OT: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2024 Season Thread - Footnote it is. Another long off-season ahead.

[Jets 31]

Was blown away by the empty seats

They forgot how to get to the stadium.

 

[roccerfeller]

Lots of empty seats in Saskatchewan

Comparatively
Per twitter, bombers have sold out WCF

 

[Slimy Sculpin]

3 man rush is what Younger does.

I realize that Harris, in the past, has had no trouble moving the ball between the 20s only to "choke" in the red zone. Howevber, IMO, there's something different about him this year....more confident, better team in front of him? So, again IMO, if Younger doesn't change it up a bit, the Bombers are in for a rude awakening. And, when I see Thomas and Schmekel on the field at the same time in that 3-man front, I shudder.

And, I'm a diehard Bomber fan!

 

[Benny27]

Bombers Talk

️CFL Playoffs
️Winnipeg Blue Bomber Talk
️What story intrigues you most going into the West Final?
️CFL Western Final Preview!
️Bold prediction in West Final
️CFL Finals Predictions

 

[stranger]

Anyone know how I can watch this Saturday's game in the US? (Minnesota)

 

[None]

Anyone know how I can watch this Saturday's game in the US? (Minnesota)

Free on CFL+ I think. Just have to create an account, ie. enter an email address.

 

[jetsfan15]

What are restaurant / lounge / bar options to eat and have drinks in the area of Princess Auto Stadium? Looking for a few recommendations to choose from!

 

[John Agar]

Comparatively
Per twitter, bombers have sold out WCF

And there will be next to no, if not close to zero Rider fans...

It was a sellout so fast...

I had demand beyond my Company client tickets...

And got some of the last contiguous tickets... essentially already a sell out...

Right after the defeat of the Alouettes... within minutes of the tickets going on sale... after a delay... I didn't get to bed until just after midnight in order to secure those tickets for my clients...

Wow... just wow...

Inflation is killing jobs in Saskatchewan.... over regulation is killing Sask'the bush... ideology over Canadians is killing The Gap...

Be easy on them...

 

[jetsmooseice]

And there will be next to no, if not close to zero Rider fans...

The fact that the few remaining WF tickets got snapped up immediately after the WSF leads me to believe that there will be some Rider fans in the building, but yeah, I'd expect it will be in the hundreds as opposed to the couple thousand you typically see at the Banjo Bowl.

I'm guessing it's mostly local Rider sympathizers and not as many people making the drive in from next door.

 

[Jetland162702]

There are always Sask fans.
They are the lemmings of the league.

 

[bustamente]

I'm really worried about our D line in this one, hopefully this is not that last roster that I post this year

 

[blueandgoldguy]

The defense has been the highlight of the team this season no doubt, particularly the secondary. I'm worried about the o-line, Collaros' brain farts and Pierce underwhelming playcalling...it's like he bases many of the plays on the Bombers still having a dominant o-line, not the mediocre one that exists in the present.

Saskatchewan's offense has outplayed the Bomber offense in both games this season, in terms of yards from scrimmage. Harris and the Sask O generated 5 TDs in their last 2 meetings against the Bombers which is pretty solid. I'm not sure why people say Harris doesn't finish drives this year? Sask's O has generated the 4th most Tds this season. The Bombers have generated 7th or 8th most.

While our d has played well, I am concerned the poor d-line and at best mediocre linebacking crew will continue getting chewed up by the Sask running game as has been the case most of the season - we are one of the weakest groups against the run this year. Younger has done an admirable job given the limited talent he has to work with with the front 7 switching to a mostly 3 man rush (necessitated by the terrible pressure from the blitz) and having the linebackers dropping into coverage for what seems like a good portion of the snaps. I expect Harris to have plenty of long looks with a reasonably good chance of picking us apart with plenty of short to medium passes (typical Harris game).

Hearing that 36 year old Nick Taylor (hasn't played in a year) and Kyrie Wilson (hasn't played in months and was underwhelming when he did) may see the field and scares me and seems very reminiscient of O'shea's ill-advised moves of starting an injured and ineffective Adam Bighill and Dalton Schoen in last year's Grey Cup that played a big role in us losing the game.

Oliveira has a lot to prove as he was underwhelming in his final two games of the season. He also failed to have a good game in his three attempts versus the Riders this season. Riders are the second best team against the run this season.

I would have preferred colder conditions for tomorrow's game (minus 1 or 2 at the start of the game with the temperature dropping a few degrees by the middle of the game and a slight wind) as I feel that would favor the Bombers. Alas it will be 8-9 degrees with a slight wind.

Saskatchewan finished the season strong winning 4 in a row before losing a meaningless final game. They feel a bit like a team of destiny similar to the Bombers in 2019. Meanwhile, the Bombers finished poorly failing to beat the Argos at home in a game that would have clinched first place and then followed that up with an uninspired effort versus a Montreal team that pulled several starters throughout the game, and only won in a fluke due to mother nature.

I don't know...despite home field advantage, I don't like the Bombers chances. Shades of the 2003 Western Semi-Final I attended in very cold conditions.

Final Score: Saskatchewan 25 Bombers 17

Don't shoot me.

 

[snowkiddin]

The defense has been the highlight of the team this season no doubt, particularly the secondary. I'm worried about the o-line, Collaros' brain farts and Pierce underwhelming playcalling...it's like he bases many of the plays on the Bombers still having a dominant o-line, not the mediocre one that exists in the present.

Saskatchewan's offense has outplayed the Bomber offense in both games this season, in terms of yards from scrimmage. Harris and the Sask O generated 5 TDs in their last 2 meetings against the Bombers which is pretty solid. I'm not sure why people say Harris doesn't finish drives this year? Sask's O has generated the 4th most Tds this season. The Bombers have generated 7th or 8th most.

While our d has played well, I am concerned the poor d-line and at best mediocre linebacking crew will continue getting chewed up by the Sask running game as has been the case most of the season - we are one of the weakest groups against the run this year. Younger has done an admirable job given the limited talent he has to work with with the front 7 switching to a mostly 3 man rush (necessitated by the terrible pressure from the blitz) and having the linebackers dropping into coverage for what seems like a good portion of the snaps. I expect Harris to have plenty of long looks with a reasonably good chance of picking us apart with plenty of short to medium passes (typical Harris game).

Hearing that 36 year old Nick Taylor (hasn't played in a year) and Kyrie Wilson (hasn't played in months and was underwhelming when he did) may see the field and scares me and seems very reminiscient of O'shea's ill-advised moves of starting an injured and ineffective Adam Bighill and Dalton Schoen in last year's Grey Cup that played a big role in us losing the game.

Oliveira has a lot to prove as he was underwhelming in his final two games of the season. He also failed to have a good game in his three attempts versus the Riders this season. Riders are the second best team against the run this season.

I would have preferred colder conditions for tomorrow's game (minus 1 or 2 at the start of the game with the temperature dropping a few degrees by the middle of the game and a slight wind) as I feel that would favor the Bombers. Alas it will be 8-9 degrees with a slight wind.

Saskatchewan finished the season strong winning 4 in a row before losing a meaningless final game. They feel a bit like a team of destiny similar to the Bombers in 2019. Meanwhile, the Bombers finished poorly failing to beat the Argos at home in a game that would have clinched first place and then followed that up with an uninspired effort versus a Montreal team that pulled several starters throughout the game, and only won in a fluke due to mother nature.

I don't know...despite home field advantage, I don't like the Bombers chances. Shades of the 2003 Western Semi-Final I attended in very cold conditions.

Final Score: Saskatchewan 25 Bombers 17

Don't shoot me.

I also have the Riders winning for many of the same reasons you list, so we’re both getting shot.

I’ll be there tomorrow and hoping for the best. My primary concern is Collaros has not been good in the playoffs the past few years, and that was with MOP regular seasons. With a mediocre (at best) regular season this time around, I’m worried his poor playoff play may even be compounded. And our defensive play-calling does not match up well with Harris. Harris is immobile and horrible under pressure, but if you give him time, he picks you apart. We plan to give him time, I’m sure, and that concerns me.

Hopefully this game goes the way of the Banjo Bowl and LDC, but who knows.

 

[rkp]

Harris seems to be on a mission.....not unlike fijardo with montreal, his time may be due to get to the grey cup and win one.....hoping not, might be close one if bombers win, the weather is just too good to not play football at its best

 

[FonRiesen]

Bomber Fans, bring some noise!!! Wish I could be there losing my voice and disrupting their offense. It's a measurable impact, and we may need it!

It should be a close game - and in the CFL, it's worth watching to the end...

 

[Jets 31]

Ahh the Bombers are going to beat the crap out of those banjo pickers tonight.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Been here since 1130. Tailgate is taking off now, this gonna be a crazy atmosphere tonight. Go Blue!

 

[Blitzkrug]

Montreal trying everything they can think of to actually throw this game away.

3 fumbles already.

 

[AussieBomberJet]

They weather couldn't be better for the game tonight (high of 15C). What a beauty of a day.

GO BLUE GO!!!

 

[rkp]

hope the bombers put in a better performance they have in the past 2 games....if it wasnt for the sudden change in wind direction in the last game, the game would be in sask today!

 

[StumpyTown]

To be successful tonight, I really think the Bombers need to utilize Oliviera from the very start of the game. Bombers need to own the clock tonight. If they do these guys will be on their way to Vancouver.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Looking like it's gonna be the Argos waiting for us.

A fifth Als turnover.

 

[rkp]

think kelly is done for the rest of the game

 

[snowkiddin]

think kelly is done for the rest of the game

Looked like a broken leg

 

[ThinIce61]

Looking like it's gonna be the Argos waiting for us.

A fifth Als turnover.

Looking like it's gonna be the Argos waiting for us.

A fifth Als turnover.

Is that better or worse for us, should we be successful against the Banjo Pickers tonight?