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

[rebusrankin]

I know its early but any guys that we should be hoping for in the draft?

Tangent but sort of related, the U of M had 5 Canada West All Stars this year. Any of those kids legit future prospects?

[Noeller]

I'm more curious about who's available in FA that we should be looking to spend on...

[sweep the leg]

5 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I'm more curious about who's available in FA that we should be looking to spend on...

It’s hard to get too excited about anybody until closer to the date when we know who’ll be available. With all the one year deals, there are lots of good players that are potentially available.

[CrazyCanuck89]

28 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I'm more curious about who's available in FA that we should be looking to spend on...

Draft is just as important.

Alford

Veresek

White

Saad

Shanks

Fortin

Findlay

Ambers

All got starts this year.  The Bomber's need to get Smith and Shay on the field.  Plenty of goid guards this upcoming draft.

[SpeedFlex27]

11 hours ago, Noeller said:

I'm more curious about who's available in FA that we should be looking to spend on...

"Free agency? Don't talk to me about free agents. You kidding me??? We'll be lucky to sign our own guys before they leave. I just hope we can sign Thomas."

Edited 4 hours ago by SpeedFlex27

[SpeedFlex27]

11 hours ago, CrazyCanuck89 said:

Draft is just as important.

Alford

Veresek

White

Saad

Shanks

Fortin

Findlay

Ambers

All got starts this year.  The Bomber's need to get Smith and Shay on the field.  Plenty of goid guards this upcoming draft.

A lot of players leave here after their first contract. We refuse to pay. We spend money instead on retreads like Thomas & Kolokowski. The Canadian Mafia faves. 

Edited 3 hours ago by SpeedFlex27

[blue85gold]

1 hour ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

A lot of players leave here after their first contract. We refuse to pay. We spend money instead on retreads like Thomas & Kolokowski. The Canadian Mafia faves. 

Like who? Ford and Dobson? 

Ford signed for stupid money.

Dobson would have been nice to keep but he got a huge raise. 

Can't pay everyone to be the top at their position.

[bigg jay]

58 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

A lot of players leave here after their first contract. We refuse to pay. We spend money instead on retreads like Thomas & Kolokowski. The Canadian Mafia faves. 

The record book says that's not entirely true, at least as far as drafted players go. 

6 guys have played out their rookie deals and left as a FA in the last 10 years: Ford, Dobson, BOLO, Desjarlais, Kongbo & Loeffler.

9 guys have stayed past their rookie deal: Kramdi, Cadwallader, Brady, Eli, Nick Hallett, Gray, Couture, Gauthier, Chung. 

There have been guys who may have been around longer but were forced to retire due to injuries (ex: Noah Hallett, Trent Corney).  More concerning was the amount of busts we've had over that time - i get the CFL draft is a crap shoot but man is it ugly.

  

[GCn20]

16 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Funny that we've reached the point in the cycle where MOS just doesn't love his Canadians enough, or in the right way.

Sure we could find receipts about how people felt about giving Jesse Briggs reps at WIL, having Kramdi take a breath on a CFL field at all.

**** almost wish he went to Toronto so we could get our board back.

That has been a revelation to me as well. From starting and using too many NATs to we never game them a chance all in the span of a month. My head is spinning.

[Bigblue204]

23 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

The record book says that's not entirely true, at least as far as drafted players go. 

6 guys have played out their rookie deals and left as a FA in the last 10 years: Ford, Dobson, BOLO, Desjarlais, Kongbo & Loeffler.

9 guys have stayed past their rookie deal: Kramdi, Cadwallader, Brady, Eli, Nick Hallett, Gray, Couture, Gauthier, Chung. 

There have been guys who may have been around longer but were forced to retire due to injuries (ex: Noah Hallett, Trent Corney).  More concerning was the amount of busts we've had over that time - i get the CFL draft is a crap shoot but man is it ugly.

  

I could be wrong, but I swear Bolo signed with the Bombers again after his rookie deal was done. Either way, stop using facts in your arguments. Ok. MOS is horrible. And Walters is a fool and no one knows what is going on with this team. 

[GCn20]

2 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

A lot of players leave here after their first contract. We refuse to pay. We spend money instead on retreads like Thomas & Kolokowski. The Canadian Mafia faves. 

Name the players who have left here after their first contract? I'm not arguing, just can't think of too many. Dobson? Was he first or 2nd contract? I agree that we have lost some very key players over the past several years to money tho. Our SMS may need a little reconfiguring for sure. I mean Thomas and Kolanowski aren't big budget items so the example is a little poor. However, we have allocated some heavy salary to BO, ZC, and WJ that might have been money better spent elsewhere.

[Booch]

On 2025-11-17 at 9:57 AM, GCn20 said:

Our receiving corps was as weak an any of the crap groups I can remember over the past 40 years. It really can't be overstated how much help we need there. With all due respect to Nic Demski he should not be a 1 receiver.

We need to slap the guys who recruit and/or sign them. 

100%...I'd say one of the weakest league wide in some time...not just here...was almost embarrassing to be honest, and add to that a OC who couldnt put a game plan together to beat a Prep School team in Texas or Cali...well we saw the results...

22 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

I don't know if Ajou Ajou is a FA this year or not. But he would look real good in Bue and Gold. Really like his style of play and I think with a bit more experience can turn into a really good slot rec.

he's definately give us a player on the all douchewhistle team tho...but other than that...i dunno...not polished....or good route runner...suspect hands...but good coaching could correct that...So uness we can OC Guy we better sign polished pros with many yrs under their belt

21 hours ago, GCn20 said:

You can put it on Osh if you like, but the conversation is about NAT players. Who are the stud NATs we haven't been playing? For crissakes, if there were any and I mean ANY stud NATs sitting on our depth chart does anyone here honestly believe OSH wouldn't play them? The guy would start 24 NATs if he could.

He was nicked up. He could've played but Osh decided to sit him. Isn't that what you criticized him ad nauseum for not doing before? Pick a lane. 

wasnt that knicked up...and Osh plays guys who shouldnt even dress...let alone be a back-up...so dont buy that crap cause he coud have flipped ratio and played an Imp....but nope...he's a moron

21 hours ago, GCn20 said:

It is a tiny sample size in what was an exhibition game. Further to that, he wasn't high end by any stretch of the imagination. However, he did show nicely for a rookie. Who would you have taken out to put him in? What makes you believe he constituted any kind of upgrade? That's what we are talking about here. He was rostered all season, so what we are talking about is starting reps. I didn't see anything that led me to believe he deserved starting reps all season.

so explain the playingof sub par guys...for yrs now in "real" games and not sitting...bemching...cutting them for far more than less than adequate play?....exhibition or not...tc..reg sesson...Of a player shows ability, then reps and a chance to grow is a nobrainer...and that was hardly an exhibition game....and you think the Al's were playing to lose?...no player regardless of the game implications wants to suck ass and lose...and if they are...then shouldnt be on a pro roster...thats just nonesense

21 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

So given the Coaching Cap, we're stuck with them if things go bad, correct? Again, Wade should have given them one year deals.

Its a tiny sample size but given how he played in the last regular season game, Smith should have been getting reps on D all year.

thing with rookies...you dont know until you know...if you are real good evaluator of talent (which some of our coaches...or coach isnt) then ya you can see the possible benefit/upside, but if never given a chance...you will never know...and rarely develop talent...especially national

And why our depth sucks, and we seem to be lacking any impact players...wesuck at developing and transitioning cause Osh stagnates it and values some intabgibles over talent and upside..being here many yrs, or being a vet doesnt always mean "better"....only in Osh's world

[GCn20]

29 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

The record book says that's not entirely true, at least as far as drafted players go. 

6 guys have played out their rookie deals and left as a FA in the last 10 years: Ford, Dobson, BOLO, Desjarlais, Kongbo & Loeffler.

9 guys have stayed past their rookie deal: Kramdi, Cadwallader, Brady, Eli, Nick Hallett, Gray, Couture, Gauthier, Chung. 

There have been guys who may have been around longer but were forced to retire due to injuries (ex: Noah Hallett, Trent Corney).  More concerning was the amount of busts we've had over that time - i get the CFL draft is a crap shoot but man is it ugly.

  

I am not sure he was entirely talking about NATs, although, the Bombers have been VERY good at retaining our top talent IMPs so I can't imagine that's what he meant. We have let a lot of IMP guys walk after their rookie contracts expire but I am yet to see a single one of them make a difference elsewhere. Fact of the matter is that NAT draft pick retention is always going to be a little more difficult because they had no choice where they were going to play to start with. You are always going to lose some after their rookie contract. However, its a GMs job to present them with a number that will make them stay. Ford there was no way he was staying, but over the years we have let some very good NATs walk in FA because we didn't want to pay.

[GCn20]

21 minutes ago, Booch said:

100%...I'd say one of the weakest league wide in some time...not just here...was almost embarrassing to be honest, and add to that a OC who couldnt put a game plan together to beat a Prep School team in Texas or Cali...well we saw the results...

he's definately give us a player on the all douchewhistle team tho...but other than that...i dunno...not polished....or good route runner...suspect hands...but good coaching could correct that...So uness we can OC Guy we better sign polished pros with many yrs under their belt

wasnt that knicked up...and Osh plays guys who shouldnt even dress...let alone be a back-up...so dont buy that crap cause he coud have flipped ratio and played an Imp....but nope...he's a moron

so explain the playingof sub par guys...for yrs now in "real" games and not sitting...bemching...cutting them for far more than less than adequate play?....exhibition or not...tc..reg sesson...Of a player shows ability, then reps and a chance to grow is a nobrainer...and that was hardly an exhibition game....and you think the Al's were playing to lose?...no player regardless of the game implications wants to suck ass and lose...and if they are...then shouldnt be on a pro roster...thats just nonesense

thing with rookies...you dont know until you know...if you are real good evaluator of talent (which some of our coaches...or coach isnt) then ya you can see the possible benefit/upside, but if never given a chance...you will never know...and rarely develop talent...especially national

And why our depth sucks, and we seem to be lacking any impact players...wesuck at developing and transitioning cause Osh stagnates it and values some intabgibles over talent and upside..being here many yrs, or being a vet doesnt always mean "better"....only in Osh's world

I agree that in years past we had ample opportunity to be better at giving young guys playing time. We cruised for many years easily winning our division. Could have still done so and played the youngsters more.

However, I find this argument to be completely without merit this year. This year we struggled early and were fighting for a playoff spot right to the last week. We couldn't roll the dice on rookies or we may have missed the playoffs in a GC hosting year. We've heard lots about Smith/Shay not playing. Haven't heard much about anyone else. Our LBers actually played well this year. We should have sat them and played rookies in a year where one more loss and we are out of the playoffs? C'mon. That's not a valid thought process. In the past, yes, this year nope.

Whether you like it or not the ALs game was an exhibition game. Both teams sat a great deal of starters. Did both teams play to win? Certainly. Was the talent level of those competing the highest level. Nope.

I think the Bombers have done a real good job developing NAT talent. Not sure what you are seeing that suggests otherwise? Some hit and some miss, and none of it was due to playing time or lack thereof. Who are these NAT talents that we failed to develop and went somewhere else and found success? Name one.

We've seen a few fringe NAT guys leave after their first contract due to playing time, but these aren't difference maker players. The other guys we've lost it's been solely about the benjamins. We wouldn't pay them what others were willing to do so. This fabrication that we lose good NATs for lack of playing time in year one is nonsense.  Playing time in year one literally doesn't hurt their CFL careers whatsoever. They sign 3 year deals at a stipulated salary. Years 2 and 3 are where they need to be playing and we have been very good about getting anyone who is starting quality their playing time by the time they hit FA.  Dobson and Ford for instance, our big FA losses last year barely saw the field in their rookie years. They still parlayed their successful first contracts into big money second contracts.

Edited 58 minutes ago by GCn20

[bigg jay]

15 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

I know its early but any guys that we should be hoping for in the draft?

Tangent but sort of related, the U of M had 5 Canada West All Stars this year. Any of those kids legit future prospects?

A couple Winnipeggers made the Fall top prospects list so I'm trying to keep an eye on them so we'll see where the rank with the winter & spring lists come out. 

Giordano Vaccaro (OL for Purdue, after playing for the Bisons the last few years) was listed at #11 while Trae Tomlinson (DB for Louisiana) cracked the list at #20.

Mesidor takes hold of top spot in fall edition of CFL Scouting Bureau - CFL.ca

5 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I think the Bombers have done a real good job developing NAT talent. Not sure what you are seeing that suggests otherwise? Some hit and some miss, and none of it was due to playing time or lack thereof. Who are these NAT talents that we failed to develop and went somewhere else and found success? Name one.

Patrice Rene is one I would have liked them to have held on to.  Yeah he was hurt while he was here (and that was the knock on him in college) but we cut bait with him after seeing him in one game.  He's since played 51 games over the last 3 years for BC.

[Booch]

21 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Both walters and mos have been working off 1 years for a while. 

No coach/gm on a team consistently trending soo sharply down and fell backwards into the last play off spot gets a 3 year deal in the cfl. 

Yeah, we are cooked if they don’t turn it around fast. 

This is brutal. 

January will be very telling in who we consider "priority" signings and how long we take to solve the OC issue...the longer we drag thatbout...the more concerning it is as it means any potential upgrade is hesitant in signing on here...and rightfully so, or they are re-uping OC guy....so fairly soon it will be apparent if it more of the same ol ame ol downward spiral, or a true shift...and if some of the usual suspects are re-signed early, and some the others not outright released prior to free agency we are hooped

We will have to eat 3 yrs and probably wallow around in the abyss...or can Osh mid-season or after the next flop seson and eat that contract and hand-cuff ourselves, and prob do the ol promote from within...not a very confidence inducing time by any stretch right now....

21 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

The one thing I really can’t believe on O is how far they’ve got from recruiting/signing the types of players that succeed with Zach.  I honestly DGAF about what any OC wants for personnel past the QB.  You have to build around the QB in any league.

Ideally for Zach you have a lanky, physical boundary WR, a Fantuz/Schoen type slot just big target pure route runner with excellent skills on scramble rules, a slot like a Tasker or Sterns quick inside leverage target zone killer, your field WR is just a big slab of receiver who can win stick and dagger be reliable, and your 5th guy is a playmaker like a Demski.

We have like 2.5 of those things depending on if Clercius learns how to win an inside break and if Schoen is healthy.

All of it really relies on that boundary WR though because if teams have to worry about that guy you open up so much space in the middle of the field.

Schoen wont be seen until the very late stages of 2026...if at all....and even then he should just sit it all out a try a "comeback" in 2027...He should not even be considered an option for 2026 and If HC and G.M intend that as a signing...both should be sent packing now

20 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Well don't let a little thing like facts get in the way of your BOLO rant. He wasn't competing for reps against Clercius or Corcoran. If he was you might have a point but he wasn't so your point is ridiculous. BOLO had to unseat a still in his prime Wolitarsky or Nic Demski. He could do neither because he wasn't good enough. He was given ample reps to demonstrate his potential. FULL STOP. The fact he has gone elsewhere and been just as ineffective proves that. I mean good gravy you say I have my head up my arse defending OSH, but that's not true, I just would like for a single one of the examples used against him to make a lick of sense. Is that too much to ask? 

FACT:

In 2022, BOLO had more targets with Winnipeg than his first year in Hamilton and almost as much as this year. He put up a whopping 233 yards for those targets. 

FACT: 

In the two years since leaving here he has averaged 335 yards per season seeing almost full time receiving duty. 

Yea, he's the one that got away all right. Answer me this, which of our old vets in Wolitarsky or Demski would you have sat down for that outstanding level of production? Or are you suggesting we should have flipped an IMP receiving spot to NAT and sat down one of Lawler/Schoen/Bailey?

I mean seriously look at that receiving corps. BOLO didn't stand a chance of making that roster as a starter because it was an elite receiving crew....but hey MOS is the bad guy for dressing his best receivers I guess. 

If it sounds like I'm mocking your example, I am. You could have picked from so many and you chose literally the one guy that we MOS did give chances too and didn't seize the opportunity.

Fact...2023 Grey cup Schoen couldnt run and hadnt practiced in months and wasnt ready to play and even said was shocked to be on roster...Bailey could barely move due to a hammy...Demski couldt run or cut worth **** with an ankle....zero explosion, and Bolo was 100 percent healthy...took zero snaps as our offence got smothered....also of note we had an experienced vet in Ambles....who had been here for weeks...won a Grey Cup against us the previous yr , and was a solid receiver and Osh opted to not dress hi for any of the other 3.....so saying Osh is a pisspoor roster curator isnt a stretch...Thats just one season's example....this has gone on pretty much for all his seasons

19 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Again...who are the guys who left town only to have enormous success after being "held back" here. Name just one. That was the claim being made. Could we split hairs on whether a guy like Rosary should have gotten more reps....I suppose....but he was a fringe talent then and would be a fringe guy now if he stuck. I mean really we are clamoring for MOS to play guys with very little upside in their game. BTW, Corcoran played because Clercius was a little knicked up.

Could we have gotten more reps for Shay/Smith? Maybe. However, our record wasn't very conducive to rolling the dice with unproven rookies.

maybe Osh needs tohave a better eye for talent in camp as to who to keep?....hmmmmm...possible

19 hours ago, bigg jay said:

Nobody is talking about starting reps.  He could have easily been a depth guy who rotated in occasionally and gained valuable reps without being in the starting line-up.  He was rostered but didn't see the field on teams afaik - all he did was teams.

They can acknowledge that he won't be back without throwing him under the bus though.  All they have to say is this year wasn't good enough and there will be changes to the coaching staff - people can read between the lines from there.

only way you get better....and progress...is with game reps in the CFL...Not in practice....not running up and down field on teams...you need to be integrated to see if player is one to move forward with...or move on from

We are worst inleague inder Osh in doing that...and why we have zero depth

 

18 hours ago, Noeller said:

I always have faith... I'm excited to hear the pressers later this week. Nobody will get thrown under the bus but we'll be able to read between the lines...

maybe some people need to be thrown under bus or called out to actually get them to smarten up....if they dont like it...they in the wrong business

 

[GCn20]

14 minutes ago, Booch said:

January will be very telling in who we consider "priority" signings and how long we take to solve the OC issue...the longer we drag thatbout...the more concerning it is as it means any potential upgrade is hesitant in signing on here...and rightfully so, or they are re-uping OC guy....so fairly soon it will be apparent if it more of the same ol ame ol downward spiral, or a true shift...and if some of the usual suspects are re-signed early, and some the others not outright released prior to free agency we are hooped

We will have to eat 3 yrs and probably wallow around in the abyss...or can Osh mid-season or after the next flop seson and eat that contract and hand-cuff ourselves, and prob do the ol promote from within...not a very confidence inducing time by any stretch right now....

Schoen wont be seen until the very late stages of 2026...if at all....and even then he should just sit it all out a try a "comeback" in 2027...He should not even be considered an option for 2026 and If HC and G.M intend that as a signing...both should be sent packing now

Fact...2023 Grey cup Schoen couldnt run and hadnt practiced in months and wasnt ready to play and even said was shocked to be on roster...Bailey could barely move due to a hammy...Demski couldt run or cut worth **** with an ankle....zero explosion, and Bolo was 100 percent healthy...took zero snaps as our offence got smothered....also of note we had an experienced vet in Ambles....who had been here for weeks...won a Grey Cup against us the previous yr , and was a solid receiver and Osh opted to not dress hi for any of the other 3.....so saying Osh is a pisspoor roster curator isnt a stretch...Thats just one season's example....this has gone on pretty much for all his seasons

maybe Osh needs tohave a better eye for talent in camp as to who to keep?....hmmmmm...possible

only way you get better....and progress...is with game reps in the CFL...Not in practice....not running up and down field on teams...you need to be integrated to see if player is one to move forward with...or move on from

We are worst inleague inder Osh in doing that...and why we have zero depth

 

You keep saying that Osh needs to have a better eye for talent in camp. This league is small and opposing GMs are very aware and have scouted many of the same players we have. I cannot think of a single player we cut in camp that went on to be anything in this league. Teams are signing other teams cuts all the time. Our cuts have done exactly zero anywhere. That leads me to believe that it isn;t Osh's eye for talent that is the problem, it is our recruiters. If we were cutting studs some at least would turn up somewhere else. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE ZERO DEPTH.  

Over a 3 year span with Rigmaiden our scouting suddenly ratcheted up and we were a very deep club. He left it went back to poop again. We aren't bringing in enough talent at every position group. PERIOD. The only place we seem to be having some real good fortune is at DB.

I am on record many times saying coaching lost us that Grey Cup, both roster composition but especially game plan. However, that was not the discussion whatsoever. Telling me how a carburetor works when we are talking about mufflers doesn't add anything. We all know what MOS weaknesses are. Where we disagree is how that impacts our talent level. Like I've stated, name one good player who left town because of roster composition.

Look, I stated last week that I thought we should clean house. I am not defending OSH. What I am trying to point out is that anyone thinking we had a roster that could legit compete for a Grey Cup last year is smoking crack. We NEED more talent, and to be clear we also need our coach to use it properly, I think that's a pretty fair statement.

Edited 43 minutes ago by GCn20

[Booch]

1 hour ago, blue85gold said:

Like who? Ford and Dobson? 

Ford signed for stupid money.

Dobson would have been nice to keep but he got a huge raise. 

Can't pay everyone to be the top at their position.

Dobson got market value for 2nd yr deal for a Canadian Olineman....we could have easily kept him....Just look at what the the Human Ole' machine at center makes....drop his money...give it to Dobson....Same with what Thomas pulls in for his 18 games...prob top 3 in snaps on the dline for a grand total of 9 tackles...thats his stat line...18 games...9 tackles.....wow.....

 

21 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I agree that in years past we had ample opportunity to be better at giving young guys playing time. We cruised for many years easily winning our division. Could have still done so and played the youngsters more.

However, I find this argument to be completely without merit this year. This year we struggled early and were fighting for a playoff spot right to the last week. We couldn't roll the dice on rookies or we may have missed the playoffs in a GC hosting year. We've heard lots about Smith/Shay not playing. Haven't heard much about anyone else. Our LBers actually played well this year. We should have sat them and played rookies in a year where one more loss and we are out of the playoffs? C'mon. That's not a valid thought process. In the past, yes, this year nope.

Whether you like it or not the ALs game was an exhibition game. Both teams sat a great deal of starters. Did both teams play to win? Certainly. Was the talent level of those competing the highest level. Nope.

I think the Bombers have done a real good job developing NAT talent. Not sure what you are seeing that suggests otherwise? Some hit and some miss, and none of it was due to playing time or lack thereof. Who are these NAT talents that we failed to develop and went somewhere else and found success? Name one.

We've seen a few fringe NAT guys leave after their first contract due to playing time, but these aren't difference maker players. The other guys we've lost it's been solely about the benjamins. We wouldn't pay them what others were willing to do so. This fabrication that we lose good NATs for lack of playing time in year one is nonsense.  Playing time in year one literally doesn't hurt their CFL careers whatsoever. They sign 3 year deals at a stipulated salary. Years 2 and 3 are where they need to be playing and we have been very good about getting anyone who is starting quality their playing time by the time they hit FA.  Dobson and Ford for instance, our big FA losses last year barely saw the field in their rookie years. They still parlayed their successful first contracts into big money second contracts.

lot of our early struggles tho I think can be placed at the feet of another subpar and poorly crafted TC...again......Even some vets said it was an issue

I just want t see real competition in camp...No Job is guaranteed/penciled in....no guys getting zero TC participation yet start Game 1.....You show best in camp...you get the spot....regardless of where you from...how long you been here....or in league....plain and simple...roll that unit out game 1-3 and if they gettin er done...keep on rolling, and players keep their spot with performance, or you lose your job.

That's the world I came from and am still in with the football I'm still involved with

Can Osh facilitate that?...thats the big question...Have my doubts until he shows that

 

21 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

A couple Winnipeggers made the Fall top prospects list so I'm trying to keep an eye on them so we'll see where the rank with the winter & spring lists come out. 

Giordano Vaccaro (OL for Purdue, after playing for the Bisons the last few years) was listed at #11 while Trae Tomlinson (DB for Louisiana) cracked the list at #20.

Mesidor takes hold of top spot in fall edition of CFL Scouting Bureau - CFL.ca

Patrice Rene is one I would have liked them to have held on to.  Yeah he was hurt while he was here (and that was the knock on him in college) but we cut bait with him after seeing him in one game.  He's since played 51 games over the last 3 years for BC.

and a top ST player too league wide...that alone should have gave ol Osh a stiffer

 

10 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

You keep saying that Osh needs to have a better eye for talent in camp. This league is small and opposing GMs are very aware and have scouted many of the same players we have. I cannot think of a single player we cut in camp that went on to be anything in this league. Teams are signing other teams cuts all the time. Our cuts have done exactly zero anywhere. That leads me to believe that it isn;t Osh's eye for talent that is the problem, it is our recruiters. If we were cutting studs some at least would turn up somewhere else. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE ZERO DEPTH.  

Over a 3 year span with Rigmaiden our scouting suddenly ratcheted up and we were a very deep club. He left it went back to poop again. We aren't bringing in enough talent at every position group. PERIOD. The only place we seem to be having some real good fortune is at DB.

I am on record many times saying coaching lost us that Grey Cup, both roster composition but especially game plan. However, that was not the discussion whatsoever. Telling me how a carburetor works when we are talking about mufflers doesn't add anything. We all know what MOS weaknesses are. Where we disagree is how that impacts our talent level. Like I've stated, name one good player who left town because of roster composition.

Look, I stated last week that I thought we should clean house. I am not defending OSH. What I am trying to point out is that anyone thinking we had a roster that could legit compete for a Grey Cup last year is smoking crack. We NEED more talent, and to be clear we also need our coach to use it properly, I think that's a pretty fair statement.

I talking eye for talent on his roster he choose

But also other teams have their own pipeline they will exhaust first before scraps from elsewhere...plus it's a slap in the face of your scouting department too, to bypass their workfor other teams cuts...good way tolose staff

[GCn20]

6 minutes ago, Booch said:

Dobson got market value for 2nd yr deal for a Canadian Olineman....we could have easily kept him....Just look at what the the Human Ole' machine at center makes....drop his money...give it to Dobson....Same with what Thomas pulls in for his 18 games...prob top 3 in snaps on the dline for a grand total of 9 tackles...thats his stat line...18 games...9 tackles.....wow.....

 

lot of our early struggles tho I think can be placed at the feet of another subpar and poorly crafted TC...again......Even some vets said it was an issue

I just want t see real competition in camp...No Job is guaranteed/penciled in....no guys getting zero TC participation yet start Game 1.....You show best in camp...you get the spot....regardless of where you from...how long you been here....or in league....plain and simple...roll that unit out game 1-3 and if they gettin er done...keep on rolling, and players keep their spot with performance, or you lose your job.

That's the world I came from and am still in with the football I'm still involved with

Can Osh facilitate that?...thats the big question...Have my doubts until he shows that

 

and a top ST player too league wide...that alone should have gave ol Osh a stiffer

 

I absolutely agree and Dobson even stated he gave Walters a chance to match. That was a mistake. It wasn't as big at the time he made it, but I think our franchise can ill afford another offseason of talent bleed off like last year.  Losing 4 all stars in one season, all of whom wanted to return, is piss poor GMing.

I completely agree with you about how we craft our TC's. Not working. Needs a revamp. I am hoping that Miller's retention of Walters/OSH came with some directives about changing up some of their flaws. If not....this year really is on Miller. I am still of the firm belief that at the very least Walters should have been fired, and OSH if necessary to appease a new GM. The mafia isn't working right now and I think Miller is a pretty savvy guy and has given some new ways forward to the management/coaching. If not, whatever they do this year could have been prevented.

Edited 34 minutes ago by GCn20

[Booch]

8 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I absolutely agree and Dobson even stated he gave Walters a chance to match. That was a mistake. It wasn't as big at the time he made it, but I think our franchise can ill afford another offseason of talent bleed off like last year.  Losing 4 all stars in one season, all of whom wanted to return, is piss poor GMing.

I completely agree with you about how we craft our TC's. Not working. Needs a revamp. I am hoping that Miller's retention of Walters/OSH came with some directives about changing up some of their flaws. If not....this year really is on Miller. I am still of the firm belief that at the very least Walters should have been fired, and OSH if necessary to appease a new GM. The mafia isn't working right now and I think Miller is a pretty savvy guy and has given some new ways forward to the management/coaching. If not, whatever they do this year could have been prevented.

If we have to overspend the cap to quick fix...then we better

I'm shocked Miller was all fine with re-upping both...But that being said, maybe he tore them both a new anus and said this is your one yr to fix this before it really spirals

I truly dont think we that far off from reclaiming top spot...Just need to go into 2026 with open mind and new purpose and if that means flipping ratio around...tossing some guys to the curb, and actually being a big player in FA ...so be it

But if we go into this season as we have....same template...basically same cast of character's...Then Miller should be getting the wrath of our frustration ....I very curious as to what December brings with re-signs with any left over 2025 money that might be there...that will be a good indicator, and maybe an announcement very early on withwho we moving on from and whatour staff is gonna look like

[Bigblue204]

54 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

A couple Winnipeggers made the Fall top prospects list so I'm trying to keep an eye on them so we'll see where the rank with the winter & spring lists come out. 

Giordano Vaccaro (OL for Purdue, after playing for the Bisons the last few years) was listed at #11 while Trae Tomlinson (DB for Louisiana) cracked the list at #20.

Mesidor takes hold of top spot in fall edition of CFL Scouting Bureau - CFL.ca

Patrice Rene is one I would have liked them to have held on to.  Yeah he was hurt while he was here (and that was the knock on him in college) but we cut bait with him after seeing him in one game.  He's since played 51 games over the last 3 years for BC.

I was wondering when Vaccaro would be eligible for the draft. He was named the best OL in the league (or country) before leaving the Bisons for Purdue. Would be a perfect guy to bring back. Wonder if he gets any NFL interest?