Blue In BC

No. Lawler signed in Hamilton before we knew the SMS went up. That happened on 02/12. Every team might have tried harder to retain some players they lost in free agency if they knew more money was available.

3 receptions for 21 yards. You really want to use that as a metric? lol

Yup. It doesn't make sense. Roster declared. 4 players moved to 1 game IR including J. Jones and D. Mitchell. Lofton to 6 game IR which I expected unfortunately. That leaves combined depth on OL suspect with Neufeld also nicked. No other import OL retrained on PR. It they knew Lofton was out long term why did they make that choice?

I'd like to see him in a game but what he might bring is wishful thinking we see early in most seasons. I understand what he might bring in those types of play calls on offence. I also understand that eliminating a downfield receiver brings the defence closer to the LOS. That's a concern even above what it does with the ratio. It's not like we can't do those things with Peterson. Being able to rotate him with a slot is not the same as replacing him with a RB on every down.

Would you expect Cooley to rotate with a receiver or Oliveria? Again the point is that if Cooley is a DI we lose one import on defence. I don't see the trade off in taking out Vaval or any other defensive player to get Cooley on as a DI. IDK. Maybe Cooley is everything some posters think he might be. Too small a sample and none of it against 1st string defenses.

Last year was last year and we often started 9 Canadians. For game 1 we're probably down to 7. If Kelly and Mazonko weren't injured I'd be ok without a DB as a DI. That plus he was getting the work as the returner. Others had some reps but he was getting the most. It doesn't guarantee that sticks but I'm guessing it does until Logan returns. Noting that our early season returns were not that good and musical chairs. Vaval played a lot at DB in pre-season and practice. It's debatable whether we need him as a DB but a fair argument / question. Posters seem to get excited about a new RB they want on the AR. Maybe Cooley is that guy, but is he a better option than any of the 3 receivers ( excluding Schoen ). Yes, it's a possibility but I'd be surprised. I see Lofton confirmed as out but Neufeld is now questionable. That changes things possibly both LG and RG. Vanterpool might have been choice 1 at LG ( still might be ). Who lines up where is now flip a coin. 3 import OL means we lose that extra import on defence. Still curious who you think are the 2 other DI's, with or without Vaval on the AR as a DI assuming one of the starting receivers does the returns.

We'd like 2 import DT's but I don't see it happening. Wilson, Jones, Jones, Ayers and Griffin with only 2 starters and 2 DI spots available. If Vanterpool doesn't dress we get one import that dresses instead. I've suggested that would be Griffin. Person is another choice as a DI. So if 1 of the Jones and Wilson are starting, pick your 2 other DI's besides Castillo and Vaval? As I've suggested Vaval would also be depth at DB. Using a different returner doesn't resolve that issue. Cooley would be a luxury with Oliveria getting virtually every touch. The other DI choices would see the field often in rotation. I guess we'll see the depth chart tomorrow.

I think Vaval has to be on the roster as DB depth. In that sense he sticks as the returner until Logan is ready. Woods, Vanterpool and Ayers come off IMO. If we start Vanterpool, that creates a problem and we can't afford to lose Griffin as depth at SAM. Not sure what you meant about Weitz for Wallace? I think Bailey in for Weitz because he will be depth at DE. Don't need another LB in Weitz.

That's the issue. We don't know when or if Kelly or Makonzo might be available. That's disappointing because our depth at DB in general is thin as a result. Kelly was getting a lot of reps in 2024 and I would think Makonzo would have as well this year. Laval will be on the AR as a returner while Logan is out. Griffin is the back up at SAM but is essentially a DB cover guy too.

Maybe. We can't keep all those import LB's on the AR. Who gets moved and to where is a giant question at the moment. LOL. Yes but it was against the Riders and they suck.

Bailey would make more sense than Weitz IMO, if we choose to roster the 2nd global. At least he would get some reps at DE. However, it comes at the cost of a Canadian and I'm not sure where we'd trim. 3 Canadian LB's, 1 receiver drafted and Peterson acquired in trade all added to the roster for 2025. That said, that's a lot of Canadian LB's. Until they sort out the import LB's ( 4 counting Griffin ), I'm not sure what we're doing exactly. Our DE's in 2024 were not good except for Jefferson. Adding Vaughters is great but depth? Yikes.

We're allowed 2 global players on the AR. We don't NEED 2 global players on the AR.

Initial roster is disappointing and confusing. Too many imports at the moment. All the LB's retained but none of the rookie DL?

Dandy is an import DB. Are you suggesting he beats out Bonds at CB? There isn't room for him to be a DI at the moment. It looked like Vaval got more playing time at DB than Dandy so I'd rank him higher on the depth chart. I can see any or all of Dandy, Allen, Gowan and Avery on the PR to start the season. All and all a good group of rookie DB's to choose among.

Yeah, I thought he might have to fight to win his spot. I found it unusual how many import OL we brought in this TC, so that must have been another indicator. Lofton not practising won't help him either.