25/26 CFL (Non Bombers) Off Season Thread

[TBURGESS]

Wow, people would actually pick Crum? Based on Crum-backs a few years ago, I guess. 

Give Ford an offence suited to his abilities (2 reads & run or ride and decide) & don't try to turn him into a pocket passer. Let him do what he does well and reduce the number of dropbacks and reads he has to do. He would be at least as successful as Streveler, although that's a pretty low bar. 

[M.O.A.B.]

3 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

Tre Ford & it's not even close.

I'm with TBurg.

[SpeedFlex27]

1 hour ago, Tracker said:

The reality is that Demski has a lot more days behind him than in front of him and he is getting dinged more often and needs longer and longer times to rebound. Tre Ford ought to be a natural replacement.

Ford has never played receiver. He's a natural running back. His stature fits a running back,. Not a receiver. 

37 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Wow, people would actually pick Crum? Based on Crum-backs a few years ago, I guess. 

Give Ford an offence suited to his abilities (2 reads & run or ride and decide) & don't try to turn him into a pocket passer. Let him do what he does well and reduce the number of dropbacks and reads he has to do. He would be at least as successful as Streveler, although that's a pretty low bar. 

Crum isn't a starter but he has improved a lot since he got to Ottawa a few years back. We'd have won more games with Crum than Streveler. Certainly the passing game would have been better. 

4 hours ago, Pete said:

I like Ford he has more tools than Streveler ever did. Im just not sure we can afford the salary

And yes I think he could be qb2 just needs some proper  coaching

He'll never be a starter but he will be a coach killer. 

4 hours ago, GCn20 said:

I don't think coaching will help him much. He's just not a particularly good passer.

I like your comment as I agree but I just can't press like when Noeller already has. I'd feel so dirty. 

[SpeedFlex27]

5 hours ago, GCn20 said:

As a QB he serves no purpose to any team right now. One could argue 3rd string, but I'd rather have a guy who hasn't washed out at that position.

Agreed. 

[GCn20]

I like Crum but wouldn't want him either. If Powell were to shake loose tho.

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

Wow, people would actually pick Crum? Based on Crum-backs a few years ago, I guess. 

Give Ford an offence suited to his abilities (2 reads & run or ride and decide) & don't try to turn him into a pocket passer. Let him do what he does well and reduce the number of dropbacks and reads he has to do. He would be at least as successful as Streveler, although that's a pretty low bar. 

I don’t think many people here consider ford a legitimate qb. We’ve seen him handed a team several times in multiple situations with talent around him and he just floundered. 

 I don’t think you give up on that guy entirely, But I think he needs to provide strong value and hedge his roster spot vs an american. It’s not hard at all to find a comparable running talent at qb to ford down south. 

5200 yards, 16 tds 16 ints 3 years 53 games 7.8 ypa 

4651 yards, 29 TDS 19 ints, 4 years 60 games 8.7 ypa

Then you add fords rushing yards, it’s pretty lopsided in fords favor. But ford has been handed the starting spot 3 times, and hand better talent around him. Crum fell into starts in awful situations. Crum never had as good a co as fords worst. And awful rb talent. comparable wrs, ol prett similar too. 

If I had to pick one i’d take ford, but that’s also based on being able to use him in other roles and as a gimmick guy. 

 I wouldn’t bet on ford becoming a regular starting qb. 

The list of available qbs is beyond ugly this year. Powell is the guy i’d want. after that it’s fliers on guys like evans, maier, and ford. Then you have the pitiful remains of mbts career, and an even uglier  pile of scrap heap guys. 

Even at that, I’d have no interest in maier. 

[TBURGESS]

I doubt Crum or Powell ever becomes a starting QB. I think that Ford still has an outside chance. Our 2nd string should be a guy who can win games and hopefully become a starter in a year or two. Ford could be that guy and in the meantime, he would be a a great short yardage, change of pace, or ride and decide guy. 

[Tracker]

3 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Ford has never played receiver. He's a natural running back. His stature fits a running back,. Not a receiver. 

 

Ford is a gifted athlete, and from all reports, intelligent. Demski is built like a runningback so it should be doable, and Demski, once he has the ball, moves like a runningback. On pitch-outs, if Ford is a danger to chuck the ball with velocity and accuracy (ALA Tricky-**** Thornton), that ought to give DBs fits.

Edited yesterday at 03:44 AM by Tracker

[GCn20]

36 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

I doubt Crum or Powell ever becomes a starting QB. I think that Ford still has an outside chance. Our 2nd string should be a guy who can win games and hopefully become a starter in a year or two. Ford could be that guy and in the meantime, he would be a a great short yardage, change of pace, or ride and decide guy. 

Powell is FAR superior to Ford. This isn't even debatable.

[SpeedFlex27]

33 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Powell is FAR superior to Ford. This isn't even debatable.

An outside chance that will cost $150-200,000 a year. Nope. 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3562044787441282

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

I doubt Crum or Powell ever becomes a starting QB. I think that Ford still has an outside chance. Our 2nd string should be a guy who can win games and hopefully become a starter in a year or two. Ford could be that guy and in the meantime, he would be a a great short yardage, change of pace, or ride and decide guy. 

Coach Killer.

[TBURGESS]

11 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Powell is a FAR superior passer to Ford. This isn't even debatable.

FIFY

[HardCoreBlue]

I think this most recent convo/debate on current CFL QB’s Like Crum, Powell, Ford, Maier etc emphasis again how desperately we need an infusion of premium QB’s in this league.

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

FIFY

Kinda what you want your QB to be good at though.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, HardCoreBlue said:

I think this most recent convo/debate on current CFL QB’s Like Crum, Powell, Ford, Maier etc emphasis again how desperately we need an infusion of premium QB’s in this league.

absolutely. combine that with the over the hill gang most of the league is starting does the same. 

if some thing drastic doesn’t happen fast, it’s going to be second tier spring league offences we see each week 

[Stickem]

Ford would be too expensive to bring in....As far as a starting qb ...that's very debatable....He can be very elusive as a runner BUT lacks the big accuracy in his passing game ...I want a qb that can do both....Crum started out slowly but now has proved he can do both....pass and run...I'd still give the edge to Crum if we had the shot at him and he certainly wouldn't be that expensive compared to Ford...We'll see what fa brings shortly

[bigg jay]

FWIW, this analysis has us as a possible destination for Ford.  Not sure I entirely agree with that but we do need a backup with legitimate experience.  I wouldn't be opposed to it if we could make it work financially - like a bonus heavy contract that would only payout if Zach gets hurt or something.

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/01/30/3-potential-landing-spots-for-tre-ford

 

[HardCoreBlue]

16 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

FWIW, this analysis has us as a possible destination for Ford.  Not sure I entirely agree with that but we do need a backup with legitimate experience.  I wouldn't be opposed to it if we could make it work financially - like a bonus heavy contract that would only payout if Zach gets hurt or something.

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/01/30/3-potential-landing-spots-for-tre-ford

 

In such the small league we enjoy with a small stable of Qb’s, every team, excluding Edmonton right now, is a potential landing spot for him.

[bearpants]

On 2026-01-30 at 7:38 AM, GCn20 said:

Especially when we don't even know if Winnipeg had any interest in Mack.  That being said I would have preferred Mack, but White is outstanding at keeping the opposing defensive backfield off balance. The cannot lose track of him and he is very good at slipping out of coverage. What he does opens other guys up as well. He and Demski are both very good at that. Now we just need a legit 50/50 guy.

3 or 4 days ago there were 3 top WRs about to hit the market... all three are now signed and we landed one of them... some people are going to complain we didn't get the best one... but I think the reality is the other two probably weren't realistically coming here... I am happy we went out and got a legit talent. 

22 hours ago, Tracker said:

The reality is that Demski has a lot more days behind him than in front of him and he is getting dinged more often and needs longer and longer times to rebound. Tre Ford ought to be a natural replacement.

Ford the QB is a natural replacement for Demski the slotback?... I might agree if Ford gave any indication he was willing/interesting in switching positions...

[Booch]

36 minutes ago, bearpants said:

3 or 4 days ago there were 3 top WRs about to hit the market... all three are now signed and we landed one of them... some people are going to complain we didn't get the best one... but I think the reality is the other two probably weren't realistically coming here... I am happy we went out and got a legit talent. 

Ford the QB is a natural replacement for Demski the slotback?... I might agree if Ford gave any indication he was willing/interesting in switching positions...

I think we got the best all around use guy..and one ZC likely meshes with the best 

We have 2 legit intruiging talents we need to actually develop and grow with their ups and downs..

Wilson is already about to I bet become a top 3 in the league...only do many balls to go around...the fact we have a real o.c this yr is prob the biggest get...a real one last yr could have got way more outta or offence but we got saddled with an Osh pick and a right dud

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

I think we got the best all around use guy..and one ZC likely meshes with the best 

We have 2 legit intruiging talents we need to actually develop and grow with their ups and downs..

Wilson is already about to I bet become a top 3 in the league...only do many balls to go around...the fact we have a real o.c this yr is prob the biggest get...a real one last yr could have got way more outta or offence but we got saddled with an Osh pick and a right dud

Id love to see two of white/wilson/demski run mesh concept. Off the waggle, force the sam/half/ or line backers to either trade off or chase and get cooked. Don’t execute perfectly and you get cooked. 

[TBURGESS]

8 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Kinda what you want your QB to be good at though.

Only one of the things I want in a QB. Being able to run and extend plays are also things that I look at in QB's.

[GCn20]

2 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

Only one of the things I want in a QB. Being able to run and extend plays are also things that I look at in QB's.

Running backs are there to run, and extending plays only matters if you can throw. A QB can be great without running (Trevor Harris) but they will never be a good QB without being a good passer. Just doesn't happen. Ford is a crap passer ergo he is a crap QB.

10 hours ago, wbbfan said:

absolutely. combine that with the over the hill gang most of the league is starting does the same. 

if some thing drastic doesn’t happen fast, it’s going to be second tier spring league offences we see each week 

In the last 2-3 years we have seen Rourke, Kelly, and Alexander emerge. That's 3 new quality starters in a 9 team league. Im not that worried.

Edited 1 hour ago by GCn20

[Bigblue204]

I saw Crum run an offense last year. He has very clearly grown in his ability to be a pocket passer. I didn't see that out of Ford. I don't want Ford to have to come in and win games if Collaros goes down. Crum has proven he can do that with very little help. He's also tough as nails

Saying that. I don't actually want the Bombers to sign either. I'd rather roll with the guys they've brought in/have already.

Edited 1 hour ago by Bigblue204

[TBURGESS]

8 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Running backs are there to run, and extending plays only matters if you can throw.

In the last 2-3 years we have seen Rourke, Kelly, and Alexander emerge. That's 3 new quality starters in a 9 team league. Im not that worried.

There is more than one way to play QB & Tre can throw the ball pretty well actually. Way better than Streveler for example. What he can't do is read a defense.

Edmonton tried to make him a pocket passer which was dumb and worked out exactly the way you'd expect. He may never be able to run the quick decision, short game. To be effective he needs to run his style of offense. Ride & decide. 2 reads and run. Break contain. QB draw. Throw deep so every catch is a first down. 

Why bring up Rourke, Kelly and Alexander? They aren't available & aren't pertinant to this discussion.

[GCn20]

3 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

There is more than one way to play QB & Tre can throw the ball pretty well actually. Way better than Streveler for example. What he can't do is read a defense.

Edmonton tried to make him a pocket passer which was dumb and worked out exactly the way you'd expect. He may never be able to run the quick decision, short game. To be effective he needs to run his style of offense. Ride & decide. 2 reads and run. Break contain. QB draw. Throw deep so every catch is a first down. 

Why bring up Rourke, Kelly and Alexander? They aren't available & aren't pertinant to this discussion.

Rourke, Kelly, and Alexander were in response to Wbb...it's why the big quote box is there. 

As for letting him play sandlot, won't ever happen in professional football...ever. You would be the worst offensive coordinator ever. Sandlot is very low % high turnover football.