2024/2025 CFL (non-Bomber) Off-Season Thread

[Booch]

40 minutes ago, BigBlueFanatic said:

Adams and Woods were either left off the game day roster or hurt for long stretches last year.

I do see your point though, having our DT’s brutalize Kola in camp actually isn’t saying much… but the dl was still better during rare live snaps when JT was on the sideline.

JT taking most of the snaps and not having a Nevis or Stove type next to him for sure been a key issue.  Really bad composition and use of DE rotation also frustrating to see.

Adams was never hurt....Woods got dinged but when have we not played dinged players? 🤔 I guess you need to be an Osh fav to get that privilege. I know for a fact Parker was ready to go well over a month before they "claimed" he was ready....and he was none to pleased about being parked too

Like center on the oline....you need a legit Nose....dt...3 tech...what have you for the others to be able to eat....and we choose to for 80% of reps play scrubs like Thomas and Schmeck...sometimes both at ame damn time...and well...you see how succesful our dline has been...particularly the last 2 yrs

I dont care who is on the dline...Candian...American...Chinese...hell an alien from the moon for all I care as long as they earned it in legit battle in TC and can maintain it for the season ...and if someone shows better in practice as the yr progresses...well then insert away...Thats how it used to be in football from my experience...this handing of jibs to guys just cause...or because they been here a while...or they have some attribute Osh think's that awards them the job even tho they notthe best candidate needs to go 

[Pete]

I agree there comes a point where talent has to win out. There is a balance though just look at the Maple leafs, they had talent but as a team they lacked the willingness to go to battle for each other. 

 This year I hope that players like Cam Allen at safety and Gowan at corner get a legitimate shot at starter positions. Bridges might be ok but hes not gonna replace Ford 

[Booch]

Just because a player is a vet...or been here a few yrs....doesnt make them better....or the best option....or higher potential....and in the end make you a better squad and more well rounded...we have gotten away from thtt here....some the intangibles shouldn't trump talent

We have enough vets and leaders....and according to all the culture/character in place to easily bring on new....younger...hungrier guys with zero issues....saying other wise is false

And as this regime claims they "only" bring in a certain kinda guy to fit said culture...so makes even more reason to play the best over the weak sisters, as should be a perfect fit

One lil tidbit one if was listening from Danny Mac...was his comment about trying to find a player that Osh "will play"  

That is a pretty good indicator that at times a player is played on an Osh like's for whatever reason, rather than most talented. W e have seen that in spades with him so not a stretch by any means.

[Brandon]

14 minutes ago, Booch said:

One lil tidbit one if was listening from Danny Mac...was his comment about trying to find a player that Osh "will play"  

That is a pretty good indicator that at times a player is played on an Osh like's for whatever reason, rather than most talented. W e have seen that in spades with him so not a stretch by any means.

It would be interesting to know what determines playing one guy over another from the mind of O'Shea.  

I can understand character issues if you have  self destructive guy who can be a cancer for a locker room for which his athletic / gameday ability  is great but the overall value afterwards isn't worth it.    I can't imagine over the last many years that we brought in guys who fit that negative criteria for which we dress a Navy Seal with D- level skills over numerous players who clearly have a much better upside.  

[kelownabomberfan]

11 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

This year's winner of the Do Absolutely Nothing At Training Camp Club & Get Your Job Handed Back To You, No Questions asked

4th year running...

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

Just because a player is a vet...or been here a few yrs....doesnt make them better....or the best option....or higher potential....and in the end make you a better squad and more well rounded...we have gotten away from thtt here....some the intangibles shouldn't trump talent

We have enough vets and leaders....and according to all the culture/character in place to easily bring on new....younger...hungrier guys with zero issues....saying other wise is false

And as this regime claims they "only" bring in a certain kinda guy to fit said culture...so makes even more reason to play the best over the weak sisters, as should be a perfect fit

One lil tidbit one if was listening from Danny Mac...was his comment about trying to find a player that Osh "will play"  

That is a pretty good indicator that at times a player is played on an Osh like's for whatever reason, rather than most talented. W e have seen that in spades with him so not a stretch by any means.

I guess if you want to take Danny Mac's comments out of context then you may have a point. Every recruiter on every team has the challenge of finding players that fit the coaching scheme. You are making a benign comment by a scout into something much more than what it was to try and further your agenda.  Of course, our recruiters are going to try find players that fit our culture, it is by far the single biggest reason for our success over recent years. If not for that we are the Riders.

[Booch]

37 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I guess if you want to take Danny Mac's comments out of context then you may have a point. Every recruiter on every team has the challenge of finding players that fit the coaching scheme. You are making a benign comment by a scout into something much more than what it was to try and further your agenda.  Of course, our recruiters are going to try find players that fit our culture, it is by far the single biggest reason for our success over recent years. If not for that we are the Riders.

I recruit players for varying programs...and it wasnt a comment based on "skill" or "ability"...nor furthering an "agenda"...tho u seem to like to maintain yours with anyone who criticises the coach or how he goes about "some" things....not "all" things so get that part straight.  Many here claim and think Osh does no wrong. Has no serious flaws..and is always right...and that just not the case.

I know full well when recruiting and scouting what a program wants and is looking for...also not foolish enough to see in the Bombers case that at times our beloved can't do wrong coach values some things...many of which are a mystery to many over actual talent and the better player...this culture thing is so over blown and over used it's getting laughable...it's not some new idea we created nor we branded...and if u have a solid room and a hands on coaching staff you can get any player to buy in...unkess u bring in a guy like Marshal in Sask or the like....some guys are just assholes..and if u can't...he gets a ticket outta town....

Funniest thing is that many many MANY players that have played here.. and elsewhere...many who are lauded as legends and best ever...wouldn't have "the character" to play on an Osh led team...and sometimes you need to look past the scheme or where u have predetermined either a Canadian or American position and if you find a player who would necessitate a switch...you bring them in...

Edited 3 hours ago by Booch

[GCn20]

5 minutes ago, Booch said:

I recruit players for varying programs...and it wasnt a comment based on "skill" or "ability"...nor furthering an "agenda"...tho u seem to like to maintain yours with anyone who criticises the coach or how he goes about "some" things....not "all" things so get that part straight.  Many here claim and think Osh does no wrong. Has no serious flaws..and is always right...and that just not the case.

I know full well when recruiting and scouting what a program wants and is looking for...also not foolish enough to see in the Bombers case that at times our beloved can't do wrong coach values some things...many of which are a mystery to many over actual talent and the better player...this culture thing is so over blown and over used it's getting laughable...it's not some new idea we created nor we branded...and if u have a solid room and a hands on coaching staff you can get any player to buy in...unkess u bring in a guy like Marshal in Sask or the like....some guys are just assholes..and if u can't...he gets a ticket outta town....

Funniest thing is that many many MANY players that have played here.. and elsewhere...many who are lauded as legends and best ever...wouldn't have "the character" to play on an Osh led team...and sometimes you need to look past the scheme or where u have predetermined either a Canadian or American position and if you find a player who would necessitate a switch...you bring them in...

Roster usage is a valid criticism of MOS. However, you are stretching things by implying that Danny was suggesting that MOS handcuffs the recruitment process, and that is nonsense.

[Fatty Liver]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

It would be interesting to know what determines playing one guy over another from the mind of O'Shea.  

I can understand character issues if you have  self destructive guy who can be a cancer for a locker room for which his athletic / gameday ability  is great but the overall value afterwards isn't worth it.    I can't imagine over the last many years that we brought in guys who fit that negative criteria for which we dress a Navy Seal with D- level skills over numerous players who clearly have a much better upside.  

It's simple, MOS invests in people he trusts to follow his path and rewards them with loyalty and support.  If he moved on to the next best talent at the drop of a hat he would have a hard time creating order, discipline, continuity, or peaceful camaraderie as everybody would be looking over their shoulder viewing other players and coaches as a potential enemy instead of a teammate.

The environment Booch wants to emulate, is the area Chris Jones has failed at numerous times.

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, Fatty Liver said:

It's simple, MOS invests in people he trusts to follow his path and rewards them with loyalty and support.  If he moved on to the next best talent at the drop of a hat he would have a hard time creating order, discipline, continuity, or peaceful camaraderie as everybody would be looking over their shoulder viewing other players and coaches as a potential enemy instead of a teammate.

The environment Booch wants to emulate, is the area Chris Jones has failed at numerous times.

It's easy to evaluate talent, any fan can do it because there is an eyeball test. What makes good professional coaches head and shoulders above fans is their ability to see the intangibles and knowing how to build a consistent winning culture. If talent were everything then guys like Chris Jones and Rick Campbell wouldn't be unemployed. My long winded way of saying I agree. 

[17to85]

Booch is in mid-season form. Vets don't need a training camp i guess.

[Fatty Liver]

21 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

It's easy to evaluate talent, any fan can do it because there is an eyeball test. What makes good professional coaches head and shoulders above fans is their ability to see the intangibles and knowing how to build a consistent winning culture. If talent were everything then guys like Chris Jones and Rick Campbell wouldn't be unemployed. My long winded way of saying I agree. 

Rick is back in Ottawa starting over as their STC.

[17to85]

1 hour ago, Fatty Liver said:

The environment Booch wants to emulate, is the area Chris Jones has failed at numerous times.

I'd say it's more like Joe Mack. Mack brought in all sorts of athletes and expected the coaches to make em football players.

[bigg jay]

47 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Rick is back in Ottawa starting over as their STC.

And Jones is working for Bill Belichick at the University of North Carolina. 

[HardCoreBlue]

1 hour ago, Fatty Liver said:

It's simple, MOS invests in people he trusts to follow his path and rewards them with loyalty and support.  If he moved on to the next best talent at the drop of a hat he would have a hard time creating order, discipline, continuity, or peaceful camaraderie as everybody would be looking over their shoulder viewing other players and coaches as a potential enemy instead of a teammate.

The environment Booch wants to emulate, is the area Chris Jones has failed at numerous times.

What does this mean exactly?