CONGRATS to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for making the post season for the 4th straight season. While a first place finish and a bye to the WF is not possible this year a berth in the WSF is guaranteed. To be determined is our opponent and whether or not we will be hosting the game. Since we have a bye the last week of the season we can only be interested spectators.

THE POSSIBILITIES

If BC beats Calgary then Sask's game against Edmonton is meaningless as the Riders will have locked up first place and will host the WF. We would host the WSF against Calgary.

If Calgary beats BC and Sask beats Edmonton then the Riders secure first place and host the WF and we will be going to McMann to play the Stamps in the WSF.

If Calgary beats BC and Edmonton beats Sask then Calgary gets first place and will host the WF and we would be going to Mosaic to play the Riders in the WSF. 

We could be playing this WSF in Winnipeg, Regina, or Calgary. I hope I got that right.

WHO STARTS?

I don't think Zach Collaros is our starting QB by default. If Streveler is healthy he may get the nod. The concern with Zach is his ability to withstand a nasty blow to the head. In a playoff game I don't think it's a reach to suggest that, given the opportunity, someone is likely to risk it and test Collaros' melon if it means they can get him out of the game. The stakes are high.

Depending on weather conditions, Streveler and his running ability may be the determining factor in who starts. Streveler's durability is not to be understated however, if he is unable to move the ball, he may be on a short leash. I can easily see a scenario where Zach takes the 1st and 2nd down snaps and Chris comes in to run the 3rd down conversions and perhaps run a few plays out of the hurry-up. Lots of possibilities here.

I don't think there's any chance that McGuire starts. He is strictly an insurance policy. 

There's a lot to be decided yet and even once we know who we are playing and where we are playing them, I don't think it's a for-sure thing as to who starts, and how long the leash is.

THIS IS IT!

Not since this regime took control of this football team has there been this level of expectation to win and win now. A one-and-done and some fans will be looking to clean house. Even a WSF win and another loss in the WF may not be enough to save everyone. Expectations are definitely high. The future of this regime and it's supporting cast hang in the balance.

HOW THE OPPOSITION MEASURES UP

Calgary has not shown themselves to be the powerhouse they have been in previous years. Sask has surprised but they have had some good fortune with the schedule and the timing of when they have faced their opponents. They are a good team with a fortunate record. The Bombers are certainly capable of beating both these teams.

OUR CHANCES

The only real negative for the Blue and Gold is that they are going into this playoff season without their veteran leader and #1 QB, Matt Nichols. But with a bye the last week of the season the Bombers are going to be rested and should be well prepared for a strong playoff run. Collaros played very well in beating Calgary last week. Streveler has had a chance to develop and has shown flashes. The Bombers are staring at a golden opportunity to finally make it out of the West. This might be the year it all comes together.

12 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

They could roster them as anything, but then you’re taking away another player.  And every offensive snap needs someone rostered as a QB on the field.  So even if you wanted to use that player as the QB in some sets the other QB would have to be out there, so you’re basically 11 on 12.

No, they can't. Again, MOS explained this. 

Start 9:30 here: https://omny.fm/shows/the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-podcast/bomber-coachs-show-october-28th?in_playlist=the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-podcast!podcast

 

Edited October 31, 20196 yr by JCon

I think Streveler would make a more dangerous slot than running back. With his size & toughness there's potentially a lot of YAC yards there. Brad Sinopoli made the successful move from qb to slot with the Stamps & now Ottawa. 

2 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I think Streveler would make a more dangerous slot than running back. With his size & toughness there's potentially a lot of YAC yards there. Brad Sinopoli made the successful move from qb to slot with the Stamps & now Ottawa. 

We have one such in Wolitarsky and he has been ignored for most of the season. Unless there is a change of OC's, we would have the same result.

4 hours ago, JCon said:

No, they can't. Again, MOS explained this. 

Start 9:30 here: https://omny.fm/shows/the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-podcast/bomber-coachs-show-october-28th?in_playlist=the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-podcast!podcast

 

He says almost exactly what I posted.  He's walking through it there, but it's been done before with guys playing receiver and QB in the same season.  When Danny Barrett first came into the league he played both receiver and QB for the Stamps.  How the league manages a team trying to hide a QB in another roster designation is by the rule that someone designated a QB has to be on the field for each offensive play.  So if you dressed Streveler as a DI, he'd have to both sub in for another import, and you'd have to have one of the 2-3 guys rostered as QB's on the field, and you can only have one QB on the field for offensive plays.  So unless you have another QB who is a CFL-level receiver, you're playing at a pretty significant deficit.

Often when the rosters were smaller, like when it was a 36 man roster, teams would dress their kickers as the 3rd QB as it has no effect on special teams.

Edited October 31, 20196 yr by JuranBoldenRules

2 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

He says almost exactly what I posted.  He's walking through it there, but it's been done before with guys playing receiver and QB in the same season.  When Danny Barrett first came into the league he played both receiver and QB for the Stamps.  How the league manages a team trying to hide a QB in another roster designation is by the rule that someone designated a QB has to be on the field for each offensive play.  So if you dressed Streveler as a DI, he'd have to both sub in for another import, and you'd have to have one of the 2-3 guys rostered as QB's on the field, and you can only have one QB on the field for offensive plays.

Often when the rosters were smaller, like when it was a 36 man roster, teams would dress their kickers as the 3rd QB as it has no effect on special teams.

MOS - "Although, they do have a stipulation that says, sort of, how he started the season is how he is going to be treated." 

I can't find anything in the rules to support this but I'll take MOS' word. 

8 hours ago, Tracker said:

We have one such in Wolitarsky and he has been ignored for most of the season. Unless there is a change of OC's, we would have the same result.

Wolitarsky is a wideout so he wouldn't be as involved as a slot. Listen, I hear you as he's being wasted. I think Woli moved inside would be a dynamite slot along with Streveler. Bailey or Lawler would be just as effective if not more than Drew is now. I also agree about LaPo. 

I deliver mail to the bomber stadium and saw Streveler 2 days ago with a very noticeable limp. Go with Zach imo.

So it's settled then. We need to win 3 games in a row. A very manageable task given the talent and health we have on this team.

First, we go to McMann for the WSF to beat a very beatable Calgary team that we have handled well all season. It's going to be cold and snowy and Bo don't like cold weather. He's going to be uncomfortable and so are his receivers. Pound the ball with Harris and Streveler will be the key.

Second, it's off to Mosaic to break the hearts of the Riders. The toughest challenge may be the officials so we need to play clean against one of the most penalized teams in the league. It's not going to be so easy for the officials to ignore the crap in a playoff game. I look for the Riders to come unglued when things don't go their way. Discipline will be the key.

The Grey Cup game is going to be against Hamilton but here's why we will win; 

1) It's very hard to beat a team 3 times in a row and that's what Hamilton is going to have to do against us and,

2) The game will be back at McMann. Once again the weather is going to favour the team with the better trench warriors and the better ground and pound and that's us. Bombers win and end the drought!

we will win.

We're gonna win... Don't know how, but we're gonna win. 

Judging from the games this weekend, the Bombers have as good a chance as any of the other playoff teams to advance to the Grey Cup game. Even Mitchell and Co. did not look unbeatable. The backup QBs were all uniformly terrible, and I would bet on a massive turnover in their ranks in the off-season.

This is THE year.

4 minutes ago, Tracker said:

Judging from the games this weekend, the Bombers have as good a chance as any of the other playoff teams to advance to the Grey Cup game. Even Mitchell and Co. did not look unbeatable. The backup QBs were all uniformly terrible, and I would bet on a massive turnover in their ranks in the off-season.

The Stamps looked ordinary and uninterested - no way they win that game with Reilly behind centre. 

If I said in June, "I hope Collaros wins the Grey Cup this year," I would have been run out of the province.