Blue Bombers - 2025 Regular Season - Discussion Thread

[Booch]

2 hours ago, Pete Catan's Ghost said:

Sounds good.
Adding fresh tarragon is a game changer too. 

agree...I grow 2 types

[Mark H.]

4 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

My wife makes great potato salad. I'd invite all of you over for supper but then there'd be less for me.

I'll help you out and decline 

[17to85]

Wilson is a good player, just always injured. It's not that he is starting so much as it's using a roster spot on a guy you’re unlikely to be able to rely on all season at the expense of someone you might be able to. 

[3rdand1.5]

Based on history Wilson will sit himself out....When healthy he is a great player...IMO that has never been the issue it has been durability.....at least this year it appears we are prepared better for If/when he get's injured.

[Fatty Liver]

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

I don't think it'll be optimal, but I think it'll be a solid lineup, especially for us breaking camp. I'm not sure using a DI on Mitchell to return over Cobb is great usage. Or just starting Mitchell over Sterns. I'd much rather have Bailey and Person on the AR, and I'd bump Birdges, too. But starting slow with changes isn't terrible. 

 

I'd start Mitchell over Wheatfall for the first 3 or 4 games as an extension to TC so he can demonstrate he produces value for his contract, which is paying him a salary worthy of producing a 1k+ yard season. If he can't get his act together in that time, it's a quick exit out the door.  In his limited time in the CFL he's shaping up to be a slow learner or an underachiever, Ed Hervey had no problem letting him walk.

[wbbfan]

35 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

I'd start Mitchell over Wheatfall for the first 3 or 4 games as an extension to TC so he can demonstrate he produces value for his contract, which is paying him a salary worthy of producing a 1k+ yard season. If he can't get his act together in that time, it's a quick exit out the door.  In his limited time in the CFL he's shaping up to be a slow learner or an underachiever, Ed Hervey had no problem letting him walk.

I wouldn't start Mitchell based on salary. Maybe you give him an extended look because of what he did in the past and maybe you think he had a bad camp, in that case I'd take off sterns. I wouldn't take off wheatfall for him. 

[Blue In BC]

4 hours ago, wbbfan said:

 

The big outlier is Wilson. At least Thomas will be relegated to a sub role this year. 

I think the likely sub-outs will be Vaval/Mitchell (likely Vaval), Woods/Adams (Woods), and Ayers/Jjones (Ayers). If we aren't starting Wallace, I think he is a strong candidate to come off the bench, as well as Kornelson in general. Novak should be a strong candidate to sub out as well, but I don't think he will be. 

 Otherwise, I think Bailey for Weitz has a good chance of happening, or Weitz for Wallace. 

I don't think it'll be optimal, but I think it'll be a solid lineup, especially for us breaking camp. I'm not sure using a DI on Mitchell to return over Cobb is great usage. Or just starting Mitchell over Sterns. I'd much rather have Bailey and Person on the AR, and I'd bump Birdges, too. But starting slow with changes isn't terrible. 

I think we need to see a good bit from a few guys early in this season to keep younger guys off the roster. Vaughters, Woods, Wilson, Jones, Bridges, and Parker, namely. I like some of those guys, but they have a good push coming from behind on the depth chart. 

I think Vaval has to be on the roster as DB depth. In that sense he sticks as the returner until Logan is ready. Woods, Vanterpool and Ayers come off IMO. If we start Vanterpool, that creates a problem and we can't afford to lose Griffin as depth at SAM. 

 

Not sure what you meant about Weitz for Wallace? I think Bailey in for Weitz because he will be depth at DE. Don't need another LB in Weitz.

[Booch]

21 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I wouldn't start Mitchell based on salary. Maybe you give him an extended look because of what he did in the past and maybe you think he had a bad camp, in that case I'd take off sterns. I wouldn't take off wheatfall for him. 

yeah based on performance...of they have to eat his bonus and get rid of him at somepoint...so be it

Wheatfall has earned a spot...the 5th guy ..whoever that may be has not...and likely wont get a lot of balls anyway.....unless they do the interesting thing and dress Cooley...You would still have Cobb and Corcoran (I assume as a "true" receiver of need be....and the options you could do with him as the 5th would be an interesting...and surely productive thing...Let Cobb do returs...mainly punts, and also have MCI back there on kicloffs ala Augustine...A 220 pound guy with 4.4 speed with a head of steam on a kick return....could reap nice dividends

When Logan is back...he's your returner and also slides into Colley's spot and he's gained some nice live game reps

We save a DA spot and that is likely Person's ticket onto the roster....which would be huge...

That's what I would do anyway for likely the first 2 weeks at minimum

6 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

I think Vaval has to be on the roster as DB depth. In that sense he sticks as the returner until Logan is ready. Woods, Vanterpool and Ayers come off IMO. If we start Vanterpool, that creates a problem and we can't afford to lose Griffin as depth at SAM. 

 

Not sure what you meant about Weitz for Wallace? I think Bailey in for Weitz because he will be depth at DE. Don't need another LB in Weitz.

we need 2 import DT's to rotate...or you will be seeing wayy too much Thomas...Schmeck...and lord help us if its Kornelson too....guy has shown nothing in 2 camps now....no faith in him at all and not sure why he was kept...well all 3 really...scoop Samson back off the Hammer PR and he can back up Lawson...and keep developing Davis until we either draft a stud....or sign one in FA

And yeah...even without Weitz getting hurt Bailey I am sure would have bumped him off the roster...Wietz offers us nothing that a Canadian rookie LB would...or DB.....Also Bailey isnt the run of the mill token global...he's legit and it's pretty much like getting a rookie import DE on roster....

[wbbfan]

11 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

I think Vaval has to be on the roster as DB depth. In that sense he sticks as the returner until Logan is ready. Woods, Vanterpool and Ayers come off IMO. If we start Vanterpool, that creates a problem and we can't afford to lose Griffin as depth at SAM. 

 

Not sure what you meant about Weitz for Wallace? I think Bailey in for Weitz because he will be depth at DE. Don't need another LB in Weitz.

I think that would be a good move to, I like Vaval as a db and a returnman. I think he's in a spot where that wont happen till the KR and or Bridgesc craps out. Imo, they are locked in on vanterpool too. he's been with the 1s most the whole time. 

 I would go Bailey in for sure, I think they might go with wallace over the 2nd global as a 7th ol though because we like that and we have run really thin at DL especially imp dl for the past few years. I don't think Weitz brings any thing in particular. He should be a warm global body incase some crazy rash of injuries happens and not much more. 

7 minutes ago, Booch said:

yeah based on performance...of they have to eat his bonus and get rid of him at somepoint...so be it

Wheatfall has earned a spot...the 5th guy ..whoever that may be has not...and likely wont get a lot of balls anyway.....unless they do the interesting thing and dress Cooley...You would still have Cobb and Corcoran (I assume as a "true" receiver of need be....and the options you could do with him as the 5th would be an interesting...and surely productive thing...Let Cobb do returs...mainly punts, and also have MCI back there on kicloffs ala Augustine...A 220 pound guy with 4.4 speed with a head of steam on a kick return....could reap nice dividends

When Logan is back...he's your returner and also slides into Colley's spot and he's gained some nice live game reps

We save a DA spot and that is likely Person's ticket onto the roster....which would be huge...

That's what I would do anyway for likely the first 2 weeks at minimum

Id much rather have cobb return and cooley DI to be used situationally and rotationally. Maybe that happens eventually. 

[rebusrankin]

3 import OL hurts us unless you go all Canadian at back up linebackers.

[M.O.A.B.]

I would do something like... 

QB: STREVELER, Wilson, Atropoeus
RB: OLIVEIRA*, Paterson*, Chris-Ike*
REC: WHEATFALL, MITCHELL, DEMSKI*, SCHOEN, CLERCIUS*, Corcoran*
OL: BRYANT, VANTERPOOL, KOLANKOWSKI*, NEUFELD*, RANDOLPH, Eli*, Wallace* 

DL: JEFFERSON, ADAMS, LAWSON*, VAUGHTERS, Thomas*, Bailey**, Person
LB: AYERS, J.JOHNSON, KRAMDI*, Gauthier*, Cadwallader*, Shay*, Novak*, Smith*, Griffith
DB: BONDS, NICHOLS, PARKER, HOLM, BRIDGES, Hallett*, Vaval

ST: Castillo, Sheahan**, Benson

 

7 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

3 import OL hurts us unless you go all Canadian at back up linebackers.

Agree

[Booch]

6 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

3 import OL hurts us unless you go all Canadian at back up linebackers.

I hope we dont go that route to be honest...Our options at guard are not that bad....no worse than last yr...and just hampers us

[M.O.A.B.]

2 minutes ago, Booch said:

I hope we dont go that route to be honest...Our options at guard are not that bad....no worse than last yr...and just hampers us

I hate it also. But looks like Vanterpool has been practicing in LG with the 1s this week. 

Edited Tuesday at 06:27 PM by M.O.A.B.

[Booch]

4 minutes ago, M.O.A.B. said:

I would do something like... 

QB: STREVELER, Wilson, Atropoeus
RB: OLIVEIRA*, Paterson*, Chris-Ike*
REC: WHEATFALL, MITCHELL, DEMSKI*, SCHOEN, CLERCIUS*, Corcoran*
OL: BRYANT, VANTERPOOL, KOLANKOWSKI*, NEUFELD*, RANDOLPH, Eli*, Wallace* 

DL: JEFFERSON, ADAMS, LAWSON*, VAUGHTERS, Thomas*, Bailey**, Person
LB: AYERS, J.JOHNSON, KRAMDI*, Gauthier*, Cadwallader*, Shay*, Novak*, Smith*, Griffith
DB: BONDS, NICHOLS, PARKER, HOLM, BRIDGES, Hallett*, Vaval

ST: Castillo, Sheahan**, Benson

 

Agree

I like the looks of that...First thin Griffin for Bridges....he wont be left off...my tweak would be swap Vaterpool for Woods....Cooley for Mitchell....we dont need 3 import oline especially if we have 2 guys that been here 2 and 4 yrs now as Canadians...and if they didnt think/figure they be good enough to start then what the eff did we do all off-season and in camp toget 4 Canadians playing???

Edited Tuesday at 06:29 PM by Booch

[M.O.A.B.]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

I like the looks of that....my tweak would be swap Vaterpool for Woods....Cooley for Mitchell....we dont need 3 import oline especially if we have 2 guys that been here 2 and 4 yrs now as Canadians...and if they didnt think/figure they be good enough to start then what the eff did we do all off-season and in camp toget 4 Canadians playing???

I put it with the assumption of we're using 3 Amer OL. 

I also like the idea of playing Cooley as RB/SB like Arland Bruce III before. 

[Bubba Zanetti]

Guys, this is going to be shocking so please sit down before you read any further. Jamie Nye has picked the Bombers to lose and the Riders to win this week on his cfl.ca weekly predictor. I hope none of you were injured after collapsing from the shock.

Edited Tuesday at 07:30 PM by Bubba Zanetti

[rebusrankin]

41 minutes ago, Bubba Zanetti said:

Guys, this is going to be shocking so please sit down before you read any further. Jamie Nye has picked the Bombers to lose and the Riders to win this week on his cfl.ca weekly predictor. I hope non of you were injured after collapsing from the shock.

Has the world gone mad? Who could have seen this coming? 

[Mark H.]

We can debate starting 3 American OL until Nye picks the Bombers to win. But at the very least, it shows that team priorities are being ranked appropriately. Pass pro / OL are # 1, then build the rest of the roster based on that. 

[Blue In BC]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

yeah based on performance...of they have to eat his bonus and get rid of him at somepoint...so be it

Wheatfall has earned a spot...the 5th guy ..whoever that may be has not...and likely wont get a lot of balls anyway.....unless they do the interesting thing and dress Cooley...You would still have Cobb and Corcoran (I assume as a "true" receiver of need be....and the options you could do with him as the 5th would be an interesting...and surely productive thing...Let Cobb do returs...mainly punts, and also have MCI back there on kicloffs ala Augustine...A 220 pound guy with 4.4 speed with a head of steam on a kick return....could reap nice dividends

When Logan is back...he's your returner and also slides into Colley's spot and he's gained some nice live game reps

We save a DA spot and that is likely Person's ticket onto the roster....which would be huge...

That's what I would do anyway for likely the first 2 weeks at minimum

we need 2 import DT's to rotate...or you will be seeing wayy too much Thomas...Schmeck...and lord help us if its Kornelson too....guy has shown nothing in 2 camps now....no faith in him at all and not sure why he was kept...well all 3 really...scoop Samson back off the Hammer PR and he can back up Lawson...and keep developing Davis until we either draft a stud....or sign one in FA

And yeah...even without Weitz getting hurt Bailey I am sure would have bumped him off the roster...Wietz offers us nothing that a Canadian rookie LB would...or DB.....Also Bailey isnt the run of the mill token global...he's legit and it's pretty much like getting a rookie import DE on roster....

We'd like 2 import DT's but I don't see it happening. Wilson, Jones, Jones, Ayers and Griffin with only 2 starters and 2 DI spots available. If Vanterpool doesn't dress we get one import that dresses instead. I've suggested that would be Griffin. Person is another choice as a DI.  So if 1 of the Jones and Wilson are starting, pick your 2 other DI's besides Castillo and Vaval?

As I've suggested Vaval would also be depth at DB. Using a different returner doesn't resolve that issue.  Cooley would be a luxury with Oliveria getting virtually every touch.  The other DI choices would see the field often in rotation.

I guess we'll see the depth chart tomorrow.

Edited Tuesday at 07:59 PM by Blue In BC

[Booch]

30 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

We'd like 2 import DT's but I don't see it happening. Wilson, Jones, Jones, Ayers and Griffin with only 2 starters and 2 DI spots available. If Vanterpool doesn't dress we get one import that dresses instead. I've suggested that would be Griffin. Person is another choice as a DI.  So if 1 of the Jones and Wilson are starting, pick your 2 other DI's besides Castillo and Vaval?

As I've suggested Vaval would also be depth at DB. Using a different returner doesn't resolve that issue.  Cooley would be a luxury with Oliveria getting virtually every touch.  The other DI choices would see the field often in rotation.

I guess we'll see the depth chart tomorrow.

We did it last yr several times so it's doable

With Parker.. Holm.. Nichols..Bonds..Griffin and whomever the CB is gonna be....Hallett...Shay...Smith...we don't really need another DB technically..more than enough coverage...so in my opinion Vaval is a luxury moreso than a dire need. Anyway they slice it they aren't gonna leave Griffin off the roster..hes to valuable and versatile for what JY does

Have Cooley as the 5th reciever..doesn't need to be used exclusively out of backfield...nor does BO as we have ran him out wide as a reciever and in the slot...creates a lot of options for us.

 

[M.O.A.B.]

27 minutes ago, Booch said:

We did it last yr several times so it's doable

With Parker.. Holm.. Nichols..Bonds..Griffin and whomever the CB is gonna be....Hallett...Shay...Smith...we don't really need another DB technically..more than enough coverage...so in my opinion Vaval is a luxury moreso than a dire need. Anyway they slice it they aren't gonna leave Griffin off the roster..hes to valuable and versatile for what JY does

Have Cooley as the 5th reciever..doesn't need to be used exclusively out of backfield...nor does BO as we have ran him out wide as a reciever and in the slot...creates a lot of options for us.

 

Yes, we did it last year. But mind you, we are starting 3 Canadian OL and we have 3 regular Canadian starters in D - Thomas, Kramdi and Ford. Also at some point last year we started Gauthier and Hubert and started 3 Canadian receivers - Demski, Woli and Murphy/Clercius

Losing 2 Canadian starters is big a challenge this year.

Edited Tuesday at 08:59 PM by M.O.A.B.

[JuranBoldenRules]

13 minutes ago, M.O.A.B. said:

Yes, we did it last year. But mind you, we are starting 3 Canadian OL and we have 3 regular Canadian starters in D - Thomas, Kramdi and Ford. Also at some point last year we started Gauthier and Hubert and started 3 Canadian receivers - Demski, Woli and Murphy/Clercius

Losing 2 Canadian starters is big a challenge this year.

They'd go 5 and 2.  So your 5 Canadian starters with Corcoran, Peterson, Cobb, Chris-Ike and your extra OL as backups.

2 Canadian defensive players need to be on field every snap.  So it's not too bad.  They could use K Wilson or Jefferson as DNA's and sub them in for one of those Canadian spots 25 snaps too.

[Blue In BC]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

We did it last yr several times so it's doable

With Parker.. Holm.. Nichols..Bonds..Griffin and whomever the CB is gonna be....Hallett...Shay...Smith...we don't really need another DB technically..more than enough coverage...so in my opinion Vaval is a luxury moreso than a dire need. Anyway they slice it they aren't gonna leave Griffin off the roster..hes to valuable and versatile for what JY does

Have Cooley as the 5th reciever..doesn't need to be used exclusively out of backfield...nor does BO as we have ran him out wide as a reciever and in the slot...creates a lot of options for us.

 

Last year was last year and we often started 9 Canadians. For game 1 we're probably down to 7. If Kelly and Mazonko weren't injured I'd be ok without a DB as a DI. That plus he was getting the work as the returner. Others had some reps but he was getting the most. It doesn't guarantee that sticks but I'm guessing it does until Logan returns.

Noting that our early season returns were not that good and musical chairs.

Vaval played a lot at DB in pre-season and practice. It's debatable whether we need him as a DB but a fair argument / question. Posters seem to get excited about a new RB they want on the AR.  Maybe Cooley is that guy, but is he a better option than any of the 3 receivers ( excluding Schoen ).  Yes, it's a possibility but I'd be surprised.

I see Lofton confirmed as out but Neufeld is now questionable. That changes things possibly both LG and RG.  Vanterpool might have been choice 1 at LG ( still might be ). Who lines up where is now flip a coin. 3 import OL means we lose that extra import on defence. 

Still curious who you think are the 2 other DI's, with or without Vaval on the AR as a DI assuming one of the starting receivers does the returns.

Edited Tuesday at 10:14 PM by Blue In BC

[wbbfan]

Interesting to hear big Kev talk about how much better this years play book is compared to last. Especially from a year 2 guy. 
 Seemed to be a lot of friction between Buck and the offence last year. Zach had a few eye raising comments in the off season about relationships with oc position and expectations. 
 

Similarly, Jackson’s comments about his relationship with zach, and how he views coaching QBs (not micro managing) sounds like a lot of his hiring was that fit both with hogan as an ast but also with the room. 

[Super Duper Negatron]

17 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Interesting to hear big Kev talk about how much better this years play book is compared to last. Especially from a year 2 guy. 
 Seemed to be a lot of friction between Buck and the offence last year. Zach had a few eye raising comments in the off season about relationships with oc position and expectations. 
 

Similarly, Jackson’s comments about his relationship with zach, and how he views coaching QBs (not micro managing) sounds like a lot of his hiring was that fit both with hogan as an ast but also with the room. 

Do you have a link for those Clercius quotes?