First practice of the regular season is today. Out with the old and in with the new. Time to get it started.

 

4 hours ago, GCn20 said:

My argument is sound. Lack of talent is hurting us more than roster deployment.

No your argument that guys who are cut and don't immediately go on and do huge things for a new team aren't worth fussing over. 

Here's an example: Kenny Lawler. He was cut from BC, let's say the Bombers were set at receiver and didn't pick him up... would that have made him one of these guys not to get fussed over? When he was first here he was just a ham and egger too. Wasn't until lapo left and collaros became starter that Lawler emerged. Opportunity and time are what players need to grown into impact players.

Anyone who uses the term "ham and egger" should be banished to Rider Fans.

Lawler led us in receiving in 2019.

3 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Lawler led us in receiving in 2019.

with what...about 600 yards?...lol...didnt we have a real lack of stats for anyone? other than Harris

The point is, there were plenty of people said "hey Lawler is good just not getting lots of opportunities", where as there were others insisting that receivers weren't all that good. 

Opportunities are the key and we don't give guys opportunities unless an incumbent gets hurt or completely shits their pants.

1 hour ago, 17to85 said:

The point is, there were plenty of people said "hey Lawler is good just not getting lots of opportunities", where as there were others insisting that receivers weren't all that good. 

Opportunities are the key and we don't give guys opportunities unless an incumbent gets hurt or completely shits their pants.

And even then he gets to either **** it for a half to full yr...some multiple yrs if you a coach fav

56 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

The point is, there were plenty of people said "hey Lawler is good just not getting lots of opportunities", where as there were others insisting that receivers weren't all that good. 

Opportunities are the key and we don't give guys opportunities unless an incumbent gets hurt or completely shits their pants.

Absolutely no push up the middle, 7 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 hurries (I think) after 11 games = completely shits their pants or Jake hate or we have no one better, or he helps with the ratio, or he's actually performing adequately, or he's earned to be out there until he decides he doesn't want to do it anymore or a bit of all these factors?

The one thing JT has helped me with is understanding in more detail how important the NT position is. I'm more of a DB/safety/SAM/Wil fan but my level of appreciation for needing an effective Dline has increased immensely especially this year.

 

 

10 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

Absolutely no push up the middle, 7 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 hurries (I think) after 11 games = completely shits their pants or Jake hate or we have no one better, or he helps with the ratio, or he's actually performing adequately, or he's earned to be out there until he decides he doesn't want to do it anymore or a bit of all these factors?

The one thing JT has helped me with is understanding in more detail how important the NT position is. I'm more of a DB/safety/SAM/Wil fan but my level of appreciation for needing an effective Dline has increased immensely especially this year.

 

 

Can't see how anyone could think he earned anything...longevity shouldn't earn you a spot...especially when last 3 yrs was a gift by his HC

Scmeckle actually showed more in his 3 games this yr than Jake in last 2...should have right there knocked him off roster and we rolled with him and Lawson

The plan of running with 3...one of whom did diddly poo out there does nothing for us other than take away from the 2 who did make some impact

Further to that 2 at same time took away from an import...be it woods...Adams or Person...and wasn't needed and is usually when we get gouged 

Our interior dline was very good in the labor day game, including Jake. Lawson is getting back to the form that we hoped he would prior to his injury. Opposing offenses have not been able to run up the middle, Riders runs that did anything were around the edge mostly with Vaughtner losing contain. I didn't think we'd be effective at all with the three Non imports  but I was wrong.

The mistake we made though was still not having Adams or Woods rostered, in that 6 dline isn't enough and when Smeckle got hurt we were really against it.

 

Edited September 4, 2025Sep 4 by Pete

3 hours ago, Booch said:

Can't see how anyone could think he earned anything...longevity shouldn't earn you a spot...especially when last 3 yrs was a gift by his HC

What's going thru the mind of a guy like Jake? Does he recognize how much he's dropped off? Does he sense he's more a hinderance than a help? Does he allow himself to doubt that assessment because the coaches continue to have faith in him? Expecting him to ask to be sat in favour of someone else is obviously not in the psyche of a professional athlete...but do you think he ever feels a measure of guilt or shame knowing someone else could do a better job for the team?

Having never been a pro football player I can't put myself in his shoes.

4 hours ago, Deiter Fan said:

What's going thru the mind of a guy like Jake? Does he recognize how much he's dropped off? Does he sense he's more a hinderance than a help? Does he allow himself to doubt that assessment because the coaches continue to have faith in him? Expecting him to ask to be sat in favour of someone else is obviously not in the psyche of a professional athlete...but do you think he ever feels a measure of guilt or shame knowing someone else could do a better job for the team?

Having never been a pro football player I can't put myself in his shoes.

Probably feels as much guilt as you do about that  post

Edited September 5, 2025Sep 5 by Pete

15 hours ago, Deiter Fan said:

What's going thru the mind of a guy like Jake? Does he recognize how much he's dropped off? Does he sense he's more a hinderance than a help? Does he allow himself to doubt that assessment because the coaches continue to have faith in him? Expecting him to ask to be sat in favour of someone else is obviously not in the psyche of a professional athlete...but do you think he ever feels a measure of guilt or shame knowing someone else could do a better job for the team?

Having never been a pro football player I can't put myself in his shoes.

He likely thinks he can still go and that hes doing what is asked of him. He probably thinks he is just 1 guy on the team. Likely a leader in the room due to his amount of time spent in the league now and only with us. Prob hears or sees the criticism but has probably also hesrd that for a long time.  
 

sad but likely true….. one day, Jake Thomas will go in the bombers ring of honor. 

Edited September 5, 2025Sep 5 by Goalie

10 minutes ago, Goalie said:

He likely thinks he can still go and that hes doing what is asked of him. He probably thinks he is just 1 guy on the team. Likely a leader in the room due to his amount of time spent in the league now and only with us. Prob hears or sees the criticism but has probably also hesrd that for a long time.  
 

sad but likely true….. one day, Jake Thomas will go in the bombers ring of honor. 

Prefacing this with I have limited knowledge when it comes to accurately assessing our scouting department when it comes to our Dline but some saying JT is the best we have continually fascinates me.

Your last sentence gets me thinking, how many players on the Bombers ring of honor continued to play well past their prime?

 

25 minutes ago, Goalie said:

He likely thinks he can still go and that hes doing what is asked of him. He probably thinks he is just 1 guy on the team. Likely a leader in the room due to his amount of time spent in the league now and only with us. Prob hears or sees the criticism but has probably also hesrd that for a long time.  
 

sad but likely true….. one day, Jake Thomas will go in the bombers ring of honor. 

then a guy like Gauthier outta go up too then...played forever but has actually had impactful play over his career and instances where if not for him...we'd have been toast

Jake should never get on for hanging around 5 yrs past usefuness...and even during his usefulness...never piled up the stats and was a game changing player by any means

26 minutes ago, Goalie said:

one day, Jake Thomas will go in the bombers ring of honor. 

For what? Playing a lot of years? Guy has never been exceptional. In his prime he was a depth piece.... that he's been trotted out like some superstar in his twilight years doesn't change that.

1 minute ago, 17to85 said:

For what? Playing a lot of years? Guy has never been exceptional. In his prime he was a depth piece.... that he's been trotted out like some superstar in his twilight years doesn't change that.

and in all honesty...we could have replaced him easily in his "prime" yrs with a better option too

Guy has had as about a pedestrian and non-descript career as one could have

6 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

For what? Playing a lot of years? Guy has never been exceptional. In his prime he was a depth piece.... that he's been trotted out like some superstar in his twilight years doesn't change that.

If Jake went up, we would have to put about 100 other guys up. Tyrone jones announced just this year, no guy like jake is ever getting to the ring. Nuef isn't going to get a shot, and he would be far more worthy. Zach, wj, bryant and if brady keeps it up for a few more years he goes up. 

1 hour ago, Goalie said:

He likely thinks he can still go and that hes doing what is asked of him. He probably thinks he is just 1 guy on the team. Likely a leader in the room due to his amount of time spent in the league now and only with us. Prob hears or sees the criticism but has probably also hesrd that for a long time.  
 

sad but likely true….. one day, Jake Thomas will go in the bombers ring of honor. 

Greg Battle

Tom Clements

Oshea

Jefferson

Bighill

Bryant

Collaros

Willard Reaves

Cal Murphy

Khari Jones

Denmark

Randle

Cornell Piper

House

Tons of guys before him

29 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

If Jake went up, we would have to put about 100 other guys up. Tyrone jones announced just this year, no guy like jake is ever getting to the ring. Nuef isn't going to get a shot, and he would be far more worthy. Zach, wj, bryant and if brady keeps it up for a few more years he goes up. 

At minimum... so many guys way more deserving than Jake.  I wouldn't even put him in the WFC HOF which is way less exclusive than the ROH.

1 minute ago, bigg jay said:

At minimum... so many guys way more deserving than Jake.  I wouldn't even put him in the WFC HOF which is way less exclusive than the ROH.

Coaching/watching football from Atom up to and including High School, there was always an award called warrior given to a player. Give him that. 🙂

16 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Greg Battle

Tom Clements

Oshea

Jefferson

Bighill

Bryant

Collaros

Willard Reaves

Cal Murphy

Khari Jones

Denmark

Randle

Cornell Piper

House

Tons of guys before him

Canadian DT Mikawos deserves to be in way before Jake is even ever considered....and he wont be...ever....Thankfully Osh doesnt run the Committee that decides that

Watching JT play brings back memories of playing slow pitch where the guy playing RF was a super nice guy, great team player but couldn't play worth **** so we tried to hide him in RF hoping our CF could play two positions. 🙂

I really need to stop.

Go Bombers.

ps JT I love you you know that.

10 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

Coaching/watching football from Atom up to and including High School, there was always an award called warrior given to a player. Give him that. 🙂

i'd go with Try's Hard award

Mikawos was a good one.  Watching vintage games with him as a NT, that dude could move a center around.  Glad he got that 84 grey cup TD on his resume.

7 minutes ago, johnzo said:

Mikawos was a good one.  Watching vintage games with him as a NT, that dude could move a center around.  Glad he got that 84 grey cup TD on his resume.

guy who legit could play Nose...or DT...and allowed us to do so much on defence back in those days with our front