O'Leary: 6 off-season storylines to follow

[system]

If last week was any indication, be prepared: this list may have items crossed off of it quickly.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.cfl.ca/2024/11/26/oleary-6-off-season-storylines-to-follow

[Ron1]

“Both Jameer Thurman and A J Ouelette played huge roles in ending Saskatchewan’s success this year” ??? What am I missing here?

[Paolo_X]

@system

Updating something I wrote last year after the Bombers fell to the Als, in the last 11 seasons (2012-2024, accounting for the cancelled 2020 season), the team with the best record in the league has won the Grey Cup four times (Winnipeg 2021, Calgary 2018, Edmonton 2015, Calgary 2014).

THIS is an alarming stat that I think many either would not notice or overlook every single year, especially when proclaiming one team is going to not only win the Grey Cup but also “easily” or “stomp them” and the like.

You simply do not and cannot know, and look at how often the favourite loses in recent years!

[ABC]

@Ron1

“Both Jameer Thurman and A J Ouelette played huge roles in ending Saskatchewan’s success this year” ??? What am I missing here?

White washed “journalism”. Thurman played a big role. Oulette was extremely average at best. Theses cfl journalists write as though fair weathered fans are reading these articles whereas most of the readers are likely as knowledgeable of the league as these guys are.

[pantsonfire]

@Paolo_X

THIS is an alarming stat that I think many either would not notice or overlook every single year, especially when proclaiming one team is going to not only win the Grey Cup but also “easily” or “stomp them” and the like.

You simply do not and cannot know, and look at how often the favourite loses in recent years!

Very true. It also backs the fact that the regular season & the playoff season are 2 different animals. Often it is a change, especially QB, or the team that goes in the hottest down the stretch which, to me, is the a bigger determining factor.

In the other seasons, only the 2016 Ottawa team was a true upset IMO - & a massive one at that.

The 2012 Argo team had traded for Ray & things got rolling in the final 3 games when they scored 106 pts & another 42 in the EF. In 2017 Ray again was the deciding factor. Argos were the best team down the stretch in 2022 & this year looked a lot like the 16-2 squad late in the year where the D took over.

2019 - The trade for Zach turned the season around. I still think this was the best team of the Bomber run.

And the Als, again, rolled into the GC & finished off a 10 win run winning it it last year.

It is said the real season doesn’t start till Labour Day. I tend to look at how teams play down the stretch - one reason I picked the Bombers this year to win, especially after how they demolished the Riders. Should have paid more attention to how they fared against the Argos in the regular season.

[Ron1]

@ABC

White washed “journalism”. Thurman played a big role. Oulette was extremely average at best. Theses cfl journalists write as though fair weathered fans are reading these articles whereas most of the readers are likely as knowledgeable of the league as these guys are.

What got me was that he wrote “played huge rolls in ENDING Saskatchewan’s SUCCESS”. They don’t proofread what they write.

[ETMRaw]

Speaking of teams that are hot at the end of the season, imagine what the Ticats could have accomplished if they had made the playoffs. The 2 - 9 summer anchor they were pulling made sure that didnt happen.

[ABC]

@Ron1

What got me was that he wrote “played huge rolls in ENDING Saskatchewan’s SUCCESS”. They don’t proofread what they write.

Ahahaha that got past me twice!

[faninthestands]

@ABC

Ahahaha that got past me twice!

Ouelette is a great blocker. Harris enjoyed quite a bit of time to throw. Very refreshing after years of sub-par pass protection in Riderville. I like the direction Riders are headed.

[ABC]

@faninthestands

Ouelette is a great blocker. Harris enjoyed quite a bit of time to throw. Very refreshing after years of sub-par pass protection in Riderville. I like the direction Riders are headed.

That is a very good point. I sounded more pessimistic about oulette than I really mean. Mostly, I was disappointed in his production due to injury. He missed however many games plus had a number of poor games that he probably shouldnt have played in. When he played well he produced and he was an excellent asset in blocking. I hope he’s healthy next year.

[Maaax]

@faninthestands

Ouelette is a great blocker. Harris enjoyed quite a bit of time to throw. Very refreshing after years of sub-par pass protection in Riderville. I like the direction Riders are headed.

Losing Jermarcus Hardrick right at the beginning of the season didn’t help the Rider’s cause though. Mind you it didn’t sink them either. Imagine how strong their front five will be next year.