Fans vent after grim Banjo Bowl

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/09/2009 (5860 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Before the third quarter was over in the 55-10 drubbing the Saskatchewan Roughriders handed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Sunday, fans were venting their wrath at head coach Mike Kelly and GM Lyle Bauer as comments poured onto the Free Press website. Here’s a sampling of what fans had to say.

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Reporter: What are you going to do about improving this team?

Bauer: Fire Mike Kelly. Next question.

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It’s too bad but the players have clearly quit on Mike Kelly. Their heart wasn’t in it as evidenced by the poor tackles etc. Yet no one will speak out because Kelly will have them released and the players, like everyone else, need a paycheque. We all blame Kelly but I really wonder how many of the ideas really came from Kelly. Sure, he made a lot of dumb moves when he arrived on the scene but… Lyle Bauer, as GM, had to approve these moves. I think he is more involved than what has come to light so far. He is a long way from being squeaky-clean. Remember, they were the best buddies.

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Do what I did. Everyone send an email to the Bombers’ office. I said I will not buy another ticket as long as that egghead is still coaching!

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Mike Kelly seems like a my-way-or-the-highway type of guy. Which is fine when your decisions and changes always (or at least most of the time) work. He made a lot of changes that I did not agree with, but as coach it is his call. The proof will be in the pudding. Well now we (Bombers executive) should have all the proof we need.

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Where is the motivation? Where is the pride? Next question.

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Job posting: Wanted — people needed to help clean up the Bombers’ carcasses off of the field. Pay is 25 cents per hour. Sask. fans encouraged to apply.

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Awful! I will not buy another Bomber ticket as long as Mike Kelly is coaching. This is clearly the most embarrassing moment in Blue Bomber history and it’s your fault, coach! We, the fans of Winnipeg football demand you step down and spare us from any future gong shows like today’s. You may have shut up the unpleasant truth that hurts your feelings on CJOB, but the fact is you are the worst coach the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have ever had. Go away! Please! Whether it’s a "non-issue" in your mind or not, you clearly cannot coach this team without losing miserably.

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The season is over, fire Mike Kelly. Bauer should resign (we still play Montreal three times yet!) I will not pay money to see this team play any more! The players will not play for this coach. Ship him back to Edmonton!

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This team has never been able to prepare for a game properly because of all the weekly distractions. What’s it going to be next week? It is management and the coaching staff’s responsibility to prepare the players and keep them focused. The problem is many of the distractions seem to be caused by management and coaching. Time to clean house.

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Here is a different idea. Next game, let the players go out and do whatever they want, no coaches, no management. It could not possibly be any worse, and may just work out better.

Kelly has got to go, and he can take Bauer with him! This team is an embarrassment! This rebuilding has been going on for too many years now… what an absolute disgrace! If I were Kelly, I’d quit while I still had some of my dignity and not take one penny more from the organization.

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Bomber fans really need to stop attending the games while Kelly continues to coach. Vote with your wallets, people!

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What a pathetic game. Kelly the genius at work! What a joke. Last year we had a team that was at least in games, now we are a laughingstock. Thanks, Kelly, we needed that.

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The team has quit on Kelly. Please resolve the problem and fire Kelly now! This is a disgrace!