M.Silverback

Culture and coach attracting players - That is very important, and a big part of building a consistent winner. A definite O'Shea strength. Hall and Lapo - that might indicate an O'Shea weakness. Failure to hire top coordinators and/or reluctance to replace them. Every coach has strengths and weaknesses. I like O'Shea and he's done well. My rants on this have been just to point out that just being competitive, to me, is not going to be good enough at some point. Not sure what point, but, winning the Grey Cup is the goal. At some point, find me someone who can.

Definitely on the right track. I like what they've done. And, they should only be evaluated on their time here. However, the organization with the spiffy new stadium is accountable for 29 years of no championships. I'm just saying at some point that has to factor into decisions about GM and HC. We're not there yet. I'm not chicken little here.

Agree. I'm not saying they deserve to be fired. The only thing I slightly disagree with is "a lot more time". Bill Belichik and Gregg Popovich have earned a lot more time, because of championships. Same with Hufnagel. O'Shea and Walters, have earned "more time". They are on the right path, and have built a contender. I'm just not ready to appoint them as GM and HC for life. And I do think at some point championships matter.

Ha! This is also the reason maybe teams and the league limit assistant coaches talking to the media. They're just not as savvy at what not to say. "43 mental errors" doesn't exactly fill me with confidence as a fan. So, you're saying our defense is bad? And I should take out my credit card and buy some tickets? At the very least if I were O'Shea I'd give him a how to speak to the media briefing. Short version - try to tell the fans we're doing great! Buy some tickets! All will be well!

I agree with you both. Plus, I like what Walters and O'Shea have done. And, I like consistency in a franchise's coaching and management. But, I also think in a 9 team league it's fair as a ticket buying fan base to expect a championship more than once every 29 years. I get that there are so many factors that go into winning the Grey Cup, with luck being part of it. But, using Calgary as the standard - 3 Grey Cup wins since 2008. That buys management and coaches a lot more leeway. Again, I'm not calling for anyone's jobs. But, at some point competitiveness and getting into the playoffs has to amount to more. And, I guarantee there are coaches out there looking at this team who think they could get us there.

Good point regarding coaching changes. It's never a binary choice. I'm not on the fire O'Shea bandwagon at present. However, at some point as an organization you have to measure a coach's performance against the ultimate goal - championships. Did you get to that level, did you win? I like what O'Shea and Walters have done. But, I can't say I'd be satisfied with say three more seasons of 9 or 10 wins then a first round playoff knock out. Not sure I'd take two more seasons of that. At some point you have to ask how do we get to the next level? And your current regime may not be capable of it. Or at least parts of it - maybe the coordinators have to go as step 1. It's one of the reasons why the Toronto Raptors fired coach of the year Dwane Casey. Very good coach. Wasn't able to elevate the team. It's why Paul Maurice will be fired at some point too.

I agree, he's pretty secure. No imminent danger. But, don't you think if the Bombers continue to slide, creep into the playoffs, continue to ride with mediocre game managing Nichols, lose first round, that O'Shea might be on the hot seat? I'm not on the fire O'Shea bandwagon. But unless you're name is Popovich or Belichick, as a coach, you will be fired at some point. Even Belichick was fired in the past.

Certainly looks like it. The coaches must be going nuts watching the game film. I'd be screaming at the video. Again, for self preservation as a head coach, one more outing like that from my starting QB and I'd go with Streveler just to try to save my job.

I do feel for Harris. Really amazing the level he's playing at given his age. With that said, why not keep riding that horse after he gets 100 yards first half?! Pretty clear the Argos couldn't stop him. And "game manager" at least implies to me that your QB can sustain a 20 point lead with a some time consuming drives. Hey, I've given up on 300 yard games with 3 touchdowns. I'll settle for eating the clock when you're up. Trestman - are you suggesting him as a coach? I vote hard no. He looked like a shell of his former Calvillo mentor self last couple of opportunities. Pierce - I'm game to give him a try. Looks like he's in line to get an opportunity somewhere. No idea if he's ready, but I think we've seen peak Lapo. Hall - he has to go. He had to go two seasons ago. Talk about talent - player by player we're top three in defensive talent in the CFL. No excuse for making MBT look like Aaron Rodgers last night.

Agree that Bighill has not been "bad". But, he's an NFL level talent. I expect a difference maker who makes big plays every game. Like Jefferson has been. I hold him to a much higher standard than a replacement level player. Defensive player of the year. Based on that, he's not playing at that level. That's why I think he's likely still a bit injured. And I do agree that the Richie Hall soft zone scheme and telegraphed blitz package is not making anyone look great on the Bomber D. And we've seen this scheme for how many seasons now?

Bighill - Yeah, I love the guy, but he's barely noticeable out there. I wonder if he's still injured. Hamstring injuries can really linger and are more limiting than most think. I fear a first round knock out as well. Even a Western final knockout I think signals time for some changes. QB for sure. Both coordinators. Head coach ... maybe.

It's possible. I suspect BC might still rationalize Reilly's huge contract by placing the blame on the lack of quality talent around him. In other words, he'd be great if he had a good OL, WR's, etc. Forgetting that one of the reasons you don't is because of his contract. And BLM - he could still come back, be the hero in the playoffs and win a Grey Cup. So, I think we're in for a couple of more seasons of teams throwing crazy money at QB's. Just hope Walters isn't one of them.

Agree. The big thing to consider is the next Nichols contract. Riding out 2020 with his $400K deal is still pretty good from a pure dollars perspective. But, there's no way I'd be willing to pay Mike Reilly or BLM money for him the year after. So, might be best to move on from him regardless of the outcome this year, and pass the torch to Streveler or some other lower priced option with potential.

It does. And the Bombers have an out mid January without any cap implications. It's going to be a tough decision. Likely easier if we poop the bed in the playoffs.

Exactly. Bighill definitely confirms this. The thing that surprised me a bit in the podcast was the perspective some coaches (he mentions Sean Payton) have towards special teams players. Basically, some teams don't place a value on a high performing special teams player, versus dressing your "best 53 players". So, you could have a LB who is great on special teams who doesn't make the game day roster because a DB or WR is considered one of the best 53 players, even if they are not as good on specials. I suppose special teams are less important in the NFL given most kick offs are touch backs, and most punts aren't returned.

Duke would be an awesome addition for any CFL team. I have a feeling though that he may stick around the NFL this year, even if it's on a practice roster. Zylstra I think is on his last chance in the NFL. He's talented enough, I just think that if he can't crack the roster this year and actually play (he only had one reception last season, and played special teams), I think the Vikings will move on from him and keep one of the players they drafted low in his place. Related to that, I highly recommend listening to Adam Bighill on the 3downnation podcast talking about CFL players trying to make NFL teams. In short, it's an uphill battle for so many reasons that don't necessarily have to do with talent.

Zylstra is on the bubble in Minnesota. Hope for his sake he makes the roster, but, he's high on my Bomber wish list, even with our improved receiver depth.

You make a good point about the Insiders columns coming across as disingenuous quotes from front office personnel and coaches who have some type of gripe. However, I have to admit, I enjoy reading it each week. Gives me a bit of glimpse behind the curtain, in the locker room. To me it's a welcome change from the bland coverage we get from team beat writers, who basically select from a menu of coach and player quotes each week, and provide very few insight, analysis or opinion pieces.

Well put. John Hodge, or anyone, suggesting that we should re-stock the Canadian OL shelf with one of the first round picks makes perfect sense. We did lose two Canadian all star OL. And, because of Kyle Walters' strategy of drafting OL, it looks like we will have capable players stepping into those spots. But, you should never stop drafting quality Canadians on the OL. Particularly if the CFL does change the ratio from 7 to 5 nationals. The two US players potentially stepping into the line up are not likely to be OL. CFL teams will always think OL first in terms of the ratio. Foolish not to.

The CFL draft is the toughest to predict in all of pro sports. So many factors to consider that other leagues just don't have because you are rarely picking the best player available. You're picking the best player available who will actually end up playing in the CFL. And even if they do, the question is when will they? I think Hodge does an excellent job of covering CFL prospects and the draft. Also found his comments interesting about the Bombers not starting a national running back beyond Andrew Harris. As great has Harris is, in a ratio breaking position, it's a bit of a tough balancing act when you start a national running back. Chances are your back up is American, meaning you have adjust your ratio elsewhere if you have an injury. Not sure I'd want that problem as a GM or coach. Might be easier to have a stable of cheap US born running backs on my roster and practice roster. We'll have to see if that type of thinking impacts where this excellent group of national running backs eligible for the draft get picked.

Interesting with the big salaries for Mitchell and Reilly, I think the CFL is getting closer to the point the NFL is at right now, where the most valuable commodity is a low or reasonably priced, very good QB. Players like Mahomes, Goff, are gold compared to dishing out $20 million per year for Kirk Cousins or Matt Ryan. The CFL doesn't get rookie QB's of that caliber, but, I think it's going to be more important in the next few seasons to find and develop quality, low priced QB's - like Streveler hopefully becomes. I'd rather have Streveler develop, pay him his next contract at abound $400 K per season over two or three years, then have to get into a $800 K per year bidding war for the top QB's. Plus, I love Mike Reilly, but his team missed the playoffs last year.

I think you have to let Streveler compete for the starting job next year. He’s gone the year after if he’s just a back up again. If he succeeds as a starter maybe he sticks around the CFL for starter money. I really think we have to move on from Nichols

O’Shea? Maybe. His son plays at u of Guelph now. Might be interested in the Argos job. But he’s under contract isn’t he?