

Drew Willy had an absolutely awful, atrocious, dreadful, terrible, horrible game tonight. Doesn't matter if the receivers are open or not, he needs to have the presence of mind to throw the ball away every now and then.