Sard

http://globalnews.ca/video/3532893/highlights-winnipeg-blue-bombers-38-38-edmonton-eskimos
Global comes through again with the nice highlights package.

I agree that Thomas got held, although that's the type of hold you're always going to see guys get away with. I do not agree that Hurl got boxed out because of a slow reaction time though, I'd say he got boxed out because Thomas got destroyed by the guard so easily that he was washed into the second level almost immediately. Thomas is backed into Hurl before the back even hits the line of scrimmage. Hurl is on the wrong side of Thomas because he read the play correctly, but the back adjusted based on the huge hole his blocker created for him.

I tend to agree with you most of the time.
As far as I know none of the posters here have any experience as a Linebacking scout or CFL defensive coach. I'm sure the team watches video and can assess where plays go wrong. After a couple bad games COLLECTIVELY by the Bombers I know everyone started chasing Hurl out with pitch forks, take a step back and just think for a second that maybe Hurl was doing his job and the guys around him were in the wrong spots.
Not saying I know anything about the position or the situation but i am willing to bet MOS knows a little more than we do.

agree 100% he is a capable MLB but he isn't an all-star or world beater..  IF we have a dominant front 4 then having an average MLB who can stop the RB if he gets thru or can cover a crossing route, we good.   Its not like hes an absolute slouch..
 
 

and I honestly don't think Hurl is *THAT* bad....he's adequate, but not a superstar Barrin Simpson-type....which is find, *IF* you have a dynamite Front 4. I'm not ready to say they've fixed their problems...not until I see it myself.....but it sure seems like they're trying.

for the role expected of the MLB in our defense, why is that so crazy to you?  We have been trying to find a dominant D-line (which is the reason why our LB core can be less then spectacular.   People get so hung up on preconceived notions around here.   MLB doesn't NEED to be a stud. they can be a game manager just like a game manager QB..  Hes got the smarts to make sure everyone is where they need to be and hes got the skills to make the tackles when they need to be.  Hes also very much a systems guy so when hes assigned a gap, he sticks to it until the very bitter end and thats why he gets caught "out of position" he usually is in his position but then has to cover for either a blown gap by the D-line or by the WIL. 
 
Hes far from a superstar but hes definitely solid and dependable and more then capable of the handling the mental side of things.

Knox is still on the roster,it's not written in stone that Hurl will start. Perhaps we should wait and see if Hurl starts and how Hurl plays before we say all is lost and woe is me??

Penalties set up 21 Esks points.....this cannot continue.

For all the flags they threw last night how they didn't throw one when (Lankford?) got popped out of bounds on a return was beyond me.  It was pretty damned obvious, official  right there .. and the entire sideline reacted to it.
As a general comment, I hate how much the CFL errs on the side of the offence when it comes to PI calls .. more than a few instances last night where the refs threw flags (against both teams) where I thought to myself, "Really?" Let defenders play for Christ sake.

Westerman roughing the passer was a joke, he was getting held blatantly with no call but then they throw the flag on the hit.

#84 the entire 4th quarter. I'm telling you. Someone should make a video montage

Loved the John Rush hit on special teams.... that kid has to make the team.

Saw a couple of offsides early in the game as well, but yeah, they were pretty bloody obvious in the 4th.  Not sure where the refs were looking on those ones.
Overall a pretty exciting game for pre-season though, and it was great to see almost 25,000 people show up for the game on what turned out to be a pretty great night for football.  Thank God it's June!!

Matt Nichols is going to be really effective this year. He can read a defence and will have all day to throw. Add Harris to the mix this offence will open some eyes up around the league.

Not sure why people are worried about our defense considering they didn't do anything on the DL other than bullrush. It was as vanilla as it gets, and I noticed a lot of the breakdowns were when Butcher and/or Scott were in.

Lots of good bomber players tonight. Nichols had a great first half though a slow start. 19/24, we'll over 200 yards, no ints, extrapolate those yards and it shows the qb did a fine job 
Harris was a beast. 
Davis had a hell of a time taking the snaps in the third. Then he found a groove. What a groove it was. The pass to Washington was a 59 yard gain. I'm not sure how effen far he threw that rock but Christ, to me that pass was the most spectacular play of the game. That ball must have travelled 70 -75 yards in the air and #77 really bust his butt to get under it. 
The rookie kicker mermaid-briere didn't hurt himself at all. He's no Medlock but he was composed and performed. He had the length, but was wide on 50 yard FG but darn, he has potential. He's far from being an Alex Serna. 
On special teams #32 Rush made several solid punishing hits. 
That O.L. Is mean. Well after a play, during a mild scrum, #60 Bond laid a huge vicious forearm to a Edmonton d lineman that sent him back. There was no penalty call but that O.L. Looks like it wants to punish people.

The refing was terrible. Chaosmonkey and I were having a hoot watching #84 on Edmonton go offside every play in the 4th quarter. It wasn't even close. 
That and some of the PI calls were pretty laughable.
The 4th quarter was comedic but wouldn't have been funny if it was regular season

The roughing call at the end and the PI on the two pointer seemed like pure unadulterated bull plop.

I see people talking about burke and kelly. Ill chime in. You can say what you want about mr kelly but you cant question his passion and his love of the bombers and this city. Coaching the bombers was his dream job. Yeah he was a loudmouth and did things that embarassed the team but... In football all that matters is winning and mike kelly was the last game of the season away from making the playoffs. Burke? Man oh man.. He was the opposite really... Nice guy... But very little passion showed. Bottom line tho... Mike Kellys bombers woop tim burkes bombers every day of the week. 

totally agree.  Nichols has proven that being a smart, savvy QB who doesn't make many mistakes and cause turnovers can be successful.  Its not like his arm is garbage or he cant run either.  Hes not an athletic freak like some people need as a QB but hes a very smart game managing QB who is more then capable.   I have no issues going forward with Nichols at the helm until we see Davis progress further or we find the next diamond in the rough..

how?!  he proved himself in Edmonton and then here.  Hes proven himself.   all hes done is win when he has been a starter.  how much more proving does a guy need to do?

I find this conversation very interesting considering this tweet yesterday from Derek Taylor:
No question it could be better, but he's ranked right up there in the top 5 for red-zone passing.

I find this conversation very interesting considering this tweet yesterday from Derek Taylor:
No question it could be better, but he's ranked right up there in the top 5 for red-zone passing.

Show us your TDs!