voodoochylde

That's awesome (and unfortunate that the team hasn't performed better).

Don't like that there isn't a cap. While there's always been under the table stuff that goes on in the CFL, this simply allows an owner with deep pockets (and more money than sense) to just buy their way forward should they feel so inclined.

With respect to O'Shea, it was an "optimistic hire" .. he wasn't a re-tread and that's the big take away I think .. Edmonton, if they move on from Jackson, is going to have to look to some of the coordinators around the league and make their own inspired choice. As for our game day experience - concessions .. tail gating .. communication & responsiveness (people's seating concerns at the start of the year is a prime example), half time entertainment all significantly better since Wade took over - and it's gotten better every year. They don't *have* to have big special events because honestly, the big event is just a bandaid. It may get people in the house initially but if everything else is shitty, it doesn't really matter.

Interesting that it doesn't note a maximum amount to spend .. $110K is the floor.

But also .. isn't it largely what the Bombers have been doing already? Passionate owner? Community owned but you can't deny Wade is passionate about the Bombers and the CFL. Successful coach? O'Shea was an inspired choice and was allowed to grow without interference or be subjected to knee jerk decisions (THIS WILL BE VITAL for the Elks). Get out into the community? We do that .. in spades. Special events to attract fans? This is all part of the bigger game day experience and something we've improved upon year over year. The biggest hurdle Edmonton has to face is fan apathy and that cavern of a stadium (which was a similar problem the Argos faced playing in Skydome). That won't be an easy task but it starts first with removing barriers for families to get out to games - make it cheap. A butt in a seat at a good price is far better than an empty stadium.

Honestly, what we've done here in terms of cultivating support, making it easy to come to a game (cost wise) and creating a great fan experience should be a blue print for all teams to follow. We started off TERRIBLY this season but still pulled in over 30K for our last home game? That's so impressive knowing how fickle (and frugal) Winnipeggers are.

I believe it's 200K per season / team so you're right in that they've used all of it. This also means that anyone else who was getting that little extra taste this year won't be getting it in subsequent years (at least on the books).

There was good defending early in the season? Honestly, the last few weeks are the best we’ve played defensively. Haba on the roster is subtraction by addition.

I know we would never know for certain (if we would have won) but these sorts of admissions piss me off so much. In a season where we've not made things easy on ourselves, it shouldn't be made worse by the league actively working against us (through sheer incompetence)

Regardless of the impact on this weekend, Rourke back in the CFL is good for the league and the Lions. I honestly don't know how they make it work with Adams long term but, with what he's being paid, it's unlikely they carry both beyond this season.

We won't be any longer. /thread accompli

Until BC actually acknowledges they need some semblance of a running game they will always be a flawed offense.

I'll believe it when I see it. He may be there and ready to play but it's not likely he starts against us.

There's no way Rourke steps in and plays this week.

Tell me why we let Grant walk?

You can't tell me that, after watching these last two games (last night's and today), we are a less talented team. ******* injuries, country club training camp and a stubborn coach have dug us a hole.

Dyce was heated there at the end. Wonder what went down.

That was crazy .. right call .. but crazy.

Stats through week 9. https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-CFL-League-Statistics-Week-9-1.pdf

Just a feature of his game at this point.

It’s also been the hallmark of Zach’s best (and most consistent) seasons.

He can't be any worse than what we've been trotting out there so far this year (well .. I'm telling myself that at any rate). A complete aside, I can't remember the last time we were absolutely decimated by injuries like this. If we somehow manage to turn things around over the back half of the year it'll be a testament to this team's perseverance.

This is a prime example of why stats, in isolation, are meaningless. They don’t tell the story of how many tackles he’s outright missed .. how many times he’s been dragged for extra yardage or run over .. they don’t show the plays he should have made if he was a few steps faster. I don’t think Bighill is the biggest issue on defense and you see that in some of the plays he makes, when he’s instinctual .. short yardage is a perfect example of this .. that said, anyone denying that his overall play has fallen off has their head in the sand. He doesn’t have the range he used to. He’s not as physical as he used to be. He doesn’t shed blocks and flow like he could in years past. He doesn’t react as quickly as he used to in pass coverage. These things matter and it’s why we should be grooming the next guy while Biggie still has some utility. I love Bighill and his leadership can’t be underestimated but time catches us all.

I agree. If we are really looking to try and salvage this season and make a push for the playoffs, there's a spot for Bailey. Both of the guys you listed have shown nothing. Contributed nothing. If we are looking forward to next year, then I can see the organization passing on Bailey with the idea that they are going to try and bring these guys along. It's pretty clear, this team misses a guy like Bailey who has a bit of juice (energy, fire, compete, hunger .. whatever you want to call it).

I think Bailey is a guy who loves football and isn't willing to set that aside easily. We have dead weight on the roster; guys who for the life of me I can't understand why they are still around. For this year at least, he sees the field and plays and I can see a world where he sticks around next season as well. While not the same player, Bailey reminds me a lot of Darvin Adams in terms of his attitude and the fire he brings the receiving group as a whole.