J5V

I think there's more to this story but we didn't need any locker room distractions at this time. The timing definitely sucks. Some times O'Shea tells us that his player said he's good to go, no matter how battered, so he's playing. Player's coach. Other times O'Shea says the player is not going in or is being re-assigned no matter what the player wants. Hard ass coach. I guess it depends on who the player is and what the circumstances are. Bottom line is, O'Shea is the boss and it's his team. My only concern is that, in my view, Gaitor is a much better player than Rios, and we can't afford to not be playing our best players in the playoffs. If Rios plays in Gaitor's spot and gets lit up again by Bo, well. This isn't the first time we've heard this sort of thing with O'Shea. Some very good players have simply walked away from this team. I thought everyone wanted to play for O'Shea and that's why they're here. Troubling, and as I say, the timing is brutal. I can't help but wonder what Gaitor's team mates are thinking and feeling at this time. Damn!

Depends who you listen to, I guess. "Bombers Head Coach Mike O’Shea indicated on Thursday that Gaitor refused a positional switch after getting healthy, and he has since left the team." https://globalnews.ca/news/6142603/winnipeg-blue-bombers-anthony-gaitor/

No, O'Shea changed his position. I don't get it. I hope we don't get a dose of Rios and his terrible play. O'Shea's the boss. He must have his reasons.

What else is he going to say on the Coaches Show before a playoff game? I suspect that win and yes, he may stick around to see if he can enjoy what he's built here for a few more years. Lose and no, I don't see him sticking around to deal with the backlash, which will be considerable.

Agree. Pain is very hard to ignore, as it should be. It's your body's way of telling you to stop what you're doing and give your body time to heal, or else.

I still don't understand this about our D. Receivers wide open all over the field. Easy pickings for Bo. All because we don't want to give up the big explosion plays, which we do anyway. Or, Bo just throws underneath our coverage or into the soft spots in our zones and marches the length of the field in 14 plays and chewing up clock. Extremely frustrating style of defense.

A cold, snowy, blustery day can erase that advantage in a hurry.

Right, and I'm as guilty as the next guy, so let's continue to stream positive vibes towards our team and help them take 3 wins in a row. We just need to get on a roll.

That's an excellent point. Lawler and Bailey are the best looking prospects we have had in years but in Lapo's offense it's hard for them to shine, no doubt about that. Still, I wouldn't confuse any of them with Eric Rogers, Duke Williams, Greg Ellingson or Daryl Walker.

Yes it's somewhat better this year but for the last 6 years what have we had? No Williams, Rogers, Walkers, Ellingsons, etc. None.

You don't think coaches get schooled by their counterparts from time to time? No one said we haven't faced some adversity. Yes it sucks that Nichols got hurt, however, we have to beat two teams to get to the Grey Cup, Calgary and then Sask. Calgary is not the powerhouse it has been in past years. Sask has a QB with a wonky back. That looks like an opportunity to capitalize on some good fortune to me. I'm sure O'Shea has Hall and Lapo preparing their best game plans and preparing to make quick, accurate adjustments in-game. Remember the WF last year? How'd we make out with Nichols in that one? I'm looking forward to seeing what Zach and/or Chris can do this year even though we'll have the same OC. Go Bombers!

I like Kyle Walters and I think he has done a fairly good job of upgrading the talent on this team. His one glaring weakness is receivers. Yes he's besties with O'Shea and if that prevents him from making the tough decisions then he needs to wear that.

Even more surprising considering how poor the rest of the East was is that the only Eastern team not to beat us was Ottawa. Thank gawd we didn't find a way to lose to them!

Certainly would have made things easier. Just makes me want to puke thinking of that whiny suck Dickenson and his brother finishing 1-2 in the West. For Christ's sake O'Shea, give your head a shake.

O'Shea in his 6th year gets schooled by Craig Dickenson in his first year as a HC, Corey Chamblin in his first win with the Argos, and Khari Jones in his first year as a HC. That just doesn't look good. No way he is supposed to be losing those games to rookies. Maybe one of them to a sensational coach of the year or something but no way can he afford to be out-coached in all three. But he was.

That's a function of the schedule. Much tougher 2nd half than 1st. You're oh so right about the Toronto/Montreal games. We could not afford to give those games away the way we did. At first I was surprised that no one paid the ultimate price for those collapses. If Wade and Kyle didn't take a long, hard look at O'Shea/Lapo/Hall after those games then I just don't know what to think.

This is why it's imperative that O'Shea takes the team for a deep run in the playoffs. He'll likely never have a better chance to win it all than this year.

So it's settled then. We need to win 3 games in a row. A very manageable task given the talent and health we have on this team. First, we go to McMann for the WSF to beat a very beatable Calgary team that we have handled well all season. It's going to be cold and snowy and Bo don't like cold weather. He's going to be uncomfortable and so are his receivers. Pound the ball with Harris and Streveler will be the key. Second, it's off to Mosaic to break the hearts of the Riders. The toughest challenge may be the officials so we need to play clean against one of the most penalized teams in the league. It's not going to be so easy for the officials to ignore the crap in a playoff game. I look for the Riders to come unglued when things don't go their way. Discipline will be the key. The Grey Cup game is going to be against Hamilton but here's why we will win; 1) It's very hard to beat a team 3 times in a row and that's what Hamilton is going to have to do against us and, 2) The game will be back at McMann. Once again the weather is going to favour the team with the better trench warriors and the better ground and pound and that's us. Bombers win and end the drought!

Rider trolls should be here soon.

Don't worry. TSN and the league will help them out no matter what.

Condolences.

So embarrassing listening to Dunigan pump the Riders. Hard to believe he was ever a Bomber. Obviously TSN and the Refs got the memo about who the league wanted to see win this game. This was a preview of what we are going to have to endure in the WF.

How much help does a team need from the refs? Even the league had to take the call away from the refs as it was so blatantly partial. Just a total sham.

Rider fans to Refs: Thank you for all your help today. We sure needed it.

Maas is an idiot. I don't want him anywhere near the Bombers.