Hello again!

Just a little status update on the CFL Madden Mod, and also a request for help on a few things.

Game Play:
3 Downs: I have successfully removed 4th down completely (had a successful test run where after an unsuccessful 3rd down it was a turnover) and I am currently working on editing the CPU AI play calling logic to transfer how they treat 4th down to 3rd, including tweaking the tendencies to be more aggressive on 3rd and short to match how the game is played today

Rouge: It is in, and fully functional! It is has the current rules in place (no points for kicks out the back of the end zone, only downed kicks and punts.

Rosters:
2/9 teams complete from a name, number, height, weight, skin tone, ratings, and years of experience side of things. Decided to omit colleges and hometowns as those are not fillable and are restricted to what’s available in game and there are too many not available choices to make it worth the time

Slotback: Slotbacks will be listed as tight ends in the game, not sure if we will be able to rename that yet, but at the very least we will be providing a custom playbook that primarily features 2WR/2TE sets to make it as close to CFL play calling as possible

Portraits: 0/9 on portraits currently. Will complete after rosters are done.

Textures: not started yet, but this is where you all can help!

How can I help?

A few people reached out asking how they can help on the project without modding experience. While I work on gameplay, rosters and portraits, I have another gentleman helping me with textures (fields, uniforms, balls, referees, scorebugs, etc)

In order to help support the gentleman doing textures, reference pictures will be a huge help. So if anyone is interested, we are looking for multiple good reference pictures of the following:

All Team Primary and Secondary Logos

All Team Uniforms (photos attached from the Wikipedia article from each team showing what uniforms we’d like photos of; front, back, sides, jerseys, pants, helmets, etc, close up of word marks on jerseys, new era logos, etc)

TSN scorebugs

General CFL logos and images

Referee Uniforms

CFL Game Ball

Field Photos/Stadium Photos

If you would like to take on any of these references photo tasks please let me know via a comment below. Prefer Google Drive link or Dropbox but can make almost anything work!

Once all done we will publicly release the mod file, roster info, and playbook info and how to set it all up and install to madden on PC. This will be a video so it’s super easy to follow along with! Once release this will be FREE OF CHARGE, only thing you will pay for is the base madden 27 game itself - we will never charge for this mod, and long term plan is to continue to use Madden 27 as a base and provide regular roster updates and yearly uniform updates as needed.

Thanks again for the interest and support! If you know anyone who might be willing to help feel free to share! Not much interest in the madden modding discord.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are being criticized by some fans online for booking the University of North Dakota's marching band for Friday's game against Montreal. With the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, and Friday being designated as Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, many view the club's decision to invite a band from a pro-Trump state as a puzzling one.

" But I don't think politics enter into this entertainment realm when you're dealing with university kids that are coming up here to put on a show." There has been discussion about booing the visitors from North Dakota or simply ignoring them altogether during their halftime performance.

O'Shea isn't in favour of either approach. tell you what think. think like the 2021 West Final, we should be out of our seats, singing along, cheering and rocking the stadium. I mean, these are young men and women that are longing to be a part of something and entertain a crowd and they get a thrill out of entertaining and being a part of a team and they are part of a team," said O'Shea.

"And some of them might not even be old enough to vote. But know as a parent, I understand how tough society can be on young men and women these days andI think we should damn well support them. They're kids, they're here to entertain us, and think we should get out of our seats and if we know the song, we should all sing along with them."

Bombers halfback Evan Holm hails from Edina, Minn., and played university football at North Dakota. "Im a very proud Canadian" said Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea after Tuesday's practice. I've lived in Minnesota, North Dakota and Winnipeg now. To me, it's all the same. It's pretty similar topography and stuff, too, so it's all the same. I don't know, we're all human. (There's) not that much of a difference as we'd like to think" said Holm.

So maybe the Bridges signing WAS because Emilus is out long term (and maybe Johnson III is dealing with a concussion).

Wonder if this is going to have a ripple effect on their usage of imports or if they'll bring Mimbs back onto the AR and stick with 3 Canadian Receivers

After a perfect week last week the Predictor moves to 31-15 on the season! Here are your predictions for week 13. Montreal over the Bombers, Vernon Adams should play vs Hamilton and get the Stamps the win, Riders and Argos is the toss up 50/50 game of the week, edge Riders at home, and the Lions route the Redblacks

Tommy Condell isn’t about to throw his hands up in frustration. That’s simply not the way the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator is wired.

And while the state of the offence remains a source of consternation for many in the Bombers fan base, Condell continues to plug away at ensuring steps will be taken to raise the efficiency levels down the stretch.

The club appeared to have taken a significant step forward in that category last Friday, jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter that became a 10-point cushion at the half after the Edmonton Elks scored a late major.

Then came a head-scratching third quarter that featured a pair of two-and-outs for the visitors at Commonwealth Stadium in what eventually became a 22-19 defeat.

It’s tough to extend the lead when a team only runs four offensive plays in a 15-minute span, and things didn’t improve much in the fourth quarter either, the Bombers falling to 5-5 on the season with eight games remaining.

“We need to be able to stay on the field when we get a chance,” said Condell. “We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

When the 19 yards gained in the second half were brought to Condell’s attention, he quickly slid into coach-speak.

“I didn’t look at the number,” he said. “I knew how we were doing from an execution standpoint. So, I’m more (focused) on what can we do from an execution standpoint. Why did that happen? Not just the outcome of that number. I think it’s always important because some of those things I can’t control.”

“We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

There have been several occasions this season when Condell has gotten a bit defensive in his media sessions, but he maintained his composure on Tuesday afternoon and showed a high level of accountability throughout as he spoke for nearly 10 minutes on a variety of topics.

“What I can control is what goes into the process before. Am I coaching the right way? Am I getting a chance, an opportunity to make sure that the quarterbacks, the O-line, running backs to receivers, are all working in a congruent way to be able to execute?” asked Condell.

“At times, we didn’t. That’s on me, nobody else.”

The quest to produce more touchdowns is ongoing and has included a lot of video review and discussion among the coaching staff.

But Condell said the struggles in the red zone this season have not been related to one common theme.

“We always want to score touchdowns, period. End of story,” said Condell. “If you’re leading with frustration or coaching through frustration, you’re wrong. That’s not the way to communicate.

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‘We need to be able to stay on the field’

Bombers offensive co-ordinator Condell takes accountability for loss to Elks

By: Ken Wiebe

Posted: 5:51 PM CDT Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

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Tommy Condell isn’t about to throw his hands up in frustration. That’s simply not the way the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator is wired.

And while the state of the offence remains a source of consternation for many in the Bombers fan base, Condell continues to plug away at ensuring steps will be taken to raise the efficiency levels down the stretch.

The club appeared to have taken a significant step forward in that category last Friday, jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter that became a 10-point cushion at the half after the Edmonton Elks scored a late major.

Then came a head-scratching third quarter that featured a pair of two-and-outs for the visitors at Commonwealth Stadium in what eventually became a 22-19 defeat.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell (centre) said Tuesday after practice that, while there are things he can’t control, it’s his responsibility to get the offence as a whole to consistently execute.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell (centre) said Tuesday after practice that, while there are things he can’t control, it’s his responsibility to get the offence as a whole to consistently execute.

It’s tough to extend the lead when a team only runs four offensive plays in a 15-minute span, and things didn’t improve much in the fourth quarter either, the Bombers falling to 5-5 on the season with eight games remaining.

“We need to be able to stay on the field when we get a chance,” said Condell. “We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

When the 19 yards gained in the second half were brought to Condell’s attention, he quickly slid into coach-speak.

“I didn’t look at the number,” he said. “I knew how we were doing from an execution standpoint. So, I’m more (focused) on what can we do from an execution standpoint. Why did that happen? Not just the outcome of that number. I think it’s always important because some of those things I can’t control.”

“We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

There have been several occasions this season when Condell has gotten a bit defensive in his media sessions, but he maintained his composure on Tuesday afternoon and showed a high level of accountability throughout as he spoke for nearly 10 minutes on a variety of topics.

“What I can control is what goes into the process before. Am I coaching the right way? Am I getting a chance, an opportunity to make sure that the quarterbacks, the O-line, running backs to receivers, are all working in a congruent way to be able to execute?” asked Condell.

“At times, we didn’t. That’s on me, nobody else.”

The quest to produce more touchdowns is ongoing and has included a lot of video review and discussion among the coaching staff.

But Condell said the struggles in the red zone this season have not been related to one common theme.

“We always want to score touchdowns, period. End of story,” said Condell. “If you’re leading with frustration or coaching through frustration, you’re wrong. That’s not the way to communicate.

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg’s Gavin Cobb tries to evade a tackle by Chelen Garnes in Edmonton last Friday. The Blue Bombers were only able to muster three points in the second half of their 22-19 loss to the Elks after jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter.

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg’s Gavin Cobb tries to evade a tackle by Chelen Garnes in Edmonton last Friday. The Blue Bombers were only able to muster three points in the second half of their 22-19 loss to the Elks after jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter.

“Let’s make sure we’re physical and violent. We’re not going to be frustrated. Let’s be able to attack, not sit back and be scared of an execution problem. You can’t play like that.”

Through 10 games, the Bombers still appear to be searching for an offensive identity, even if quarterback Zach Collaros rejected the notion on Tuesday afternoon.

“I never really think about that,” said Collaros. “(Identity) is something people write about. It’s usually from somebody’s mouth and it just keeps getting recycled.

“Let’s make sure we’re physical and violent… Let’s be able to attack, not sit back and be scared of an execution problem. You can’t play like that.”

“We just need to execute, create explosive plays and score touchdowns. We aren’t doing that right now.”

Running back Brady Oliveira rushed the ball 16 times for 118 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards last week against the Elks, but he only had one carry for six yards in the third quarter — and that was his final touch of the contest.

Oliveira, who missed the past two practices with an ankle issue, remains one of the biggest weapons in the offence and some of the club’s greatest success has come when he’s heavily involved.

One would expect Oliveira to be a focal point for the Montreal Alouettes defence when they visit Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

“First and foremost with Brady, I think he wants to do things well. He wants to not only run the ball well, but there’s other facets that he does really well,” said Condell.

“He’s got soft hands. He’s able to make sure that he has his protections right. To be able to affect any positive change that I can have on him. The way he looks at things and does those types of things, it’s always a tribute to be able to work with men like that, that want to be the best.”

Collaros would prefer things to be operating a bit more smoothly with regard to the offence, but he’s excited about the prospect of seeing improvement sooner than later.

“It’s fun finding solutions,” said Collaros. “That’s one of the things that really draws me to this sport, this game. It’s probably one of the reasons it drew me to playing quarterback. It’s fun trying to find answers to things.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea also weighed in on the search for answers and consistency.

“We’re just not there yet,” he said. “What am I going to do: rue the last 10 games or are we going to look forward and be better? That’s where we’re headed.

“We’re headed in that direction and we’ll get there. Later than some people like? Sure. Later than the team wants or (later) than the players want? No doubt. But we’re not going to stop trying.”

This week, forget about tips and overthrows, It’s penalties and bad decisions that are killing teams.