Interesting tidbits regarding the offensive coaches near the end of this article from Bob Irving. Also noteworthy is that Bob Wylie is expected to return...I wonder if it's full-time or part-time?

Here's the full link: http://m.cfl.ca/article/irving-oshea-etch-couldnt-reach-compromise.

Irving: O'Shea, 'Etch' couldn't reach compromise

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' season ended on Nov. 1, 2014. 47 days later, after much agonizing and discussion, Mike O'Shea made the most difficult call of his one-year tenure as head coach of the Bombers when he fired defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry.

Given the time it took, fair to say it wasn't an easy decision. Firing friends, people you respect, never is. O'Shea says he had many discussions with Etcheverry about altering his defensive philosophy but none met with his satisfaction.

"It was a long process of evaluation and lots of time spent with Etch trying to come up with a good solution going forward," said O'Shea. "In the end, the number of changes I was going to ask Etch to make, I just felt he wasn't going to be able to truly believe in the solutions I wanted."

Etcheverry runs what could best be called an unusual and unorthodox defensive scheme which features multiples of odd-looking and off-balance defensive fronts, and which doesn't include a playbook of any kind. It's the same kind of defence he has run during his decade with various CFL clubs, and for the first half of the 2014 CFL season, it was effective enough to allow the Bombers to post a 6-3 mid-season record.

But as the losses mounted in the second half, so did the yards rushing against the Winnipeg defence, and when the season ended, the Bombers were dead last in the league in points allowed and rushing yards allowed. Etcheverry's defensive philosophy had gone from being 'quirky' to 'disastrous'.

O'Shea said he hopes to hire a new defensive co-ordinator "sooner rather than later. At the same time I don't feel like we are in any rush. We do have time."

The two leading candidates are no secret to anyone. Recently fired BC head coach Mike Benevides, who has years of experience working with defences, and long-time CFL coach Richie Hall will be the first candidates O'Shea talks to (if he hasn't already!).

And Hall, who was shunted aside as Saskatchewan's defensive co-ordinator, would have to be considered the leading contender. Hall has a wealth of experience as both a player and coach, he is respected by all, and he runs the traditional type of defence that O'Shea is looking for. O'Shea said the future of the rest of the Bombers defensive coaches would be in the hands of the new co-ordinator.

Meanwhile, O'Shea removed any type of cloud that might have been hanging over Marcel Bellefeuille's head by stating that Bellefeuille would be back as the Bombers offensive co-ordinator.

Receivers coach Markus Howell and offensive line coach Bob Wylie are also expected to return, but what happens with quarterbacks coach Gene Dahlquist is uncertain. Dahlquist joined the Bombers from the U.S. college ranks in 21014 with no CFL experience.

Logic might suggest that running backs coach Buck Pierce, who retired at the end of the 2013 season after playing the quarterback position for eight CFL seasons, might be a better choice to tutor Winnipeg's young quarterbacks Drew Willy and Robert Marve.

No offensive system (no matter how good it is) works without a solid offensive line. That's the problem in Winnipeg. Our OL is terrible & has been for years. We won't get better as an offensive team until that particular unit improves greatly. 

but there are things you can do with an offense to help take some of the pressure off the offensive line, based on what has been said by players this past season there are questions whether this offense does that or it Bellefool just throws them into the deep end and says sink or swim. 

I firmly believe the Bombers OL is no worse than league average. It's the system that made them look bad last season. The offense and the OL can be improved with a few simple adjustments:

• Move the pocket around a little more. Prevents opposing defenses from zeroing in on Willy. Not saying turn Willy into Reilly or Collaros, but move him around more (10-12 times a game instead of 3-4), it'll keep the defenses honest.
• Install/call more quick slant passes. Allow Willy to get the ball out of his hands quicker.
• Consistently have an outlet for Willy, this can be a tight end, running back, whatever. Willy needs a safety valve when he's under pressure and can't find his primary reads.
• Minimize the corner fade routes as part of the red zone offense.
• Paris Cotton will help with the run game this year. He's much more elusive, has better vision and hits the holes with more authority than Grigsby.

 

I firmly believe the Bombers OL is no worse than league average.  It's the system that made them look bad last season.  The offense and the OL can be improved with a few simple adjustments:

1. Move the pocket around a little more.  Prevents opposing defenses from zeroing in on Willy.  Not saying turn Willy into Reilly or Collaros, but move him around more (10-12 times a game instead or 3-4), it'll keep the defenses honest. 
2. Install/call more quick slant passes.  Allow Willy to get the ball out of his hands quicker. 
3. Consistently have an outlet for Willy, this can be a tight end, running back, whatever.  Willy needs a safety valve when he's under pressure and can't find his primary reads. 
4. Minimize the corner fade routes as part of the red zone offense. 
5. Paris Cotton will help with the run game this year.  He's much more elusive, has better vision and hits the holes with more authority than Grigsby. 

 

 

It's funny that you mention this because I was thinking about this the other day. In my opinion, it's not the corner fade routes that need to go. It's that they really should not have had Romby Bryant being the one to run the majority of them.

I firmly believe the Bombers OL is no worse than league average. It's the system that made them look bad last season. The offense and the OL can be improved with a few simple adjustments:

• Move the pocket around a little more. Prevents opposing defenses from zeroing in on Willy. Not saying turn Willy into Reilly or Collaros, but move him around more (10-12 times a game instead or 3-4), it'll keep the defenses honest.
• Install/call more quick slant passes. Allow Willy to get the ball out of his hands quicker.
• Consistently have an outlet for Willy, this can be a tight end, running back, whatever. Willy needs a safety valve when he's under pressure and can't find his primary reads.
• Minimize the corner fade routes as part of the red zone offense.
• Paris Cotton will help with the run game this year. He's much more elusive, has better vision and hits the holes with more authority than Grigsby.

It's funny that you mention this because I was thinking about this the other day. In my opinion, it's not the corner fade routes that need to go. It's that they really should not have had Romby Bryant being the one to run the majority of them.

That could be a solution, but either way the corner fades stopped working as the season went on. In my opinion, a corner fade route is a high risk pass, so I'd call it much less than we did last year, especially when you only have two downs (NFL you can take more risks). Still keep it in the offense, but minimize it.

I'd like to see us sign a big, physical WR, who is like 6'5" who we can use in the red zone on jump balls. Aaron Kelly is tall, but not physical enough to use as a primary jump ball red zone guy. I had hopes Urrutia could have been that guy, but he obviously didn't work out.

SJ Green and Ernest Jackson are 2 of the group of physical receivers in the CFL. They could be available comes free agency.

SJ Green and Ernest Jackson are 2 of the group of physical receivers in the CFL. They could be available comes free agency.

 

I'll be really surprised if Green doesn't re-sign in Montreal.  I heard Jackson has some NFL interest.  He showed some great stuff last year but over a very short time period.  He'd be a good guy to get in here but if he stays in the CFL, someone will overpay for him and I don't think it will be the Bombers.

Keep the sacks down to 30-40 and Willy shines.

 

 

I firmly believe the Bombers OL is no worse than league average.  It's the system that made them look bad last season.  The offense and the OL can be improved with a few simple adjustments:

1. Move the pocket around a little more.  Prevents opposing defenses from zeroing in on Willy.  Not saying turn Willy into Reilly or Collaros, but move him around more (10-12 times a game instead or 3-4), it'll keep the defenses honest. 
2. Install/call more quick slant passes.  Allow Willy to get the ball out of his hands quicker. 
3. Consistently have an outlet for Willy, this can be a tight end, running back, whatever.  Willy needs a safety valve when he's under pressure and can't find his primary reads. 
4. Minimize the corner fade routes as part of the red zone offense. 
5. Paris Cotton will help with the run game this year.  He's much more elusive, has better vision and hits the holes with more authority than Grigsby. 

 

 

It's funny that you mention this because I was thinking about this the other day. In my opinion, it's not the corner fade routes that need to go. It's that they really should not have had Romby Bryant being the one to run the majority of them.

 

it definitely worked better with Kelly than it did with Bryant. Bryant is probably the last guy on the roster I want that play to go to. 

 

SJ Green and Ernest Jackson are 2 of the group of physical receivers in the CFL. They could be available comes free agency.

 

I'll be really surprised if Green doesn't re-sign in Montreal.  I heard Jackson has some NFL interest.  He showed some great stuff last year but over a very short time period.  He'd be a good guy to get in here but if he stays in the CFL, someone will overpay for him and I don't think it will be the Bombers.

 

 

Walters did overpay last year when he brought Moore. I'm not saying the Bombers will do that again. But you never know, Willy might want to reconnect with one of his top receivers in UB.

 

 

SJ Green and Ernest Jackson are 2 of the group of physical receivers in the CFL. They could be available comes free agency.

 

I'll be really surprised if Green doesn't re-sign in Montreal.  I heard Jackson has some NFL interest.  He showed some great stuff last year but over a very short time period.  He'd be a good guy to get in here but if he stays in the CFL, someone will overpay for him and I don't think it will be the Bombers.

 

 

Walters did overpay last year when he brought Moore. I'm not saying the Bombers will do that again. But you never know, Willy might want to reconnect with one of his top receivers in UB.

 

 

That's exactly why I think they wouldn't do it again.  Can't blow all your cash on one position group.

Cory Watson was pretty good on that corner route ... he caught a couple of them.

This team should have loads of cash ... we have the least amount of "star" players in the league next to Ottawa

This team should have loads of cash ... we have the least amount of "star" players in the league next to Ottawa

 

I think you're right.  That's why we have been able to extend so many players this off-season.  We definitely have some money to spend in free agency.  But you still have to spend it wisely.

Bring in Milt to help design some endzone plays.

Bring in Milt to help design some endzone plays.

Milt was clear that his success was all about determination and conditioning. He said that he was rarely the fastest guy on the field for the first 20 or 30 plays but after that he rapidly became the fastest player.

Bring in Milt to help design some endzone plays.

Milt was clear that his success was all about determination and conditioning. He said that he was rarely the fastest guy on the field for the first 20 or 30 plays but after that he rapidly became the fastest player.

that thanksgiving day game proves him wrong. Not to mention the yardage record game where he ran away from everyone early in the game in his late thirties

Bring in Milt to help design some endzone plays dances.

 

Had to make a little adjustment for you there 

If Dahlquist isn't returning, and if we are sticking with a pocket passer like Drew Willy, then how about Dieter Brock as QB coach?

He's hinted he'd take a gig with Winnipeg.

IMHO Bombers should move Buck Pierce into the PR dept. Reading defences in a hurry was never his forte.

Buck played almost a decade in the CFL. He knows how to read defenses. 

Buck played almost a decade in the CFL. He knows how to read defenses. 

Is that why he ate turf so much?

 

 

I firmly believe the Bombers OL is no worse than league average. It's the system that made them look bad last season. The offense and the OL can be improved with a few simple adjustments:

• Move the pocket around a little more. Prevents opposing defenses from zeroing in on Willy. Not saying turn Willy into Reilly or Collaros, but move him around more (10-12 times a game instead or 3-4), it'll keep the defenses honest.
• Install/call more quick slant passes. Allow Willy to get the ball out of his hands quicker.
• Consistently have an outlet for Willy, this can be a tight end, running back, whatever. Willy needs a safety valve when he's under pressure and can't find his primary reads.
• Minimize the corner fade routes as part of the red zone offense.
• Paris Cotton will help with the run game this year. He's much more elusive, has better vision and hits the holes with more authority than Grigsby.

It's funny that you mention this because I was thinking about this the other day. In my opinion, it's not the corner fade routes that need to go. It's that they really should not have had Romby Bryant being the one to run the majority of them.

That could be a solution, but either way the corner fades stopped working as the season went on. In my opinion, a corner fade route is a high risk pass, so I'd call it much less than we did last year, especially when you only have two downs (NFL you can take more risks). Still keep it in the offense, but minimize it.

I'd like to see us sign a big, physical WR, who is like 6'5" who we can use in the red zone on jump balls. Aaron Kelly is tall, but not physical enough to use as a primary jump ball red zone guy. I had hopes Urrutia could have been that guy, but he obviously didn't work out.

 

 

If my memory serves correct that stupid corner fade route only worked twice in the entire season, once to Kelly and once to Kohlert and they both made spectacular catches for TD's.  Hope Willy, Marcel and the O-line can get on the same page quickly because their performance in the second half of the season was dreadful.

 

Buck played almost a decade in the CFL. He knows how to read defenses. 

Is that why he ate turf so much?

 

Sure, okay. A CFL team will always play a guy who knows nothing about reading coverages out there as the long term starting qb. Ever thought a piss poor offensive line had a lot to do with it? Buck got the **** beat out of him every game because of the pylons blocking in front of him. This year it was so much better for Willy. Oh wait...

I always found Buck to be more of an ad lib QB who liked to hold on to the ball longer than most

 

 

Buck played almost a decade in the CFL. He knows how to read defenses. 

Is that why he ate turf so much?

 

Sure, okay. A CFL team will always play a guy who knows nothing about reading coverages out there as the long term starting qb. Ever thought a piss poor offensive line had a lot to do with it? Buck got the **** beat out of him every game because of the pylons blocking in front of him. This year it was so much better for Willy. Oh wait...

 

Except it happened when he was in BC too so...

His injuries started in BC. Wally released him. We took a chance that maybe he had a couple to 3 years of good football left. Didn't work out.It might've if we  had a line that could pass block consistently. Buck became a human punching bag for CFL defenses. The other thing to consider is we didn't really know Buck's reads & progressions. He may have still been making the right reads.