M.Silverback

Yup. I'm a critic of Osh's roster decisions, and I think Jake should have retired/been released two seasons ago. But, if anyone thinks that JT is the reason we lost 3 Grey Cups, or that a DT's impact on the game is so great it determines championships (Aaron Donald maybe), you're off base. We lost those games primarily because our star players - marquee star QB primarily - came up short. And, because we made some dumb coaching decisions in game vs only in setting the roster (let's let our star QB, who has been playing poorly, continue in the game when a finger on his throwing hand has almost been amputated). Baffling.

I watched him play a lot in RSEQ. 3rd round was a bit high, but he was also very productive in the RSEQ. Real clutch WR with great hands and could catch in traffic. But, he wasn't a big play game breaker like Kevin Mital was. Still, I'm surprised he wasn't a rotational WR in the CFL. Maybe he could have been on the Redblacks, but he's moved on. Good for him.

I watched a lot of RSEQ football again this past season. Not as many high end prospects coming out of there this year as previously. However, I'd be shocked if Jeremiah Ojo doesn't turn into at least a solid rotational DL in the CFL. Tested really well at the combine, and was really dominant in RSEQ. He reminds me of Josh Archibald, who is now with the Alouettes, but I'd say he's quicker. If Kyle Walters is reading this, pick him, and you're welcome.

It's baffling to me not just because it reeks of being a "one of Osh's guys" type of signing. It also says that Walters and Osh evaluated the talent they currently have, what's out there as FA's, draft, and think Jake is a better option, starter or rotational. Based on talent he was barely a rotational option compared to who we had on the roster last year. This is really disappointing.

For a coach who gives off the old school, hard a$$ vibe to the media, he sure caves when it comes to confronting veterans about playing. ZC should have never went back into the game, whether he wanted to or not. Osh made the decision that a QB who could not grip a ball was a better choice than a healthy, able to scramble, back up QB. A pro also, who was part of the "everyone is a starter" gang. 2023 GC - did the same with Biggie and Schoen. It's baffling and infuriating. He'll survive this, but you have to wonder when it ends for Osh.

Yup. And his quote in the 3downnation article “We put him in a very tough spot,” O’Shea said at the podium. “It was a situation he demanded to be put in.” So, being a head coach means that players get to make playing demands, and you listen? Even when he admittedly can't grip a football and his finger is numb? Then throws two int's? Hey I'm not team Terry Wilson, but in that situation I'd take my chances with a guy who doesn't have a stitched up, bleeding throwing hand, and at least can run!

Agreed! Seems like in the past few years we've been reluctant to dip into the impact FA or trade pool because ... keeping the band together, messing with chemistry, only "bad" teams do that, I don't know. It's BS. If you're smart about it, and cut some high priced veteran talent that isn't giving you value at present, you can strategically add some big pieces. Something like Argos did adding Ceresna. Can you imagine how he would have impacted he would have had on our D line? I'm really disappointed with Walters actually.

I hope not. I’m tired of this version of the team. I can’t get excited about the prospect of Biggie, Jake, Alexander, even ZC back for 2025

Win or lose, there needs to be significant changes on this team next year

I think we’re basically agreeing. I don’t think Eli has shown much either yet. And, I said if he clearly had in practices, meetings, pretty sure the other coaches would be lobbying harder for him. I don’t think Kolo is a great center. Below average. So why not try Eli based in part to his pedigree - Remington trophy consideration - over Kolo?

100% agree that Eli should be starting over Kolo. And no debate that Osh makes many baffling roster decisions. I do wonder though if there's a bit more to him not starting than just Osh. OL coach, OC, even the DC and DL coaches give some input as to who they see as the best options. OL coach and OC give a lot of input on all teams. You have to wonder why they're not seemingly beating the Eli drum as hard as we fans are. Maybe they're seeing something in practices they don't like? Blown assigments, communication, conditioning ... just guesses. I get it, head coach has final say. But you know that in football the assistant coaches and especially coordinators are really vocal about player choices. And one final thing - if Eli was clearly blowing away Kolo in practice, regularly pancaking DL's, he'd be starting. I just think that although he's better than Kolo, the margin isn't massive. At least at present.

I wonder what it’s going to take for a change. Either from Osh, Walters or both. Team is 2-5, worst QB in the CFL statistically by far, and the Argos next week in TO. 2-6 enough to convince them to do something? It’s frustrating because the fanbase knows this team as currently constructed is done.

100% agree. Especially with O’Shea playing him in the Grey Cup. For a guy who is a supportive, players coach letting a guy play who had basically a career ending injury was stupid and cruel actually. And a coach’s job is to win. Playing Biggie and an injured Schoen was not doing your job. Like you said, tarnished his legacy for me because of that, and how he’s allowing that mentality to continue.

Was he there as a GM or fan? Because I’m not seeing much GM’ing these days

Did he have a paper bag on his head?

It’s about time the fans hear from Walters. At least as proof he’s still alive.

Didn't Osh play an extra Canadian most of last season? For some unknown reason? Patriotism? Stubborness? You're right about looking at other contracts first. I still think however that Walters should stick to the basic "rules" of contracts in pro football - never overpay a RB; never overpay an aging vet on the decline out of loyalty. And don't let a coach dictate the roster. Consecutive Grey Cup losses should have proven that. Close scores doesn't matter - Bombers were favoured and lost both. Should have been a wake up call that something needed to change.

No question he's better than Augustine. Not sure he's better than some late NFL cut who we could bring in. I like him, I just would have let some other GM overpay him.

Great point. Honestly that's what worries me most - we can't pin all of this on Osh. A lot of it for sure, in terms of player deployment, roster decisions. But, Walters is the boss. A lot of very questionable decisions. Paying two Cdn RB's so much money as many of pointed out. I know we're obliged to support BO because he's a Winnipeger, but good teams do not overpay RB's anymore. Especially one who is not really a game breaker. He's a reliable, 4-5 yard ball control RB. I don't think opposing DC's are in fear of BO lighting them up. NFL teams rarely overpay RB's. So many high profile ones are released. There's such an abundance of American RB's available I would never pay big bucks for one. I'd constantly be recruiting for new RB's, keep the prices reasonable. The other thing is as much as Osh's loyalty to certain players is an issue, the simple solution would be for Walters to have cut, traded, or not resigned some of these players. He's the boss, he could have told Osh that's the direction we're going. Like Thomas for sure, even Biggie I would have moved on from.

Changing the culture of a team is tough. Kudos to O'Shea (and Walters), for doing that. Four straight Grey Cup appearances. Can't take that away from O'Shea. Next toughest thing is knowing when to move on from some of the veterans in order to maintain that competitive, yet supportive culture. O'Shea is failing at that. One of his mistakes is thinking the "culture" is the veterans. It's not. Thinking that he has to hang on to Thomas, Neufeld, Biggie, even Collaros to some extent, to maintain the culture. It's Blue Bombers football. Like Patriots football, or Celtics basketball. Like you said, Mathews would have cut a vet. Belichick let players go all the time. Loyalty isn't about letting a player tell you when they want to stop playing. Sometimes it's about thanking them, respecting them, honoring their contributions, but telling them it's time to move on.

Good thing Osh dressed 19 LB’s

Is Oakman still available?

The O’Shea post game presser is going to be a new level of infuriating.

Just curious, why are people so excited about Mason Bennett considering he couldn’t stick with the Ti-cats? Local guy, but what else?

I watched every game for one RSEQ team for the last 4 years, and am in no way an actual football scout, but here's my take on some of the RSEQ players: Ben Labrosse and Kevin Mital - they are two of the three best football players I've seen in the RSEQ. The other was Josh Archibald, now on the BC Lions. Labrosse and Mital will definitely make CFL rosters this season. Both should be impact players in the CFL. Nathaniel Dumolin-Duguay - He's at least a backup guard in the CFL now, starter down the road. Laval OL are really well prepared to play at the next level, providing they have the size, athleticism, which he does. Dawson Pierre - Hodge has him going in the 4th round. If a team gets him in the 4th round they've scored. I'd be shocked if he doesn't have a decent CFL career. Special team player at a minimum. Every game I watched he made an impact. Totally disruptive force on D. Draft writers talk about him playing in the box in the CFL. I think he could stick with safety, be a Taylor Loffler type. I'm a big fan of his. Frédérik Antoine - Depending on the team, I think he could make a roster next season. Laval's offense was so good he probably didn't stand out as much as he could have on another team. Fast, smooth, good hands. Had a good combine.