2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[Fatty Liver]

4 hours ago, Noeller said:

Some can't make up their mind who's to blame and when (except MOS to blame for everything bad). But Costello gets credit for being the best OL coach in the league.

From everything that's revealed publicly, we can determine that most decisions are made as a group. MOS, Walters and Miller oversee things as a group. The offense is worked on as a group with the QB Room all having input (based on what we've seen/heard publicly).

I have a hard time believing Miller would spend much time on player evaluations or roster decisions, he might oversee and drop in once in awhile, but he has enough on his plate to worry about small details.  If the subject is hiring a coach or paying Brady to stay, he'd likely get involved because those decisions could have a significant effect on financials and promotion of the product.

[Booch]

4 hours ago, Noeller said:

Some can't make up their mind who's to blame and when (except MOS to blame for everything bad). But Costello gets credit for being the best OL coach in the league.

From everything that's revealed publicly, we can determine that most decisions are made as a group. MOS, Walters and Miller oversee things as a group. The offense is worked on as a group with the QB Room all having input (based on what we've seen/heard publicly).

So I'm inclined to believe that the OL decisions are decided as a group as well. And if Costello is really believed to be the best OL coach in the league, I have a hard time believing MOS, the former LB and STer, is making unilateral overarching decisions regarding the OL. 

You obviously have no clue how pro teams work...no offence btw..but u are off base...sure discussion is had...but the HC is the guy who makes final roster decisions based on what he feels best...all things considered...and gets praise for success...which he gets here...and also should get blame and criticism..that's way it is...always 

You don't know the discussions had...maybe Costello would prefer and lobeyed for Eli...or we go out and get mcewen..but got over ruled

Same with defence and if you were to ask Younger or Hall before him if he'd prefer an all import front...heavy dose of legit import difference makers or Schmeck and Thomas getting primo reps...u seriously think he'd want that? Especially with the defence he wants to run he needs athletic and active guys in the trenches..guys with stamina as well...Thomas has none of that.. I'll give Schmeck props as he has a motor and some quickness and athleticism...he just not that good..I would think he is cut in camp if he doesn't show more...or should be 

3 hours ago, Pete said:

the main thing that's changed is that with success players want to be rewarded (rightly so), and in order to retain core pieces that means that there is less available to attract free agents. While if it's a difference of 20k, culture , fans etc may be a deciding factor we haven't been able to come close to offering the "name" free agents what other teams do.  With the relatively short careers players have to chase the $.

  Whether that's on Walters , or a lack of opportunity or on having so much tied into Collaros and Olivera I don't know. Ly we had to move a lot of depth to keep Schoen , Lawler and and Olivera. This year again in order to sign players that we think will help us along with retaining Holm we've again let go more depth such as Woli. Alexander etc.

That's where you need the foresight to cut bait and recycle away from guys that just aren't cutting it..and take up well above minimum salary...the kolos...thomas'.....etc

 

45 minutes ago, M.O.A.B. said:

I really had a hard time believing that 

U are kidding right?

[Booch]

43 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

I have a hard time believing Miller would spend much time on player evaluations or roster decisions, he might oversee and drop in once in awhile, but he has enough on his plate to worry about small details.  If the subject is hiring a coach or paying Brady to stay, he'd likely get involved because those decisions could have a significant effect on financials and promotion of the product.

That's not his job or role...and that's last thing an organization wants is the Prez or owner getting involved in the team day to day activity...who plays..starts...etc....but will step in when utter incompetent crap is going on...and sometimes behind the scenes and not publicly revealed...I think he has in a few instances had a few conversations too

[SpeedFlex27]

The Head Coach of a football team is like the Captain of the Titanic. Had the luxury liner made it to New York in safety, he would have been lauded as a great leader. Instead, his ship hit an iceberg & sunk killing 85% of the passengers & crew as the most expensive passenger ship ever built at the time went to the bottom of the ocean. As Captain, that's on him as it happened when he was in command.

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups & Osh took in all the credit from fans. If Osh goes 1-17 this season, he'll be forced to take all the criticiam that comes with a losing season. 

[MOBomberFan]

1 hour ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups & Osh took in all the credit from fans. If Osh goes 1-17 this season, he'll be forced to take all the criticiam that comes with a losing season. 

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups and Mike OShea humbly deflected credit to his players staff and fans, this is total BS

You could barely get the guy to say a word about his MOCoach nominations when asked point blank ffs if you're gonna **** on the guy at least **** on him for his actual faults

Edited Monday at 04:08 AM by MOBomberFan

[Noeller]

1 hour ago, MOBomberFan said:

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups and Mike OShea humbly deflected credit to his players staff and fans, this is total BS

You could barely get the guy to say a word about his MOCoach nominations when asked point blank ffs if you're gonna **** on the guy at least **** on him for his actual faults

Attaboy....

4 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

I have a hard time believing Miller would spend much time on player evaluations or roster decisions, he might oversee and drop in once in awhile, but he has enough on his plate to worry about small details.  If the subject is hiring a coach or paying Brady to stay, he'd likely get involved because those decisions could have a significant effect on financials and promotion of the product.

I readily admit this is all based on video we've seen from draft day where Miller is in the room with everyone...

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, MOBomberFan said:

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups and Mike OShea humbly deflected credit to his players staff and fans, this is total BS

You could barely get the guy to say a word about his MOCoach nominations when asked point blank ffs if you're gonna **** on the guy at least **** on him for his actual faults

It is entirely true that mos handed off credit as fast as any one ever. Guy doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body. 
 He did get all the praise and credit heaped on him.  As he does and will the blame. Same with zach and every starting qb ever. That’s the job. 

[Noeller]

20 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

He did get all the praise and credit heaped on him.

And it disgusted him to his core. That entire idiotic "O'Shea O'Shea O'Shea ..." Chant sickened him. 

[SpeedFlex27]

7 hours ago, MOBomberFan said:

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups and Mike OShea humbly deflected credit to his players staff and fans, this is total BS

You could barely get the guy to say a word about his MOCoach nominations when asked point blank ffs if you're gonna **** on the guy at least **** on him for his actual faults

I was just saying that coaches get all the credit when they win & get fired when they lose. Whether Osh accepted the platitudes & congratulations or not, he still got the credit. If Osh didn't want to accept it publicly then that's his perogative. He still got the credit. On the flip side, if he has a losing season then he'll face criticism. That's all I was trying to say. You & Noeller just calm down now... 

 

Edited Monday at 11:43 AM by SpeedFlex27

[rebusrankin]

Anybody here want to offer some insight into who will might target in the draft?

[wbbfan]

2 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Anybody here want to offer some insight into who will might target in the draft?

Don't think we can have a hot clue until after the combine. I think we will continue to target OL, DL, and DB in particular. And I could see us bringing in another NI RB into camp on a rookie deal. 

[rebusrankin]

19 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Don't think we can have a hot clue until after the combine. I think we will continue to target OL, DL, and DB in particular. And I could see us bringing in another NI RB into camp on a rookie deal. 

Makes sense. I know its tough with so many top guys going to the NFL.

[bigg jay]

25 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Don't think we can have a hot clue until after the combine. I think we will continue to target OL, DL, and DB in particular. And I could see us bringing in another NI RB into camp on a rookie deal. 

OL looks pretty week this year, at least as far as top prospects go. The fall rankings only had 2 OL listed & the top rated one, Eric Schon (4th overall), has already retired.  The winter list had 3 OL  but nobody ranked super high so not a banner year for that position but the bright side is teams won't have to worry about NFL interest! 😂 

DL class looks deep though (7 of 20 players & 4 in the top 10).

Here's last months winter rankings:

Rank	Name	Position
1 (1)	Kurtis Rourke	QB
2 (3)	Paris Shand	DL
3 (–)	Elic Ayomanor	WR
4 (8)	Isaiah Bagnah	DL
5 (10)	Keelan White	WR
6 (20)	Jaylen Smith	LB
7 (14)	Jeremiah Ojo	DL
8 (5)	Jackson Findlay	DB
9 (–)	Hayden Harris	DL
10 (17)	Erik Andersen	OL
11 (–)	Christopher Fortin	OL
12 (–)	Ali Saad	DL
13 (19)	Darien Newell	DL
14 (16)	Nate Martey	DL
15 (15)	Devin Veresuk	LB
16 (–)	Ethan Jordan	WR
17 (–)	Samuel Carson	OL
18 (–)	Isaiah Knight	RB
19 (–)	Nate Beauchemin	DB
20 (–)	Taylor Elgersma	QB

 

There was also a another player added to the draft a few days ago that Dunk says might be the best LB in the draft.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/20/university-of-wyoming-lb-connor-shay-added-to-2025-cfl-draft/

 

[Booch]

10 hours ago, MOBomberFan said:

The Bombers won 2 Grey Cups and Mike OShea humbly deflected credit to his players staff and fans, this is total BS

You could barely get the guy to say a word about his MOCoach nominations when asked point blank ffs if you're gonna **** on the guy at least **** on him for his actual faults

doesnt matter what he says to media...he still the HC and got praised for it...what are you not seeing...Players will say same...thank coaches for putting them in position to be successful...and their teamates as well....Only real dipshits and guys who dont last long in one place will wrap themselves up in all the glory and spout off about it....

So when things dont go as well....they deserve criticism...Players wont outwardly say "coach effed up and had a bad scheme...and didnt adjust" which is a lot of times the case...or poor roster moves......but believe me they feel that way....Osh when things go bad can't admit he screwed up...and would and does say...."I'd do same thing"...."no...that wasn't reason"..."I like our guys...all starters"....there is the deflecting and protecting guys and not admitting fault....but there is also taking ownership and admitting you screwed up too

No coach is perfect and they all have faults that cost them games...Even our Oshea.....all coaches also get stale...flame out...and get fired....and as it stands since 2021...Osh...AND the Bombers as a collective unit have won nothing.....another failure due to similar reasons has to be...and should be a discussion on future.....whether you'all wanna believe or agree with it or not...

[MOBomberFan]

13 minutes ago, Booch said:

doesnt matter what he says to media...he still the HC and got praised for it...what are you not seeing...

My reply was purely in response to the notion O'Shea quote: "took in all the credit from the fans"

If someone offers me credit for something and I say 'I couldn't have done it without these guys right here' did I take in all the credit?

If "took in all the credit from the fans" is the same as deflected credit to his players staff and fans then carry on.

[bigg jay]

3 minutes ago, MOBomberFan said:

My reply was purely in response to the notion O'Shea quote: "took in all the credit from the fans"

If someone offers me credit for something and I say 'I couldn't have done it without these guys right here' did I take in all the credit?

If "took in all the credit from the fans" is the same as deflected credit to his players staff and fans then carry on.

I think it was just a poor choice of words.  if it had said MOS got all the credit from the fans, rather than took all the credit, I don't think this would even be an issue.

[MOBomberFan]

Just now, bigg jay said:

I think it was just a poor choice of words.  if it had said MOS got all the credit from the fans, rather than took all the credit, I don't think this would even be an issue.

Totally, in fact Flex has already clarified and I even shot him a like in response, I think most of use are on the same page.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

Makes sense. I know its tough with so many top guys going to the NFL.

Really is. Plus the combine seems to have a strong impact on our opinion of guys. We love the high upside guys with the athleticism to start in the pros. 
 

1 hour ago, bigg jay said:

OL looks pretty week this year, at least as far as top prospects go. The fall rankings only had 2 OL listed & the top rated one, Eric Schon (4th overall), has already retired.  The winter list had 3 OL  but nobody ranked super high so not a banner year for that position but the bright side is teams won't have to worry about NFL interest! 😂 

DL class looks deep though (7 of 20 players & 4 in the top 10).

Here's last months winter rankings:

Rank	Name	Position
1 (1)	Kurtis Rourke	QB
2 (3)	Paris Shand	DL
3 (–)	Elic Ayomanor	WR
4 (8)	Isaiah Bagnah	DL
5 (10)	Keelan White	WR
6 (20)	Jaylen Smith	LB
7 (14)	Jeremiah Ojo	DL
8 (5)	Jackson Findlay	DB
9 (–)	Hayden Harris	DL
10 (17)	Erik Andersen	OL
11 (–)	Christopher Fortin	OL
12 (–)	Ali Saad	DL
13 (19)	Darien Newell	DL
14 (16)	Nate Martey	DL
15 (15)	Devin Veresuk	LB
16 (–)	Ethan Jordan	WR
17 (–)	Samuel Carson	OL
18 (–)	Isaiah Knight	RB
19 (–)	Nate Beauchemin	DB
20 (–)	Taylor Elgersma	QB

 

There was also a another player added to the draft a few days ago that Dunk says might be the best LB in the draft.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/20/university-of-wyoming-lb-connor-shay-added-to-2025-cfl-draft/

 

Yeah it’s gonna be an odd draft. Probably won’t be a lot of futures picks at ol. Which I think bodes well for us actually. We could use a guy or two who sits on our pr and who we mold into a system fit. Or maybe a 6th ol, maybe an undersized centre to develop. 
 

It seems like skill positions and dl talent is the new go to in the draft. It’s a far cry from the days of ol and WRs and catch then fall down. 
 

 

[Booch]

57 minutes ago, MOBomberFan said:

My reply was purely in response to the notion O'Shea quote: "took in all the credit from the fans"

If someone offers me credit for something and I say 'I couldn't have done it without these guys right here' did I take in all the credit?

If "took in all the credit from the fans" is the same as deflected credit to his players staff and fans then carry on.

misread what I ment....Got praise from fans....fans praised him....and I sure he appreciated it to, and yes gave his players the props...what coach wouldnt tho????

 

53 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

I think it was just a poor choice of words.  if it had said MOS got all the credit from the fans, rather than took all the credit, I don't think this would even be an issue.

yup....as I mentioned above....twisying the narrative I guess

[GCn20]

11 hours ago, wbbfan said:

It is entirely true that mos handed off credit as fast as any one ever. Guy doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body. 
 He did get all the praise and credit heaped on him.  As he does and will the blame. Same with zach and every starting qb ever. That’s the job. 

Yep. Even when it's undeserved, coaches wear their record for good or for bad, that's how they are judged. The GM gets the talent assembled. That's his job, he gets the praise/fault for it. The HC doesn't sign the players. The HC is then responsible for taking the assembled talent, evaluating them, and then putting out a winning lineup and putting the talent in a position to win. Anyone suggesting otherwise is talking out their ass. Does the GM and HC talk to each other. Absolutely. At the end of the day though KW decides who stays, who goes, and who to sign and MOS decides how to use them. That is their respective job. 

KW has an SMS in which HE has to decide the best use of the dollars. MOS has input but the person deciding any players fate is KW in the offseason, and MOS during the season.

Edited Monday at 05:15 PM by GCn20

[MOBomberFan]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

misread what I ment....Got praise from fans....fans praised him....and I sure he appreciated it to, and yes gave his players the props...what coach wouldnt tho????

 

yup....as I mentioned above....twisying the narrative I guess

I wasn't quoting you, goof, I was quoting Speedflex and it was already clarified and sorted out. Not everything is about you.

Keep up, read then post

Edited Monday at 05:53 PM by MOBomberFan
comma

[Fatty Liver]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

Yep. Even when it's undeserved, coaches wear their record for good or for bad, that's how they are judged. The GM gets the talent assembled. That's his job, he gets the praise/fault for it. The HC doesn't sign the players. The HC is then responsible for taking the assembled talent, evaluating them, and then putting out a winning lineup and putting the talent in a position to win. Anyone suggesting otherwise is talking out their ass. Does the GM and HC talk to each other. Absolutely. At the end of the day though KW decides who stays, who goes, and who to sign and MOS decides how to use them. That is their respective job. 

KW has an SMS in which HE has to decide the best use of the dollars. MOS has input but the person deciding any players fate is KW in the offseason, and MOS during the season.

O'Shea's MO is to hold onto the guys that make it through TC and dance with them all the way through to the end of the season, only if desperate will he request extra bodies be brought in mid-season to help out.  Air-lift is not in his vocabulary and he doesn't like to upset his apple cart by giving late arrivals a fair shot at stealing somebody else's job.  Which begs the question what is Walters going to do with the $450k bonus he received during free agency?  

[GCn20]

4 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

O'Shea's MO is to hold onto the guys that make it through TC and dance with them all the way through to the end of the season, only if desperate will he request extra bodies be brought in mid-season to help out.  Air-lift is not in his vocabulary and he doesn't like to upset his apple cart by giving late arrivals a fair shot at stealing somebody else's job.  Which begs the question what is Walters going to do with the $450k bonus he received during free agency?  

MOS's roster work and who is kept/released is fair game in-season. Right now roster composition is on KW. There is no pro coach in the history of pro coaching that has ever told a GM to not sign talent for training camp. Anything being done right now is on the GM. 

[17to85]

8 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

O'Shea's MO is to hold onto the guys that make it through TC and dance with them all the way through to the end of the season, only if desperate will he request extra bodies be brought in mid-season to help out.  Air-lift is not in his vocabulary and he doesn't like to upset his apple cart by giving late arrivals a fair shot at stealing somebody else's job.  Which begs the question what is Walters going to do with the $450k bonus he received during free agency?  

Is this really true? Cause there's lots of people have been inserted mid season over his tenure... now yes he is reluctant to sit then incumbent when they are healthy... but I don't think there is as much resistance to new people as you're implying here. Basically Oshea has a weakness for veterans who have proven themselves in the past.

[Fatty Liver]

50 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Is this really true? Cause there's lots of people have been inserted mid season over his tenure... now yes he is reluctant to sit then incumbent when they are healthy... but I don't think there is as much resistance to new people as you're implying here. Basically Oshea has a weakness for veterans who have proven themselves in the past.

Please list them, the only one I can recall from last season is Lucky coming in to fill a need.  They bring players in later in the season for a tryout for next season but rarely give them any playing time.

Edit: Add Tony Jones who they picked up when the Elks cut him in early June.  I didn't realize Tony came into the CFL with the Argos in 2022 and he's already 29, may be a placeholder for a couple of seasons and he's already peaked as adequate but not exceptional.

Edited Monday at 07:40 PM by Fatty Liver