M.Silverback
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Posts posted by M.Silverback
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8 minutes ago, Booch said:
exactly...you have to assess this regime on their contribution...not their predecessors...first 2 years were total wash/rebuild ones...the last 3 we are the second winningest team in the CFL...same as this year being top (for now)...let what has finally been built and established grow and continue...to pull a redo...cause its 29 years and counting is plain suicide...i look at it as year 4 and counting now...and we seem to be on right track
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.
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18 minutes ago, 17to85 said:
Ok but Walter's and oshea haven't been here for 29 years, and honestly a big problem in that streak is the constantly firing coaches and gms when they hit a rough patch. No one ever got to build any consistancy. Walter's and oshea are the first ones and the results thus far seem positive. Always a playoff contender now, expectations of being a top team. Those guys have earned a lot more time.
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.
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16 minutes ago, J5V said:
One or two errors I can see getting corrected but 43? How the hell do you correct 43 errors in a week? That's insane! If we're that effed up on defense at this point in the season we are quite literally screwed. If I'm MOS I'm looking at Richie Hall and saying, are you effing kidding me? 43 errors! Tell me you're effing joking because this is not funny!
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!
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23 minutes ago, Throw Long Bannatyne said:
As long as O'Shea and Walters can keep the team in the vicinity of first place every year in the West as the Stamps have for the past decade not sure how much more can be demanded of them. Playoffs are a crap shoot, but odds are if they can accomplish the first objective they should be able to win a G.C. at least once every 4 years, it seems reasonable to expect that they claim their first within the next two years.
15 minutes ago, Noeller said:If we can be competitive year in and year out, we can't ask for a lot more. GCs will come if you're competitive consistently....
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.
- JCon, Tracker and Fatty Liver
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6 minutes ago, Tracker said:
You are assuming that this is binary choice: either O'Shea and status quo or back to the dark ages. There are probably several choices in between or even better than the current regime. Khari seems to have turned the Als' season around and the Riders are arguably little worse for Chris Jones' departure.
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.
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2 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:
O'Shea is in no danger of being fired.
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.
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6 minutes ago, Doublezero said:
I doubt Lapo is calling those check-downs. That's Nichols unable to get through his reads and then ditching on the play.
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.
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51 minutes ago, J5V said:
Imagine being Andrew Harris and watching Nichols "manage" a 20-0 lead yesterday. I feel absolutely sick for the guy. Bleeds blue and gold and plays his guts out every game only to have all his hard work frittered away. Can you imagine this team without Andrew Harris?
Marc Trestman, Buck Pierce, Richie Hall. I can dream. But reality is, I'm just embarrassed.
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.
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4 minutes ago, Brandon said:
2 - I think people are over exaggerating the crapping on Bighill. While he hasn't been rock solid he's far from playing bad. I think a lot of the bad look comes from the completely open 10 yards down the field zone that the Blue allow.
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?
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7 minutes ago, Tracker said:
-What the hell has happened to Bighill? Wilson was way more effective, but, like Nichols, he is allowed to flail around out there without consequence
-This team will probably stagger into the playoffs, and lose out in the first round under Nichols. Probably (ick) to the Riders.
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.
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11 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:
I believe the MR and BLM contracts won't be the norm going forward for QBs. CGY has been able to make a go of it so far, we will see what happens come the 2nd half. And BC is struggling mostly due to MR contract (my opinion anyway).
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.
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15 minutes ago, Tracker said:
This is gonna be a tough choice for the Bombers. Nichols has shown that he can win, albeit inconsistently. Streveler has shown that he has the tools but lacks the experience and under O'Shea and LaPolice, he may not get it in Winnipeg. We cannot expect Streveler to bide his time endlessly waiting for his opportunity, so the most likely scenario is that the Bombers will trade one or the other, and I am personally leaning towards keeping Streveler.
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.
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12 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:
I believe that Nichols deal runs through 2020.
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.
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1 hour ago, Booch said:
Most of the time its politics and image.
If a draft pick is battling with a CFL guy and even not as good..they will be elevated above the CFL guy..its just how it works...not right but picks have to be justified.
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.
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18 hours ago, wbbfan said:
Zylstra and duke are guys who would improve every team in the league.
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.
- The Classic, wbbfan and Fatty Liver
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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.
- wbbfan and The Classic
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22 hours ago, gcn11 said:
I didn't hear anyone questioning that. Just pointing out that Walters/OShea/Lapo had growing pains of their own that we went through. They have morphed into maybe the league's best trio but let's not pretend it was all smooth sailing right from the beginning. As a rookie, Walters had a terrible first year. Drew Willy....need I say more. Since then he has redeemed himself.
I just find it disingenuous when INSIDERS from the Bombers (unless it's Lapo) feel the need to take swipes at a GM that is 5 years removed from here. Especially, when they were a part of the brain trust he relied on....and don't give me this crap that Mack just did whatever he wanted on draft day. He never scouted a NAT EVER. He was going off the scouting reports handed to him by one Kyle Walters.
If Walters is salty about Mack picking Pencer all those years ago he shouldn't have provided the name with a glowing endorsement.
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.
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27 minutes ago, Atomic said:
Fair to say the OL will probably take a bit of a step back after losing Goossen and Chungh... they were both really, really good. I don't expect Couture and Gray to immediately be at their level but at least Couture has been around for years already and Gray is an A+ prospect. Speller and Foketi also provide some options. It could be a lot worse. I still expect us to take an OL at 4 or 5.
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.
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44 minutes ago, JCon said:
Honest question, does Hodge EVER predict what the Bombers will do correctly? My recollection is that he's usually way off.
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.
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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.
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1 minute ago, trueBlue83 said:
Spend the money on Bighill, and lets expect better from our QB. Weve had more than enough ge to judge Nichols by, and beyond his first half a season as starter, hes been mediocre. This season, subpar is being nice.
Play calling wasnt great today, but I bet LaPo would have loved to have Streveler in there. That's on O'Shea. Would love to be a fly on the wall at half time. If LaPo didnt ask for the change, hes no better.
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
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1 minute ago, bustamente said:
You don't think he would have any interest of going back to Southern Ontario.
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?
Game Day Thread- Bombers at Arblows
in Blue Bomber Discussion
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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.