GDT 2025 preseason kick off

[JuranBoldenRules]

Lots of PR spots.  There were times last season when we had 4 American receivers on ours.

13 if they max out with the Global and 2025 draft guys.  Plus all the guys on 1 game IR, 6 game etc.  Probably end up with 65 on the team.

[Fatty Liver]

5 hours ago, Goalie said:

I’ll be honest. I expect Dillon Mitchell to step up and show he’s better than a rookie in Hall and 2nd year guy wheatfall and Myron Mitchell In our system but I’m curious if rookies and 2nd year guys looking way better, Dillon Mitchell’s issue must be between the ears. Hope he shows up soon cuz he had some good showings in Edmonton.

Some mention in today's presser of Dillon Mitchell admitting he was unprepared coming into TC for whatever reason, that could be the kiss of death on a O'Shea coached team.  Don't know if they got that comment from a story in the FP or Sun .

 

There's also this from AI header.

Dillon Mitchell, in the context of the provided search results, appears to be a football player, specifically a wide receiver, who has been criticized for being unprepared or lacking focus in some games. For example, the Oregon Ducks were criticized for being "unprepared and predictable" in a game, and Dillon Mitchell was singled out as a player who was targeted frequently in that game. Additionally, there's a mention of him being "unorganized," but it's not clear in which context

Edited yesterday at 07:15 PM by Fatty Liver

[GCn20]

31 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Some mention in today's presser of Dillon Mitchell admitting he was unprepared coming into TC for whatever reason, that could be the kiss of death on a O'Shea coached team.  Don't know if they got that comment from a story in the FP or Sun .

 

There's also this from AI header.

Dillon Mitchell, in the context of the provided search results, appears to be a football player, specifically a wide receiver, who has been criticized for being unprepared or lacking focus in some games. For example, the Oregon Ducks were criticized for being "unprepared and predictable" in a game, and Dillon Mitchell was singled out as a player who was targeted frequently in that game. Additionally, there's a mention of him being "unorganized," but it's not clear in which context

Unprepared could mean a number of things, but none of them are good. However, sometimes a person can be unprepared through training injury etc. At any rate we've paid half his salary already so it is almost guaranteed he's sticking around. Might mean we keep one more IMP receiver on the PR than we otherwise would have though. If he continues to be unprepared for some reason than his tenure with us will be short.

Edited 23 hours ago by GCn20

[wbbfan]

4 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Unprepared could mean a number of things, but none of them are good. However, sometimes a person can be unprepared through training injury etc. At any rate we've paid half his salary already so it is almost guaranteed he's sticking around. Might mean we keep one more IMP receiver on the PR than we otherwise would have though. If he continues to be unprepared for some reason than his tenure with us will be short.

I took it as a mental competitive drive thing. 
 Some guys are slow starters even in pro sports. 
 It isn’t good, you’re right. Might not be the end of the world, but I think he needs to go out and take a starting job from some one Friday. 
 

It’s also one of those things you shouldn’t publicly admit. 

[Fatty Liver]

25 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I took it as a mental competitive drive thing. 
 Some guys are slow starters even in pro sports. 
 It isn’t good, you’re right. Might not be the end of the world, but I think he needs to go out and take a starting job from some one Friday. 
 

It’s also one of those things you shouldn’t publicly admit. 

In the interview he did in the off-season with Ed Tait, Mitchell mentioned he had an alcohol problem in college.  He said he put it behind him, but I said the same thing earlier this morning.....so it may not be true at all.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Fatty Liver said:

In the interview he did in the off-season with Ed Tait, Mitchell mentioned he had an alcohol problem in college.  He said he put it behind him, but I said the same thing earlier this morning.....so it may not be true at all.

Some times people kick addictions and pick up other problems, other times the addiction can be the side effect of another problem too. 
 

We all know he’s as talented as it gets, and we know he’s prone to saying stupid stuff. He might be out of football if we cut him, so he better have his head on straight now. 
 

tbh Lawler has a lot in common with him. Some stupid mistakes, dui/passport etc. struggled to be consistent/on the field. But lawler, is a hell of a competitor. He says the right things to media and does the right things on the field. 
 Mitchell needs to find that dog, and keep it close all year.  

[rebusrankin]

On the pre game on OB, they mentioned D.Mitchell started slow in camp last year for Edmonton.

[wbbfan]

1 minute ago, rebusrankin said:

On the pre game on OB, they mentioned D.Mitchell started slow in camp last year for Edmonton.

That makes sense. He did start the season well, about half his production came in the first 4 games. 
 22 and 23 most of his production came in a similar chunk mid season. 

[bigg jay]

14 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Some times people kick addictions and pick up other problems, other times the addiction can be the side effect of another problem too. 
 

We all know he’s as talented as it gets, and we know he’s prone to saying stupid stuff. He might be out of football if we cut him, so he better have his head on straight now. 
 

tbh Lawler has a lot in common with him. Some stupid mistakes, dui/passport etc. struggled to be consistent/on the field. But lawler, is a hell of a competitor. He says the right things to media and does the right things on the field. 
 Mitchell needs to find that dog, and keep it close all year.  

Sounds like he has his head on straight based on this article.  He's not blowing off his slow start to camp and giving himself a pass.  He's been putting in extra work and listening to the coaches and it's starting to show according to MOS.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/05/26/catching-his-stride

 

[Goalie]

Wonder if Mitchell just having troubles picking up the wording and whatever else. Is our O system that much different than Edmontons? I guess so. 
 

@DTonOB ever play sports bro? You don’t think about getting injured even when you get injured cuz that’s when you actually get injured. 

Edited 21 hours ago by Goalie

[wbbfan]

13 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Sounds like he has his head on straight based on this article.  He's not blowing off his slow start to camp and giving himself a pass.  He's been putting in extra work and listening to the coaches and it's starting to show according to MOS.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2025/05/26/catching-his-stride

 

Thanks for sharing. That’s a good sign. I mean, it wouldn’t be like the mafia to bring in or keep around a toxic waste dump of a guy. Second chances are important, he doesn’t need to be tc mvp. But we badly need that no2/3 target. 
 Weve got that all over possession guy who can do a bit of every thing in schoen, the catch and run guy in Demski, big reliable catchers in white and big Kev. Dmitch fits that last spot to a T of a deep threat who the D has to account for even when the ball doesn’t go his way. 

 

[Booch]

Prob more about not being ready...and not used to doing things way we do here...as opposed to the Edmonton environment from which he came...maybe figured he'd just have to show up..and it woukd all work out..culture shock 

I said at the signing that a major score if his head space was right...I guess it needed to be righted a Lil

Fact he's been paid big already gives him half a season mulligan so hopefully he makes best if it

15 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Thanks for sharing. That’s a good sign. I mean, it wouldn’t be like the mafia to bring in or keep around a toxic waste dump of a guy. Second chances are important, he doesn’t need to be tc mvp. But we badly need that no2/3 target. 
 Weve got that all over possession guy who can do a bit of every thing in schoen, the catch and run guy in Demski, big reliable catchers in white and big Kev. Dmitch fits that last spot to a T of a deep threat who the D has to account for even when the ball doesn’t go his way. 

 

I'm seeing big Kev being that key conversion safety blanket guy this yr...I bet he gets north of 600 yards and 5 scores...lotsa 2nd down conversions

[Mike]

20 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Thanks for sharing. That’s a good sign. I mean, it wouldn’t be like the mafia to bring in or keep around a toxic waste dump of a guy. Second chances are important, he doesn’t need to be tc mvp. But we badly need that no2/3 target. 
 Weve got that all over possession guy who can do a bit of every thing in schoen, the catch and run guy in Demski, big reliable catchers in white and big Kev. Dmitch fits that last spot to a T of a deep threat who the D has to account for even when the ball doesn’t go his way. 

 

It would absolutely be the management way to bring in a toxic player if they think they can correct it. See: Jalen Saunders

[Fatty Liver]

3 minutes ago, Booch said:

Prob more about not being ready...and not used to doing things way we do here...as opposed to the Edmonton environment from which he came...maybe figured he'd just have to show up..and it woukd all work out..culture shock 

I said at the signing that a major score if his head space was right...I guess it needed to be righted a Lil

Fact he's been paid big already gives him half a season mulligan so hopefully he makes best if it

I'm seeing big Kev being that key conversion safety blanket guy this yr...I bet he gets north of 600 yards and 5 scores...lotsa 2nd down conversions

Two things Clercius has not demonstrated yet, great YAC ability and the knowledge to break off his route to help out the QB, which Woli did so well.  If he wants to become a main target these would be important areas to grow.

[Mark H.]

5 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Two things Clercius has not demonstrated yet, great YAC ability and the knowledge to break off his route to help out the QB, which Woli did so well.  If he wants to become a main target these would be important areas to grow.

Indeed. Woli has not been effectively replaced yet - hope that happens this year 

[Fatty Liver]

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

Thanks for sharing. That’s a good sign. I mean, it wouldn’t be like the mafia to bring in or keep around a toxic waste dump of a guy. Second chances are important, he doesn’t need to be tc mvp. But we badly need that no2/3 target. 
 Weve got that all over possession guy who can do a bit of every thing in schoen, the catch and run guy in Demski, big reliable catchers in white and big Kev. Dmitch fits that last spot to a T of a deep threat who the D has to account for even when the ball doesn’t go his way. 

 

Meh, goes to show Import receivers are more dime a dozen than RB's are now, no need to spend big money in FA to bring in mid-tier receivers cut from other teams when you can raise your own crop.  Reward the ones that succeed like Schoen and reward the ones that grow into the role like Myron Mitchell and Wheatfall have.  D. Mitchell is getting beat out by multiple contestants, don't expect they should reward him by cutting other players that have out competed and performed better in the limited time allowed for evaluation.

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Fatty Liver

[JuranBoldenRules]

55 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Two things Clercius has not demonstrated yet, great YAC ability and the knowledge to break off his route to help out the QB, which Woli did so well.  If he wants to become a main target these would be important areas to grow.

I'll disagree on that.  For sure any player has room for growth, but he's shown those two things any chance he's got to.  Starting with the road game in Calgary when he caught a huge first down from Streveler on a 2nd and long when the receiving corps was pure chaos down our top two Americans.  He played that role well when Wolitarsky was out last year.  But our American receivers were mostly garbage last season.  Wilson had some big games and otherwise was a disappearing act.  No one else was even average in their role.

He actually only had 2 games without a catch last year, which he didn't start.  And he caught at least one pass for a first down in the majority of games he played.  A lot of those being the 7 yard pass, get the 2-3 yards after that to convert.  Clercius had the best percentage of targets caught of our regular receivers last season.  I expect him to get 4-5 targets a game, and be in the range of 3-4 catches a game for 40-45 yards.

[wbbfan]

50 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Meh, goes to show Import receivers are more dime a dozen than RB's are now, no need to spend big money in FA to bring in mid-tier receivers cut from other teams when you can raise your own crop.  Reward the ones that succeed like Schoen and reward the ones that grow into the role like Myron Mitchell and Wheatfall have.  D. Mitchell is getting beat out by multiple contestants, don't expect they should reward him by cutting other players that have out competed and performed better in the limited time allowed for evaluation.

 

 

I do agree that imp wr is very talent deep. But it’s still really hit or miss among top talents. I think dbs are next most replaceable after RBs, then wrs. Imp guards would be really high but no one really uses them. 
 

I don’t like the crazy expensive wr core approach. I get keeping a guy like schoen, but after that to sustain success you really gotta find guys cheap and develop them. 
 

12 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

I'll disagree on that.  For sure any player has room for growth, but he's shown those two things any chance he's got to.  Starting with the road game in Calgary when he caught a huge first down from Streveler on a 2nd and long when the receiving corps was pure chaos down our top two Americans.  He played that role well when Wolitarsky was out last year.  But our American receivers were mostly garbage last season.  Wilson had some big games and otherwise was a disappearing act.  No one else was even average in their role.

He actually only had 2 games without a catch last year, which he didn't start.  And he caught at least one pass for a first down in the majority of games he played.  A lot of those being the 7 yard pass, get the 2-3 yards after that to convert.  Clercius had the best percentage of targets caught of our regular receivers last season.  I expect him to get 4-5 targets a game, and be in the range of 3-4 catches a game for 40-45 yards.

He was crazy green and played a lot as a rookie. 2nd year is big for Canadians and wrs. What I saw is he did a fantastic job of playing with in him self and not trying to do too much. Usually you see kids trying to cheat or look down field before the ball arrives. Clercius played like a seasoned pro and did every thing we could want. If he played a premium pass catcher spot he could be a volume guy. 
The fact we moved on from woli when he wasn’t even paid that much says a whole lot. Most loves woli. 

1 hour ago, Mike said:

It would absolutely be the management way to bring in a toxic player if they think they can correct it. See: Jalen Saunders

True, if they think they can turn guys around they will bring them in. There was a Time when Wj was considered problematic. 
 If they didn’t believe in the guys ability to be a fit in the locker room and market they wouldn’t. They don’t just ignore guys with a past. 

[Booch]

Yeah I seen a lot of progress in Clercius already last yr...and he doesn't need to be a yac machine...Woli wasn't...

He is a big target and knows how to use his body to position himself to the ball...is a hand catcher...prob best pure hands on team and his hand strength is insane...perfect for that conversion type guy and getting dirty yards in traffic

If u get chance watch some practices and if u able to get close to field...listen...guys like him you barely hear ball...if at all when it hits his hands...big sign look for in a pure pass catcher...

He also made some plays last year after the catch where he made yards and destroyed would be tackles...he is gonna be a big piece and guy ZC will be looking for

[Noeller]

Sounds like the 1s at camp today were Demski, Schoen, Clercius, White Jr and Wheatfall... Fwiw. 

[17to85]

Yeah Clercius just looks like a guy that gets it... booch has been beating the drum but the hand catching... that's just amazing. Nothing more frustrating than receivers who catch with their bodies. A big strong dude like clercius just grabbing balls with authority is going to have success. I love wolitarsky but totally OK with them giving clecius the chance. He's done nothing but impress.

[HardCoreBlue]

6 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

In the interview he did in the off-season with Ed Tait, Mitchell mentioned he had an alcohol problem in college.  He said he put it behind him, but I said the same thing earlier this morning.....so it may not be true at all.

I like how you threw that zinger in right at the end.

[Bigblue204]

37 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

A big strong dude just grabbing balls

Ftfy

[Booch]

7 hours ago, 17to85 said:

Yeah Clercius just looks like a guy that gets it... booch has been beating the drum but the hand catching... that's just amazing. Nothing more frustrating than receivers who catch with their bodies. A big strong dude like clercius just grabbing balls with authority is going to have success. I love wolitarsky but totally OK with them giving clecius the chance. He's done nothing but impress.

Key in traffic or with contact not jarring the ball out...guys like him who catch like that just pick ball out of space...its not hitting them...Lawler did it too...rarely seen the ball separated from him when being hit as he caught it...and some catches u were just like...wtf??!?

7 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

Ftfy

Haa..big sexy ball grabber

[DTonOB]

20 hours ago, Goalie said:

@DTonOB ever play sports bro? You don’t think about getting injured even when you get injured cuz that’s when you actually get injured. 

While that was the question he answered, it wasn't the question I was asking 🤣