Wednesday, October 6 - RedBlacks @ Argos 6:30pm - Stands will be packed for this one. 

Saturday October 9 - Stamps @ Riders 6pm

Monday October 11 - RedBlacks (again) @ Montreal 12pm

Monday October 11 - Argos (again) @ Hamilton 3pm - Hamilton gets a few more days to prepare. 

All times central.

Bottom line is I don't think there is a gm in thr league who does their homework on the draft as much as walters does. Same with the global draft. He is the most proactive gm in the league if you ask me.

His philosophy of always drafting guys for the lines has paid off bigtime. 

9 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Bottom line is I don't think there is a gm in thr league who does their homework on the draft as much as walters does. Same with the global draft. He is the most proactive gm in the league if you ask me.

His philosophy of always drafting guys for the lines has paid off bigtime. 

All one has to do is look at drafting before Walters got here......and what it has been since.

11 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Bottom line is I don't think there is a gm in thr league who does their homework on the draft as much as walters does. Same with the global draft. He is the most proactive gm in the league if you ask me.

His philosophy of always drafting guys for the lines has paid off bigtime. 

I think the great key to our success is knowing our team as much as it is knowing the players. Lots of teams can look and see talent. Some teams can predict how talent will project in the CFL. But no team is doing a fraction of the job the mafia is at projecting players fitment into their cfl roster. 

 When the bombers draft a guy, they know what role that guy will fill if they succeed. They know how to deploy them and it fits with what we do. Many times, my self and others have gone oh I wish we drafted that guy! And some times that guy is indeed a good cfler. But not soo much a good bomber. Some times of course other teams pick guys we'd love before we can, but over all we do an exceptional job picking guys who will fit what we do as a pro. 

And just like the players fit the team, the mafia fit each other. Wade, walters, mos, and all the rest. They are all in sync. 

In his book "the score takes care of it self", bill walsh talks about his first changes when he took over the 49ers job. He instituted standard operating procedure for every single job. It didnt matter if it was janitorial, receptionist, or QB. Every job was held to the same standard of excellence, and every member of the franchise was expected to fit the mold. The whole book is basically about winning culture. Id strongly recommend it for any bomber fan, the style of culture building is exactly like what the bombers have done. 

 Miller, Walters, and MOS.....are simply total CFL lifers - they really understand how this league works, and what is required to succeed, and the will to just do it.  
We used to have way too much passing of the buck, a million entries in the ole Bomber book of excuses, and an never-ending assortment of different levels of incompetence........for so many years, on OB and here..... I screamed for, begged and demanded a culture re-boot for this team. 
These guys have done just that, and I couldn't be prouder.......

32 minutes ago, do or die said:

 Miller, Walters, and MOS.....are simply total CFL lifers - they really understand how this league works, and what is required to succeed, and the will to just do it.  
We used to have way too much passing of the buck, a million entries in the ole Bomber book of excuses, and an never-ending assortment of different levels of incompetence........for so many years, on OB and here..... I screamed for, begged and demanded a culture re-boot for this team. 
These guys have done just that, and I couldn't be prouder.......

damn right. And my favorite all time excuse is "We just need time to gel!"

3 hours ago, do or die said:

All one has to do is look at drafting before Walters got here......and what it has been since.

I've always hated the "the draft is nothing but a crapshoot" line. Thats just an excuse for not doing your homework.  

Just now, Goldkobra said:

I've always hated the "the draft is nothing but a crapshoot" line. Thats just an excuse for not doing your homework.  

Isnt it remarkable how much more of a crapshoot it is for some one like Mack than for Walters? Must have a good set of loaded dice... 🤣

Edited October 13, 20214 yr by wbbfan

CIS draft is still very much a crapshoot, but it is slightly less so when you do as much research as Walters and his team...

3 minutes ago, Noeller said:

CIS draft is still very much a crapshoot, but it is slightly less so when you do as much research as Walters and his team...

Also if you know what you are drafting for. Canadian players are supplemental pieces. I don’t want this to sound like a slight, but your starting QB, best receiver, best linebacker, top defensive back, dominant end rusher, even best o-lineman are now going to be American. Even with the current fad of Canadian running backs, it was not always this way. And the league is now shifting to American kickers. So trying to land a Canadian star at a glamour position is unlikely, and viewing the draft as a means to turn your organization around in one fell swoop with a franchise player is not reality. The draft is for long term depth building for the most part. It requires patience from upper management and tolerance from fans. Let’s not forget that it took Miller, Walters, O’Shea and co. 6 years and more than a few failures before they climbed the mountain, and on more than one occasion fans screamed for their heads, right up until we beat Calgary in the West semi. That patience has allowed us to (for now) be a team with long term success and not just a flash in the pan. Their draft strategy is a sign of that long term thinking and patience. Not every club approaches it that way or has that luxury. 

2013- mulumba
2014 -Goossen
15- Chung
16 - Corney
17 - forfeited for Wolitarsky I think?
18 - Geoff Gray
19 - no pick
20- Desjarlais
20 - Kongbo

That's every first round pick since Walters has taken over. Saying the draft is a crapshoot might be a little harsh, but it's certainly not your key to finding franchise players like it is in every other professional sport in North America.

All I'm saying is you don't sacrifice championships over future draft picks. 
If there's a deal on the table for futures for a reliable kicker at the cost of even a first round pick - it has to be done. IMO, of course. 

Edited October 13, 20214 yr by Dr Zaius

The two about posts stress a) the value of succession planning in the quarterback position (including game experience for backups) and b) the degree of dumbness in the Rider management. Every player has a "best before" date stamp and good NI linemen are valuable and rare.  There will be much wailing, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments in Riderland soon.

some really great stuff from Our Man Tait, in the always-a-good-read Quick Hits feature today ( https://www.bluebombers.com/2021/10/13/quick-hits-week-11-day-2/)

“I just found a picture the other day of what Tui looked like to start training camp in 2019 and at that point he didn’t have much time to prepare for training camp,” said Bombers offensive line coach Marty Costello on a media Zoom call Wednesday. “Just the way Tui looks right now, his whole body type has changed. He really took advantage of the 2020 year and dedicated himself and came back really a completely different player, completely different body type and his knowledge has grown tremendously since he’s been here. I’m really thankful that he’s been around and he used his time wisely, so I’m very grateful that he did that and was excited to see him play on the inside the other day.”

53 minutes ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

Also if you know what you are drafting for. Canadian players are supplemental pieces. I don’t want this to sound like a slight, but your starting QB, best receiver, best linebacker, top defensive back, dominant end rusher, even best o-lineman are now going to be American. Even with the current fad of Canadian running backs, it was not always this way. And the league is now shifting to American kickers. So trying to land a Canadian star at a glamour position is unlikely, and viewing the draft as a means to turn your organization around in one fell swoop with a franchise player is not reality. The draft is for long term depth building for the most part. It requires patience from upper management and tolerance from fans. Let’s not forget that it took Miller, Walters, O’Shea and co. 6 years and more than a few failures before they climbed the mountain, and on more than one occasion fans screamed for their heads, right up until we beat Calgary in the West semi. That patience has allowed us to (for now) be a team with long term success and not just a flash in the pan. Their draft strategy is a sign of that long term thinking and patience. Not every club approaches it that way or has that luxury. 

Absolutely this.  If you look at it on a league wide basis, the most valuable Canadians are on the DL and OL interior.

The teams that don't take care of those positions - suffer for it immensely.

Those guys are the heart of the Bombers and Coach O'Shea knows that better than anyone.

You don't have to look much further than Jake Thomas getting the Grey Cup first.

10 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Id honestly stick to mcguire over either guy, even at the same money. 

McGuire definitely has a cannon for an arm so at least worst case scenario he physically can throw deep for 50/50 balls.   

 

3 minutes ago, Brandon said:

McGuire definitely has a cannon for an arm so at least worst case scenario he physically can throw deep for 50/50 balls.   

 

The only thing that remains to be seen with SM, as with all young AB's, is can he read a defense? 

4 hours ago, wbbfan said:

damn right. And my favorite all time excuse is "We just need time to gel!"

I remember a couple of Bomber coaches with classic quotes:

 

Joe Zaleski said when asked by a local scribe if the Bombers can make the playoffs after just 2 wins going into September. He answered, "We're optimistic". 

Bud Riley was asked why the Bombers lost their last game. He replied, "We just made a few mental errors". We heard that a lot during his tenure as HC. It was a common staple quote for him after every loss. So much so that fans would yell from thye stands on every stinker play, "Mental error, Bud???"

At least no Bomber Head Coach has ever said he cut a player because he wasn't a "cultural fit". What the hell does that even mean??

1 hour ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I remember a couple of Bomber coaches with classic quotes:

 

Joe Zaleski said when asked by a local scribe if the Bombers can make the playoffs after just 2 wins going into September. He answered, "We're optimistic". 

Bud Riley was asked why the Bombers lost their last game. He replied, "We just made a few mental errors". We heard that a lot during his tenure as HC. It was a common staple quote for him after every loss. So much so that fans would yell from thye stands on every stinker play, "Mental error, Bud???"

At least no Bomber Head Coach has ever said he cut a player because he wasn't a "cultural fit". What the hell does that even mean??

Or Tim Burke - "we're on the cusp"...

2 hours ago, Noeller said:

The only thing that remains to be seen with SM, as with all young AB's, is can he read a defense? 

Hey at this point he can run a sneak and lob a deep bomb... he's already better then 90% of the QB's we brought in since Kevin Glenn.    

You guys remember so much lame crap - it's unbelievable.  Now for a few Reinbolde lines...

🤣

40 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

You guys remember so much lame crap - it's unbelievable.  Now for a few Reinbolde lines...

🤣

Woah there Mark. This sounds like a non-issue. Let's handle it internally....

Edited October 14, 20214 yr by kelownabomberfan

8 hours ago, Dr Zaius said:

2013- mulumba
2014 -Goossen
15- Chung
16 - Corney
17 - forfeited for Wolitarsky I think?
18 - Geoff Gray
19 - no pick
20- Desjarlais
20 - Kongbo

That's every first round pick since Walters has taken over. Saying the draft is a crapshoot might be a little harsh, but it's certainly not your key to finding franchise players like it is in every other professional sport in North America.

All I'm saying is you don't sacrifice championships over future draft picks. 
If there's a deal on the table for futures for a reliable kicker at the cost of even a first round pick - it has to be done. IMO, of course. 

CORRECTIONS

2016   Winnipeg forfeits their first-round selection after selecting Garrett Waggoner in the 2015 Supplemental Draft.  Trent Corney picked in 2nd round.

2017  #1 Faith Ekakitie   Say no more.

2018  Winnipeg forfeits their third-round selection after selecting Drew Wolitarsky in the 2017 Supplemental Draft.

2019  Desjarlais + Kongbo

2020  Winnipeg traded a conditional first-round pick and a third-round selection in this year's draft to Toronto in exchange for Zach Collaros and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. 

3 hours ago, Mark H. said:

You guys remember so much lame crap - it's unbelievable.  Now for a few Reinbolde lines...

🤣

15 hours ago, Dr Zaius said:

2013- mulumba
2014 -Goossen
15- Chung
16 - Corney
17 - forfeited for Wolitarsky I think?
18 - Geoff Gray
19 - no pick
20- Desjarlais
20 - Kongbo

That's every first round pick since Walters has taken over. Saying the draft is a crapshoot might be a little harsh, but it's certainly not your key to finding franchise players like it is in every other professional sport in North America.

All I'm saying is you don't sacrifice championships over future draft picks. 
If there's a deal on the table for futures for a reliable kicker at the cost of even a first round pick - it has to be done. IMO, of course. 

2013 Mulumba pick happened under Sleepy Joe. Walters took over as interim GM after Bombers' 1-5 start that year.

Goossen, Chung, Wolitarsky, Gray, Desjarlais, Kongbo - were solid picks 
Corney (3yrs - 19DT 11ST 2sacks) and Waggoner (2yrs 1DT 21ST 1FF) - were fair picks 
Ekakite - (1yr - 5DT) a bust.

5 out of 8 - I'll take that ratio.
 

 

Edited October 14, 20214 yr by M.O.A.B.

8 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

Woah there Mark. This sounds like a non-issue. Let's handle it internally....

This is internal...we are internal...now...don't touch the Quarterbacks. 

Just now, M.O.A.B. said:

2013 Mulumba pick happened under Sleepy Joe. Walters took over as interim GM after Bombers' 1-5 start that year.

Goossen, Chung, Wolitarsky, Gray, Desjarlais, Kongbo - were solid picks 
Corney (3yrs - 19TD 11ST 2sacks) and Waggoner (2nyrs 1DT 21ST 1FF) - were fair picks 
Ekakite - (1yr - 5DT) a bust.

Imo, faith is the only real bust. And that wasnt a strong top end of the draft. Corney couldve been great and is the biggest physical freak to come out of the cfl draft, but he was a good rotational player and was really close. I bet he could still play football if he wanted to. Waggoner was a gem on teams, and couldve done more on D. Id take him then over most of our NI depth today. 

The hallett boys are gonna be the back bone of our teams for years to come. And rotational quality defenders at worst. If the 19 draft was done again today, Desjarlais would go no1. Brady has been very good in limited reps too. Eli is the biggest steal in draft history. Exume was the 70th pick and instantly one of the top STs guys in the league and a rotational defensive piece. Simonise and petey are still in the league with 2nd and 3rd teams. Which is more than 90% of the top 2 rounds can say. FMB still in the league, Qadr spooner was the hot commodity back up OL for a while and was on 1 or 2 other teams but ped and injuries derailed his career. Taylor loffler had a really solid career. Immediate starting NI db in the 3rd round? yes pls. Gauthier, and briggs have done a lot for us especially this year how many 14/15 picks are still around? Normand is one of the better fbs and a sts anchor in mtl, derek jones was a big rotational piece and teamer here, and lets not forget cody speller. Undrafted free agent to starting OL. 

 The mafia have gotten tremendous value out of each years draft. Frequently our depth players end up being depth players for other teams after playing here. Nothing is a higher sign of good drafting than your depth picks filling out rosters across the league.