Doublezero

Good PR with Matt Nichols going to Brandon https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/01/25/matt-nichols-visits-brandon-wheat-kings/ Is it just me or has Matt been eating lots of cheeseburgers in the offseason? And is he limping?

I liked Chris Vargas. Just about clocked me cold when we collided in the backfield in the 97 camp. It was an inside run feed and I went outside. I still remember the play: 44 Woody.

Stamps showed you can win with your backup receivers - so long as your QB consistently steps up and doesn't fold.

Football is a game of angles and trajectories. You don't have to be huge to excel. A combo of good wheels, anticipation and good vision can make up for a lack of size.

Look, Bombers are going to sign Bighill OK? So just breathe out. Moreover, why should anyone care, Bighill or his agent included, about opinions on a fan board? That makes no sense. What does make sense is the fact that you need a better QB than Nichols to get you to the Grey Cup and to win it. If that isn't obvious I can't help you. There's been lots of QBs come and go in this league over the years but I haven't seen one in Blue and Gold with Streveler's potential and for the reasons already stated we need to lock him up now.

Streveler is an FA at the end of next season. At the same time Nichols is ending year two of his 3-year deal at over $450k. The club might be able to afford Streveler at that point if they outright cut Nichols but probably not. In any event they'll be competing with other interested parties for his services. So good luck with that.

Many fans expected Nichols to step up his game last year since said he planned to work on improving his running/mobility etc. Instead, presumably due to injury, he took a big step backwards. I say presumably because we don't know why he was so average or below in almost every facet of his game. It's possible Nichols has just plateaued at the exact level of his capabilities. Which, if so, is all the more reason why Bombers need to extend Chris Streveler now and lock him up to a long term deal. Otherwise he's gone. To me, getting Streveler locked up long term is more important than Bighill.

Lots of factors go into QB performance. But given that Nichols plays behind what is arguably the best O-line in the league and gets elite QB money (+$400k) - his 2018 play was a real disappointment. It's likely the knee injury limited his performance - he often seemed hesitant, rarely got much beyond the first read and, once in the grasp had zero escapability. Once a defender got a pinky on him - he just folded. Also, Nichols never was much of a rushing QB. This year he ran 15 times for about 50 yards total. All of that makes it easier for defensive coordinators to counter. Nichols should be taking a pay cut going into 2019 so Bombers can take some $$ from the QB envelope to extend Streveler.

Paul Bennett oughta be on this list IMHO https://www.cflapedia.com/Players/b/bennett_paul.htm

That knee injury really impacted NIchols effectiveness this year - it meant he couldn't run. And before 2018 started, running was an aspect to his game that he stated he wanted to improve. But comparing the two QBs - which results are you talking about? Win vs loss? If so, then you also need to tag Nichols for those two losses vs Sask where he single-handedly handed wins to the Riders by repeatedly throwing the football to the wrong team. Those two losses are more directly attributable to QB play than are most of Nichols wins. The only win that Nichols could possibly take credit for was the 29-21 win vs Stamps Oct 26 and even then, it was Bighill that made the game changing play. How about measuring QB performance by scoring output? Streveler passed for 11 TDs and ran for another 10 - significantly outscoring Nichols who played way more but only managed 18 TDs. Strevelers passing efficiency percentage also is up there with Reilly and Masoli whereas Nichols is very average. Then you need to look at who is a rushing threat - Streveler runs with the big dogs - Masoli and Reilly - whereas Nichols ran 15 times the entire season for a total of 52 yards. That stat really demonstrates his unidimensionality and underscores his overwhelming averageness.

Nichols isn't going to suddenly get better. If Walters doesn't extend Streveler this off-season then we might as well enjoy watching the kid start for the Blue Bombers in 2019 because he'll be gone in 2020.

Can't stand Calgary's arrogance and expected more from the Bombers today. I am with those who blame Nichols.

Bombers seem really well prepared and focused. This is OUR TIME!

I'd be OK if Petermann or Augustine replaced Demski next game.

Half time. We got this.

Why wouldn't MOS go for the 2 pt conversion there? A single convert gets you nothing.

You don't have to be a master elocutionist to read defences but Zach Collaros stumbling a bit to get his tongue around the words in this interview https://www.riderville.com/2018/11/07/anytime-you-can-be-in-front-of-rider-nation/

It was nice to see Geoff Gray get a few snaps at RT late in Q4. He just pancaked one of the Esks DL. Really hope Randle and Fogg are fast with eyes open in Regina and Calgary, I worry about those guys a bit.

1stQ Stamps looks they are are back and will be a playoff force.

I think the rule is that if Riders had plucked him off Bombers PR they'd have had to place him on their active roster. Looks like a move designed to get some inside poop on our Blue before we thrash them in the playoffs.

Confidence and momentum going into the playoffs?

Seems unlikely but if Calgary loses next week then Sask gets 1st place and the bye. That means by the time we get to Mosaic for the Western Final Nov 18 Riders will have been cooling their heels for 3 weeks. I like that scenario, actually.

Fogg was well-positioned on the first long pass to Matthews. I don't blame him for that play - great pass and catch by Stamps. He grades lower on the second long completion against. Saw him talking on the phone to Richie Hall after that. Richie must've seen something because Fogg was shutdown after that.

You've got to like the way Masoli operates Jones's run & shoot but is able to hoof it for a first down once in awhile. Masoli reminds me a bit of Chuck Ealey, a very mobile QB who we got from the Cats for Dieter Brock. Nichols lack of mobility is starting to remind me of remind me of Brock. But without Brock's arm strength.

Lions defence just crushing the Esks. Posey and Sutton big additions for BC. That team looks scary good. Maas likely done as HC in Edmonton.