Eternal optimist

Even if we do have the option of signing a 1st-round pick before drafting them (I have no idea if we do) - I still wouldn't do it. Assuming the best-case scenario and you do sign him before drafting and he ends up being way better than projected (i.e. the next Tom Brady/Julio Jones or whatever)... he'll definitely be on somebody's radar down south. NFL teams will be calling with the enticement of better pay, better recognition and more likely than not, the chance to for that player to chase their dream of playing in the NFL (assuming they're from the U.S.). If you keep him wrapped up under his CFL salary, it's a lose-lose situation for both parties: - The player ends up stuck playing below his potential/skill level, and is likely unhappy doing so. - The team ends up with an unmotivated player that is likely a earning a big paycheck for a rookie. This lose-lose situation is the same reason why CFL teams often release players under contract that have an opportunity to make it to the NFL (examples include Weston Dressler with the Riders a few years ago, most recently the Bombers released Quincy McDuffie so he can attempt to tryout for the Cowboys). It's generally considered an act of good faith by the CFL team and often if the player doesn't make cuts, they'll return to the team that released them in the first place. Also I'd definitely trade all our 2017 picks for BLM - even that would still be a steal.

Fun fact of the day: As of today (Feb 7) - 123 days to start of the preseason, 144 days to season opener and 150 days away from the home opener. Let the countdown begin! Not-so-fun fact of the day: 82 days until the Canadian personal tax deadline (April 30, 2017).

I think the reason they shy away from full kickoffs in OT is because then you could potentially end up with very long games in overtime....example in OT: Team 1 receives kickoff, botches the return and starts from their 15, they drive the field (taking as much time as a full drive in the CFL) and score a TD. Team 2 would then get a chance to answer, with the possibility of an equally long, sustained drive and if they were to score another TD, it'd go to double OT. Also if they were to enforce kickoffs, I'd assume they'd have to eliminate/omit the rouge on kickoffs in OT, which would just further confuse any layperson watching the CFL.

Have to agree with JuranBoldenRules here. If nothing else, when you're on offense (especially in football), you are inherently in control of the game...as the team on offense dictates the pace of play, when the play starts and gets to set the tone. Obviously, the defense gets the opportunity to call their own coverage as well, and there is definitely an art in calling effective defensive schemes. At the end of the day though, the D is really just guessing what they think the offense is going to run, and calling what they feel will be effective coverage against that. It's for this same reasoning that predictable offensive schemes fail so miserably, when the defense knows (or know more likely) what the offense is going to call, they lose that inherent edge of unpredictability. Also, choosing to start on D in OT kind of goes with that whole "playing not to lose" idea - you're counting on the opponent's offense to make a mistake first, instead of trying to win the game with your own offense.

Next they'll add Donald Trump to their neg. list as an offensive lineman, I'm sure Jonesy has heard of his protection skills for America's jobs and citizens... those same skills could be applied to protecting a QB!

That thread is currently under review.

Thank goodness, I was worried we wouldn't have a chat for the CFL week in March 2017.. In all seriousness though, I enjoy the chat function, as others have mentioned I too only use it exclusively for away games, since I attend home games. If the new cost model/system is based on a per-use basis, maybe consider only having it for 11 games for the regular season (Preseason + 9 away games + LDC)? That might help keep costs down.

Does that mean his goal is to find the best QB that can choke in the Grey Cup, and not win it?

... did we re-sign Leggett yet?

Or double-down and trade Denmark back to the Riders for Demski hah.

Find a way to remove February and March from the calendar year... Bomber seasons always seems so far away this time of year.

Who is, Kito Poblah, I think?...

The evolution of the internet has exponentially increased the amount of half-truths, misinformation and spin-doctoring in all facets of news outlets today. Look no further than the recent election to the south for a prime example of the devastating effects of a confused and misinformed public at large.

This will make my walk to work tomorrow slightly less cold.

Football is a team sport, I would think Burris has enough money for himself now since he's been a CFL starter for so long. As arrogant as he is, I think even he realizes time conquers all and the end of his career is near. Besides, every contract negotiation is different and Burris already (reportedly) took a much lower salary to have the opportunity to play in Ottawa in front of friends and family when the Bombers were trying to entice him to play here a few years ago. Also, Peyton Manning had previously won MVP awards, then took a pay cut leading into the Broncos 2016 season. Well - it was sort of a pay cut, he received less guaranteed salary and in exchange the Broncos upped his incentives... the Broncos then went on to win the Super Bowl. Can't recall any case where a QB wins an MVP award, then takes a pay cut the subsequent season...

I wouldn't really say it's a good sign, it just means that overall the fans were generally happy with the 2016 season - made the playoffs, had a winning season and took steps forward in several areas of our game. A lot of activity this time of year would usually only be from disgruntled fans talking about firing so-and-so and mismanagement of the team overall. The Bombers extended O'Shea and Co. so that argument is put to bed and I think most of us are just slightly disappointed at how far away the next home game is at this time of year. I always find January to April to be the longest time of year because of this.

The inherent problem with a bureaucracy is that it is a government that takes care of itself first. There will always be some level of mismanagement as a result of this. In addition, government entities face the issue of a lack of competition to keep them in check - a poorly managed private enterprise will just go belly up in the free market. Personally, I just can't wait until the Trudeau government honeymoon is over and the Bank of Canada finally admits the need to raise interest rates to stay competitive with our neighbors to the south. That is when things will really get interesting in both the real estate market because the millennial generation have some growing pains realizing how much debt they are actually in and the joy of watching the provincial governments (including our own) struggle to find ways to service our mountains of debt at higher interest rates.

I'd like to see Bo Levi Mitchell hah...obviously that won't happen though. Based on the current market I'd pass on Ray based on his injury history. Everyone seems pretty high on Franklin but I think we'd be overpaying for an unproven player. I guess Durant? Seems pretty slim pickings...

Due to how frequently players change teams in the CFL, I have two rules whenever I have a name stitched on the back of my jersey: 1. Player has to be retired 2. Player must've won at least one Grey Cup for the Bombers. As a younger fan, it forces me to do some research into some of the older players that I didn't know about because I wasn't around when they played. Suggestions that satisfy this criteria: Kenny Ploen, Greg Battle, Leo Lewis etc. Doing so means I'll never be stuck in the awkward position of having the jersey of a player that went south (Chris Matthews) or signed elsewhere (Odell Willis). It also gives me a chance to learn more about the Bombers. Just my two cents.

I love when Bomber players get involved in the community. Kudos to Mr. Leggett for contributing and remaining an important part to our city both on and off the field.

Let the Riders, and only the Riders play with 13 men on the field. I'd love to hear Jonesy explain away how the league is against them after another losing season with 13 men on the field.

Interesting, learn something new everyday I guess. If they don't, they really should. I guess by the very nature of PI it's almost always going to be a judgement call.

I think we can all agree PI calls is the biggest area needing improvement, if possible, I'd update the books to have a more clear, concise definition of what exactly pass interference is, if possible make it measurable and more black and white. Possible suggestions: 1. Instead of the ball has to be "catchable" (which is subjective at best) how about in order to call PI, the ball has to land within 5 yards of the receiver. It'd force the receiver to continue to try and make the play, instead of giving up on it because they know PI will be called. 2. Maybe find a way to define what "hand-fighting" actually is, and whether or not it is allowed. Even if you just had a laundry list of what situations PI is considered to be...I know it wouldn't be perfect by any stretch, but if the referees at least had a measurable set of standards to be met in order to call PI, it'd help in a number of ways... it would make it easier to train them as well as easier for the players and coaches, because they could then actually coach players on what they can and cannot do. As it stands right now, players are often robbed of good, clean plays with a tacky PI call, and coaches often will throw a challenge flag just on a whim in the hopes that command centre rules the defensive player sneezed too close to the receiver.

2017 CFL season slogan - make Saskatchewan great again!

We should pry Jabar Westerman from B.C. for the sheer confusion of having the Westerman/Westerman combo.