M.Silverback

I watched every game for one RSEQ team for the last 4 years, and am in no way an actual football scout, but here's my take on some of the RSEQ players: Ben Labrosse and Kevin Mital - they are two of the three best football players I've seen in the RSEQ. The other was Josh Archibald, now on the BC Lions. Labrosse and Mital will definitely make CFL rosters this season. Both should be impact players in the CFL. Nathaniel Dumolin-Duguay - He's at least a backup guard in the CFL now, starter down the road. Laval OL are really well prepared to play at the next level, providing they have the size, athleticism, which he does. Dawson Pierre - Hodge has him going in the 4th round. If a team gets him in the 4th round they've scored. I'd be shocked if he doesn't have a decent CFL career. Special team player at a minimum. Every game I watched he made an impact. Totally disruptive force on D. Draft writers talk about him playing in the box in the CFL. I think he could stick with safety, be a Taylor Loffler type. I'm a big fan of his. Frédérik Antoine - Depending on the team, I think he could make a roster next season. Laval's offense was so good he probably didn't stand out as much as he could have on another team. Fast, smooth, good hands. Had a good combine.

I'm going to sound like I'm a John Hodge burner account on this forum (I'm not), but the CFL draft is by far the toughest to predict in terms of order, who gets picked. So many factors, but the biggest being the best players aren't ever picked high because of NFL interest. So, you're guessing on how GM's will choose the best "available" player, and then factoring in positions that actually matter in the CFL for ratio. This isn't the NFL, NBA, NHL where a casual fan can probably get 50% accuracy on the first round. I like CFL mock drafts (3downnation and cfl.ca) just to get to know potential players. I know RSEQ players pretty well because I watch every game for one school, but clueless as to anyone else. So if your criteria is you only like mock drafts for their accurate selection order predictions , no debate on CFL draft predictions.

Agreed. I love the idea of a FB - old school, neck roll John Riggins type - but in reality, who uses a FB? NFL or CFL? Your best bang for buck in CFL drafting is OL, DL, WR, DB. LB's for some special teams. FB?

Not sure I get the vitriol towards 3downnation and John Hodge. We all love the CFL. TSN and Sportsnet barely cover any off season news. Even in season, while broadcasting games, TSN is pretty light on content other than game summary articles. 3downnation has been around since 2015 and overall does a better job than anywhere else with CFL news. cfl.ca is good, and Ed Tait writes some really interesting content on bluebombers.com. But 3downnation is really my first stop to get any CFL content that I'm interested in - signings, draft profiles, USports stuff, CFL players in the NFL ... I like what they do. And I am in no way affiliated or compensated by the 3downnation corporation 😃

The idea of BOLO (big, US college credentials) was much greater than the reality - 25 receptions in two seasons. I watched Jeremy Murphy a lot in RSEQ as my son plays there, and he is definitely a CFL rotational receiver. I predict he will put up better numbers, run better routes, and make tougher catches than BOLO. Not saying he'll be a star, but Murphy will be better than BOLO.

My post ranking the Bombers DL mid range in the CFL was taking into consideration the entire rotation - 7 players, some teams run 9. No point ranking just the starting 4 because in today's game you need a rotation to be successful. As many of have said, our starting 4 gets gassed. The diddly behind them is the issue. And the sacks stat - touche. It's not always the D-line impacting in terms of overall sack stats though. Scheme, blitzing frequency ... I think we can agree that if we don't get better depth, or better play from our current depth, it does not bode well for the remaining 11 games and playoffs. Overworking and over relying on the Jeff's, with minimal impact from the DT position, isn't a Grey Cup winning recipe. And I still stand by my statement that I'd choose at least 4 other teams' to ours D-line rotation, while still acknowledging that Jeff's are elite.

I'm with you on semi-pleased. Davis has declined, but he's better as a rotational player than our current depth. What's Walters' plan? Considering depth and overall talent level, where does our D-line rank? Five teams who are better? Four at best, possibly six? We need an upgrade in talent and added depth. Doesn't feel like a Grey Cup winning talent level D-line at present. Or entire defense for that matter.

Agree. Trades are so rare in the CFL though. Not sure why Walters wasn’t in on the Kongbo trade. 4th round pick is nothing to give up. Maybe he didn’t want to come here? Or we didn’t want him? Money issue?

Farhan Lalji just tweeted Lemon signed with Montreal. Not sure what Walters plan is, but we need DL help.

Not sure McRae is that guy. I'm talking about a Carey, Mills, Logan type RB on Calgary. They're out there. Bring one in, tandem with Brady, maybe dress one less special teams LB or FB, there's your RB game setting up your passing game for Buck and Zach. Defenses have figured this out. It's on their whiteboards under their "Believe" signs - don't worry about the Bombers running game.

I hear ya. Like I said, I like Brady. I'd just like him more as part of an RB tandem, where the other RB actually was a break away threat that defenses worried about. Helps set up the passing game. Doesn't have to be a 180 lb juke RB. Calgary has three American RB's who are legit threats. NFL teams cut RB's every year that could easily excel in the CFL. Bombers could find one. They may have had one and cut him. And 4Q grind out a lead - Brady is definitely the guy I want. But 1st and 10, first Q, the opposing D is not worried he's breaking one, and are scheming for that. The run is not setting up the pass in other words.

Agree. I know Brady is kind of off limits to critique - Winnipeger, loves puppies ... - but I really think he'd be better as a secondary running option. I like him, and I know, he leads the CFL in rushing. But, he's not a threat that opposing defenses game plan around. He's not quick, shifty, and doesn't find holes enough for defensive coordinators to worry about in scheming. Unfair comparison, but he's not prime Andrew Harris. He's a great grind out the end of a game RB; get 4 tough yards RB. I'd like to see another RB share time with him who is a threat to break big runs. Even at UND he had another RB he shared time with. McRae - maybe. Likely someone new.

Exactly. And I don't get moving away from a platoon of DL's. BC starts 9. We start 6, 3 who probably shouldn't be on the active roster. I thought this was pretty much a rule now in Canadian football for success. DL's run way more in the Canadian game, hence you need to sub them out, keep them fresh. The Jeff's are completely gassed by the end of a game. It's crazy to me. Seems like roster management 101.

Here's hoping. It's weird to me how his talent acquisition goes in cycles. For years we complained about quality American receivers. Now we're good there, but really lacking in DE's and DT's. Haven't really hit on any for a while. And our depth at that position might be league worst.

You're bang on. And hard as it is to admit, it is good for the CFL. You're totally right about the roster issue. Some glaring gaps. Thomas, Schmekel and Walker are not a starting rotational three at DT for a championship level team. I know Osh loves Thomas, but that is an age thing. He shouldn't be playing this much. BC started 9 DL, we started 6, 3 of whom should not be starting. I trust in Walters to upgrade the talent level. It's too bad in season trades don't really happen in the CFL. Maybe trade a receiver (Bailey, Agudosi) for a starting caliber DT?

Agree. Question - where was the safety on those plays? Particularly the one (might have been two) to Tim White? Have to think the defensive scheme wasn't to leave their biggest threat in man coverage deep with Holm.

Damn. Was hoping we’d sign him again https://3downnation.com/2023/05/21/b-c-lions-sign-homegrown-defensive-end-jonathan-kongbo-following-nfl-stint/

I watch a lot of RSEQ football. Bomber fans will like Jeremy Murphy. Great hands, sneaky fast, good route runner, makes tough catches. One of those guys who would put up 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns against my son's team McGill, and make it look effortless. Steps up in big moments. And I'm thrilled for Collin Kornelson! I coached him way back in the youth football days with the upstart Valour Patriots football team. Was a great teammate and player then, and still is now.

I love mock drafts, period. I'm glad for any information about potential CFL prospects. It's the only source where I can learn about some of these prospects. And the CFL draft is by far the toughest to accurately predict. Teams are generally not picking the best player available, at least early, given NFL interest. Toughest draft for a GM of any pro sports team in North America because of that. Balancing whether someone can play in the CFL, with will they ever want to play in the CFL, with the positional value. Walters and his crew have been excellent overall.

I watch a lot of RSEQ football and Alexandre Marcoux, OL, McGill is definitely a Bombers type. Advanced from the invitational combine to the national combine. Athletic, nasty, versatile.

He was on the NFL radar coming out of college. Excellent CFL prospect now, and I liked what I saw of him when he was with us. I just hope he's in playing shape. He was a bit heavy for the CFL his first stint with us.

Not sure if you're saying best in the Grey Cup or the season. Grey Cup I agree. Very noticeable when he went out. Even the season, I think he's overall a better D-end than Jefferson, but doesn't make the splash plays Willie does.

Lirim Hajrullahu was cut by the Cowboys. Have to wonder if he's run out of NFL chances now. Maybe he considers returning to the CFL. I'd feel a lot better about a three-peat with him as our kicker.

I really want him to succeed but right now he looks like a back up RB at best.

We might not have a burner at WR (Grant, kind of), but we really a big receiving core. Schemed correctly that's a problem for defenses.