Part of me wants him to play this week, but the other, logical part of me, says Willy should at a minimum, sit vs Montreal. Bombers can likely win against the Als without Willy. It's a long season and concussions are a serious matter. I'm sure Willy wants back out there ASAP, but I hope the Bombers don't rush him back. Willy's long term health is most important here.

Will be an interesting week following Willy's status. I'm sure there will be lots of speculation and practice updates.

I guess the positive sign are he reports that Willy was watching the second half from the tunnel. Suggests he was mentally alert. Big sign will come in the next few days and whether he has any headaches or other post concussion signs.

A few years back there was an official who was fired for that incredibly brutal PI call against Montreal in the end zone when it was Carr doing the interfering. Higgins made a stupid comment about football gods which got Bomber fans' noses out of joint even though everyone agreed it was a brutal call.

That was the game where the clock ran out when Brink was trying to score a TD from the one, several times, right?

Yes vs Montreal in Winnipeg. I'll never forget that game. Obby Kahn was the Bombers centre.

 

Refs are held accountable. Just not publicly.

 

I'm skeptical. Got an example? 

 

edit see you gave an example. That's one. maybe. being promoted after demoted doesn't sound like much punishment.

 

And If there are consequences to the refs, they should let us fans know, might reduce the anger that people feel when refs like this one blow it so badly, and as far as I know, there is no consequence. If there is, tell us.

 

Every body in football is subject to public criticism except the refs. 

 

Makes no sense to me. 

 

 

The refs performance are reviewed each week with what they did well and what they missed.

 

If you want them to be held accountable with fines, I do not believe that happens.

 

They are held accountable in terms of future work and promotions / bonuses to ref playoff games, etc.

 

I don't believe refs should be held accountable or fined in the public.  Refs already take enough crap from fans.

 

It should stay between the league and the teams.

 

I don't know how much a CFL ref makes, but I can't imagine being all that much compared to other professional sports (6 figures).  Good luck attracting better qualified people if their names and reputation are going to be dragged through the papers as well.

 

At least with a player or coach you have the chance to get accolades and recognition with a job well done.  Win a Grey Cup?  Get a ring.  Make a good play?  Get on the highlight reel.  Tops at what you do?  Get paid in free agency.

 

Do your job as a ref?  No one notices, it is just expected you get everything right.  Screw up?  Have 30,000 people screaming obscenities at you and your employer throwing you under the bus.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/cfl-fines-hamilton-defensive-lineman-tracy-for-hit-on-bombers-qb-drew-willy-1.3142215

 

fair or unfair? I would say fair considering what went on in the game

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/cfl-fines-hamilton-defensive-lineman-tracy-for-hit-on-bombers-qb-drew-willy-1.3142215

 

fair or unfair? I would say fair considering what went on in the game

 

About as good as they can do after the fact.  IMO they should look at allowing the officials supervisor or the replay official in Toronto to buzz the head ref to make that call and other player safety/rough play calls if he misses it.  Otherwise you're creating an atmosphere where all QB's are fair game.

"No penalty was called on the play, which Glen Johnson, the vice-president of officiating, said was wrong.

 

 

 

 

and…… we know what happened to the player, and that's ok, but we don't know anything about the ref, and that's also ok, cause refs don't make much money, and already take crap.

 

doesn't persuade me, but thats ok too.

"

"CFL fines Hamilton defensive lineman Tracy for hit on Bombers QB Drew Willy ...Tracy made helmet-to-helmet hit"

 

The problem is not with the Refs ...

 

The problem is with the league owners

 

The problem will never change until they decide to change

I would have been happy if there was a roughing or ejection call on the play...too little, too late

"

"CFL fines Hamilton defensive lineman Tracy for hit on Bombers QB Drew Willy ...Tracy made helmet-to-helmet hit"

 

The problem is not with the Refs ...

 

The problem is with the league owners

 

The problem will never change until they decide to change

Merged with the existing discussion.

The owners aren't on the field missing helmet to helmet shots. That's ridiculous. The problem is the refs cuz if they actually consistently called the illegal helmet to helmet on the QB hits then people would get the point. Get they are serious. 25 yards and first down for any helmet to helmet shot on the QB called every time would Def change things. Just seems some refs call it and some don't. That's the real problem. Do it once it's 25 yards and a first. Again. Even if it's 2 weeks later suspended. Point proven. Same game. Ejection fine suspension. If you want to get silly. 25 yards. Ejection. Fine. Suspension and your team can't replace you the rest of the game so basically you are 1 man short on d.

The CFL office had the ability to review the play in slow motion from multiple camera angles to make their evaluation if the play. The officials have one opportunity to make a judgement call in real time to do the same thing. Perhaps we should all walk a mile in the shoes of officials. It isn't as easy as we might think.

The CFL office had the ability to review the play in slow motion from multiple camera angles to make their evaluation if the play. The officials have one opportunity to make a judgement call in real time to do the same thing. Perhaps we should all walk a mile in the shoes of officials. It isn't as easy as we might think.

Helmet to Helmet is pretty simple actually. Walk a mile in their shoes. Jesus. You crap on all things bombers but defend the incompetent refs? How do you defend the ref when it's his job to actually watch the QB but maybe he had to scratch his ass or something.

And you saw that in real time?

And you saw that in real time?

Who didn't besides the ref. If you didn't how the hell did you not

Here is a second opinion from the Wpg Sun.

 

 

 

World-renowned concussion expert says Bombers on thin ice with decision to bring Drew Willy back quickly from head injury

 

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/07/world-renowned-concussion-expert-says-bombers-on-thin-ice-with-decision-to-bring-drew-willy-back-quickly-from-head-injury

World-renowned concussion expert says Bombers on thin ice with decision to bring Drew Willy back quickly from head injury

 

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/07/world-renowned-concussion-expert-says-bombers-on-thin-ice-with-decision-to-bring-drew-willy-back-quickly-from-head-injury

World renowned pessimist manages to criticize and declare doom on the only good news Bomber fans have gotten this week. Read more at winnipegsun.com...

World-renowned concussion expert says Bombers on thin ice with decision to bring Drew Willy back quickly from head injury

 

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/07/world-renowned-concussion-expert-says-bombers-on-thin-ice-with-decision-to-bring-drew-willy-back-quickly-from-head-injury

You know.. Cuz he tested willy and did all the tests on him.. Smh.

Guys getting his name out there by rocking the boat. Sure, you could argue the bombers and willy are pushing the limit but again, if he passed ALL baseline tests after hit and then days again later.. What's the issue here?

The owners aren't on the field missing helmet to helmet shots. That's ridiculous. The problem is the refs cuz if they actually consistently called the illegal helmet to helmet on the QB hits then people would get the point. Get they are serious. 25 yards and first down for any helmet to helmet shot on the QB called every time would Def change things. Just seems some refs call it and some don't. That's the real problem. Do it once it's 25 yards and a first. Again. Even if it's 2 weeks later suspended. Point proven. Same game. Ejection fine suspension. If you want to get silly. 25 yards. Ejection. Fine. Suspension and your team can't replace you the rest of the game so basically you are 1 man short on d.

I agree the reffing could be better, more consistent

 

The big deal for me is getting the clowns out of the circus .... the dangerous and  hyper violent players off the field and warning the other players to not imitate the bad behavior

And you saw that in real time?

Who didn't besides the ref. If you didn't how the hell did you not

Have you considered that maybe, just maybe, the official's view was blocked by the players so he saw the hit but not the helmet-to-helmet contact.

 

World-renowned concussion expert says Bombers on thin ice with decision to bring Drew Willy back quickly from head injury

 

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/07/world-renowned-concussion-expert-says-bombers-on-thin-ice-with-decision-to-bring-drew-willy-back-quickly-from-head-injury

You know.. Cuz he tested willy and did all the tests on him.. Smh.

Guys getting his name out there by rocking the boat. Sure, you could argue the bombers and willy are pushing the limit but again, if he passed ALL baseline tests after hit and then days again later.. What's the issue here?

 

 

Easy to say but you have to admit that both O'Shea and Willy have been less than forthright in this matter, describing the injury only as "upper body" and avoiding using the word "concussion" at all.  Both Willy and O'Shea have said that he never lost consciousness and yet he lay motionless for at least 2 mins. and the photo clearly shows his eyes are closed.  Willy was standing in the tunnel still in full gear within 20 minutes of being laid out so if they did go through the proper concussion protocol the results were already somewhat predetermined.  In Willy's own words he was ready to return to the game for the 2nd half but the medical staff held him out.

 

As the article explains the real danger for Willy is in the next game, were even a minor tackle could lead to more serious damage.  It wasn't that many years ago that Buck Pierce returned to play in games in which he had been obviously concussed.  So yes the CFL is taking steps in the right direction but those steps are still guarded by self-interest and the traditions of professional sports and not based on the best scientific evidence.  Fans may cheer but it is Willy who has to ultimately pay the price.

@DougBrown97: Happy to hear Willy has passed his concussion protocol tests, but if you don't believe he was K.O'ed last week, I have a bridge to sell u.

Pretty clear divide here. You have one side who is concerned about the health and wellbeing of the players and one side who wants nothing more than to win a football game at all costs. Maybe it's time to re-examine which side you want to be on.

Here in lies the argument between sport for the sake of sport and the business of sport, or sport as a business. If there isn't a conflict of interest I don't know what is? That interest being the health and well being of your employees what is?

Just had a friend tell me we are flying someone in to evaluate Willy.....anyone have information on that?

There is a neuropsychologist in Winnipeg that the Jets and Bombers used, specifically trained in this field. But for the sake of perceived independence and transparency they might decide to use an " outside" consultant as well.

 

 

World-renowned concussion expert says Bombers on thin ice with decision to bring Drew Willy back quickly from head injury

 

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/07/world-renowned-concussion-expert-says-bombers-on-thin-ice-with-decision-to-bring-drew-willy-back-quickly-from-head-injury

You know.. Cuz he tested willy and did all the tests on him.. Smh.

Guys getting his name out there by rocking the boat. Sure, you could argue the bombers and willy are pushing the limit but again, if he passed ALL baseline tests after hit and then days again later.. What's the issue here?

 

 

Easy to say but you have to admit that both O'Shea and Willy have been less than forthright in this matter, describing the injury only as "upper body" and avoiding using the word "concussion" at all.  Both Willy and O'Shea have said that he never lost consciousness and yet he lay motionless for at least 2 mins. and the photo clearly shows his eyes are closed.  Willy was standing in the tunnel still in full gear within 20 minutes of being laid out so if they did go through the proper concussion protocol the results were already somewhat predetermined.  In Willy's own words he was ready to return to the game for the 2nd half but the medical staff held him out.

 

As the article explains the real danger for Willy is in the next game, were even a minor tackle could lead to more serious damage.  It wasn't that many years ago that Buck Pierce returned to play in games in which he had been obviously concussed.  So yes the CFL is taking steps in the right direction but those steps are still guarded by self-interest and the traditions of professional sports and not based on the best scientific evidence.  Fans may cheer but it is Willy who has to ultimately pay the price.

 

 

 

Have you even remotely considered the possibility that he wasn't concussed? You should...because all evidence points to that.

Neither Willy nor O'Shea have avoided the use of the word concussion. Just for fun, I listened to O'Shea's coaches show on Monday again and counted how many times he used the word concussion. THIRTY THREE....THIRTY THREE TIMES in just over 20 minutes the word was used in reference to Willy's injury. He, of course, was using it to declare once and for all that Willy had passed ALL CONCUSSION PROTOCOLS. That's not being secretive, that's not avoiding the use of the word....that's simply you disregarding it because he didn't use it in the imaginary context you have built up in your head to be true. Someone has a problem with avoidance of reality, however, it isn't Willy or O'Shea.