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

9 minutes ago, Mike said:

Not saying he IS ready, but to be honest ... he's equipped to be more ready that most in his position. The combination of a player who has played this style of football before PLUS experienced pro football camps previously as a CFL rookie PLUS comes in with the physical ability to make all of the throws is a rare one. I know we're all thinking he's going to struggle because he's a USports prospect but that may actually work to his benefit in this instance.

If you ask me, the comparison here is very Carson Wentz-ish. Big athletic body type, can make every throw on the field, has played the "style" of football before but the question marks are basically level of competition at this point.

Dare to dream. I expect his 2nd TC/pre-season to be extremely high level, that's for sure.

In skelly hes throw some extremely tight window passes, which look great in Skelly. But when the contact is full and the timing just a bit more advanced, a great looking pass play in skelly, can often turn into a pick in game. And at that regular season is a notch higher than pre season, even with 1s vs 1s.

He will have a big advantage when/if he takes that next step, though. The, "defences don't have enough film/experience against him" window will be larger than normal because of his experience with the Canadian game.

I just hope he gets in before the end of the 4th playing with and against TCF.

Peyton Thorne added to the suspended list - more playtime for the other guys!

3 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Peyton Thorne added to the suspended list - more playtime for the other guys!

He was sitting out of practice yesterday. I wonder if this is some kind of roster trickery.

32 minutes ago, Booch said:

Yeah he has the what you want body type....has as legit an arm as we seen up here in a while, can make all the throws, and even though his highest level of competition really is CIS....He knows the Canadian game and won't be fooled by what he see's like a rook American

He like other's said...should be eased in...not expected to light the world on fire right outta the shoot, and he has to show/prove he can parlay his Canadian experience, and his skill set at the speed and complexity of the pro level...That's the only real issue, and if he is able to, and or we allow him time and rope to learn and develop and not just thrown to the wolves and ruin him...He should be just fine...He just has to become and prove he is pro level in the head...he has the rest already

Wilson has the pocket poise...but just seems like something is holding him back...Mental...ability to process/read....who knows but if he doesnt have monumental success and light shiat up this pre-season he is as good as gone...as Perkins actually looks like he and his pro experince has enabled him to grasp the Canadian game pretty well, and if he shows any upside and success...and ability to make things happen be it in scheme or off schedule....I cant see the roster not being Zach..Perkins and Elgs

I remember when the Bombers traded away Don Jonas to Hamilton & threw rookie Dieter Brock to the wolves thinking he was ready to start in a game against the Eskimos at Clarke Stadium in September of 1974. Brock got the **** beat out of him that game. Completing barely a third of his passes & serving up I believe 4 picks as well as being sacked over & over all game long. It really showed that Brock wasn't ready for prime time. He sat behind Chuck Ealey for a year until HC Bud Riley determined that Brock had surpassed ealey on the roster & was ready to play in 1975. The Bombers traded Ealey to the Argos in 1975 & made Brock the starter. For the next nine seasons, we had a qb who could set the air on fire throwing zingers to his receivers all over the field. The kid was ready & he became one of the CFL's greats but it took a year. What a difference that year made in this case.

17 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I remember when the Bombers traded away Don Jonas to Hamilton & threw rookie Dieter Brock to the wolves thinking he was ready to start in a game against the Eskimos at Clarke Stadium in September of 1974. Brock got the **** beat out of him that game. Completing barely a third of his passes & serving up I believe 4 picks as well as being sacked over & over all game long. It really showed that Brock wasn't ready for prime time. He sat behind Chuck Ealey for a year until HC Bud Riley determined that Brock had surpassed ealey on the roster & was ready to play in 1975. The Bombers traded Ealey to the Argos in 1975 & made Brock the starter. For the next nine seasons, we had a qb who could set the air on fire throwing zingers to his receivers all over the field. The kid was ready & he became one of the CFL's greats but it took a year. What a difference that year made in this case.

No one is throwing Elgersma to the wolves though. Zach is the undisputed starter. We're talking about who is the SY yardage guy and who is the most capable of coming in incase of injury.

Against a bunch of other rookies and Terry Wilson, Elgersma has a decent shot of finishing ahead of the pack.

1 hour ago, Booch said:

Yeah he has the what you want body type....has as legit an arm as we seen up here in a while, can make all the throws, and even though his highest level of competition really is CIS....He knows the Canadian game and won't be fooled by what he see's like a rook American

He like other's said...should be eased in...not expected to light the world on fire right outta the shoot, and he has to show/prove he can parlay his Canadian experience, and his skill set at the speed and complexity of the pro level...That's the only real issue, and if he is able to, and or we allow him time and rope to learn and develop and not just thrown to the wolves and ruin him...He should be just fine...He just has to become and prove he is pro level in the head...he has the rest already

Wilson has the pocket poise...but just seems like something is holding him back...Mental...ability to process/read....who knows but if he doesnt have monumental success and light shiat up this pre-season he is as good as gone...as Perkins actually looks like he and his pro experince has enabled him to grasp the Canadian game pretty well, and if he shows any upside and success...and ability to make things happen be it in scheme or off schedule....I cant see the roster not being Zach..Perkins and Elgs

Totally agree, I have no doubt that Elgersma has the toolbox for success, but the game speed, rhythm, complexity of defences, and just the over all ability of the competition takes time to adjust to and learn. Almost every QB in this league has gone through an NFL camp, he is no more used to this level of competition than any other QB that comes to camp. His 3 down experience will help somewhat, but defences are far more complex and harder to read than in USports. There is less decision time and far less margin for error, all of this will take time. I am excited to watch him play though. I would be very disappointed if Wilson was back. I just don't feel he will ever be better than a 3rd stringer in this league. Hope I am wrong about all of this and Elgersma is a rookie sensation, and that the light bulb goes off in Wilson's head....but history favors my viewpoint right now.

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

Dare to dream. I expect his 2nd TC/pre-season to be extremely high level, that's for sure.

In skelly hes throw some extremely tight window passes, which look great in Skelly. But when the contact is full and the timing just a bit more advanced, a great looking pass play in skelly, can often turn into a pick in game. And at that regular season is a notch higher than pre season, even with 1s vs 1s.

He will have a big advantage when/if he takes that next step, though. The, "defences don't have enough film/experience against him" window will be larger than normal because of his experience with the Canadian game.

I just hope he gets in before the end of the 4th playing with and against TCF.

Pitch and catch in practice is not the same as a game. These tight window passes look great like you say but when a DT moves you a foot off your mark and you have to throw through whatever passing lane the fatboys can provide it is an entirely different matter. Rourke, for instance, threw a great ball in his couple of rookie appearances but was also an interception machine. Takes time.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by GCn20

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

He has, and he's had a bit of work at a high level of competition. But I don't expect him to do any thing in game this year.

I dont know about that. Collaros was as durable as dollar store toilet paper last season, and i dont see him getting better with age. I think its highly likely Elgersma sees game action this season.

46 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Totally agree, I have no doubt that Elgersma has the toolbox for success, but the game speed, rhythm, complexity of defences, and just the over all ability of the competition takes time to adjust to and learn. Almost every QB in this league has gone through an NFL camp, he is no more used to this level of competition than any other QB that comes to camp. His 3 down experience will help somewhat, but defences are far more complex and harder to read than in USports. There is less decision time and far less margin for error, all of this will take time. I am excited to watch him play though. I would be very disappointed if Wilson was back. I just don't feel he will ever be better than a 3rd stringer in this league. Hope I am wrong about all of this and Elgersma is a rookie sensation, and that the light bulb goes off in Wilson's head....but history favors my viewpoint right now.

Pitch and catch in practice is not the same as a game. These tight window passes look great like you say but when a DT moves you a foot off your mark and you have to throw through whatever passing lane the fatboys can provide it is an entirely different matter. Rourke, for instance, threw a great ball in his couple of rookie appearances but was also an interception machine. Takes time.

yup...he needs to show that the leap from college to pro speed isnt too much for him, and that with time and reps when he can get em that he will adjust...or can...From all accounts seems no reason he shouldn't..and yup...skelly where DB's arent actually going through guys, and pressure and chaos along the l.o.s scrimmage is real and you may have to adjust your platform, or move your launch point...totally different circumstance....be interesting to see this weekend tho...and if he has ability to use legs if nothing is there...or pocket collapses....and he isnt panicked from the slightest pressure or first read isnt there...Perkins we know can go off script and run....can Elgersma as well

From people who have gone to camp...I've heard Perkins arm strength is limited. That wide side out/corners may not be possible.

1 hour ago, Bigblue204 said:

From people who have gone to camp...I've heard Perkins arm strength is limited. That wide side out/corners may not be possible.

He has about the same arm strength as Cody Fajardo. What's going to surprise a lot of people is that he runs like a running back.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by GCn20

Ok...so Perkins to the PR?

36 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

He has about the same arm strength as Cody Fajardo

Gross.

13 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

One advantage for Elg (yes I am trying to make that a thing) as a rook is that he's played the Canadian game so he is used to accounting for 12 guys on D, something that always confuses US QB's when they come up here.

hoping you're right, but I think CFL level DBs are gonna close windows a lot faster than USports guys.

question for the guys who know: do USports defences run the same schemes as CFL defences? Will Elgersma have a leg up in his presnap reads and recognition having played USports, or is it a different world in the CFL?

(edit: just saw that Gcn20 says that CFL is indeed a different world when it comes to scheme a few posts back.)

Edited 52 minutes ago52 min by johnzo

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

He has about the same arm strength as Cody Fajardo. What's going to surprise a lot of people is that he runs like a running back.

He should start practicing this position a lot then if he wants to be a Cody clone...

2 minutes ago, kelownabomberfan said:

He should start practicing this position a lot then if he wants to be a Cody clone...

That's too funny, but honestly, he is more like a cross between Fajardo and Streveler.

2 minutes ago, kelownabomberfan said:

He should start practicing this position a lot then if he wants to be a Cody clone...

Edited 45 minutes ago45 min by Bubba Zanetti

7 minutes ago, johnzo said:

hoping you're right, but I think CFL level DBs are gonna close windows a lot faster than USports guys.

question for the guys who know: do USports defences run the same schemes as CFL defences? Will Elgersma have a leg up in his presnap reads and recognition having played USports, or is it a different world in the CFL?

(edit: just saw that Gcn20 says that CFL is indeed a different world when it comes to scheme a few posts back.)

USports is getting more and more complex but you can only scheme to your overall talent level. In the CFL there is just so much more you can do because of the level of athletes on the squad. CFL is infinitely better at disguising their defensive schemes as well. Reading the defence is very different in the pros. The different looks that defences give pre-snap are going to be confusing to any rookie QB at first. You prepare, you study film, but week to week in our league we see progressions to counter film work. QBs in this league take some time to really get it. Some can come in and give you usable contributions but anyone thinking that Elgersma will give us a better chance to win than Collaros this season are probably going to be disappointed.

Realistically, about the best case scenario for Elgersma this year is that he sees a little bit of game action and gives our GM and coaches enough reason to consider him for starting next season. That would be the Nathan Rourke/Davis Alexander route, and that would be about the very most we should hope for. However, if TE comes out proves to be a generational talent that becomes probably the first year one starter in the past 15 years, I will gladly accept that as a fortuitous turn of fate and gladly eat crow.

Edited 35 minutes ago35 min by GCn20

Are we talking about Grey Cup champion and MVP Cody Fajardo? Just checking...

Edited 30 minutes ago30 min by Super Duper Negatron

3 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Totally agree, I have no doubt that Elgersma has the toolbox for success, but the game speed, rhythm, complexity of defences, and just the over all ability of the competition takes time to adjust to and learn. Almost every QB in this league has gone through an NFL camp, he is no more used to this level of competition than any other QB that comes to camp. His 3 down experience will help somewhat, but defences are far more complex and harder to read than in USports. There is less decision time and far less margin for error, all of this will take time. I am excited to watch him play though. I would be very disappointed if Wilson was back. I just don't feel he will ever be better than a 3rd stringer in this league. Hope I am wrong about all of this and Elgersma is a rookie sensation, and that the light bulb goes off in Wilson's head....but history favors my viewpoint right now.

Pitch and catch in practice is not the same as a game. These tight window passes look great like you say but when a DT moves you a foot off your mark and you have to throw through whatever passing lane the fatboys can provide it is an entirely different matter. Rourke, for instance, threw a great ball in his couple of rookie appearances but was also an interception machine. Takes time.

100%. And we haven’t seen a cis qb do what the hope is for elgersma. So i’m hoping for the best but prepared to see little to nothing from him this year. His talent does warrant the time too.

1 hour ago, Bigblue204 said:

Ok...so Perkins to the PR?

Could be. Which is fine. I’m not sure on terry.

1 hour ago, kelownabomberfan said:

Thorne is a solid talent, he wasn’t going to get the pre season reps to steal a job. I totally get why he made that decision. suspended is best case tbh. We keep his rights but he doesn’t eat a roster spot.

2 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

From people who have gone to camp...I've heard Perkins arm strength is limited. That wide side out/corners may not be possible.

he doesn’t have a huge arm, but it’s enough to make the throws on the cfl field. His touch is sporadic in the mid range though. That’s probably what is being seen, poor touch to the wide side out often causes the ball to float too long making it’ll look under thrown. He’s much better throwing passes like that on the run, but having to roll a guy to make a route consistently is far from ideal.

Edited 5 minutes ago5 min by wbbfan