Captain Blue

How does Brooks not get thrown out of the game?

I don't completely disagree...but I do disagree at least a bit. I think LaPo's "Streveler Offense" did a pretty good job of emphasizing his mobility, either on designed runs or play action. I personally would prefer a ton more zone read, still, in that offense, but I just want to make the point that I do think the Nichols Offense and the Streveler Offense were pretty different.

And in to clear double coverage...

I really am confused why we won't use our Canadian receivers. Forget the passports, they may actually provide more reliability. Not that they are necessarily the better receivers, but our imports are struggling to get open and post high catch rates.

Completely agree with all of it. This defense isn't amazing by any means, but they're containing teams at a decent rate, until they reach a breaking point. I don't think its a coincidence that break point is consistently after the offense fails on several drives.

We were within one score despite doing almost nothing via the pass game all day. Nichols put us in a hole early. Defense kept us in the game and Nichols and the offense managed to get and carry the lead for a while - and then that was about it for the offensive production for the day. The defense isn't perfect, but unless you expect them to post zeroes across the board its going to be difficult to win games. "2nd half collapse" would seem to give them more blame, when in reality if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have been in the game at all. In the first, third and fourth quarter today, the offense managed 9 points (3 x 3). Not all of that is on Nichols, obviously, but its pretty clear that he is currently a major issue.

Weirdly, I still feel pretty good about the Bombers other than Matt Nichols. Like, I think this result would be drastically different if they had started or even switched to Chris Streveler. Nichols burned several possessions by taking terrible sacks. Sure spent a lot of time pointing to where his receivers should be after the play was done, too. The Riders provide very little offense but rely on their defense to win games. That bodes well for them when Nichols is completing 50% of his passes, throwing for <200 yards and spending most of his game doing almost nothing. If we had even a mediocre passing offense today, I think we win.

Matt Nichols is done. Sit him down on the bench. If this team trots him out for the Banjo Bowl, they should all be ashamed. Defense played pretty well. 14 of those points against were from Nichols and the special teams. Not their fault Nichols is having less success than Antonio Freaking Pipkin.

Wide open out route and he can't even make the throw.

Pretty clear that LaPo doesn't even trust Nichols at this point. Not even attempting to stretch the field.

If Nichols is going to continue to eat the football or throw it away, Streveler gives you his running advantage.

I would have liked to have known what the question was CJOB had asked him, but regardless I've got to agree in that it is poorly worded at best and throwing his teammates under the bus at worst. I definitely can buy in to the idea that Nichols is spiralling a bit now, letting his emotions get to him and making poor decisions on and off the field.

We are going to be in real trouble against Saskatchewan.

This could be a season turning point. And it's turning in the wrong direction. Osh is going to have to answer all week why he didn't pull Nichols. C Hard to support 15 after this one.

Gotta put in Streveler. You don't have to make it permanent, but let's see if he can get the offense going. Nichols has cost us this game so far and at some point he's going to make sure this ship sinks.

Defensive breakdown for sure. Was only a matter of time before Calgary scored. Their offense at least has been able to move the ball, you can only hope to limit the damage.

I don't think its unreasonable to say that LaPolice is losing faith in Nichols. Looks more like Nichols is getting the kiddie offense with these checkdowns.

The only thing the live mic does is show what a weasel Dickenson is. He's a clown. Constantly on the refs with ridiculous requests.

Nichols starts the second half with an underthrow of an open Adams deep and then collapses in the pocket for an ugly throw away. The pitchforks sharpen.

The heat on Osh and Nichols will be turned up all second half. Either Nichols gets his act together or he needs to get yanked. I'd give Strev the whole second half at this point. 89 yards passing in the half isn't going to cut it and we can't afford to waste a few more games.

Man, Nichols is just in a hole and he isn't getting out of it right now. I think you really have to pull him at this point - leaving way too many points on the field.

The location is never going to be perfect for everyone. We just need to accept that. The Polo Park location was farther for me. Giving myself extra time to and from the game was an accepted reality. IGF is much closer to me now, but I know many others whose drive/trip has now been extended. There are always going to be a ton of people unhappy with wherever you build it. There are a ton of options to get to and from the stadium as well. Also the game day experience has been improved immensely over the years, particularly since Wade Miller has been in charge IMO. They make better use of the JumboTrons (they provide stats now) and they are better at showing more replays. They seem to really focus on creating a fun experience too.

This was a solid three-phase win. Thought all aspects of the team played well last night. Gotta give credit to the coaching staff again. Toronto may be a weak team, but any team with Marc Trestman shouldn't be overlooked. Osh, LaPo and Hall were solid for both games against TO. Franklin was supposed to be the next big thing but if that turns out to be true this was one helluva detour. Throwing a lot more interceptions and showing less mobility than I anticipated.

Would echo most here, with 1-JSK, 2-Demski and 3-Alexander. I was torn on the HH, will give it to Miller but I also thought about Dressler. Smallest guy on the field and continually given some tough routes and runs.

I think it at least adds more than the live mic games. With everybody talking at once you don't get many great moments anyways. TSN's coverage has been awful this year. They don't spend much time talking about the game or the actual plays. Long interviews in the middle of the game. No replays on some plays, then wait so long so that they can use their TSN Tempo screen. They can't even get the basics this year - LOS and first down lines, proper camera angles.