Armchair GM

This team shouldn't be as bad as they've been.  I actually think the OL has been at least middle-of-the-pack.  We're actually to some degree, using the screen game.  We're doing things that in past years I've wished we would do, but didn't. But we're not staying on the field on O, and we can't string anything together. Our D can't win us games like BC, MTL, and HAM's can.  They're bottom 4.  They can be better, but it starts with momentum, which starts with the O.
It all comes down to quarterbacking. Willy needs to recognize blitzes and call protection changes. He needs to understand that even if those changes are made, the blitzers are coming, so have at least 2 hot route available. LaPo's offense seems to often allow Harris to slip free, and one SB to be available for a screen.
Honestly, the pieces are there offensively. It would just be f**king nice if they put them together.
 

This team shouldn't be as bad as they've been.  I actually think the OL has been at least middle-of-the-pack.  We're actually to some degree, using the screen game.  We're doing things that in past years I've wished we would do, but didn't. But we're not staying on the field on O, and we can't string anything together. Our D can't win us games like BC, MTL, and HAM's can.  They're bottom 4.  They can be better, but it starts with momentum, which starts with the O.
It all comes down to quarterbacking. Willy needs to recognize blitzes and call protection changes. He needs to understand that even if those changes are made, the blitzers are coming, so have at least 2 hot route available. LaPo's offense seems to often allow Harris to slip free, and one SB to be available for a screen.
Honestly, the pieces are there offensively. It would just be f**king nice if they put them together.
 

Yeah... the crowd will definitely lock in the Ticats D.  But you don't win GPP's on DraftKings picking with the crowd.  A desperate Bombers squad is a total long shot... you'd take down 1st place if you had the right players.
You need massive stones to do it, but Bombers are the play this week if you want to take down a big GPP.

16-0 Huff refuses to play against the bombers cause of the way Walters handled FA.

Those of you who disagree that Lapo is the right choice... who IS your right choice?
 
I think this certainly has the optics of continuing the time-honored, recently unsuccessful tradition of bringing back former Bombers... but who better is out there, that would be available?
 
Khari's track record as OC is terrible.  Dyce was mediocre as OC.  Cortez can't hold onto a job.  Condell is a complete unknown because of the influence of Austin.  Danny Barrett's been out of the CFL a long time.  Brady and Maas were not made available.  And I don't think we want to go NCAA again given the wild success of Crowton.
 
I hate the optics of bringing back former Bombers that were unsuccessful too, but maybe, just maybe, he's not just a qualified candidate.  Maybe he's changed somewhat.  Either way, there really isn't much better that I can see, that was available.

Those of you who disagree that Lapo is the right choice... who IS your right choice?
 
I think this certainly has the optics of continuing the time-honored, recently unsuccessful tradition of bringing back former Bombers... but who better is out there, that would be available?
 
Khari's track record as OC is terrible.  Dyce was mediocre as OC.  Cortez can't hold onto a job.  Condell is a complete unknown because of the influence of Austin.  Danny Barrett's been out of the CFL a long time.  Brady and Maas were not made available.  And I don't think we want to go NCAA again given the wild success of Crowton.
 
I hate the optics of bringing back former Bombers that were unsuccessful too, but maybe, just maybe, he's not just a qualified candidate.  Maybe he's changed somewhat.  Either way, there really isn't much better that I can see, that was available.

Those of you who disagree that Lapo is the right choice... who IS your right choice?
 
I think this certainly has the optics of continuing the time-honored, recently unsuccessful tradition of bringing back former Bombers... but who better is out there, that would be available?
 
Khari's track record as OC is terrible.  Dyce was mediocre as OC.  Cortez can't hold onto a job.  Condell is a complete unknown because of the influence of Austin.  Danny Barrett's been out of the CFL a long time.  Brady and Maas were not made available.  And I don't think we want to go NCAA again given the wild success of Crowton.
 
I hate the optics of bringing back former Bombers that were unsuccessful too, but maybe, just maybe, he's not just a qualified candidate.  Maybe he's changed somewhat.  Either way, there really isn't much better that I can see, that was available.

Those of you who disagree that Lapo is the right choice... who IS your right choice?
 
I think this certainly has the optics of continuing the time-honored, recently unsuccessful tradition of bringing back former Bombers... but who better is out there, that would be available?
 
Khari's track record as OC is terrible.  Dyce was mediocre as OC.  Cortez can't hold onto a job.  Condell is a complete unknown because of the influence of Austin.  Danny Barrett's been out of the CFL a long time.  Brady and Maas were not made available.  And I don't think we want to go NCAA again given the wild success of Crowton.
 
I hate the optics of bringing back former Bombers that were unsuccessful too, but maybe, just maybe, he's not just a qualified candidate.  Maybe he's changed somewhat.  Either way, there really isn't much better that I can see, that was available.

some of these posts are laughable.
 
He was the most qualified and experienced guy available. The rest were/are unknowns and lacking experience.
 
Heck..let's give Maas a few more consecutive years of success to say we say he is so great. He came out of know where and truth be told was reaping the rewards of all the guys on his squad having career years together and the fact had zero injuries all year long to affect his offence.
 
And when it came down to it in the playoffs they got pretty much shut down and he had no answers.
 
Lapo has had years now since he was a sole OC and you can be assured he has progressed and learned and knows what didn't work and what does. He has spent the better part of two years now dissecting and analyzing defenses and how offences should attack, and what offensives shouldn't do based on looks. He has come a long way and it is noticeable from what he is saying.
 
He is going to build a very competent attacking offence and the naysayers will be put to rest. He is the best available option and we got aggressive and grabbed him. Well done if you ask me 

Oh Winnipeg... I see why others call us Loserpeg.  "If we don't get immediate success, we have to change everything."  Short-term thinking in a long-term business.
 
Coaching changes work when the HC has lost the room, or when you have a team that's on the cusp, and the current HC can't get the team over the hump.  Or if you have someone pull a Tillman... then he has to go.  That's about it.
 
The players still play hard for O'Shea.  The first co-ordinator change went well for the Blue, and we have a top third defence.  And the franchise QB has been injured and missing for half of our season.
 
Do we need a winning record to get some continuity around these parts?  Seems like a chicken-and-egg scenario...

Oh Winnipeg... I see why others call us Loserpeg.  "If we don't get immediate success, we have to change everything."  Short-term thinking in a long-term business.
 
Coaching changes work when the HC has lost the room, or when you have a team that's on the cusp, and the current HC can't get the team over the hump.  Or if you have someone pull a Tillman... then he has to go.  That's about it.
 
The players still play hard for O'Shea.  The first co-ordinator change went well for the Blue, and we have a top third defence.  And the franchise QB has been injured and missing for half of our season.
 
Do we need a winning record to get some continuity around these parts?  Seems like a chicken-and-egg scenario...

Oh Winnipeg... I see why others call us Loserpeg.  "If we don't get immediate success, we have to change everything."  Short-term thinking in a long-term business.
 
Coaching changes work when the HC has lost the room, or when you have a team that's on the cusp, and the current HC can't get the team over the hump.  Or if you have someone pull a Tillman... then he has to go.  That's about it.
 
The players still play hard for O'Shea.  The first co-ordinator change went well for the Blue, and we have a top third defence.  And the franchise QB has been injured and missing for half of our season.
 
Do we need a winning record to get some continuity around these parts?  Seems like a chicken-and-egg scenario...

If a good GM gets 2 coaches, a good coach should get 2 sets of co-ordinators.  I'm all for giving OSH until the offseason to get rid of Bellefeuille.  Richie Hall's appointment as DC has been a success, so let's see what OSH can do when given the opportunity for a new OC, and the knowledge that this decision will ultimately be a big factor in his future as HC here in Winnipeg.
 
I get that Edmonton and Ottawa have become successful in 2 years.  But the Bombers under O'Shea have NOT been a train wreck.  They've improved.  The organization and how players feel about Winnipeg as a destination has improved.  They're in a similar spot to Lapo's Bombers of 2010 where we've been good enough to lose close games lately.  When taking over a REALLY BAD organization, can any of you calling for OSH's head realistically think that 2 years is enough time?  Maybe if Willy doesn't get hurt, the Bombers are 8-8 right now, but regardless, this was a massive turnaround. 
 
Canning an HC (and possibly a GM) makes no sense to me after 2 progressive years.

If a good GM gets 2 coaches, a good coach should get 2 sets of co-ordinators.  I'm all for giving OSH until the offseason to get rid of Bellefeuille.  Richie Hall's appointment as DC has been a success, so let's see what OSH can do when given the opportunity for a new OC, and the knowledge that this decision will ultimately be a big factor in his future as HC here in Winnipeg.
 
I get that Edmonton and Ottawa have become successful in 2 years.  But the Bombers under O'Shea have NOT been a train wreck.  They've improved.  The organization and how players feel about Winnipeg as a destination has improved.  They're in a similar spot to Lapo's Bombers of 2010 where we've been good enough to lose close games lately.  When taking over a REALLY BAD organization, can any of you calling for OSH's head realistically think that 2 years is enough time?  Maybe if Willy doesn't get hurt, the Bombers are 8-8 right now, but regardless, this was a massive turnaround. 
 
Canning an HC (and possibly a GM) makes no sense to me after 2 progressive years.

The obvious point here is that it's a really unsubstantiated rumour at this stage.  But for kicks, here's an excerpt from Rod Pederson's (@sportscage) blog today:
 
4 - IN A HUFF:  Sportsnet's Arash Madani cranked the rumour mill on Wednesday saying the #1 gossip in the CFL these days is regarding John Hufnagel leaving Calgary to become head coach and GM in Saskatchewan.  I caution this is just rumour, but I'm not prepared to discount it at this stage either.  I've heard rumblings about this going back to last December.  Arash is going to drop a bigger bomb about this on CKRM's SportsCage TODAY and he asked me to hold off on saying anything more until he's had a chance to go on air with his findings.

Let's put it this way -- this rumour has more to do with Hufnagel perhaps wanting out of Calgary than it does with the Roughriders trying to woo him away.  The best thing I can say about it right now is ... John Hufnagel's built the Calgary Stampeders into the CFL's model franchise - two Grey Cup wins in seven seasons - and for anyone to else to try and steal the credit or question Hufnagel's methods, well then that person's an idiot.  Huff doesn't need to put up with somebody else's fragile ego at this stage of his life and career.

Stay tuned.  This will go on well into the off-season.
  A lot of this - we're told - is coming out of the Argos' office.

If there's any reading between the lines to be done here, it's that Huffer's not ready to give up coaching (as Noeller suggests), and that the Stamps want to move onto Dickenson so that they don't have to lose him.
 
I don't care who the co-ordinator is... forcing Huffer upstairs now would be akin to forcing Wally upstairs in his prime. 

The other problem I have with this thread is that we're blaming the coaches and the line.  "We shouldn't have left Willy in an unwinnable game" (at the expense of proper leadership by the HC), "Bellefeuille's schemes are at fault" (maybe, but the guys actually have to block), and "We spent money and high draft picks to upgrade our OL, and we're getting decimated."
 
How many times to coaches and players say that it takes time for an OL to gel?  To learn to play together?  To learn each others' tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses?  I fully expected the OL to be AT BEST wildly inconsistent for the 1st half of the year.  By the time game 10 comes around, that excuse no longer flies; but the hope is that by playing in the trenches together for 10 games, they've at least figured out the major points by then.
 
This reaction is knee-jerk, and SOOOOO Winnipeg.  Did you really think spending a bunch of money and winning the offseason would fix our problems immediately?  Guys take time together.  Khari knew where Milt was on off-days, and could hit him for a TD pass at a Goldeyes game if he wanted to.  That's chemistry.  That's time playing together.  That's something our OL has not had yet.

Oh God, what an annoying comment.  A week ago we were all praising Waggoner as being having future MLB written all over him.  Now Willy gets hurt and we're ASSUMING we're going to finish last or 2nd last in the CFL, and that we blew it by picking Waggoner. 
 
Sometimes, you have to go with your gut, and if you feel Waggoner has a great chance at being an impact starter, you go for it. 
 
Complete clusterf***?  Really?
 
P.S. What if Marve comes in and wins us a number of games?  Is the Waggoner pick still a bad one?

Oh God, what an annoying comment.  A week ago we were all praising Waggoner as being having future MLB written all over him.  Now Willy gets hurt and we're ASSUMING we're going to finish last or 2nd last in the CFL, and that we blew it by picking Waggoner. 
 
Sometimes, you have to go with your gut, and if you feel Waggoner has a great chance at being an impact starter, you go for it. 
 
Complete clusterf***?  Really?
 
P.S. What if Marve comes in and wins us a number of games?  Is the Waggoner pick still a bad one?

Oh God, what an annoying comment.  A week ago we were all praising Waggoner as being having future MLB written all over him.  Now Willy gets hurt and we're ASSUMING we're going to finish last or 2nd last in the CFL, and that we blew it by picking Waggoner. 
 
Sometimes, you have to go with your gut, and if you feel Waggoner has a great chance at being an impact starter, you go for it. 
 
Complete clusterf***?  Really?
 
P.S. What if Marve comes in and wins us a number of games?  Is the Waggoner pick still a bad one?

Handling the blitz isn't difficult conceptually.  If they're sending 6 or 7 guys; 1-3 of your guys are roaming free.  Know your hot routes from your play selection and pre-snap reads, and the D will be forced to abandon the mass blitz packages pretty quickly.
 
Being unprepared to counter the blitz is a failing of game-planning, and therefore the OC.  I fully expect opposing defences to blitz us relentlessly until we make someone pay, and probably multiple times. 
 
Our blocking stepped up in Regina and we handled it well against the best DL in the CFL.  Hamilton sent overload packages at us all game, and confused our OL.  We tried doing what we did in Regina (blockers stepping up, and throwing downfield) but it didn't work against their overload blitzes.  We need to find a way for Cotton/Marshall to be safety valves against the blitzes in a way that Brandon Whitaker has mastered. 
 
If we can do that, we become VERY dangerous offensively.

Handling the blitz isn't difficult conceptually.  If they're sending 6 or 7 guys; 1-3 of your guys are roaming free.  Know your hot routes from your play selection and pre-snap reads, and the D will be forced to abandon the mass blitz packages pretty quickly.
 
Being unprepared to counter the blitz is a failing of game-planning, and therefore the OC.  I fully expect opposing defences to blitz us relentlessly until we make someone pay, and probably multiple times. 
 
Our blocking stepped up in Regina and we handled it well against the best DL in the CFL.  Hamilton sent overload packages at us all game, and confused our OL.  We tried doing what we did in Regina (blockers stepping up, and throwing downfield) but it didn't work against their overload blitzes.  We need to find a way for Cotton/Marshall to be safety valves against the blitzes in a way that Brandon Whitaker has mastered. 
 
If we can do that, we become VERY dangerous offensively.

I like that the CFL did something to address DB's mugging receivers in man coverage.  That being said, I do think they've way overreached the past 2 seasons; and have addressed symptoms instead of the real problem: wildly inconsistent officiating and enforcement of rules.  Sure, there's the people who say that CFL is doing it to make the game higher-scoring and marketable, but there's the argument that the CFL did just fine for 100 years without making the game into basketball. As players have gotten bigger, stronger, and faster, officiating hasn't progressed; and as a result, the game has suffered.  Defence is lousy now because in order to combat inconsistent officiating, they've simplified the game by watering down what you can do on defence, and making it less of a guessing game for comparatively poor officials. 
 
Officials are too inconsistent on pass interference calls?  New Rule: PI can be challenged! 
 
Officials are too inconsistent with what constitutes illegal contact?  New Rule: Any kind of contact after 5 yards is illegal contact!
 
I think that I can sum my position up by saying that I don't think CFL fans have ever expected perfect officiating, but do expect it to be reasonably consistent.  Score your officials and enforce performance standards; rather than watering down the game into more easily enforced rule applications.

I like that the CFL did something to address DB's mugging receivers in man coverage.  That being said, I do think they've way overreached the past 2 seasons; and have addressed symptoms instead of the real problem: wildly inconsistent officiating and enforcement of rules.  Sure, there's the people who say that CFL is doing it to make the game higher-scoring and marketable, but there's the argument that the CFL did just fine for 100 years without making the game into basketball. As players have gotten bigger, stronger, and faster, officiating hasn't progressed; and as a result, the game has suffered.  Defence is lousy now because in order to combat inconsistent officiating, they've simplified the game by watering down what you can do on defence, and making it less of a guessing game for comparatively poor officials. 
 
Officials are too inconsistent on pass interference calls?  New Rule: PI can be challenged! 
 
Officials are too inconsistent with what constitutes illegal contact?  New Rule: Any kind of contact after 5 yards is illegal contact!
 
I think that I can sum my position up by saying that I don't think CFL fans have ever expected perfect officiating, but do expect it to be reasonably consistent.  Score your officials and enforce performance standards; rather than watering down the game into more easily enforced rule applications.

Your MLB and your DT's are the key positions in stopping the run.  Sask did a good job of getting their OL's to the 2nd level, and our LB's did a poor job of avoiding them. I'm more concerned about our tackles this morning, than I am our LB's.  Admittedly they were not great, but I think a lot of it had to do with the position that the DL put them in by allowing several blockers to the 2nd level.

 

Really hard in my eyes to evaluate the LB corps after that game, except for Randle, who when he wasn't out of position, he was getting overpowered at SAM.  Get that guy back at halfback ASAP.