2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[wbbfan]

Some guys I think would be a better fit as combine based prospects for us, 

We. Hakeem Harris, This years clercius. 6’3 210 ran a 4.59 36” vert 10’9” broad 13 reps 7.12 3 cone 4.25 ss. Didn’t catch a lot of balls down south, but played a lot of teams. He could allow us to use clercius more as a pass catcher and heir to Demski, and fill the blocking role. Two guys like that doesn’t hurt. 
 

Db, Eric cumberbatch. Elite size and athleticism at db. Similarly Anton haie. 

Dl.  Liam Hoskins. Elite athleticism and good size at end. Silas Hubert, who has that size to play 3t 4i and book end with tremendous athleticism . 
 

Ol. Still really like pile, not the world beater athlete or great size. But the motor, toughness and nasty grit are great. Ethan vibert too. 
 

maybe now’s the year we spend a late pick on a qb too. Arnaud Desjardins and Jackson tachinski have both been in camp with us in the past as cis guest QBs. Either could move to wr, and could also be short yardage QBs. 

 

[JuranBoldenRules]

Choquette blew the combine up when they put pads on.  I have a hard time seeing any team looking for a ball-carrier type RB taking Zorn before him, but maybe a bit of a sleeper into the 3rd-4th round.

There's 5 legit CFL quality tailback type guys in this draft and then Stubbs from the U of M who isn't really explosive at this level, and probably too slow/small generally lacking explosiveness to be a special teams guy.  But gritty back in CIS so maybe he can translate that into a role. 

Knight from UBC is another productive guy, tested kind of crappy and kind of aloof at CFL combine, thinks he's headed to NFL. 

Oshinubi from U of A, not the lead guy on his own team, but the kind of crazy athlete for special teams and maybe spot duty/2 back/H back type guy that everyone needs.  Could easily be off the board in 2nd round just based on that physicality.  Probably put himself over Knight because he's just an athletic football player, not worried about carrying the ball necessarily. 

Zorn is a real upright runner, goes down maybe a little too easy for CFL level.  Looks to me like he might be the kind of guy you'd switch to blocking back/receiver, utility type.  A guy that can be dangerous in space, not sure he'd be very productive as a tailback in CFL.

Yazbeck from Western.  Surprised with explosiveness, from a real run heavy program that just grinds other teams.  So a little different watching his highlight tape than all the guys running out of 5R spread stuff all the time.  Another guy IMO that could be a real mid round gem, especially for a team like us going Canadian at tailback.  But, main critique again is the upright running, not such a bad habit when you're stronger and wayyy more athletic, but not going to work against pros.  Runs heavy, loves to stiff arm and has the home run cuts in him, might be a nice compliment to Brady.

Lots of good players here and I'd bet with the depth of defensive guys, receivers and OL they will be on the board in the 3rd-5th rounds.

[Noeller]

I say this every year, but thank you VERY much to those of you who follow Junior/CIS/NCAA and can provide some input on the prospects. It's greatly appreciated!

[CrazyCanuck89]

On 2025-03-28 at 2:37 PM, Booch said:

we only need to start 7 "true" Canadians...the 8th could be WJ...Bryant....Wilson...Nichols...Holm...

So depending on where they declare...5 on offense (2 OL...Demski...BO...Clercius) and 2 on defense...where they slap the 2 is up for debate but I'd prefer to see it at safety and boundary corner...now do we have the guy for that? Who knows but I'd rather see that for if anything give us a more stout front 7

Ideally tho I see no reason why we dont go 3 OL guys as we have....shouldnt be hard...I sure as it sits we be just fine with Wallace and Neuf with Eli and a draft pick in the hopper....and just need to use 1 Canadian on defense and he could be at multiple spots...depending on what we are sCheming throught a game....SafetY some plays..DT....SAM...

Thanks captain, but Walters and O'Shea are real Patriots and will start 9 or 10, actual nationals this year.

On 2025-03-28 at 6:50 PM, wbbfan said:

Some guys I think would be a better fit as combine based prospects for us, 

We. Hakeem Harris, This years clercius. 6’3 210 ran a 4.59 36” vert 10’9” broad 13 reps 7.12 3 cone 4.25 ss. Didn’t catch a lot of balls down south, but played a lot of teams. He could allow us to use clercius more as a pass catcher and heir to Demski, and fill the blocking role. Two guys like that doesn’t hurt. 
 

Db, Eric cumberbatch. Elite size and athleticism at db. Similarly Anton haie. 

Dl.  Liam Hoskins. Elite athleticism and good size at end. Silas Hubert, who has that size to play 3t 4i and book end with tremendous athleticism . 
 

Ol. Still really like pile, not the world beater athlete or great size. But the motor, toughness and nasty grit are great. Ethan vibert too. 
 

maybe now’s the year we spend a late pick on a qb too. Arnaud Desjardins and Jackson tachinski have both been in camp with us in the past as cis guest QBs. Either could move to wr, and could also be short yardage QBs. 

 

Silas is great, considered to have a higher ceiling than his brother, but I think Owen will do well in Hamilton.

Edited yesterday at 02:28 PM by CrazyCanuck89

[rebusrankin]

We don't have 9 or 10 Canadians who should start. 

[Mark H.]

1 hour ago, CrazyCanuck89 said:

Thanks captain, but Walters and O'Shea are real Patriots and will start 9 or 10, actual nationals this year.

12 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

We don't have 9 or 10 Canadians who should start. 

Aye.

[kelownabomberfan]

50 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

We don't have 9 or 10 Canadians who should start. 

Do we even have 7?

[rebusrankin]

1 hour ago, kelownabomberfan said:

Do we even have 7?

Neufeld, Wallace, Demski, Brady, Clercius, Lawson, Kramdi

[Pete]

2 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Neufeld, Wallace, Demski, Brady, Clercius, Lawson, Kramdi

and Olivera . not sure Wallace qualifies just yet though. Only other option is Kelly at safety

[GCn20]

15 minutes ago, Pete said:

and Olivera . not sure Wallace qualifies just yet though. Only other option is Kelly at safety

He had Oliveira as Brady.

[Noeller]

I think that's a pretty ******* good 7 anyhow...

[Pete]

47 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

He had Oliveira as Brady.

right, what threw me off was not having Kolankowski or ELi listed, may not be our strongest national but we don't have much options.

Edited yesterday at 09:43 PM by Pete

[GCn20]

15 minutes ago, Pete said:

right, what threw me off was not having Kolankowski or ELi listed, may not be our strongest national but we don't have much options.

Yea...we are definitely going NAT at centre one way or another.

[rebusrankin]

I did leave off a C and its most likely we go Nat at C and Wallace may not start.

[GCn20]

57 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I think that's a pretty ******* good 7 anyhow...

It's good...but a team is only as good as it's depth. SShhhh.,...don't tell the Riders, they haven't figured that out yet.

[wbbfan]

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/30/opinion-subtle-tweak-to-cfl-training-camp-roster-rules-could-mean-less-opportunities-for-canadian-development/
 

we have used the second camp exemption a ton of times over the years. On one hand it likely leads to less Canadian guys in camps, but when you’re at 100 guys going down a couple might improve time and quality. Especially for junior camp invites. 

[rebusrankin]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

It's good...but a team is only as good as it's depth. SShhhh.,...don't tell the Riders, they haven't figured that out yet.

The draft is going to be huge for depth. Hopefully we land at least 3 guys who can contribute this year. As well, hopefully guys like Sampson and MCI can play a larger role in year 2.

[GCn20]

52 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

The draft is going to be huge for depth. Hopefully we land at least 3 guys who can contribute this year. As well, hopefully guys like Sampson and MCI can play a larger role in year 2.

Year one is adjusting to pro speed for most guys, year 2 should see many guys begin bringing their game.

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/30/opinion-subtle-tweak-to-cfl-training-camp-roster-rules-could-mean-less-opportunities-for-canadian-development/
 

we have used the second camp exemption a ton of times over the years. On one hand it likely leads to less Canadian guys in camps, but when you’re at 100 guys going down a couple might improve time and quality. Especially for junior camp invites. 

Sucks they are doing that but I doubt it has any real impact whatsoever on anyone's roster.

[Booch]

10 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

We don't have 9 or 10 Canadians who should start. 

7 is a stretch right now until camp breaks...sure some will throw out the Kramdi argument...but as much as many glom on about him..he's not the best option for the spot here..especially when it doesn't need to be manned by a Canadian.. if they feel the need to start him..and hes as smart as they say...throw him at safety as the field general and guy in charge of the back 6...Ala how BA's smarts made him so valuable...tho I don't think he has the athleticism there for it..and if he doesn't have it there then at sam where he could be in coverage on teams top targets...he is even more deficient.

Hopefully we get 6 nationals on offence so we only required to have 1 on defence on any given snap and it would make us a way better defence

 

12 hours ago, CrazyCanuck89 said:

Thanks captain, but Walters and O'Shea are real Patriots and will start 9 or 10, actual nationals this year.

Silas is great, considered to have a higher ceiling than his brother, but I think Owen will do well in Hamilton.

Which is a poor roster decision..and makes us not our best

[JuranBoldenRules]

16 hours ago, wbbfan said:

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/30/opinion-subtle-tweak-to-cfl-training-camp-roster-rules-could-mean-less-opportunities-for-canadian-development/
 

we have used the second camp exemption a ton of times over the years. On one hand it likely leads to less Canadian guys in camps, but when you’re at 100 guys going down a couple might improve time and quality. Especially for junior camp invites. 

Yeah I think in the long run it also gives the Canadian players a better chance to make a team because they'll be available to everyone.  They should also fix the draft so players declare when they are done playing U Sports.  They were on that track at one point instead of the automatic eligibility 4 years after they first enroll.

The guys like McEwen would just wait until they are done playing U Sports to sign with the team that drafts them.

[wbbfan]

3 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Yeah I think in the long run it also gives the Canadian players a better chance to make a team because they'll be available to everyone.  They should also fix the draft so players declare when they are done playing U Sports.  They were on that track at one point instead of the automatic eligibility 4 years after they first enroll.

The guys like McEwen would just wait until they are done playing U Sports to sign with the team that drafts them.

I don’t think the return to school then back to the pros to the drafting team the following year has provided much though I like it in theory. We’ve used it a bunch but not it any success I can recall. 
 
We don’t expand the coaching staffs with guests much any more, and tc rosters are massive these days. I think we’re past the point of diminishing returns on having soo many guys and not enough time eyes or footballs to go around. 

[CrazyCanuck89]

On 2025-03-30 at 2:36 PM, rebusrankin said:

Neufeld, Wallace, Demski, Brady, Clercius, Lawson, Kramdi

Kelly at Safety

Kowalski at Centre

16 hours ago, Booch said:

7 is a stretch right now until camp breaks...sure some will throw out the Kramdi argument...but as much as many glom on about him..he's not the best option for the spot here..especially when it doesn't need to be manned by a Canadian.. if they feel the need to start him..and hes as smart as they say...throw him at safety as the field general and guy in charge of the back 6...Ala how BA's smarts made him so valuable...tho I don't think he has the athleticism there for it..and if he doesn't have it there then at sam where he could be in coverage on teams top targets...he is even more deficient.

Hopefully we get 6 nationals on offence so we only required to have 1 on defence on any given snap and it would make us a way better defence

 

Which is a poor roster decision..and makes us not our best

Not poor at all, considering they've made 5 straight Grey Cups.

Edited 3 hours ago by CrazyCanuck89

[JuranBoldenRules]

48 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I don’t think the return to school then back to the pros to the drafting team the following year has provided much though I like it in theory. We’ve used it a bunch but not it any success I can recall. 
 
We don’t expand the coaching staffs with guests much any more, and tc rosters are massive these days. I think we’re past the point of diminishing returns on having soo many guys and not enough time eyes or footballs to go around. 

It’s pretty rare that a guy who otherwise would have made the team leaves the team and goes back to school.  So in sum I think it really won’t make a a difference for individual players.

Could see teams cycling Canadians through camp to find what they are looking for.  And easier to do that when more players available.  So really for the player probably a better shot to actually make a team vs the “come to three camps with us because you don’t count against the roster limit but we don’t really want you” situation we have now.

[rebusrankin]

Kowalski, do you mean Kolankowski?

Fine sub Kolo for Wallace as a second Nat OL. Kelly shouldn't be starting at S.

[JuranBoldenRules]

50 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Kowalski, do you mean Kolankowski?

Fine sub Kolo for Wallace as a second Nat OL. Kelly shouldn't be starting at S.

Even if he's the best option coming out of camp.  You don't like him?  Hate kids from the GTA?