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

[Booch]

21 minutes ago, CrazyCanuck89 said:

I wouldn't that, their has been a couple of centres that started their rookie season.  Nicastro, McEwan are two examples.

Goosen...Fortin...among others

21 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Neuf as the 6th ol would be an incredible luxury. I'd love to have him and Wallace fight for the 2nd guard spot, with the loser taking the 6th spot. Letting Wilson go makes a lot of sense.

Personally, I'd platoon the canadians at wil, and play woodbey at DHB. Woodbey is such an extraordinary outlier in his combination of size, athleticism, DB, and LBer skill sets. Playing him at half, and having him be the db in the run fit instead of Nichols would be such a miss match. Rolling out Shay, who is very similar in skill set at Wil, would take a big load off the shoulders off the Sam position as well.

We could have a full 3 guys at wil/mac/sam who can play the box like Lbers. Plus a DB in Woodbey. That would be a massive mismatch in the run game. Plus Allen, who is a down hill Safety. 

In the Cover game that would give us interchangeability at Wil and Sam without subbing, but if slid Woodbey to Mac, and brought in Griffin, we'd have the same kind of mismatch advantage. 

Allen, Woodbey, and Shay can give us the game-breaking versatility that we used to have with Biggie/BA/Kyrie. It would take us closer to being able to run the cutting-edge modular defenses we used to run. We'd just need more Inside/Out versatility on the DL. 

Woodbey should be our SAM and also an almost Jack at times off the edge of line....Griffin as well if resigned, tho not in a jack spot...Griffin and Nichols as the HB's as well would be ideal...and we get more physical with Woodbey and Griffin playing starter reps

Smith as well needs to be playing majority of reps at WIL and even in the role Woodbey had...

17 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I don't think going 3 imp on the OL will hurt us too much. 

Kramdi is gonna start as long as he's healthy. Then if you start Shay, and Lawson, plus Brady, 2 WRs, and 2 OL, that's 8. If we go with a DA who can replace Lawson some and pass rush with an all-in DL for 49% of snaps or less, we'd be in a great spot. 

 

5 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I suppose it depends on where we are at with NAT receiver but yea...we could do it fairly easily without a ton of impact.

correct guys....and this also has to go hand in hand with not predetermining and being rigis with ratio based on how we ran it before....just negates talent on roster from actually playing

19 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I don't think going 3 imp on the OL will hurt us too much. 

Kramdi is gonna start as long as he's healthy. Then if you start Shay, and Lawson, plus Brady, 2 WRs, and 2 OL, that's 8. If we go with a DA who can replace Lawson some and pass rush with an all-in DL for 49% of snaps or less, we'd be in a great spot. 

if camp shows Kramdi is not best player at SAM....does Osh start him anyway...cause thats Osh...And they have to justify his stupid salary?...Probably....and that right there makes us weaker on defence...

[GCn20]

18 minutes ago, Booch said:

Goosen...Fortin...among others

Woodbey should be our SAM and also an almost Jack at times off the edge of line....Griffin as well if resigned, tho not in a jack spot...Griffin and Nichols as the HB's as well would be ideal...and we get more physical with Woodbey and Griffin playing starter reps

Smith as well needs to be playing majority of reps at WIL and even in the role Woodbey had...

 

correct guys....and this also has to go hand in hand with not predetermining and being rigis with ratio based on how we ran it before....just negates talent on roster from actually playing

if camp shows Kramdi is not best player at SAM....does Osh start him anyway...cause thats Osh...And they have to justify his stupid salary?...Probably....and that right there makes us weaker on defence...

Kramdi is not nearly as bad as you make him out to be, but if someone is clearly better I like him at S. I know you don't care for him there, but I think he could be really good there with a little more time.

[Tracker]

22 minutes ago, Booch said:

Goosen...Fortin...among others

Woodbey should be our SAM and also an almost Jack at times off the edge of line....Griffin as well if resigned, tho not in a jack spot...Griffin and Nichols as the HB's as well would be ideal...and we get more physical with Woodbey and Griffin playing starter reps

Smith as well needs to be playing majority of reps at WIL and even in the role Woodbey had...

 

correct guys....and this also has to go hand in hand with not predetermining and being rigis with ratio based on how we ran it before....just negates talent on roster from actually playing

if camp shows Kramdi is not best player at SAM....does Osh start him anyway...cause thats Osh...And they have to justify his stupid salary?...Probably....and that right there makes us weaker on defence...

With Kolankowski gone and Thomas sorta gone, O'Shea will be dangerously low on pets, so Kramdi is golden.

[wbbfan]

57 minutes ago, Booch said:

Goosen...Fortin...among others

Woodbey should be our SAM and also an almost Jack at times off the edge of line....Griffin as well if resigned, tho not in a jack spot...Griffin and Nichols as the HB's as well would be ideal...and we get more physical with Woodbey and Griffin playing starter reps

Smith as well needs to be playing majority of reps at WIL and even in the role Woodbey had...

 

correct guys....and this also has to go hand in hand with not predetermining and being rigis with ratio based on how we ran it before....just negates talent on roster from actually playing

if camp shows Kramdi is not best player at SAM....does Osh start him anyway...cause thats Osh...And they have to justify his stupid salary?...Probably....and that right there makes us weaker on defence...

If Kramdi can walk, he will be starting im sure. 

37 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Kramdi is not nearly as bad as you make him out to be, but if someone is clearly better I like him at S. I know you don't care for him there, but I think he could be really good there with a little more time.

Allen showed some brilliant flashes at S, but I would love to flip-flop him and Kramdi. 

 

I don't love Kramdi + Holm, but as long as we don't fall in love with a really bad db out of camp, yet again, the secondary will be very good.

I think DL, and flipping the ratio at 1 lber spot is far more critical to the success of the D. 

Edited yesterday at 04:44 PM by wbbfan

[HardCoreBlue]

12 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

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Sergio Castillo recently posted this....

Blinkeye care wpg has taken care of me for the past 3 years, & recently teamed up with optometrists.mb.ca to gear me up these Armourx glasses!!

Comfortable, durable, maybe my wife thinks Im sexier

Should I wear these for the upcoming cfl season???

When SC hits wide left, the last photo here should go up on the jumbotron. Lol.

[Booch]

2 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Kramdi is not nearly as bad as you make him out to be, but if someone is clearly better I like him at S. I know you don't care for him there, but I think he could be really good there with a little more time.

I've actually said thats where I want him...traditional role safety...over top coverage and crashing down on run plays...nothing too exotic as he cant do it. He is bad covering...and gets lost in space too much to be a coverage guy, and at SAM where he has a lot of different responsibilities at prob one the most important spots on a CFL defence...so why play a guy who isnt the best you have and most skilled?  The apparent smarts only do so much for a player on the field when their limitations dont allow them to be elite...Same can be said with Jones....Too many holes to be used as your legit playmaker....but really good guy to have in a role and depth

 

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

If Kramdi can walk, he will be starting im sure. 

Allen showed some brilliant flashes at S, but I would love to flip-flop him and Kramdi. 

 

I don't love Kramdi + Holm, but as long as we don't fall in love with a really bad db out of camp, yet again, the secondary will be very good.

I think DL, and flipping the ratio at 1 lber spot is far more critical to the success of the D. 

He's an average DB but he is kinda multi usefull in a way...as he can work up close to the line...hence he should be a role player/super sub and paid accordingly...not at a top defender level and SAM is where you need one...and Was gonna say in the response above would love to see that flip flop

I also think Smith could handle SAM very effectively too if given the opportunity

Wonder with the big Kramdi deal...The Nichols resigning...If we were looking to move on from Holm?...Lotta scratch for those 3 that would be a bad allocation of cash...

 

would just like to add...I never said I dont want Kramdi on my team....Just not starting unless it is a dire emergency thing....and his price tag way out weighs his production/impact....valuable piece as depth and leadership and serving a role...

[bigg jay]

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/06/blue-bombers-sign-all-cfl-halfback-evan-holm-to-two-year-contract-extension

[Arnold_Palmer]

10 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/06/blue-bombers-sign-all-cfl-halfback-evan-holm-to-two-year-contract-extension

Great move! We’ve brought back all the right guys this off season.  

[17to85]

14 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/06/blue-bombers-sign-all-cfl-halfback-evan-holm-to-two-year-contract-extension

I love the timing of this post after booch questions if we're moving on from him.

[GCn20]

6 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

I love the timing of this post after booch questions if we're moving on from him.

Yea...sorry Booch going to pile on...that post didn't even get a chance to not age well. 

[bigg jay]

3 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Yea...sorry Booch going to pile on...that post didn't even get a chance to not age well. 

The part about it being a bad allocation of cash could still be correct.  Need to see some details first though.

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

I've actually said thats where I want him...traditional role safety...over top coverage and crashing down on run plays...nothing too exotic as he cant do it. He is bad covering...and gets lost in space too much to be a coverage guy, and at SAM where he has a lot of different responsibilities at prob one the most important spots on a CFL defence...so why play a guy who isnt the best you have and most skilled?  The apparent smarts only do so much for a player on the field when their limitations dont allow them to be elite...Same can be said with Jones....Too many holes to be used as your legit playmaker....but really good guy to have in a role and depth

 

He's an average DB but he is kinda multi usefull in a way...as he can work up close to the line...hence he should be a role player/super sub and paid accordingly...not at a top defender level and SAM is where you need one...and Was gonna say in the response above would love to see that flip flop

I also think Smith could handle SAM very effectively too if given the opportunity

Wonder with the big Kramdi deal...The Nichols resigning...If we were looking to move on from Holm?...Lotta scratch for those 3 that would be a bad allocation of cash...

 

would just like to add...I never said I dont want Kramdi on my team....Just not starting unless it is a dire emergency thing....and his price tag way out weighs his production/impact....valuable piece as depth and leadership and serving a role...

I like Kramdi at S because I think it plays to his one big strength, his closing speed. S is a role way more suited to his skill set and I think he could give QB fits if he can read the play well enough. His acceleration in a straight path is as good as it gets. Don't know if he can catch tho...lol.

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

The part about it being a bad allocation of cash could still be correct.  Need to see some details first though.

He is not bad allocation of cash. He is an all star DB. Someone else in the secondary might be bad allocation of cash but not Holm. He plays the toughest position in the secondary and is the best in the league at it.

Edited yesterday at 07:41 PM by GCn20

[Noeller]

Holm is outstanding... A worthy All Star recipient. Stoked to have him back. 

[Booch]

22 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

I love the timing of this post after booch questions if we're moving on from him.

YEAH...Good timing....but dont like how much money we have tied up now in 3 db's....2 of the 3 would have been more palapable but what ev's...Hope it doesnt mean we scimp on the dline now

 

17 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Yea...sorry Booch going to pile on...that post didn't even get a chance to not age well. 

I had heard they were taking and assumed he's be a more priority all thigs considered...and nobody piling on really...guy can play and hope he gets better...and learns how to tackle and be more physical

14 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

The part about it being a bad allocation of cash could still be correct.  Need to see some details first though.

I sure he got a bump...and if Kramdi got the bump he got at not being half the player...Holm +Nichols + Kramdi is gonna be way too much for a position group that should be your cheapest...and there should be no way Holm gets more than Nichols...and sure he got a bump....yikes

16 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I like Kramdi at S because I think it plays to his one big strength, his closing speed. S is a role way more suited to his skill set and I think he could give QB fits if he can read the play well enough. His acceleration in a straight path is as good as it gets. Don't know if he can catch tho...lol.

He is not bad allocation of cash. He is an all star DB. Someone else in the secondary might be bad allocation of cash but not Holm. He plays the toughest position in the secondary and is the best in the league at it.

Nichols plays the tougher spot....can be said actually SAM is the toughest and we have our worst guy cemented in there....Kramdi doesnt have elite closing speed...he is not fast by anymeans either...Holm does tho..Woodbey has explosive closing too...especially in tight spaces

The putting of Kramdi at safety eliminates any chances of him being manned up one on one....cause he is brutal in any type of coverage...best suitrd coming downhill 

[Arnold_Palmer]

24 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Yea...sorry Booch going to pile on...that post didn't even get a chance to not age well. 

I remember when Holm was one of Booch’s original whipping boys. 

[Booch]

Just now, Arnold_Palmer said:

I remember when Holm was one of Booch’s original whipping boys. 

he has grown on me....but not as much as some of you...we could do better....but he would be an elite cover safety and prob lead league in picks...and you'de never hear me complain about it

[17to85]

14 minutes ago, Booch said:

YEAH...Good timing....but dont like how much money we have tied up now in 3 db's....2 of the 3 would have been more palapable but what ev's...Hope it doesnt mean we scimp on the dline now

 

I don't necessarily disagree with the allocation of money argument, I just laughed that immediately after it's the re-signing post. Like the Bombers are just watching and going "**** this guy in particular "

13 minutes ago, Arnold_Palmer said:

I remember when Holm was one of Booch’s original whipping boys. 

[bigg jay]

30 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

He is not bad allocation of cash. He is an all star DB. Someone else in the secondary might be bad allocation of cash but not Holm. He plays the toughest position in the secondary and is the best in the league at it.

It wasn't about Holm specifically but the combination of bigger paydays to Holm, Kramdi & Nichols. 

[bearpants]

I agree that things are going well so far in the internal offseason.... All the re-signings have been good players... all the releases have been the right players... when it come to the old guys debate - Neufeld, Big Stan, Willie, and Wilson - I think Wilson should be the only obvious cut... the other three still have a place at the right price... some quality up-and-comers on D like Smith, Shay, Woodbey, Allen and a quality DL addition in FA would be the one big thing I'm hoping for..... we need that force in the middle we've been missing since Stove... 

[HardCoreBlue]

14 minutes ago, bearpants said:

I agree that things are going well so far in the internal offseason.... All the re-signings have been good players... all the releases have been the right players... when it come to the old guys debate - Neufeld, Big Stan, Willie, and Wilson - I think Wilson should be the only obvious cut... the other three still have a place at the right price... some quality up-and-comers on D like Smith, Shay, Woodbey, Allen and a quality DL addition in FA would be the one big thing I'm hoping for..... we need that force in the middle we've been missing since Stove... 

From a defensive line point of view we need to change what we expect from and how we use our dline. This change in DL scheme and expectations does not involve retaining WJ imo.

[captaincanuck12]

34 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

From a defensive line point of view we need to change what we expect from and how we use our dline. This change in DL scheme and expectations does not involve retaining WJ imo.

I think this is a big mistake to let him go.  Yes his play has declined.   But his leadership ability is something that cannot be easily replaced.   The losses of Bighill and Alexander were prime examples where the Bombers were sorely lacking.   I know WJ will want to play every snap, but maybe if they can convince him to start mentoring guys and groom his next replacement.   I'd welcome him back into the fold.   Same goes for Bryant. 

I'm glad there are some changes being made.  Love the Holm resigning .   He's very consistent and a quality person to boot,  And thank God we don't have to talk about Jake Thomas anymore.

 

Edited yesterday at 09:45 PM by captaincanuck12

[HardCoreBlue]

1 minute ago, captaincanuck12 said:

I think this is a big mistake to let him go.  Yes his play has declined.   But his leadership ability is something that cannot be easily replaced.   The losses of Bighill and Alexander were prime examples where the Bombers were sorely lacking.   I know WJ will want to play every snap, but maybe if they can convince him to start mentoring guys and groom his next replacement.   I'd welcome him back into the fold.   Same goes for Bryant. 

I'm glad there are some changes being made.  Love the Holm resigning .   He's very consistent and a quality person to boot,  And thank God we don't have to talk about Jake Thomas anymore.

 

I just think we need waaaay more from our Dline including our Defensive ends. Way more if we want to change the narrative to how we want to be known as a D coming into 2026.

[Booch]

24 minutes ago, captaincanuck12 said:

I think this is a big mistake to let him go.  Yes his play has declined.   But his leadership ability is something that cannot be easily replaced.   The losses of Bighill and Alexander were prime examples where the Bombers were sorely lacking.   I know WJ will want to play every snap, but maybe if they can convince him to start mentoring guys and groom his next replacement.   I'd welcome him back into the fold.   Same goes for Bryant. 

I'm glad there are some changes being made.  Love the Holm resigning .   He's very consistent and a quality person to boot,  And thank God we don't have to talk about Jake Thomas anymore.

 

Yup...We need the veteran and a guy who can still play in a nice rotational role....I dint think he has declined to the point of uselessness and over pay...and heck...we do that ad nauseum here so anyway....so why stop

I wanna see him perform outside the stupidity that they had him playing last yr to determine the value....of he looks cooked in camp...surprise cut or trade

Nichols...WJ...Lawson...Holm...Kramdi is a good core group to build around with youth, guess you can toss T .Jones in there as well so so 6 2nd/3rd yr guys and rookies to that mix will be an esy transition

The ability to field 4...5 imports with Lawson and Bailey on the dline with the fact we should be able to have one of or more of Kramdi....Shay...Smith and hopefully Makonzo at any given time will have us light yrs away from last few yrs with slugs like Thomas...Korn...Gauthier...Scmeck (tho he has a role now)....Hallett flailing at ball carriers 

[JuranBoldenRules]

1 hour ago, captaincanuck12 said:

I think this is a big mistake to let him go.  Yes his play has declined.   But his leadership ability is something that cannot be easily replaced.   The losses of Bighill and Alexander were prime examples where the Bombers were sorely lacking.   I know WJ will want to play every snap, but maybe if they can convince him to start mentoring guys and groom his next replacement.   I'd welcome him back into the fold.   Same goes for Bryant. 

I'm glad there are some changes being made.  Love the Holm resigning .   He's very consistent and a quality person to boot,  And thank God we don't have to talk about Jake Thomas anymore.

 

One of the reasons this team is declining is because they've expected leadership from someone like Jefferson.

He's among the most likely to quit on plays or take stupid penalties.  If that's who we're looking at to lead we're ****** from Jump Street.

You can live with a guy like this who makes game changing plays out of a rotational role, when he's been impactful.  But you can't expect him to be the voice and the example.

Edited yesterday at 11:09 PM by JuranBoldenRules

[SpeedFlex27]

1 hour ago, HardCoreBlue said:

I just think we need waaaay more from our Dline including our Defensive ends. Way more if we want to change the narrative to how we want to be known as a D coming into 2026.

Our interior is more of a problem than our D Ends. if we had two guys who could push inside controlling the run & pressuring the passer I;m sure our Ends play would improve greatly. Instead we had this Cheeto defense witha 3 man front featured with jake Thomas. He's gone now sort of. I have hope they actually want to see an improvement.