do or die

Ok we lost a tough one,last nite....and on the face of it.....the turnovers killed us. 
 
On a upbeat note - I truly believe that we finally have the pieces, in terms of structure, management, coaching, and scouting, that will enable this organization to succeed, going forward.  We have already seen some of the trickle down effect, this season..... stability, sense of purpose, leadership, attitude, etc.  The long term prognosis is good.
 
Willy hit a rough patch, last night, but on balance...for the year, so far....looking at his coachability, decision making, throwing, demeanor, and attitude.....we finally have a QB, we can continue to move forward with.
 
But, with the understanding that the Bombers won 9 games, in the last 2 seasons.....our current record aside, this team is certainly still a work in progress.
 
Areas of concern moving forward..... 
 
Unbalanced Offense:
 
The total inability of this team to run or run block, is beginning to render the offense, a much easier one to plan for, to play against....and a harder one to play quarterback for.  Teams with good D lines (like the Riders and Esks), have carte blanch to peel back their ears and hobo rush the QB. Bombers continue to plug away at it, in terms of carries - but at this point, we are merely wasting a bunch of plays.   Play action, which was effective, early in the season, is now...not being taken seriously by anyone.  The repeated 2nd and longs simply puts even more pressure on our 1st year QB starter.
 
Offensive Play Calling
 
Need more emphasis on finding other ways to take the pressure off of Willy....instead of run plays inside...that go nowhere.  We have a back, who's strengths are catching the ball and bouncing to the outside - yet not enough pitches, sweeps and screens.  Also need to get Cotton in certain situations, to at least try to move the pile, sometimes.  Some of the passing plays, like bombs on possession downs, had me scratching my head, the quick hitch pass has disappeared.   Just not seeing enough adjustments, overall.
 
Run D
 
Yes, in the ole Etch scheme, the emphasis is on pre-snap movement, overloading formations, and multiple blitzes - racing in jailbreak fashion to the opposition QB. For what it is designed to do - it works.  However, consistent gap cancellation in the run game is just not going to happen with this scheme.  That said....too many backs are getting simply too much YAC (yards after contact).  Front 7 is undersized, and we lack that stone cold run stopper (or two), who can drop RB's in their tracks.  Messam wore down the D, and helped Riders control the ball in the 2nd half, last night.
 
OL
 
Fairly creditable job in pass pro most nights, but the factors listed above are having an gradual impact on overall performance.  Building depth in this area is a longer proposition, and we simply do not have the depth to have starters out of the lineup.  It is a mystery, though.... why we cannot find a top grade import or two....to help shore some things up in the short term....
 
Consistency on Special Teams
 
Good cover on kicks, bad cover on kick, ok return, lousy return, turnnover, good return blocking, bad return blocking - wash, rinse, repeat.  Mix of good and bad plays - expected better with O'Shea on board.  Realize that we have a lot of youth/inexperience on ST, but have to get this settled down as time goes by.  Until Washington is coached up, to stop holding the ball like a loaf of bread....he will have to take a rest from KR. Woods catches the ball well, but is too small to move all the piles he runs into.   The outstanding performance of our rookie CDN kicker...sticks out like a sore thumb. 
 
Some folks talk about the Blue "being exposed".....not really - that happened 3 weeks ago against Edmonton, with most of the same problems, prevalent....
 
Some of this stuff will be fixed, by later this year.....some probably not
Stay tuned...
 

You put a ton more pressure on a D, with the capability to both run and pass.....much bigger playbook, and they can set each other up, depending on personnel and opponent......

Revised thread title:
 
Do or Die's obscene gesture after E.J Kuale drops game clinching interception....

You put a ton more pressure on a D, with the capability to both run and pass.....much bigger playbook, and they can set each other up, depending on personnel and opponent......

Fun to be keyed up to fever pitch, for a big game, for a change......
 
Fortunately, over the years, have devised a reliable system to deal with the nerves......
 
1.  If the Bombers win, consume copious amounts of gin
2.  It the Riders win....see: no.1

This is certainly not like Riders fans discussing the various brands of corn liquor......

Bombay....the immortal Ritch Dowrey known as - 3rdDown, persuaded me to switch.....

Bombay....the immortal Ritch Dowrey known as - 3rdDown, persuaded me to switch.....

Bombay....the immortal Ritch Dowrey known as - 3rdDown, persuaded me to switch.....

Bombay....the immortal Ritch Dowrey known as - 3rdDown, persuaded me to switch.....

As a fallback, we have backups with excellent YouTube footage ........

As a fallback, we have backups with excellent YouTube footage ........

As a fallback, we have backups with excellent YouTube footage ........

Bombers really have to come out with the physicality, that was lacking against the Moes.  Their OL is banged up, Durant is nicked, and Riders have short prep time.   Our front 4 needs to duplicate what Edmonton's front did to us.......and just bang away on them. 

Bombers really have to come out with the physicality, that was lacking against the Moes.  Their OL is banged up, Durant is nicked, and Riders have short prep time.   Our front 4 needs to duplicate what Edmonton's front did to us.......and just bang away on them. 

Put a Soc in it......

Some players are the cancer.  Bad coaches simply lack the insight and fortitude....to deal with the cancers....

We have had various forms of cancer, since about 2003.....

More coaches, more individual attention + leadership and direction the from top (HC) = young players coached up, better development

Good thing,  that any Willy haters don't have to

Lets not kid ourselves, Watson actually in the lineup, makes us a far more dangerous receiving corps, and upgrades blocking down field.

Lets not kid ourselves, Watson actually in the lineup, makes us a far more dangerous receiving corps, and upgrades blocking down field.

When there is pressure in the pocket, some QB are quick to pull down and scramble around.  Others move around just enough, while maintaining the concentration level, to keep looking down the field.    The latter, tend to have longer careers in this league.   Willy certainly has the look of a 10 yr guy.

The cancers were around before Burke....

Nothing like having Popp and Don Matthews looking over your shoulder.....hope the Higg can find a soft landing....