M.Silverback

This guy says you're wrong.

Ha! He was a mean SOB on the field! How about I put it this way - the players already know who is injured and what their injury is. They know it the moment the player goes down. They hear about other players injuries in practice from other players, coaches, in the league. The can see a player favoring a body part immediately. So, again, who is O'Shea protecting by telling the fans "lower body" and "needs more time"? Everyone in the league knew Oliveira broke his ankle, or Masoli tore his ACL. Why hide it from fans who just want to be more engaged with their teams? And has this type of disclosure impacted the level of play or player safety at all in the NFL? No.

It's idiotic that the Bombers are so tight lipped about player injuries. The NFL literally mandates teams to release injury lists each week (big gambling and fantasy football business to support). Also keeps the fans engaged. You know, the people who make this professional sport possible by buying tickets, merchandise and paying for cable TV. What purpose does hiding injuries serve the Bombers? Does O'Shea honestly think that other teams have a white board where they would track the bodily location of injuries for players so they could "target" them when they returned? He played the game. He should know better.

Exactly. Hey, we're 6 - 2, so something is working. But, I really don't see the current Bomber offense as a tough one to scheme against as a DC.

A win is a win. But, there are some analytics stats types covering the NFL that have some evidence to support the theory that how you win or lose is a predictor of future success or failure. So, winning close games; winning because of special teams plays versus productive offense; giving up a lot of yards or points on defense - might mean that you're not quite as good as your record. And those deficits may catch up to you late in the season or the playoffs where the level of play in all three areas rises. Not saying the Bombers hit all of those, but some for sure - offense has not really produced lately.

Good point. My post wasn't meant to absolve Lapo and Nichols. I just think it was an interesting comment from a smart former player. Also interesting how much better the receiving core is with Adams in there. I have to admit, I did expect Matthews and Whitehead to be consistently be better deep threats. I know, "Nichols checks down too much; Lapo is not calling deep plays". Agreed. But, even a casual watching of the film doesn't exactly scream that opposing corners are worried much about either as deep threats. Are they excellent route runners? Not sure.

A former Bomber goes to the same gym as I do. I overheard him in a spirited discussion with another gym patron who was expressing his displeasure with the Bombers offense this weekend. The former Bomber was diplomatic but said, among other things, "Bomber receivers can't get open. Except for Wolitarsky". Interesting take. Is it possible we as fans should shift some of the blame to the receivers? Not just Lapo and Nichols?

Wonder if there are any hotshot NFL backup QB’s who might be cut 😀?

Yes I suspect Hervey and Reilly would go pretty hard after Zylstra. Do they have the cap room? Could cut Carter I suppose. I was hopeful the Bombers could put together a better offer. I’d also be ok cutting Matthews for Zylstra if necessary

Zylstra is not having a great camp or first pre season game. I hope for his sake he turns it around and makes the Vikings. But I hope for our sake Walters has been in touch with him and his people. Big upgrade.

It's not all he does. But he does lead the league in pass attempts under 2 yards. And, attempts over 20 yards. A bit of a contradiction for sure. And yet he is still without a 300 yard game this season. So, is his completion percentage over 20 yards low? What about medium range - first down range - 10 -15 yards? Is he lower than average with that? I completely get it - 6 - 2; 300 yard games don't equal wins necessarily. But, he's average to slightly below. And the offense is predictable and lacking any consistent big threats or contributors, other than Harris. That's not exactly filling me with confidence we can go all the way without hoping for a Chicago Bears '85 level defense, and/or a punt/kick return TD every game.

Correct. And agree, truly only winning matters. And we'll likely be 7 - 2 by the end of next week. All good. Just think as the season goes on, as an offense you may want to increase the percentage of pass attempts beyond 2 yards of the line of scrimmage. Pretty easy to scheme against as an DC in the playoffs - stop Harris running and catching check downs. The end.

I'll just leave this here.

I can't defend anyone who calls into any radio show. Apologies to anyone on this board who does, but my tolerance level for listening to fans rambling questions/comments on radio is about 3 minutes. And they usually take that long to get to their "question". So, yes, it's not easy for Bob Irving to deal with.

Ha! He's excellent at game play by play. Truly one of the best ever. But, his tweets and call in show comments at times are drifting into "you kids get out of my yard!" range. Plus, I think to ensure O'Shea keeps coming back on his show he can't take a position too contrary to the head coach. Thus the Nichols love fest.

It's a moot discussion. Given the team is likely soon to be 7 - 2, O'Shea is not pulling Nichols. Streveler is only getting in for extended time if Nichols gets injured. Plus, he likes Nichols. This all gets revisited in January 2020 when the Bombers can walk away from Nichols $455K per year without a cap hit. Plus, Nichols will likely be looking for an extension and a raise for the following year. A lot depends on how we finish, but from a cap management perspective, Walters has to consider if he can replace or upgrade at the QB position for less salary. I cringe thinking of paying Nichols more than his current salary. Rather go with Streveler or Arbuckle or unnamed youngster for $300K or so per year.

To me I think the team, and the fans, need to start looking at QB's through a salary cap lens more. The question always should be do you want to spend say $600 - $800K on a QB? If so, which QB's? Right now there are only 2 in the entire CFL that you could justify paying that to, and one of them isn't exactly tearing it up in BC. If I'm a GM in this new tight cap world my rule would be who is the best QB I can get for $300 - $450K maximum? I'd feel that if I can get average to slightly above average play from my QB, and I build up the team around him, I could contend for a cup in a 9 team league. So, why not keep Nichols you ask? Because he's going to price himself out of that range and he is not worth a penny more than his current salary for his slightly below to average level play. I'd ride with a $350 K per year Streveler or Arbuckle. And perhaps a new OC. 😅

Nichols is signed for 2020 at $450K per year, but the Bombers have an out in January 2020 where they can let him go without any cap hit. That's where things get tricky, and a lot depends on how we finish. Grey Cup win - I'd say they re-sign Nichols to a Trevor Harris level contract. Not saying I'd be thrilled, but how can you not retain your Grey Cup winning QB? Playoff loss first or second round - not sure. Perhaps Walters and O'Shea realize that paying Nichols $600 - 700K per year is not worth it, and they try to go with a lower cost/higher return option. Streveler, Arbuckle, unknown promising youngster ... for somewhere near $300 per year, and use the remaining money to shore up some other areas of the team. You sell it to the fan base and Nichols as a cap decision versus a statement on him as a player. That's the way I'd go as make believe GM.

So is it Lapo or Nichols? I truly am confused. But the offense just isn’t working

We’re officially in trouble

Not sure why Jefferson isn’t in the NFL. He’s outstanding

Managing the sh#t out this game Matty Thin Ice! Check down.

I love this. Let’s make Matty Thin Ice a thing.

I got O'Shea and Da Bombers 72 - zip tonight. Da Bombers!

Ha! There are other possible coaches with potential to consider in the wide world of football than ones who have already failed as CFL head coaches. I don't have a list off the top of my head, but they exist. Good old Mike O'Shea was one, and has done pretty, pretty well so far. Just saying, let's not anoint him as a present day Belichik quite yet.