2024/2025 CFL (non-Bomber) Off-Season Thread

[Booch]

16 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Janarion Grant was cut by the Ti-Cats in TC. before we scooped him. He has been the best returner in the league since then.

BC's offence already sucks.

I think we had looked at him and was on our radar but he was their neg list....so we just watched and waited

 

1 minute ago, bigg jay said:

Sask re-signs Harris... good luck with that!

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/05/staying-in-saskatchewan-riders-re-sign-veteran-qb-trevor-harris/

bOLD....but bad move in my opinion...just keeps them further behind in the transition....but looks good on them...Keep it up Oday!

[SpeedFlex27]

5 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Sask re-signs Harris... good luck with that!

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/05/staying-in-saskatchewan-riders-re-sign-veteran-qb-trevor-harris/

Really, who else were they gonna get? We're stuck in the same boat.... There are no young Zach Collaros around. 

[wbbfan]

3 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Ontaria Wilson having a 1000 yard season didn't do it for you I guess? Complain away then....

Not agreeing with the overall point being discussed, our scouting has been very good imo. 
 But on Wilson idk what to make of him honestly. He’s shown some flashes and stepped up when needed. Idk if he’s an effective guy as the 4th passing option which is what he is when our wr core is healthy. 
 What he shows in the sophomore year will dictate how good he really is. If he takes a step forward and can perform in the lesser used role he will be a real good find. Idk about his fit with our full unit but we will see. Not many kids step in the way he did and perform instantly. 
 

36 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Janarion Grant was cut by the Ti-Cats in TC. before we scooped him. He has been the best returner in the league since then.

BC's offence already sucks.

we traded for his rights, was he on the pr or some thing idr the details. 

[HardCoreBlue]

49 minutes ago, Dr Zaius said:

Wow, biting off twice as much as he can chew. BC's offence is going to suuuuuck

Or, the offense will be okay but all the other pieces will falter due to his inattention and/or rookie HC mistakes.

Either way you cut it, BC s rolling the dice on a few things here including NR finds his form.

[Fatty Liver]

55 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Not agreeing with the overall point being discussed, our scouting has been very good imo. 
 But on Wilson idk what to make of him honestly. He’s shown some flashes and stepped up when needed. Idk if he’s an effective guy as the 4th passing option which is what he is when our wr core is healthy. 
 What he shows in the sophomore year will dictate how good he really is. If he takes a step forward and can perform in the lesser used role he will be a real good find. Idk about his fit with our full unit but we will see. Not many kids step in the way he did and perform instantly. 

I think they limited Pokie's yards the second half of the season using him mostly inside where Woli and Clercius should dwell, almost every pass thrown his way required him to come back to the ball or stop and wait for the reception allowing defenders to congregate.  He's quick, twitchy and as slippery as an eel, hit him in stride and there's a good chance he's taking it to the house, which he did multiple times in the first half of the season.  With the right QB throwing the ball he should have no problem accounting 1500 yd seasons, if he can stay healthy.  Unbox him, turn him loose.

[Brandon]

Ok I guess my point was incorrect as one player showed well and the 20 other players they rotated in and out were extremely mediocre.     

[GCn20]

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Not agreeing with the overall point being discussed, our scouting has been very good imo. 
 But on Wilson idk what to make of him honestly. He’s shown some flashes and stepped up when needed. Idk if he’s an effective guy as the 4th passing option which is what he is when our wr core is healthy. 
 What he shows in the sophomore year will dictate how good he really is. If he takes a step forward and can perform in the lesser used role he will be a real good find. Idk about his fit with our full unit but we will see. Not many kids step in the way he did and perform instantly. 
 

we traded for his rights, was he on the pr or some thing idr the details. 

He was on the PR. Was cut in camp.

[rebusrankin]

2 hours ago, bigg jay said:

Sask re-signs Harris... good luck with that!

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/05/staying-in-saskatchewan-riders-re-sign-veteran-qb-trevor-harris/

If you have a QB who is going to be 39, generally moves the ball between the 20s and then falters and usually has a .500 record, you don't hesistate, you commit.

[GCn20]

9 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Ok I guess my point was incorrect as one player showed well and the 20 other players they rotated in and out were extremely mediocre.     

What exactly are you hoping for? Every player to be a stud? It doesn't happen EVER. To get a couple quality starters a year through recruitment is very good recruitment. To get 2 quality starters and another 2-3 players that are showing that they have quality starter potential is even better. 1000 yard receiver, shut down DB, and a productive NAT rookie receiver is a pretty darn good year. Add Wheatfall, Ayers, and Woods to that mix (all players that flashed a high ceiling) and I really have no idea what you are complaining about.

Edited December 5 by GCn20

[SpeedFlex27]

7 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

What exactly are you hoping for? Every player to be a stud? It doesn't happen EVER. To get a couple quality starters a year through recruitment is very good recruitment. To get 2 quality starters and another 2-3 players that are showing that they have quality starter potential is even better. 1000 yard receiver, shut down DB, and a productive NAT rookie receiver is a pretty darn good year. Add Wheatfall, Ayers, and Woods to that mix (all players that flashed a high ceiling) and I really have no idea what you are complaining about.

On a 42 man roster, you need to be able to find more than one great player a year or you're the Elks. 

[Noeller]

 

 

[JohnnyAbonny]

7 minutes ago, Noeller said:

 

 

Good, let them have a retread

[HardCoreBlue]

10 minutes ago, Noeller said:

 

 

I was wondering what MB was up to these days, apparently still interested in coaching I see.

He should move back to the broadcast booth with Lapo, I loved watching them go back and forth from an O versus D point of view using the game they are covering to debate with one another in how their half time adjustments would be better.

'Lapo versus Benevides' half time show to replace 'Please stop yelling Jim Barker' half time show.

Edited December 5 by HardCoreBlue

[SpeedFlex27]

Mike should retire from coaching. Why would Buck want him as DC? 

[Fatty Liver]

12 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Mike should retire from coaching. Why would Buck want him as DC? 

He was already in place as their STC, calm, intelligent and an improvement on Ryan Phillips.

[SpeedFlex27]

10 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

He was already in place as their STC, calm, intelligent and an improvement on Ryan Phillips.

Philips made it all about himself on the sidelines using drama to call attention to himself. "Look at me, I'm the smartest coach on the field".

[Noeller]

38 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

I was wondering what MB was up to these days, apparently still interested in coaching I see.

He should move back to the broadcast booth with Lapo, I loved watching them go back and forth from an O versus D point of view using the game they are covering to debate with one another in how their half time adjustments would be better.

'Lapo versus Benevides' half time show to replace 'Please stop yelling Jim Barker' half time show.

Benevides has been on the Lions sideline the last two years, Im pretty sure....

[Fatty Liver]

5 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Philips made it all about himself on the sidelines using drama to call attention to himself. "Look at me, I'm the smartest coach on the field".

He usually looked exasperated, big on the "I can't believe this ****" moments.

[HardCoreBlue]

10 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Benevides has been on the Lions sideline the last two years, Im pretty sure....

I see that. Oops. Who knew? Apparently, not me.

[17to85]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

Ok I guess my point was incorrect as one player showed well and the 20 other players they rotated in and out were extremely mediocre.     

Well I listed 2... the you had guys like woods who started the bulk of the games and did look solid... garbut and adams had moments, ayers as well... so what exactly are you hoping for? Not a lot of rookies step in and do what schoen did. Often  will be their 2nd year guys really hit their stride... show me a team that's done better with first year players...

[SpeedFlex27]

58 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

He usually looked exasperated, big on the "I can't believe this ****" moments.

Phillips defenses weren't even that good. Yet, there he was for all to see hamming it up constantly. Overmatched on the DL. Couldn't stop the run. Betts could rush the passer but then got beat outside by the backs in this league. Linebackers average. Real problems in the secondary. 

[Goalie]

Trevor Harris back with Sask on a 1 year deal. 

[greenrider55]

Harris was the best option available, I personally didn't want Maier starting. Ideally Harris can mentor Coan for another year, and see what happens in '26.

[Fatty Liver]

9 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

I was wondering what MB was up to these days, apparently still interested in coaching I see.

 

Nice of you to remember, HC Ottawa Gee-Gees.

[Brandon]

11 hours ago, GCn20 said:

What exactly are you hoping for? Every player to be a stud? It doesn't happen EVER. To get a couple quality starters a year through recruitment is very good recruitment. To get 2 quality starters and another 2-3 players that are showing that they have quality starter potential is even better. 1000 yard receiver, shut down DB, and a productive NAT rookie receiver is a pretty darn good year. Add Wheatfall, Ayers, and Woods to that mix (all players that flashed a high ceiling) and I really have no idea what you are complaining about.

The only areas we have recruited well is receiver and DB.     It shouldn't be this damn difficult and two + years to find anyone on the d-line who can outplay a pylon like Jake Thomas.   We shouldn't have to trot out a completely shot lber like Bighill and only replace him once he's hurt himself.   We shouldn't have to rely on a guy like Kyrie Wilson who is a band aid.   Back in the day they had a dline with Jeffcoat,  Nevis, Stove,  Kongbo,  and where a guy like Roh was the depth and he himself would get 6 - 8 sacks per year.  Jake Thomas was 8 years younger and was purely depth and yet somehow him being much older now equals him being our starter?    All of those guys are way better then anyone not named Willie that was on our d-line this past year.  

Maybe we have talent in other areas and the coaches are not playing them (i.e. oline)  but it is concerning that guys who are clearly on the decline like Neufeld are not being pushed out.      

Why didn't they try out more guys at returner?  Clearly Whitehead isn't the same anymore,  why not cut him after it failed and bring in new faces who could be dynamic and explosive and make a difference?   Why waste a spot on Josh Johnson and Lucky Whitehead when they could bring in I'd assume dozens of guys who could receiver and return?

Why couldn't they find a punter?  Our punter was last in the league for average and by a decent margin.  Another odd stat is that he was the only punter that had 0 singles.   Which leads me to believe that he never had the leg power to coffin kick it in the corner.  

This team is aging and struggling to reload.   In our prime we had years where we had to make "tough" decisions on who to cut in training camp.  The last three training camps it seems like they have all been a joke and we haven't had to make a "tough" cut in a long while.  This is concerning for me.     God forbid that Brady gets hurt because I think with this current iteration that one big injury like that equals 5 - 6 less wins in the season.