BigBlue

Who said rookie camp needed to be in Canada: a month in the deep south in April might be both fantastic and useful for recruiting .... still the suggestion was for indoor stuff in April

Not if you are used to wearing a bikini in Winnipeg's February heat waves... but seriously the 3rd and 4th week of May in no way compares to November cold; some people start planting their gardens on the May long weekend Remember: THINK BEER, not hot chocolate

Making our game our game is why we have survived (and evolved) over the past century. When did the CFL start? We have to keep making our game better and adapt to our changing culture. By contrast the US spring leagues keep failing. They have a different economic equation and very different culture / entertainment packages. They are all NFL, college and local high school. Unless the spring leagues can develop their own special subculture, they are going to fail and keep on failing. The CFL & TSN are increasing their viewership and it can get much bigger. It can be shaped. Meanwhile the USFL is dealing with Einstein's definition of insanity. Our "BALLS" are bigger up here.

And then there is Andrew Harris, Nick Demski and how many other Bisons ... and how many high schoolers & junior players that have made it to the CFL? The whole idea is to build amateur football in Canada bigger and better and not have to go to the US out of necessity, right?

I really want to see the CFL promoting the Canadian College game in a BIG BIG way especially the Vanier Cup

Proposed Annual CFL Schedule About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal July 29, 2023 April weekend 3 & 4: Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis April weekend 4: Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor) May weekend 1: Preseason Camp opens May weekend 2: “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations May weekend 3: Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans May weekend 4: Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other June – September weekends 4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested Last weekend in July League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh Late August, September & early October: 8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year October: two regular-season games two Sunday playoff games November: first week of November: 5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night” Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably Saturday Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop Sunday The Grey Cup Classic Three weeks earlier than tradition Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries. RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody… In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Game Stats https://www.cfl.ca/games/6307/winnipeg-blue bombers-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/#/boxscore it seems to me Brady had more than 106 yards running /// look at his last couple of series after he crossed the 100 mark /// 58 yards pass receiving on 2 catches is impressive /// is there anyone on the PR for when he goes down and he will /// why don't we mix in the Bailey & Demsli counter plays earlier with the up the gut calls?

What's the story on Demski, really? I can not imagine the Blue without him. He is definitely our top Canadian and one of our clutch difference makers. So who can explain the drama? I can not accept "just relax". What is going on?

Schoen: did he sign a 2 year deal? If yes then there is a definite window, al least as I recall... I do not know what may have changed with the latest players association negotiations and of course that rules

I like that idea very much... it suits his personality and skill set. He is like a mean bowling ball. It would take a few for him to adjust but the dividends would be huge. So go for it, and his Canadian status would allow more defensive rest and rotation! Still coaching on this team is not very innovative. They get caught in a narrow tunnel mindset - - that's the opposite of creativity. Dobson for NT ... go, go, go

“Kudos to [Hamilton] for being able to come out and punch us in the mouth this week,” said defensive back Brandon Alexander. “Maybe we needed that, to be honest with you.” Success is harder to deal with than mediocrity. Everyone in the whole organization needed that. “There was a lack of communication on our side and I’ll take a lot of the onus on that. Me being first back and seeing the field differently, I wasn’t able to communicate with everybody how I normally do and everything, so I definitely take part of that,” said Alexander. That is likely why MOS wasn't subbing in. Players need to learn where each other will be. Bighill & Rose seem to be trying to play more than just their own position.

[1] Has our Defense structurally deteriorated? [2] Or does it just need better scheming/ prep? [3] Is the sole problem the injury bug? [4] Is complacency undermining intensity ("my starting job is safe" because MOS is loyal)? [5] Do significant personnel changes need to be made now (by trade/PR shift/NFL jump ins)? [6] Do we just need more rotation to stay fresher? [7] Do we blitz too much or too little? [8] Is it too late/early to push the panic button? [9] Are Walters & McManus doing too little? Do our coaches need to adjust their thinking? [10] Did our players just fall into a lull in the middle of a long successful season - - a sleepy abberation which will be cured by tonight's smelling salts?

That will never happen, not even the slightest chance... everyone understands

Booch, I rarely disagree with you, but this... there may not have not been any "moral-suasion" from the Ambroise's office, but there was a tidal wave of pressure mounting from every imaginable vector ... perhaps not a word was formally said but those green people did not have a choice .... nothing worse than having a choice forced upon you ... and this is precedent setting for years to come

If you go back and look at the subsequent Bomber offensive downs, Collaros was constantly shrugging and rotating his shoulders. That kind of self adjustment means he was both uncomfortable AND hurting. That was beyond sucking it up. Zach imho will be nursing those shoulders for the next couple of weeks. And yes he will play in the Banjo Bowl. Like every Bomber he is tough. I expect we might see some late game backups in, if we are well ahead: Brown, Prokop or both. I also expect the Blue will exact their revenge with an unusual amount of intensity in the first quarter next game. Go back and watch the replays after the Marino hit.

On Marino's late hit at the end of the game, I do not know if O'Shea could have challenged for roughing the QB, but it is not his way. What if Marino had have been reassessed with roughing/misconduct. Would that have caused him a league suspension? Will he be given a misconduct by the league anyway? I have been preaching the Blue needed to take care of Marino early in the game. But would that have been class-less? Clearly Collaros was fidgeting with his shoulder. I hope he is good to go for the Banjo Bowl.... We have clean super heroes playing for us !!!

If Couture starts I expect we swap center for center. What I do not expect is if Couture replaced Grey at guard, which might have huge impact immediately. I see MOS as patient with Grey until he matures; he would only lose his starters role to injury; he puts his faith in his players and the next up philosophy to develop the underlings' skills. That seems to be the culture that has the best players yearning to play here.

Maybe Brady O's ding in the last game was perhaps slight and more precauitionarry than a serious dent. Were they concerned about a possible concuss? I do not think Augustine has hit his stride yet but I do not mind seeing him start Sunday. I am expecting Olivera though.

I am wondering if we are taking Brandon Alexander perhaps a week early to be our 6th DB ... I do not know how banged up our starting 5 in the defensive backfield. We rarely discuss the little dings and dents afflicting any particular player. Rotating in will not be as taxing/straining as starting and he will not have to dig as deep.

I believe early in the game, our Blue should double-team Marino on every play, one hitting him high and one hitting him low. Try that on the first two or three sets of downs, regardless of offensive output. Then the Rough Riders will know who's boss. Not only will we benefit but so will the whole league. That would give us a tremendous psychological edge. Coaching and culture is what is going to win this game for us, it's the big difference! PS do not let this "get Marino" strategy be known to the Rider coaching staff or else he will end up on the bench the whole game and that would be a shame.

Obviously you do NOT like creativity especially when it speaks to what is actually going on inside connecting to real attitudes. How is that ridiculous?

I hope we have Brady ready for Labor Day

I wonder if we are going to throw a serious wrench into Regina's thinking machinery. Is there a chance we could be too non-chalant and lose to an overdue Saskatchewan club? Labor day has always been tough ... there is always that unexpected element to the Classic, right?

So who will finish 2nd in the west? 3rd? In the east 1st and 2nd?

If we start Ellington, who do we dump? A DB? McRae? I do not know who is our current RB backup... Could it be Dempski? Any chance of Augustine dressing Thursday? Is Harrison more important for rotation than McRae? Is our experiment with Grant over? Looks like we are starting an awesome set of receivers on Thursday!