2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[17to85]

Bottom line you execute the passing plays no one is going to complain about lack of running. You fail to execute running plays people will complain about too much running into a wall. You want people to not complain? Execute and win.

[Doublezero]

USA player recruitment and Canuck drafting has been and continues to be the great strength of this organization, esp on the D side of the ball, but positive overall.

HC & OC have become liabilities to the point where they cancel out the above.

[Booch]

21 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Came here... Had two notifications... Knew exactly who and what they were....  Ha ha. "Mark As Read"...

goood....cause u are king nut tugger...but also first to get dramatic with stuff too....pick a side

[HardCoreBlue]

52 minutes ago, Noeller said:

He will never throw anyone under the bus... But it's funny to me that everyone wants a public flogging. This is always what you're going to get and the players and coaches love him for it. 

Man, of course MOS isn't going to throw anyone under the bus, just like some of us normal people don't throw our team members/others under the bus. It's nothing sainthood, it's called being a professional. However there is a way at communicating to others outside of your team that we take improvement seriously, here are the areas we are working on, here's where we know where we need to get better, when looking back we might have re-thought certain decisions we made as a coaching staff and as the HC here's where I need to get better. Notice no where in there did I point a finger at anyone.

You way oversimplified the issue here my friend.

Anyone who leads a team with specific responsibilities and accountabilities in a organization will know this.

[SpeedFlex27]

6 hours ago, Booch said:

thats my main issue.....he has shown that he has no ability to do that....I cant recall any normal punt he has attempted that has travelled any significant distance....plus he is so slow at getting it off...I am truly shocked more haven't been blocked

Sheahan 3 steps while most punters use two.  As he 3 steps he also adjusts his body to sidewind it. That all takes valuable time as there's a lot of wasted motion. I don't know what exactly they want from Sheajhan. Ball placement? Distance? Hang time? Ability to flip the field? He gives us none of that. Worst punter in the CFL. There are far better ones out there. Just have to find one which shouldn't be too difficult. 

[Pete]

Its frustrating to see us lose 3 grey cups in a row with many of the same issues but how many other coaches could have got us there 5 x in a row?

After the western final we were applauding the coaches.

To me this loss and maybe another one was on Collaros execution

Edited Friday at 09:21 PM by Pete

[SpeedFlex27]

35 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Bottom line you execute the passing plays no one is going to complain about lack of running. You fail to execute running plays people will complain about too much running into a wall. You want people to not complain? Execute and win.

I kept waiting for our experiened recivers to really step up once Schoen & Lawler were out this year & it never happened. i was dumbfounded with the lack of production throwing the ball the first half of the year.

Lawler once he came back had a couple of great games but never dominated, I'm thinking his arm isn't at 100% yet.

Wolitarsky is the forgotten man at the best of times. Then he got hurt.

Demski had a very quiet thousand yard season. It was like he was on cruise control. He got a thousand yards but really didn't do much.

It was exciting to watch the development of Onterria Wilson into a thousand yard receiver but he wasn't dominant either. He has another year to go on his rookie deal. Let's hope next season he can blossom. 

The injury situation really had an impact on Collaros' numbers. It didn't help that we played a useless receiver in Josh Johnson for most of the season. 

[sweep the leg]

1 hour ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

On the coaches show, he was asked why Brady didn’t see more runs. 
He answered that a lot of the potential running plays were Sally’s (RPO) and in that case it’s the QB’s call. 
I noticed this during the game, specifically when they were at the Toronto 15 after Willie’s pick. The tackle box was wide open and Wilson still pulled the ball to almost throw a pick. Brady could have walked to at least the 5. 
 

The one I noticed was on 3rd & 3 when Collaros threw to the flats and I think it was a knockdown. TO only had five in the box and it likely would have been a 1st if we ran.

[WinnipegGordo]

Transactions:

2024-11-22   WPG   HARRIS, Keilahn   WR   A   Oklahoma Baptist   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   Ogbevoen, Lucky   DL   G   Tirol Raiders (ELF)   ADD   Game Roster

Harris was signed by the Falcons (2023) and Steelers (2024) but it looks like he had injury issues.

[rebusrankin]

MOS's comments about retaining Buck unless he leaves as a Head Coach signals to me that its status quo ahead. I expect announcements before Christmas about Jake, Kyrie and Biggie being back.

 

[JuranBoldenRules]

2 hours ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

On the coaches show, he was asked why Brady didn’t see more runs. 
He answered that a lot of the potential running plays were Sally’s (RPO) and in that case it’s the QB’s call. 
I noticed this during the game, specifically when they were at the Toronto 15 after Willie’s pick. The tackle box was wide open and Wilson still pulled the ball to almost throw a pick. Brady could have walked to at least the 5. 
 

Toronto has 8 guys within the box and 5 yards of the LOS on that play.  Bombers have 6 blocking.  It's in the Lapo breakdown about 20 mins in.

That's a pull 100% of the time in RPO.  Shitty route by Lawler and shitty throw by Wilson otherwise it's a pitch and catch TD at the back pylon.

1 hour ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I kept waiting for our experiened recivers to really step up once Schoen & Lawler were out this year & it never happened. i was dumbfounded with the lack of production throwing the ball the first half of the year.

Lawler once he came back had a couple of great games but never dominated, I'm thinking his arm isn't at 100% yet.

Wolitarsky is the forgotten man at the best of times. Then he got hurt.

Demski had a very quiet thousand yard season. It was like he was on cruise control. He got a thousand yards but really didn't do much.

It was exciting to watch the development of Onterria Wilson into a thousand yard receiver but he wasn't dominant either. He has another year to go on his rookie deal. Let's hope next season he can blossom. 

The injury situation really had an impact on Collaros' numbers. It didn't help that we played a useless receiver in Josh Johnson for most of the season. 

Really Demski was the only somewhat healthy vet outside of Lawler in the majority of games.

Clercius started more than half the games.

Crazy they didn't make a move on Bailey.

We got eaten up by zone D because our receivers didn't know what to do and Collaros didn't trust them. 

Like you said, Wilson improved a lot.  Wheatfall was useless all the way through.

Edited Friday at 11:13 PM by JuranBoldenRules

[Fatty Liver]

36 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Toronto has 8 guys within the box and 5 yards of the LOS on that play.  Bombers have 6 blocking.  It's in the Lapo breakdown about 20 mins in.

That's a pull 100% of the time in RPO.  Shitty route by Lawler and shitty throw by Wilson otherwise it's a pitch and catch TD at the back pylon.

Really Demski was the only somewhat healthy vet outside of Lawler in the majority of games.

Clercius started more than half the games.

Crazy they didn't make a move on Bailey.

We got eaten up by zone D because our receivers didn't know what to do and Collaros didn't trust them. 

Like you said, Wilson improved a lot.  Wheatfall was useless all the way through.

Speaking of Bailey, yowzers, gold ribbon for anyone that can sit through this start to finish.

He starts talking about last year 38:00.

He freaks on children. 1:04:40

I'm a gonna take a nap.

[sweep the leg]

49 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

 

We got eaten up by zone D because our receivers didn't know what to do and Collaros didn't trust them. 

100%. Woli and Schoen were huge losses in that regard for this season.

[SpeedFlex27]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

MOS's comments about retaining Buck unless he leaves as a Head Coach signals to me that its status quo ahead. I expect announcements before Christmas about Jake, Kyrie and Biggie being back.

 

Yep, nothing changes & no one in the media has the ..... to ask Osh or Walters about it. I wish Jack Matheson, John Robertson, Bob Picken & Doc Blanchard were around. There'd be a different tune being sung in the media if they were. They'd be asking all the questions that we'd want answers to. 

7 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

100%. Woli and Schoen were huge losses in that regard for this season.

As I felt. Then maybe some of the posters just blaming Collaros for all our troubles should lay off. 

[Noeller]

2 hours ago, sweep the leg said:

100%. Woli and Schoen were huge losses in that regard for this season.

Massive. People just don't understand. If we were healthier this season looks so much different.... And we still finished 1st in the ******* division!!

Edited 23 hours ago by Noeller

[HardCoreBlue]

3 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Toronto has 8 guys within the box and 5 yards of the LOS on that play.  Bombers have 6 blocking.  It's in the Lapo breakdown about 20 mins in.

That's a pull 100% of the time in RPO.  Shitty route by Lawler and shitty throw by Wilson otherwise it's a pitch and catch TD at the back pylon.

Really Demski was the only somewhat healthy vet outside of Lawler in the majority of games.

Clercius started more than half the games.

Crazy they didn't make a move on Bailey.

We got eaten up by zone D because our receivers didn't know what to do and Collaros didn't trust them. 

Like you said, Wilson improved a lot.  Wheatfall was useless all the way through.

A bit frustrating to read your comment that our receivers didn’t know what to do in Zone D? Did they not expect it in preparing during the week? Jeebus.

[Tony Fresco]

14 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Yep, nothing changes & no one in the media has the ..... to ask Osh or Walters about it. I wish Jack Matheson, John Robertson, Bob Picken & Doc Blanchard were around.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/11/22/loyal-and-stubborn-to-the-end

Finally there is someone looking for accountability in the media.  Hamilton in today's Free Press states "O’Shea’s tunnel vision cost Big Blue big time"

Quote

By giving quarterback Zach Collaros the ball, despite his finger severely cut, stitched up and numb, making it hard to grip the ball, O’Shea chose heart over head and player over team, and it cost the Bombers big time.

Quote

O’Shea noted he watched Collaros warm-up on the sidelines shortly upon his return and that some of his throws were “pretty damn good.” Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said after the game the moment he saw Collaros warming up, seeing how he could barely throw a spiral, was the moment he knew his team was going to win.

I received different accounts from players, many of whom said it was obvious their QB was hurting. That doesn’t even account for Collaros, who, when he first got back to the huddle, told his teammates that he couldn’t fully trust his hand and warned his receivers they would likely need to come back to the ball in case the pass was underthrown.

O’Shea dismissed that by suggesting they work on players coming back to the ball in every practice, then dug his heels in deeper.

Quote

That blind loyalty reared its ugly head earlier in the game when O’Shea tapped rookie Terry Wilson on the shoulder to replace Collaros despite attempting just one pass all season. Why the Bombers even bothered picking up Jake Dolegala, who has actually started and won CFL games, is beyond me.

 

[SectionKBlackout]

27 minutes ago, Tony Fresco said:

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/11/22/loyal-and-stubborn-to-the-end

Finally there is someone looking for accountability in the media.  Hamilton in today's Free Press states "O’Shea’s tunnel vision cost Big Blue big time"

 

Just finished reading the same article. The cracks are showing that I'm sure have been starting in the locker room. Oshea is stuck with his old guys he's loyal too at a detriment to our team.

 

Great examples from Hamilton on Leggihio, the fiasco with Schoen and Biggie and now Collaros. 

 

This feels like the last hurrah.

Edited 10 hours ago by SectionKBlackout

[bigg jay]

5 minutes ago, SectionKBlackout said:

Just finished reading the same article. The cracks are showing that I'm sure have been starting in the locker room. Oshea is stuck with his old guys he's loyal too at a detriment to our team.

Lots of Dave Ritchie vibes for me.

[Bigblue204]

15 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

Speaking of Bailey, yowzers, gold ribbon for anyone that can sit through this start to finish.

He starts talking about last year 38:00.

He freaks on children. 1:04:40

I'm a gonna take a nap.

I know a lot of people like Bailey for his emotions and energy. But he just comes off as performative and almost insincere to me. And always has. I will say it's a bit frustrating that he wasn't picked up by the Bombers, but at the same time I could see how his energy may not have always worked.

That speech to the kids just amplified the self importance that seems to ooze from him.

It's weird cause I usually like that type of energy in a player/person....but with him it just comes off a corny more often than not.

[Booch]

29 minutes ago, SectionKBlackout said:

Just finished reading the same article. The cracks are showing that I'm sure have been starting in the locker room. Oshea is stuck with his old guys he's loyal too at a detriment to our team.

 

Great examples from Hamilton on Leggihio, the fiasco with Schoen and Biggie and now Collaros. 

 

This feels like the last hurrah.

People didn't don't believe me...I been yapping about it a while 

I also talk to guys in room...and I don't wear a press badge....i

Kudos to Hamilton for saying that...a media guy closer to.team than 99 percent of fans sees and knows it...Osh gonna put him in dog house now...cause he a smug sob who can't take ownership of fault...or blame

[GCn20]

LOL at Hamilton knowing anything more than the fans. He's been on the outs looking in for 3 years now since he sewered Harris. 

[Goalie]

16 minutes ago, Booch said:

People didn't don't believe me...I been yapping about it a while 

I also talk to guys in room...and I don't wear a press badge....i

Kudos to Hamilton for saying that...a media guy closer to.team than 99 percent of fans sees and knows it...Osh gonna put him in dog house now...cause he a smug sob who can't take ownership of fault...or blame

So you and Osh are similar. Makes sense now. The anger and rage. 

[GCn20]

Just now, Goalie said:

So you and Osh are similar. Makes sense now. The anger and rage. 

The criticism of MOS is fair game. Booch takes it way over the top though, but it's discussion worthy. Not as big a problem as it is being suggested, but still something MOS needs to work on. It is idiotic to suggest he has lost the room, or this is some kind of last hurrah for MOS. That's just an extremely polarized take.

[Tracker]

19 hours ago, Pete said:

Its frustrating to see us lose 3 grey cups in a row with many of the same issues but how many other coaches could have got us there 5 x in a row?

After the western final we were applauding the coaches.

To me this loss and maybe another one was on Collaros execution

Collaros should wear the horns yes, but not alone. O'Shea's decisions were at least as responsible and have been a liability for at least two years. Every coach reaches a best-before date and I think O'Shea has passed his.