It is getting close to the time when teams announce their nominees for CFL awards. Here is my Blue Bomber nominees
Rookie-Trey Vaval
Special Teams-Trey Vaval
Offensive Lineman-Stanley Bryant
Defensive player-Evan Holm
Canadian-Nic Demski
Outstanding Player-Nic Demski
I think Vaval will be the west nominee for both rookie and special teams. I don't see anyone else going further.
I think the Canadian awards are a toss up between Brady Oliveria and Nic Demski. Missing a few games will hurt Brady's chances but he's the engine that makes our offence run.
The other choices look good.
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 13, 2025, 02:26:47 PMI think the Canadian awards are a toss up between Brady Oliveria and Nic Demski. Missing a few games will hurt Brady's chances but he's the engine that makes our offence run.
The other choices look good.
I could have gone either way with Olivera and Demski. I gave it to Demski because he has had a really good year among a receiving core that was often changing game to game. Olivera was good this year as well but has not put up the numbers he did last season.
Quote from: bwiser on October 13, 2025, 03:09:03 PMI could have gone either way with Olivera and Demski. I gave it to Demski because he has had a really good year among a receiving core that was often changing game to game. Olivera was good this year as well but has not put up the numbers he did last season.
I understand but he did miss 3 entire games. Based on 2024 he's only 265 yards behind rushing yardage but is actually ahead of receiving yardage.
Demski has just about made his 2024 totals but whether he misses some time now is a TBD after pulling a hamstring against the Elks. Good point about the changing receivers group all year and that making it a tougher year.
So I could have gone either way as well. Both extremely talented players.
I'd nominate Neufeld for Offensive Lineman as an acknowledgement for long time service and to pad his resume, same goes for Demski over Brady.
Vaval has a decent chance of winning the ROY but I'd like to see the list first, I bet there will be some impressive starters up for this award.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 13, 2025, 03:32:06 PMI'd nominate Neufeld for Offensive Lineman as an acknowledgement for long time service and to pad his resume, same goes for Demski over Brady.
Vaval has a decent chance of winning the ROY but I'd like to see the list first, I bet there will be some impressive starters up for this award.
You don't nominate a player based on long time service. If he was our best OL that's a different question but I don't believe he was better than Bryant. Bryant has played more games and more games in Winnipeg than Neufeld. So if the argument is long time service, then Bryant wins in a landslide.
Vaval might win an ST player award but I don't think he'd win ROY. There are rookie starters that see 30 to 40 snaps a game that will looked at for that award.
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 13, 2025, 03:45:02 PMYou don't nominate a player based on long time service. If he was our best OL that's a different question but I don't believe he was better than Bryant. Bryant has played more games and more games in Winnipeg than Neufeld. So if the argument is long time service, then Bryant wins in a landslide.
Vaval might win an ST player award but I don't think he'd win ROY. There are rookie starters that see 30 to 40 snaps a game that will looked at for that award.
Stan already has 4 or 5 of these nominations on his resume, he didn't earn another one and he might get the idea he should come back for another season. Walters can't afford to keep him around and risk losing any of Vanderpool, Randolph or Lofton, it's time for Stan to go.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 13, 2025, 04:05:41 PMStan already has 4 or 5 of these nominations on his resume, he didn't earn another one and he might get the idea he should come back for another season. Walters can't afford to keep him around and risk losing any of Vanderpool, Randolph or Lofton, it's time for Stan to go.
That's not entirely true. He plays the most difficult spot on the OL and was our best OL by far. That fact he's been nominated multiple times is irrelevant. None of our OL are going to win the OL award IMO.
Whether he should return in 2026 is another issue. None of the other import OL are slam dunks at LT and all of them are potential free agents as well as Bryant.
Stan is one of the best of all time. He has a job here imo as long as he wants to and still can compete.
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 13, 2025, 04:50:32 PMThat's not entirely true. He plays the most difficult spot on the OL and was our best OL by far. That fact he's been nominated multiple times is irrelevant. None of our OL are going to win the OL award IMO.
Whether he should return in 2026 is another issue. None of the other import OL are slam dunks at LT and all of them are potential free agents as well as Bryant.
It's pretty obvious the downfall has already begun, they have till the end of this season to prove otherwise, but they now fail to rise to the challenge more often than they rise to it. Time to read the tea leaves and move onto the next iteration with new blood and leave the old warriors behind. Instead of stringing it out over multiple years, chop it quick and move forward. First task, line up the next starting QB.
D is Tony Jones, no question. You simply don't get awards for non-stats because teams avoid you at all costs (Holm). You need stats or flash. Jones has both.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 13, 2025, 10:58:09 PMIt's pretty obvious the downfall has already begun, they have till the end of this season to prove otherwise, but they now fail to rise to the challenge more often than they rise to it. Time to read the tea leaves and move onto the next iteration with new blood and leave the old warriors behind. Instead of stringing it out over multiple years, chop it quick and move forward. First task, line up the next starting QB.
Retool rather than rebuild imo
I would go with Zach if 100% healthy and groom his replacement
Quote from: bwiser on October 13, 2025, 02:23:58 PMIt is getting close to the time when teams announce their nominees for CFL awards. Here is my Blue Bomber nominees
Rookie-Trey Vaval
Special Teams-Trey Vaval
Offensive Lineman-Stanley Bryant
Defensive player-Evan Holm
Canadian-Nic Demski
Outstanding Player-Nic Demski
I think Vaval will be the west nominee for both rookie and special teams. I don't see anyone else going further.
I don't think we have any other contenders.
Who knows what they do with the OL award. They could pick any of them and it wouldn't surprise me. Vaval is our lone shot at an award winner. Demski was the only guy on the team showing up for most of the season. He's my unquestioned MOC and MOP. Evan Holm might have just had his best season. Tony Jones might get the nod due to counting stats.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 13, 2025, 10:58:09 PMIt's pretty obvious the downfall has already begun, they have till the end of this season to prove otherwise, but they now fail to rise to the challenge more often than they rise to it. Time to read the tea leaves and move onto the next iteration with new blood and leave the old warriors behind. Instead of stringing it out over multiple years, chop it quick and move forward. First task, line up the next starting QB.
I won't be surprised whichever way they decide with Bryant. Reportedly earning $170K this season. He may want the same or take a lesser amount next year. I don't know we have or will have a better replacement by the end of TC.
He has stated he wants to play another few seasons. It's one of those tough questions. How well do they recruit or what do they do in free agency?
Is there a better LT currently in the CFL?
Stan has been ok this year if he wants to play next year they ll sign him
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 13, 2025, 11:50:28 PMIs there a better LT currently in the CFL?
Whoever was starting LT in CGY and MTL this year when they were winning big may be better. Not sure if they stayed the same all season or had injuries. The TOR one last year was definitely better.
So there may be 2-3 better ones out there, and more importantly, much younger. However, most teams will match ~$170k for a top vet LT, so it may be tough to shake one loose, except maybe from whoever wins the cup (as they will have to shed lots of players, usually).
Quote from: Blue In BC on October 13, 2025, 11:50:28 PMI won't be surprised whichever way they decide with Bryant. Reportedly earning $170K this season. He may want the same or take a lesser amount next year. I don't know we have or will have a better replacement by the end of TC.
He has stated he wants to play another few seasons. It's one of those tough questions. How well do they recruit or what do they do in free agency?
Is there a better LT currently in the CFL?
Pretty sure Stan was making over $200k at some point in his career but can't find any verification, so he's done the smart thing and lowered his contract demands over time to stay in the game and he's now the 14th highest paid OL in the CFL.
He's not a liability on the field yet but he's also not a great leader, sometimes it comes down to energy and he rarely gets involved blocking downfield or says much of anything to anyone. If the O-line is diagnosed as a problem, he's a part of it.
I'm sure Zach will try to convince him to come back for another season but then they'd get stuck with status quo were their effectiveness is deteriorating and O'Shea unwilling to shuffle the deck or change things up because he treats his players like they're his children.
I just think it's time to re-start with a fresh menu before it gets even worse, they've been trending downward for the second straight year, time to evaluate honestly and make a fresh start in a few key areas, mostly on offence.
Stan is past his prime for sure, but still plays better than anyone we have in the locker room. If they are going to replace him, we haven't seen that player yet. At $170k, he's not super expensive, especially for a LT. Are there better LT in the league, for sure. Stan isn't 30 anymore, more like 40, but still plays decent--he gets beat more now than he ever did, but isn't a huge liability for us.
Quote from: dd on October 14, 2025, 11:57:16 PMStan is past his prime for sure, but still plays better than anyone we have in the locker room. If they are going to replace him, we haven't seen that player yet. At $170k, he's not super expensive, especially for a LT. Are there better LT in the league, for sure. Stan isn't 30 anymore, more like 40, but still plays decent--he gets beat more now than he ever did, but isn't a huge liability for us.
Kinda a joke Dobson earning $210k in Hamilton and Desjarlais still making $240k in Ottawa, but nonetheless, Lofton, Vanterpool and Randolph would likely be making below $120k, which might allow them to shop for another Natl. O-lineman in FA to go with Gabe.
Quote from: dd on October 14, 2025, 11:57:16 PMStan is past his prime for sure, but still plays better than anyone we have in the locker room.
This is so true. Careful what you wish for, everybody. Getting a top-3 IMP LT in FA is all well and good but on the flip side you might get stuck with Vant or Rand starting at LT! Those were disastrous.
Stan is still the man until we pry away Coker or Callender.
Quote from: Tecno on October 15, 2025, 04:33:00 AMThis is so true. Careful what you wish for, everybody. Getting a top-3 IMP LT in FA is all well and good but on the flip side you might get stuck with Vant or Rand starting at LT! Those were disastrous.
Stan is still the man until we pry away Coker or Callender.
Disagree no need to shop for a LT in FA, Vanterpool, Lofton and Randolph were no worse than Stan has been at LT in the few games they played. They have 4 imports fighting for 2 jobs hopefully they hang onto 3, the deciding factor should be age and salary when the talent difference is not significant. Love Stan but I'm seeking a full flush of vets past their prime.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on October 15, 2025, 04:54:41 PMDisagree no need to shop for a LT in FA, Vanterpool, Lofton and Randolph were no worse than Stan has been at LT in the few games they played. They have 4 imports fighting for 2 jobs hopefully they hang onto 3, the deciding factor should be age and salary when the talent difference is not significant. Love Stan but I'm seeking a full flush of vets past their prime.
Not sure we're watching the same games then. Rand was truly horrid at LT every time he tried. Lofton I barely remember at LT, but he's likely not being resigned. Vant was better, but still very stinky. There's a reason we put Stan back in the moment he was remotely healthy again.
My money is on Stan staying another year, and if he does go I think we make a play in FA, because the in-house choices are going to get Zach (or whoever our QB is) killed.