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I wasn’t looking to cut Bighill or Jeffcoat or anything like that, that’s not what I’m after. I’m not even sure my complaint (more of a frustration, I guess) is even directed at the coaching staff although I think part of it is. It just feels to me like we almost wasted training camp. It feels like instead of finding some answers to the questions our roster has, we’re just banking on the questions going away and I don’t think that’s a safe bet with our roster getting older and older. Let’s not kid ourselves, we’re not aging into our prime here, we’re aging out of it.

Here you come with your regularly scheduled arguing of things no one is saying

Yep. I like him.

something else to keep in mind.... first couple games are really just preseason games that count in the standings. The opening day roster probably gonna look different enough from the rosters that take the field in the fall. Walters is the most proactive GM going. If there's issues throughout the year he will address it.

Yeah it kind of seems like the whole camp was a punting and 3rd QB competition. Surprised Shmeckel made the team, let alone the active roster, I saw him get manhandled 4 or 5 times over the games. Not being able to fit Caleb Thomas on the AR is silly. As is only having one extra DE. (I’m not counting Bennett as reliable to fill in just yet) Few too many guys making the club from the tub as well. I don’t think the sky is falling but this sure didn’t feel like a typical draft or American recruiting year.

Based on these cuts ..seems obvious Brady O..Bighill.. Jeffcoat and likely Lawrence and Rose are all game 1 starters...like was alluded to by Osh..and from personal experience "injured" guys who media and fans see at open "practice" are doing a lot of work "in the dark" hence why I was never too concerned..I also have seen several and talked to a few working out...and can say non issue Haba is a guy likely to rotate in...just cause was a late to camp guy doesn't mean just a fly by night invite...circumstances may have only made coming late work for both parties...he had good burst...used leverage real well and will be a handful ..gets under and low to ground and is a tackles nightmare...he's a more compact faster version of Jeffcoat Hopefully Parker isn't hurt too bad..I actually thought he was a victim of a solid nut shot..and too much was made of Rose last yr..was hurt for good 2/3rd of season but soldiers thru it...Him and Lawrence are the best (and most experienced) corners here...I have zero concern there...BA and Darby to start season...same with Lawrence makes us better than where we started last yr...Nichols..the best in the biz we know is solid...that other half not sure who gets it...regardless...will be a better backfield than last yr Our kicking situation is better than last yr...our QB stable in my opinion is better than last yr...I'd say our receivers are too... especially when Lawler is back...On-line as well is better...I have zero concern with age of Stan...his play hasn't suffered...and now we have capable and proven reserves in Eli..Dobson..and Kolo...plus Richmond....and the Japanese fella is also serviceable I tho too was dissapointed in what we brought and did with import linebackers as I would hope/think this yr is the transition yr with Biggie...unless he totally shoots out the lights..then I will give him some leeway into 2024 but will want to see huge competition for his spot...Wil...crapshoot who gets it...Brian Cole tho...wouldn't shock me until Wilson is back...maybe we go Canadian...I'm sure we have a plan... All in all I didn't expect any big surprises..because why should we have...and it would have taken an all world effort by someone for that to be even considered...and that never happened...and really ..nobody last yr showed huge regression from age...we had a lot of season long injury issues which hinders a lot of guys...and we still piled up 15 wins...now tho...if the same cast of characters have same season long issues...this regime will move on...make a trade...or bring someone in...or give someone inhouse next in line their shot...we have seen all the above done by them...I trust the process and decisions they make..tho have made it known I have questions and beefs with at times odd roster management and player usage...but again..we winningest franchise over last what..3 ..4 yrs?? And also not concerned with the aging issue others have...today's 30 to 35 yr old athlete is not the same cat it was in the 80's..90's and even early to mid 2000's...so again...that doesn't concern me

I’m overthinking it because I’m irked that our problems from last year appear to be even bigger problems this year?

I don't think there's anything wrong with wishing we at least had a young DE prospect or two and a young lb prospect or two on the PR.

Trust me...we played a game sans socks if guys wanted to from the heat index...go back and look..I think they even mentioned it on broadcast It's beneficial..helps prevent injuries and cramps...doubt it if u want...but it's a real thing.

Shawn lemon don't scream FIFO

In a weird way I think Brown is trying to be Zach Collaros junior with his arm when he could use his legs a bit more and look to run when he scrambles not to pass. Collaros certainly did when he was younger. Brown has to let that development happen and take what’s in front of him.

It's honestly bizarre to me. Bringing in so few LB prospects and playing Maruo so much is indefensible. It's hard to complain too much when our leadership is so successful but it really feels like they are losing their edge this year. I liked the comment earlier in this thread about Wally Buono cutting players at this point in their careers and we haven't seen O'Shea cut one of "his guys" in awhile. Coming off a 15-3 season it's impossible not to predict a regression but the question is whether this is a 12-6 team or a 9-9 team. Injuries will play a role.

There's still a couple of moves to be made for the roster to be complete. It'll be interesting to see who's practicing on Monday.

After yesterday, the Riders.

And even 2019 and 2021 when the D was rolling it was based on depth. Jefferson especially wasn't out there every down. Jeffcoat often was when he was able to dress. But the success of that pass rush was predicated on dressing 7-8 DL. Jeffcoat, Jefferson, Kongbo, Hansen, Richardson, Nevis, Thomas was the 2019 playoff DL. Roh filled in that season when Jeffcoat was out. The depth is really lacking now.

Yeah we've added a Schoen...Houston...Parker/Holm ..now possibly a Thomas and Haba...let's see what they do before saying we added no new talent Injuries hurt us more last yr than aging players who's play fell off cliff dramatically Also we have transitioned from Harris....Couture...have 2 young stud Canadian olineman in depth now with Dobson and Eli Brought back best receiver in league..who is in his prime yes in place of a grissled vet..who is what he is and likely in decline...and hurt all last yr Brought in upgrades to kickers from last yr....have replaced our short yardage QB with a younger more dynamic QB with tons of possible upside... Like man...what more u want..wholesale roster makeover where it may not even need it? Let's see how first 3rd of yr goes before complaining

My eyes just rolled so hard I nearly passed out

If Schmekel does get in they need to coach him up on how to take on the double team on the inside zone if he’s playing nose. In U Sports he probably just splits it, but against better players he’s going to have to just eat the blocks and make a pile so the OL can’t get up to the backers. He was getting moved all over the field in both games and our defense was giving up like 8 yards a carry when he was out there.

That is the major benefit of having a QB who is a threat to tun, even if he doesn't. It causes that extra second or two hesitation in the opposing D-line and linebackers and even affects the secondary. So many more options.

So I was asked why anybody would vote NDP. I give me reasons and I get back comments comparing Kinew to Hull and socialism bad. I could go on why I don't want to support this government but I don't see the point.

I'm just excited to lose Lock of the Week by Week 4 or so lol. Seriously love the CFL and wait for it all winter.

I share some of the same worries and I think there's some validity to it. O'Shea has a veteran bias but I personally still trust him to make the right call. The LB recruitment crop was weak. Cole and Clements aren't good enough. We know this. Couple this with Bighill being old and unable to practice and we have some trouble in the LB corps. Yes Biggie is a vet but he needs to practice. Briggs isn't a starter. I do really like Gauthier however. The DL should be fine. I have no concerns with Jefferson and Jeffcoat. Ricky Walker deserves a shot at starting but Caleb Thomas is right there ready to take his spot. I look at that as a scouting win. Haba won the 3rd DE spot and I have no reason to hate on that. He came in late and played well. He won the job we all knew was available. One spot I echo some concerns is with the RB situation. I don't like that Oliveira already gets the country club treatment in camp and Augustine clearly isn't a starter so we have some weakness there. In some ways I feel like we're dictating our rosters based on Andrew Harris being our RB but we could let go...there are options in that spot. Overall I look at our roster and see a dominant lineup. The OL is strong unless Bryant and Neufeld really fall off a cliff. The receiving corps is dynamite. I'm not sold on BOLO yet but as a backup Canadian he is well above average. The defence is going to have trouble getting off the field when Willie and Jeffcoat can't get to the QB but I'm feeling pretty good about the roster.

The comparison was just so out of left field to me. I’m certainly not going to get into a whole other thing on what Kinew did. I’ll say that it sucks that he was abusive towards a woman. I’ve been more or less a lifelong NDP voter. To be honest, I’d be inclined to for the MB Liberals right now first, if they even had a smidgen of standing. As it is, I’m not a millionaire or an evangelical so I have absolutely no reason to support the Conservative party in any form. I’ll be voting NDP again in October, despite the fact that I think they could choose a better leader.

Lawler will be back...I bet sooner than stated Piggy can give us what Prukop did...and more...Prukop was a horrible passer.

Riders have Lauther and Vedvik. Most teams have a Global punter that's looking pretty good. Edmonton needs a placekicker.

Isn’t that the point we’re making though? We had these same holes last year (rotational LB and DE) and they’re only going to become a bigger issue this year as our players get older and we appear to have done absolutely nothing.

Did any of the players cut make a case for themselves to stay over a vet? I didn't really think so...

No, it doesn't. And Wally was a cheap bastard.

Lieghhio lost the trust of the coaching staff. They may have seen an improvement in Leggs at TC but... memories are long. They were probably afraid to give him another chance as he could struggle again as a kicker/punter. We all know once that trust is gone it's real hard to earn back. Especially froma specialist who isn't an every down player. So much for In The Canadian Mafia We Trust. C'mon so now the sky is falling?

Did anyone new other than Pigrome make the team? Looks like a real wet fart of a recruiting year.

In defence of the no sock look...in extreme heat situations they will allow u to roll them down or remove them for player safety..so have no issue with it...we had several guys do it as well...not as many but we did We also did it in a game I think last yr?? Or in 2021...

They lost Sayles and replace him with Schmekel? I don't understand how that even makes sense from a ratio perspective, I'd be very happy with Caleb Thomas on the roster in his place. The same with Bennett, I could see him placed on the PR for future development, but he did nothing to show he's ready to help out at DE anytime soon.

I liked how Suitor walked us through in slow mo how the Sask DE guy (who looked like he came from a trailer park somewhere) just froze staring at Pigrome while Piggy handed off to Salima and Salima just walked into the end zone. That's what Piggy brings to the offence, makes the D freeze trying to figure out what is coming next.

You're over thinking it. You never know when a gem will appear and of course you do want to recruit with that in mind. However finding the next one is not all that easy. Other things come into play like signing castoffs who might have been overlooked or not needed , trades etc. With the strong veteran core and some prospects looking good on the practice roster, I think we will be ok. we for sure do not want to do a Wally and start cutting vets who might still have some serviceability, but although Wally is a hall of fame coach , I do not remember him winning many multiple or back to back championships. I think this regime is doing it right and rewarding those who have put it all on the line. When the time is right I think they will mostly move on , on a term that everyone can accept.

The big decision we made this year that irritates me is we brought an entire batch of receivers to camp to take up spots, gave none of them any significant level of game or practice time with QB1 and then cut every single one of them. The only one that even made the PR is a gadget guy who is a carbon copy of a guy we had last year. If you decided before camp even started that none of them were going to get an opportunity to show out, why did we even bring them all in?

I don't think we should expect another 15-3 season. The Lions will be tough as will the Stamps in the West. Hamilton looks like it could make some noise. I'll he happy with 13-5 if we finish first.

We used to have four pre season games & the rookies got lots of chances to show off their talent & really push the veterans. Not anymore. Decisions are made off just one or 2 series in maybe only one game & practices. It's not the greatest way to evaluate anyone. I wish we could share practices with other teams. Have a scrimmage against another CFL team. Anything to better evaluate talent.

They are all on the roster.

How many wins do we get in this year’s standings for any of that? You’re not wrong. I just don’t really understand the relevance.

I don't agree. Yes, we have some holes on defense on the interior of the DL & linebacker but otherwise we're solid. We roll with 2 Canadian running backs in Oliveira & Augustine. They're not going to switch ratios to an American as that means a Canadian will have to play elsewhere probably on defense in the secondary so Salima is the better back than Augustine but he gets cut & an underperforming & more expensive Augustine makes the roster. That's the down side of having a ratio.

I don't recall Wally winning back-to-back grey cups, tying a franchise record for regular season wins and coming 1 point shy of a three-peet... but I have a lousy memory, so I don't know.

The complete absence of LBs and DEs who can start or even take rotational roles - despite a clear need last year which has only grown - is really disappointing.

We dominated last year with this roster. 🤷

"These are not episodes in my life I'm proud of," Kinew said. "I struggled with alcohol, and that caused me to behave in ways that weren't healthy for me, or those around me. When the alcohol stopped, so did the fights. Violence, racism, and sexism are unacceptable. I've apologized unequivocally, and I do so again: to anyone I harmed, I am sorry” "Because of my past, I understand the challenges of young people in our society who are struggling with the same things I was — alcohol, addictions, anger. I know that they can do better, because I learned how to do better," Kinew said. Kinew attended sweat lodges "to purify himself" and participated in a sun dance event, during which he fasted for four days and pulled buffalo skulls by piercings cut into his body. "Suffice it to say, it shows a significant degree of commitment by the individual who attends," Miller said. Kinew also began attending regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. "While abstaining from alcohol, he has had no involvement in the justice system," Miller said. "He realizes this is a lifelong path he has to follow." I don’t know why I’m even biting on this, but @SpeedFlex27 The comparison to Bobby Hull.. Come on, I know you’re better than that. First of all, you’re comparing a guy who’s running for Premier to a wife beating, Hitler idolizing (and dead) hockey player. Second, there’s zero indication Bobby Hull showed any kind of remorse or accountability for his behaviour. Third, regardless of what party is in charge, healthcare is a mess everywhere in this country right now. It just so happens that the Manitoba PC party have deliberately and methodically used policy to make Manitoba health care worse.

When has Brown stood out in a game & made a statement with his play saying that "I'm The Next One?" I'm still waiting to see it. If Pigrome keeps improving, look out... I like the fact that he has a very good qb coach to work with him as well as Zach Collaros in the QB Meeting Room. I'm hoping he's one of these AQmerican qbs who come up here & gets it quickly like Collaros did when he was an Argo rookie, Doug Flutie as a rookie in BC, Jeff Garcia Dave Dickenson in Calgary, Ricky Ray, Damon Allen, Matt Dunigan & Tracy Ham in Edmonton. What a treat that would be.

I'm pretty sure MOS just wants to make sure he tells each guy first. Some guys are cool with just leaving a voice mail or letting guys find out on social media with everyone else.

5 minutes ago Dru Brown was going to sign a $500,000 contract with someone next year and be the next great starter. Now it's Pig. Let's not all go to the Brendan Taman school of QB evaluation, keep it reasonable and give it some time.

Sooooo.....Harper's sorry record is irrelevant because its in the past but Kinew's is not. Okaay...

yeah I knew this was coming. I don't recall getting excited last year about Prukop or Brown. Brown is serviceable, but Pigrome has a lot of tools, he can run AND he throws an accurate ball. I was so mad at the defence last night for not giving TPig another chance to get on the field and do some more trucking and chucking.