With Rookie Camp getting underway Wednesday morning, it's officially time to talk about the 2026 Winnipeg Blue Bombers!

3 hours ago, Goalie said:

Nah. Oh wait Pittsburgh just signed a 42 year old to be their QB again. It’s not just a CFL problem.

I stopped by the stadium yesterday for about half an hour and decided to watch a bit of practice. Zach really puts his whole body into the long throws, Elgersma barely puts an effort at all. From my extremely limited viewing if I didn’t know who was starting, 13 looks better than 8 by far. I’d say if Zach got hurt we probably wouldn’t miss a beat and might actually be better. Limited viewing but just the motion difference in the long throws is night and day. All body Zach vs all arm Elgersma. I spoke to a dude who said he’s been a few times and he seems to think Elgersma has been the “best QB”. Just seems to be able to make all the throws with very little effort it seems. I’m cutting Terry right now as he truly can’t throw a ball 10 yards.

Winnipeg - the back up QB is always better than the starter. This has been true since Vince Leah started writing copy for the Tribune lol...

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

I remember the days when pre season got everyone excited about new players and the potential that they may have. I wasn't aware that pre season these days is that we whine and complain about declare how our team is destroyed because of two injures and starting an older qb.

We used to have more excitement when guys like Robert Marve was going to be our potential starting QB....

Max Hall says "hold my beer". lol

7 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

So are Rourke, Brown, Kelly, and Alexander. All very good young QBs. At one time we said the same about Ray, Calvillo, and Burris until Harris, Collaros, and BLM showed their stuff. It seems to be a concern the CFL fans have had since the 80's. Now, with the college money making it tougher to get QBs we may see this become a legit problem...or not....we'll see I guess but I am just pointing out that in the past few years we have added young, legit, talented starting QBs to half the teams in the league.

Tachinski is just a TC body imo.

I disagree on no forward thinking. Streveler was the plan until he wasn't. We were hoping, and you were as high on him as anyone, that he would turn into a starting calibre QB but he just didn't have the chops.

yes and no....He shouldn't have been counted on at the start of the yr, but could have been a transition guy going into this yr and beyond, and yeah I was highon him, but we had no clue as to how to use/develop him and the OC guy fiasco last yr just exaggerated it. We will now never know

Yeah...Tachinski is really just a warm body due to all the injuries, and shouldn't be anywhere near the roster, but I sure we will waste a PR spot on him for no specific reason at all knowing Osh...and his "praise" of Corcoran for "constant effort" as opposed to highlighting any real dominance or ability/upside skill wise is scary in itself with likely more roster inadequacies this yr playing out. I would hope it can be said that he likes to see every guy with "constant effort" or why they even here??...That doesn't translate into being the best available player

Ayers at MLB is an interesting development

4 hours ago, Goalie said:

Nah. Oh wait Pittsburgh just signed a 42 year old to be their QB again. It’s not just a CFL problem.

I stopped by the stadium yesterday for about half an hour and decided to watch a bit of practice. Zach really puts his whole body into the long throws, Elgersma barely puts an effort at all. From my extremely limited viewing if I didn’t know who was starting, 13 looks better than 8 by far. I’d say if Zach got hurt we probably wouldn’t miss a beat and might actually be better. Limited viewing but just the motion difference in the long throws is night and day. All body Zach vs all arm Elgersma. I spoke to a dude who said he’s been a few times and he seems to think Elgersma has been the “best QB”. Just seems to be able to make all the throws with very little effort it seems. I’m cutting Terry right now as he truly can’t throw a ball 10 yards.

You saw correct...ZC has been doing that full body heave now for 2 solid seasons, and has affected his accuracy and ability big time. He doesn't throw like the new breed now...through the lower body with hip twist...He all arm and his arm has been degrading for a while now

Elgersma does throw a truly nice ball, and definitely looks the part and seems composed...Game action will be a good indicator of the one thing we need to find out, and that's if he can process quickly, and trust in what he is seeing....and not get the impatient jitters and be goaded into bad decisions....if he can grasp all that, and should be a bit ahead of the curve from a U.S trained QB having played Canadian Ball all his life we may have something.

6 minutes ago, Atomic said:

Ayers at MLB is an interesting development

well...he is the more complete LB....Said for 2 yrs Jones should be the rotational/situational guy and the depth as a DA...lotta holes in his game

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

I remember the days when pre season got everyone excited about new players and the potential that they may have. I wasn't aware that pre season these days is that we whine and complain about declare how our team is destroyed because of two injures and starting an older qb.

We used to have more excitement when guys like Robert Marve was going to be our potential starting QB....

We've seen lots of discussion for positivity, but this is the overreaction to the first discussion of anything possibly negative. But by all means, carry on about only the positive. Nothing is stopping you. Or you can just whinge for the sake of it w/e.

1 hour ago, Booch said:

I think it just a matter he not ready yet...big ol lineman recovering from that...timeline wise he wouldnt have been ready yet to play....and shouldnt...I think we should have learned from last yr that rushing guys isnt wise....we basically ended 2 careers

He played 4 games....so he not even 12 months into recovery yet....He should not be counted on till at least labor day really....But agree...he is a useful depth guy...great in Jumbo and he is good on short yardage defence...great get off (one of the best on team in goaline defence) and has his knife technique down pat...

Thats why dont like Fredrickson....4.7's 40...not an elite vertical...prob gonna have real issues getting separation from pro caliber DB's...and not the greatest footwork/agility...Be a nice 6th/7th option if roster allowed but our roster likely wont allow that....as he doesnt return kicks

Thats why outta what we have left of whom I saw I'd go with TJ Davis....has more speed and agility...can make people miss with ball in his hands and can work a lot of what we do in the inside passing game/sweeps and also has returned kicks, plus the fact he was a QB you could maybe have some trick plays with him...Plus even tho it arena ball has some actual experience outside of college

Really trying hard to replicate a Stoddard-type WR. We do seem to do that in cycles. Like after the Petermann/Simonise projects failed.

This was considered a weak draft class for WR, but honestly, it had a lot of developmental talent that was available through half the class.

Ayers at MLB with the 1s is an interesting development. Wonder if they would be ballsy enough to go Ayers and Woodby as the two starting linebackers?

32 minutes ago, Atomic said:

Ayers at MLB is an interesting development

I think its just regular moving guys around in camp. We've tried him at S, sam, and De before to get some extra versatility.

I do love his nose for the ball and play-making skill. Tremendous range as well. With JSK out, I'd be working on Ayers + Smith/shay as the go-to wil/mac. And have Kyrie on the fringe. Even if we used Kyrie as the naturalized and rotated him, he is way more versatile than Ayers and still a strong teams guy if he plays a lesser role on the D.

8 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Ayers at MLB with the 1s is an interesting development. Wonder if they would be ballsy enough to go Ayers and Woodby as the two starting linebackers?

Boy, that would be a nightmare for opposition offences.

While I wouldn’t mind seeing what he could do there, I wouldn’t read too much into Ayers at mac. They tend to move guys all over the place in TC. I’d be pretty surprised if it was anyone but Jones there to start the regular season.

6 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Ayers at MLB with the 1s is an interesting development. Wonder if they would be ballsy enough to go Ayers and Woodby as the two starting linebackers?

we'd be a better...younger...more athletic defense with them along with Griffin at SAM than with Wilson and T.Jones

Maybe we are gonna go with the upside and more talented and part ways with one of Jones and Wilson with the guy staying being a DA and the backup if injury happens...A smart team wanting to filed it's best roster and have guys really develop along the way would do that...as opposed to riding old declining guys into dust as they degrade along the way...wasting the talent you have in waiting

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I think its just regular moving guys around in camp. We've tried him at S, sam, and De before to get some extra versatility.

I do love his nose for the ball and play-making skill. Tremendous range as well. With JSK out, I'd be working on Ayers + Smith/shay as the go-to wil/mac. And have Kyrie on the fringe. Even if we used Kyrie as the naturalized and rotated him, he is way more versatile than Ayers and still a strong teams guy if he plays a lesser role on the D.

Boy, that would be a nightmare for opposition offences.

yup...Wilson would be the perfect DA/mentor/rotational guy and starter if need be, while the youth continue their development. He offers a lot still, but man you gotta be proactive in the transitions and player development so you arent relying on green unproven guys when the old guard finally break right down...we seen how that plays out already...did we learn?

3 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

While I wouldn’t mind seeing what he could do there, I wouldn’t read too much into Ayers at mac. They tend to move guys all over the place in TC. I’d be pretty surprised if it was anyone but Jones there to start the regular season.

Funny thing tho...Jones is a good player...not great, and when you stack em all up prob ranks behind Wilson..Ayers..Woodbey...Griffin in terms ability and versatility...with Smith and Shay right on hisass

Being a holdover/vet shouldn't be an automatic pass to be the starter

3 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

While I wouldn’t mind seeing what he could do there, I wouldn’t read too much into Ayers at mac. They tend to move guys all over the place in TC. I’d be pretty surprised if it was anyone but Jones there to start the regular season.

agree. Talk about dare to dream though.

1 minute ago, Booch said:

we'd be a better...younger...more athletic defense with them along with Griffin at SAM than with Wilson and T.Jones

Maybe we are gonna go with the upside and more talented and part ways with one of Jones and Wilson with the guy staying being a DA and the backup if injury happens...A smart team wanting to filed it's best roster and have guys really develop along the way would do that...as opposed to riding old declining guys into dust as they degrade along the way...wasting the talent you have in waiting

yup...Wilson would be the perfect DA/mentor/rotational guy and starter if need be, while the youth continue their development. He offers a lot still, but man you gotta be proactive in the transitions and player development so you arent relying on green unproven guys when the old guard finally break right down...we seen how that plays out already...did we learn?

Agree. And if we protect kyries health maybe we see him get back to the best ball hes capable of, and in time for when the games count. That also helps us with better use of the limited DIs.

With Schmek down, maybe we DI a DL. Or maybe we DI a WR to give much-needed depth, ensuring the guys stay healthy this year. (its gotta be our turn for a healthy WR core one day right?) It could allow us to carry a DI db on top of Vaval.

Even if we Nat Kyrie, start Jones and Ayers, we can easily DI woodbey who is as able to fill in as a DB as a Lber.

The potential with our youth, athleticism, and versatility is embarrassingly good. I bet JY is chomping at the bit.

While JY has some very interesting and difficult decisions to make, Condell will have an even tougher situation with pre-season. Balancing QB play time is going to be a real challenge.

On one hand, Zach has a new system and a few new starters, he/they will likely need a chunk of time to gel.

On the other hand, the backup QB position is clear as mud. We don't have a seasoned backup QB2, and we have 3 rookies behind that.

For Zach, I would normally say 3 quarters in pre-season would be the upper limit of what you want to see. But we might want to roll a full game's worth of reps at the starters between the two games, plus a few drives on top of that. Starting the 2nd quarter is a great reset and chance to adjust calls/personnel.

Terry needs a chance to play himself into earning QB2 or out of the spot, which is hard to do with less than a half of football between the 2 games.

Perkins, while a rookie, is older than Terry. So he also really needs to be thrown into the fire. Can't imagine anyone wants to wait 2 years to see if he can develop.

Which doesn't leave much for Elgersma, who also needs to be challenged. And even less for Thorne.

Roughly, I'd look to have Zach ease out at some point in the 2nd Q to reconvene with Condell before going back in to finish and run the start of the 3rd. That gives Terry and the best of the rest time to roll with 1s and 2s against 1s and 2s.

Once Terry gets his chance, I'd let them fight for reps. Those reps are limited and very valuable. Its no where near enough to get everyone enough reps. Not even enough for 3 to get enough reps. 5 QBs are to reduce load and diversify how many guys get a shot. 2 QBs aren't likely to make the PR at all, it's harsh, but whoever is on the bottom of the depth chart (I suspect Thorne) is likely to only get a real shot if someone else is brutal or gets hurt.

I'm really interested to see how the battle goes between Elgersma and Perkins. And if Terry has progressed. If he does, that 2 spot is as good as his. But if Elgersma shows more of what he did in the NFL preseason, or if Perkins translates his game to the Canadian game quickly, it's going to be a real scrap.

Been a long time since we had this much variability on the QB depth chart. I can't imagine we cut Elgersma and don't PR him. But just about anything else is equally as likely.