Doublezero

You can't be serious about signing Banks. Look what he said in an interview in the Toronto Sun in December, while admitting he's not the athlete he once was: “I’ve got a lot of mental issues I’ve been diagnosed with,” said Banks, who was voted most outstanding player in the CFL in 2019. “I see a therapist regularly thanks to the Ticats. That helped me get through the season. “My health issues, I believe, were enhanced because of COVID, coming here, leaving my family at home, not being able to see my kids. My kids can’t come to see me, me having to get vaccinated and I don’t really agree with that. All of this took me to a lot of places mentally. I’ve had to deal with a lot." You can feel empathy and compassion for him, definitely. But sign him in Winnipeg? Nah .... hard pass.

Who will be QB#2 in case Zach Collaros gets injured? Maybe Bombers save some $$$ by having a QB who can throw to himself? Bombers bio on receiver Blake Jackson, who is said to have shown real stuff prior to getting injured last year in training camp, says this: "Jackson played three seasons as a quarterback at Mary Hardin-Baylor, completing 311 of 487 pass attempts for 4,311 yards. He threw 49 touchdowns and led the Crusaders to a Division III national championship as a senior and was named Southwest Conference offensive player of the year and an all-American. "

If Lalji is correct on Andrew Harris's deal with Toronto, I say wow - good for Andrew! Not surprised Kyle would not go near that figure for a 35-year-old who was only able to suit up for 7 games last season. Great respect for AH here however - hope he comes back to retire as a Blue Bomber after next season.

McGuire was seamless as Bombers experimented with 5 different kickers in the FG/convert operation last season. That skill is under-rated too.

Just my opinion, but I would take David Watford or Isaac Harker over Harris TBH. Not sure what the state of play is with either of them however.

True. Sayles come on, started to play more reps & looked very good though.

QB#2 is kind of a gaping hole - esp if Zach goes down.

Maybe we can do better, that's true. But McGuire saw very few reps except for one game vs MTL under adverse weather conditions in a nothing game with #2 offence. Yes, he tossed 4 picks in that game but the picks weren't all on the QB. Hell, Bo Levi Mitchell threw 4 picks in one game this year. Once he settled down McGuire orchestrated a very good TD drive in the MTL game and, if I remember right, a later FG. Just one of those situations where he just didn't get to play enough for anyone to really see what he could or couldn't do.

Ed Tait @EdTaitWFC Kyle Walters: "We don't have much left to spend today; I don't think there will be much from the @Wpg_BlueBombers today." Will possibly examine price points of available FAs later in the week

Ed Tait @EdTaitWFC Kyle Walters said he expects Brandon Alexander, who was injured in the Grey Cup, to be back with the @Wpg_BlueBombers

Ha Ha! Love that! But is Strev sure he is done with the NFL? He worked out for NY Jets last week.

I am disappointed McGuire apparently isn't coming back. He showed flashes. So who is QB #2 here? Would Bombers sign someone similar to McGuire -David Watford?

Dave Naylor @TSNDaveNaylor “Andrew and I spoke a few days ago, and he represents himself … We couldn’t agree on a contract.” — @Wpg_BlueBombers GM Kyle Walters.

Will miss Darvin. Great leader and reliable receiver. Amazing how similar his stats are compared with Ellingson - except for YAC where Ellingson is exceptional.

Wonder what's going on with Janarion Grant? He is an electric returner. Why couldn't he be a starting receiver?

I really want to know what the plan is for a backup QB in case Zach Collaros goes down. Walters said they were "strong" on Sean McGuire who had a so-so game in poor weather in MTL. I think McGuire has been under-rated. But if Bombers move on from McGuire, then who? David Watford? Isaac Harker? Maybe a Canuck like Michael O'Connor?

I remember Bombers seemingly were pretty high on Kelvin McKnight. He beat out Namaan Roosevelt to start when Lawler was out. Isn't McKnight still on board? If Janarion Grant re-signs here I could see him as a starting receiver. He's similar to Lucky Whitehead. And he might be the best returner in the CFL.

Just thrilled to learn Bombers have locked up Johnny Augustine for TWO years! Surprised too because the club has been stacked with talented Canadian tailbacks and the prospect of re-signing Harris, Oliveira and Augustine seemed unlikely - I believe Kyle Walters has said that. I could see Harris sticking around as a player/coach - a guy who is invaluable but not on the active roster for 18 games. Contract structured accordingly. I can definitely see a scenario where Augustine is Winnipeg's starting RB and maybe Harris and/or Borsa behind him on the depth chart. Not sure where that leaves Oliveira. If another team offers Brady lots more $$ - doubt Bombers could afford to match. But who, other than Winnipeg, has Canucks at RB these days?

Hardly stellar run blocking TBH. In fact you could argue Bombers inability to run the ball contributed mightily to the loss on a bad weather day. Oliveira 7 carries for 27 yds = 3.9yds average. And Augustine 5 carries for 15 yds = 3 yds average McGuire on the QB draw was our best rusher 2 for 26 yards or 13 yds average. He ran for first downs both times on those. Saw daylight and went for it - head first, no sliding. None of that Matt Nichols diving for the turf 4 yards short of the first down.

Bombers D held Stanback to 65 yds - very stout run defence. OTOH Bombers run game was even less successful. Oliviera was 7 carries for 27 yards - most of which came early in the 1st Q resulting in a TD. Augustine (who I like alot as a tailback) was just 5 for 15 for an average of 3 yards per. We were 2nd and long all game, which impacts play-calling. That factors into the outcome.

Folks who are writing off McGuire after one game need to chill. It's as if he's the first QB to throw multiple interceptions in a football game. It was his first CFL game in less than ideal conditions. Bethel-Thompson throws 4 picks: https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/national-sports/toronto-argonauts-can-earn-east-division-playoff-spot-with-home-win-over-bc-lions-4703360 Darian Durant throws 4 picks: https://www.cjme.com/2016/08/21/durant-throws-4-interceptions-in-53-7-loss-to-the-tigercats/ Bo Levi Mitchel throws 4 picks: https://3downnation.com/2021/08/13/bo-levi-mitchell-throws-career-worst-four-interceptions-in-loss-to-b-c-lions/ Johnny Manziel throws 4 picks in the FIRST HALF lol: https://www.nfl.com/news/johnny-manziel-throws-four-interceptions-in-cfl-debut-0ap3000000944668

What makes people think that every time there's a pick it's the QBs fault?

4 picks (2 of them on 50/50 balls to Demski) = not a great debut for McGuire. But he showed flashes. I would not be giving up on him. Shaq Cooper OTOH = sayonara. Kongbo, Houston, Kevin Brown showed well. MOS can't be happy with the penalties, lack of discipline.

Hopefully Sean McGuire can stay loose and have fun. Seems like he's been nothing but a good team-mate in the back-up role, very patient and looks to have really good velocity and accuracy with his throws. No one can say he hasn't had time to prepare but this will be a real test vs Als D. Can he read the D and anticipate? Pretty sure Buck will have a good plan. Rooting for him to do well since I've got a #12 McGuire jersey from the 2019 season.

You don't even have to be an Argo fan to see who got hosed on this deal. Not sure what's up with Arbuckle though. Both Ottawa and Toronto have moved him. Can't be that he's making too much - $9k per game left on his salary for this season.