Blue Bombers - 2025 Regular Season - Discussion Thread

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, Dreamcatcher said:

I dont think we need a complete rebuild. 

The team has been desperately in need of a reload and for the last 2 - 3 season have pissed away valuable opportunities for sprinkling in new guys.   Unfortunately we are now in a situation where we need 1 - 2 guys in nearly every position to compete/replace stale players that are stale and decaying.     This could have been avoided had they been proactive.  

[Goalie]

1 hour ago, 17to85 said:

Well gotta pay the bills,  some guys maybe felt they took their shot and don't have the capacity to try again. You just never know. They brought back Lawson so that tells me they reached out to cuts before settling on Houston.

Is Houston even confirmed tho. Believe that’s a fan rumour. Is he actually here? Part of me doubts it. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Goalie

[rebusrankin]

Ok, so we need to do what:

1. Upgrade at QB from Zach and Streveler.

2. Replace Kolo (poor play), Bryant (aging and no longer the best LT ever), Neufeld on the oline.

3. Find at least 2 quality starting American WRs

4. Upgrade at least one db spot, if not 2.

5. Improve our high end Canadian talent

Am I incorrect? What am I missing?

[Blue In BC]

8 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Ok, so we need to do what:

1. Upgrade at QB from Zach and Streveler.

2. Replace Kolo (poor play), Bryant (aging and no longer the best LT ever), Neufeld on the oline.

3. Find at least 2 quality starting American WRs

4. Upgrade at least one db spot, if not 2.

5. Improve our high end Canadian talent

Am I incorrect? What am I missing?

1. Streveler is not an upgrade at QB. 

2. Sure, but with who during the season?

3, 4 and 5 See above.

 

We had some opportunities at the end of TC but stood pat with what we had.

[Stickem]

12 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Ok, so we need to do what:

1. Upgrade at QB from Zach and Streveler.

2. Replace Kolo (poor play), Bryant (aging and no longer the best LT ever), Neufeld on the oline.

3. Find at least 2 quality starting American WRs

4. Upgrade at least one db spot, if not 2.

5. Improve our high end Canadian talent

Am I incorrect? What am I missing?

.......returner is missing ...I'm not sold on Vaval orrrrr IF we ever see him, Logan...I think we can do better than Sheahan as well

Edited 11 hours ago by Stickem

[Pete]

Did you want Vaval to block as well on returns cause hes done everything else

i wasn't a sheehan fan earlier but last few games hes been outkicking opponents.

 

[Goalie]

Sheehan serves a purpose and when doesn’t Aussie kick it, has been pretty good. I’d agree with @rebusrankin

 

im not sure how you upgrade the QB right now other than a trade for a Powell type. Should be easy to find and audition a tackle and American center. Neufeld? Well hopefully the OL class is strong this year cuz don’t see the immediate upgrade there and 3 American OL is enough. 
 

DBs? Should be the easiest spot other than receiver honestly. There’s thousands available lol. Bring a bunch in and let them play. 

[Goalie]

24 minutes ago, Stickem said:

.......returner is missing ...I'm not sold on Vaval orrrrr IF we ever see him, Logan...I think we can do better than Sheahan as well

From all accounts, Vaval is a young guy learning to be a pro and honestly he’s doing alright. Think there’s some talent and potential there to grow. He’s pretty young no. He’s our rookie of the year lol. I mean not a ton of competition but him person (not even a rookie but kinda) Allen now and vanterpool really are it aren’t they. 

Edited 11 hours ago by Goalie

[Stickem]

10 minutes ago, Goalie said:

From all accounts, Vaval is a young guy learning to be a pro and honestly he’s doing alright. Think there’s some talent and potential there to grow. He’s pretty young no. He’s our rookie of the year lol. I mean not a ton of competition but him person (not even a rookie but kinda) Allen now and vanterpool really are it aren’t they. 

yeah.....he does show some promise BUT he better show us a game like the one where he ran a couple back and had everyone excited awhile back ...I don't expect a heck a lot from him next game however as it looks like we're trying to burn him out asking him to play db as well....Are we in desperation mode or what

[rebusrankin]

I left returner off because I like Vaval. Think he's shown enough to say he's a good option at returner.

How about DE. Do we bring back both a 35 year old Jefferson and a 33 year old Vaughters next year?

[Noeller]

I never believed that Sheahan was the problem some people thought he was... But he's definitely been really good this year. 

Vaval is more than fine for a first year returner at the pro level... And we know that Logan is really good when healthy.

I'm not concerned about the specialists at all. 

OL/DL.... Reload there and everything else starts looking a lot better. 

[Booch]

14 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I never believed that Sheahan was the problem some people thought he was... But he's definitely been really good this year. 

Vaval is more than fine for a first year returner at the pro level... And we know that Logan is really good when healthy.

I'm not concerned about the specialists at all. 

OL/DL.... Reload there and everything else starts looking a lot better. 

Sheehan has been fine since he stopped kicking the stupid crap...no all-star but way better than he was and isnt hurting us now....He goes back to punter guy tho if that crap starts happening again

[johnzo]

3 hours ago, Stickem said:

yeah.....he does show some promise BUT he better show us a game like the one where he ran a couple back and had everyone excited awhile back ...

if your expectation for punt returners is "regularly wins games singlehandedly" then I suspect you'll ultimately be disappointed with Vaval ... or with anyone, really.

[Noeller]

5 minutes ago, johnzo said:

if your expectation for punt returners is "regularly wins games singlehandedly" then I suspect you'll ultimately be disappointed with Vaval ... or with anyone, really.

No kidding eh? Jesus. 2 KR TDs in a single game is a once in a career -type thing. If he can catch the ball on the fly consistently and get upfield, I'll call it a win. He's shown more than enough as a returner to earn our faith so far.

[voodoochylde]

5 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Ok, so we need to do what:

1. Upgrade at QB from Zach and Streveler.

2. Replace Kolo (poor play), Bryant (aging and no longer the best LT ever), Neufeld on the oline.

3. Find at least 2 quality starting American WRs

4. Upgrade at least one db spot, if not 2.

5. Improve our high end Canadian talent

Am I incorrect? What am I missing?

I don’t think it’s fair to write of and “move on” from *any* of our quarterbacks given the state of our offense. Line. Receivers. Coaching and co-ordinating are all holding this group back.  That said, Zack at 600K is absurd.  His play, over multiple seasons, doesn’t warrant it.  Strev hasn’t played well but if you set aside your bias and ask yourself: does a system that asks the QB to block for his running back put that player in the best position to be successful? Couple that with the **** show at receiver and the rotating door at offensive line, neither QB has a chance.

Nobody on our offensive line is untouchable.  Stan stays (if he wants to) to play, provide mentorship and veteran voice.  There are guy who have potential but need to be pushed and replaced (if necessary).

WRs.  Talent.  Plain and simple.  Guys who run well, push veterans a d can create space for themselves in the routes they run.  That’s what we need.  NI.  Import.  Doesn’t matter.

Corners specifically need an upgrade.  Holm and Nichols are fine but also need serious challengers facing them. 

[Mike]

It’s crazy to think, but I’d honestly say the only untouchables on our team right now are Brady Oliveira, Connor Shay, Gabe Wallace and the rights to Elgersma.

Everything else could be on the table. Not saying blow it up, I’m just saying that if we were to declare full rebuild and decided to move on from the whole team, those four pieces would be the only ones I’d be upset about.

Brady- enough said

Shay- you drafted the most pro-ready guy in the draft and haven’t given him a chance, gotta see if he’s the next Singleton/Judge

Wallace- pretty much the only Canadian OL we have who doesn’t get a seniors discount at Salisbury House

Elgersma- I think this is obvious 

[JuranBoldenRules]

7 hours ago, Brandon said:

The team has been desperately in need of a reload and for the last 2 - 3 season have pissed away valuable opportunities for sprinkling in new guys.   Unfortunately we are now in a situation where we need 1 - 2 guys in nearly every position to compete/replace stale players that are stale and decaying.     This could have been avoided had they been proactive.  

There's 7 starters and 11 players on this team remaining from the 21 Grey Cup team.

They've sprinkled in a ton of guys.  Problem is they've mostly been average or worse players, especially the Americans.

[Doublezero]

I know this has been discussed to death but I still shake my head in disbelief - Bombers let Dru Brown get away after developing him. Also Janarion Grant and Kenny Lawler lost in free agency. What were they thinking?

[Deiter Fan]

1 hour ago, Mike said:

It’s crazy to think, but I’d honestly say the only untouchables on our team right now are Brady Oliveira, Connor Shay, Gabe Wallace and the rights to Elgersma

I'd add Demski to that list. Gives his all. Still producing even when the entire team isn't. He's earned it.

[brett_c_b]

1 hour ago, Mike said:

It’s crazy to think, but I’d honestly say the only untouchables on our team right now are Brady Oliveira, Connor Shay, Gabe Wallace and the rights to Elgersma.

Everything else could be on the table. Not saying blow it up, I’m just saying that if we were to declare full rebuild and decided to move on from the whole team, those four pieces would be the only ones I’d be upset about.

Brady- enough said

Shay- you drafted the most pro-ready guy in the draft and haven’t given him a chance, gotta see if he’s the next Singleton/Judge

Wallace- pretty much the only Canadian OL we have who doesn’t get a seniors discount at Salisbury House

Elgersma- I think this is obvious 

You missed Jake on the untouchable list

[rebusrankin]

40 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

There's 7 starters and 11 players on this team remaining from the 21 Grey Cup team.

They've sprinkled in a ton of guys.  Problem is they've mostly been average or worse players, especially the Americans.

Loss of Ryan Rigmaiden

Edited 4 hours ago by rebusrankin

[ShyGuy]

 

51 minutes ago, Doublezero said:

I know this has been discussed to death but I still shake my head in disbelief - Bombers let Dru Brown get away after developing him. Also Janarion Grant and Kenny Lawler lost in free agency. What were they thinking?

It's pretty easy to figure out what they were thinking... They were just wrong.

 

Dru Brown - they had him in the building for 3 years. Either they figured he didn't have what it took to be a consistent starter or the timelines didn't match. I don't think anyone really expected Collaros to free fall as he did so immediately 

 

 

 

Janarian Grant - Too old. Picked up a injury prone designation because Buck decided to run him up the middle. The adage "better to let them go one year too early than one year too late" might apply here if it had ever been applied to anyone else.

 

 

 

Kenny Lawler - Very expensive and kind of mercurial. The bet was between him and Schoen staying healthy and using the money you'd spend on Kenny on the rest of the roster... But the Bombers two big gets got to hang out on the 1-game until recently. Besides... Even if Kenny were here who would get the ball to him? He is looking good in part of all the deep balls he is grabbing and the Bombers are near-last in that aspect of the offense.

Edited 4 hours ago by ShyGuy
Adventures in correcting a mis quoted post on mobile

[Doublezero]

8 minutes ago, ShyGuy said:

 

It's pretty easy to figure out what they were thinking... They were just wrong.

 

Dru Brown - they had him in the building for 3 years. Either they figured he didn't have what it took to be a consistent starter or the timelines didn't match. I don't think anyone really expected Collaros to free fall as he did so immediately 

Janarian Grant - Too old. Picked up a injury prone designation because Buck decided to run him up the middle. The adage "better to let them go one year too early than one year too late" might apply here if it had ever been applied to anyone else.

Kenny Lawler - Very expensive and kind of mercurial. The bet was between him and Schoen staying healthy and using the money you'd spend on Kenny on the rest of the roster... But the Bombers two big gets got to hang out on the 1-game until recently. Besides... Even if Kenny were here who would get the ball to him? He is looking good in part of all the deep balls he is grabbing and the Bombers are near-last in that aspect of the offense.

Not sure I buy these arguments entirely. If Dru Brown were a Blue Bomber today he'd certainly get the ball to Lawler. Brown has a rifle of an arm. When you say Collaros's very obvious collapse was not predicted, it's noteworthy that ZC's decline began while Brown was still here as backup. Remember that many posters here wanted the club to keep Brown instead of Collaros. Grant, yes, it is amazing to think Bombers braintrust would let the CFLs best returner in past decade just walk. Especially if, as you say, he seemed unavailable from time to time due to injury. Bombers have a history of keeping players around in that status.

[JuranBoldenRules]

33 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Loss of Ryan Rigmaiden

Meh.  BC is one of the teams with arguably worse roster than us.  Their D and OL is a total mess.

[ShyGuy]

16 minutes ago, Doublezero said:

Not sure I buy these arguments entirely. If Dru Brown were a Blue Bomber today he'd certainly get the ball to Lawler. Brown has a rifle of an arm. When you say Collaros's very obvious collapse was not predicted, it's noteworthy that ZC's decline began while Brown was still here as backup. Remember that many posters here wanted the club to keep Brown instead of Collaros. Grant, yes, it is amazing to think Bombers braintrust would let the CFLs best returner in past decade just walk. Especially if, as you say, he seemed unavailable from time to time due to injury. Bombers have a history of keeping players around in that status.

There is a time line where Dru Brown is still slingin' passes to Kenny in a Bombers Jersey but that diverged after 2023 when Brown left, not in 2024 when the Bombers let Kenny walk. There were also posters on here who wanted to let Collaros walk after 2019 instead of conveying that first round pick to the Argos. I guess that one also opens up a fun what-if where a QB needy Bombers take Nathan Rourke at the tail end of the 1st round.

Collaros' decline was predictable, but going from 33 TDs against 15 INT while exiting a few games early and even missing a couple of games, to throwing 14 picks before finally hitting double digit TDs on the season in week 17 is a tad more abrupt than most people expected.