Campbell Fired

[don corleone]

Very possible Mike O'Shea retires after next season. I won't be surprised if Buck stays in Winnipeg. That said BC would be the one place that might make him change his mind.

[Blitz]

Very possible Mike O'Shea retires after next season. I won't be surprised if Buck stays in Winnipeg. That said BC would be the one place that might make him change his mind.

If that was going to be the case and Buck was aware of it, I can see him choosing to remain in Winnipeg and waiting a year for that opportunity.

I sure hope our Leos will not seriously consider another shot for Benny Bumps. He was posing beside Campbell on the sidelines all season, like he was the Associate Head Coach or something. Hey, it worked one time with Wally so why not?

I still have not gotten over my complex PTSD from all the seasons of Wally so another stint of Benny's poses, shades, mottos, slogans, 'bumps' and the ice cream truck would be too much. Benny' last two stints as a defensive coordinator were not inspiring and he was let go in both Edmonton and Ottawa.

I do agree with cromartie's post that a special teams coordinator position is a good launching point towards a first Head Coaching position but if that were to be the case I would prefer Kilam.

Hey Blitz.

The wind is howling in Downtown Vancouver. Relatively calm in North Van.

Aside from Buck and Matt, not sure if there are other top candidates out there. Open the wallet some more, Doman. Ha ha.
Upgrade a present Leo coach? No thanks. Clean house? Maybe.

Benny and Phillips ran such passive defenses. Please do not promote either to HC. Chris Jones for DC or even HC? At one time, yes, not now. WestCoast Joe

It's the calm before the 'bomb cyclone' WCJ. Get your candles ready. We've weaponized weather words now. I can't wait for the 'blitz storm', the 'attack low pressure ridge', the 'atmospheric lake', and the 'space tornado'. The 'snow hurricanes' are coming.

I think we need to go outside too. We've had 'players style coaches' with Campbell, Masydic, and Phillips. I think we need someone who is going to raise expectations, make receivers block. get practice expectation standards up, etc.

Our Leos this season were not built for toughness, but they also did not play a hard-hitting brand of football either. I saw more arm tackles on defense each game and worse tackling techniques than watching a Pee Wee football game this season. That has to change.

[Hambone]

Very possible Mike O'Shea retires after next season. I won't be surprised if Buck stays in Winnipeg. That said BC would be the one place that might make him change his mind.

Why on earth would a career football guy retire at what a year from now would be the ripe old age of 55?!?!?! Move on to a new challenge? Entirely possible. Retire? Zero chance.

[Hambone]

When it comes to HCs, I think Special Teams Coordinator experience can be invaluable in that the nature of the job forces you to improvise, make ad hoc management decisions and adjust in game.

Jeff Reinbold and Craig Dickenson agree with this statement.

[DanoT]

When it comes to HCs, I think Special Teams Coordinator experience can be invaluable in that the nature of the job forces you to improvise, make ad hoc management decisions and adjust in game.

Jeff Reinbold and Craig Dickenson agree with this statement.

QBs in general and career backup QBs in particular make excellent HCs. People say the 2nd string guy is a second set of eyes for the starter, but really he is a Coach-in-Training.

Jason Maas and Ryan Didwiddie agree with this statement. And Jarious Jackson also agrees with this statement but we are waiting to see if he lives it.

[Hambone]

When it comes to HCs, I think Special Teams Coordinator experience can be invaluable in that the nature of the job forces you to improvise, make ad hoc management decisions and adjust in game.

Jeff Reinbold and Craig Dickenson agree with this statement.

QBs in general and career backup QBs in particular make excellent HCs. People say the 2nd string guy is a second set of eyes for the starter, but really he is a Coach-in-Training.

Jason Maas and Ryan Didwiddie agree with this statement. And Jarious Jackson also agrees with this statement but we are waiting to see if he lives it.

I think part of that is because guys lacking the true natural talents to excel have to work their tails off paying attention to the smallest of details to succeed just to be journeyman calibre players.

[Blitz]

I think part of that is because guys lacking the true natural talents to excel have to work their tails off paying attention to the smallest of details to succeed just to be journeyman calibre players. Hambone

I totally agree Hambone. Outstanding players often do not make outstanding coaches but the above rings true.

The player who lacked high level talent and had to use his head and his heart in an attempt to compensate often make excellent coaches.

[Toppy Vann]

I long ago forgot about Matt Dunigan. He had too many jobs in Calgary but he ran an innovative offense.
He had that pass play and quick kick he told the officials he was going to run and that should have won that game vs BC but the officials screwed up.

Noel Thorpe to me is the best DC right now and it was not his fault but the ball protection failures that lost them the East Final. No one puts as many guys on the line and confuses the offense who's falling back than that unit the Als have built. Shawn Lemon and Darnell Sankey were credited with the leadership that led to the Als GC win last year and even Lemon along with Tyson Philpot were stated as hurting the Als this year by Danny Macioca at their year end presser.

I'd like to see Burris back in the CFL developing for HC.

I'd like to see Damon Allen coaching as who can coach QBs to last and win like he could.

Not as HCs though - not to start.

[don corleone]

Why on earth would a career football guy retire at what a year from now would be the ripe old age of 55?!?!?! Move on to a new challenge? Entirely possible. Retire? Zero chance.

I think the leadership team on the Bombers has been looking at the 2025 GC in Winnipeg as a good exit point ever since it was announced. Of course the plan is to go out on top like so many others before them.

Walters and O'Shea have been there 12 yrs and I don't see motivation to sign on for three more. No doubt other offers would be likely and maybe they do that but I really think we've seen what O'Shea has to offer as a HC. His saving grace has been to do only the one job even though he was one of the best defensive players of all time. Neither are from the Winnipeg area so it's always just been a job.

Given the way Bomber fans have turned on the players and Buck Pierce since GC I have no doubt they will be on MOS just as quickly if they falter in 2025.

Question will be what is left behind for Buck to work with and will he be interested in that. Quite possible the Lions have a better nucleus for the future given a stable QB situation. Jordan Younger is another who gets mentioned as a future HC so the Bombers have other options and not saying it is for sure they will go. O'Shea won't say anything until he is out the door and gone. Walters will be ahead of O'Shea.

If Buck and the Lions were to come to an agreement perhaps he brings Richie Hall.

[OV:54-40]

Buck-a-roo might have slipped down a few notches as a real good offensive mind, IMO, after 3 straight GC losses; especially the last one where he had little faith in their ground game that has been so key, and with little adjustments, and had Collaros go back in to throw picks galore = dumb.

Still might be the best of all the same old thinking, oft recycled CFL good old boys available to be next Lions HC. The notion of that dullard LaPolice getting another key CFL gig (HC or OC) makes me sick to my stomach; thankfully Scotty M is taken in Hamilton. But hey, maybe Wally can chime in with some good advice.

Blitz, if you think the hiring any of these recycled , standard party line CFL offensive mind hacks are going to address things we've talked about here with regards to standard CFL offence - like seeing a diverse ground game with some 2 back sets, or real use of a tight end or fullback, or QB under centre, or lots of deep passing game, I believe you are going to be quite disappointed. But maybe I am wrong there.

I'm about to watch the Vanier Cup where one can still see plenty of diversity on offence displayed in the Canadian game. Laurier HC Michael Faulds has been running their program for some time now with good results and might be on the verge of a National title; he is an ex-QB (but a star starter not a back-up) and has vast experience playing & coaching in the Canadian game now. CFL deep thinkers in charge of on-field football stuff never heard of this guy though, so no concerns about him getting CFL hired. Matt Schiltz or Dom Davis for next CFL HC please.

[Toppy Vann]

This is the kind of thing candidates should be asked in interviews as to what they'll be focusing on if they are HC. And how? Who?

That's kind of what I want to hear when the HC comes in. What's going to be different?

Blitz, if you think the hiring any of these recycled , standard party line CFL offensive mind hacks are going to address things we've talked about here with regards to standard CFL offence - like seeing a diverse ground game with some 2 back sets, or real use of a tight end or fullback, or QB under centre, or lots of deep passing game, I believe you are going to be quite disappointed. But maybe I am wrong there.

Irrespective of the losses in a one shot Grey Cup game, I see no signs that the Bombers are in any dire situation given their lengthy record of success.

When Argos were looking for a HC pre-Dinwiddie, O'Shea had zero interest in moving back close to his roots.

[Hambone]

What does VA fetch in a trade return, to say Calgary ?

I'd ask for Philpot or Labrosse and a 1st round draft pick.

Asking and receiving are two different things. Calgary's NAT receiving depth chart just took a hit with the retirement of 2023 4th overall pick Cole Tucker. Getting Philpot extended prior to free agency should now be an urgent priority for Dickenson. If they don't extend Philpot their NAT depth is down to Clark Barnes (who is pretty good), and Rysen John and Tyson Middlemost.

[OV:54-40]

What does VA fetch in a trade return, to say Calgary ?

I'd ask for Philpot or Labrosse and a 1st round draft pick.

Asking and receiving are two different things. Calgary's NAT receiving depth chart just took a hit with the retirement of 2023 4th overall pick Cole Tucker. Getting Philpot extended prior to free agency should now be an urgent priority for Dickenson. If they don't extend Philpot their NAT depth is down to Clark Barnes (who is pretty good), and Rysen John and Tyson Middlemost.

The Stamps can easily find a receiver as good or better than Tucker next draft.

And a smart GM knows how to get lots of value in a trade; especially for a team in need or desperate at the most important position.

[Hambone]

What does VA fetch in a trade return, to say Calgary ?

I'd ask for Philpot or Labrosse and a 1st round draft pick.

Asking and receiving are two different things. Calgary's NAT receiving depth chart just took a hit with the retirement of 2023 4th overall pick Cole Tucker. Getting Philpot extended prior to free agency should now be an urgent priority for Dickenson. If they don't extend Philpot their NAT depth is down to Clark Barnes (who is pretty good), and Rysen John and Tyson Middlemost.

The Stamps can easily find a receiver as good or better than Tucker next draft.

And a smart GM knows how to get lots of value in a trade; especially for a team in need or desperate at the most important position.

Trade markets are a supply and demand thing and not a one GM thing. A smart GM on the other end can reduce the cost of acquisition based on supply. We know Adams is on the block. MbT and Ford are both pending FAs. Montreal is trying to decide if they want to move forward with Alexander and could already be gauging interest for a potential Fajardo trade. Adams should be the most desirable on the market. The more options Dickenson has the more he could grind BC down. What really would help BC's hand is if 3 or 4 teams had serious intereat.

[Blitz]

This is itneresting.

Walters said the Bombers received permission to speak to Lions offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic in case Pierce leaves.