The reason why we use the “football is a game of inches” cliché all the time is a simple one: it’s because in just about every game, the result comes down to inches.
All good points, although I would disagree or modify three things.
I wouldn’t call Lawler just “always reliable” but rather the “best receiver in the league”.
I also wouldn’t pick on Sergio for missing two perfect strikes with the chipped ball that you could clearly see took off like a mishit golf ball, no doubt because of the chip only Cote and him had to endure. Cote looked no better and they both missed converts also. Both looked just fine the following week. Sergio has been perfect this year and they should remove his misses from the stats, to be fair. He could have incentives in his contract that might not be met because he was forced to kick with the chip for one game. Sergio looks just fine so far and hasn’t contributed one bit to the Bombers losing.
Finally, I would say that Streveler has been underused and hasn’t contributed to the Bombers losing. If you need a TD to probably win the game and you have a first down at the 7 then surely giving the ball to Streveler 3 times, with or without options, would result in a TD 9 times out of 10. I would substitute the criticism of Streveler with criticism of the play calling of Buck Pierce.
Otherwise the Bombers have pretty much sucked the first two games, especially by their standards.
At least you know if Strev has to throw to get that TD it might not happen. But yea, running from the 7 pretty much a giveme.
Man o Man we got a serious problem here. You sound like Lyle Style and that my friend could be a problem - specially if it goes virile.
The height of Bomber mediocrity this year was having 3 goes from the Als 7 and coming up stinky. Yes, Olivera wasn’t around to cut the distance to 2 or 3 yds on 1st down - and they obviously don’t trust Augustine in clutch situations.
I agree Streveler should have got the series - but Mr. O’Shea reports directly to CEO & Team God Zach Collaros, so that ain’t happenin’
Many other embarrassments for Bombers in first 2 games but Mike O’Shea never panics - even if team goes 0-5 out of the chute. He’s mimicking the Bill Bellichick system.
Disagree. The players have simply not executed. From dropped passes galore to Collaros making poor decisions to the line getting dominated on run plays, this is a player failure. It is not a playcalling failure.
It’s of course both, but I don’t see how the Bombers don’t score from the 7 if you give the ball to Streveler 3 times in a row. He has barely been used.
Because the O-Line has been not good. No holes to run through. Yes, big strong guy and all that, but so is Olivera, and when run lanes are shut down neither is getting far.
So Schoen (9 of 18) and Demski (6 of 12) should be carrying the load but timing and accuracy of passes has been affected by Collaros not having time to get the ball out when he wants to.
Lawler may well be the best receiver in the league, but he spends a lot of time hurt. He has missed 1/3 of the season the last two seasons, and is on the 6 game now.
Exactly why I said Streveler rolling out 2 or 3 times should have resulted in a TD. He could have run over two guys twice for 3 yards each or optioned it off for the score. Leaving it up to Zach and the poor play of the O Line to protect him wouldn’t have been my choice. If you have a weapon like Strevs why not use him?
O’Shea has game notes which clearly state: “Don’t use Chris #17 cuz you’re supposed to show supreme loyalty to Zach.”
THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING… YOU’LL FIND ME IN MY BOMB SHELTER!
It’s week 3, the mighty Winnipeg Blue Bombers will fly high again soon, better to deal with 
early and learn to adjust. I have no doubt Winnipeg will be competitive this year, just off to a slow start.
Hmm… While sitting in my bomb shelter, I noticed I had a packet of powdered water? With no instructions.
Ya, will the real pessimist please stand up 
I think you’re overrating Streveler. Behind an ordinary offensive line, there is no guarantee anyone scores from the 7-yard line.
I think play calling is as suspect as execution. I haven’t noticed many screens or hitches to help out the interior O-line.
That’s fair. More of a perimeter game would help.
Its the beginning of the end for the Bomber dynasty. What a ride it was. But the tell-tale signs are really falling into place. 3 to 5 guys a game going down, including pre-season and off-field “training” accident, slavish loyalty to an obviously declining QB, below average to average line play, under-thrown balls now being preyed upon, no Olivera to provide 100+/game w/ extra first downs, sad return game.
The worst part of the decline is when decision makers and tall foreheads refuse to acknowledge things are unravelling. Based on my observations on O’Shea, don’t think they’ll do much other than tinkering and believing in themselves next few games. If they get to 0-5, the panic really will begin setting in.
Theres a lot not right with that offence.
Everyone bulked up their run defence, especially in the west, because of all the top backs. Which also makes escaping the pocket harder for a QB.
I have seen a lot of Streveler. I find it hard to believe that he wouldn’t be able to run over enough people to gain 7 yards on 3 carries, stellar offensive line or not. He’s the best running QB in the league easily and may even be the hardest person to tackle in the league when running the ball on short yardage as well. He generally gains 2-3 yards even on short yardage plays right up the middle when the defence knows exactly what is coming. Put him at the 7 with a possible option and I think he would be very difficult to stop 3 times. That is what I am basing it on, especially with Zach struggling in the red zone. You know, doing the same thing over and over again…
You haven’t convinced me that you’re not overrating Streveler. 
2-3 yards on a sneak is in no way comparable to 7 yards. Whatever you saw of him was 5 years ago in a very different CFL with a younger Bomber team and a way stronger offensive line. Expecting anyone to be automatic punching a ball in from the 7-yard line is overrating the player. Even the league’s actual top running backs – guys whose primary job it is to run the ball – aren’t guaranteed anything from that distance.
Yup. I’m guessing being conservative in some ways because Zach getting rushed like he is will only last so long before hes either beat up or injured.
So if Strev’s is their backup plan for that, the question is, do you want to expose him to injury. Because you can almost bet the opposition is blitzing from somewhere if not everywhere when he walks on the field.