After an appropriate cooling down period for sober reflection minus the emotional bent, some thoughts on the game:
- Like the confidence of the coaching staff to go for 3rd and short gambles that are not "3rd and inches" gimmes, but Streveler saved the o-line's bacon on a couple of occasions with pure strength, grit, and never quit attitude. Should have been stuffed at least twice due to a bad push from the line, but found a way to outmuscle the defensive player and get the first down. Good to know he can make something out of nothing, but we are going to get burned on a key 3rd down attempt if those o-line mistakes are not corrected.
- Having said that, those who pine for Streveler to take over the starting job from Nichols during the course of this season should not hold their breath. Wasn't too inspired by his play once he came in full time, certainly not compared to how methodical Nichols looked moving the offence.
- Very confused why the command centre did not call down and point out the facemask that ripped Harris' helmet off. I'm pretty positive they can make a call on any penalty play even if the coach cannot challenge it. But I get why the on-field refs missed it. Harris was not in a spot where it was clearly visible from the backfield judge or anyone other than the sideline crew, and his helmet comes off so easily every game it would be simple to assume it just popped off rather than being pulled off. Dude needs to tighten that chinstrap.
- Everyone was so pumped to get Chris Matthews back and see what he could do. Still waiting. Meanwhile, quietly forgotten sidekick Darvin Adams made some spectacular clutch catches in the game to move the chains on second and long.
- Still think Ryan Lankford has the physical tools to be a big return threat, but Friday night was another example of how it is between the ears that is holding him back, and at this point I don't see coaching being able to correct that.
- Would just like to note that the Bomber defence has not allowed a touchdown in the last 34 opposition drives, and in 39 of 40 so far this season. Tip of the cap to the oft-maligned defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall.
- Would just like to note that the Bombers were the only CFL team to score at least 2 offensive TDs in every game last year, have scored 4 offensive TDs in each game so far this year (12 in 43 total drives), are 9 out of 11 in converting red zone opportunities into TDs this year (the only two times they have failed is when they took a knee at the end of the game to run out the clock deep in opposition territory), and have scored a TD in their opening drive of the second half in each game this year. Tip of the cap to oft-maligned offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice.
- Ottawa actually took a knee out of "victory formation" on 3rd down with 20 seconds left on the clock, literally conceding a turnover to the Bombers on their own 20 yard line while trailing in the game. Have never seen that before.
After an appropriate cooling down period for sober reflection minus the emotional bent, some thoughts on the game:
- Like the confidence of the coaching staff to go for 3rd and short gambles that are not "3rd and inches" gimmes, but Streveler saved the o-line's bacon on a couple of occasions with pure strength, grit, and never quit attitude. Should have been stuffed at least twice due to a bad push from the line, but found a way to outmuscle the defensive player and get the first down. Good to know he can make something out of nothing, but we are going to get burned on a key 3rd down attempt if those o-line mistakes are not corrected.
- Having said that, those who pine for Streveler to take over the starting job from Nichols during the course of this season should not hold their breath. Wasn't too inspired by his play once he came in full time, certainly not compared to how methodical Nichols looked moving the offence.
- Very confused why the command centre did not call down and point out the facemask that ripped Harris' helmet off. I'm pretty positive they can make a call on any penalty play even if the coach cannot challenge it. But I get why the on-field refs missed it. Harris was not in a spot where it was clearly visible from the backfield judge or anyone other than the sideline crew, and his helmet comes off so easily every game it would be simple to assume it just popped off rather than being pulled off. Dude needs to tighten that chinstrap.
- Everyone was so pumped to get Chris Matthews back and see what he could do. Still waiting. Meanwhile, quietly forgotten sidekick Darvin Adams made some spectacular clutch catches in the game to move the chains on second and long.
- Still think Ryan Lankford has the physical tools to be a big return threat, but Friday night was another example of how it is between the ears that is holding him back, and at this point I don't see coaching being able to correct that.
- Would just like to note that the Bomber defence has not allowed a touchdown in the last 34 opposition drives, and in 39 of 40 so far this season. Tip of the cap to the oft-maligned defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall.
- Would just like to note that the Bombers were the only CFL team to score at least 2 offensive TDs in every game last year, have scored 4 offensive TDs in each game so far this year (12 in 43 total drives), are 9 out of 11 in converting red zone opportunities into TDs this year (the only two times they have failed is when they took a knee at the end of the game to run out the clock deep in opposition territory), and have scored a TD in their opening drive of the second half in each game this year. Tip of the cap to oft-maligned offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice.
- Ottawa actually took a knee out of "victory formation" on 3rd down with 20 seconds left on the clock, literally conceding a turnover to the Bombers on their own 20 yard line while trailing in the game. Have never seen that before.
Edited by TrueBlue4ever