KptKrunch

LOL - good point. Teams seems to be doing a bit better with Nichols in the lineup but then again I'm sure Ottawa has their scrubs in now so it's not really fair, but IMO Willy is, well Willy. I know a lot here love him but I still say after that 5 and 1 start Willy has done absolutely nothing but be extremely inconsistent. That being said - he wasn't exactly running a top level offense either. Anyway, I agree with Goalie on his post - I think the Bombers are keeping it pretty Vanilla out there. They don't really want to tip their hand as to what their game plans will be. I'm sure when the real season starts, we'll see a much more imaginative offense, one designed to protect Willy, and hopefully Willy will get comfortable with his new teammates, his oline, and LaPo's offense in a hurry. IMO, this is Willy's year - if he can stay healthy this year will define who he is. Is he a true #1 guy, the guy we saw in the first 6 games two years ago, or he is another of a long line of Wpg QB busts? Or will he be somewhere in between that? Anyway, looking forward to the fourth quarter - lets see if we can come back

Not sure if anyone is reading this thread anymore - that's Chris Jones - he wants his players wearing jersey's two to three sizes too small, tight like yoga pants lol. That way defenders don't have anything to 'grab' on to? He employed the same philosophy when he was here in Edmonton.

Actually, what happened here was the Eskimos were seeking permission to interview Thorpe for the HC job first - and Popp (Or Wettenhall) either refused permission or demanded compensation (which doesn't exist in the CFL btw). Esks said no thanks and then hired Jason Maas who was given permission to talk to the Eskimos. But then the REDBLACKS wanted compensation! Really??? THERE IS NO COMPENSATION - it's not the NHL. Eskimos lost all their staff pretty much the day after winning the Grey Cup - if anyone thinks those deals weren't going on before the playoffs even started then I got a nice green pasture field in the north pole to sell you. That's why this league is a joke - Esks should have sued the Riders for tampering but they didn't. The league should have fined (heavily) the Riders for tampering - but didn't, but they got to have 'hearings' for the Esks signing Maas to a PROMOTION after seeking and getting PERMISSION from the club he was coming from. Hervey gave them all the finger and in the end Ottawa was told to pound sand. I hope we get a new commissioner soon, I don't like this Jeffrey Orridge guy at all. He's a joke - he doesn't have a clue. All these fancy new stadiums being build have a great chance of being giant weed growers the longer this clown is ruining running things

Yep - as I mentioned in the Odds and Sods thread - Burkes' last year here we scored a whopping 3 points in two game, and that was mostly against players who were cut anyway. We were atrocious, a joke, an embarrasment and it carried over into the season. This season looks really good for the Bombers. Cuts will be tough because we have so many players making so many good plays, and it's not even the starters (whom I'm not worried about - they know their status and are just working out kinks, they have nothing to prove). I think this is going to be a huge year for the big blue - one game in I know - and lots of things can happen (injuries) but I like what I saw last night.

I'm still seething over our last pathetic pre season showing the last year Burke was coached - 3 points in two games and two blowout losses set the tone for the rest of the year. This shows what stability in both the front office and on the sidelines (HC) can do. It's only one game but we looked like a team, even the backups, and the backups to the backups, seemed to be playing with a purpose. The win inofitself means absolutely nothing of course - but how we play in these games does. Bombers look like they are set to make some noise this year. With all the coaching changes in the west, you'd think we'd have an advantage to start the season with. I guess we'll see.

I guess we'll see but I know I'm a bit worried, especially about Dressler, didn't exactly light it up last year. Could have NFL blues. I hope the change of scenery gets him going again.

If the majority of the players need a secondary job then yes semi-pro. If the 'secondary' job is the 'pro' league you are playing for, it's 'semipro'. If the secondary job is part time to supplement what you make playing a sport (or to keep yourself busy/options open in case of injury) then it's not. CFL is the latter.

Harold Reynolds was the baseball guy. And the comment was directed at fans - and what he was saying was Canadians in general 'don't know what to do with a foul ball' because we only have one team here and so are limited in what we can see in person. It still was a dumb comment but it wasn't near as bad as what it was blown up to be. The CFL is not a 'semi-pro' league. That was defined nicely here. It's where a player is 'paid' to play but its very very little. The definition of a semipro league that is main stream is Lacrosse. The season is very short (starts in January or Feb I believe and is over in March/April) and ALL the players have jobs outside of Lacrosse. Many don't even live in the city they play in. When we had the Rush here many players had to fly in from all over for 'practice' before they played their weekend games (they don't play during the week). Another 'semi-pro' league here in Canada would be curling. All curlers have other jobs (though a lot still revolve around curling - i.e. Kevin Martin owned a curling store as an example). In the CFL, there are still a number of players that have other jobs (I remember Stu Laird who was a firefighter and still played football but then retired very early so he could be a full time fire fighter - makes a lot more money doing that and a much better pension and benefit plan) mainly because they have long off season - what else are they going to do? And football doesn't last forever you could lose your job to injury, age, or just a better player beating you out - any year. But, you don't 'need' to as the base salary in the CFL is more than enough to live on (you won't be rich, but you'll be well above the 'poverty' line). But the quality of play, now that we're watered down again with '9' teams...... just wait until we get a 10th team. It will get really ugly then. We just don't have enough 'pro' quality Canadian talent given the current ratio to field 10 quality football teams.

Not bad I guess - could have been worse. No way, no how is Jason Maas going to Wpg as the OC - guess it's not in the news there - he's going to replace Chris Jones here in Edmonton as the Head Coach of the Eskimos. Will probably be announced by the end of the week.

Yep - officially done. I agree it was pretty much done though not by Labour Day, it was done when Willy broke his leg. I knew then, once I heard and researched the injury it was pretty obvious he wasn't coming back (a more severe version could have literally rendered him a cripple never mind playing football again). Next year - same as the last 25 boys. Can't recruit our own QB = another year of misery - or maybe, maybe, a decent year, maybe two - but no recruit means once Willy is gone for good - back from mediocrity (which even then in this minor league can get you to a Grey Cup) to utter crap again. But I think Walters is gone. Where there's smoke, there's fire. What's he going to say during the season while he's still employed "Yes, I"m the GM of the Wpg Blue Bombers but that directorship in Guelph - which I can have as long as I want - sure looks sweet, I'll probably go there when the season is done". Don't worry about Walters folks, he's gone. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see him hired there before the Grey Cup is played in Winnipeg (wouldn't that be a howdy do LMAO). Cruddy franchise, great stadium, and the best fans (sorry Sk fans but don't recall Wpg ever having to hold a freaking telethon to save their team). rebusrankin - you keep renewing your season tickets because you are true blue fan of the bombers. I admire and congratulate you. For your sake, and others of your ilk - I wish you nothing but the best. My Mom passed away last year - I kept cheering for the Bombers because of her (when the bombers won it made her happy). Now that she's moved on, it just doesn't matter. Time for me to move on. I'll always have soft spot but since the Oilers are my hockey team now, I'm golng to make the Eskimos my football team. Most likely will take a year or two to get fully emotionally involved with the team, but at least it is a team I can get behind. To all the folks here - pleasure reading all your posts. I hope I was able to contribute a little bit but lots of great, knowledgeable fans here. The Winnipeg Football club doesn't deserve you, and you all deserve a lot better. And 'when' (not if - it will happen) the Bombers become a relevant team again - I'll be happy for all of you. Take care all - see you on the other side

Loved Cal to pieces but signing Dunigan to that contract almost bankrupted the football club, so not the best example of smart team management. It also cost us Danny McManus - the last QB WE recruited to the league that had success. That is the issue guys, we keep going after other teams 'hand me downs' because we can't recruit, and that is why we've been so bad for the most part for the past 2 1/2 decades. For this year, a lot of our issues was Drew Willy, as in not having him. We were 3 and 3 when Drew went down. And, we had nothing behind him. We got lucky with Nichols, at least he a passable CFL QB, unlike anyone we can recruit. I was really hoping Marve would be the guy (if his knee held up) but sadly, the fans here in the know (like Mr.Perfect) were 100% right on him. He's not good enough even if his knee was ok. And do you guys notice, when we rush 3 or 4, the opposing QB has enough time to scarf down a TV dinner before looking down field but yet when the opposition rushes 3 or 4 - usually our QB has to scramble around and rush a throw. So I would say both our Oline and our dline need a lot of work still. But having a healthy Drew Willy would solve a lot of problems I think - I like him. We just have to keep him healthy.

Wow - Nichols is starting to look like he did here in Edmonton - which is why he's a bomber for a 7th round pick.

Well, it's definitely a must win game now. Bombers need to win to keep pace. They lose this game, though not mathematically eliminated, it's all but over. Huge win by the Lions. How the bombers start will be my clue. If they are in a fog again, at home, in a must win situation - I'm turning the game off.

I take back some of my criticisim of the guy because he has renewed his tickets for next season. However, he didn't have to embarass the club by posting this on Kijiji. I guess some might say they embarass themselves enough with their play! Why? It's his tickets, he can do what he wants with them. The Bombers have been absolutely terrible for years now - YEARS - save one 6 game stretch to start the season last year. To put it in another perspective - the Ottawa REDBLACKS are only in their second year and though I realize they are one Henry Burris injury away from the bottom of the league they are far and away better than us. Heck, we are starting to sign their cuts!!! What does that tell you. Personally, AFAIK, if you are buying your season tickets like this fellow is, you can do whatever you want. I actually APPLAUD him for doing what he's doing. Of course, most of you don't get it but this poster does. He's a true Blue Bomber fan - who's putting his money where his mouth is, and has probably exasperated every other option so for him this is his last resort - to try and shame the bombers into doing something. 25 years in a mostly 8, sometimes 9 team league, is unacceptable

So after watching the Montreal debacle does anyone still want to rush to Glenn's defense? Yeah there were more problems than just him but he was pretty crap all on his own. Well Nichols couldn't play after just joining a new team, Glenn could, still coming up Glenn. I don't know - he wasn't terrible but really, two days of practice and he starts. QBing must really be an issue in Montreal. Is Crompton hurt again? May have missed some stuff as only concentrating on bombers and eskie news right now.

So you think you've now proven a point based on 1-2 games? lol. Nichols hadn't thrown an interception in his previous 4 games, prior to last night. Sure he had a bad game last night. Willy has never had a bad game?In his post game interview, Nichols said they prepared the entire week for Ottawa to play man defense, because that's what Ottawa has done all year. Instead Ottawa came out playing zone. It took Marcel an entire first half to adjust to that. Wow. I still think Nichols is starter material in this league with a competent OC. Marcel handcuffs the entire team. Willy has lots of warts too; he isn't some proven, elite stud QB just yet. GBILL - I'll say it again (not that you'll take heed to my comments). I'm an ESKIMO season ticket holder. I've WATCHED Nichols a lot longer than you have. I know what he's all about. I haven't / won't say anything because most people here don't listen to me anyway. All I'll say is this (again) - Mr. Nichols is far far better than any QB we have in Wpg not named Drew Willy and gives us the best chance to win. This is NOT a complement to Nichols, this is a slap in the face to the Wpg Blue Bomber organisation who haven't recruited and developed their OWN QB in 3 decades. There's a reason why Nichols was traded in mid season to the Bombers for a 7th round pick. I still think it's a great trade for Wpg. I still think it doesn't really matter. Though secretly I was hoping he'd (Nichols) would have some success - but he's doing the same things he was doing here. He'll make good plays, he'll make good throws, and he'll also get stubborn and throw balls he shouldn't. His other weakness - he has no leadership qualities - the team here in Edmonton did not respect him at all. All you need to do is re-watch the absolute and utter destruction of the Wpg Blue Bombers here in Edmonton a few months back and the difference in the Eskimos play when Franklin came in in the second half. But you all have your own opinions. I have mine. Nichols is a fine backup QB for us, he won't be replacing Drew Willy, or any other starter, in the league, unless that team wants the first overall pick.

Glenn will make Montreal better for sure - and with that defense should be good for a win. That's all they may need is one win if B.C. can't get it done. Not worried at all about us - we're done

Well, don't forget guys - we don't have our #1 guy at QB in there. That hurts us. I didn't say anything and still won't - just remember I'm an Esks season ticket holder. I've watched Nichols here for 5 years. I saw what he did this year - there's a reason why he's a Bomber for a 7th round pick. Again, he's far better than anything we had after Willy - far better - but that's not meant as a compliment to Nichols, that's a complete slap in the face to the ineptitude of the Wpg Blue Bombers organisation as a whole for the past 25 years in terms of them being able to recruit their own QB and groom him to be a CFL star. Did I say 25? I meant 35 - Danny McManus was the last one - the last contribution the Bombers made to the CFL in the QB department. And even though we've found some gems at RB and WR and LB, overall if you can't get a QB you're going to be the Wpg Blue Bombers - this team we've watched for going on three decades. Every 10th year or so we catch lightning in a bottle, but with no proper recruiting and development system it's a flash, a fluke, not a culture - and that's pretty obvious. Good write up DoD - as usual. Thanks and hope your hang over isn't too bad

Hate this - his career could be over. He's IMO the greatest Canadian RB ever and deserved a better end to his career. He may be forced to retire if he does indeed have a concussion - he'll be hit again (and again) when he comes back even if he's not carrying the mail and I don't think his body (or his head) can take it anymore. Sure first ballot HOFer

And an illegal block. We were over due to catch a break though. That wasn't a block. It was just a collision. Stoudermire was running his route and the BC player ran into him. I dunno. I thought they caught a break there. Intentional or not there was illegal contact. If it was illegal contact...then the Lions get called LOL - and if it was BC making that play - what you say then? One thing I always try to be is OBJECTIVE - I never put my 'bomber' glasses on when judging a call made by an official (or not made in some cases). That was interference every day and twice on Sunday. The officials didn't see it (or saw it peripherally and couldn't call it). IF next year teams are able to challenge offensive pass interference - and that play happens again - it will be called a penalty every time. That being said - the hit on Kohlert was to the head and should have also been a penalty - and I don't know how many times in the past few years a bomber QB has taken a bad hit with no calls made. In the same game the bombers D doing less are called every time. Worst official for that was Murray whathisface who has been demoted to a back judge or something now because of his obvious bias against certain teams (especially Winnipeg) so I'm not going to 'complain' about the non-call. I'm sure the Lions fans are but welcome to our world. Maybe the tide is turning - with MOS doing things quietly behind closed doors the officials are starting to give us the same leeway they give other teams.

I'm not sure he'll be ready this year still. I have heard more than once it's unlikely he returns from that injury this season. It could easily been a career ender given the various degrees of that break that can occur. Willy is our future - no sense risking it now that we have a capable backup QB that can win games in Nichols. Just wish he'd get off to better starts.

Yup but... every one of them went right down the middle. And I'm still blaming Liram for the loss against Calgary - I bet Castillo nails that 49 yard field goal 90% of the time min. Liram has missed 6 or 7 extra points this year from 32 yards out. Not sure on your point aalgernon but 5 for 5 is 5 for 5 - Liram can't even kick 5 XP's in a row.

Picard had an upper body injury. Goossen is ready to start. Didn't miss a beat with him in there. His snaps didn't float either like Picard's. Actually - I have to disagree a bit with you on that one g-bill. We did miss a beat - a big beat - as in Picards' standard roughing call he always gets (like in first half), a sure hold he would have done on Denmark's TD, and I'm sure he'd have had a few 'blown' assignments where Nichols would have been blown up. Not saying I don't mind missing those beats though Overall - what a second half. Tracker opined in the chat if the bombers had ever come back before to win a game (this year) well we know now. I wrote the team off in the first half but glad I stuck with it in the second half. Oh - Castillo for Mayor - did extremely well and didn't seem to mind the long converts at all (only had to kick two of them though but was money both times)

Another beat down for the crappiest team in the league. Two things on the bright side though: 1. Our new FG kicker is 100% 2. Winnipeg Jets are 2 - 0 to start the season on the road As for the Bummers - they are done like dinner

Actually - the halftime show is very important. It helps get non-football fans involved and half the stadium will be drunk anyway. The one Grey Cup game I went to in Winnipeg featured Luba (Calgary/ Toronto - still don't know how I missed Rocket with my beer - j/k - I was waaaaaaaaaaaay up in the end zone in the temp stands and left after the third quarter when my pocket rockets I had in my boots died and my feet started freezing) So lets bring Luba back - 99 red balloons (or whatever it is in German again lol). At the end they can release the balloons and all will be good lol.