Blue Bombers - 2025 Regular Season - Discussion Thread

[Booch]

26 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Can't be sure, but other teams have leap frogged us in terms of NAT talent for sure. We've seen guys drafted behind our guys turn into bonafide CFL talent while we have first rounders like Anthony Bennett out of football.

it's cause save for the odd oline guy...we draft soley looking at ST only guys cause we figured we were good across the board...and we aint...we were....but we let them get past their usefulness but still clung to them 

[bigg jay]

25 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

@GCn20 makes a good point that Walters performance as GM has been lacking too.

Yup.  Eli may not be the answer at C but he has other uses.  We're on year 4 of Kolo now & you can't convince me that he's the best we could have done in all that time.  I don't know if it's complacency or what but they seem to be ok being mediocre at certain positions.  

49 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Can't be sure, but other teams have leap frogged us in terms of NAT talent for sure. We've seen guys drafted behind our guys turn into bonafide CFL talent while we have first rounders like Anthony Bennett out of football.

Not out of football, he's on his 3rd CFL team this year and is on BC's AR right now. 

Anthony Bennett - CFL.ca

TE	TEAM	ACTION	STATUS
2025-08-15	BC	ADD FROM PRACTICE ROSTER	Active Roster
2025-08-11	BC	ADD	Practice Roster
2025-07-16	OTT	DEL	Practice Roster
2025-07-11	OTT	TRF TO PRACTICE ROSTER	Practice Roster
2025-06-28	OTT	ADD FROM PRACTICE ROSTER	Active Roster
2025-06-17	OTT	ADD	Practice Roster
2025-05-10	MTL	DEL	Active Roster
2025-02-18	MTL	ADD	Active Roster

Edited 19 hours ago by bigg jay

[17to85]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

I am not willing to put a sub par player in just because the guy ahead of him sucks. Rather cut bait on them both and our GM do his job. 

We need an infusion of talent in a big way, particularly to our NAT depth which used to be the class of the league and is now second rate. I don't care how you cut it, that is on Walters. Could we tweak our lineup a bit and wring out a little bit more than one we have been getting? Possibly, but it is just putting lipstick on a pig. 

We already have a sub par player in the position so what's the difference? 

 

Also, we drafted some big upside players this offseason who get 0 snaps.... gm or coach?

[Booch]

31 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

We already have a sub par player in the position so what's the difference? 

 

Also, we drafted some big upside players this offseason who get 0 snaps.... gm or coach?

Well....gm doesn't have any say in game day roster or who and how guts are used...so....doing the math.....

[Tracker]

1 hour ago, 17to85 said:

We already have a sub par player in the position so what's the difference?  Also, we drafted some big upside players this offseason who get 0 snaps.... gm or coach?

At this point, Eli just has to be as good as Kolankowski,(and that ought not to be too difficult) and he might just get to be better. Yeah- like that's gonna happen.

Edited 16 hours ago by Tracker

[Goalie]

lol at thinking a guy who has been here since 2019 is any sort of solution. I mean the hills some of you chose to die on are pretty insane. It’s always something tho. lol at also pretending anyone actually watches the OL play. Some of you I think need to accept that you might not know as much as you think you do.  

 

Edited 16 hours ago by Goalie

[Goalie]

42 minutes ago, Tracker said:

At this point, Eli just has to be as good as Kolankowski,(and that ought not to be too difficult) and he might just get to be better. Yeah- like that's gonna happen.

Considering Eli has been here since 2019 and kolo 2021, I somehow doubt it. I mean why? Cuz booch says so? I mean seriously. Why should Eli be better when every chance he was given he’s looked worse. College for Eli was a long time ago now. He’s not this prospect ppl like to pretend he is. He is what he is and what he is is a 6th lineman.  Kolo ain’t it but Eli certainly isn’t either.  Vibert is a center. Give him a shot. Or bring in an American one if you must cuz reality is if Vibert ain’t it then we currently don’t have anyone on the roster who is a good center. 

Edited 16 hours ago by Goalie

[Booch]

1 minute ago, Goalie said:

Considering Eli has been here since 2019 and kolo 2021, I somehow doubt it. I mean why? Cuz booch says so? I mean seriously. Why should Eli be better when every chance he was given he’s looked worse. College for Eli was a long time ago now. He’s not this prospect ppl like to pretend he is. He is what he is and what he is is a 6th lineman. 

Stfu...and really...when's he been given any start at center?...do tell

He had one initial bad series at guard in a game due to injury replacement..then settled in

Is he no good cause u with all your experience and a few others say so? I mean seriously 

I watch oline play. Can see the blocking schemes used and where a lot of breakdowns occur from coaching over 25 years...and playing post high school for 8...and u?

Just cause Osh does something doesn't make it the right or best either...he has full power to put whomever and wherever he wants a guy...doesn't mean its gospel tho..and its been very apparent too...guy ain't all that and a box of cheetos

[Goalie]

I will say I didn’t realize the 4 year age gap tho. Didn’t realize Eli was 4 years younger than 33 yr old kolo. Give Eli a shot. He can’t be worse. If he is then let them both go. Seems the problems on the oline are in that 33 plus group. Bryant kolo Neufeld all struggling vets. Perhaps all cooked. I could live with growing pains if it means there is light at the end of the tunnel. It appears right now there is no light tho. Time to replace the struggling vets. Kolo Thomas Neufeld Bryant all need to be replaced. Now is the time to start doing it. 

Edited 16 hours ago by Goalie

[Goalie]

11 minutes ago, Booch said:

Stfu...and really...when's he been given any start at center?...do tell

He had one initial bad series at guard in a game due to injury replacement..then settled in

Is he no good cause u with all your experience and a few others say so? I mean seriously 

I watch oline play. Can see the blocking schemes used and where a lot of breakdowns occur from coaching over 25 years...and playing post high school for 8...and u?

Just cause Osh does something doesn't make it the right or best either...he has full power to put whomever and wherever he wants a guy...doesn't mean its gospel tho..and its been very apparent too...guy ain't all that and a box of cheetos

You’re like 10 bro. Honestly. Insults. It’s just so repetitive. Even your insults are repetitive. 

Edited 16 hours ago by Goalie

[TBURGESS]

Give him a try... He can't be worse?  Of course, he can.

[Booch]

46 minutes ago, Goalie said:

You’re like 10 bro. Honestly. Insults. It’s just so repetitive. Even your insults are repetitive. 

as is your stupidity...say stupid things...expect a stupid prize

[17to85]

49 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Give him a try... He can't be worse?  Of course, he can.

What if he whiffs on blocks! What if the pocket collapses with him in there, what if the back gets stuffed! Of course how would we tell the difference because that **** is already happening. Guaranteed though that if Eli was in at centre he would be able to now and then move a ***** out of the way and help a play happen. Best we hope for with kolankowski is that he doesn't get flat out embarrassed. 

 

And if it is worse then we stop wasting time on 2 players who shouldn't be there.

 

What I actually think it is, because they so regularly use 6 OL Eli isn't seen as a real option at centee because he's good as the extra OL whereas Kolankowski is useless at everything except snapping the ball.

[Booch]

42 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Give him a try... He can't be worse?  Of course, he can.

Lst in the Eli/Kolo debate is the value and how good Eli is in Jumbo...Short yardage and TE packages. We don't really have a big man who can do that, and have the athleticism to do what he does consistantly. Save for Adams on defence who could, but we dont wanna be doing that, only other guy is Randolph but you can't be moving piece's like that all the time to facilitate what...8...10 smaps a game....thats just plain dumb

Eli is assignment sound in that role, is an excellent tandem blocker (but you would expect that from a center....especially a top ranked on in the Nation going into his senior yr) great at switches and different types of trap blocks.

And is especially good in second level and lead blocking down the field, and finding guys

Kolo is not....If he isnt squared up with a guy struggles to get a block, and even if he does, loses his guy way too easily....More times than not as well he gets lost...especially if asked to do a 50 or a chip and gets spun right around looking back at the play....huge no no and just plan bad, and is basically rendered useless in trying to re-engage and get in the play and is just a penalty waiting to happen....

I guess since we have such poor depth we suck, cause Kolo would be the worst 6th oline to roster, as he can only slot in at center, would get eaten alive and bullied at guard even more than he does at center, at could never take a snap at tackle....so really best thing to do is try eli there, and roster Vibert as 6th...kid plays with mean streak and attitude, needs reps.....And like you ay....Can't be worse and if it is....You can always go back to a bit less shitty lol

3 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

What if he whiffs on blocks! What if the pocket collapses with him in there, what if the back gets stuffed! Of course how would we tell the difference because that **** is already happening. Guaranteed though that if Eli was in at centre he would be able to now and then move a ***** out of the way and help a play happen. Best we hope for with kolankowski is that he doesn't get flat out embarrassed. 

 

And if it is worse then we stop wasting time on 2 players who shouldn't be there.

 

What I actually think it is, because they so regularly use 6 OL Eli isn't seen as a real option at centee because he's good as the extra OL whereas Kolankowski is useless at everything except snapping the ball.

you just touched on what I was saying before I said it

[Tracker]

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

Give him a try... He can't be worse?  Of course, he can.

He would have to try very hard for that to happen.

49 minutes ago, Booch said:

Lst in the Eli/Kolo debate is the value and how good Eli is in Jumbo...Short yardage and TE packages. We don't really have a big man who can do that, and have the athleticism to do what he does consistantly. Save for Adams on defence who could, but we dont wanna be doing that, only other guy is Randolph but you can't be moving piece's like that all the time to facilitate what...8...10 smaps a game....thats just plain dumb

Eli is assignment sound in that role, is an excellent tandem blocker (but you would expect that from a center....especially a top ranked on in the Nation going into his senior yr) great at switches and different types of trap blocks.

And is especially good in second level and lead blocking down the field, and finding guys

Kolo is not....If he isnt squared up with a guy struggles to get a block, and even if he does, loses his guy way too easily....More times than not as well he gets lost...especially if asked to do a 50 or a chip and gets spun right around looking back at the play....huge no no and just plan bad, and is basically rendered useless in trying to re-engage and get in the play and is just a penalty waiting to happen....

I guess since we have such poor depth we suck, cause Kolo would be the worst 6th oline to roster, as he can only slot in at center, would get eaten alive and bullied at guard even more than he does at center, at could never take a snap at tackle....so really best thing to do is try eli there, and roster Vibert as 6th...kid plays with mean streak and attitude, needs reps.....And like you ay....Can't be worse and if it is....You can always go back to a bit less shitty lol

you just touched on what I was saying before I said it

Kolankowski's blocking technique consists of trying to get in the way of someone other than one of his guards.

[Mike]

2 hours ago, Goalie said:

You’re like 10 bro. Honestly. Insults. It’s just so repetitive. Even your insults are repetitive. 

“lmao I contradict myself daily and take pot shots at anyone that I don’t feel like agreeing with on any given day and I have been doing this for literally years but everyone else is 10 and the problem”

 

hehe

[Slimy Sculpin]

I have to admit I know next to nothing about O-line technique but I've watched every Bomber game for the last few years (including TSN replays)  and Kolankowski does, at least to my untrained eye, get overwhelmed a lot. Maybe he's got a high football IQ as the centre is supposed to call blocking assignments. Right? However, imo, he's too small to begin with. Is he one of those "gud in the room, glue guys?" Who the heck knows? It's frustrating watching him getting beaten regularly. 

[Mike]

I feel like I know absolutely nothing about the OL other than when one player is a complete turnstile

 

Kolo is a complete turnstile

[Pete]

17 minutes ago, Mike said:

I feel like I know absolutely nothing about the OL other than when one player is a complete turnstile

 

Kolo is a complete turnstile

At  this point Kolo is what we have at center, unless we decide to utilize an import as the options to replace him are limited at best. As stated Eli has had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate why he would be an upgrade and hasnt done it.

Does anyone think that Zach or Brady would sit still for not going with a better upgrade than kolo thats on the roster. Eli isnt the answer Not much use om debating it at this point.

Edited 13 hours ago by Pete

[sweep the leg]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

Lst in the Eli/Kolo debate is the value and how good Eli is in Jumbo...Short yardage and TE packages. We don't really have a big man who can do that, and have the athleticism to do what he does consistantly. Save for Adams on defence who could, but we dont wanna be doing that, only other guy is Randolph but you can't be moving piece's like that all the time to facilitate what...8...10 smaps a game....thats just plain dumb

Eli is assignment sound in that role, is an excellent tandem blocker (but you would expect that from a center....especially a top ranked on in the Nation going into his senior yr) great at switches and different types of trap blocks.

And is especially good in second level and lead blocking down the field, and finding guys

Kolo is not....If he isnt squared up with a guy struggles to get a block, and even if he does, loses his guy way too easily....More times than not as well he gets lost...especially if asked to do a 50 or a chip and gets spun right around looking back at the play....huge no no and just plan bad, and is basically rendered useless in trying to re-engage and get in the play and is just a penalty waiting to happen....

I guess since we have such poor depth we suck, cause Kolo would be the worst 6th oline to roster, as he can only slot in at center, would get eaten alive and bullied at guard even more than he does at center, at could never take a snap at tackle....

I think it’s probably true that they really like Eli as our 6th ol. If they don’t see him as a significant upgrade at C, which appears to be the case, it wouldn't make sense to make that change. To 17to85’s comment, we don’t have to cut him if he can’t take the starting C spot. A good 6th ol is still important.

I’ve been an offensive coach at the high school level, and in my experience I’d rather play a centre I trust to make every snap rather than a guy who might be better physically but whose snaps can be an adventure. I don’t know for sure that’s the case here (trust), just a possibility.

[SpeedFlex27]

14 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Yes, because we have never let young OL get into our starting lineup. I mean c'mon...you guys are laying it on a bit thick. We have swapped out a ton of guys on our OL over the years.

We draft & develop for other teams. We don't spend the money. We keep veterans who should be cut or retired & let the good ones go. Epecially om the OL. It's been happening for years

[WinnipegGordo]

 

 

[GCn20]

16 hours ago, bigg jay said:

Yup.  Eli may not be the answer at C but he has other uses.  We're on year 4 of Kolo now & you can't convince me that he's the best we could have done in all that time.  I don't know if it's complacency or what but they seem to be ok being mediocre at certain positions.  

Not out of football, he's on his 3rd CFL team this year and is on BC's AR right now. 

Anthony Bennett - CFL.ca

TE	TEAM	ACTION	STATUS
2025-08-15	BC	ADD FROM PRACTICE ROSTER	Active Roster
2025-08-11	BC	ADD	Practice Roster
2025-07-16	OTT	DEL	Practice Roster
2025-07-11	OTT	TRF TO PRACTICE ROSTER	Practice Roster
2025-06-28	OTT	ADD FROM PRACTICE ROSTER	Active Roster
2025-06-17	OTT	ADD	Practice Roster
2025-05-10	MTL	DEL	Active Roster
2025-02-18	MTL	ADD	Active Roster

My bad....didn't think anyone else would pick him up after his 2nd release. Point remains tho, he was a dud of a draft pick by any measurable.

15 hours ago, Booch said:

Well....gm doesn't have any say in game day roster or who and how guts are used...so....doing the math.....

No call from upstairs? Happens all the time is what I heard.

13 hours ago, Goalie said:

Considering Eli has been here since 2019 and kolo 2021, I somehow doubt it. I mean why? Cuz booch says so? I mean seriously. Why should Eli be better when every chance he was given he’s looked worse. College for Eli was a long time ago now. He’s not this prospect ppl like to pretend he is. He is what he is and what he is is a 6th lineman.  Kolo ain’t it but Eli certainly isn’t either.  Vibert is a center. Give him a shot. Or bring in an American one if you must cuz reality is if Vibert ain’t it then we currently don’t have anyone on the roster who is a good center. 

I would not be against a ratio flip for an IMP C.

13 hours ago, Goalie said:

I will say I didn’t realize the 4 year age gap tho. Didn’t realize Eli was 4 years younger than 33 yr old kolo. Give Eli a shot. He can’t be worse. If he is then let them both go. Seems the problems on the oline are in that 33 plus group. Bryant kolo Neufeld all struggling vets. Perhaps all cooked. I could live with growing pains if it means there is light at the end of the tunnel. It appears right now there is no light tho. Time to replace the struggling vets. Kolo Thomas Neufeld Bryant all need to be replaced. Now is the time to start doing it. 

Bryant and Neufeld are not the problem with our OL at all.

[GCn20]

12 hours ago, 17to85 said:

What if he whiffs on blocks! What if the pocket collapses with him in there, what if the back gets stuffed! Of course how would we tell the difference because that **** is already happening. Guaranteed though that if Eli was in at centre he would be able to now and then move a ***** out of the way and help a play happen. Best we hope for with kolankowski is that he doesn't get flat out embarrassed. 

 

And if it is worse then we stop wasting time on 2 players who shouldn't be there.

 

What I actually think it is, because they so regularly use 6 OL Eli isn't seen as a real option at centee because he's good as the extra OL whereas Kolankowski is useless at everything except snapping the ball.

Or he causes mass confusion because he can't direct traffic on the line and ends up getting our QBs injured. People judge centre by what they are seeing after the snap when a lions share of their importance is what they do pre-snap and with the snap itself. As for Kola, his issues are not in the run game at all. It's his weakness in pass pro that's the problem. Thing is that is also the weakness that Eli has demonstrated.

Edited 2 hours ago by GCn20

[GCn20]

10 hours ago, sweep the leg said:

I think it’s probably true that they really like Eli as our 6th ol. If they don’t see him as a significant upgrade at C, which appears to be the case, it wouldn't make sense to make that change. To 17to85’s comment, we don’t have to cut him if he can’t take the starting C spot. A good 6th ol is still important.

I’ve been an offensive coach at the high school level, and in my experience I’d rather play a centre I trust to make every snap rather than a guy who might be better physically but whose snaps can be an adventure. I don’t know for sure that’s the case here (trust), just a possibility.

A good snapper and pre-snap OL communicator is worth the saw off. Totally. Anyone thinking otherwise has never been responsible for OL play. I guess in short I agree with your assessment that unless the difference would be vast post snap, take the guy that can actually snap the ball, and make the correct pre-snap read. 

9 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

We draft & develop for other teams. We don't spend the money. We keep veterans who should be cut or retired & let the good ones go. Epecially om the OL. It's been happening for years

Who are these good young players we have been letting go? Definitely you are correct about the OL....we have seen an exodus....but who are these stud young guys you speak of that we kept a veteran over. I'll wait for your answer. Name the stud young player that is now somewhere else, and the veteran that should be cut that we kept instead. Wanna make broad statements like that, back it up. As for the OL, we didn't really keep veterans in place of young guys, it was vice versa. Did we move on from Brendan O'Leary Orange to keep Clercius/Woli/Demski....we sure did....which one of those guys should have been cut? That is quite literally the only drafted player I can think of that we let walk that I would want back if we could but apparently you have a list so let's hear it.

Would I want Desjarlais, Dobson, or Couture back? yea that would be nice. Two of those guys we lost due to very poor GM work and one to wanting to go home. That will always be a reality in the CFL with NAT players. Not a single one of those guys was moved on from in order to keep an aging vet that should be cut tho so you obviously have others to bring up.

Edited 2 hours ago by GCn20