Atomic

IIRC Mike Reilly had a couple of work-outs with NFL team last year. Ray may be the last one who was signed. Graham Harrell would probably be the last CFL QB to sign an NFL deal. Though I don't think he ever actually threw a pass in the CFL.

For me, I just like the guy as a person and think he has always come across as a strong leader... I can't really point to anything other than that and his recent success as a special teams coordinator. I'd also be on board with Khari Jones as HC and Mike O'Shea as DC if that is what is going on here. O'Shea might have realized no one will hire him as HC with only ST coordinator experience, and Chris Jones isn't going anywhere... So he could come here to be the DC. So aside from his success as a special teams coordinator on a team that historically has had good special teams .. there's nothing else? I don't ask to be glib .. I'm one of those people who is curious about *WHY* O'Shea would be a good choice as Head Coach. I don't see the appeal myself .. especially for a team that's struggled (for the better part of a decade) to find an offensive identity. The head coach isn't going to give this team an offensive identity, that is the job of the offensive coordinator. The argument that we need an offensive-minded head coach to fix the offense is one that just doesn't fly with me. I think we need a strong LEADER, more than anything else. And no one will dispute that as a player and a coach, O'Shea has been a great leader. His experience as a coach is certainly limited but when you stack him up against other coaching candidates that have been floated out there, like Khari Jones, I think he is right on the same page as them. But to be honest, my preference is based on a gut feeling about the man as an individual more than anything else. I can't speak for the media or anyone else though.

Yep, lots of different ways to look at it. That's why I'd be interviewing guys from both camps - young up'n'comers and older guys who have had a shot at head coaching in the past. Make a decision based on who seems to bring the most to the table right now... and that includes coaching philosophy, possible guys they would bring on as coordinators, etc. It won't be an easy decision and there is no "slam dunk" candidate out there, IMO.

Can I get an Irony Alert on aisle 1? I'm pleased with this news. O'Shea would be one of the few "first timers" I would like to see coach our depleted team, the other was Dave Dickenson. Help me understand (anyone) with clarity why our organization would again give the reins to a 'first timer' considering how it's gone with the last couple of choices? Yes, absoutley, experienced head coaches taking on another head coaching gig have surley shite the bed, but maybe we swing the pendulum back to experience and try it agaiin. No? Maybe the best of both worlds is to hire George Cortez who has a bit of both. I get the sentiment, but for me, hiring a past failure as head coach is no better than hiring someone with no experience. In one situation, you're hoping someone who sucked before will be great now, while in the other situation you're hoping someone with no track record will be great now. Sure, the past experience might help, but when you're talking about a 62 year old man... is he really going to change his approach that much this time around? I doubt it.

Relax, it was a joke. And it looks like yesterday's lesson on the fallaciousness of arguments based on Appeals to Authority didn't really sink in, did it? Now I know why I didn't become a teacher. God you're dull

For me, I just like the guy as a person and think he has always come across as a strong leader... I can't really point to anything other than that and his recent success as a special teams coordinator. I'd also be on board with Khari Jones as HC and Mike O'Shea as DC if that is what is going on here. O'Shea might have realized no one will hire him as HC with only ST coordinator experience, and Chris Jones isn't going anywhere... So he could come here to be the DC.

If we're going with a rookie head coach, I think O'Shea would be a great pick. If it helps ensure we get Zach Collaros, even better. O'Shea for head coach and Khari Jones for OC would be just fine with me.

Ouch! No love for the expansion draft ? Free Agency, Canadian draft etc ? Uh, are those things happening in the next six days? Yep, it's all going down tomorrow at FOOTBALL FEST '13. Did you miss the memo?

Hamilton even had a 1-17 season in there

Big time. The inmates ran the asylum when he was here, luckily he had some pretty solid inmates who could lead. The total loss of control in 08 and downloading of the OC duties to Dinwiddie and Glenn in the second half of the season proved the guy can't handle any of the positions that require management skills. Good coach, not a manager. Not cut out to be a head coach or co-ordinator. OL coach or maybe even QB coach would be a good role for him, along with advising a young head coach. Don't want him in charge of anything. I vaguely remember Glenn calling plays when he didn't want to. But who was OC. Berry wasn't OC at the time....unless I'm confused. Kit Cartwright

I think they can both be great. Collaros' play is not an illusion, he is the real deal. He is confident, has a good arm, and what I really like is his escapability in the pocket. That is a valuable skill that you can't really teach. I think Reilly is just really inconsistent. It's easy to blame the team he has around him, but too many times he was terrible to start a game but then great to finish, just coming up short. He's got all the skills though, just a matter of putting together 60 solid minutes of football every game.

Denmark has had the same receivers coach since he's been in the CFL. I seem to recall Howell was a defensive and ST coach his first year. Was he also working with the receivers? You're right. Chris Wiesehan was the receivers coach in 2011 when Denmark arrived.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him in Ottawa if Lapo gets the head coaching job

He's a winner!!!

Keeping Burke on as DC seems totally absurd to me. Nothing against the guy as a defensive coordinator, but I just don't see how that could work.

Troy Westwood sure sounds pretty convinced on 1290 that Khari is going to be the guy

I get the feeling you're a fan of change for the sake of change. I just don't believe that a rookie GM and a rookie CEO led by a broken board of directors is what this team needs right now... or ever.

More of the same old, same old. Nothing will change. Dark times ahead.

Stamps vs Ticats, Ticats win

He was draft eligible this year so I think his CIS eligibility is done after this season. He punted 39 times for a 40.8 yard average and went 22/26 on field goals (85%). Whether he is truly CFL ready, I do not know. But those are nice numbers.

Well we gotta do something. I'd rather hold out for Lirim Hajrullahu but Whyte would be a nice pickup if that doesn't work out. Anyone but SANDRO.

That's because offensive lines are getting killed across the league right now. How many guys can you really call dominant? Outside of Calgary, every OL is pretty damn questionable most nights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekqsHP9Sck