2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[wbbfan]

13 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Nobody Tait sits down with gets cut He sat down with Adams but if we being honest, our DL wasn’t great last year so I do expect some change. Wilson ? He’s a 3rd stringer. If he can’t beat out other 3rd stingers, so be it. Eli been here since Covid and is a backup. Person? wtf has he done on the field? Nothing. Are rookies getting cut surprising? Dude hasn’t played a down. 

We cut two of his interviews from last year lmao. I'm not gonna waste time going into the point by point, because when most of the TC roster is just a pile of names to you, it's easy to understand why you don't care who is cut. Not everyone on the TC roster is just a name to every poster here. 

15 minutes ago, wpgallday1960 said:

Elgersma signing with Packers today.

per 3Downnation

It's kinda strange the way they did it with him, but glad he's getting a deal. It's too bad he just missed Tom Clements as the QB coach with the Packers. 

[Booch]

7 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

We cut two of his interviews from last year lmao. I'm not gonna waste time going into the point by point, because when most of the TC roster is just a pile of names to you, it's easy to understand why you don't care who is cut. Not everyone on the TC roster is just a name to every poster here. 

and its not about a guy who hasnt taken a rep yet....or hasnt been able to show anything yet...It's about keeping long in the tooth...declining... zero upside/all downside guys, at a higher price point as well ...over youth...upside....athleticism....and cheaper....you dont know what you have until you actually give it legit chances...and we in a lot of instances don't...unless forced to by injury...and defections to other teams...and even then we will play a well below 100 percent guy and not give these all starters" a chance....with the older declining dead weight you know exactly what you have...and what your gonna get....and it's not forward looking positive...and some cases isnt even in the now positive

There is some legit talent here this yr..Person being one....and cutting high potential guys to keep some of the usual suspects...serves zero purpose and has no value moving forward....Jobs need to be competed for and won

Only guys in my opinion who should get the free pass and not have to go balls out are BO...Big Stan...Nichols and WJ....The rest....win the job outright

Edited 8 hours ago by Booch

[wbbfan]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

and its not about a guy who hasnt taken a rep yet....or hasnt been able to show anything yet...It's about keeping long in the tooth...declining... zero upside/all downside guys, at a higher price point as well ...over youth...upside....athleticism....and cheaper....you dont know what you have until you actually give it legit chances...and we in a lot of instances don't...unless forced to by injury...and defections to other teams...and even then we will play a well below 100 percent guy and not give these all starters" a chance....with the older declining dead weight you know exactly what you have...and what your gonna get....and it's not forward looking positive...and some cases isnt even in th now positive

Yuup. I am mainly concerned about losing a guy like ayers/Jjones for kyrie. But I'm preparing for it, I know there is gonna be at least one guy let go that would be better to keep. I hope it isn't too brutal. 

[Booch]

Just now, wbbfan said:

Yuup. I am mainly concerned about losing a guy like ayers/Jjones for kyrie. But I'm preparing for it, I know there is gonna be at least one guy let go that would be better to keep. I hope it isn't too brutal. 

Yup....as that just puts you one step further behind in 2026...and starting from ground zero ...again...Kyrie...Kolo...Thomas...Schmeck..Hallet's...keeping them over legit talent/upside guys for another yr when in 2026 they should have evn less business on a pro roster...is just piss poor roster managing and projecting

 

[wbbfan]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

Yup....as that just puts you one step further behind in 2026...and starting from ground zero ...again...Kyrie...Kolo...Thomas...Schmeck..Hallet's...keeping them over legit talent/upside guys for another yr when in 2026 they should have evn less business on a pro roster...is just piss poor roster managing and projecting

 

Yeah, seems like we are committed to shedding the old guard, a few guys at a time each off-season. At this rate, it might take another 2 years to be fully over the long-in-the-tooth gang. 

I think the hardest spot to cut rookies is going to be the secondary. We have a ton of blue chippers and 2 openings with a vet or two going after those spots. That and Lber. JY is going to have fun at this camp. It'll be interesting to see how much the COs shape their rosters. In the draft video, both Mos and Walters talked about meeting the wants of Mike Miller for young athletic teams' guys. 

[Booch]

We have the Jones we signed form T.O...Ayers....We now have Mokonzo....guys who all showed they belong....If Jaylem Smith and Shay show they can take reps....That Bailey kid who I see as a guy all over the field...Griffin....and actually Person's who I can see used as an Uber-jack type guy....we have a lot to work with in what we gonna do...Tony Jones and Kyrie should be seriously worried about their jobs...and rightfully so....we also have Kramdi who passport alone should keep him in place over those 2....Jones like Kramdi have some holes in their game and are vulnerable in some aspects...top notch in others....so if it's a this or that you keep Kramdi for his National status...and fact we may employ 3 to 4 National/Global guys in the line backing corp gives even more reason to cut bait with 2 national bottom end DT's in lieu of playmaking imports...as the roster makeup would allow it so easily

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Yeah, seems like we are committed to shedding the old guard, a few guys at a time each off-season. At this rate, it might take another 2 years to be fully over the long-in-the-tooth gang. 

I think the hardest spot to cut rookies is going to be the secondary. We have a ton of blue chippers and 2 openings with a vet or two going after those spots. That and Lber. JY is going to have fun at this camp. It'll be interesting to see how much the COs shape their rosters. In the draft video, both Mos and Walters talked about meeting the wants of Mike Miller for young athletic teams' guys. 

Younger will be like a kid in a candy shop with his options....If I was to make a guess that ot's Gowan's job to lose in Fords spot...and that would give us a Bonds/Nichols/Holm/Gowan group....And if Parker isn't at safety then him and Griffin are constantly on the filed with that 3 man front...Do we keep Bridges just because he is a hold over?...I hope not as scanning the roster right now we have a lot of guys who at first glance seem to offer more...just need the seasoning, but with all the guys I mentioned....plus Makonzo..Kramdi...Smith..Shay....that new DB wont see the roster anyway unless an injury pandemic hits

Hope to get there this week a day or two or on weekend to get some eyes on a few guys and get a better idea

[Blue In BC]

6 minutes ago, Booch said:

We have the Jones we signed form T.O...Ayers....We now have Mokonzo....guys who all showed they belong....If Jaylem Smith and Shay show they can take reps....That Bailey kid who I see as a guy all over the field...Griffin....and actually Person's who I can see used as an Uber-jack type guy....we have a lot to work with in what we gonna do...Tony Jones and Kyrie should be seriously worried about their jobs...and rightfully so....we also have Kramdi who passport alone should keep him in place over those 2....Jones like Kramdi have some holes in their game and are vulnerable in some aspects...top notch in others....so if it's a this or that you keep Kramdi for his National status...and fact we may employ 3 to 4 National/Global guys in the line backing corp gives even more reason to cut bait with 2 national bottom end DT's in lieu of playmaking imports...as the roster makeup would allow it so easily

I didn't think T. Jones was at risk of losing his spot but I'll take your word for it. Re-signing Wilson surprised me due to his injury history. Since I expected J. Jones to win the starting spot at WIL, who would then be the starter at MLB? I'd like to keep Ayers but don't know much about Persons although I thought he'd more likely end up on the PR to start the season.  Are you suggesting T.Jones at MLB and Ayers at WIL with Person possibly as the DI?

The improved depth with our Canadian LB's may influence some or all of this. Getting Shay signed would be another good step.

Regarding my comments about Parker: In theory he's fully ready to go and a very good player. OTOH, we have about 10 rookie DB's fighting for a spot. While I expect him to win, having missed 2024 does put him in some jeopardy IMO. That and the fact we always find great new DB's. D. Lawson can't be discounted either.

[wbbfan]

2 minutes ago, Booch said:

We have the Jones we signed form T.O...Ayers....We now have Mokonzo....guys who all showed they belong....If Jaylem Smith and Shay show they can take reps....That Bailey kid who I see as a guy all over the field...Griffin....and actually Person's who I can see used as an Uber-jack type guy....we have a lot to work with in what we gonna do...Tony Jones and Kyrie should be seriously worried about their jobs...and rightfully so....we also have Kramdi who passport alone should keep him in place over those 2....Jones like Kramdi have some holes in their game and are vulnerable in some aspects...top notch in others....so if it's a this or that you keep Kramdi for his National status...and fact we may employ 3 to 4 National/Global guys in the line backing corp gives even more reason to cut bait with 2 national bottom end DT's in lieu of playmaking imports...as the roster makeup would allow it so easily

I am excited to see Jonahton jones from TO. I think him a lot more than Tony. He has the same ability to gap fill, but is much more rangy. Tony was a liability in pass pro a bunch of times last year. Maybe he puts it together and improves but going into camp, I have J jones well ahead of T jones. 

 Makonzo is a low key steal pick up too. Having a guy like him on the back end of the roster gives us a lot of versatility. He could end up saving us a DI, which would be huge. I love his physicality and fit with what we do. Smith and shay I am intrigued to see if a full camp and rookie camp ends up putting Smith ahead of Shay. Or if they flip one to S. Both guys have such a great tool set and athleticism. The tweener build is really a huge luxury in that package. Both guys could replace the tired old NI LBer pack and give us a package S or 2nd S, a pass rusher, run stopper, or mid zone wall guy. It's going to be exciting to see how both get mixed in. Rotating Lbers, might be the new rotating DL of 2019/21. 

Bailey could do some similar tweener stuff too, though he has such a nice, polished pass rush move set to go with excellent athleticism, he could just be a package nightmare. The Als used to do that with Menard and others.  Have a guy who is just a killer edge rusher, send him in for a few plays each game but having him at 100% and going 100% for each of those snaps. 

 I really hope we don't stick to 2-3 NI DTs and lose one of woods or adams. Woods was soo good as a nose last year, I really want to see him start this year beside lawson. Adams has such insane athleticism and versatility he can be a real game changer with some polish and cardio. If we dress Woods, adams, wj, Vaughters, lawson and bailey, we are going to have a pressure front with out blitzing like we haven't seen since peak stove. 

[Blue In BC]

9 minutes ago, Booch said:

Younger will be like a kid in a candy shop with his options....If I was to make a guess that ot's Gowan's job to lose in Fords spot...and that would give us a Bonds/Nichols/Holm/Gowan group....And if Parker isn't at safety then him and Griffin are constantly on the filed with that 3 man front...Do we keep Bridges just because he is a hold over?...I hope not as scanning the roster right now we have a lot of guys who at first glance seem to offer more...just need the seasoning, but with all the guys I mentioned....plus Makonzo..Kramdi...Smith..Shay....that new DB wont see the roster anyway unless an injury pandemic hits

Hope to get there this week a day or two or on weekend to get some eyes on a few guys and get a better idea

Interesting. Parker and Griffith could both make the AR by not having Bridges as a DI. Gowan is getting a lot of good press so far so he might be this year's " find " in the secondary. Having Parker as a back up wouldn't the worst situation. I had expected Griffith to be the safety but now there may be more of a competition with Parker.

[wbbfan]

8 minutes ago, Booch said:

Younger will be like a kid in a candy shop with his options....If I was to make a guess that ot's Gowan's job to lose in Fords spot...and that would give us a Bonds/Nichols/Holm/Gowan group....And if Parker isn't at safety then him and Griffin are constantly on the filed with that 3 man front...Do we keep Bridges just because he is a hold over?...I hope not as scanning the roster right now we have a lot of guys who at first glance seem to offer more...just need the seasoning, but with all the guys I mentioned....plus Makonzo..Kramdi...Smith..Shay....that new DB wont see the roster anyway unless an injury pandemic hits

Hope to get there this week a day or two or on weekend to get some eyes on a few guys and get a better idea

Yeah, Strevs' endorsement of Gowan spoke volumes about him. The secondary is gonna be a real dog fight. We have so much quality available to us, and I don't think JY will play favorites. Bridges did improve with time last year, but he looks like a non-gambling Houston to me. Might be good, but we've got guys who might be great. Hope we don't settle in the secondary. 

Having guys like Shay, Smith, Makonzo, Kelly, Ayers, Even Gauthier, and probably Bailey, as our depth is wild. That is so much talent, athletics, and upside on the bench. We could run teams off the field nonstop with a unit like that. 

Can't wait to see these guys fly around. I'm looking to be out Wednesday and probably 1 other day this week. 

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I am excited to see Jonahton jones from TO. I think him a lot more than Tony. He has the same ability to gap fill, but is much more rangy. Tony was a liability in pass pro a bunch of times last year. Maybe he puts it together and improves but going into camp, I have J jones well ahead of T jones. 

 Makonzo is a low key steal pick up too. Having a guy like him on the back end of the roster gives us a lot of versatility. He could end up saving us a DI, which would be huge. I love his physicality and fit with what we do. Smith and shay I am intrigued to see if a full camp and rookie camp ends up putting Smith ahead of Shay. Or if they flip one to S. Both guys have such a great tool set and athleticism. The tweener build is really a huge luxury in that package. Both guys could replace the tired old NI LBer pack and give us a package S or 2nd S, a pass rusher, run stopper, or mid zone wall guy. It's going to be exciting to see how both get mixed in. Rotating Lbers, might be the new rotating DL of 2019/21. 

Bailey could do some similar tweener stuff too, though he has such a nice, polished pass rush move set to go with excellent athleticism, he could just be a package nightmare. The Als used to do that with Menard and others.  Have a guy who is just a killer edge rusher, send him in for a few plays each game but having him at 100% and going 100% for each of those snaps. 

 I really hope we don't stick to 2-3 NI DTs and lose one of woods or adams. Woods was soo good as a nose last year, I really want to see him start this year beside lawson. Adams has such insane athleticism and versatility he can be a real game changer with some polish and cardio. If we dress Woods, adams, wj, Vaughters, lawson and bailey, we are going to have a pressure front with out blitzing like we haven't seen since peak stove. 

Jonathon Jones doesnt have the holes in his game that Tony Jones does...he's the more complete player and already has shown big time success...so thats why I think Tony Jones isnt a lock per say...or shouldnt be unless we fall back into our usual ways

Ayers has the upside....Kyrie has the pedigree but injury concerns...If he's 100 percent all yr...he is the Will...and Ayers is the swing guy coming in early and often 

A lot of people here prob sleeping on Makonzo...was a legit playmaking SAM and was touted as a real up and coming talent...but injury derailed that....so curious to see if he back to where he was

3 NI DT's is pointless and weakens us...1 would be all we needed especially if the oline shapes out to ne 4 Nationals and we only require 1 national at any given time on defence

6 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

I didn't think T. Jones was at risk of losing his spot but I'll take your word for it. Re-signing Wilson surprised me due to his injury history. Since I expected J. Jones to win the starting spot at WIL, who would then be the starter at MLB? I'd like to keep Ayers but don't know much about Persons although I thought he'd more likely end up on the PR to start the season.  Are you suggesting T.Jones at MLB and Ayers at WIL with Person possibly as the DI?

The improved depth with our Canadian LB's may influence some or all of this. Getting Shay signed would be another good step.

Regarding my comments about Parker: In theory he's fully ready to go and a very good player. OTOH, we have about 10 rookie DB's fighting for a spot. While I expect him to win, having missed 2024 does put him in some jeopardy IMO. That and the fact we always find great new DB's. D. Lawson can't be discounted either.

Person is interesting as he is athletically able to play as an LB but is a legit pressure guy on the line...I have talked with collegues down south when we signed him as o was surprised he agreed here last yr...He was a legit NFL pass rush specialist prospect....and teams just wanted him to bulk up but he refused as he didnt want it to take away from his quickness....so hence here he is...I suspect him being on the DA's in the defensive end rotation

6 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

Interesting. Parker and Griffith could both make the AR by not having Bridges as a DI. Gowan is getting a lot of good press so far so he might be this year's " find " in the secondary. Having Parker as a back up wouldn't the worst situation. I had expected Griffith to be the safety but now there may be more of a competition with Parker.

 

6 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

Interesting. Parker and Griffith could both make the AR by not having Bridges as a DI. Gowan is getting a lot of good press so far so he might be this year's " find " in the secondary. Having Parker as a back up wouldn't the worst situation. I had expected Griffith to be the safety but now there may be more of a competition with Parker.

Parker now he healthy is a perfect guy to have on roster...same with Griffin as they both can play from SAM straight out to all db spots

5 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Yeah, Strevs' endorsement of Gowan spoke volumes about him. The secondary is gonna be a real dog fight. We have so much quality available to us, and I don't think JY will play favorites. Bridges did improve with time last year, but he looks like a non-gambling Houston to me. Might be good, but we've got guys who might be great. Hope we don't settle in the secondary. 

Having guys like Shay, Smith, Makonzo, Kelly, Ayers, Even Gauthier, and probably Bailey, as our depth is wild. That is so much talent, athletics, and upside on the bench. We could run teams off the field nonstop with a unit like that. 

Can't wait to see these guys fly around. I'm looking to be out Wednesday and probably 1 other day this week. 

where was that?...I know they were together in 'Zona....so obvioulsy he knows him....and being included in an NFL trade also speaks alot about the talent

Technically he a rookie here...but much like Bonds...and Nichols before him...they are vet pro's...just not up here....Obvioulsy with Osh and our defensive coaches that carries a lot of weight in their decision....and thats smart....I'd love to get us a athletic 6-2 or bigger corner in our back field

[bearpants]

19 hours ago, Goalie said:

Sounds like the former nfl db Gowan is making an impression 

This guy?

 

[wbbfan]

38 minutes ago, Booch said:

Jonathon Jones doesnt have the holes in his game that Tony Jones does...he's the more complete player and already has shown big time success...so thats why I think Tony Jones isnt a lock per say...or shouldnt be unless we fall back into our usual ways

Ayers has the upside....Kyrie has the pedigree but injury concerns...If he's 100 percent all yr...he is the Will...and Ayers is the swing guy coming in early and often 

A lot of people here prob sleeping on Makonzo...was a legit playmaking SAM and was touted as a real up and coming talent...but injury derailed that....so curious to see if he back to where he was

3 NI DT's is pointless and weakens us...1 would be all we needed especially if the oline shapes out to ne 4 Nationals and we only require 1 national at any given time on defence

Person is interesting as he is athletically able to play as an LB but is a legit pressure guy on the line...I have talked with collegues down south when we signed him as o was surprised he agreed here last yr...He was a legit NFL pass rush specialist prospect....and teams just wanted him to bulk up but he refused as he didnt want it to take away from his quickness....so hence here he is...I suspect him being on the DA's in the defensive end rotation

 

Parker now he healthy is a perfect guy to have on roster...same with Griffin as they both can play from SAM straight out to all db spots

where was that?...I know they were together in 'Zona....so obvioulsy he knows him....and being included in an NFL trade also speaks alot about the talent

Technically he a rookie here...but much like Bonds...and Nichols before him...they are vet pro's...just not up here....Obvioulsy with Osh and our defensive coaches that carries a lot of weight in their decision....and thats smart....I'd love to get us a athletic 6-2 or bigger corner in our back field

I love what ayers brings, he's like an elite athlete version of Hansen (and IMP)

Makonzo played at a good school to in coastal Carolina, just practicing against that offence is a huge advantage.  Jones was extremely high on him but those crazy TC drills beat him up pretty good, 

It was a camp interview on the YT page.  I think it was this one below. 

 

[rebusrankin]

For some reason, Gowan's hard hitting and ball hawking haunt me, they haunt me.

[Bubba Zanetti]

18 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

For some reason, Gowan's hard hitting and ball hawking haunt me, they haunt me.

He's definitely a strange animal. Thats what i know.

Edited 6 hours ago by Bubba Zanetti

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

For some reason, Gowan's hard hitting and ball hawking haunt me, they haunt me.

 

58 minutes ago, Bubba Zanetti said:

He's definitely a strange animal. Thats what i know.

Now I'm almost pulling for him NOT to work out. Constantly hearing those earworms blare out mid-game after he makes a play is only excusable with a Grey Cup ring. 

[wbbfan]

A great interview with Brady here. Some great comments about Hogan, and getting on the same page with Bolduc. 

I especially like his comment about how he doesn't need to be ego lifting 600+ lbs anymore, and that at this point in his career, he is focusing on mobility and durability-type lifts. Seen so many Rbs chase strength at the cost of quickness going into the late 20s and 30s,  and it seldom works out. 

[Booch]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

For some reason, Gowan's hard hitting and ball hawking haunt me, they haunt me.

well done!

 

13 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

A great interview with Brady here. Some great comments about Hogan, and getting on the same page with Bolduc. 

I especially like his comment about how he doesn't need to be ego lifting 600+ lbs anymore, and that at this point in his career, he is focusing on mobility and durability-type lifts. Seen so many Rbs chase strength at the cost of quickness going into the late 20s and 30s,  and it seldom works out. 

touched on....without directly touching on Buck's inability to properly utilize skill-sets...Jarius and Hogan on board together....excited to see some new stuff...and guys ...get some things tailored specifically for them. Gonna be a huge thing for Strev...I bet we see him with a moving fluid pocket a lot....and that will just amplify the instances where he will get to take off after 1st or second read isnt immediately there down and out the edge for big gobs of yards and minimal contact

[Noeller]

Fun to sit and watch practice today... Been about 20 years since I was last able.

With respect to the late great Randy Turner, the king of Odds and Sods writing.... here's some thoughts:

-All jokes aside, Jake Thomas looks like he's lost at least 30lbs and maybe 10 years. Not sure it'll translate but he gave himself a chance. 

-There were a number of guys who I thought looked leaner (Adams the DL and Wallace, notably) and I wonder if there's a concerted effort by Brendan the trainer to get guys faster this year

-Makonzo got hurt. Wasnt carted off, but he landed awkwardly in coverage and came up favouring his wrist. Didn't look good. 

-Mitchell looks very smooth and runs good routes.

-If Vaughters can stay healthy, he is just an absolute load. He and Willie would be very hard to handle. That said, they were doing a drill to see who could get off the line fastest without being offsides and Jake beat Vaughters and was giving him a hard time. We'll call that a one off. 

-Both Zach and Strev looked good, tho Strev had a couple brain cramps. One under thrown ball that he was immediately angry about and I think a botched run play that he took the heat for. Patterson definitely has a rifle arm... Accuracy is the question. 

- I have hopes for Keric Wheatfall to take another step this year.

-Our LB corps, as already noted, is very very deep and the coaches have a lot of options. People were shifting around a lot but packages with Kyrie at MACK was interesting.

-Watched a lot of OL/DL 1v1... OL wasn't terrible, though it seemed like there would be holding calls on a number of plays. DL are just so much faster and you're trying to not get put on roller skates. Thought Wallace showed very well and some of the Americans like Randolph, Vanterpool and Lofton as well. In the reps we saw, we didn't think Neufeld looked very good. It was a bit concerning watching him get "walked" by a few DL.

-Its very impressive what Mike Benson does. He really whips that ball and it is so deadly accurate.

-Coaches are all very engaged and animated. Osh was hollering pretty good at one point about a missed tackle "You gotta have that!!" Richie, JY, Costello, among others, very very active and involved. 

-Stan and Willie are both basically coaches. They do a lot of teaching.

 

That's just a few thoughts. I didn't take notes or anything.. just tried to enjoy the sunshine and being at the barn again. 

I love the CFL, I love the Bombers, and I love Manitoba summers.... It's great to be home. 

 

[Mark H.]

13 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I love the CFL, I love the Bombers, and I love Manitoba summers.... It's great to be home. 

 

Complete agreement.  MB. all the way, every day.

[Noeller]

11 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

Complete agreement.  MB. all the way, every day.

And I just remembered that today is, indeed, Manitoba Day. God I love this place.

[greenrider55]

Nice to see you guys reporting again 👍 weather is beautiful and CFL is right around the corner.

 

[Stickem]

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

And I just remembered that today is, indeed, Manitoba Day. God I love this place.

AND those 'moody Manitoba mornings'.....topped off with those deep blue skies

[Noeller]

15 minutes ago, Stickem said:

AND those 'moody Manitoba mornings'.....topped off with those deep blue skies