Now it starts getting tough for the Renegades. The dream of making the playoffs and playing the Grey Cup in their own town is dead. There are two games still left to be played, but it's not too soon for the difficult decisions that have to be made.

Who stays? Who goes?

Those questions apply across the Renegades' hierarchy, from ownership on down.

TILLMAN BOLTING

The ownership group could be reconfigured in the off-season and decisions will have to be made on the future of management. Is a full housecleaning in order?

It's a given within CFL circles that vice-president and GM Eric Tillman will be moving on, possibly to the Stampeders if there's an ownership change there.

The tough decision facing ownership and president Brad Watters is the fate of coach and director of football operations Joe Paopao.

There are a few ways of evaluating a coach's worth. Did he get his players to fulfil their potential?

Do the players play hard for him; did they show signs of quitting on him?

TOO MANY INJURIES

Through week after week of injuries to starters, the Renegades competed for Paopao. The truth is, in their depleted state, the Renegades probably didn't have enough talent to win regularly.

But they competed. They came up with a couple of second-half rallies the last two weeks, Friday night behind their third-string quarterback.

Before looking at just the disappointing record, the Renegades have to ask themselves this: Could another coach have done better this year?

Are any of those potential replacements (I'm guessing it's a very small number) going to be available?

It's fine to decide to make changes, but the options, at this point in the Renegades' evolution, must be clearly better.

chris.stevenson@ott.sunpub.com