BigBlue

Leadership One of the hugest problems great leaders have is trying to duplicate past successes. If it worked then it will work even better now. Team culture it seems to me has been the biggest reason we have been such a wonderful team. Everybody has been sacrificing for each other. Everybody has been patiently waiting their “turn”. Roster changes were rare. It was when an injury occurred that you might finally get in. Stick to the season opener lineup and then play next man up. It really worked wonderfully. But is it still? The reason it’s so hard to duplicate success is the new situations are seldom the same as the past situations. A true leader will see what has shifted and deploys his army accordingly. The average leader just keeps pounding away at past solutions; he’s not coming up with new deployment schemes specific to his changing personnel. In that case people aren’t always playing to their strengths and are too often being asked to be a square peg in a round hole. From the beginning of the game yesterday I could tell something was just not right. I do not know what it was but I could feel it very strongly. Has it become “ho-hum, let’s go do it again!” Or is it something else? I am not questioning anybody’s attitude; it seems praiseworthy. I believe some kind of elephant has just shown up in the parlor… Who is in charge of the diagnosis?

Complacency I started my post last week by saying the Bombers were professionals. They would get it done. It was other things I was worried about. I still feel that way. And, we are good. What I am saying is that some of the players are trying to do too much, especially our leaders. We get people criticizing Biggie for losing a step but I really feel like he is trying to compensate for under skilled players around him like at linebacker and defensive end. It’s like that with certain other players trying to do too much. On the other side of the ball, many of our opponents are preparing for the Brady Oliveira show by scheming with some kind of fill the box positioning patterns. Yesterday, Hamilton did something very specific and it kept Brady well under 100 yards Why do we not regularly game plan to take advantage of the expected fill the box defenses that we see so often. Counter plays and receiver reverses seem to have been working very well; but they are salt-and-pepper not the main course. There must be a whole set of receiving patterns that would take advantage of these lopsided defensive schemes. Is it our coaches relying on our big boys are better than your big boys? Is strategy not all about detecting the enemy’s weaknesses and running the whole army through it? I remember Lapo too often running straight up the middle into the teeth of that tight box. Why can’t Richie Hall have a surprise attack early in the game. Why does he stick to plain-vanilla and stick to it tightly before deciding what adjustments to make? We seem to be stuck on bend don't break. Then the defensive calls change as they get near the red zone. That has been working. Yesterday it did not work at all. Special teams: who is our special teams coordinator? I never hear his name. Is it still Michael O’Shea? Is this not were we should see his pride bursting out? Yes we might have a trick player or two. But it looks like special teams has become the most problematic part of our game. What is Moss doing about it?

Remember Swaggerville? I think that was the most fun year for me, ever, watching our Big Blue. I don’t think we’ve ever come close to duplicating that kind of magnitude on defence. It spread to the whole team, all three phases of the game: special-teams and offense’s rose to the occasion game after game but it was the talent and special pride on defence that carried the day, week after week after week. Any idea why we could not get that back now or in the near future?

So Booch you obviously don't think Jackson is a Martey McSorley guarding Wayne Gretsky ... you think that whatever character/leadership ability he has is completely negated by a tiny lack of football skill and experience You have obviously thought about this personnel decision an amazing amount ... what do you imagine is behind MOS's reasoning and gut hunch? We know O'sShea is the opposite of incompetent... can you speculate on MOS's whys and wherefores?

just can't stop can you?

"You think getting mad on a football forum is getting the league's attention" I do not think that any more than you do ... When I want to give them feedback I write them ... I have done this a bunch and a number of times they have modified what they do ... it takes time and usually its no sooner than the league meetings the next spring ... what I want is some allies who share my views ... much insight can be gained and helps me modify my opinion ... I end up with a stronger more accurate position "taking ourselves a little too seriously?" yes, when a person is attacked instead of the viewpoint presented ... the latter leads to neat discussion, the former is destructive "Just a suggestion." not after what you just said assertively and insultingly ... the opposite of respect "not starting a bench clearing brawl": I believe such a brawl would have led to an immediate league crisis and eventual action to diligently protect our QBs ... such a brawl would have gone viral and league leaders would have to take the right action per force ... foot dragging would be over I would sacrifice the game in order to achieve QB safety... they make up the biggest cost in the budget ... just a reality of a low-ish salary cap ... our team needs Collaros healthy if we want to win the Grey Cup ... Brown would be a big letdown To fill our stadiums we need to keep the franchise players upright .... our current policies shoot ourselves in the foot ... concerts sell out because of a high quality product "members need attitude adjustments and fixing" ... yes some few do ... they go looking for a verbal fistfight that they think they can win by bullying and judging peers unworthy of any opinion not theirs these fistfights is the reason we are a good site but not a great site .... respect leads to excellent discussion and eventually the best opinions and perhaps the truth of the matter "we already knew who you were" ... speak for your self ... you might guess at the opinion of a few but I highly doubt you the minds of all the posters and all the readers Be responsible for your self - make an "I" statement and show who you are The lost comment was an outright attack, inflamatory and unbridled ... so do not lecture about self discipline, whether the Bombers or your own the site is not an emotional dumping ground If there was a little more consideration and respect, a little more disagreeing without being disagreeable, then we would see participation grow ... more people feeling safe enough to express their opinion the words being exchanged on page 4 is why I decided to post this .... its awful so (1) arguing and bully-trolling or (2) opinion debate & fact finding in an encouraging way ... its our collective and individual choice

That eas a very long time ago

Thank you Pepper_Brooks. I also want to think Kelowna for posting Jamie Nye’s prediction “But can I mention what happened last year following the Bombers putting the boots to the Roughriders in the LD Weekend Rematch? They went into Hamilton and had an emotional let down. Last week was highly emotional for the Bombers. A lot of carry over from the Labour Day Classic against Saskatchewan and I’m curious to see if we see a repeat emotional let down.” I was unaware of this forecast when I posted my comment earlier. I am in total disagreement with Nye. In fact, I was just trying to say in a joking manner the total opposite. If being satirical is “madness” I am sorry. I was just amused at how this site has gone from (1) absolute handwringing after losing on the head-but on our MOP, to (2) complete exuberance after our blowup victory in the Banjo Bowl. I find it funny at the shifts in human behaviour as we go from emotional highs to lows. As to who I am, I started attending Blue Bomber games in 1961 when I was eight years old. My whole family are Bomber freaks; it is the main way that I related to my dad and now to my brothers and sisters. There was no stronger flag waiver than my mother. I came over to Morning Big Blue when it migrated from another Bomber hosting site. I was a frequent poster in those days. In my comments I sang everything Blue. These days however I am just too busy with business. I’ve spent the bulk of my career managing high-risk money, directly and indirectly. In fact I spent six of my 12 years with the Bank of Montréal as a Senior VP managing tens of millions of dollars. I later moved on to consulting and organizational health. I have also done lots of recruiting. Right now I am teaching people how not to lose their shirts in the stock market. That is vital work, protecting people's life time savings and pensions. I have seven years of University in various types of applied psychology. I have an MBA in leadership and a doctoral certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. So I do have a little background for what I do, say & write... (I also have an eyesight problem which is why am given to bigger fonts) I am a very strong believer in the CFL and the possibility of it becoming a great niche for the Canadian sports mind. I really want to see it blossom and prosper. I do think it can be done if we do the right things and those things are not that hard. I was over the top last week on the head-but. I do not apologize for that. I would like to get someone’s attention about the need to better protect the quality of our game in the form of our most valuable assets, our quarterbacks. Without our starting QB’s the quality of the on-field product is totally compromised for the fans. The NFL has done a decent job of protecting its quarterbacks; I think we can do better than that. I just want to do what I can to shake us out of our lethargy of accepting the status quo without thought. If I have to get a little dramatic, so be it. I would like to get the league’s attention. As to my “madness” satire, I was just trying to express my sense of humour. And excuse me if I want to mock TSN a little bit. I love the passion on the site but I also think we might be taking ourselves a little bit too seriously. So forgive me if I just wanted to lighten things up, just a touch. We have a great group of posters here, probably the best in Canada. But me, I am always looking for improvement and I do think this site can get better. So now you know who I am and why I am “mad”.

or your brain ... why are you so hostile? I was just being sarcastic ... can you recognize a joke when its made?

I am concerned about overconfidence. After a big victory it's just too easy to do... It's not the players I am concerned about, nor the coaches… They are professionals. They are true blue! What I'm concerned about is this board. Wild predictions of another easy game… No moans, no groans, no complaints... I have not heard a single piece of advice given out towards Michael O'Shea. No innuendos about Walters or Miller. No demands about lineup changes... sheesh! This headi-ness can have very bad results. It can warp the over and under. TSN spies will pass on information so the broadcast on TV will be totally off base. This in turn can warp the Hamilton crowd. And you know what that will lead to: another overtime tie. And it will all be the result of what happens on this board. Come on team, let's get nasty! The outcome of the next game may depend on it...

I have said my thing ... Gordo's video from Pascucci says it all and nothing further needs to be said .... just action taken I have said all I need to say... it takes consensus to bring about real and effective change... so we find the change or we won't You don't get it and you never will When you trot out the "troll" word I know its your pride talking and that's a shame ... your judgment has been shown to be excellent judging by your Pick'em score but go mock somebody else ... people are nearly always guilty of what they accuse another of and that includes trolling and mocking

I have said my thing ... some might want to become Rider fans You have it exactly backwards but congrats on the hi IQ

Again short term thinking ... I am after the long term gain ... I want to be a team to be feared and not just because of talent ... that might win us the grey cup ... but for now there is not enough pride in our selves

Over the years I have seen a number of bench clearing brawls on the sports hilite shows .... but I believe they were mainly all college football games ... If we had a bench clearing brawl last Saturday maybe it would have woke a few people up like the league's governors and the zebras ... maybe the smugness would go away and actual change would be engineered by the powers that govern us ... QB & player safety would happen immediately ... fan entertainment and not partisan advantage might take the forefront ... other knuckle dragging things might finally be addressed "a player that retired a quarter-century ago" ... what does age have to do with manliness and being the family/team protector have to do with age? I would rather lose the Grey Cup than see Zach's career end on a cheap shot Dignity is more important than discipline Discipline without dignity is harlotry... And if we had of lost because all 5 of our O-Linemen jumped on Robertson at once, reducing him to an ink spot, this Saturday would have turned into the greatest most anticipated game of all time in Winnipeg history

Every time I hear or see Simone Lawrence I want to puke. I feel this way about very few players. IF I recall correctly, it was Simone that ended Zach's career with the Riders ... most expected he was done for ever. AND nobody I have seen has come back to "Gordie Howe" Robertson after. So I don't buy the discipline thing, Brady Olivera or not. If we really wanted to make a Robertson statement it should have rallied the Bombers that night .... spurred them on with unbelievable smash mouth football for the rest of the game. I do not know if the Blue was gassed by then [they should not have been] but I would rather have lost with smash mouth and not the wimper the team seemed to carry on with... the rest of the game should have been all adrenaline- - win or lose ... we will see if pansies in the rematch ... maybe this can shake up the complacency and the grey cup entitlement mentality ... if not everyone takes care of their pocket book in free agency ... right now we will see if we are a team or not

What do you think would happen if your gangster would head but Wayne Gretsky? Saskatchewan is more aware of Zach's concussion history than any one... Any concussion can be a career ender for Collaros Least penalized team, outscore them next game, exalt discipline over male protector role = pansy city, a lack of testosterone, and the absence of the right kind of passion lethargy is every where on our club, stand-pat complacency is this year's theme, a total lack of urgency is killing us INSPITE of EXTREME TALENT Pansy City I say ... its why we do not dominate anymore (unless the loser gives up and capitulates) I am tired of having to come back from behind to win ... we are going to see talent migrate

Disagree ... there is time for un-disciplined team pride and support ... like when they go after your key man like your goalie or your QB or your Wayne Gretsky ... your thoughts are MOS syndrome ... this has nothging to do with discipline

I believe the head butt had more impact than any body has stated so far ... how much ? A lot ... it is a confidence thing ... AND the lack of no one ripping apart said offender ... penalties be damned ... if it were the NHL that guy would have to stay off the ice for that and every subsequent game ie if he did not want to go back to the dressing room in a stretcher ... we are acting like pansies AS to performance by Zach, he has the ghost of injuries past in his head now Further any head shot is going to have an immediate effect ... the finesse disappears as one goes in to overcome mode SHEESH !!! &^%$#$#%^&&*(

too big a bath .... our league can be a lot better fairly quickly

I never quite understand the CFL's board of governors. They seem overcautious and like to slough off responsibility on the Commissioner, even as they hog-tie him. And now, the new reality is that we live off TSN revenue, so they have a big silent paw in everything... 1. So who really is in charge of the decision-making in our league? 2. When we make up special rules to control Chris Jones having too many coaches, do we think about the subsequent consequences? Yes the bean counters are trying to stay in control especially as attendance drops. But part of the reason attendance is dropping is the fan experience is not as good because high-quality coaching is no longer affordable. How many decision-makers have clarity on this? 3. What can be fixed immediately is rules application in terms of roughing the passer. The NFL has fixed their problem. We have not. The quality of the game is totally dependent on having the best possible quarterbacks on the field. Why can't our powers-that-be understand that? Almost every quarter back injury I can think of is mostly coming from aggressive linebackers and "careless" linemen. If our zebras would just constantly throw the flag that would help, a lot. To tickle the quarterback with a feather should be 15 yards, no questions asked and no appeal. Defensive players should be in control as if they were approaching the quarterback in practice wearing that red jersey. Does that turn us into pansies? You think TSN would be more concerned about high-quality games than occasionally having a highlight reel full of nasty hits on the most important player on the field. We have turned around the big hits on unprotected receivers in the middle of the field. It was just a matter of will. What should we think as fans? If there is one roughing the passer, make it a 25 yard penalty. If there is a second roughing the passer, make it an automatic game ejection. Add follow-up fines. If we do this we wouldn't be using third string quarterbacks so frequently. Is this worth the cost? 4. Do we as fans use the power we have? I am not saying organize and revolt. I am saying that we don't even know we have power! Who wants to use it? Then we might have a real Labor Day classic with both sides having a chance. I do not know anything about the Riders backups... This should be a real rivalry that would be if their starter was in. I love football and I want a lot more people feeling like I do about our fantastic game!

So just expand the roster size from mid August till the playoffs in mid October or even right into the Grey Cup ... this would nab the "Gray"s ... special rules will make sure we are still finding that talent ... further, with high priced returning talent, you can get in to the bidding war because there are only 6 or 7 weeks to pay for, not 18 weeks ... the big cost is sliced by two thirds ... every body is talking about budget and that will help the cap ... especially if highly paid stars are sitting on the injury list ... that kind of evens out the unlucky injury situation And then you work the returning players salary for the balance of the season ... then in the spring you do what you got to do

Its context ... going from October to November its just too cold for many ... coming into May from the winter, it's going to seem warm except for VERY unusual weather ... nobody can overcome a storm ... but there will be a lot more of them in Novemer than May, Correct? Anything over 16 c in May is going to seem like Bikini weather !!!

I believe we WILL have essentially the same NFL recruits as we have always had… Just the sequence of their arrival will change some. If we need to we can adjust our rules and policies to accommodate the cuts including expanded roster sizes starting September 1. The late cuts are not who we are really after. Most of the appealing ones end up on a taxi squad anyway. We are after the US recruits that realize they are not making any NFL team in the near term, as in the next year or two. We want the ones who just want to play football. If they think they can improve their status by playing in the CFL more power to them; we can accommodate that cheerfully and effectively. Our best recruits from the NFL camps find they love living in Canada. They want to raise their families here. This is very good for our league. So we need to offer better tryouts and wider taxi squad accommodation. The big goal is to have them ready for camp next spring. The goal is NOT to bring in a ringer or two to Jack our chances in the playoffs. Just set the trade deadline for October 1 and go from there. November 1 Grey Cup here we come! The world keeps changing and evolving so we can take advantage of that and be happy BTW this type of a combination suits MOS's philosophy & style perfectly... Build your team at training camp and then keep it all year. Help those Canadians develop. I wish we could keep more of our draft picks on the roster somehow , so they can learn on the practice field throughout the year and be more prepared to make the main roster the following spring.

Please show me that that the league is in dire financial shape. Give us some kind of proof or comparison, PLEASE!