Ottawa Redblacks Thread

[argolio]

Did O’Connor retire or something? It's almost like he disappeared from the football world.

[Scooter McCray]

Did O’Connor retire or something? It's almost like he disappeared from the football world.

Probably not officially. Lack of interest has forced him into providing for himself in another line of work. CFL teams should be spending alot more time drafting and developing Canadian QBs. There are diamonds out there to mine. With fewer US born QBs becoming available teams can find the next Nathan Rourke. Nobody, I repeat Nobody predicted what Nathan did last year. BC knew he could play but I think their expectations were he will grow into being an above average CFL QB....Not set fire to the record book.

[paulwoods13]

CFL teams should be spending alot more time drafting and developing Canadian QBs. There are diamonds out there to mine. With fewer US born QBs becoming available teams can find the next Nathan Rourke.

I agree 100%. The league should be doing everything it can to help Canadian (mostly CIS) QBs develop their skills to the point they can be viable options for CFL jobs. I doubt the league as a whole will take this approach any time soon, but at last we've seen three instances of teams being willing to draft a guy quite high, and let him try out at QB. It's a start, but there is a long way to go. The shortage of good American QBs is only going to get worse, between the new leagues and the NFL adding third QBs to rosters.

[OV Argo]

I agree 100%. The league should be doing everything it can to help Canadian (mostly CIS) QBs develop their skills to the point they can be viable options for CFL jobs. I doubt the league as a whole will take this approach any time soon, but at last we've seen three instances of teams being willing to draft a guy quite high, and let him try out at QB. It's a start, but there is a long way to go. The shortage of good American QBs is only going to get worse, between the new leagues and the NFL adding third QBs to rosters.

Pretty sure most NFL teams used to always carry 3 QBs ? The recent 2 QB thing, including the 49ers fiasco last play-off, is another example IMO of football coaching staffs willing to make very risky roster management decisions to have more specialists or ST only guys on rosters. Though I believe the 2 QB thing is the only comparison to the CFL iffy roster thinking : the NFL has bigger rosters and one less position on both offence and defence to cover = I doubt you would ever see an NFL team dress just one back-up O-lineman or receiver or DB; and they never have a dual kicker to do both jobs.

The CFL has it's Little Lebowski QB urban achiever program for Canadian QBs still, no ? - U Sports QBs get to go to a CFL TC to learn; been around a good number of years now I think - surely it will start paying dividends soon ? - LOL !

Did I read somewhere Mike O'Connor applied to become a firefighter ? Brandon Bridge became a police officer in Ontario i think it was - funny how some Dom Davis types get to stick around CFL rosters for years and years though. Somebody should write a book on the history of Canadian QBs' trials & tribulations (more like lack thereof) in the GOB CFL? Love to hear what O'Connor would have to say; or guys like Hugo Richard, Kyle Quinlan, Tom Denison, going all the way back to the likes of Chris Flynn, Jamie Bone, Bill Robinson.

[Argo57]

Pretty sure most NFL teams used to always carry 3 QBs ? The recent 2 QB thing, including the 49ers fiasco last play-off, is another example IMO of football coaching staffs willing to make very risky roster management decisions to have more specialists or ST only guys on rosters. Though I believe the 2 QB thing is the only comparison to the CFL iffy roster thinking : the NFL has bigger rosters and one less position on both offence and defence to cover = I doubt you would ever see an NFL team dress just one back-up O-lineman or receiver or DB; and they never have a dual kicker to do both jobs.

The CFL has it's Little Lebowski QB urban achiever program for Canadian QBs still, no ? - U Sports QBs get to go to a CFL TC to learn; been around a good number of years now I think - surely it will start paying dividends soon ? - LOL !

Did I read somewhere Mike O'Connor applied to become a firefighter ? Brandon Bridge became a police officer in Ontario i think it was - funny how some Dom Davis types get to stick around CFL rosters for years and years though. Somebody should write a book on the history of Canadian QBs' trials & tribulations (more like lack thereof) in the GOB CFL? Love to hear what O'Connor would have to say; or guys like Hugo Richard, Kyle Quinlan, Tom Denison, going all the way back to the likes of Chris Flynn, Jamie Bone, Bill Robinson.

Given the apparent shortage in quality QB talent you would think CFL teams should be seriously looking at Canadian QB’s but it doesn’t seem to be a consideration.

[AngeloV]

Given the apparent shortage in quality QB talent you would think CFL teams should be seriously looking at Canadian QB’s but it doesn’t seem to be a consideration.

Goes back to what I said earlier. There is a lot of QB talent to go around, but teams don’t seem to have the patience to let them develop. Far too often they throw them in when they are not ready and if they struggle, they are never to be seen again. The league should consider adding 2 roster spots for QB’s to develop. Spots in which these QB’s don’t dress, but not practice roster spots. They can get paid the league minimum and remain property of the team that has them. It sure would benefit the league more than this global BS.

[OV Argo]

Given the apparent shortage in quality QB talent you would think CFL teams should be seriously looking at Canadian QB’s but it doesn’t seem to be a consideration.

Notice how nobody in the CFL reporting community (3 Down, TSN) give's a rat's @$$ to bring up the subject? That helps the system keep going.

[argolio]

I agree 100%. The league should be doing everything it can to help Canadian (mostly CIS) QBs develop their skills to the point they can be viable options for CFL jobs. I doubt the league as a whole will take this approach any time soon, but at last we've seen three instances of teams being willing to draft a guy quite high, and let him try out at QB. It's a start, but there is a long way to go. The shortage of good American QBs is only going to get worse, between the new leagues and the NFL adding third QBs to rosters.

The CFL has limited resources for that. Unless USports football is willing to invest in itself, nothing will change.

[Argo57]

Goes back to what I said earlier. There is a lot of QB talent to go around, but teams don’t seem to have the patience to let them develop. Far too often they throw them in when they are not ready and if they struggle, they are never to be seen again. The league should consider adding 2 roster spots for QB’s to develop. Spots in which these QB’s don’t dress, but not practice roster spots. They can get paid the league minimum and remain property of the team that has them. It sure would benefit the league more than this global BS.

Valid points Angelo, the Global initiative is a total waste of time IMO.

[Retrogorilla 2]

Valid points Angelo, the Global initiative is a total waste of time IMO.

I'm guessing the league views the global initiative as less about helping the teams and more about a marketing angle that brings awareness of the league up, outside of Canada. I wouldn't imagine it's accomplishing much of that either.

[jerrym]

Goes back to what I said earlier. There is a lot of QB talent to go around, but teams don’t seem to have the patience to let them develop. Far too often they throw them in when they are not ready and if they struggle, they are never to be seen again.

When I was young there were lots of QBs given three to even five years to develop their skills in both the NFL and CFL before they were expected to perform consistently now. Now much of that has disappeared.

[ArgoRavi]

When I was young there were lots of QBs given three to even five years to develop their skills in both the NFL and CFL before they were expected to perform consistently now. Now much of that has disappeared.

Unfortunately, fans don't exhibit the necessary patience so teams are under intense pressure to win now and do whatever it takes, even if it comes at the expense of player development.

[Argo57]

What a comeback, I have to give credit to Crum who showed a lot of courage in this game!
Happy for Bob Dyce who looked bewildered in the first half.

[kellynjk]

What a great game and what a comeback for Ottawa. I thought Crum showed alot of heart! I was rooting for Ottawa to win, especially after all the bad luck they have suffered with their quarterbacks. The whole team stepped up and Ottawa's receivers made some great receptions. And let's face it Winnipeg wins enough already - they are due for a loss (ha!).

[AngeloV]

Unfortunately, fans don't exhibit the necessary patience so teams are under intense pressure to win now and do whatever it takes, even if it comes at the expense of player development.

IMO, it's more management than fans. Fans is an easy cop out.

[gilthethrill]

What a comeback, I have to give credit to Crum who showed a lot of courage in this game!
Happy for Bob Dyce who looked bewildered in the first half.

I was really, really looking forward to watching that game on “ TSN Demand” but was unexpectedly shown the final score while I was in Mount Forest Ontario.

[AngeloV]

I was really, really looking forward to watching that game on “ TSN Demand” but was unexpectedly shown the final score while I was in Mount Forest Ontario.

Argo57’s fault.

[Argo57]

Argo57’s fault.

Lol!

[ArgoRavi]

IMO, it's more management than fans. Fans is an easy cop out.

I would suggest that management feels the pressure because they fear losing fans and money.

[argolio]

Amazing win for Ottawa. Couple of untimely drops by Bomber receivers set the stage for the comeback. Just goes to show how every play matters.