I think O'Shea is just throwing that out there to try to get the NI's to step up. I've seen this as his plan from the beginning. When have we ever brought in import competition at guard and center? There is no way the Bombers can actually afford, ratio wise, to have 3 import olinemen. It's just a matter of which two positions on the line will have imports. Definitely LT, maybe RG, maybe RT.
That's why it is so baffling that so many imports are getting the bulk of the practice time...
Let's say there are 6 import Olinemen in camp, and let's say the Bombers intend to keep 3 of them. One starts for sure, another may or may not start depending on how the ratio sorts itself out, and a 3rd will be on the practise roster for depth.
Now lets say that 2 linemen are head and shoulders above the other 4, for example, January and Jones, but the other 4 are all pretty equal in their ability to play tackle. How to pick the 1 guy out of those 4 to keep on the PR?
Gut instinct? Sure, that counts for something. Hundreds of reps at the tackle spot over and over trying to spot mistakes? Well, yes, they'll do that too.
But if you're going to keep 1 guy to back up 2, just 1, and all 4 are relatively equal at the tackle spot, wouldn't it be important to find out how those guys handle playing center and guard? Just in case? Even if the ratio makes it terribly unlikely that he would ever line up at those spots, wouldn't finding the most complete and versatile player who can potentially back up all 5 spots on the Oline be really important?
The Bombers will keep almost all of their NI Olinemen. They might cut 1. Do we still have Pollywollydoodlealltheday on our roster? Maybe 2.
First name Tetris.