M.Silverback

Completely agree, that's what should happen. What will happen is O'Shea will stick with Nichols, unless he's so injured he can't play. And, I bet we sneak off a win in the Banjo Bowl - maybe a pick 6, punt return TD, Medlock kicks 6 FG's - and the fan base gets lulled back to sleep thinking - "we're back in it". Ultimately, I think the story has been written for this season if we stick with the status quo - sneak in playoffs, one game bye-bye. If nothing changes, nothing changes. I also see an end of season media day where O'Shea praises Nichols for his toughness playing through injury, and that he may need surgery. So the question then - is an injured Nichols (knee - everyone in the league knows), better than a stud athlete with potential Streveler at QB? O'Shea's answer will be "he gave us our best chance to win".

I think today’s players tune out an old school, red faced, screaming disciplinarian type - like Ditka. But, I think you need a coach who is clear that if you don’t play well, or your back up is playing better, you sit. O’Shea is not that. Way too loyal.

Good write up by John Hodge on 3downnation. 221 yard average passing per game for 8 games; pretty much a 1:1 ratio TD passes to interceptions. You need more from a starting QB if you expect to win. Especially a $400K per year QB http://3downnation.com/2018/09/03/nichols-feeds-critics-labour-day-classic-loss-nine-thoughts/

Ok so he’s currently better than MBT or Pipkin. He’s 7th best in the league. Is that good enough to win (make?) the playoffs or win a championship? No!!!!

At what point does the locker room start thinking about Streveler being a better option? 8 TD passes. Can run. Gotta be soon

Short answer - yes. Flutie could move in the pocket, find the vertical receivers, not check down every other play. Not defending our pedestrian receivers, but come on. There’s no metric where Nichols is succeeding as a QB.

If I told you I watched a pro QB and his numbers were he threw for 166 yards, 2 picks and 1 TD, you’d probably guess the team lost. He’s just not getting it done. Those numbers suck. Period. I honestly don’t know who I choose him over right now in terms of CFL starting QB’s.

Nichols holds on to the ball forever!!!! Help your OL out!

Organizations that have stability in coaching and management generally do better in the long run - Patriots, Spurs ... But you’re right, 5 years and really little progress - maybe even regression - is enough. I think Walters will survive this, but 9-9 or worse and a first round knock out - I think O’Shea might not survive that. Certainly not Hall. Nichols will be in a QB competition too.

Be nice to draft Brady Oliveira if he tests okay at the combine. Looks like he's going to put up good numbers this year at UND. All Oak Park backfield!

Walters isn't perfect, but, overall he's not the problem (I know, we can't find American receivers ...). He's upgraded the overall talent of this team in his time. The other area I have to give Walters credit for is he's pretty good about taking decisive action when things aren't working out. Trading Willy, Bowman, cutting Ekakitie (which took some stones to admit you messed up a first overall pick). The Hall love-in confuses me, but, I think that bodes well for future moves that need to happen, depending on the rest of the year.

Great point. Kind of a bogus statistic if you're playing a great QB who finds a target, then gets bumped as the receiver runs down field (hello Kamar Jorden).

Definitely the offense two and outs hurt the defense. But, I’m not quite getting the Bombers version of the bend-don’t-break defense. Usually that’s some variation of a Cover 2 defense, where you shouldn’t get burned deep, but the middle of the field 10 – 15 yards is vulnerable. But, to address that vulnerable area, shouldn’t your middle linebacker be dropping back in that zone? Or safety stepping up? Our scheme seems like Bighill often plays in the box or close to. And Loffler is awol. Bighill is super talented and can drop into coverage. He’s the anti-Hurl. Use him better Coach Hall!

I think Streveler would give us a better chance of winning and better QB play than Nichols. Current Nichols. My opinion. Pretty clear.

That’s a great question. Better chance of accolades in the CFL (all star, awards) than if you’re a fringe NFL’er. But, maybe it’s a money question too. An agent may crunch the numbers and if you can make the 53 man roster in the NFL for say 4 years, at the minimum salary, you probably net more $ than an 8 year CFL starter. That said, I really think he should come back soon. Don’t think he’s NFL material, but would be great here

That’s what I was implying. I think Streveler would give us a better chance of winning than the current (possibly hurt?, certainly rattled) incarnation of Nichols.

Lol! Thanks for the reminder of those guys. Just threw up in my mouth a bit. All teams are secretive about injuries, but the Bombers are the KGB. We’ll never know. Plus I think Nichols is smart enough to know if he was out for an extended time he may be out for good because of our collective man-crush, Strevelation!!!

Good for Moe for owning his poor play. That’s veteran leadership. And I agree, in the grand scheme of Bomber woes, he’s not the problem. Better than Nichols passive aggressive shots at his receivers. Have to agree with Stegall on that one – they’re not complaining publicly about the one-hoppers and overthrows that they’re getting from Nichols. Loffler has been an enigma. What happened to him? Wonky knees finally giving out? Because as a safety you need to either cover, hit or be a ball hawk – he’s doing none. He’s Cauchy Muamba level now. Somebody hop in a time machine and get me Paul Bennett.

O’Shea rarely calls out players. And I have heard him refer to coaches having to be better. Two games like we just had warrant something more than “it’s a team game ...” Hall should be gone next season, but, so will a bunch of players if this keeps up.

Surprising coming from him. But what is he supposed to say - “good effort fellas, have an orange slice”. What do you want a coach to say to the fans after that **** show?

Agree the offense has to do more but come on. 500 yards last week and this week! They’re soft in coverage, Bighill has been replaced by a mellower clone of himself, and the D-line gets virtually no pressure. Let’s be real - we’re not good on either side of the ball. Consequences ....

In the well deserved Nichols and general offense bashing, let us not forget the 516 yards our defense gave up, including 249 to Jorden. Mind boggling with that much high priced talent out there.

I'd like to see that too. But, I don't think it will happen. Football coaches in general are very reluctant to pull their starting QB when they're struggling. They aren't like hockey coaches pulling their goalie who's struggling, even if they are the established starter (like Peter Laviolette yanking Rinne whenever he sucked). I'd like to see that approach, but, I also get why you wouldn't do it as a HC in football. Unless you're really unclear on who your starter is, like in Toronto where Franklin never really was the set-in-stone starter. That said, Streveler has the bigger upside than Nichols. I think the coaches and management see that too. Just a matter of how and when you start considering that. I think a 9 - 9 season, and a first round knockout, might create a "competition" for QB next camp.

Fair point. But how does he take the next step on the bench? I like Nichols, but he is who he is. And at some point soon management has to decide whether it’s worth paying $400K plus per year for the sixth best starting QB in the league, or roll the dice on $200K or so for Streveler, who might end up being better.

Definitely. And let’s remember that this regime has been there before. Not too long ago Winnipeg was “Willypeg”. They’re loyal, but not stupid (maybe about WR’s ...) I trust they see what we do - Nichols is good, not elite; and Streveler could be something special. My only fear is Streveler gets an NFL look in the next year or two.