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Bottom line: QB play was better last week

You need adequate time to hit the routes that are called. So if they are trying to take vertical shots and want that to be a large part of the offense, they need to be able to protect so their QB can make the read (some of that pre-snap for sure) and have time/space to make that throw. That was not there on the majority of drops last night. You think the fastest guy in the league running at full sprint is taking 4 and a half seconds to get 40 yards downfield so you need 3+ seconds really if you're taking vertical shots and expecting to hit them. Something probably a lot of people don't consider is the space in the pocket....like it's as impactful to the QB (and to some extent the RB) if one of the OL is getting driven into him as if a defender is loose. Forces QB to bring eyes down and navigate pocket more than read downfield or be able to set feet to throw. Huge effect on ability to go vertical with a pass. Pocket for a straight drop is basically the mouth on a sad face emoji. Any deviation from that can be a problem for the QB's ability to get that ball out on time, accurately. Does Collaros force the vertical stuff? Absofuckinglutely. It's been his style forever. He's your guy, you've gotta be building the offense around that. I'm not a fan of that "switch" (that's what we call it, basically inside slot crosses safety face on vertical through the middle) GO route to Demski. He's gotta be wide open to catch that even if that's a perfect ball. Hate that we're calling plays that rely on a defensive breakdown. I don't know if Schoen is struggling physically, but we sure aren't seeing him go vertical a ton. And other than Wheatfall/Schoen we're not brimming with catch radius guys which is always who Collaros has success with. IMO...OL yesterday was about a 4/10. Not a total disaster like games against Toronto last year, but if that's the level they played 18 games at you'd be a sub-.500 team. D basically score 10 points last night, O had 3 scoring drives. Nowhere near good enough. Way too much pressure, not moving anyone at the line, not creating those creases for the backs in zone to make their cut and hit a seam with speed. Overall if you want to boil it down, they got bodied on more plays than not. BC had almost all their guys and they came out with a bit more fire on the DL, and once they got going things snowballed physically for our OL. Week 1 they were about a 8/10. Amazing opening vertical gaps for the RB's, and basically no pressures allowed at all on dropbacks, physically dominant. Only time you saw anyone on BC's DL was on rollouts. First half some struggles but mostly on QB/receivers getting in rhythm. Run game was dominant from start to finish and that's all physicality from OL because the back is all slash...hit the mark in zone, make the cut, hit the crease. Crease isn't there, Peterson isn't making something from nothing like Oliveira might to grab 5-6 yards.

I don't expect to see any D changes with it being a short week and MOS being MOS.

I'd like to see if swapping out Sterns for Mitchell adds anything to the passing game.

I tend to agree with this. I wouldn't pressure much and effectively you'd have a spy with guys like Kramdi, Griffin and whoever else is on the field at LB. If Ford has to hit windows he has no chance. Let him run around in circles behind the line all day, just be patient. Jefferson basically always plays that way where he's reading the QB more than firing off to get to a spot in the backfield and hopefully he can be convinced to play with leverage to contain. When his head is in he can do that quite well.

Same, and I do think it will be a good fit. From all accounts, Jackson and Zach have always had that mentor-mentee relationship. He's an excellent coach, and football mind, with them going so far back Im sure Zach will get the most out of it. Especially if he wants to keep playing past this year. He's going to be a great resource for Wilson and Strevy to.

Hopefully Hogan and Jackson sit down with Zach and come up with a solid set of plays that fit his current abilities.

J.Jones would be the active linebacker to us in a quasi spy scheme...Thinking of T.Jones chasing around after Ford already has given me nightmares I dont believe last yr we really did a spy per say did we?

ZC has picked up a bad habit of when getting panicked or pressure starts to get a lil chaotic of just chucking it.....and not away but into trouble....and or for picks And seeing as he is reluctant to run....and reams know it they put the pressure on. He used to able to navigate the pocket more and buy time without running, but last 2 yrs he has seemed to have lost that knack..

It seemed like both Nielsen and Glen were exceptionally bad last night. Suitor multiple times obviously. The one that stuck out was saying if Shehans punt went out of bounds it would be a penalty....even though it bounced half a dozen times before he mentioned that. And Nielsen talking how because the onside kick was touched by schoen it was now a "live ball". It felt like I was saying, wtf are you talking about? Way too many times while listening to those two.

Hi guys, just wanted to let you all know I’ve started to post condensed CFL games that show every play in 40-50 minutes. Mainly for fans that want to watch/rewatch the game in a faster manner, but still want to see every play. I’m hoping to do all Bomber games this season + some other CFL games. Let me know how I can make the videos better, feedback is much appreciated. Enjoy and Go Blue! Link to Week 3 Game: https://youtu.be/hZH_qrFR5ig?si=DzxTk2fxwg19mrf4 Link to the rest of the channel: https://youtube.com/@zipsclips88?si=DBHzCFy-r5RUnb-h

Well, he’s definitely not getting better! He’s seven years on the wrong side of 30. His arm strength and escapability have both diminished, even considerably. And Osh will ride him to the bitter end. Strev, 7 yrs younger, was light years better last week.

I think any moves hinge on Brady's status, he's the keystone. Don't believe Willie did anything worthy of a suspension.

Saks's played better than BC so far.

We did with him and rourke, and maybe a bit faj or vaj. Kyrie was doing it. It was a fairly deep spy though, not right on the line. Thats true, but JY seems to want to blitz more this year. And to be fair, his DB/lb edge packages are reasonably effective.

I'm hoping that he was rusty and out of rhythm due to the messed-up start to the year. He certainly looked better in pre-season. I mean, with Jackson, yeah, it would just be happening. Overall, I think they are getting to a point where they would have to say you can't do this stuff anymore, Zach. We have to re-fit the system with stuff you can do. But I don't think they would be willing to accept that at this point. Keep in mind, 2023 was really the only hot start to the year for Zach as a blue bomber. These are his first game stats as a bomber. 2021. 18/28 217 2 tds, 292 2 tds, 204 2tds 1int. 243 0/0. 245 1/1. 2023. 354 3tds. 293 2 tds. 191 1int. 177 2tds 1int. 2024. 209 1int. 285 1int. 247. 55 1int. So this year's 179 2 and 2 is kind of on brand for him as a start. We really can't wait a month for him to get going though.

Ya he definitely looks more panicked than he used to. Oline got worse in the middle the last few years and that led to less of a pocket to step up into. Too much getting pushed back into his face. Add to that ZCs age and there’s a decline. He can still move around and throw on the run. That first TD to Schoen was a beauty on the move. Hope the new OC and JJ can take advantage of the things ZC can still do well.

Disagree that protection was the issue last night. Collaros had adequate time for the most part (was he even sacked?) and was going through his progressions. With the two pics, he threw off his back foot. Rainbow throws. The fact that he doesn’t eat those or throw it out of bounds is not on the oline.

I think long term vanterpool would be better at rt and Randolph at LT. But yeah, he’s been a project to convert to tackle. Randolph played basically tackle as the 6th ol in college a lot. Vanterpool was a career guard. Didn’t give up a sack for like a year and a half, didn’t take a penalty in his last year. Pretty wild. Vanterpool is still naturally a guard but has the mobility to end up a rt. And he’s very good in pass protection at guard.

He was looking real good too Can still steal him of the PR!

Hate for him to ask for his release....Play me or set me free....

Logical works just fine yup.....not so much when we have an illogical HC tho.... If I was coaching I'd swap out T. Jones for J.Jones this game and use a lot of Ayers and Wilson...for all Wilson's bad points (age/abilty to stay healthy) he still is a great sideline to sideline LB and posses pursuit....I can see Ford making T.Jones look silly in space and him not being able to track him down with angles or just plain sprint to the sideline Healthy and available Wilson is still good, and I think he has played better over all than Jones too....he can do more anyway He should be a SAM or HB....He's so good....Bonds too was gonna mention in other thread...guy is legit good as well...and is super smart/aware out there...

I'm a big believer that Masoli is the next blue chip QB coach / OC prospect in the CFL.

Ayers would be a great fit, but Griffin, I like, would be wasted. He's too good at coverage. Broken record, I know, but I would try in practice using Shay/Smith in a rotating spy role. Not only can you use them as a spy, but you can put them in an intermediate zone, or cover hook/curl/flat stuff. That would also allow you to go with a full imp DL.

THAT we know . . .

Assuming he's made it to the active roster by then.

He plays more self preservation style now...so they need to customize a lot of stuff for a cerebral style now...he definitely doesn't get the ball out as fast as Strev either...its out of his hands lightning quick...once he gets more reps and a comfort level with the system and his receivers hes gonna be very effective... Cooley runs with speed and violence in traffic...and can still side step guys...he is definitely gonna pop some long runs out of the scrum if he gets more opportunities

I think our D will be fine this week, but our offense vs that DL could be a challenge...

Strev was taking the short stuff when he had to. Getting the ball out quick, bombers had a good mix of run and pass honestly. This week? Not so much. Zach isn’t a guy who takes the 5 6 yards to the open guy, he’d rather go 60 yards in 1 throw still. Zach kinda holding the ball longer than Streveler did. Only slight difference is on Strevelers “big throws” he was throwing 20 or 25 yard passes that were turned into big gainers from YAC. Good example was the Wheatfall big catch, Strev prob hits him in stride while Zach, well Keric had to stop and wait. Huge difference.

For the last while all I think about when it comes to the Elks is trap game. Gone are the powerhouse days of the Double E.

Based on how he played Saturday, I think Zach needs this talk.

Some athletes just cant look in the mirror and say its over.

You don't really need to spy him if you're not bringing pressure. Send 3, make him find the open rec downfield.

Roster wise, yeah idk. Think it likely depends on injuries and if wj gets suspended.

Lets see what happens 2 weeks in a row.

Guarantee we will be spying ford and playing more edge contain.

Yes, though it’s also important to note strevy was getting the ball out much quicker.

Considering bc has a good talented dl, I think the pass pro was far better than adequate. You just don’t get games with no hits no pressures on a regular basis. Also, some of his worst throws came with time and a clean pocket. I don’t think a better performance by the ok would’ve changed any thing. He chucked ducks with lots of time and open guys. No one’s throwing the ball down field on the regular when the wr is already 40 yards out. You’d need to be throwing 70yards down field to hit a guy in stride with the ball out of your hand at a target 40 yards down field. 3-4 seconds is what you aim for, but’s that’s ball out at 20 ish yards and including stepping up and getting it out. If you watch the advanced feed from tsn, they show the pocket time on the snaps. Zach had lots of 3-4 second pockets, and wasn’t seeing pressure in less than 2.5.

That doesn't seem right either... Isn't it Vaval (not Valul)....so VAH-vull. Which is how DT says it... *Edit* Double checked the roster.... Vaval... VAH-vull....

Correct- had a brain cramp but meant Drew Willy.

What did I make up? And yes Osh was "influenced" to sit Willy and go with Nichols...if that's what you referring to I don't think Osh evaluates everything he should at times with some players...what he values sometimes doesn't make the player better...with the majority of the gripes I have it's all about skill...skillset...upside..and actual ability...there are currently probably 5 spots i can think of on this roster where we could be so much better and it's with guys in house...but we don't get to see it..and prob 2 or 3 holdovers we could have got rid of and been no worse for wear and likely better and have possible upside too....but around here in a lot of instances...membership has it's privileges...so to say

OK, so we’re agreed that his skills are diminished. And, it would appear he needs quite a bit of help just to be more than meh, let alone “lethal”. I think that his own diminishment is by far the biggest factor in his struggles and that the o-line was definitely good enough yesterday for a good quarterback to be successful. And he was…on one drive. After that, not so much. The bombers need a plan, immediate and mid to longer term, that takes their starter’s diminished skills into account. Maybe they have one. But if the best predictor of future behaviour is past behavior, the bombers’ plan is likely to ride this veteran way too long (exhibit a: see one Adam Bighill).

Was sacked at least once and rushed a few times. I think JBRs point (and forgive me if I'm wrong here) is that maybe Zach needs better than "adequate time" in the pocket to be lethal. I still believe he has the ability... But he needs more around him than he did in 2022 when he lit the world on fire. Now, you can have the debate about "he's making too much money to need that much help" debate all you want, but the point remains... He needs a very specific set of tools to be truly successful.

I think Masoli completed 2 passes over 20 yard throws in the air. He looked ******* brutal. If there was a white jersey in his sight he just tossed the ball up for grabs. Bombers easily could have had 7-8 INTs in that game.

The motion we use with our lineman now also seemed to mess him up...he was seeing ghosts i think...Strev didnt have issue with that

Yup...he also seeks and destroys in second level...Dobson was lost Bryant wasn't bad at all..sure he had a couple moments but that will happen...especially when the guard is compensating for a center...it radiates out...if say a guard had cheated over and isn't where the tackle expected him to be and looks to have been beaten inside expecting help from guard...well it looks bad for tackle but not necessarily so I think he meant Nichols for Willy and that's accurate. Osh gets too attached to certain guys...like a bad stock trader...don't fall in love with a stock and know when to sell...osh needs to do that with players And I truly don't think he is the best evaluator of talent sometimes...values some characteristics at times over talent or usefulness

For those looking at going to the Bomber game in Calgary:

WTF are you talking about? Nichols was knocked out of that season months before they traded for Collaros. Collaros was here for a week before he started the second game he was here for. This whole manufacturing of narratives to be over the top negative has to stop. I know our fanbase can't handle winning.

Good for Adam. Gets a few more CFL dollars and maybe gets a few more hits on the field. Sucks the Bombers couldn’t work out a deal but that’s the business of football. Thanks for the great years Biggie.

Such a shitty way to go out. Really wish he woulda retired a Bomber.