TrueBlue4ever

Great choices Speed. 27 is a popular number, with notable running backs Johnny Augustine and Robert Mimbs, DB Kelly “Mr. Sharpie” Malveaux, and no less than 6 Blue Bomber Hall of Fame members. The 3 above plus 1930’s-era guard Bill Nairn, 1970’s-era RB Jim Washington, and today’s choice for me who stands above all of them. Revolutionized the game and had a stadium erected because of him. Pretty good legacy.

Loved the nickname “Dr. Death”. Also James “Quick” Parker, Brian “Howdy Doody” Kelly and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson were other 70’s stars.

Bravo, all correct. So “The Hammer” was the nickname of Trevor Kennerd. And “Lambo” is a bit of a chart, but when Sean Millington got brought in by Jeff Reinbold, he was a physical specimen and many commented on his chiseled physique. He commented that diet was a big deal, saying “you want to put premium fuel in the Lamborghini”. When it turned out the muscles were all for show and he was surprisingly weak on contact, especially as the weather got colder, some media wag mentioned that Reinbold brought in a Lamborghini when a Jeep would have been better - rugged, reliable, and able to withstand Manitoba weather, and also more more affordable. Millington actually had a nice resurrection in BC and helped them win the 2000 Grey Cup.

I’ll let people try and guess and post later today with any ones that can’t be figured out. “Fun and Games Friday” 😁 Hint: all those nicknames are from 1980 and beyond.

Just a few others from my time: The Birmingham Rifle The Sheriff of Linden Woods Bluto Wild SWAC Turtle Man Flight 87 The Hammer The Glass Quarterback The Mayor of Swaggerville Chuck Diesel Lambo (or Lamborghini) Money Matty Ice Mini Milt The Hit Man

Did he look wirey?

6 has since been re-activated. With Walby being the first person ever on the Ring of Honour, and Stegall quite possibly the most talented Bomber ever, those other two numbers may stay unworn for a long time.

Per Ed Tait when he did a deep dive into all the numbers worn by players: https://www.bluebombers.com/blue-by-the-numbers/ The Bombers haven’t formally retired numbers, but the following are officially no longer available to players: 11 – Worn by hall of famer Ken Ploen, the face of this franchise during his playing days from 1957-67 and later into his retirement. Ploen also wore 89, as did many players of that era who played both sides of the ball. 28 – Jeff Nicklin was a decorated Bomber from 1934-40 before becoming a decorated soldier in World War II, passing away on the battlefield in 1945. The winner of the Most Outstanding Player Award in the West Division is annually presented with the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy. 75 – As a tribute to Tommy Lumsden, who played end, defensive end, tackle and guard for the Bombers from 1951-54 but passed away at the age of 25 in a Winnipeg hospital while suffering a gall bladder attack near Beausejour. The Tommy Lumsden Trophy is presented annually to the Bombers’ top Canadian player.

The reason no one will wear today’s number again. The second of three retired numbers in honour of this legend.

Ok, maybe I should not have said “big” but it is about a 30% overpay IMO. He is almost the same as Brandon Tanev, who many thought was not worth the 3.5 million the Pens paid for the same production. Maybe that $750,000 is the difference between keeping or losing Copp, and Lowry is no better than a 3rd line checker right now. $5 million would be absolutely ridiculous. I can’t think of anyone who would think that’s a good contract. Yes, in Columbus he was benched for coasting on shifts and demanded a trade in-season.

I am all for the Montreal Canadiens approach where the players vote at the start of the year for their captain. As for Lowry, he’d be OK but he was a big overpay last year given his barely 20 point season. Given his average points per year, his contract should be around $2.5 million per year, not $3.25 million. And although Dubois stepped up, let’s not forget just yet that he sulked his way out of Columbus only two seasons ago. Scheifele may have checked out but he still put up points this past year, whereas Dubois flat out quit on his coach and his team. And if the rumours of an off-ice incident that split the locker room are true, then the culture problem goes beyond Wheeler and Scheifele and extends to the whole room if that kind of thing tore them apart.

Borden Walter “Bud” Korchak was known as “The Golden Toe” and “The Ukrainian Gazelle”.

He also had a career 18.2 yard average per reception (to put that in perspective, of the other Bomber RB greats Roberts was 9.2, Harris 9.1, Reaves 10.6, and greatest receiver ever Stegall 17.7) and on kick returns had a 29.1 yard average (3rd best all-time in the CFL), topping 32 yards per return in 3 separate seasons.

Jack Jacobs was with the Bombers for 5 seasons and is on the ring. So that is the precedent for minimum service with the club for now. Bighill is in year 4 this season (5 if you count 2020 where he did not play but was under contract) Willie J going into year 3 (4 including COVID year). Although Bighill is only one of 2 Bombers to win DMOP twice with the team and only one of 6 CFLers ever to win it 3 times overall, I think he is a ways away and not a guaranteed honouree given who is still not up there.Bryant yes and likely the first of this current group, Willie J needs a few more years, Harris is possible but not before Roberts, and maybe not before Willard Reaves, who may himself not get up there. Reaves also was here 5 years.

But where will they find someone to play the drummer?

We are going to be treated with some true Bomber legends as we head into the weekend and approach the (hopeful) start of main training camp. Today’s entry: Leo Lewis, “The Lincoln Locomotive”, the greatest player Bud Grant ever coached.

Comeback from down 2 goals in the first to win 5-2. Game 4 Friday.

I think you mean 1850’s.

Hoping for a little more muscle weight. Looks like he borrowed Manute Bol’s legs. But let’s not judge a book by a single cover (photo) and see how he does.

Agudosi listed at 220 lbs. Looks skinnier in that photo.

Yes he is for sure, which is why the Jets should be wary about moving him given his production, even if the fan base has soured on him. If he does go, I would think the teams most interested are the ones still in the championship window mode, not a re-building team that could lose him to free agency in 2 seasons. A team like Boston who have a good core but would happily take a strong centre to add to it and potentially push them over the top. Or a Vegas who need a better contract with their cap issues, but I don’t see the Jets taking in more salary in a player-for-player return, which is what Vegas would offer. Maybe if the Jets did a sign and trade deal so the new club had security beyond 2023-24 it could happen.

And even Eichel’s trade was a lottery protected pick so that they couldn’t get anything higher than top 10. Bottom line, I don’t see Jersey giving up a #2 overall and a centreman coming off a 40+ point rookie season for Scheifele and nothing else, as was proposed. Seems too high.

Not according to the media who are now coming out of the woodwork. Fingers are pointing back to the 2019 season, not just last year. But accepting your argument, if he is elite, why are we looking to get rid of him then? If he is so flawed defensively, suffering psychologically from his suspension, and bad in the room (which I suspect is the argument) who is paying that price and mortgaging a good chunk of their future for a guy who could be gone in 2 years, especially a team on a re-build? And don’t forget that the Jets are trading from a point of weakness if they are the ones pushing for a trade to happen because of the unrest.

Legitimately, I think the Jets would have to throw in their 1st rounder as well to make the rest of that deal happen, if not another lower draft pick as well. Scheifele may be on a team friendly deal, but only for 2 years. With Mercer and a draft pick, Jets would have team control for at least 6 years on both.