With Rookie Camp getting underway Wednesday morning, it's officially time to talk about the 2026 Winnipeg Blue Bombers!

13 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

"Nothing lasts forever". You're absolutely right. Instead, everyone got new 3 year deals. We needed to make wholesale changes as it was time. Nope. we clung to the past.

How is that relevant to the question of whether or not we've been successful? It isn't. At the end of the day, you can only measure success by looking back.

Do I think Walters and O'Shea should have been extended for three years? That's a completely different question and my answer would be no (but neither O'Shea nor Walters would have signed short term deals either). I made it very clear that I'm not happy with the makeup or direction of the team but I won't downplay what we've accomplished over a the last decade either. Despite the trend of these last couple of years, and because of what they've accomplished, they earned their contracts.

Things I'm not happy about:

Before Biggie really started showing his age I was arguing that, as an organization, we needed to do a better job of finding "the next one". I said that we needed to identify players who could push guys, learn and carry on the culture of accountability that had taken root here - we haven't done that. I also believe we've done a terrible job of drafting these last number of years and have (historically) done a shitty job of pushing / moving on from incumbents (and that's only gotten worse). We've built a roster that is inflexible and are hamstrung by how and where we've chosen to allocate money. There was a time we looked to use every rule and every situation to our advantage, now we are overly conservative. We play not to lose. This is a team and organization (not the business side of things but football operations for sure) that's complacent.

One of the things that allowed us to turn this organization around was the fact that each of Miller, Walters and O'Shea allowed the other to do what they were hired to do and didn't assert themselves over another when it wasn't warranted (at least that was the perception from the outside looking in). We've all seen what happens when you have too many cooks in the kitchen - it's simply a breeding ground for dysfunction. With that said, real conversations need to be had with everyone about what success looks like moving forward and, if we don't achieve those goals, there needs to be some accountability. That might hurt in the short term but we should be better for it long term.

The Blue Bombers don't need to be a juggernaut but we do need to be competitive, exciting and fun to watch.

38 minutes ago, voodoochylde said:

The Blue Bombers don't need to be a juggernaut but we do need to be competitive, exciting and fun to watch.

Agree with all that you said, except this last line. Leadership needs to get back in the mindset that they need to be juggernauts. Competitive isn't the bar they need to be reaching for. "Good enough" is not good enough. There needs to be hunger and desire to get back to the best in the league. To take over games and dominate.

There was a time not that long ago when the defence would just shut teams down completely in the 4th quarter. The offence had the confidence to roll and kill the clock. All that is gone.

It doesn't seem like they have that hunger anymore. From GM to coach to players.

16 hours ago, GCn20 said:

This is the crux of the state of debate these days. No middle ground anymore. MOS and Walters were immensely successful for many years and both are very good at their jobs, however, both men are struggling right now as their competition was forced to raise their games and they stopped raising the bar. Both things can be true. We dont need to attempt to rewrite history to win an argument.

What we need is a GM and coach with the same hunger to succeed as they had before. If they do there is no better coach and GM this team could ever hope for.

Both sides of this debate are right. MOS and Walters are the best duo in the CFL, but only if they get off their asses and raise the bar like they used to do.

People saying MOS and Walters are shitty are clueless, people saying that MOS and Walters are doing a good/their best job right now are also clueless. Both men are exceptional at their jobs but both men need a swift kick in the arse to get them going again.

Disagree. Walters and O'Shea WERE the best duo for several, not many years, but on the decline since. You are exactly what your behaviour says you are, and past glories will carry you for a bit but not forever. Miller's track record says that these two will be back next year and their track records say that we are due for another year of this ineptitude. Bring on the anti-emetics.

30 minutes ago, Rich said:

Agree with all that you said, except this last line. Leadership needs to get back in the mindset that they need to be juggernauts. Competitive isn't the bar they need to be reaching for. "Good enough" is not good enough. There needs to be hunger and desire to get back to the best in the league. To take over games and dominate.

There was a time not that long ago when the defence would just shut teams down completely in the 4th quarter. The offence had the confidence to roll and kill the clock. All that is gone.

It doesn't seem like they have that hunger anymore. From GM to coach to players.

I think from a team perspective that is what they should be gunning for. From a fan perspective....or from my perspective, I want a competitive team that is fun to watch and looks like they're doing everything they can to get to that point. I know that a run of +.500 seasons won't last forever, I know that going to the Grey Cup every year isn't achievable. That's what I want the clubs goal to be. But I know it's not realistic. I just want to watch fun/competitive football.

17 minutes ago, Rich said:

Agree with all that you said, except this last line. Leadership needs to get back in the mindset that they need to be juggernauts. Competitive isn't the bar they need to be reaching for. "Good enough" is not good enough. There needs to be hunger and desire to get back to the best in the league. To take over games and dominate.

There was a time not that long ago when the defence would just shut teams down completely in the 4th quarter. The offence had the confidence to roll and kill the clock. All that is gone.

It doesn't seem like they have that hunger anymore. From GM to coach to players.

Please don't mistake the competitive remark for me accepting being "good enough" or "also rans" as I completely agree that we should strive for excellence in every facet of the organization. I'm simply saying that running roughshod over the league isn't realistic but do expect that we legitimately have a chance to be in and win a championship each year. I expect that as a team we are executing at a high level, that players are put in position to succeed and that win or lose, we can't doubt the quality of the product or the effort.

I want a team that gives it their all on the field every single game, that plays hard and fast and one where we don't have to go and ask whether or not we're truly dressing the best possible team we can or if it's just an old boys club where everyone is just too complacent.

1 hour ago, Tracker said:

Disagree. Walters and O'Shea WERE the best duo for several, not many years, but on the decline since. You are exactly what your behaviour says you are, and past glories will carry you for a bit but not forever. Miller's track record says that these two will be back next year and their track records say that we are due for another year of this ineptitude. Bring on the anti-emetics.

Is that not exactly what I said?

23 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

I want a team that gives it their all on the field every single game, that plays hard and fast and one where we don't have to go and ask whether or not we're truly dressing the best possible team we can or if it's just an old boys club where everyone is just too complacent.

X2

That goes with the coaching staff too...show some emotion and some actual ability to recognize issues...and fix...not sit back and bask in the past...and that goes for in game things...things leading up to games and all involved in the day to day stuff during the season...They seem to just be content sitting there status quo and that it will all hash itself out cause it did at one point before...under totally different circumstances, and that now work and urgency/accountability needs to be upfront and center and across the board....and thats not occurring

If this staff can show and do that and reclaim real success...I am fine and onward we go...But the trend and history has been showing they aren't and I not sure they can...Prove me wrong Osh and earn that next yr of your deal...keep on keeping on as you are....then whatever negativity you get thrown at you...it's well deserved and warranted

Edited August 21Aug 21 by Booch

3 minutes ago, Booch said:

X2

That goes with the coaching staff too...show some emotion and some actual ability to recognize issues...and fix...not sit back and bask in the past...and that goes for in game things...things leading up to games and all involved in the day to day stuff during the season...They seem to just be content sitting there status quo and that it will all hash itself out cause it did at one point before...under totally different circumstances, and that now work and urgency/accountability needs to be upfront and center and across the board....and thats not occurring

If this staff can show and do that and reclaim real success...I am fine and onward we go...But the trend and history has been showing they aren't and I not sure they can...Prove me wrong Osh and earn that next yr of your deal...keep on keeping on as you are....then whatever you negativity you get thrown at you...it's well deserved and warranted

Yeah I include the coaches in that too. They need to set the tone and set the bar for the players.

2 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Yeah I include the coaches in that too. They need to set the tone and set the bar for the players.

starts from the leader...if he half assin it and shows no urgency in his role...or accountability...and next to no fire ....it drips on down

These things are true in sport and the general working world. If the boss don't give a **** no one else will either.

Just now, 17to85 said:

These things are true in sport and the general working world. If the boss don't give a **** no one else will either.

yup...Glad I work from home as many a day i couldn\'t give one and doesn't affect anything or anyone hahahah

Some say we are spoiled and expect too much..I say there's nothing wrong with that, because holding those values keeps you at or near the top..The fans in the Peg have waited a very long time to see success that this club has attained, and are certainly not happy with the way the team has dropped off even to the point where I heard collective booing in a recent game ....That should be a big red flag for management to take note of...I as a fan don't expect miracles but I do expect competency and that is something we've been short of lately

Complacency is death in sports. If you're not getting better you're getting worse.

31 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Complacency is death in sports. If you're not getting better you're getting worse.

as we have each yr since the last cup win...wins...place in standings...playoff exit....most importantly...shallowest depth in league and I'd say team with the least true legit stars/playmakers

6 hours ago, Rich said:

Agree with all that you said, except this last line. Leadership needs to get back in the mindset that they need to be juggernauts. Competitive isn't the bar they need to be reaching for. "Good enough" is not good enough. There needs to be hunger and desire to get back to the best in the league. To take over games and dominate.

There was a time not that long ago when the defence would just shut teams down completely in the 4th quarter. The offence had the confidence to roll and kill the clock. All that is gone.

It doesn't seem like they have that hunger anymore. From GM to coach to players.

I miss when our defense had a bit of.... Swagger

2 hours ago, brett_c_b said:

I miss when our defense had a bit of.... Swagger

Instead of replacing the pieces as ned be since 2021, they just let the players age out but still played them even though they couldn't perform anymore. We never replaced Stevie Richards who left 5 years ago. We played a buch of Cheetos instead.

Bombers have signed LB Kyahva Tezino. He's been kicking around the NFL & UFL for a few years now - lead the UFL in tackles a couple seasons ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyahva_Tezino

Not a DB. Not a WR. Not an OL. Another stinking linebacker.

4 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Bombers have signed LB Kyahva Tezino. He's been kicking around the NFL & UFL for a few years now - lead the UFL in tackles a couple seasons ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyahva_Tezino

We needed to grab another LB for the PR now that Hazen is permanently on the roster.

MOS mentioned to Kyle how much fun he has trolling MBB so Kyle wanted in on the action.

KW (probably): Not active enough eh? How about we add another LB to the roster... how do you like that?

Edited August 24Aug 24 by bigg jay

16 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Not a DB. Not a WR. Not an OL. Another stinking linebacker.

It's awfully funny and a perfect summation of our roster management.

That said, I do actually really like the guy. He is that fringy tweener wil/sam size guy who is better than you'd think in the pass game and an absolute dog in the box. He's smart, loves playing, and plays bigger and faster than he is. If he pans out, and he's a high-floor guy imo, he'd be a lot better than Tony Jones. He isn't just an overachieving effort guy either; he was a 4-star player out of hs. He's got Bighill esq size and measurable questions that hurt his chances, but he's bounced around 4 nfl teams for a reason.

We don't have room for 2 imp backup LBers, but we are doing it anyway. In a week or two Id swap Hazen for Tezino in a heartbeat.

This might also be due to Tony jones getting banged up.

After weeks of inactivity, the fact that this is the move we make is just sick though.

16 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

It's awfully funny and a perfect summation of our roster management.

That said, I do actually really like the guy. He is that fringy tweener wil/sam size guy who is better than you'd think in the pass game and an absolute dog in the box. He's smart, loves playing, and plays bigger and faster than he is. If he pans out, and he's a high-floor guy imo, he'd be a lot better than Tony Jones. He isn't just an overachieving effort guy either; he was a 4-star player out of hs. He's got Bighill esq size and measurable questions that hurt his chances, but he's bounced around 4 nfl teams for a reason.

We don't have room for 2 imp backup LBers, but we are doing it anyway. In a week or two Id swap Hazen for Tezino in a heartbeat.

This might also be due to Tony jones getting banged up.

After weeks of inactivity, the fact that this is the move we make is just sick though.

As per the bolded...then why sign here?..hahaha...But agree...He's a solid guy..still youngish...prob wont see him on roster even if he looks to be the best of the group

But yeah...we have serious needs in several places...LB far down the list...talk about clueless

My bigger question...we playing the top team in league...at home, so no travel day required. We obviously need practice time and figure things out....had the 1 day off required on sat...Have we even practiced yet...are we today...should been on field sunday already

1 minute ago, Booch said:

As per the bolded...then why sign here?..hahaha...But agree...He's a solid guy..still youngish...prob wont see him on roster even if he looks to be the best of the group

But yeah...we have serious needs in several places...LB far down the list...talk about clueless

My bigger question...we playing the top team in league...at home, so no travel day required. We obviously need practice time and figure things out....had the 1 day off required on sat...Have we even practiced yet...are we today...should been on field sunday already

LOL. I think the real reason is that he isn't going to be in the NFL, and he can play here and then, if it doesn't work out, go to the XFL in the spring.

We have a million LBs but they mostly suck.