Blue Bombers -- 2025/26 Offseason -- Discussion Thread

[Booch]

26 minutes ago, Noeller said:

How close to being a starter is Vibert? He's a natural C, no? 

He should have been rostered in lieu of Ball or some other irrelevant bottom Canadian and repped in at times...if for nothing to get a guage on him

Like his tenacity and size and his technique is real good being a raw rookie

[SpeedFlex27]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

He should have been rostered in lieu of Ball or some other irrelevant bottom Canadian and repped in at times...if for nothing to get a guage on him

Like his tenacity and size and his technique is real good being a raw rookie

Michael Ball is a nutbar. The guy is an embarrassment to his son Ethan, his family, the Riders & the Bombers. . 

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

How close to being a starter is Vibert? He's a natural C, no? 

He’s got above average size and athleticism for an ni G. 6’3 n change, 315 but really lean at that weight.

Hes got a great frame for playing interior ol.

Hes a bit of an athletic outlier by ni ol standards. Faster and more explosive than most interior guys up here. Not the run jumper dobson was or as bursty as desjarlais, but being a half step behind those guys athletically puts you in a good position, especially up here.

Hes got good feet, and plays with great strength. He isn’t the bench press gym bro, though he looks it a bit, hes far more the functional strength type.

He isn’t as polished as fortin, though I thought both were pretty similar quality prospects. Fortin lacks a lot more in athleticism and raw strength but plays with tremendous leverage and gets every bit out of his frame. Hes also got that nasty streak, toughness, and grit you look for in linemen. 

Vibert could’ve easily been a 6th ol in the cfl this year. People often struggle to identify if guys like him are high floor low ceiling types, or studs. Imo, he and fortin had the best chance of being early starters and long term impact players on the ol. I think he is very very likely a starter in the CFL at G or C. If he over achieves a bit then he can be an all star type. 

For me, I don’t go soo crazy for huge interior ol, wallace has tons of use and upside and i think he should be groomed for RT. Guys like vibert get over looked because they aren’t 6’6, 305, running 5.0 flat 40s etc. But I see every thing you need for a G and a C to succeed in the cfl. 

I thought the depth of ol in this draft had some real potential gems. Hocevar, Pyle, Coakes, and Vibert, these are the type of canadians that anchor interior ol spots for a long time. 

Vibert should be on the ar this coming year, and he should push for a job if the competition remains soo soft. 

[SpeedFlex27]

18 hours ago, wbbfan said:

He’s got above average size and athleticism for an ni G. 6’3 n change, 315 but really lean at that weight.

Hes got a great frame for playing interior ol.

Hes a bit of an athletic outlier by ni ol standards. Faster and more explosive than most interior guys up here. Not the run jumper dobson was or as bursty as desjarlais, but being a half step behind those guys athletically puts you in a good position, especially up here.

Hes got good feet, and plays with great strength. He isn’t the bench press gym bro, though he looks it a bit, hes far more the functional strength type.

He isn’t as polished as fortin, though I thought both were pretty similar quality prospects. Fortin lacks a lot more in athleticism and raw strength but plays with tremendous leverage and gets every bit out of his frame. Hes also got that nasty streak, toughness, and grit you look for in linemen. 

Vibert could’ve easily been a 6th ol in the cfl this year. People often struggle to identify if guys like him are high floor low ceiling types, or studs. Imo, he and fortin had the best chance of being early starters and long term impact players on the ol. I think he is very very likely a starter in the CFL at G or C. If he over achieves a bit then he can be an all star type. 

For me, I don’t go soo crazy for huge interior ol, wallace has tons of use and upside and i think he should be groomed for RT. Guys like vibert get over looked because they aren’t 6’6, 305, running 5.0 flat 40s etc. But I see every thing you need for a G and a C to succeed in the cfl. 

I thought the depth of ol in this draft had some real potential gems. Hocevar, Pyle, Coakes, and Vibert, these are the type of canadians that anchor interior ol spots for a long time. 

Vibert should be on the ar this coming year, and he should push for a job if the competition remains soo soft. 

Our problem isn't drafting good Canadians. The problem is we don't keep them. Either we undervalue them going into free agency or just let them walk. That's an organizational thing that falls on Walters shoulders & it makes no sense. IT NEEDS TO STOP!!!

Edited 49 minutes ago by SpeedFlex27

[CrazyCanuck89]

10 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Our problem isn't drafting good Canadians. The problem is we don't keep them. Either we undervalue them going into free agency or just let them walk. That's an organizational thing that falls on Walters shoulders & it makes no sense. 

Exactly!  Smith and Shay should've gotten reps.

[Brandon]

27 minutes ago, CrazyCanuck89 said:

Exactly!  Smith and Shay should've gotten reps.

I want to say a few years back O'Shea addressed on why he doesn't play guys in their first year.   I can't remember the exact reason but it is intentional on his part.   I want to say something about shielding them or having them learn from the sidelines.    

[bigg jay]

23 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I want to say a few years back O'Shea addressed on why he doesn't play guys in their first year.   I can't remember the exact reason but it is intentional on his part.   I want to say something about shielding them or having them learn from the sidelines.    

Yet almost every other team has their rookies taking snaps and, in some cases, starting.  Veresuk in Hamilton was runner up as rookie of the year and took over the starting MLB role after 2 games - he would never have gotten a sniff of that here.  

[Bigblue204]

https://cflpa.com/cflpa-announces-the-official-2025-cflpa-all-star-team

Interesting that a certain OL made this list via his peers yet people are ready to cast him aside!

[17to85]

3 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

https://cflpa.com/cflpa-announces-the-official-2025-cflpa-all-star-team

Interesting that a certain OL made this list via his peers yet people are ready to cast him aside!

Stanley Bryant? I don't think it is a case of people wanting to cast him aside so much as the fact that he's old and there was a slip last year and the question is when is it totally going to fall apart? Sooner or later Bryant is going to retire or be too old to be effective. 

[Booch]

11 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Our problem isn't drafting good Canadians. The problem is we don't keep them. Either we undervalue them going into free agency or just let them walk. That's an organizational thing that falls on Walters shoulders & it makes no sense. 

or ply the ones that could rep into the offence or defence....and they dont develop...until they leave here

 

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

I want to say a few years back O'Shea addressed on why he doesn't play guys in their first year.   I can't remember the exact reason but it is intentional on his part.   I want to say something about shielding them or having them learn from the sidelines.    

as other coaches do....Osh's logic just like his coaching is flawed, and will be a good riddance now....you dont larn on the sideline, or even in practice really...theory sure...maybe....playing....not at all

45 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Yet almost every other team has their rookies taking snaps and, in some cases, starting.  Veresuk in Hamilton was runner up as rookie of the year and took over the starting MLB role after 2 games - he would never have gotten a sniff of that here.  

yeah...exactly...how do you think we got T.Jones...dumped for a raw rookie...who ended up as RO.Y as well....and is better than any LB we rostered the last 2 yrs...Osh is flawed, and hopefully he can keep the Argo's in the abyss now

30 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

https://cflpa.com/cflpa-announces-the-official-2025-cflpa-all-star-team

Interesting that a certain OL made this list via his peers yet people are ready to cast him aside!

I have not been one....and have no issues with him back to be honest

Sad we have 2 former guys we could have kept on that list too...and would have made a huge difference here this yr....but our dear leder choose to retain his lil fav's in several spots....not allowing us to do so

[Bigblue204]

39 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Stanley Bryant? I don't think it is a case of people wanting to cast him aside so much as the fact that he's old and there was a slip last year and the question is when is it totally going to fall apart? Sooner or later Bryant is going to retire or be too old to be effective. 

Many people don't have him on their re-sign list.

[HardCoreBlue]

2 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

Many people don't have him on their re-sign list.

Because Jake Thomas has made us all nervous. :-)

[Bigblue204]

11 minutes ago, Booch said:

Sad we have 2 former guys we could have kept on that list too...and would have made a huge difference here this yr....but our dear leder choose to retain his lil fav's in several spots....not allowing us to do so

Found it interesting who is on the list and who isn't. Real lack of SSK players on both sides of the ball, especially D. And not a single MTL player at all. Was also a bit surprised to not see a single Bomber defensive back.

[Bubba Zanetti]

12 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Our problem isn't drafting good Canadians. The problem is we don't keep them. Either we undervalue them going into free agency or just let them walk. That's an organizational thing that falls on Walters shoulders & it makes no sense. 

Im putting that all on O'Shea. He decides the gameday rosters and they are always chalk-full of his shi**y vets game after game, regardless of outcome or performance.

[GCn20]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

or ply the ones that could rep into the offence or defence....and they dont develop...until they leave here

 

as other coaches do....Osh's logic just like his coaching is flawed, and will be a good riddance now....you dont larn on the sideline, or even in practice really...theory sure...maybe....playing....not at all

yeah...exactly...how do you think we got T.Jones...dumped for a raw rookie...who ended up as RO.Y as well....and is better than any LB we rostered the last 2 yrs...Osh is flawed, and hopefully he can keep the Argo's in the abyss now

I have not been one....and have no issues with him back to be honest

Sad we have 2 former guys we could have kept on that list too...and would have made a huge difference here this yr....but our dear leder choose to retain his lil fav's in several spots....not allowing us to do so

Hardrick and Dobson leaving are 100% on the GM. Same as Lawler. If anyone thinks that any coach didn't want 3 all stars retained they are huffing paint fumes. KW manages the money and that is the reason all 3 left.

1 hour ago, Bubba Zanetti said:

Im putting that all on O'Shea. He decides the gameday rosters and they are always chalk-full of his shi**y vets game after game, regardless of outcome or performance.

How in god's green earth is that on O'Shea? The reason they are leaving is because they were offered big money and we chose not to match it up. Being offered big money means you got played. I am now realizing you were probably being sarcastic.

Edited 4 hours ago by GCn20

[Bubba Zanetti]

8 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Hardrick and Dobson leaving are 100% on the GM. Same as Lawler. If anyone thinks that any coach didn't want 3 all stars retained they are huffing paint fumes. KW manages the money and that is the reason all 3 left.

How in god's green earth is that on O'Shea? The reason they are leaving is because they were offered big money and we chose not to match it up. Being offered big money means you got played. I am now realizing you were probably being sarcastic.

Were talking high end rookies not getting any meaningful game snaps, while washed up vets hog all the playing time. That is 100% on O'Shea.

Edited 4 hours ago by Bubba Zanetti

[Booch]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

Hardrick and Dobson leaving are 100% on the GM. Same as Lawler. If anyone thinks that any coach didn't want 3 all stars retained they are huffing paint fumes. KW manages the money and that is the reason all 3 left.

How in god's green earth is that on O'Shea? The reason they are leaving is because they were offered big money and we chose not to match it up. Being offered big money means you got played. I am now realizing you were probably being sarcastic.

what if ish said he didnt want them....or valued crap like Kolo...Thomas and money they sucked up as more important...is the G.M to do opposite of what HC wanted?...That would be dysfunctional....or if HC pited and stommped his feet at direction GM wanted...again dysfunctional...either way...no good and one had to go....and just based on what we witnessed with game decisions...who was rostered and played more....dumb move in games....playing hurt guys....not using Natioilzed rule....playing more Canadians than needed, when some were inferior than a Import....pretty apparent the major issue here became Osh.....and yeah Walter's was weak, and should have done something more...Or maybe they tried and Osh just was Osh...so plan was regardless after season if he got another offer or not...was gonna be gone?

Enabling Osh to slither away ego intact?...who knows....but we can all agree we need change

Running back 2026 as status quo...same people in place....we will be a 5th place squad

1 hour ago, Bubba Zanetti said:

Were talking high end rookies not getting any meaningful game snaps, while washed up vets hog all the playing time. That is 100% on O'Shea.

Yeah...roster aside, or what was made available...Osh picked poorer players over better/younger upside guys....rarely allowed any young guy to get reps and acclimated/experince...or even push a guy off the starter spot to make the roster deeper and stronger.....while he rode guys into the dirt till there was zero tread left, or became limited due to injury and then had no viable guy to plug in they trusted or had any film on to feel good about playing them, and had to trot out injured guys further hamstringing the game day roster, all the while claiming they "all stater quality/number 1's)

How that is any of Walters fault is hard to comprehend, and if he pulled the trigger mid-season this yr many...well most here would claim what an error that was ....Walter's biggest gaff was not pulling trigger after the 2024 Grey Cup loss and why we lost it...poor rostering...poor in-game decisions....and that was 3 yrs running

Time to look forward now and at the positive aspect....we aren't rebuilding...or coming from a place where we started with Osh in 2013 that was an utter dupster fire...we in a good place....just need a new driver...we will be fine

[Tracker]

17 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Michael Ball is a nutbar. The guy is an embarrassment to his son Ethan, his family, the Riders & the Bombers. . 

Soooo....a typical Rider fan?

[wbbfan]

6 hours ago, Brandon said:

I want to say a few years back O'Shea addressed on why he doesn't play guys in their first year.   I can't remember the exact reason but it is intentional on his part.   I want to say something about shielding them or having them learn from the sidelines.    

Maybe a case could be made for kids who played cis ball, but the borderline canadians who played ball in the states aren’t different from imp rookies. 

Which I mean we took a db out of what division 3 a few years ago and the falcons seems to think it isn’t a problem after he started his whole rookie year. 

 We started many a rookie canadian ol in the first year here as well with mos. We started corcoran in the play offs too. As Peterson took over in his first pro game then started the next what 2? Did pretty good too. 

 

Im not saying you’re wrong about what he said, I fully believe he said that and even believes it. It just doesn’t match the reality of what he’s done. And what’s worked tbh. 

[Tracker]

5 hours ago, 17to85 said:

Stanley Bryant? I don't think it is a case of people wanting to cast him aside so much as the fact that he's old and there was a slip last year and the question is when is it totally going to fall apart? Sooner or later Bryant is going to retire or be too old to be effective. 

Unless the player has shown repeatedly as uselss (looking at you- Kolankowski and Thomas) , let him come to camp and earn his spot in an open, honest competition. 

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Hardrick and Dobson leaving are 100% on the GM. Same as Lawler. If anyone thinks that any coach didn't want 3 all stars retained they are huffing paint fumes. KW manages the money and that is the reason all 3 left.

How in god's green earth is that on O'Shea? The reason they are leaving is because they were offered big money and we chose not to match it up. Being offered big money means you got played. I am now realizing you were probably being sarcastic.

Tbh, I get letting all 3 walk. I would’ve done the same. I only would’ve given lawler more when the cap went up. Those decisions look bad in hindsight, but they were rough over pays. Just like Fords over pay in edmonton looks bad now. 

I do agree all decisions reflect on the gm. Even if they were sound choices at the time.

The biggest damning decision by walters, is not going out and actually replacing those guys with quality. Even if you can’t replace all those spots with similar guys or better, pick one or two and spend to replace with an appropriate level free agent. Trade and recruit for the rest. Instead we ended up trying to fill all those and many other spots with just recruiting. Which failed miserably. (and the even worse quantity over quality fa spend on wrs) 

 Mos put us in a position where the recruits didn’t even get good development or chances to showcase. 

No one’s hands are clean. I think walters has the ability to be better going forward, I don’t have faith in mos to improve. Especially given his coaching staff choices. Aside from JY, it’s been too many bad replacements. 

[TBURGESS]

Whoever is coaching us next year is in for a pretty major overhaul. We only got the last playoff spot this year because the Elks started the wrong QB at the beginning of the year. Assuming Faj-jj is back, we're looking at 5th in the west next year with the current roster.

[Booch]

25 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Whoever is coaching us next year is in for a pretty major overhaul. We only got the last playoff spot this year because the Elks started the wrong QB at the beginning of the year. Assuming Faj-jj is back, we're looking at 5th in the west next year with the current roster.

yup...we definitely backed in....and was lucky we were able to

[bustamente]

[Noeller]

At TD MB right now... Kinda want th m to announce it in here to see the reaction...