2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, blue85gold said:

This. Happy is wasn't at the expense of Ayers and JJones. 

Very much agree. That was one of my biggest concerns with cut time. I'm fine with seeing if tony jones can grow. He flashed better range in camp and the first game. It's nice to have a young athletic LB core. 

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

WJ+Vaughters is an excellent duo but both are better if they have somebody to sub in. Using Pearson as a DI for this makes a lot of sense. Or Bailey as a global in this role. I mean take Schemekel or Kornelson off for Bailey or don't DI two linebackers and get Pearson on.

Agree for sure. If we can rotate Adams for some snaps on the edge and Bailey for some as well, that will let us keep WJ and Vaughters both healthy and rested. It's also going to be a big advantage to have Cam back for half+ the defensive snaps at one DT spot, and woods/adams in year 2 at the other. Teams are not going to be able to double WJ a lot this year. 

[Mark H.]

31 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Agree for sure. If we can rotate Adams for some snaps on the edge and Bailey for some as well, that will let us keep WJ and Vaughters both healthy and rested. It's also going to be a big advantage to have Cam back for half+ the defensive snaps at one DT spot, and woods/adams in year 2 at the other. Teams are not going to be able to double WJ a lot this year. 

The secondary is looking impressive again.  If they can get consistent heat up front, the D is gonna be lethal

 

[Fatty Liver]

23 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Very much agree. That was one of my biggest concerns with cut time. I'm fine with seeing if tony jones can grow. He flashed better range in camp and the first game. It's nice to have a young athletic LB core. 

One positive about Jordan Younger's defence over Richie Hall's, both the Safety and the MLB are playing more traditional roles.  Saw it last season, the Safety is no longer run stopping 5 yds. off the line, and the MLB isn't attempting to cover fleet receivers 40 yds down field, as Bighill often did.    This allows more traditional athletes to play those positions, no great need for a thumper at Safety or a super mobile MLB that can run a 4.6/40.  By limiting the scope of duties, more candidates qualify.

[bearpants]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

WJ+Vaughters is an excellent duo but both are better if they have somebody to sub in. Using Pearson as a DI for this makes a lot of sense. Or Bailey as a global in this role. I mean take Schemekel or Kornelson off for Bailey or don't DI two linebackers and get Pearson on.

I'm not sure how it looks ratio wise... or if JY is planning to run a lot of 3-man fronts again... but I think the ideal game day DL includes Willie, Vaughters, Person, Bailey, Lawson, Adams, and Woods... now that list is impossible because it excludes Thomas... but we'll have to see what they go with

[Blue In BC]

2 hours ago, blue85gold said:

This. Happy is wasn't at the expense of Ayers and JJones. 

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.  

3 hours ago, Colin Unger said:

Correct me if im wrong but I thought he looked decent in the pre-season game in Sask.  

LOL. Yes but it was against the Riders and they suck.

[Noeller]

1 hour ago, bearpants said:

 if JY is planning to run a lot of 3-man fronts again...

This is the big question for me.... Last year our DL play SEEMED suspect because they weren't trying to rush as much. Will we blitz more this year? I'm very curious how that all looks...

[Mark H.]

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

This is the big question for me.... Last year our DL play SEEMED suspect because they weren't trying to rush as much. Will we blitz more this year? I'm very curious how that all looks...

I'm hoping the DL can create pressure on their own, and not rely on the blitz. This was pretty much a non starter last year.

 

[Noeller]

Ya only rushing 3 and dropping almost everyone back into coverage made it seem like our DL was trash... But I think it was more scheme than anything. What will the scheme look like this year?

[3rdand1.5]

We have some very athletic LB's more so than the past, and we kept a-lot of them....we also had poor coverage units last year, this all may be a bit of a blessing in disguise.....the young guys get a change to get in on specials and maybe rotate. They get conditioning, experience slowly and have an extended opportunity to learn under a veteran. If/when injuries happen the guy going in will be that much more experienced and familiar. 

I see our LB's evolving and progressing as the year goes on, and I think we have the makings to actually have a very good LB core with depth moving forward.

 

[wbbfan]

17 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Ya only rushing 3 and dropping almost everyone back into coverage made it seem like our DL was trash... But I think it was more scheme than anything. What will the scheme look like this year?

I think it was a crutch, though it will remain an extremely good option for various situations. I don't think that will be our base or pass D base this year. I think we will see a lot of 40 fronts, and more blitzing than we've seen in a while. Hopefully not too much, but some situational blitz packages. Not just feed a lber to the centre/guard either, but blitzes actually designed to get a fast backer to the QB. 

[Booch]

18 hours ago, wbbfan said:

 Very likey yeah. Also woods played edge in the 30. 
 I’d think we see Wj Lawson woods vaughters start with Jake adams Bailey and schmek on the bench. Adam’s taking heavy reps at dt and de, Jake splitting more than he should with Lawson and schmek playing fairly few reps. 
 Maybe we di Ayers and da kyrie. Then di vaval to kr and db. 
 Offence is gonna be thin for imp talent. 

Do we really need 3 of Lawson...Scmeck...Thomas tho...I would think 1 if not 2 of them spots be better served by a db..reciever...Hakkanuva be a perfect replacement for one as like u mentioned our national reviever depth is not only paper thin..it's crap

Wj..Vaughters..Woods..Adams..Lawson...Bailey is a top notch 6...if only we could add Person somehow...if we ratio it so we need only 1 Canadian on defence...and Actually use WJ as a nationalized I see no need for both Scmeck/scmuck duo..especially when Kelly and Makonzo back...as that may be our ticket to getting Person on roster with Adams and Woods

Kelly is key as he can play safety and I'd have zero issue with him taking reps and wide side corner...kids a legit baller...and a healthy Makonzo is a better version of Kramdi...so with both those 2..and Kelly...Lawson we be set up nice and versatile...especially if Shay and Smith develop nicely which I have no doubt they will

5 hours ago, bearpants said:

Nothing terribly surprising about who made the final roster, IMO... K Wilson is a guy I wish we had moved on from but he was making the roster the second we was extended... same with Jake... I would assume Munier-Bailey would offer much more to the game day roster than any of Jake, Schmek, or Kornellson... so hopefully we see at least one change there... I'm also concerned about losing someone like J Jones or Ayers or Woodbey at the expense of T Jones or Wilson.... I don't know much about Woodbey but I'd rather roll the dice on him than watch Wilson get hurt again... 

There is no way..reason...or logic Kornelson gets on active roster...I shocked he didn't get cut...we already have 2 Canadian interior guys who are pointless...why add a 3rd? 

 

4 hours ago, blue85gold said:

This. Happy is wasn't at the expense of Ayers and JJones. 

Those 2 should be eating 80% of reps

4 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

WJ+Vaughters is an excellent duo but both are better if they have somebody to sub in. Using Pearson as a DI for this makes a lot of sense. Or Bailey as a global in this role. I mean take Schemekel or Kornelson off for Bailey or don't DI two linebackers and get Pearson on.

Don't sleep on Bailey...he was a major score...hes not the prottypical "global"

 

[17to85]

2 minutes ago, Booch said:

Do we really need 3 of Lawson...Scmeck...Thomas tho...I would think 1 if not 2 of them spots be better served by a db..reciever...

Yeah this is the thing for me... you only need 2 Canadian dts. If injuries happen you shift things around to compensate but there is absolutely no need for 3 of them, especially when they don't do anything special. 

[BaconNBigBlue]

Just signed up for TSN for the CFL season.  Time to get it on!

 

[wbbfan]

2 minutes ago, Booch said:

Do we really need 3 of Lawson...Scmeck...Thomas tho...I would think 1 if not 2 of them spots be better served by a db..reciever...Hakkanuva be a perfect replacement for one as like u mentioned our national reviever depth is not only paper thin..it's crap

Wj..Vaughters..Woods..Adams..Lawson...Bailey is a top notch 6...if only we could add Person somehow...if we ratio it so we need only 1 Canadian on defence...and Actually use WJ as a nationalized I see no need for both Scmeck/scmuck duo..especially when Kelly and Makonzo back...as that may be our ticket to getting Person on roster with Adams and Woods

Kelly is key as he can play safety and I'd have zero issue with him taking reps and wide side corner...kids a legit baller...and a healthy Makonzo is a better version of Kramdi...so with both those 2..and Kelly...Lawson we be set up nice and versatile...especially if Shay and Smith develop nicely which I have no doubt they will

There is no way..reason...or logic Kornelson gets on active roster...I shocked he didn't get cut...we already have 2 Canadian interior guys who are pointless...why add a 3rd? 

 

Those 2 should be eating 80% of reps

Don't sleep on Bailey...he was a major score...hes not the prottypical "global"

 

We don't, but Mos is married to the heavy set packages, where Schmek shines. And I think he's married to schmek anyway in general. I'd be happy with just 1 on the roster. But that would be one of the biggest surprises to me. 

I think kelly will be ready for game 1, but Makonzo seems to be a bit out. When we have both, with shay as well, I think we can go with out the DI DB for the dime set. 

If vaughters faulters, I think Person will be quick to get pulled in. I'd love to have taht line with person in. I'm not holding my breath though. 

Bailey I think is going to be Hansen 2.0, but better. Im really excited to see him get in and contribute for us. 

[JuranBoldenRules]

I think we'll have 2 Canadian DL, 1 Global and 4 Americans on for Game 1.

Question will be where Lawson is at.  Wouldn't be surprised if he's out the first couple games just to build up football activity to game pace....or to be as ready as he can for a regular season game anyways.

56 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

We don't, but Mos is married to the heavy set packages, where Schmek shines. And I think he's married to schmek anyway in general. I'd be happy with just 1 on the roster. But that would be one of the biggest surprises to me. 

I think kelly will be ready for game 1, but Makonzo seems to be a bit out. When we have both, with shay as well, I think we can go with out the DI DB for the dime set. 

If vaughters faulters, I think Person will be quick to get pulled in. I'd love to have taht line with person in. I'm not holding my breath though. 

Bailey I think is going to be Hansen 2.0, but better. Im really excited to see him get in and contribute for us. 

Kelly and Makonzo both on 6 game.

Hagerty out game 1 too.  Only healthy Canadian DB we have is Hallett.

Near certainty we dress 6 American DB's.  Depending what the plan is for returns, Cam Allen might be the best bet for the 6th spot.  

[Blue In BC]

44 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

I think we'll have 2 Canadian DL, 1 Global and 4 Americans on for Game 1.

Question will be where Lawson is at.  Wouldn't be surprised if he's out the first couple games just to build up football activity to game pace....or to be as ready as he can for a regular season game anyways.

Kelly and Makonzo both on 6 game.

Hagerty out game 1 too.  Only healthy Canadian DB we have is Hallett.

Near certainty we dress 6 American DB's.  Depending what the plan is for returns, Cam Allen might be the best bet for the 6th spot.  

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. 

Edited Monday at 09:20 PM by Blue In BC

[Noeller]

I'm very curious how dinged Logan actually is... Man we need that guy. 

[Booch]

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

We don't, but Mos is married to the heavy set packages, where Schmek shines. And I think he's married to schmek anyway in general. I'd be happy with just 1 on the roster. But that would be one of the biggest surprises to me. 

I think kelly will be ready for game 1, but Makonzo seems to be a bit out. When we have both, with shay as well, I think we can go with out the DI DB for the dime set. 

If vaughters faulters, I think Person will be quick to get pulled in. I'd love to have taht line with person in. I'm not holding my breath though. 

Bailey I think is going to be Hansen 2.0, but better. Im really excited to see him get in and contribute for us. 

Bailey is not gonna look global

Hansen was raw...and had no real experience in n.american football...Bailey is well integrated in it..to point scouts thought he was an American 

Person is so intruigung...as he can play on line...but athletically and body type can play outside linebacker...Jack type stuff...just look at him and it screams NFL outside 4 set linebacker visuals...if he gets on roster and plays a lot..he will get NFL interest in fall...he was a legit NFL prospect

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

I think we'll have 2 Canadian DL, 1 Global and 4 Americans on for Game 1.

Question will be where Lawson is at.  Wouldn't be surprised if he's out the first couple games just to build up football activity to game pace....or to be as ready as he can for a regular season game anyways.

Kelly and Makonzo both on 6 game.

Hagerty out game 1 too.  Only healthy Canadian DB we have is Hallett.

Near certainty we dress 6 American DB's.  Depending what the plan is for returns, Cam Allen might be the best bet for the 6th spot.  

The early roster from I think dt? Didn’t have Kelly on the ir but it could’ve been an over sight. He was transferred to the 6 back on the 11th I think? 
 Probably won’t get ir/ar updates till next week. 
 

Lawson might need a week or two, played a decent bit in week two but not a ton. 

25 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I'm very curious how dinged Logan actually is... Man we need that guy. 

Same here. 

[Booch]

23 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I'm very curious how dinged Logan actually is... Man we need that guy. 

If it was up to me...and as no reciever really stepped up...I'd roll first game with Schoen..demski..Clercius...Wheatfall and actually dress Cooley as the "5th" reciever...run with multi back sets ..sets with motion...bring him or BO out as a reciever and have Cobb and Corcoran as the "backups" integrate MCi as a TE hybrid...and develop him as a true TE/Fullback guy...he has the skills

Let Cobb punt return and even have him and MCI back for kickoffs...save a valuable DA for Person 

When logan ready he drops in Cooleys spot in same type roll and is the returner...Cooley to 1 game IR or PR...still frees up that DA spot...I bet Hogan could abuse the crap outta teams with that setup...plus it accelerates MCI into being a legit weapon

That 5th guy would have got minimal targets anyway..and gives the top 4 guys more opportunities...and imagine a defensive coordinator trying to scheme a plan with BO as RB and a Demski and Logan/Cooley as well coming from depth and pulling motion...sucking defenders outta the box? 

 

[JuranBoldenRules]

6 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

The early roster from I think dt? Didn’t have Kelly on the ir but it could’ve been an over sight. He was transferred to the 6 back on the 11th I think? 
 Probably won’t get ir/ar updates till next week. 
 

Lawson might need a week or two, played a decent bit in week two but not a ton. 

Same here. 

https://www.bluebombers.com/roster/

[HardCoreBlue]

5 hours ago, Mark H. said:

The secondary is looking impressive again.  If they can get consistent heat up front, the D is gonna be lethal

 

A decent consistent push up the middle would be glorious. 

[Booch]

Just now, HardCoreBlue said:

A decent consistent push up the middle would be glorious. 

Stupendous...almost exhilarating 

[do or die]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

Stupendous...almost exhilarating 

Awesome.....almost orgamsmic

[BomberBall.]

27 minutes ago, do or die said:

Awesome.....almost orgamsmic

That may be too far.  😁