bb1

Dixon looks versatile. Love seeing a lber who is effective blitzing. 
 
Taylor is an interesting potential blue chip book end prospect. 
 
The good:
he had a monster two years and declared early for the nfl draft but went un picked and got no tc invites. 2021 he had 6.5 sacks 33 tackles 7.5 tfl a pass knock down and 8 hurries in 13 starts. In 2022 he had 42 tackles, 9.5 sacks 2 ff and 3 knock downs. 
 He’s also a monster athlete. 22 reps at 225, 36” vert 9’4 broad jump he pulled his hammy running the 40 at his pro day, and still ran a blistering 4.63. His agent put out a video of him prepping for the pro day with alleged 40 times of 4.38 and 4.3 flat. I don’t buy it for a second but allegedly the video was big on tik tok or some thing. The old axiom for converting manual and electric times is +.26 seconds which would make a lot more sense him being in the mid to high 4.5s. Which is still pretty crazy. 
 
the catch and reason he didn’t get an nfl sniff?
he rostered at 6’1 and 246 but at his pro day was 5’11 240. 
 
 

Couple new signings:
https://goblueraiders.com/sports/football/roster/christian-dixon/12668
https://www.ktsm.com/sports/college-sports/utep/jadrian-taylor-announces-entry-into-2023-nfl-draft/

Here’s another article on Maurice. Although all coaches have a shelf life and he had hit his in Winnipeg, I hated all the negative talk about how he couldn’t coach. And his speech in defence of the city when a couple of San Jose players whined about the lousy wi-fi in their hotel makes him a forever favourite of mine. 
https://theathletic.com/4481979/2023/05/02/paul-maurice-panthers-maple-leafs/?source=fbhq

https://thehockeynews.com/news/panthers-matthew-tkachuk-punishes-opponents-with-a-matured-game ,good article on PAMO influence on Tkachuk.

I watch a lot of RSEQ football. Bomber fans will like Jeremy Murphy. Great hands, sneaky fast, good route runner, makes tough catches. One of those guys who would put up 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns against my son's team McGill, and make it look effortless. Steps up in big moments.
And I'm thrilled for Collin Kornelson! I coached him way back in the youth football days with the upstart Valour Patriots football team. Was a great teammate and player then, and still is now. 

I thought it was a tank move. If was only after their success did it pan out.
Only as good as your goalie
 

Last name Schmekel ,that is an unfortunate last name to live with🤫

He might be our oldest DE 

Even if Mike wants to play the Debbie Downer card (you really should leave that up to the pros, bro...) I'm choosing to be excited about the draft tonight. If nothing else, it means we're that much closer to camp starting and it gives us something legitimate to talk about tonight, and for the next week. Next Weds is Rookie Camp and next Sunday is Main Camp. We're almost there!! 

I guess it's a forgone conclusion that we won't then. I wonder who we'll take? 

Today’s the day. 
 

3 moments I remember:
1. Game in BC, Lions tie it late but the scoreboard gets it wrong and has them trailing by one. Bombers stall on 3rd and 1 on the next drive and kick away rather than gamble, Lions get the ball back and then the  scoreboard corrects, they match to midfield and Passaglia launches a huge punt with 30 seconds left for a single and we lose. I am furious with the loss but the camera cuts to Riley smiling in his “aw shucks” way as the clock hits zero, he is interviewed right away about the  tough loss on a punt single and the scoreboard screw-up, and he says what a great game both teams played and how this is what makes the CFL special and how lucky he is to get to coach and experience games like this, hopes the fans appreciated the spectacle, credits the Lions, is proud of his team, no excuses and how wonderful is it to be a coach in this league. Anger just washed away from me in that moment, and I felt better about the world. That was his gift. 
2. He announces he is leaving for the NFL in 1988 after winning the Cup, but a few months later word leaks that he is having second thoughts about the move, but worries that fans will disrespect his flop-flop. I ask my dad if he thinks it is a sign of weakness to back out of a deal and he says to him it is a sign of strength to admit your mistakes and man up, and not to be afraid to question yourself. We write him a letter to tell him to follow his heart and to be ashamed of nothing, his happiness is more important than any offended fans, and he has made Winnipeg proud with his coaching. Our letter was one of hundreds that got written (the Freep encouraged the letter writing campaign as a show of support). Riley came back and was very emotional describing how much it meant to him that the fans reached out and offered their thoughts and kind words, and it helped him make his decision. Talked about how special Winnipeg was and how it felt like home, and that made him re-think his move. Grace, humility, and genuine thanks to others on that moment. 
3. Grey Cup win in Vancouver. In a world where coaches now all get the Gatorade bath after a win as a “salute” (it actually started with Bill Parcells as a mock celebration by his players who respected him but did not always care for his hard-ass style, and dumped Gatorade on him as revenge, figuring he’d be too happy with a win to get mad), his team instead hoisted him on their shoulders and carried him across the field in victory. Last time I ever saw a coach get that show of respect in pro football. 

Met him once after we lost to Calgary on a last play FG, came in to our store( Color your world lol) and he was incredibly kind and not spitting nails. Never forget it.😊

That's why maybe a multi-team player swap makes better sense in getting something useful from Montreal in exchange for #80.
Isn't this a perfect example where Chevy needs to show his stuff other than musing how most people don't realize what a great place the Jets are in and how hard it is to make the playoffs and saying things like don't let facts get in your way of a good story?

Not sure where this belongs, but courtesy of @holoman... "a Bombers legend"
 
 

Watch the first 3 minutes of this interview with Giannis Antetokounmpo after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs.
I do think the Jets need to make changes nor was I happy with that playoff round, but everyone needs to take a deep breath and chill a bit.
 

I am going to cut Chevy some slack on this. He always keeps it close to the vest.  No sense adding fuel to the fire with Bowness or the players right now.  Wait till everyone has cooled down and go from there. No other realistic way to play this.

Chevy vs the Jets Fans 

I have to agree with Wheeler on this one. Just frustration on Bowness part, does it make a difference? Does Chipman can Bowness keep Chevy? History says yes. What a mess. 

Every player they talked to today was upset with Bowness, not just Wheeler. Interesting times... 

When the coach sounds like me, you know we are screwed.

This team hasn't been the same since Byfuglien's departure.
He certainly seemed to be the stick that stirred the drink with the Jets.

Could sure use a bit of this tonight....

A cliché but true, put it all on the table cause there's nothing to lose at this stage (other than the series and thinking you're a good golfer as you approach the season).