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Post game mortem Nast Nate style. BOMBERS 44, ALS 28: MIKE O’SAME DOES SOMETHING DIFFERENT Well gather around, rounders, hobos and assorted prairie plutzkies…your Winnipeg Blue Bombers just hung 44 points on the best team in the CFL. That is not a typo. The 5–5 Bombers welcomed the 9–1 Montreal Alouettes to Princess Auto Stadium and administered the most complete beating this club has delivered all season. Montreal arrived with seven straight wins, the league’s hottest quarterback and plans to clinch a playoff spot. They departed 9–2 with their tail feathers smoking and Jason Maas barking at officials like somebody had stolen his parking space. Where has THIS football team been hiding? Collaros played his best game of the year: 26 completions on 32 attempts, 324 yards, two touchdowns and—hold onto your hats—NO INTERCEPTIONS. He was decisive, accurate and protected well enough that he didn’t spend the night fleeing the pocket like a man being chased through a dark alley. Wilson caught nine passes for 114 yards and both touchdowns. White added 96 yards, while Nield caught all five balls sent his way for 52 yards. Nield also fumbled at the goal line, cuz apparently even during the best offensive performance of the season the Bombers must leave one dead fish lying on the kitchen floor. Still…324 yards through the air, 106 on the ground from Oliveira and 44 points against Montreal. That is not offence by accident. Credit must go to Tommy Con-Dull, who temporarily transformed into Tommy Can-Do and called an excellent game. He mixed the run and pass, used Perkins properly, moved the pocket and—most shocking of all—remembered Oliveira existed for BOTH halves. Oliveira carried 16 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. Perkins punched in two more majors from short yardage without requiring a double reverse, flea flicker or twelve-page feasibility study. Winnipeg controlled possession, kept Davis Alexander watching from the sideline and squeezed the life out of the clock. Simple football…executed properly. What a concept. Defensively, Jordan Yawner finally woke from his summer nap. Montreal entered averaging almost 119 yards rushing per game. Travis Theis managed 31. The defensive front attacked instead of standing around waiting for the play to introduce itself. Jefferson, Ceresna and the rest of the mob kept Alexander uncomfortable and denied Montreal the balanced offence that had terrorized the league for two months. Then Tanner Cadwallader came flying through the middle and blocked a punt deep in Montreal territory. The Punt Burglar had arrived. Winnipeg immediately turned the robbery into a Perkins touchdown and a 31–21 lead. THAT was the moment the game changed. Montreal had forced the Nield fumble before halftime, received the second-half kickoff and appeared ready to seize momentum. Instead, the defence produced a two-and-out and Cadwallader stole the football back. Vaval and Texada also brought some badly needed speed to the secondary. Texada ran stride-for-stride with Philpot on a deep ball, which may not sound revolutionary until you remember how many Bomber defensive backs have spent this season chasing receivers like somebody running after a departing bus. Now for the deadwood floating in the celebratory punch bowl… Montreal still threw four touchdown passes. Snead caught three of them and occasionally wandered through the secondary like he had purchased an all-access tour. Tackling remained questionable, Neufeld collected a pair of needless penalties and Winnipeg left at least ten more points on the field. The fourth-quarter defence also softened enough to remind everyone that Jordan Yawner remains Jordan Yawner. Rush three, retreat eight and hope the clock tackles somebody. But the Bombers answered whenever Montreal threatened. Castillo kicked field goals from 51, 43 and 20 yards. Collaros found Wilson for the fourth-quarter dagger. The offence drained the clock instead of handing the opponent three extra possessions and a handwritten invitation to steal the game. Even Mike O’Same showed signs of different behaviour. He challenged the first play of the game, won it and watched his offence turn it into seven points. He allowed Con-Dull to remain aggressive and did not begin protecting the lead midway through the second quarter. For one night, Mike O’Same became Mike O’Maybe-He’s-Learning. As for Kyle Waiters…well, he waited. No dramatic roster overhaul. No cavalry arriving from the NFL cut pile. But Vaval and Texada played, Cadwallader made the biggest special-teams play of the game and the receivers already in the building finally produced. Perhaps the cupboard wasn’t completely bare. Perhaps somebody merely needed to open the damn door. So the official accounting reads: THE GOOD: Collaros clean and confident…Oliveira properly employed…Wilson uncoverable…Con-Dull calling a balanced game…Castillo drilling everything…and the defensive front turning Montreal’s running attack into a rumour. THE BAD: Four passing touchdowns allowed…Snead roaming free…Neufeld’s penalties…and Nield donating a touchdown at the goal line. THE BEAUTIFUL: Forty-four points, Montreal’s winning streak DEAD, Alexander rattled, Maas whining and Princess Auto Stadium sounding like the madhouse it used to be. The Bombers are 6–5. One great game does not erase ten weeks of inconsistency, stubborn roster management and halftime hibernation. But it proves the season is not dead. Now take this act to Regina. Feed Oliveira. Protect Collaros. Attack on defence. Make the Riders miserable. And somebody keep an eye on the Punt Burglar.

I have nothing to contribute to the usual vibe around here but just wanted to say that I loved everything about Paddy Neufeld's game last night. As veterans should do, he showed the intensity needed from everyone else.

Agreed. He’s a rookie just like any one else. Two things I’m glad he’s not doing is hurdling defenders like his prime Antonio Gates, and he’s falling foward instead of trying to make something happen. Honestly falling foward and having a 2nd and 2 or 3 is better then getting stopped and it’s 2’d and 4 or 5. Glad that he realizes sometimes less is more. Especially in the context of his role.

More like Lurch vs Chester the Molester....

Jovon Johnson?

Glad the pitchforks and torches are put away on Daniels. He is a rookie and some of the criticisms of him were unfair. All he did was show why coaches dont usually play rookies a lot. They usually take a season before their potential is realized

Did they just say there is 32,000 ppl there??

One thing that was noticeable last night was the blocking by the receivers. Several times they had the Montreal DBs locked down and we were able to get a lot of extra yards.

Yeah I mentioned that..hoping tho he may come back late Even tho he was one of the best SAMs in the league I never thought of him at safety as I didnt think they would use Smith there..be a better WIL I think but hes been killing it at SAM...he kills it wherever The way we employ the safety and half time are in a strong /feee kinda scheme as it is...The net positive of him there..leaving Smith at sam and closer to the box would I bet really put us over the top.

Pretty sure I read his injury was potentially season ending so I don't expect him back soon.

When is Griffen due back or is he out for the year? I bet he would do great at safety, and leave Smith at Sam for sure.

No idea. It was never a catch. Only ourselves to blame. We had this and let it slip. Thank Flutie the TiCats suck so bad that we likely will still walk into 2nd.

Yes, Adams. Lol. Sorry, You try this when you get to be my age. I'm lucky remembering where the bathrooms are in our house.

He set the tone big time, I loved it Absolutely. Gerald Wilcox was too much for me man!

Stamps QB Jordan Love looks like the real deal. He made some big plays with his legs & his arm.

For a smaller guy mass wise...he punches about 2 divisions higher thats for sure

Daniels has looked every bit the rookie who has never played in the CFL before up until now, but he's starting to get it.

Vaval - the most lethal DB/kick returner combo player we've had since the days of Paul Bennett lol.... that's a super duper negative way to look at...oh never mind...

It reminded me of the 2019 GC run. Aggressive, hard hitting play & the opposition losing it.

Most here have covered all my thoughts. Nasty O line, tenacious D line...DB's looked quicker....Kelly has improved sure, but I do not believe he is the best player to have at safety ....we need to get one more receiver onto the roster, as so many have allude drop easy Singer for Hazen, as Singer can return and our return guy is going to be hard to get off the regular defence....Vaval is small but so shifty and quick, seems smart I wonder if he could play safety?....where is Cam Allen ( I think that was his name) in his recovery?.... Zach may not win any sprints, but so nice to see him moving around, he is not a stay in the pocket QB......Condell best game plan as a Bomber.....Brady is that good....Neild needs to play like that every game.... Can we do it again next week?? Almost forgot....Tanner Caldwalder, career game for him!

Color me shocked, happy but still not sold....yet First off was nice to see Ears lose his **** multiple times again on the sidelines like Maas of old...we definitely made him pop...and his team sure takes on his personality, as a collective group they truly are a bunch of whiny yappy babies when things don't go well for them...If anything with our team when we are getting our butts handed to us, we never act like that Bringing the nasty back...Shades of 2019 to 2023 oline work and it made a difference. Again, we went into what Our identity should be with smash mouth play and how it opens up things for our receivers...Now don't keep going away from it in games unless it's taken away. It also allows our hogs to get in the zone immediately and dictate the tone...That's big...the last 2 weeks my observation is that Stan seems to be rounding into form. As mentioned in game thread I think his injury was hindering him and why he was consciously kicking out a bit early and looked old and slow on plays quick off the snap where he had to make a fast step....He was still good in the run but he did look compromised in certain blocking assignments But last night he was active and all over in the run game...the whole line was and we need to keep using all that oline movement...It worked well in Edm too until we went away from it. If he plays like this again next week then maybe the slagging he was getting here wasn't 100 percent justified...that being said I hope we have talked to him about this being his farewell season Kudos to Condell as well for that game plan...almost like he stole Mtl's to be honest, but that what we need to do game in and game out. Receivers actually played tough...made some tough grabs, and actually fought for YAC. Pokey needs to be used **** we used him ..lotsa horizontal routes and getting ball to him while he moving, as he is slippery and greasy and can slither his way through the slightest opening with speed. He's not the consistent vertical threat we can lean on...That I guess is a Demski role currently as we don't have a guy...and is what we really need. I think the 3rd Canadian WR experiment needs to end as Cobb offers absolutely nothing in that spot. If anything, use Clercius there and have him and Neild both show looks from inside and outside....If we refuse to add an import....That would still make us better, and Clercius is a guy teams will have to take note of. All he does is make catches, and actually will do something with the ball after the catch...and he was key in downfield blocking on several runs Encouraging to say the least tho....next week is the true litmus test. In that environment and hype if we do what we have done in the half of game in Edm and last night again...with a convincing win...look out...That's the make of a trend and a BB repeat we could be sending ourselves into a real run of wins as the confidence grows Vaval has to have earned that starting DB spot...it's almost changed how we play a bit back there...for the better and you can see he is legit good. Texada as well in his limited reps showed some real promise...Only time he was really noticed was when making a play...pretty good debut for a raw rookie vs the offensive juggernaut the Al's are reported to be. Let Nichols rest another week...let the youngsters (Williams/Vaval/Texada) run with it and make a decision for BB if Nichols is ready to go. But safety and Kelly needs to end...yesterday already...cant cover...poor tackling...soft. If kramdi is back is he better...Maybe a bit but he also isn't great. He's perfect for the role Kelly had before he went in at safety and would be a shame to sit one of the 3 aforementioned from the starting lineup...and you cant pull Smith off for him, and as much as Wilson and Jones get grief on here, Kramdi at WIL would be the worst possible decision. When ready yank Novack off for Kramdi and use him all over in the rotation...He does do well mucking it up in the box when we go 3 dlineman Speaking of yanking...Hazen needs to be..whats he offer?...whats he done to justify being on roster?...especially when Kramdi back...Nothing....and if we keep Vaval at Corner then Singer for Hazen makes a ton of sense, or if we just swap out Cobb for clercius and say no to another skilled player...Nichols as depth isn't a bad thing Dline has the talent to dominate games...tho a true Nose would be nice, but they are frustrating as they go in spurts...is it scheme and what we asking them to do...or is it just growing pains as we have essentially 3 rookies taking big time reps...none the less I really have no issues with that group for the most part...Some fine tuning scheme wise tho I think could really put em over the top! None the less like what I saw...actually not dreading the Labour Day game now...and curious to see if this was a turning the corner....or just a mirage of a game...we shall see shortly...The only bad part of the win is it will basically ensure zero changes...even tho a few could really set us off

That lends itself to the question of why we shoved him into the lineup week one.

A good crop of younger QBs up and coming in the league- something that has been lacking for some time.

And only 32 teeth...

https://imgur.com/jxjG22P

Reffing has been bad on both sides. Seems on par for them.

Lol. how did they call that a catch for the Riders?

Am I right that this is a fun watch for neutrals? The Surgeon vs The Gunslinger.

I got to know Bill Baker (the Undertaker) and heard a lot of stories about that era. Those guys were playing coming off of big benders almost every game. He told me when he sacked Warren Moon in the end zone on his last game in the CFL in 1978 he had to go throw up on the sidelines because he was so hung over. Charles Roberts and Tom Canada had nothing on players from that era lol....

Never let it be said that waived players and mid season FAs don't make a difference. Our D changed completely when Bolden and Lemon got added. Suddenly we are hitting again.

He has to clear NFL waivers. He'll probably wait to see if any free agent opportunities comes along.

Had some fun times Paul Bennett, Dan Huclack and Brett McNeill, those old boys could get after it I'll tell ya

Love how aggressive the Bombers were. O-Line was nasty and they got called for some pretty soft calls in my opinion. But totally worth it as they wore down the Montreal defenders all night long. Same with Williams. Guy is such a stud out there, he’ll break up a play, make a hard hit, and then let you know he’s here to play. The intensity the guys played with last night was amazing. Something to build upon because I’ve seen Winnipeg beat the crap out of their opponent now 3 out of the last 4 halves and this is against in my eyes the two best football teams in the league.

Neufeld will be in the CFHOF someday. He's that good.

Condell definitely earned his paycheque...Impressive...The use of the receivers we had rostered was best all season too, and hopefully a trend and not an anomoly You could see from get go Neuf was in mad mode and it rubbed off...

I was always on offence guy....those with better defence knowledge please correct me if I am incorrect, but Youngers system looked different yesterday. Jones in particular looked to be used totally different.....we didn't appear to go to a blanket as much we seemed far more aggressive I am also really beginning to love our Dline.... I also agree that Kelly has a use but not the way he is being used currently... I still would like 1 more oline for depth, and to see an import in one more receiver spot

For those eating crow today, I would remind those talking trash about Tony Jones to get their fork out too. Guy was sensational last night.

this play. (clip is cued up even though the thumbnail doesn't make it look so. youtube sucks.)

needs to do some speed and agility training this off-season....And doesn't need to drop mass to accomplish that either. Get that dialed in a bit and he could become a real pain in ass for defences

He does seem to be getting better....and if we use him a bit more effectively too it will further develop him...Yet to see us use him in true TE fashion inside the 5 and slide out for an easy mismatched TD pass

I had no issue with Neuf's play and we needed that edge back...And it worked because you saw it all through the line...Wallace's best game of the year as well...He played more like a 5 yr vet last night. Once that monster dials it all in and figures out his strengths......yikes! And I will say it again...I think Bryant was not 100 percent until last week and it affected his play...especially in static position on passing plays outta the snap...last 2 games...worlds better...he was moving and grading last night...and now he has a stable base again his big asset...his hand skills showed MOS gets my props too...Like you said he actually did some smart decision making right outta the gate...only real blunder was that penalty on Pokey...shoulda tossed his flag there I hope he see's the reality Vav's is our best corner and adds a huge difference in the backfield, and the sample we saw with Texada....real good...we need those 3 youngins (Williams) to get some familiarity with each other down the stretch here....and if we fix that safety void....we have shades of a 2019 Backfield reboot to totally solidify things...I truly think putting Nichols there could do it. As really that's the only real option we have outside of Hallett/Kelly/Kramdi since he refuses to dress Stuart Fletcher is also rounding into form and what I saw he could be in TC...He's becoming disruptive cause he is playing fast now...and seems to make a big play or 2 a game

I know this is gross to admit it but I’m starting to see the visions with Daniel’s as the Tight end. Man if you can get him to rip some big blocks for Brady and get him two or three targets a game I think he’s absolutely worth where you’re drafting him. He’s been mauling people out there and if that gives holes for Brady and keeps Zach upright AND even provides a little bit of Offense then I can eat some crow on the pick.

Just watched a replay they were showing of Dane Evans in 2022 and all I was thinking was can we break Davis Alexander in 2026 like we broke Dane Evans in 2019?

Excellent analysis! I really don't know what happened with Clercius last year but he has exceptionally strong hands, boxes out very well and this allows him to make those tough contested catches. He also downfield blocks very well. Daniels last night also impressed me , made some good key blocks and the catch and run he had was just what we need more of. Tony Jones used correctly like last night is a weapon. He got into Alexanders face quite often and the trash talk I'm sure added to the QB's whiney reactions and probably threw him off of his game a bit.

Yeah that was weird...that play should have been called back anyway as a MTL Olineman was hanging off Fletcher like a tablecloth weight...like how any ref could miss that is baffling Speaking of Fletcher he quietly rounding into a pretty good Dlineman who can play multiple spots...sure he still learning but is now playing fast unlike earlier in yr and is starting to have a knack for making an impact play a game...For a rotational rookie...13 tackles...1 TFL...3 sacks..a fumble recovery...cant argue with that And agree...was aggressive and one the better all around games...Noticeable (Again for Vav's) is the ability to man up...or give cushion but recognize and react immediately and close in a heartbeat tho either break it up or stop a play in it's tracks...also he has the speed to make up space and correct . Texada as well showed some real nice technique out there and plays with speed too...The one play where he basically walled out Philpot (I think it was Philpot) and forced him without touching him while in his hip pocket to squeezed him to the sideline where only person who was gonna be able to make a play on the ball was him, was a thing of beauty. That's a skill and not a lucky one off...that was what you would use in instructional videos...If the 2 of them play next week again...and do similar work...They have to be the starters moving forward...

when the OL plays pissed off like that it's a sign of good things. Brady was rumbling and a bit part IMO is cause Neufeld was bullying the opponent

Those penalties Neuf took were bad but boy did they set the tone. "Nasty Neuf" is back baby! I still remember the hot mic of Neuf yelling at the Sask Dline in the ESF in 2018 as he and the oline roadgraded them down the field," you're bleeping *******!!" Ha ha ha that's the Neuf we need. The young guys pick that attitude up fast, and it's a good thing(without the penalties lol)....

For shits and giggles and the reminiscing of Nasty Nate in the other thread, I used MBB posting history and ChatGPT to get a Nate style commentary on the season to date. Enjoy folks, all meant for some levity in a frustrating to date season. THE 5–5 FOLLIES: MIKE O’SAME AND THE BLUE BOMBER MUSEUM Ladies, gentlemen, hobos, rounders and prairie plutzkies…your 2026 Winnipeg Blue Bombers are 5–5, which is a PERFECT record if the objective is to be neither good nor bad enough to force anybody in management to do something. These Bombers are a football slot machine. Pull the handle and maybe you get a half of competent football…maybe you get 377 rushing yards surrendered to B.C.…maybe you get a 16–0 lead in Edmonton followed by three points and 35 yards of offence in the second half. Nobody knows! Least of all the fellows being paid to know. After every fresh disaster, out strolls head coach Mike O’Same, president and founder of S.A.M.E.—Stand Around, Mutter Excuses. Mikey surveys the smoking crater and announces that the fellas simply needed to make two or three more plays. Brilliant! The Hindenburg merely needed a couple more buckets of water. Meanwhile general manager Kyle Waiters, also known as the Duke of Stand-Pat, watches every other CFL club bring in receivers, defensive backs and pass rushers while Winnipeg guards its practice roster like it contains the lost treasures of King Solomon. Weak receiver room? Wait. Confused secondary? Wait. Ancient offensive line creaking like a haunted hotel? WAIT HARDER. Eventually another team will accidentally release an all-star directly into Kyle’s office. Then we have offensive coordinator Tommy Con-Dull, architect of the CFL’s last-place red-zone operation. Give Brady O-FEED-ME-ra the football and he bulldozes Edmonton for more than 100 yards before halftime. Naturally, Con-Dull responds by hiding Brady in the second half like he owes the coaching staff money. Why use your best offensive player when you can have Zach Colla-Rust fling another hopeful balloon toward a receiver moving with the speed of a refrigerator being dragged through wet cement? On defence, coordinator Jordan Yawner has installed his famous Prevent-Us-From-Winning scheme. Rush three, rotate seventeen defenders, place the defensive backs somewhere near Brandon and graciously concede the seven-yard completion. The opposition needs eight yards? Give them twelve. Need to protect field-goal range? Back everybody onto Portage Avenue. Watching this defence communicate before the snap is like watching six tourists assemble furniture without the instructions. The crazy part is there are still some genuine ballplayers trapped inside this travelling carnival. Brady remains the engine. Trey Va-VOOM is one of the most dangerous returners in the country. Willie Sackerson and Jake Sack-resna can still wreck an offensive line. Nic Demski continues to fight. But individual talent cannot overcome an organization that treats adjustment like an admission of guilt. Now the 9–1 Montreal Alouettes come marching into town. Mike O’Same will tell us the room is confident. Kyle Waiters will continue waiting. Jordan Yawner will station the secondary in St. Boniface. Tommy Con-Dull will discover a new method of reaching the four-yard line and emerging with three points. The prescription is painfully simple: FEED BRADY until the other club proves it can stop him. Play the best players—not the fellows with the longest service pins. Attack on defence instead of operating a government-funded receiver-relocation program. Bring in actual competition before the season becomes an archaeological exhibit. If the same problems keep producing the same losses…CHANGE SOMETHING. The dynasty is gone, folks. What remains is a 5–5 club living off the fumes of what it used to be, driven by coaches who appear convinced that stubbornness is a substitute for adjustment. But don’t worry. Mike O’Same says they’re only a couple plays away. Prolly.

This is a classic trap game for the Als. Bombers got em right where they want em. Yep.