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Potential defensive dynasty

Looking back on the unreal progress this defensive squad has made in the past few weeks and youthfulness of not just role players, but impact players, i think we are on the verge of a defensive dynasty similar to the 80s.

Looking at our starters (best line up bombers could put out when everyone is healthy imo):

S - Loffler: 24 years old, already a ratio breaker, could be an all star for us for next 6-8 seasons easily

CB - Adams: 27 years old, all star corner, probably another good 3-5 years left in him

CB - Randle: 28 years old, all star corner, probably 2-3 good years left before age and injuries catch him

HB- Johnson: 28 years old, solid hb but not all-star, probably the first DB to exit the team in the future, 1-2 good years left

HB- Fogg: 25 years old, emerging as a solid if not elite level hb and returner, 4-5 good years expected

WLB- Wild: 26 years old, stud, nothing else to say, we need to keep him here at all costs, 4-6 all-star years left

MLB- Bass: 26 years old, diamond in the rough find, has been solid and steady, i dont see us upgrading here this position in the near future, 2-4 good years left

SLB- Leggett: 29 years old, one of the best players in the league, i have no idea how age will impact his play, would love 2-4 years of solid play from him

DE- Westerman: 31 years old, elite DE in the league and ratio breaker, again dont know how age will play out here, could see us signing him for one more year after his current contract is done, 2-3 solid if not all-star years left

NT- Shologan: 30 years old, solid DT with the right passport, is getting old and i dont see us keeping him around after current contract is done

DT- Cummings: 25 years old, solid DT and anchor in the middle, would love to try and keep him here as long as possible, 4-6 solid years left 

DE- Green/Cole: Green is younger but they are pretty similar to me in production, probably on cheap contracts and dont hurt us keeping them around

Guys to step in to roles:

CB- Frederick: 26 years old, good player, could be randles replacement in a year or two, probably has 4 good years in him

DE- Corney: 22 years old, potential ratio breaker allstar imo, could anchor that line for 6-8 years, westermans replacement 

DT- Thomas: 25 years old, has a lot of heart, solid but not a ratio breaker, could see him being a stop gap starter for shologan until we can find a better non-import somewhere and then goes back to current role, will probably be here for another 3-5 years

WLB/SLB- Waggoner: 25 years old, has the right passport but im not sure if he will become an impact starter or remain as a backup/ST guy, which is not the worst case scenario either, probably stays here another 2-4 years or could turn into a ratio breaker....who knows

DE- Martin: 25 years old, his signing got me pumped up, looks like the perfect CFL DE and could easily replace cole or green this season, still young and has not played a snap here but would not be surprised if he became a starter for the next 3-5 years

DB- Roberts: 24 years old, weakest of the new DB recruits but could be a steady player whether in a starters role or as a DI, pretty young but would not be surprised if he is not here in a year or two, but could also stick around 

Looks like we have 3-5 good years ahead granted that we keep everyone signed here, we stay healthy and are not forced to cut vets for cap reasons.  We have a young defensive unit with some young stud players and a DC that has turned them into a force to be reckoned with.  Perhaps we become the Baltimore Ravens of the CFL, winning championships with league best defences and a trent dilfer (nichols).

Edited by peggars

Featured Replies

I think the turnaround is due to Nichols.  For whatever reason, Willy had/has a very difficult time reading defense, and Lapo's offence doesn't suit Willy's play style.

When Nichols took over, the offence immediately clicked.   That sent a message to the defense: "The offence will move the ball, so let's get it back to them".    That probably sparked the brain child in Richie Hall to say "Hey we can be more aggressive". 

Benching Willy provided the chain reaction of sparks that this team desperately needed.  Benching your highest paid player,  sends a very clear message to the rest of the team.  We're seeing it paying off. 

Just my .02

Another 2 cents is that the changes on the ol allowed the run game to be more of a threat and take pressure off the qbs and that coupled with the wake up call got the O in gear. The D was improving before they sat Willy because Hall has shown in his time here that he is willing to tweak things a bit when they aren't working. Said it before, there is more than one factor at work here 

Lot of things:

Big uptick in import recruitment in general, this year

Nichols protects the ball, while we gobble up an unreal amount of turnovers...real hard to lose games when you are winning that stat at a 6 to .75 ratio. 

Getting a good pass rush with just 4 or sometimes 3.  (the basis of success) RH has been running a few more pressure packages. RH has also utilized the range of our LB's to really help out in his zone coverages.

Having a CDN running back and a CDN starter at S.....has given us much more roster flexibility.

.... like replacing Neufeld (lousy run blocker) with Bond (massive road grader) 

We also have managed to plug in actual competent imports in the other OL spot.  Already drafted CDN's Goosen and Chung are settling in.  Any OL plays better when they can run the ball and be aggressive.  Knowing they have a RB who will fight for every inch, is a motivator, as well.

We have a automatic FG kicker.  Always get the points, when we penatrate enemy territory.

Players are finally playing for MOS....instead of just talking about it.

On ‎2016‎-‎08‎-‎28 at 10:10 AM, Jesse said:

Also, check out the OL.

Everyone along the line - other than Stanley Bryant - is 26 or younger. If you take out Hardrick, who isn't starting right now, they're all 25 or younger. Assuming we don't make any coaching changes going into next season - they are going to have a lot of time to row together. 

OL is what worries me the most. We NEED to get Chungh extended. If we can't it's huge trouble.

As always, it's a combination of things. Nichols is playing better than Willy was and isn't turning the ball over. The O line changes have resulted in better protection and are opening holes for Harris which in turn forces the defenses to deal with our running game. All that has moved our offense up the rankings. There still not good, but they're getting there.

13 minutes ago, gcn11 said:

OL is what worries me the most. We NEED to get Chungh extended. If we can't it's huge trouble.

It would be a huge blow to what we are trying to build if we can't retain him. I don't have high hopes he'll resign without checking out what's available to him first.

1 hour ago, Jesse said:

It would be a huge blow to what we are trying to build if we can't retain him. I don't have high hopes he'll resign without checking out what's available to him first.

whoah let me enjoy some happy for a bit. We have the off season for all the free agent stuff. 

14 hours ago, Brandon said:

His defense works.... only if the dline generates pressure.

Unlike other defences, which work without generating any pressure

4 hours ago, Jesse said:

It would be a huge blow to what we are trying to build if we can't retain him. I don't have high hopes he'll resign without checking out what's available to him first.

Hopefully winning games is a deterrent to free agency but I would guess that BC/Calgary have an edge in signing him if he opts for free agency.

1 hour ago, Nash00 said:

Hopefully winning games is a deterrent to free agency but I would guess that BC/Calgary have an edge in signing him if he opts for free agency.

I'm not as concerned with losing him to another team as I am with him wasting half the season hanging out at an NFL camp.

I see Bond possibly  getting a look in the NFL with his great play. 

Chungh does not go to free agency we lock him up.

We did draft Couture to earn a guard position next year so there is a contingency plan.

 

Edited by MyDogHasScheifeles

  • Author

i think finally being competitive and getting playoff games helps the free agency situation as well from a cash perspective.  Winning the cup gets you an extra $23,000 between grey cup game, division final and semi final.  Thats a good bonus and a significant portion of salary for all positions aside from QB.  Even making it to the division final gets you an extra $7000.  Plus extra per diem, which equals close to another grand for playoff games and the week at the grey cup host city. It all adds up and potential free agents who feel we can get there may opt to stay.   

A nice little bonus, aside from winning a championship of course. 

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