2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[rebusrankin]

29 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

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

If he's the best option, then fine. I just suspect that we have better american options.

BTW I hate everybody. No discrimination against the GTA.

[wbbfan]

30 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

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

People sleeping on him thinking he’s like the late stages oft injured Hallett boys. Kelly’s a legit run and cover guy. Impressed me with physicality and ability to play down hill against the run. Small sample size, but he’s shown a hell of a lot of promise. 
 I’m not a fan of the token Canadian at S that teams have frequently run out. Including us at times. But Kelly isn’t that guy. 
 

1 hour 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.

Should change his name tbh. Aside from being a cooler name, once the ball is snapped kola hits the vanishing point. 
… I’ll show my self out lol 

[wbbfan]

5 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

If he's the best option, then fine. I just suspect that we have better american options.

BTW I hate everybody. No discrimination against the GTA.

It’s gonna be a fantastic battle, if it’s an open battle with the best person winning. And I don’t think we will just pencil some one in and let them keep the job no matter what. 

[JuranBoldenRules]

11 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

If he's the best option, then fine. I just suspect that we have better american options.

BTW I hate everybody. No discrimination against the GTA.

It'll be interesting to see when they get everyone on the field for a few days where the new Americans end up.

Obviously one corner spot up for grabs, maybe safety/HB (Nichols could move to S).  Most of our rookies have been in multiple pro camps already and even have some games in either NFL or spring leagues.

[wbbfan]

47 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

It'll be interesting to see when they get everyone on the field for a few days where the new Americans end up.

Obviously one corner spot up for grabs, maybe safety/HB (Nichols could move to S).  Most of our rookies have been in multiple pro camps already and even have some games in either NFL or spring leagues.

Yep and we’ve brought in a lot of guys who S or half. Good chunk of big guys who aren’t likely to make it on the corner. 

[JohnnyAbonny]

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

People sleeping on him thinking he’s like the late stages oft injured Hallett boys. Kelly’s a legit run and cover guy. Impressed me with physicality and ability to play down hill against the run. Small sample size, but he’s shown a hell of a lot of promise. 
 I’m not a fan of the token Canadian at S that teams have frequently run out. Including us at times. But Kelly isn’t that guy. 
 

Should change his name tbh. Aside from being a cooler name, once the ball is snapped kola hits the vanishing point. 
… I’ll show my self out lol 

I thought Kelly was a keeper when he dominated Davarius Daniels 1v1 in the preseason game last year. The Halletts and Ian Logans of the world would not be able to make a play like that. 

[wbbfan]

57 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

I thought Kelly was a keeper when he dominated Davarius Daniels 1v1 in the preseason game last year. The Halletts and Ian Logans of the world would not be able to make a play like that. 

Love how he moves in coverage. A Canadian S who can pick up any one on a bust underneath is a great luxury. Forget if he takes a step forward this year. I just want to see more of what we’ve seen from him. 

[Booch]

23 hours ago, CrazyCanuck89 said:

Kelly at Safety

Kowalski at Centre

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

and lost more than we won....woopdydo

and stop looking back....look forward and project a roster....our best teams and deepest....and best constructed....were from 2019 to 2021.....and huh...thats when we actually won...and looked strong in doing so....since...as we have eroded...degraded and clung to best before....3 times in a row we fell flat on our faces....who cares what we did in reg season if it's flawed....aged players with nothing in the tank...marginal back-ups who never even get gane reps for the emergency they may be needed.....proof is in the puddin....change and how we do business needs to evolve or it will be 10 yrs between Cup wins before you can blink, as you'all revel in what was....a decade ago

Football...evolve and adapt....or die.....we evolved and adpated for 3 yr.....we been dying now for 3

21 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

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

personally with me I could care less where a player comes from...and his nationality....I from the world you get your 22....or 24 best options and play them accordingly...

[Booch]

20 hours ago, wbbfan said:

People sleeping on him thinking he’s like the late stages oft injured Hallett boys. Kelly’s a legit run and cover guy. Impressed me with physicality and ability to play down hill against the run. Small sample size, but he’s shown a hell of a lot of promise. 
 I’m not a fan of the token Canadian at S that teams have frequently run out. Including us at times. But Kelly isn’t that guy. 
 

Should change his name tbh. Aside from being a cooler name, once the ball is snapped kola hits the vanishing point. 
… I’ll show my self out lol 

Kelly is the most legit Canadian we have on roster who isnt already a starter...and even then is more legit than a couple who are "starters" Kid has all the skills....and the smarts

That and the fact he one of our best ST guys on top of it....Groomed right he could play half back or Corner as well as Safety and I wouldn't be bothered with him getting reps at SAM....He's that good

19 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Yep and we’ve brought in a lot of guys who S or half. Good chunk of big guys who aren’t likely to make it on the corner. 

we def brought in some intruiging free safety body types who reek of versatility...be interesting camp and with my flexible work sched I hope to attend most it

I just hope that at every spot...the best man gets the nod...not the "favorite" man

[Goalie]

Serious question. Is the best man your favourite ? And you pissed cuz instead of choosing your favourite he doesn’t? 
 

cuz last year I remember lots of you saying you don’t even go to camp. So how does one know who the best is if one isn’t at the camp every day? Coaches are there every day right. Not saying they don’t play favourites cuz every coach in every sport do but what exactly do you mean. If it’s not the guy you hype up, it means he’s playing favourites but you do the same thing yourself really by hyping guys who tend to get cut then do nothing else of note in the league. I mean. Just wondering. Keep the discussion going perhaps without insults you know? Is that possible. 
 

I agree with Kelly btw. I think if he can step up at safety that could make things interesting 

 

Brady demski clercius 2 OL Kramdi Kelly. That’s 7 right there. 8 if you go 3 OL so maybe you just start demski at receiver even to bring it back to 7. Then you got Lawson still and Ugg Thomas. So back up to 8 and an extra draft pick really. Kelly at safety gives you some interesting roster flexibility if you go that route. You could start 3 US OL or 4 US receivers. American safety tho still seems highly possible tho. Cuz Kelly isn’t really required to hit the 7 is he. But he’s prob the most experienced cfl safety we have now. 

Edited yesterday at 07:41 PM by Goalie

[kelownabomberfan]

Hey look at today's date.  I was expecting an article from Paul Friesen out by now saying that Travis Kelce was quitting the Chiefs to play his last season with his best buddy Zach in Winnipeg and that Taylor was already house hunting in Transcona.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

Kelly is the most legit Canadian we have on roster who isnt already a starter...and even then is more legit than a couple who are "starters" Kid has all the skills....and the smarts

That and the fact he one of our best ST guys on top of it....Groomed right he could play half back or Corner as well as Safety and I wouldn't be bothered with him getting reps at SAM....He's that good

we def brought in some intruiging free safety body types who reek of versatility...be interesting camp and with my flexible work sched I hope to attend most it

I just hope that at every spot...the best man gets the nod...not the "favorite" man

I have a lot of hope that S will be a good fight where the best guy wins. WR I think will as well. I am really hoping we go that way at Lber and don't instantly pencil in tony and kyrie. I don't think tony ill be penciled or penned in, but I worry kyrie will be. C, I have little to no hope. DT, I have some hope with lawson. 

 

51 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Serious question. Is the best man your favourite ? And you pissed cuz instead of choosing your favourite he doesn’t? 
 

cuz last year I remember lots of you saying you don’t even go to camp. So how does one know who the best is if one isn’t at the camp every day? Coaches are there every day right. Not saying they don’t play favourites cuz every coach in every sport do but what exactly do you mean. If it’s not the guy you hype up, it means he’s playing favourites but you do the same thing yourself really by hyping guys who tend to get cut then do nothing else of note in the league. I mean. Just wondering. Keep the discussion going perhaps without insults you know? Is that possible. 
 

I agree with Kelly btw. I think if he can step up at safety that could make things interesting 

 

Brady demski clercius 2 OL Kramdi Kelly. That’s 7 right there. 8 if you go 3 OL so maybe you just start demski at receiver even to bring it back to 7. Then you got Lawson still and Ugg Thomas. So back up to 8 and an extra draft pick really. Kelly at safety gives you some interesting roster flexibility if you go that route. You could start 3 US OL or 4 US receivers. American safety tho still seems highly possible tho. Cuz Kelly isn’t really required to hit the 7 is he. But he’s prob the most experienced cfl safety we have now. 

From my perspective, some guys are personal favorites but not the best man. Wallace is a big one. he could step up and become that guy, but I think it's better than even money chance that he won't be better than one of the Imports. Makonzo is my favorite, but I think he will be and should be a depth piece / rotational guy. Cadwallader is a favorite but not the best guy on D. And Adams at DL is a big favorite for me, but not the best guy. He is going to be in tough this year. Woods, Lawson, Vaughters, and Willy are going to be tough to crack. Plus, we won't have a ton of DI flexibility with Lber, DB, Kr, and K almost certainly all locked up. 

 

Game action is worth 10x camp reps. Maybe more. For me, camp evaluation is more about mistakes, red flags, and intangibles. Throw a right tackle or end at the left side and see how they do. Throw a tackle at the guard, have your RB run routes half the day, and see if his hands are as good when you force him to rely on them rather than when he has to make the odd snag. Camp keeps you in camp, live fire reps is where you make the team. That is also why I am a fan of throwing your green guys, especially at turnover positions, against the other teams' starters. See how those guys do versus league starters, rather than guys who will be working at a Kinkos or some thing in a couple of weeks. I'll also say that live reps in person are worth a lot more than game film, which is worth a whole lot more than highlights. 

And we have made decisions that clearly broke with all logic in camp. Like investing a couple picks in NI rbs, and not giving those guys a real chance no matter how they perform. Like Rosery, who could've been a key depth Wr, Rb and teams guy getting cut for guys who are interchangeable with him at one of those roles but with out the versatility. 

[WinnipegGordo]

He's some info on a Dlineman the Bombers signed today. He lead an arena league in sacks last season, was signed to the Renegades and then was cut Mar 21st.

 

Linebacker/DE Dreydon Hall was also signed.

 

Edited 21 hours ago by WinnipegGordo

[wbbfan]

11 minutes ago, WinnipegGordo said:

He's some info on a Dlineman the Bombers signed today. He lead an arena league in sacks last season, was signed to the Renegades and then was cut Mar 21st.

 

Linebacker/DE Dreydon Hall was also signed.

 

Greenwood has tremendous size and athleticism. That’s a great guy to have in camp. 
 Hall is small for and end which isn’t the biggest deal, he does have really good athleticism for the edge but not as amazing considering his size kind of what you should expect for that size. 
 

Camp can’t come soon enough.  Soo many great position battles coming up. 

[Booch]

18 hours ago, Goalie said:

Serious question. Is the best man your favourite ? And you pissed cuz instead of choosing your favourite he doesn’t? 
 

cuz last year I remember lots of you saying you don’t even go to camp. So how does one know who the best is if one isn’t at the camp every day? Coaches are there every day right. Not saying they don’t play favourites cuz every coach in every sport do but what exactly do you mean. If it’s not the guy you hype up, it means he’s playing favourites but you do the same thing yourself really by hyping guys who tend to get cut then do nothing else of note in the league. I mean. Just wondering. Keep the discussion going perhaps without insults you know? Is that possible. 
 

I agree with Kelly btw. I think if he can step up at safety that could make things interesting 

 

Brady demski clercius 2 OL Kramdi Kelly. That’s 7 right there. 8 if you go 3 OL so maybe you just start demski at receiver even to bring it back to 7. Then you got Lawson still and Ugg Thomas. So back up to 8 and an extra draft pick really. Kelly at safety gives you some interesting roster flexibility if you go that route. You could start 3 US OL or 4 US receivers. American safety tho still seems highly possible tho. Cuz Kelly isn’t really required to hit the 7 is he. But he’s prob the most experienced cfl safety we have now. 

I personally judge on talent...conversation I have with people involved (before and after arriving here) ...skill set...football acumen and roster usefulness....not personal bias.....also look at potential upside and or ability to evolve.....

I go to camp...a lot....and practices during the yr when I in WPg.....I dont go off "media" reports and "soundbites" people run with from a coaches comment....as a lot of times those comments are more personal bias based and likes....than actual talent or best roster option. Don't get me wrong I obviously have some favorites as well...who doesn't...but I would never put a favorite in front of a better player. I also don't care nationality....but I would build the team with best players per position and then work the ratio...not pidgeon hole positions

You hit nail on head tho...some coaches do tend to lean toward their favorites...and for all Osh's good qualities/traits....he is really bad with this to the detriment of the overall roster...and is stubborn in his bias's ....right from get go....Kuale...Hurl...Willy....Kolo...The Marine...Thomas...Scmeck....BIGGIE and BA later in their tenure...The Hallett's...just off top of my head but it's consistent with him if anything....even some of the bottom end guys we retained for yrs.....wasted roster spots as they would never evolve to anything....a really good football player can play teams before pushing a starter off the starter spot....a good teams player can't necessarily become a really good football player to push anyone...and that has hindered us

15 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Greenwood has tremendous size and athleticism. That’s a great guy to have in camp. 
 Hall is small for and end which isn’t the biggest deal, he does have really good athleticism for the edge but not as amazing considering his size kind of what you should expect for that size. 
 

Camp can’t come soon enough.  Soo many great position battles coming up. 

hopefully we allow the battles and dont do what we have done the past 2..3 yrs....gifted spots...and had too many guys not even participate to show they even deserved that gift

[17to85]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

personally judge on talent...conversation I have with people involved (before and after arriving here) ...skill set...football acumen and roster usefulness....not personal bias.....also look at potential upside and or ability to evolve.....

Everyone everywhere has personal bias. 

[JuranBoldenRules]

19 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Greenwood has tremendous size and athleticism. That’s a great guy to have in camp. 
 Hall is small for and end which isn’t the biggest deal, he does have really good athleticism for the edge but not as amazing considering his size kind of what you should expect for that size. 
 

Camp can’t come soon enough.  Soo many great position battles coming up. 

I'm kind of tired of the DE's being brought in with no burst.  Give us someone who can get off the line and put some pressure on OT's to even get hands on them.

Seems like we're trying to lead the league in knockdowns instead of pressures.  Greenwood looks very Garbutt/Wilcots style of plodding, work into the pocket, get into passing lanes style of DE.  Would prefer a purer style of rusher given Jefferson is already that guy to watch QB eyes and be disruptive that way.  I don't really want the whole DL playing basketball defense.

Could be that Greenwood is being looked at more as a 3 technique guy.

Hall seems more the style I'm after, but all his college film he's in a contain style 2 point stance.  Would like to see what he can do with a hand down or pure 4 point sprinter style get off.

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

I'm kind of tired of the DE's being brought in with no burst.  Give us someone who can get off the line and put some pressure on OT's to even get hands on them.

Seems like we're trying to lead the league in knockdowns instead of pressures.  Greenwood looks very Garbutt/Wilcots style of plodding, work into the pocket, get into passing lanes style of DE.  Would prefer a purer style of rusher given Jefferson is already that guy to watch QB eyes and be disruptive that way.  I don't really want the whole DL playing basketball defense.

Could be that Greenwood is being looked at more as a 3 technique guy.

Hall seems more the style I'm after, but all his college film he's in a contain style 2 point stance.  Would like to see what he can do with a hand down or pure 4 point sprinter style get off.

I don't mind the getting hands up in the passing lanes approach with the caveat that there has to be a disruptor to force those throws.  So a pure pass rusher off the edge, or a DT that can get pressure consistently are a must this year. I love the system, but wish he would go conventional at times too. Keep the offence off balance.

Edited 42 minutes ago by GCn20

[Booch]

2 hours ago, 17to85 said:

Everyone everywhere has personal bias. 

to a certain extent....many tho have blind bias too...there's a difference...But a HC shouldn't use his as a way to form a roster when talent trumps his bias...and it's blatantly obvious

 

49 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

I'm kind of tired of the DE's being brought in with no burst.  Give us someone who can get off the line and put some pressure on OT's to even get hands on them.

Seems like we're trying to lead the league in knockdowns instead of pressures.  Greenwood looks very Garbutt/Wilcots style of plodding, work into the pocket, get into passing lanes style of DE.  Would prefer a purer style of rusher given Jefferson is already that guy to watch QB eyes and be disruptive that way.  I don't really want the whole DL playing basketball defense.

Could be that Greenwood is being looked at more as a 3 technique guy.

Hall seems more the style I'm after, but all his college film he's in a contain style 2 point stance.  Would like to see what he can do with a hand down or pure 4 point sprinter style get off.

Part of that lack of burst tho is how they are asking them to play.....we need to turn them loose and be in attack mode....thats what happens when you employ guys in the middle with no push....finesse and brute stuanchness

We played a safe contain system to mitigate a soft under belly....and was a problem we self inflicted on ourselves with the stubborn insistence to give 75% of snaps to weak DT's and a MLB who we refused to move on from until he got hurt

Fix the middle (including MLB)...and your ends flourish.....center out...just like the oline...fix the center and guards all of a sudden look like all-world

37 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I don't mind the getting hands up in the passing lanes approach with the caveat that there has to be a disruptor to force those throws.  So a pure pass rusher off the edge, or a DT that can get pressure consistently are a must this year.

100 percent....but it's also who yhou are putting out there too to make it work...we don't/didnt turn our ends loose...due to the lack of any disruptor...let alone even a guy who was just a run stuffer in the middle for way too may snaps

Look back at tape and when we fielded certain sets....we played a different game...and would get pressure from multiple angles...when we fielded a different set...we had ends hanging back looking to find a opening and or contain and had a soft middle that got washed out, or just repositioned to where the offence wanted to take them as we relied on our DB's to shut it down...Thank god we had a good secondary and guys like Griffin coming in a lot

Edited 1 hour ago by Booch

[GCn20]

45 minutes ago, Booch said:

to a certain extent....many tho have blind bias too...there's a difference...But a HC shouldn't use his as a way to form a roster when talent trumps his bias...and it's blatantly obvious

 

Part of that lack of burst tho is how they are asking them to play.....we need to turn them loose and be in attack mode....thats what happens when you employ guys in the middle with no push....finesse and brute stuanchness

We played a safe contain system to mitigate a soft under belly....and was a problem we self inflicted on ourselves with the stubborn insistence to give 75% of snaps to weak DT's and a MLB who we refused to move on from until he got hurt

Fix the middle (including MLB)...and your ends flourish.....center out...just like the oline...fix the center and guards all of a sudden look like all-world

100 percent....but it's also who yhou are putting out there too to make it work...we don't/didnt turn our ends loose...due to the lack of any disruptor...let alone even a guy who was just a run stuffer in the middle for way too may snaps

Look back at tape and when we fielded certain sets....we played a different game...and would get pressure from multiple angles...when we fielded a different set...we had ends hanging back looking to find a opening and or contain and had a soft middle that got washed out, or just repositioned to where the offence wanted to take them as we relied on our DB's to shut it down...Thank god we had a good secondary and guys like Griffin coming in a lot

We should not be at all surprised by this style coming from Younger. It was the exact same style he played with the Argos when he and Levingston etc were ball hawking the league. Younger excelled in that format, as did our DBs last year, but it means our QB rush quite often is an after thought.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

I'm kind of tired of the DE's being brought in with no burst.  Give us someone who can get off the line and put some pressure on OT's to even get hands on them.

Seems like we're trying to lead the league in knockdowns instead of pressures.  Greenwood looks very Garbutt/Wilcots style of plodding, work into the pocket, get into passing lanes style of DE.  Would prefer a purer style of rusher given Jefferson is already that guy to watch QB eyes and be disruptive that way.  I don't really want the whole DL playing basketball defense.

Could be that Greenwood is being looked at more as a 3 technique guy.

Hall seems more the style I'm after, but all his college film he's in a contain style 2 point stance.  Would like to see what he can do with a hand down or pure 4 point sprinter style get off.

Nailed it. The get off is the single most important tool they can have. The next, is their ability to shed/beat blocks. 
 Neither of these come from raw athletics. 
Big de at 3tech would be great. Realistically, that spot doesn’t need to be significantly better at run stopping than an end.  And facing all ni ol you can get a good consistent pass rusher easier than vs the imp tackles of the league. 
 

 

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

I don't mind the getting hands up in the passing lanes approach with the caveat that there has to be a disruptor to force those throws.  So a pure pass rusher off the edge, or a DT that can get pressure consistently are a must this year. I love the system, but wish he would go conventional at times too. Keep the offence off balance.

Yup. Active hands playing the pass lanes is important, with in your rush. You can’t run 4-5 rushers with a goal of getting pkd. You have to push the pocket and create pressures. 

[Blue28]

Hey folks,

Just read the latest mock draft: https://www.cfl.ca/2025/04/02/mock-draft-1-0-who-will-calgary-take-first-overall/

Am I crazy to think that there is no way we take a QB in the first two rounds.

We need to take an OL  in the first, LB or DB (if one of the top guys are available) in the second along with another OL as the extra pick, - and next area of need be best player of (in order of importance to replace or add depth):

REC (or the TE) - DB/LB -  DE/RB - RB/DE - maybe Tachinski (MB QB) in the final as a local/futures pick up for receiver.

 

My point is - I don't think we can afford to take a QB as a high draft pick.

Thoughts?

[Goalie]

2 minutes ago, Blue28 said:

Hey folks,

Just read the latest mock draft: https://www.cfl.ca/2025/04/02/mock-draft-1-0-who-will-calgary-take-first-overall/

Am I crazy to think that there is no way we take a QB in the first two rounds.

We need to take an OL  in the first, LB or DB (if one of the top guys are available) in the second along with another OL as the extra pick, - and next area of need be best player of (in order of importance to replace or add depth):

REC (or the TE) - DB/LB -  DE/RB - RB/DE - maybe Tachinski (MB QB) in the final as a local/futures pick up for receiver.

 

My point is - I don't think we can afford to take a QB as a high draft pick.

Thoughts?

We won’t. Because and I quote 

 

It’s officially April, and this fool has decided to do his annual top two rounds of mock CFL predictions.

Edited 16 minutes ago by Goalie