Rich

No where did I say that a new team should be punished.  What I said is that existing teams (and by extension their fan bases who have been supporting them) shouldn't be punished to such a degree, where an expansion team is taking the players that they scouted and invested time and money in developing so that the new team is better then them.  
 
You can infer from that that the new team is being punished, but the reasoning behind it is not directly that the new team should be punished.
 
And for the third time, I will ask you again.   What would you have considered to be a fair expansion draft.  I'd like to know what you thought Ottawa would have deserved to have been gifted to them from every other team in the league.

I don't think that is Buddhist.
I do believe that is Klingon.

I don't think that is Buddhist.
I do believe that is Klingon.

I completely disagree.   The CJFL has a very strong working relationship with the CFL, especially in the PFC.  (Prairie Football Conference)    This agreement allows CFL teams to have junior players in their camps without counting against the numbers.  It also allows for players to practice with the CFL club while continuing to play for their junior club.   CFL teams are allowed 4 players in this window.    It is part of their commitment to help develop football players in Canada.    The CFL teams (especially in the West) financially support the junior clubs.   Their reward is that they can protect the players that they have invested in, but only if that player doesn't play CIS.   Once that player plays in the CFL or CIS, he becomes just like any other player, and the special status is removed.
 
Without the agreements, it would likely be the death of Junior football in Canada, as most teams would not survive financially without the support of the CFL.  Running a team on the Prairies is about a quarter million dollar per year program.  It is true that there are more teams in BC, but historically, they haven't been as talented.  The PFC teams have won 4 of the last 5 championships, and 15 of the last 20.   The Riders have been the most successful in having players move from Junior directly to the CFL.   The majority of former Junior players who go onto the CFL, spend their first couple of years in Junior and then progress to the CIS and are exposed to the draft.   The CJFL is actually the best choice for most players coming out of high school, as they can play at a high level for 2 years without burning any CIS eligibility.  Top players in the league get the best college scholarship offers, usually much better than players coming fresh from high school.    The CJFL is an "age group" league, so unlike the CIS there is no incentives to "red shirt" a player.   The other role that the CJFL has taken on, is it provides a high level of football for players who may not be well suited to university, or who's school of choice doesn't have a football program.   Many Rifles are students at RRCC or UofW, in addition to those who are at UofM or have jobs.
 
As for Goodrich, he is an outstanding young talent, who puts more time in the gym and training than most pro players do.      2 years ago, when Goodrich and Carter were both on the Rifles, they were both outstanding.   Carter was more the Joe Poplawski type of receiver, great hands, good routes, very reliable.   Goodrich was more of a big play guy (the Milt of the CJFL).  Faster than anyone else in the CJFL, and once he got into open field it was a touchdown.   That has continued even though he normally gets double coverage and teams try to bracket him.  I certainly hope the Bombers sign him and bring him to camp.

I think Walters is well aware of this based on his comments on H&L yesterday.  He basically said a successful long term strategy is to draft 2 OLineman each draft.  One early that can compete with the team this year and one later that can develop and come back the following year.
 
Unfortunately you can't magically fix an O-Line over night.

I think Mike takes care of those types of problems....  

You must have quite the high IQ score because I can't really grasp the point either. 
 
You suggested the Bombers make an alternate announcement then the one that they did.   But you haven't really said what that announcement should be to illustrate how it would have made more sense and been done in a better way.

I think Walters is well aware of this based on his comments on H&L yesterday.  He basically said a successful long term strategy is to draft 2 OLineman each draft.  One early that can compete with the team this year and one later that can develop and come back the following year.
 
Unfortunately you can't magically fix an O-Line over night.

Should be able to get it here
 
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/walters-bombers-have-to-balance-slow-build-with-winning-now-1.126376

For sure he deserved some of the flak he took in the past, but the team as a whole didn't play well defensively.  They take some of the blame as well.  Having confidence that your defenders will take away rebounds and be in the right positions is huge for a goalie.  Right now, it looks like the whole team has bought in, and it is showing dividends.
 
In his last 5 games, Pavs has a .955 save percentage, 1.15 GAA, and 1 shutout.   Certainly those numbers are not sustainable over the long term, and will be a big challenge against Pittsburgh.     In only one of those games did he let in more then 1 goal.
 
The team needs to start scoring more goals, so that as Pavelec's numbers come back down to reality, we continue to win games. Hopefully he remains steady back there.

For sure he deserved some of the flak he took in the past, but the team as a whole didn't play well defensively.  They take some of the blame as well.  Having confidence that your defenders will take away rebounds and be in the right positions is huge for a goalie.  Right now, it looks like the whole team has bought in, and it is showing dividends.
 
In his last 5 games, Pavs has a .955 save percentage, 1.15 GAA, and 1 shutout.   Certainly those numbers are not sustainable over the long term, and will be a big challenge against Pittsburgh.     In only one of those games did he let in more then 1 goal.
 
The team needs to start scoring more goals, so that as Pavelec's numbers come back down to reality, we continue to win games. Hopefully he remains steady back there.

I've upgraded the site to the latest version of the forum software tonight.
 
This is typically a larger update then the incremental security patches that regularly get applied.
 
Everything seems to be working, but these updates can sometimes break some of the 3rd party hooks and add ons that are on the site.  Let me know if you see any issues or problems.
 
From the release notes of the patch, there is really only one item of note that some of you may notice:
Internet Explorer 11 Copy/Paste Issue has been fixed ​There have also been some fixes for people who login through their Facebook account, but I don't think we have many people who do that.

You really think a vague communication is better than being specific?   Wouldn’t this just cause more confusion and questions from people now wondering what will be allowed and not be allowed?  People are supposed to try and guess what now is allowed and what isn't, risking being punished if they guess wrong?  
 
The team got a lot of negative publicity when they banned the beer snake.   It was made into a big deal by the media and the people who enjoyed doing it.  They made a point of saying that the decision is now reversed.  Given the media attention it got at the time, yes it is worthwhile to mention in a press conference.
 
I could really care less if they bring the beer snake back or not.  But there are some people who enjoy that sort of thing, even if they are “juvenile”.  If that gets more butts in the seats, and increases beer sales without hurting anyone else, then have at it.

I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.  
 
Yes, I think winning is job #1 and I think they understand that.
 
They also realize that creating a fun environment and listening to what their fan base wants is another avenue towards success.  It really does take both.  You can argue whether or not bringing the beer snake back is creating a "fun environment".   But I think it represents more the gesture then whether or not it will actually sell more tickets.  It is trying to say we value you us customers to our product and we will try to give you and entertain you in the way you want to be entertained (as long as they can do it safely), rather then a take it or leave it proposition.   They are trying to put the "fun" back into going to the game.  Trying to make it an event, an atmosphere. 
 
You can see the beginnings of that this year with the party tent outside the stadium before the game.  The DJ "traffic busters" after the game.  Getting fans to raise the flag before each game.  Getting people to stand and cheer on all kick-offs.  It is all part of a bigger picture to create a culture and atmosphere that people enjoy and want to be a part of.  (Even though a lot of it is copied from Seattle)   Some of it will work, some of it won't.  But at least they are trying different things.
 
Of course they want to win and build a winner.  But nothing is guaranteed.  Sure they believe the right people are in place to do the job or they wouldn't be there.  But we really don't know if they CAN do the job for another year or two (whether you want to hear that or not).   Nothing, especially in professional sports, is certain.  
 
So yes, they are trying to build a winner.  But that doesn't mean they can't try and build a fun atmosphere outside of that.  It is only smart business to hedge your bets like that.  And in a perfect world, when the team starts winning, and all of these things they are trying combine together, IGF will be an amazing, fun rocking place to be. And when the younger fans go and experience that first hand .... that is how you build long term support of the club.

As someone who doesn't care about the beer snake or section S one way or another, I find it extremely nitpicky to be upset that they happened to announce a change in policy.  How are people supposed to know otherwise?  Seems like the introduction of a "student" section is something that people would have to know about for it to actually work.

I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.  
 
Yes, I think winning is job #1 and I think they understand that.
 
They also realize that creating a fun environment and listening to what their fan base wants is another avenue towards success.  It really does take both.  You can argue whether or not bringing the beer snake back is creating a "fun environment".   But I think it represents more the gesture then whether or not it will actually sell more tickets.  It is trying to say we value you us customers to our product and we will try to give you and entertain you in the way you want to be entertained (as long as they can do it safely), rather then a take it or leave it proposition.   They are trying to put the "fun" back into going to the game.  Trying to make it an event, an atmosphere. 
 
You can see the beginnings of that this year with the party tent outside the stadium before the game.  The DJ "traffic busters" after the game.  Getting fans to raise the flag before each game.  Getting people to stand and cheer on all kick-offs.  It is all part of a bigger picture to create a culture and atmosphere that people enjoy and want to be a part of.  (Even though a lot of it is copied from Seattle)   Some of it will work, some of it won't.  But at least they are trying different things.
 
Of course they want to win and build a winner.  But nothing is guaranteed.  Sure they believe the right people are in place to do the job or they wouldn't be there.  But we really don't know if they CAN do the job for another year or two (whether you want to hear that or not).   Nothing, especially in professional sports, is certain.  
 
So yes, they are trying to build a winner.  But that doesn't mean they can't try and build a fun atmosphere outside of that.  It is only smart business to hedge your bets like that.  And in a perfect world, when the team starts winning, and all of these things they are trying combine together, IGF will be an amazing, fun rocking place to be. And when the younger fans go and experience that first hand .... that is how you build long term support of the club.

I don't think the two are mutually exclusive.  
 
Yes, I think winning is job #1 and I think they understand that.
 
They also realize that creating a fun environment and listening to what their fan base wants is another avenue towards success.  It really does take both.  You can argue whether or not bringing the beer snake back is creating a "fun environment".   But I think it represents more the gesture then whether or not it will actually sell more tickets.  It is trying to say we value you us customers to our product and we will try to give you and entertain you in the way you want to be entertained (as long as they can do it safely), rather then a take it or leave it proposition.   They are trying to put the "fun" back into going to the game.  Trying to make it an event, an atmosphere. 
 
You can see the beginnings of that this year with the party tent outside the stadium before the game.  The DJ "traffic busters" after the game.  Getting fans to raise the flag before each game.  Getting people to stand and cheer on all kick-offs.  It is all part of a bigger picture to create a culture and atmosphere that people enjoy and want to be a part of.  (Even though a lot of it is copied from Seattle)   Some of it will work, some of it won't.  But at least they are trying different things.
 
Of course they want to win and build a winner.  But nothing is guaranteed.  Sure they believe the right people are in place to do the job or they wouldn't be there.  But we really don't know if they CAN do the job for another year or two (whether you want to hear that or not).   Nothing, especially in professional sports, is certain.  
 
So yes, they are trying to build a winner.  But that doesn't mean they can't try and build a fun atmosphere outside of that.  It is only smart business to hedge your bets like that.  And in a perfect world, when the team starts winning, and all of these things they are trying combine together, IGF will be an amazing, fun rocking place to be. And when the younger fans go and experience that first hand .... that is how you build long term support of the club.

I think Mike takes care of those types of problems....  

This is a message board.  When has that ever stopped anyone?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_CFL_Draft
 
It really depends on what the conditions were on what the Brohm and Portis trades were.    Can't see Portis being a 2nd round pick given playing time.  It was reported that the Brohm trade was at least a 4th rounder.  Don't know what the high end was, or what the conditions were.
 
We do get an extra 4th rounder from the Alex Hall deal from SK.

At the very least, Bucknor is the type of guy where even if his spot is upgraded and isn’t a starter next year, he has proven he is capable of stepping in.
 
His presence on the roster allows for an injury replacement in game from a Canadian if a DB goes down.
 
He isn’t a must sign, but it is guys like this that build the depth for a championship team.  And this team really needs to keep all the NI depth it can.
 
Special Teams wise, he only has 1 tackle on record.  Have to admit though, I never really watched for him on special teams to assess his play.

I believe it is a combination of scheme and players.  Yes, we could get better play from our front 4.
 
But a lot of Etch's schemes involve putting a large number of players on the LOS for confusion.  Sometimes it is an all out blitz, sometimes they drop back in coverage.
 
When we are blitzing, we need to get more pressure on the QB consistently.   This wasn't always the case in the later half of the year.
 
When we are dropping back into coverage, this is when we are more susceptible to the run, because if the RB makes it past the initial line of attack, we don't have linebackers in a more "classic" formation to cover the running back (because they were on the LOS and are retreating to get back into position), so the running gains tend to be bigger.
 
Personally, I prefer a much more in your face, smash mouth, simple defense.  We do what we do and we do it well.   Something you can deliver like BC when you have players like Elimimian and Bighill to bring the hurt.  I do realize those players don't come along every day, but I prefer that style to the disguise and confuse of Etch.    

I believe it is a combination of scheme and players.  Yes, we could get better play from our front 4.
 
But a lot of Etch's schemes involve putting a large number of players on the LOS for confusion.  Sometimes it is an all out blitz, sometimes they drop back in coverage.
 
When we are blitzing, we need to get more pressure on the QB consistently.   This wasn't always the case in the later half of the year.
 
When we are dropping back into coverage, this is when we are more susceptible to the run, because if the RB makes it past the initial line of attack, we don't have linebackers in a more "classic" formation to cover the running back (because they were on the LOS and are retreating to get back into position), so the running gains tend to be bigger.
 
Personally, I prefer a much more in your face, smash mouth, simple defense.  We do what we do and we do it well.   Something you can deliver like BC when you have players like Elimimian and Bighill to bring the hurt.  I do realize those players don't come along every day, but I prefer that style to the disguise and confuse of Etch.    

I believe it is a combination of scheme and players.  Yes, we could get better play from our front 4.
 
But a lot of Etch's schemes involve putting a large number of players on the LOS for confusion.  Sometimes it is an all out blitz, sometimes they drop back in coverage.
 
When we are blitzing, we need to get more pressure on the QB consistently.   This wasn't always the case in the later half of the year.
 
When we are dropping back into coverage, this is when we are more susceptible to the run, because if the RB makes it past the initial line of attack, we don't have linebackers in a more "classic" formation to cover the running back (because they were on the LOS and are retreating to get back into position), so the running gains tend to be bigger.
 
Personally, I prefer a much more in your face, smash mouth, simple defense.  We do what we do and we do it well.   Something you can deliver like BC when you have players like Elimimian and Bighill to bring the hurt.  I do realize those players don't come along every day, but I prefer that style to the disguise and confuse of Etch.    

Curious on your reasoning for not wanting Brohm back.  Wouldn't it make sense to have your QBs play a similar style in terms of developing plays / game plans / and prep for how you are going to attack an opponent?  So that when the backup has to come in, they can essentially execute the same game plan that was planned for?
 
Or do you look at having the different style as a change of pace QB.  A 1a/b type situation where you can throw a guy in for a different look and have a few designed plays for him to execute.
 
And this isn't meant as a shot against Marve or anything like that.  I really like what I've seen from the guy and do want to see more.  Just curious about your reasoning for dumping Brohm.