Darn good assessment! I agree about Oliveira. Is he playing ahead of Augustine because he's local? Later on in this thread you mention that Oliveira is a better blocker than Augustine.....well, if last night's blocking was any indication, we (Bombers) could be in trouble.
Blue Bombers 2022 Season Thread - Stunning Loss. Dynasty Interrupted. 2023 awaits.
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bustamente
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Yes the running game was not very good but the line play was pretty poor too which is very surprising considering that they all returned with the exception of Derjarlais
WPGChief
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I'm putting this game more on the Coordinators (Buck Pierce and Richie Hall) than I am some of the players, though Winston Rose will certainly also draw some of my ire for all the times he bit on short passes and got blown up over his head. But this game plan looked woefully unprepared for the updated field and the revamped Redblacks.
Pierce needs to learn more from the LaPolice school of "using RBs outside of I formations" and use significantly more swings and dump-offs to ease some of the pressure of their opponent always loading up the box, especially with these tighter hashmarks. Luckily Collaros is still one of the best CFL QBs in being able to sidestep some of the pressure he was facing to make some good throws down the stretch (though he struggled for consistency early in the game - there was definitely a play or two where Zach was trying to force it long in double coverage but missed the wide-open crosser in shorter yardage), but he was bootlegging it almost every passing play. Augustine is definitely the better pure runner, but I do like Oliveira in pass blocking and coming out of the backfield too. Buck needs to get some more designed plays in so Collaros isn't trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat every series.
(Scary look for Collaros going headfirst, but thank god for Benevides deciding to go extremely soft coverage when Dru Brown entered the game to try and force the QB to beat him in passes - terrible call and Brown torched him that series rather easily for the win.)
Hall is relying on his difference-makers on defence to make a difference, and they almost didn't do it last night. LaPolice schooled him the entire night and honestly Ottawa should've had 10 more points if it wasn't for that egregious end to the 1st Half in not calling a time out and a few dropped passes - but outside of 2 or 3 series, Masoli was moving in 7-15yd bunches with ease, and had some awesome timing with Darvin Adams. Again - luckily, the key players did in fact make the difference when it mattered, but that secondary in both schemes and personnel is worrisome.
Bombers are still a very good team, but certainly not the guaranteed locks that they were in 2019 and 2021 when they were simply a Collaros (QB) and a Castillo (K) away from being undoubtedly the best. Will be a lot tighter in the CFL this year, I think.
Pierce needs to learn more from the LaPolice school of "using RBs outside of I formations" and use significantly more swings and dump-offs to ease some of the pressure of their opponent always loading up the box, especially with these tighter hashmarks. Luckily Collaros is still one of the best CFL QBs in being able to sidestep some of the pressure he was facing to make some good throws down the stretch (though he struggled for consistency early in the game - there was definitely a play or two where Zach was trying to force it long in double coverage but missed the wide-open crosser in shorter yardage), but he was bootlegging it almost every passing play. Augustine is definitely the better pure runner, but I do like Oliveira in pass blocking and coming out of the backfield too. Buck needs to get some more designed plays in so Collaros isn't trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat every series.
(Scary look for Collaros going headfirst, but thank god for Benevides deciding to go extremely soft coverage when Dru Brown entered the game to try and force the QB to beat him in passes - terrible call and Brown torched him that series rather easily for the win.)
Hall is relying on his difference-makers on defence to make a difference, and they almost didn't do it last night. LaPolice schooled him the entire night and honestly Ottawa should've had 10 more points if it wasn't for that egregious end to the 1st Half in not calling a time out and a few dropped passes - but outside of 2 or 3 series, Masoli was moving in 7-15yd bunches with ease, and had some awesome timing with Darvin Adams. Again - luckily, the key players did in fact make the difference when it mattered, but that secondary in both schemes and personnel is worrisome.
Bombers are still a very good team, but certainly not the guaranteed locks that they were in 2019 and 2021 when they were simply a Collaros (QB) and a Castillo (K) away from being undoubtedly the best. Will be a lot tighter in the CFL this year, I think.
Holden Caulfield
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gojetsgo
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elks f***ing suck, they might not win a game this season...
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FonRiesen
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Holden Caulfield
He's guilty
Nathan Rourke looking legit. Wow. How much is Edmonton sucking v great BC play? Wont know until next week.
gojetsgo
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WolfHouse
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You mean after openly searching for a new QB and never saying anything positive about Arbuckle at all for the whole off season.... nah should be fine
None
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bustamente
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I wonder what Kenny Lawler is thinking this morning, well at least Edmonton has more attractions for him to pass the time when his team isn't getting butt kicked 
WolfHouse
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We can trade for him at the same.time.we pick up CastilloI wonder what Kenny Lawler is thinking this morning, well at least Edmonton has more attractions for him to pass the time when his team isn't getting butt kicked
Holden Caulfield
He's guilty
Alot of talk about how Bombers aren't going to be that good this year. I think it's far too early for that talk. They didn't come out like gangbusters last year either.
2021
Week 1: Ham 6 at Wpg 19 - Scored just 5 points in the second half. A strong defensive game obviously.
Week 2: Tor 7 at Wpg 20 - Was 10-7 going in to the 4th quarter.
Week 3: Wpg 23 at Tor 30 - Lost to a Nick Arbuckle led Argos team
Week 4: Cgy 16 at Wpg 18 - A 45 yarder from Marc Liegghio with 37 seconds left put them ahead and Parades had a rare miss from 52 yards with zeroes on the clock to seal this win.
At that point of the team this didn't look like a dominating force yet. It really started on Labour day with a 23-8 beatdown of the Riders and the follow up 33-9 Banjo Bowl win and started rolling from there. I remember at the time there were serious concerns at DB, K, RB and we just weren't sure yet what the Bombers would be. So we'll see but I think the talk of the Bombers being done as a dominant force is a little early. They might and hell probably won't be the dominant force we saw in 2021, but I still think this is a real solid group.
2021
Week 1: Ham 6 at Wpg 19 - Scored just 5 points in the second half. A strong defensive game obviously.
Week 2: Tor 7 at Wpg 20 - Was 10-7 going in to the 4th quarter.
Week 3: Wpg 23 at Tor 30 - Lost to a Nick Arbuckle led Argos team
Week 4: Cgy 16 at Wpg 18 - A 45 yarder from Marc Liegghio with 37 seconds left put them ahead and Parades had a rare miss from 52 yards with zeroes on the clock to seal this win.
At that point of the team this didn't look like a dominating force yet. It really started on Labour day with a 23-8 beatdown of the Riders and the follow up 33-9 Banjo Bowl win and started rolling from there. I remember at the time there were serious concerns at DB, K, RB and we just weren't sure yet what the Bombers would be. So we'll see but I think the talk of the Bombers being done as a dominant force is a little early. They might and hell probably won't be the dominant force we saw in 2021, but I still think this is a real solid group.
WolfHouse
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I think what we need to see is how Richie Hall adjusts to the new hash marks... it looks like its a lot harder for LB and DL to drop back now - most teams will end up having to load the box on most plays. Hall has always been willing to give up big plays but he also relies a lot on his linebacking core to support the DBs - not sure if that still works.
Buck really needs to establish a run game outside... I was really surprised at the lack of sweeps. The one flea flicker to Oliveira turned into a really nice gain.
I dont see anything that was really concerning - Masoli has always lit up Hall's D but doesn't seem to win against them very often.
I think some people really disrespected Harris and everything he brought to the team not only running but the passing game and blocking. Thinking these two magic beans would be somehow replace him was foolhardy. Young and unproven isn't always better than a track record of being one of the best in the CFL.
I'm just not seeing it with Olivera. He's not super fast and his vision to see the hole or another layer is not good. Most times he is handed the ball he stops moving behind the offensive line to try and find a hole. If he can't figure out how to hit the line with any speed he can't be on the team.
I do feel Augustine is superior to Olivera. Hope he get the chance to be the #1RB next game. He's no where near Harris but at least he has more to give with his speed.
I wonder if the Bombers will step away from the Canadian RB strategy by Labor Day. RB is just too important of a position to have dead weight at and too important strategically for Collaros heath to ignore.
I'm just not seeing it with Olivera. He's not super fast and his vision to see the hole or another layer is not good. Most times he is handed the ball he stops moving behind the offensive line to try and find a hole. If he can't figure out how to hit the line with any speed he can't be on the team.
I do feel Augustine is superior to Olivera. Hope he get the chance to be the #1RB next game. He's no where near Harris but at least he has more to give with his speed.
I wonder if the Bombers will step away from the Canadian RB strategy by Labor Day. RB is just too important of a position to have dead weight at and too important strategically for Collaros heath to ignore.
rubikscube
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Frees up the salary, yes but then we basically have to cut legggio once he comes off. It probably won't happen unless they have another Ace like Castillo lined up
Holden Caulfield
He's guilty
They added 6'4" 215lbs QB Joe Mancusco is an obviously related move. Doubt we save very much at all as I dont think Prukop is making much. Probably bigger savings was Mercy Maston replaced by Donald Rutledge.
Theres no other kickers out there unless they wanna adjust their ratio with an american rookie, which is pretty tough when anyone decent probably trying to hand around available like Harjullarhu is (who they probably can't afford).
Liegghio is turning into a pretty decent punter, he wouldnt be released, imo.
Joe Hallenback
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Holden Caulfield
He's guilty
Bombers aren't going to going to an American at RB. Besides no one they sign off the street will be better than what they got.
It's not about disrespecting Harris. He was a great player. Maybe still is. This team doesn't turn around the way it did without him.
But Oliveria is still one of the youngest RBs in the league. It took Harris awhile to figure things out consistently at CFL. Same thing were seeing here. Hes shown flashes with a couple 100 yard games last year. Hell get there. And Augustine is so explosive. Id agree Augustine will be the starter soon. But the Bombers will be fine at RB.
The more concering spots are DB, WR, and K, IMO.
WolfHouse
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American running backs are a dime a dozen.
there was a lot of disrespect for Harris. The thought that an Olivera/Augustine tandem could replace or near replace him is a mountain of proof of that. To be fair some of that is a mind set of Magic Beans>proven talent.
This is the CFL not the NHL. A player who will be good enough in 3 years doesn’t have a lot of value especially in a key position like RB. If this is the kind of output we can expect out of our RBs then just pack it in because they won’t be going anywhere.
Collaros is 33, there is no waiting. He’s here to win but he can’t do it without a running game. If we are going to be expecting him to drop back and throw 30-40 times a game he will get killed.
a good running game makes issues with receivers and DBs less important with ball control. It’s what we have relied on with Harris here and won Championships.
If Walters is going to be so hard headed about trotting these two out all year like you believe with little success then we need a new GM because he is clearly lost. I have my doubts he will tolerate it though.
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WolfHouse
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Maybe let's give them more than one game before panicking about our run game
None
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People always say this but the Bombers went like 5-6 seasons without a competent RB after Fred Reid
