Old Bomber Fan

if the play calling is done properly then Willy should have enough time to either throw deep or medium routes OR dump off an outlet or screen to Harris. Didn't see a screen called all night or for that matter during either game. Again I realize it is vanilla time however it is strange that both Montreal and Ottawa were in the same boat, actually this was Ottawa's first game, and yet they could move the ball at will. I think we have to take the rose coloured glasses off and look at what we saw, ineptitude, a lack of execution and poor play calling and a not very good defense. In the first game our subs outplayed Montreal's hence the victory. Today not so much we were basically even after they took Burris out of the game. Willy doesn't appear to read defenses well and as a result holds onto the ball far too long. Is this a result of poor play design or poor route running or simply poor recognition. How is it that Nichol move the ball much better than Willy in this game and the other two could do better than either Willy or Nichol on Friday. Finally it was apparent that when Willy was throwing the ball it seemed that the receivers were all standing still to receive the ball. Does this mean he cannot throw a timing pass aka Cavillo or Ray? In most sports the best pass is to the "open area or open ice"; a timing pass. I haven't seen one with the Bombers forever. I take that back Tom Clements could do it to perfection. A lost art? Who know. All I know is this offense, if what Nichol said in the post game comment is true (they were using 60-70% of the new offense and that it wasn't a new offense merely some plays taken from other teams that seemed to work for them), then we are in big trouble. I always thought you developed your offense around the talents of your players, something like putting a round peg in a round hole not trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Oh well I hope I am wrong but the first 5 games will tell the tale.

I realize this is only exhibition however the number ones on both sides of the ball are getting beat badly!!!! No imagination on offense, no consistency and apparently no stopping Ottawa's offense. If it wasn't for the Redblacks penalties this would be worse that it is! And this was supposed to be a turn around year!! Yup let's watch and see. LaPo hasn't learned a thing during his TV time. Glad I didn't renew my season tickets.

I have been reading Doug's columns since he was hired by the Free Press. Many will consider his columns negative, I don't. I consider them to be realistic. Yes some are of the obvious some are insightful. Bottom line is what he has said in this particular piece is quite correct. It is much easier to teach defense than it is to teach offense. That being said if follows that with an influx of new players the defense will gel much quicker than the offense. I too do not like the negative but at the same time do not like the rose coloured glasses positive approach. A much more palatable approach would be one that is more realistic than fiction. To suggest the Bombers are going to be barn burners this year???? Well that just doesn't make sense. Yes they have upgraded their personnel, they have changed coaching staff; however that being said does one think the other teams above us have not done the same? Therefore one can only assume, based on press reports from the Bombers themselves, that we have improved measurably more than those ahead of us. That remains to be seen. Optimistic, yes as always however reality says don't jump the gun. If one was to review the past say three years, it becomes painfully obvious that this team has not improved but regressed. Why is that? Is it because we have not recruited better players? Perhaps. Is it because our starting QB has been injured? Perhaps. Is it because of poor coaching? Perhaps. So if we assume that all three are collective reasons why we have done so poorly, one could expect an improvement this year, correct? Well only partially because we now have better personnel (we assume and have been told) , better coaches (we assume and have been told), and we have yet to find out if our starting QB will remain upright the entire season. What that does is leave the subject of gelling as a team in all three phases of the game. Should that fourth part of the puzzle come to fruition, then we can say we SHOULD improve. BUT that still has not accounted for the upgrades of those above us. Getting back to the topic, this only says that Doug Brown is stating the obvious and provides some insight into the workings of a successful football team. He is neither negative or positive, merely state the obvious at times and raising questions at other times. We will see who is right, remember to come back to this topic at years end to see if in fact what he has said has any merit. For me, Doug being an ex professional football player, and expounding on what he knows from experience, I'm inclined to go with him on this one.

To give credit where credit is due: they have improved the transportation debacle from day one to the current, they have a variety of food concessions that do offer a variety of food. However with that said you still cannot get out of the stadium at half time say if you take the shuttles. There has to be some sort of mechanism to permit this. With that said it is still difficult to get to and from the game and when you are 4kms away and have to drive 9kms to get the shuttle, well that is a mistake. Surely they can still improve on that one. As far as the food is concerned, I too used to enjoy going to the old stadium and have my smokey prior to the game. Now you can't enjoy a smokey at the game unless you eat it outside the stadium and you certainly can't take it in. That too is a mistake. Another point that annoyed me although I do understand that Miller is trying to address the younger crowd is the point to provide a "drinking" section for those who want to spend excessive amounts of money of money to buy excessively expensive beer and play "beer snake". I used to go to the game to watch a football game, not a bunch of drunks playing with plastic cups. And finally the product on the field is less than encouraging. Sorry to be the negative person however you asked for comments and these are mine.

Very surprised to see this. Denmark seldom missed anything thrown his way. Not only that but he is younger that Dressler and the other guy from Sask. Not sure what they are thinking at this point. Salary cap or not, to release a calibre of player like him to get a one year wonder says something to me. For their sake I hope they can fill the hole. Adams won't do it and I'm not sure Smith will either. Veltung (spelling sorry) was not given a chance to show his abilities either so not sure where they are going with this but good luck. Moves like this make me feel more certain that not renewing after many decades of season ticket holder was the right move.

I think that what has happened to this team in the past two years after continual promises and positive comments only to see a decline in performance throughout the entire team from head coach to place kicker explains why many are skeptical about what will happen next. Can you blame them? I doubt it. We all, myself included even though I have not renewed my season tickets, hope they will turn this around. Long gone are the glory days of Tom Clements, James West, Kenny Ploen etc BUT hopefully we can develop a team that is at least entertaining. My biggest complaint over the past several years is they simply are not entertaining and in most instances had already lost by half time. Oh on a few occasions they tried a big comeback in garbage time but the results were similar. Hence I can spend my entertainment dollar on something that is more entertaining and should I want to watch them play (bombers) then I can flip on the TV. Don't think I am a wagon jumper as I have been a loyal fan for over 62 years however even a blind squirrel can find the acorn once in awhile. Good luck, you will need it!

I don't agree with what has happened with Jones etc moving to Sask but I give him some credit with blowing up the team. It sends a huge message to the remiaining players and those who will replace them. I will wait to see how this turns out but I'm guessing that whomever is palying for them will be playing with alot of urgency and determination.

I can make the 1 1/2 hour track back to my cottage at the lake. Sorry I hit the send button before I finished the sentence.

Unfortunately I am a realist not someone who looks at the world through rose coloured glasses. As a result I doubt much will change. Yes the offense will improve slightly but not significantly enough to improve our record to playoff status. Our defense will remain the same, in otherwords still not good enough for a playoff appearance. Our special teams will be middle of the pack neither an improvement or a regression. Our head coach will continue to be stubborn (some call it loyalty and what is loyalty in professional sports nowadays) and cause a game or two. Our player personnel will improve only slightly. I do not have a lot of confidence in our scouting department even though we have built it up to a personnel standard of most CFL teams. I just don't feel they have the contacts down south to identify quality prospects. And finally I am not optimistic we will field an entertaining product based on past history. As for winning or losing, while I would like them to win, it isn't the number one priority for me. If I am going to the game, win or lose, I would like to be entertained. I do not want to go and watch a listless, predictable, unimaginative team play football and pay outrageous prices for concession food etc. I want to be able to leave if the game is the way it has been for the past number of years so

Mr. Perfect is bang on. Lapolice was given far too much credit for a Worman offense after we fired him because we had a petulant running back at the time. Evidence of his success was in fact in his offense's failure to either maintain or improve on the previous year's results. Just listening to him now on CJOB and he now says he has learned from watching and analyzing on TV etc. While I am not a fan, but do agree that he should have learned something in the past 3 years, we will see if he has learned and if he has can he put it to use on the field. Can he communicate to his players, can he develop an offense that uses the strengths and minimizes the weaknesses of its parts, can he garner the confidence of those in the system, can he adjust as required and in the end can he be successful. You can't put a square peg in a round hole so let's see what happens.

would be very interesting to find out who the contract was awarded to. If it was Miller's bunch then yes sue conflict of interest being one point, if it was someone else how reputable is the email - again if legal and binding without signature then yes sue again. If none of the fore mentioned then there I nothing. On another note to touch on what one person has said season ticket holders don't have to sue because of a poor product, that was expected sort of but as for the grey cup ticket price slash to fill the stadium with no regard for the true blue season ticket holder, well sue then by walking away. They are already hurting as numbers from last year are again down for 2016 so lets see what Mr. Miller has in store to repair yet another mis step by management.

I think you will see an exodus of not only new bomber fans but also us old folk. Where I sit with my season ticket friends of over 15 years or more 1/2 are not renewing next year. And then to rub in the season ticket holders faces to reduce prices, give away tickets etc with no consequences after demanding a 3 year contract for a lousy 100 off over inflated prices, well that I think has broken the camels back in other instances as well. Time will tell however the most telling stat is that season tickets sales and attendance has consistently gone down for the past 4 years, save for the first year at IGF and one can attribute that to the novelty of a new stadium albeit a bungled effort at that. I still wish them luck but will not travel to and from the lake each and every game to be embarrassed game in and game out, wanting to leave at half time but can't, and generally not entertained. I certainly don't mind losing, just look at our record of late, however I would like to be entertained while losing. Can't say that is happening anymore.

MOS is over his head as a HC. He is too stubborn and cannot make decisions. He has no control over the phases of his football team and seems to delegate without any oversight. Yes he is a player coach but does not hold them responsible for their actions. Great special teams coordinator though.

MB has never been a successful HC or OC in the CFL. I believe the best he has ever done with a team is 9-9 with Hamilton in his first year. His offense does not even attempt to stretch the field so the defense simply plays low and allows the 3 yard passes. Very interesting to watch the other teams as they seldom throw below 8 to 10 yards whereas we seldom throw beyond 8-10 yards. He should have been gone long ago but as has been stated here before MOS is too stubborn to make a move. He has demonstrated his stubbornness on many occasions this year so it is to be expected. Really sad because as a season ticket holder who will not be renewing his season tickets next year along with 4 others in our group of 8, I just don't care any more. MOS and MB have taken any enjoyment out of attending for me. Call me a wagon jumper if you will but before you do understand I have been a Bomber fan for over 60 years and this is the last straw. As has been stated in the news media and elsewhere, how is it that Ottawa can turn around an expansion team in a year; how come Edmonton can do the same. One answer; they have better coaches that we were unable to sign. I can't believe it is all the players fault.

I would say Washington could be a better DB however he doesn't seem to have learned what Pass Interference or Contacting the Kicker is! If one was to look at the stats, I would guess he is the most penalized DB in the league for this infraction and it has hurt us a ton! Just sayin

yes there are some loyal players out there Wild is one as you state. However many of the others noted are from old school not today's breed. However I'm sure that can be debated. I also heard that there is much discussion regarding Free agency after 2 years for rookies in the CFL. Perhaps they should adopt something like the NFL or the NHL or perhaps something like: the first 4 years of your career belong to the team who drafts you and develops you. Then you can become a restricted free agent with your draft team having the option to match any offers. That way the team at least has an opportunity to experience the benefit of their hard work and the player has an opportunity to solidify their reputation based on their level of play. The way it is now a team develops a player and while he may have a great second year, he can shop himself around or jump to the NFL. What does the team get in return, diddly squat. Don't think that is fair. Oh and as for Muamba, frankly we don't need him, good bye

You know in professional sports you get paid to perform and be accountable to those who pay your wage. Why is that any different here in Winnipeg? He hasn't been good all season and those who he has beaten out of a job or others who were beaten out by his predecessor are all doing fine. I could see it if he missed occasionally but to consistently miss converts and kick at a 68.75% accuracy, well that is not acceptable period. However with that said Oshea is too stubborn to put any pressure on this kid to improve. I watch the pregame warmups and more often than not the opposition kicker is out far earlier and longer practicing kicks etc whereas our kicker seems to do little. Only his second year but to drop this far off one has to wonder if his first was just a fluke or is this just a hiccup

that's 24179 paid attendance doubt there were that many in the stands, likely around 20,000. I'm guessing many season ticket holders or corporate tickets were absent. Can't wait to see how many will be there on Oct 24th. With good weather around the same with bad a lot less.

I agree Popp is not a good coach and never has been. He is a great GM but that's it. I think they will try to get another coach and put him back up to GM and tell him he ain't coachin no more!

While I totally understand that football is a business and I also understand that players have to make hay while the sun shines, it nevertheless irritates me to no end when a players turns their nose up at the organization who put in the time to develop them to become what they are today. There is no loyalty in sport any longer as the all mighty dollar rules all. I can only wonder where we would have been if that were the case back in the 50s and 60s where loyalty to the organization and teammates meant something. Frankly I'm glad he is gone, hope he falls on his rear end and didn't think he was that good in the first place. He was good at letting people know he made a play though but sure was absent when he screwed on up. Just my thoughts on a greedy football player.

I agree with the comments regarding screen passes and hot routes to negate the blitz. I have been questioning the OC of this team all last year for that exact problem. Why is it that other teams know and include in their offensive packages these concepts yet the Bombers cannot. Similarly why is it that a rookie QB can come into the league with what, one week of practice if that, and run around making the offense "work" while we have a similar QB in our stable yet he cannot see the light of day. I am not one to advocate getting rid of the incumbent and replace with whomever however when the fans can clearly see that the back up is like the starter and neither can move the team in these type of situations, it seems to me that you either implement screens or hot routes or get the QB out of the pocket to ease the pressure. On another note many years ago it was a no no to run a passing route less than ten yards off the line of scrimmage unless it was a running back flaring out of the backfield. Can anyone tell me the rational or benefit to throwing a 5 yard pass some twenty yards across the field. Our QBs do not have the arm strength to do this first and foremost and in most instances the DBs are all over the guy when the ball arrives. Seems to me our expectations for YACs is dictating our passing package. I think I would much prefer to know that if I am throwing to X and he makes the catch we will have a first down or more. Guess it is simply old school football and it has been either forgotten or bypassed. Just a few observations from a very disappointed fan.

I believe the Bombers stated they were freezing or lowering the ticket prices in the end zones so people who wished to engage in the beer snake and have beer spilled on them during the game would be encouraged to use these section and for no other reason. The grey cup tickets as stated by the bomber office are controlled by the CFL and they have no say in the ticket pricing. If that is so surely they have input the year before to suggest what a feasible ticket would be worth. With that said it still doesn't speak to the ransom that the Bombers have put on a grey cup ticket for season ticket holders. While they may sell out I doubt it will be with the majority of season ticket holders buying tickets. I know in our group that 10 out of 10 will not be buying their seats. Does that make us disloyal to the Bombers, certainly not, it simply shows we are not willing to be held ransom. I would think that there are many others who feel the same way to the point where they will not even renew their season tickets period. Just saying what is ok with some with very deep pockets isn't ok with others who still want to support their team as they have in the past with reasonable pricing. And yes I understand ticket prices will always go up, never down, but up in a reasonable way.

I think Wade Miller is trying to take a page out of the Jets' book when they first came back to Winnipeg. He forgets that they had a captive audience back then and now are looking for season ticket holders after 3 non playoff years. Yes he has a new stadium however the product on the field is lacking and the fan support has dwindled. Now he expects season ticket holders to opt in for 3 years of what just to get a $100.00 discount on a Grey Cup tickets. I won't be buying mine and told the Bomber office the same to which they didn't sound pleased. Perhaps high time that they started to think about the Winnipeg football fans and offer the discount if you renew for next year without holding them ransom for 2 additional years.

just to comment on one post regarding Willy waiting for our receivers to get open, in my mind you are right to a degree, he doesn't seem to have the ability to throw the ball to the spot where the ball and receiver will meet - in other words not wait until the receiver is standing still waiting for the ball but rather throw the ball to a spot and have the receiver run to that spot AKA Calvillo in Montreal and Ray in Toronto or Manning in Denver or Brady in New England.

I have been thinking for a long time, since maybe game two of the season that the offense was going to be the problem with the season for this team. A couple of reasons for this: 1. we have a o coordinator who has not been very successful during his time in the CFL and 2. we have Buck Pierce as a position coach and one that he is not well versed in. I also made the assumption that Pierce would likely be dealing with the QBs more than the running backs. The combination of these facts seemed to show me a few things which seem to have evolved during the season: 1. our offense regardless of what we think of the o line has become predictable with the exception of the last half of the last game, 2. our QB Willy in particular has developed happy feet and has also developed a tendency to hold the ball far too long (before you blame the o line for not giving him more time ask yourself how many times you have seen receivers standing still making a catch rather than running to a spot where the ball is being thrown and also consider how Brohm and Mavre were able to pick targets quicker than Willy even though Marve moved the pocket much better) and 3. our running game was/is next to nil (I too like Cotton but one game does not make him a good running back) and that can be related directly back to those in control of the offense. Reminds me a little of Tim Burke - great defensive mine who left the offense to others (one the same name as the incumbent) and what did that get him? With all that said I personally like Pierce as a person, not a positional coach - he does not possess the broad vision or knowledge required simply review his playing career to substantiate that comment. Secondly I don't believe our present O coordinator cannot and will not be successful in the CFL. For some reason he does not understand or if he does will not incorporate any timing routes for his receivers aka Cavillo in Montreal. And thirdly, they have to get Willie some good QB coaching - he could be our QB of the future but at the rate he is going he will not. Just my thought