NotoriousBIG

You don't have to be a rock-star GM to realize we needed a NI WR, a NI OL, or that Buck had to go. And its not like either Foster or Parenteau are world beaters (though Foster is at least intriguing). The GM this team needs has to have solid plan and a vision (and a whole off-season to do it) AND be able to land a good QB. Not saying that couldn't be Walters, but so far he's just grabbed a lot of low hanging fruit.

Unfortunately, I am of the mind that this decision is already decided. Walters will continue to sign like crazy, Blue will win one or two more games, and everyone will say "Boy that Walters kid works hard!" And with that we'll have our new GM. I sympathize with your concern, since the last few hires for GM/CEO have not inspired confidence. But if Wade Miller is kept on as CEO, he will know that his success as a CEO will rest on his choice for GM, and their ability to turn the direction of the football team around. However much we want the bombers to win, he wants it at least as much, and probably more so. I can't see him giving the job to someone, simply because they are around already, and hard working. He will seek out the best person he can find for the job, based on a comprehensive search. He will do whatever he can to free up the necessary money to hire the best candidate. I don't think that will be Kyle Walters; but if it is, then I am going to accept that Wade Miller knows far more than I do about who will make the best candidate, and I will be fine with the choice. Sure, you could argue that a Walters hire will be all about saving money; but at some point you have to cut the organization some slack and give them the benefit of the doubt. First of all, thank you for bringing a measure of intelligence back to this thread. Considering some of the responses it was needed. I agree, Miller's job is tied to his hire. Its in his best interests as boss to hire someone capable. That said, there's still the board above him, and the fact that the Bombers are notoriously cheap (comes with all these legacy salaries we seem to love paying). The board approved Reinbold, Kelly, and Mack; and also approved firing all of the above.

Yeah, I think Miller could be well suited for the job. Moreso than Garth. Hope he proves me right.

Did you actually hear Bob Irving say it or are you still relying on your friend's spin of what Bob Irving said? Is that really the point you want to argue? Come on.

I get the impression he's mentally blocked the Mike Kelly and Joe Mack hires from his memory. Can't say I blame him either. The only crystal balling I see is from you two, not the Armchair GM. You've already anointed the future GM through your fears and expectations...and negativity. Bob Irving shares the same opinion. Is he part time palm reader too?

Unfortunately, I am of the mind that this decision is already decided. Walters will continue to sign like crazy, Blue will win one or two more games, and everyone will say "Boy that Walters kid works hard!" And with that we'll have our new GM. I realize the Bombers haven't given us anything to look forward to this year... but your negativity and being resigned to us absolutely making the wrong decisions for the wrong reasons is impossible to listen to anymore. GM's have never, and will never be judged based on how hard they work. I know janitors, painters, drywallers, and roofers that work harder than most people. There's a reason those guys aren't CFL GM's. It's because there is so much more to it than how hard you work. It's how smart you work, how you put the right people in the right roles to do a great job, how you deal with the **** that flies across your desk daily, and probably most importantly, good judgment. Among many, many other things you and I have no idea about. Don't think for a second the Bombers will leave him in charge just because he's a hardworking, relentless birddog. There's lots of those in football... they're called scouts. And scouting is only one part of the job. Give your consistently negative head a shake. So, do you have a crystal ball or something? Like, what makes what you say the truth? You don't know either. I get the impression he's mentally blocked the Mike Kelly and Joe Mack hires from his memory. Can't say I blame him either.

Unfortunately, I am of the mind that this decision is already decided. Walters will continue to sign like crazy, Blue will win one or two more games, and everyone will say "Boy that Walters kid works hard!" And with that we'll have our new GM.

Exactly. Its like Mack didnt get what all the fans understood -- that this league recycles staff from franchise to franchise, so you might as well play ball with the other teams cause you're likely going to be employed by them one day. That is, unless your name is Joe Mack or Mike Kelly

Shoulda retired when Trestman left. Had nothing to prove and instead came back for a decidedly poor year. I think he's done. Can you say Hall of Fame Slam Dunk?

Irving implied that it looked very likely Walters will be staying on as full GM.

Apparently Irving said on the broadcast (I didn't hear this myself) that he thinks Miller and Walters will remain in their current roles next season. Wade apparently really likes Walters and said as much saying "Walters isn't going anywhere." Remember when Mike Kelly was basically given the HC job by Lyle? And other candidates were commenting that they don't know why they even bothered doing interviews because it seemed like the job had been filled already? Will this organization EVER learn?

I'm not going to bust Mack's chops for losing Labatte. I will hold him accountable for not doing a damn thing to effectively address the Oline, Labatte or no Labatte

Good grief! Never said he should be the next permanent GM...get your point always did...just said give the guy a break right now! He's trying his best...what else are they supposed to do right at the moment? I'm for doing due diligence, and an extensive search at the end of the season, but several folks have been jumping on Walters already. No one at this point knows how good or not, he will be, or is capable of. All good GM's had to start somewhere, and even some good ones from various teams have been fired over the years, for various reasons which existed at the time. It just irks me when I see someone say he will not be any good for 5 to 10 years is all. In my opinion, if Walters parked himself under Wally or Huffer, he could be ready in a just a couple years -- see how the top dogs deal with their coaches, how they deal with adversity, get all their contacts, etc. Frankly, he deserves to mentor under someone more capable than Joe Mack.

You're missing the point that the next GM will not be sliding into a stocked team with a cash-heavy owner and a non-meddling board. This organization is a MESS. A young GM with little experience could easily get chewed up and spit out -- hired to fix a dysfunctional product, make a few mistakes, and then get canned by the board with the usual line that he "wasn't a good fit." This team needs someone with YEARS of experience that can hit the ground running and install HIS vision, a vision that has proven successful elsewhere. Frankly, Walters taking over this team in 3 months from now could be career suicide for him. Look at Mike Kelly -- how many GM offers do you think he's fielding? Sure he's an idiot, but he was hired for a job he had no place even being considered for. Smartest thing for Walters to do is sit under a Popp/Huffer/Wally type for a few years, or the next Bomber guy. He is NOT ready.

Bet that decision has already been made. We just don't know it. It's the Bomber Way. Despite Miller saying everything to the contrary... I've known Wade for 20 years. Very smart, hard working guy -- also HIGHLY calculating. I'm getting increasingly skeptical of our upcoming "exhaustive" GM search... Let me get this straight: Wade Miller, known for running successful businesses, is going to take over this dumpster fire of a team, and then hand the GM job to the assistant to the guy he just fired? Without doing his due diligence? I'm skeptical of that. More what I meant was, Im skeptical that what Wade says to the media is what he's really thinking/planning. Also, Wade is Bomber board pedigree. His Dad was on the board for years -- some used to say it was part of the reason Wade lasted on the roster as long as he did. He's hardly a shiny new apple brought in from a fresh barrel. Not saying he's rotten, just saying I'm skeptical

Bet that decision has already been made. We just don't know it. It's the Bomber Way. Despite Miller saying everything to the contrary... I've known Wade for 20 years. Very smart, hard working guy -- also HIGHLY calculating. I'm getting increasingly skeptical of our upcoming "exhaustive" GM search...

Also, another thing -- The way the crap about Mack is suddenly coming out of IGF fast & furious combined with all the player moves Walters is making -- looks a lot like Walters is doing a hard-sell that he should be the next GM. Now watch it happen. Ugh.

According to Tait: Consider this for what it's worth, but sources say when former Edmonton Eskimos GM Eric Tillman was shopping QB Ricky Ray -- he was eventually shipped to the Argos and last year led them to a championship -- one of his first calls was to Mack, who passed because he thought the QB, now 33, was too old. Ditto for Henry Burris, who was shipped from Calgary to Hamilton in 2012. Thanks a lot Joe. We're all loving our current QB's, and our 1-7 record.

Walters is aggressively campaigning for the GM job next year. "Look at what I can do! I can sign guys!" I hope he understands there's more to the job than scouring the waiver wire.

Yeah, that's a bit of a stretch dude. Can't due the guilt by association thing.

I'm convinced of it, though I'd say that DIckenson is a quality coach, he's shown it everywhere else he's been so I'm fine keeping him, the rest of them though.... I dunno no one on this team has really taken a step up from when they first arrived. It's a cumulative effect -- you could have Megatron lined up at receiver and Adrian Peterson at running back and both would look shoddy and eventually quit caring when the QB can't hit the broad side of a barn and the o-line couldn't block an old woman. Guys have checked out. If we had SK's o-line and Ricky throwing the ball suddenly our talent all over would look a LOT better.

Okay, let's face the facts: this team is terrible and is basically out of playoff contention after losing the series with Hamilton. A back to back hammering at the hands of SK and we'll be 1-9. If you haven't turned out the lights on this season yet, surely that will do it. So many scenarios though. Everyone knows a new GM will want his coach. Does firing Burke now and promoting MB to interim solve anything except confuse the players even more? Ditto firing Creehan. Sure, Burke can DC better than Creehan, but what does it accomplish with the year already a write off? I say Wade/Walters should turn this into full player audition mode. Trade what we can for some younger NI potential. Dump any aging vets that aren't performing. Get ready for the Offseason so the new GM can actually build on something.

Hardest move is the first one. After your third or fourth it's just what you do.

Higgins as GM and DD as HC would be tremendous -- solid, seasoned, old school GM and a younger, offensive minded, creative HC. Would love to see Burke as DC again too. I do realize however, that this is a bit of silly exercise. You gotta let the GM install his vision -- and a great HC in one regime may only be so-so in another if everyone isnt on the same page

Our team has absolutely no business even getting a fart-sniff of the playoffs. Dysfunctional from the top to the bottom -- focus this year should be taking the time to get rid of the dead wood and figure out a solid plan for next year.