OT: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2023 Season - Another terrible disappointment. NEXT: Tough Decisions on How to Rebuild.

[snowkiddin]

More of the same from the NFL, it seems.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Yeah. Pederson shut down any talk of Rourke as the #2 last week already. I hope someone gives the kid a chance. He could carve out a backup role somewhere. Ideally a rebuilding team where he’s given a shot sooner than later.

 

[snowkiddin]

No my actual brother lol. I lived in Edmonton for ~5 years starting in grade 11 until i was about 19, he still lives there today. I was actually at the game when Stegall scored that miracle 100 yard TD with no time on the clock haha. You could hear a pin drop in that stadium after that game, I was wearing my Stegall jersey and took a ton of abuse coming out after that game haha.

That sounds great, yeah we just formed the plan last year after we found some cheap tickets to BC. We'd been to the 2019 GC in Calgary and done Labour Day a few times and thought let's start hitting every CFL stadium every year.

BC is a beautiful stadium. They have a pretty solid tailgate stuff around the stadium that was lots of fun. Granville Island is right close to the stadium which has a bunch of shops and breweries thats perfect for pre-gaming as well, just a short boat ride from Stadium. With the dome the air feels like hangs heavy in there, you can tell why Medlock always said he hated kicking in there. But great sight lines, and the public transit in BC makes coming and going a breeze from that stadium. We stayed on the north shore, and it was super quick to hit the train then the ferry to North Van afterward.

I grew up with Jays playing on CBC every Saturday watching guys like Delgado so I just became a Jays fan lol. I'm not a huge baseball fan but I toss the Jays on when I'm just looking at my phone (usually posting on hf lol). Baseball is a nice calm sport to watch live though haha.

Good luck with your tour as well. I'll let you know if we scope out any cheap flights out east next year haha.

Thanks for this.

Yeah, I’m going to BC with my brother and my buddy. Game is at 6pm local time in Vancouver on Friday and our flight leaves Winnipeg at 5:30 a.m. … yeesh. But I’ll just buy a coffee at the airport and maybe sleep on the plane. We’re staying in Vancouver Friday night and Saturday, and coming home Sunday evening. Monday is Thanksgiving so a nice day for recovery. I’ll look into Granville Island later as we were looking for something fun to do. We definitely want to do a Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium but it’s coming up on 10 years since I’ve been to Vancouver (and I went for a sports competition — didn’t have a lot of time for tourism). No hotel yet so that will impact what we do depending on where we stay. Original plan was to Uber everywhere but it sounds like public transportation is good in Vancouver so we might stick to that.

I don’t follow baseball other than Goldeyes and they’re shit this season (and the season ends this week).

I’ll have to chat with my party goers, but depending on the CFL schedule, I wouldn’t mind doing the Ottawa trip next year as I’ve never actually been there.

BTW, I saw the exchange you and WolfHouse had and appreciate the discourse. I have some thoughts too I’m hoping to add if I can find the time.

Yeah. Pederson shut down any talk of Rourke as the #2 last week already. I hope someone gives the kid a chance. He could carve out a backup role somewhere. Ideally a rebuilding team where he’s given a shot sooner than later.

Yup. He wasn’t even being considered for #2. I read the Jags beat writer talk about it and basically he could’ve thrown for 1,500 yards and 95 TDs and he still wouldn’t have beat Beathard. Must be incredibly frustrating to not be given a real opportunity.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Thanks for this.

Yeah, I’m going to BC with my brother and my buddy. Game is at 6pm local time in Vancouver on Friday and our flight leaves Winnipeg at 5:30 a.m. … yeesh. But I’ll just buy a coffee at the airport and maybe sleep on the plane. We’re staying in Vancouver Friday night and Saturday, and coming home Sunday evening. Monday is Thanksgiving so a nice day for recovery. I’ll look into Granville Island later as we were looking for something fun to do. We definitely want to do a Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium but it’s coming up on 10 years since I’ve been to Vancouver (and I went for a sports competition — didn’t have a lot of time for tourism). No hotel yet so that will impact what we do depending on where we stay. Original plan was to Uber everywhere but it sounds like public transportation is good in Vancouver so we might stick to that.

I don’t follow baseball other than Goldeyes and they’re shit this season (and the season ends this week).

I’ll have to chat with my party goers, but depending on the CFL schedule, I wouldn’t mind doing the Ottawa trip next year as I’ve never actually been there.

BTW, I saw the exchange you and WolfHouse had and appreciate the discourse. I have some thoughts too I’m hoping to add if I can find the time.


Yup. He wasn’t even being considered for #2. I read the Jags beat writer talk about it and basically he could’ve thrown for 1,500 yards and 95 TDs and he still wouldn’t have beat Beathard. Must be incredibly frustrating to not be given a real opportunity.

I kind of get it on the Jags part. Trevor really likes Beathard and is comfortable with him as the backup. Trevor is on the way to being an elite NFL QB and after suffering under Urban Meyer in his rookie season he finally has some stability in this system under Pederson. Beathard’s ceiling is what it is but he’s a capable backup who knows the system and is close with Lawrence. If the Jags were still trotting out the Bortles or Minshews of the world at QB it would be a much different story. Someone like a Tampa may claim Rourke. A team desperate for a QB

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

Thanks for this.

Yeah, I’m going to BC with my brother and my buddy. Game is at 6pm local time in Vancouver on Friday and our flight leaves Winnipeg at 5:30 a.m. … yeesh. But I’ll just buy a coffee at the airport and maybe sleep on the plane. We’re staying in Vancouver Friday night and Saturday, and coming home Sunday evening. Monday is Thanksgiving so a nice day for recovery. I’ll look into Granville Island later as we were looking for something fun to do. We definitely want to do a Stanley Park and Vancouver Aquarium but it’s coming up on 10 years since I’ve been to Vancouver (and I went for a sports competition — didn’t have a lot of time for tourism). No hotel yet so that will impact what we do depending on where we stay. Original plan was to Uber everywhere but it sounds like public transportation is good in Vancouver so we might stick to that.

I don’t follow baseball other than Goldeyes and they’re shit this season (and the season ends this week).

I’ll have to chat with my party goers, but depending on the CFL schedule, I wouldn’t mind doing the Ottawa trip next year as I’ve never actually been there.

BTW, I saw the exchange you and WolfHouse had and appreciate the discourse. I have some thoughts too I’m hoping to add if I can find the time.


Yup. He wasn’t even being considered for #2. I read the Jags beat writer talk about it and basically he could’ve thrown for 1,500 yards and 95 TDs and he still wouldn’t have beat Beathard. Must be incredibly frustrating to not be given a real opportunity.

I thought the only reason he even chose Jax was because he had a good Crack at a #2 job.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Rourke went unclaimed and will likely be signing with the Jaguars practice squad.

 

[bustamente]

Good for him I guess as he will have a chance to keep learning bad for the C F L as we could all the quality quarterbacks we can find

 

[snowkiddin]

Rourke went unclaimed and will likely be signing with the Jaguars practice squad.

Interesting. Everywhere I read online people were expecting him to get claimed by a team with a carousel of shitass QBs but NFL teams stick with what they’ve got most of the time.

Sticking around the Jags practice roster isn’t the worst thing for Rourke. Still good pay and he could get activated with an injury.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Interesting. Everywhere I read online people were expecting him to get claimed by a team with a carousel of shitass QBs but NFL teams stick with what they’ve got most of the time.

Sticking around the Jags practice roster isn’t the worst thing for Rourke. Still good pay and he could get activated with an injury.

If Lawrence were to miss multiple weeks you might see Rourke get a chance to play. Jacksonville is in win now mode and we know Beathard won't be winning any games for them.




Doubt either will be back this week, but encouraging signs.

Hearing WLB Malik Clements (not sure he'll be able to get back on roster, even if healthy) and DE Celestin Haba are practicing today as well.

 

[snowkiddin]

If Lawrence were to miss multiple weeks you might see Rourke get a chance to play. Jacksonville is in win now mode and we know Beathard won't be winning any games for them.




Doubt either will be back this week, but encouraging signs.

Hearing WLB Malik Clements (not sure he'll be able to get back on roster, even if healthy) and DE Celestin Haba are practicing today as well.

I’m assuming if Lawrence goes down it’s Beathard’s team. Seems pointless to keep him around as the #2 on roster and risk losing Rourke to waivers if Beathard isn’t the next man up.

 

[Benny27]

Giving away a signed Milt Stegall jersey to subscribers

 

[bustamente]

A couple of Canadian linebackers are gimpy but it's still early, nice to see Hansen get back on the feel but it might take a few weeks to get in the lineup, Haba and Clements should help if they ate ready but who comes off for them.

 

[BobTheSolarsystem]

A couple of Canadian linebackers are gimpy but it's still early, nice to see Hansen get back on the feel but it might take a few weeks to get in the lineup, Haba and Clements should help if they ate ready but who comes off for them.

Id replace Jackson with Haba in a heartbeat

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Id replace Jackson with Haba in a heartbeat

Both those will get on roster, Damien Jackson likely coming off roster to make room when that happens, with Konnor Burtenshaw likely replacing Jackson at FB and maybe a player like Exume taken off as well.

I don't know that Malik Clements has a roster spot though. They only American he could replace would be Brian Cole, but I think they like Cole's ST abilities better than Clements.

In around the CFL news...

Big price tag on a guy with 8/9 career starts. And life becomes a lot more difficult for QBs when they are taking up 600k or cap room vs 100k, Toronto gonna have to cut some defenders and OL next off-season for sure to make room. Same thing Bombers have seen having to let go off guys like Stove Richardson, Casey Sayles, Michael Couture, Sukh Chung, etc for cap reasons. Bombers been lucky Hardrick, Bryant, Neufeld, Bighill, Willie been willing to take payouts to keep roster together, doubt TO gets that lucky.

 

[snowkiddin]

Both those will get on roster, Damien Jackson likely coming off roster to make room when that happens, with Konnor Burtenshaw likely replacing Jackson at FB and maybe a player like Exume taken off as well.

I don't know that Malik Clements has a roster spot though. They only American he could replace would be Brian Cole, but I think they like Cole's ST abilities better than Clements.

In around the CFL news...

Big price tag on a guy with 8/9 career starts. And life becomes a lot more difficult for QBs when they are taking up 600k or cap room vs 100k, Toronto gonna have to cut some defenders and OL next off-season for sure to make room. Same thing Bombers have seen having to let go off guys like Stove Richardson, Casey Sayles, Michael Couture, Sukh Chung, etc for cap reasons. Bombers been lucky Hardrick, Bryant, Neufeld, Bighill, Willie been willing to take payouts to keep roster together, doubt TO gets that lucky.

Yeah, that’s a pretty atrocious contract. Guess the TSN hype train has its drawbacks…

I’ve heard before that Winnipeg is, believe it or not, a destination city in the CFL, especially compared to TO. I guess CFL salaries can’t afford Dick Butkus in Toronto compared to here.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Yeah, that’s a pretty atrocious contract. Guess the TSN hype train has its drawbacks…

I’ve heard before that Winnipeg is, believe it or not, a destination city in the CFL, especially compared to TO. I guess CFL salaries can’t afford Dick Butkus in Toronto compared to here.

Agreed. Cost of living is a big thing for CFL players. So for like NFL and NHL and MLB people will talk about how cost of living matters for signing players. IMO, it doesn't at all. Like if you are making over a million a season, cost of living between different cities just doesn't really matter. Does it suck to pay 1 million for a house versus 350K, sure but if you're income is > a million it doesn't really matter that much.

In the CFL it matters. ALOT. CFL min salary is ~65K. 65K is pretty comfortable in WPG, hell I make barely more than that and I manage like 80 people, own a house, save for retirement (it is a two income household though, couldn't do all that on just ~65K though obviously). You can live on that. 65K in TOR is peanuts, you'll be lucky to be able to afford rent and groceries, never mind saving for the future. Add in the shortness of career and that many American players don't move full-time up here so they are paying for a place to stay in Canada plus back home where ever they are from, it adds up fast.

 

[bustamente]

 

[Andy6]

Agreed. Cost of living is a big thing for CFL players. So for like NFL and NHL and MLB people will talk about how cost of living matters for signing players. IMO, it doesn't at all. Like if you are making over a million a season, cost of living between different cities just doesn't really matter. Does it suck to pay 1 million for a house versus 350K, sure but if you're income is > a million it doesn't really matter that much.

In the CFL it matters. ALOT. CFL min salary is ~65K. 65K is pretty comfortable in WPG, hell I make barely more than that and I manage like 80 people, own a house, save for retirement (it is a two income household though, couldn't do all that on just ~65K though obviously). You can live on that. 65K in TOR is peanuts, you'll be lucky to be able to afford rent and groceries, never mind saving for the future. Add in the shortness of career and that many American players don't move full-time up here so they are paying for a place to stay in Canada plus back home where ever they are from, it adds up fast.

Yes, that's about right. I'd just say, being in Toronto for a long time myself, that he's as close as it gets to the "perfect storm" for the CFL here. He's from Buffalo, he seems to like it here and he's a marketable guy, which the Argos need more than they need expensive linemen. The Argos have a marketing problem, not a football problem ... it's not Winnipeg. I would doubt that half the people I work with even know that there's such a thing as the Argos, let alone not caring about them.

 

[snowkiddin]

Yes, that's about right. I'd just say, being in Toronto for a long time myself, that he's as close as it gets to the "perfect storm" for the CFL here. He's from Buffalo, he seems to like it here and he's a marketable guy, which the Argos need more than they need expensive linemen. The Argos have a marketing problem, not a football problem ... it's not Winnipeg. I would doubt that half the people I work with even know that there's such a thing as the Argos, let alone not caring about them.

Like my father says, maybe they should’ve waited until he played more than five quarters against legit teams. And of course, the other thing is, they’ve been well-rested with all of their byes while their opponents have played the week before. Almost half of their games this season have come after they’ve had a break.

Watching Argos games, and it’s clear he’s being propped up by his team, and like Holden said, this contract will make it hard for them to continue to do that.

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

It’s hard to win both high profile games in this back to back series… they usually spilt !

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

No surprise Kelly signs a long term deal in the CFL after seeing Rourke get lied to and screwed out of an NFL backup spot -

Bo Levi was right - NFL teams just don't want a competition for their number 2 spot - they want a guy who can make the starter happy.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

It’s hard to win both high profile games in this back to back series… they usually spilt !

Certainly not recently. Zach has not lost a LDC as a bomber and I don't believe sask has beat us the last several years at ig field

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Gauthier and Darby both moved to 6 game IR, so its legit injuries apparently. Gauthier just got off 6 game IR 2-3 games ago.

Honestly right now Gauthier is the bigger loss. With his ST work. Bombers have refused to play Darby on D except for injuries. And I like Parker as a backup DB probably better than Darby, more versatile

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Darby 6 gamed. 2 fullbacks. It's 1960

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Darby 6 gamed. 2 fullbacks. It's 1960

CFL teams often dress 2 FBs, FB and LB are catch all positions for STers.

Last year was 1960. After a break through Grey Cup in 1958/2019, Bombers followed it up with a dominant GC win in 1959/2021. Then despite a dominant regular season in 1960/2022 they suffered a stunning upset in post season play. We are now in 1961/2023 for the start of another back to back Grey Cups in 1961-1962/2023-2024.