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

2 minutes ago, bearpants said:

this is exactly my problem with Tony Jones... he kind of represents what the team has become over the last few years... he's good, some games even very good... but nowhere near elite... and his position seems to be set in stone, with no competition... why are we so set on being just good and not trying to be great?... Unless you have prime Bighill, you should have at least 3 or 4 MLB candidates in camp trying to improve the position...

We did have 3-4 candidates in camp, and we even signed Santos Knox to compete. Not sure where this fictional narrative of no competition comes from? Because TJ keeps winning the job?

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

The worst Lber in the league in coverage.

It is changing, but it is going more to a large zone defender, less to the between-the-tackles run stopper.

I don't think the rookies were here with a real chance to win that spot, kinda like how we keep bringing in imp rbs. That said, I think they went into camp reasonably open to the 3 vets at Lber.

If Lber was an open battle, Smith would've cleanly won 1 starting spot. And I doubt that is happening.

Lber isn't the most impactful position on the field in the CFL, and the more we play guys like Woodbey the more we can cover up for Jones ' deficiencies in pass d.

I get that Jones isn't at all adequate in pass coverage but he is great in the tackle box. JY runs his defensive scheme so that the MIKE really isn't in coverage except once in a blue moon therefore that criticism is kind or a red herring in our particular defensive style. I'm certainly not going to anoint TJ as a world beater on D, but he is not at all the poster boy for MOS loyalty. Look to the guy on his right on the depth chart and then Bearpants may have been onto something.

5 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

injuries look a bit better than i expected. Will see how close to 100% these guys are

That's the issue. I think Neild would be a perfect injury replacement for Demski that removed the risk of him playing on one leg or leaving hanging when he misses play-off games.

That said, it doesn't work if we play the injured guy over his replacement.

Oh my god, you guys still have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about, lol.

Every single player you guys get all goggle eyed over turns out to be a total dud(Devin Adams, Brian Cole, etc etc). Womp womp. But please, keep acting like your poopoo don't stink and that you're way cooler than Mike O'Shea.

Excited for the season, I think this our best team since 21

I don't think Nield is any way shape or form comparable to Demski... But I am concerned about Demski being rushed back. Hoping that's not the case but I guess we'll see.

Supposed to be tremendous weather in Calgary on Friday, so no excuses there.

I like getting the national (Toronto) view, as it's an echo chamber in here. Top 4 look right to me though.

17 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

I like getting the national (Toronto) view, as it's an echo chamber in here. Top 4 look right to me though.

19 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

I like getting the national (Toronto) view, as it's an echo chamber in here. Top 4 look right to me though.

I think it’s the right four teams, but I’d switch SK and Mtl. Riders had some significant losses this offseason.

21 minutes ago, Pepper_Brooks_Reincarnate said:

Oh my god, you guys still have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about, lol.

Every single player you guys get all goggle eyed over turns out to be a total dud(Devin Adams, Brian Cole, etc etc). Womp womp. But please, keep acting like your poopoo don't stink and that you're way cooler than Mike O'Shea.

Excited for the season, I think this our best team since 21

15 hours ago, Tracker said:

Maybe Eli isn't one of O'Shea's pets- like Tony Jones and it is starting to look like the usual list of favoured players is being assembled.

Yeah. That makes total sense says nobody with logic. Honestly Eli has been here for like what 6 years now? And is now hurt. Jones has been here for 2. The D decisions are primarily made by Younger. Time for ppl to accept that. I’m not the biggest tony jones fan personally. All his tackles are after yards gained but nobody exactly stepped up and took his job. You can sit here and go to 1 practice a month and pretend to know or hey dude online who was wrong about a few other guys said this random dude with the 30 seconds highlight reel from ncaa 3 years ago is a stud but when the live bullets are flying, who the heck stepped up and took Tony or Kyries job? Nobody. Reality, the guys they kept minus the kickers who no team releases reliable vets for rookies, the guys they kept did step up. The guys they let go did not. Just cuz dude makes 1 play in a game doesn’t mean much, for all we know he’s totally lost all week in practice. So tell me who should have taken Tony jones job? Which rookie middle linebacker stepped up? In my opinion none did. There were no Adam Bighills or Barron Simpsons in this recruiting class. O’Shea? Younger? Scouting?. When nobody steps up its scouting. Look at the receivers, Frederickson stepped up, singer did. But the fact a dude like frederickson who looks like a less athletic Jamie stoddard is one of the training camp stars, scouting is a problem. You living in fantasy land where you think teams will replace half their rosters at camp. Nobody does that. Bombers weren’t a 1 or 2 win team last year like you seem to pretend they were.

It’s Clinton right cuz he made 1 play. Thats who right? So you cutting Woodbey I guess cuz seems like the same type of player. Def not a middle linebacker. Think the middle backer was Cretsinger, he wasn’t bad but he didn’t exactly take a Job either but to replace your reliable vet, that rookie needs to kick the doors in and take it. Nobody did man. Really the bottom line.

Edited 5 minutes ago5 min by Goalie

46 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I don't think Nield is any way shape or form comparable to Demski... But I am concerned about Demski being rushed back. Hoping that's not the case but I guess we'll see.

Supposed to be tremendous weather in Calgary on Friday, so no excuses there.

Do you say that because of your assessment of Neild or because your love for Demski?

Neild seems like he's increased his production each year he's been a pro and had over 500 yards last year in only 13 games as part of a crowded receiving core. Almost a 13 yard average, a long of 69.

I think his production will be capped with us due to the fact that he's the #4 target, but if he is pushed into a larger role, I think he has the capacity for it. There's also the fact that this is the 2026 version of Demski who has clearly been struggling to stay healthy over the past couple of years and is now starting the year knicked. There's a chance Neild is going to be very critical for us.

I think there’s a real chance Nield is our top Canadian receiver this year especially if Demski banged up but who knows, could just be he’s Demski and certain guys don’t need the camp reps exactly.