Blue Bombers add lineman to roster
WINNIPEG, MB., December 8, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce today the signing of American offensive lineman Tairiq Stewart.
Stewart (6-6, 300, North Carolina A&T; born: October 23, 1999, in Cleveland, OH.) signs with the Bombers after several stints in the CFL after a six-year collegiate career.
Stewart signed with the Edmonton Elks in May 2024, spent time on their practice squad, and appeared in preseason games, then had a brief stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in September 2024 before his most recent move to the B.C. Lions in December 2024.
Collegiately, he played two seasons at ASA Brooklyn College (2018-2019) before transferring to West Virginia University in 2020, then finishing his college career at North Carolina A&T (2021-2023). At North Carolina A&T he started 29 games at right tackle, earned First Team All-Big South honours in 2022 and Second Team All-CAA honours in 2023, and after the 2023 season participated in the 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Bombers now have 15 OL signed at the moment. 5 rookies new to the team. Good. Scouring the land for candidates. Insurance if we lose some of our free agents.
Obviously not all of the newbies make it to the full TC as others are found in tryout camps etc. Regardless, we're looking for improvements.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 08, 2025, 03:22:02 PMBombers now have 15 OL signed at the moment. 5 rookies new to the team. Good. Scouring the land for candidates. Insurance if we lose some of our free agents.
Obviously not all of the newbies make it to the full TC as others are found in tryout camps etc. Regardless, we're looking for improvements.
One of the best podcasts of the series, Neuf, Wallace and Kola wintering in Wpg, second winter for Wallace who is already married, they need to tie him up long term so he puts down permanent roots in the city and never leaves. DC dropped a hint that changes are in store and O'Shea is in the process of reorganizing his offensive coaching staff, wonder if he's also looking at Marty Costello?
Tariq Stewart has already been through 3 teams (Elks, Riders, BC) if he had shown anything with these other teams he would have been staying there. This is a meh signing.
Quote from: Horseman on December 08, 2025, 07:34:48 PMTariq Stewart has already been through 3 teams (Elks, Riders, BC) if he had shown anything with these other teams he would have been staying there. This is a meh signing.
It may be that now but you never know. Lots of talented players get cut early before their career takes off.
Quote from: Horseman on December 08, 2025, 07:34:48 PMTariq Stewart has already been through 3 teams (Elks, Riders, BC) if he had shown anything with these other teams he would have been staying there. This is a meh signing.
This may be with an eye towards jumbo, not starter. Does the guy snap? Might be eyeing ditching Eli as the C backup. Otherwise maybe Viebert didn't pan out. We really need that NAT 7th -- and we didn't really have one for half of last season.
He probably lied to make 300 lbs, and even then that's real light for a 6'6 hoggie. Get that guy some 10 lb bolognas!
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 08, 2025, 07:57:59 PMIt may be that now but you never know. Lots of talented players get cut early before their career takes off.
Hardrick, bounced from BC to the Riders, to Wpg.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 08, 2025, 10:13:45 PMHardrick, bounced from BC to the Riders, to Wpg.
Pretty sure Yoshi was wanted by SSK but was offered more payday in WPG. He certainly didn't come here because we were world-beaters at the time! Same with Stan.
We'll have to do it again to build a top OL again.
Quote from: Tecno on December 08, 2025, 10:26:42 PMPretty sure Yoshi was wanted by SSK but was offered more payday in WPG. He certainly didn't come here because we were world-beaters at the time! Same with Stan.
We'll have to do it again to build a top OL again.
I don't think that was Yoshi's story. He was having a lot of trouble controlling his weight early in his career. I thought we picked him up off the scrap heap.
Quote from: Tecno on December 08, 2025, 09:56:22 PMThis may be with an eye towards jumbo, not starter. Does the guy snap? Might be eyeing ditching Eli as the C backup. Otherwise maybe Viebert didn't pan out. We really need that NAT 7th -- and we didn't really have one for half of last season.
He probably lied to make 300 lbs, and even then that's real light for a 6'6 hoggie. Get that guy some 10 lb bolognas!
Did you miss the fact he's an import?
That would infer we'd roster an import OL as a DI. Not very likely.
Quote from: Jesse on December 08, 2025, 11:04:11 PMI don't think that was Yoshi's story. He was having a lot of trouble controlling his weight early in his career. I thought we picked him up off the scrap heap.
I don't know if that was the case. It was Chris Jones - in his first year ever as GM - who opted to release Hardrick in early 2016.
Considering how good Hardrick's been during his career, that decision by Jones was a mistake - albeit in hindsight.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 08, 2025, 11:23:53 PMDid you miss the fact he's an import?
Doh! Yes, I did. Thanks
What the heck are we looking at a 300 lb IMP OL for?? Maybe he *can* snap... I would love to toy with the idea of starting an IMP C. No one's ever done it.
Quote from: Tecno on December 09, 2025, 02:16:15 PMDoh! Yes, I did. Thanks
What the heck are we looking at a 300 lb IMP OL for?? Maybe he *can* snap... I would love to toy with the idea of starting an IMP C. No one's ever done it.
Teams including the Bombers have started an import center in the past. Not recently but it has been done. Didn't Dyson play center?
Quote from: Jesse on December 08, 2025, 11:04:11 PMI don't think that was Yoshi's story. He was having a lot of trouble controlling his weight early in his career. I thought we picked him up off the scrap heap.
I think other teams had Yoshi at OG, Bombers moved him out to OT where he thrived. At this point in his career I don't think he's capable of achieving a 3 point stance.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on December 09, 2025, 01:46:39 PMI don't know if that was the case. It was Chris Jones - in his first year ever as GM - who opted to release Hardrick in early 2016.
Considering how good Hardrick's been during his career, that decision by Jones was a mistake - albeit in hindsight.
He was cut by both BC and Sask when we signed him. Scrap heap may be harsh sounding, but we didn't outbid for him in free agency the way Techno was remembering it. He was cut and we picked him up for nothing.
Somebody at mbb posted good highlight videos of Tairiq.
He does seem like Hardrick... finishing blocks, blocking several guys, blocking downfield. Maybe a bit nasty.
Might be a goodun.
No NFL experience?
Quote from: Jesse on December 09, 2025, 05:41:55 PMHe was cut by both BC and Sask when we signed him. Scrap heap may be harsh sounding, but we didn't outbid for him in free agency the way Techno was remembering it. He was cut and we picked him up for nothing.
Then Mafia hit a home run with a value pickup. We're at our best when we have pulled that off ('19-'22). But our hit/miss ratio has been lower lately.
Find the next Yoshi, and do it on the cheap. Sounds good to me!
Quote from: Tecno on December 11, 2025, 06:10:06 PMThen Mafia hit a home run with a value pickup. We're at our best when we have pulled that off ('19-'22). But our hit/miss ratio has been lower lately.
Find the next Yoshi, and do it on the cheap. Sounds good to me!
Absolutely it has.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 08, 2025, 06:11:05 PMOne of the best podcasts of the series, Neuf, Wallace and Kola wintering in Wpg, second winter for Wallace who is already married, they need to tie him up long term so he puts down permanent roots in the city and never leaves. DC dropped a hint that changes are in store and O'Shea is in the process of reorganizing his offensive coaching staff, wonder if he's also looking at Marty Costello?
cool they have these episodes, just wish they were featuring guys who weren't among the worst at their position this year
Quote from: kkc60 on December 12, 2025, 12:49:31 AMcool they have these episodes, just wish they were featuring guys who weren't among the worst at their position this year (as far as starters go)
Quote from: Tecno on December 11, 2025, 06:10:06 PMThen Mafia hit a home run with a value pickup. We're at our best when we have pulled that off ('19-'22). But our hit/miss ratio has been lower lately.
Find the next Yoshi, and do it on the cheap. Sounds good to me!
ah if only it were that easy....
but there are some import tackles available so far. Broxton and Allen. Brammer. McGloster, Tate
Quote from: Pete on December 12, 2025, 03:02:52 AMah if only it were that easy....
but there are some import tackles available so far. Broxton and Allen. Brammer. McGloster, Tate
Revensberg out of Hamilton is a FA, and a National. He's also durable - only missed 6 games in 9 seasons with the Ticats.
Quote from: VictorRomano on December 12, 2025, 02:48:19 PMRevensberg out of Hamilton is a FA, and a National. He's also durable - only missed 6 games in 9 seasons with the Ticats.
He'll never reach free agency, lol.
Saw this:
"QBs are more responsible for their sack rate than the OL, though obviously it's a linked system, but the sack rate follows the QB, not the OL. Some examples:
Year |QB |Team |Sack Rate
2007 |Tom Brady |Patriots |3.51%
2008 |Matt Cassel |Patriots |7.85%
2009 |Tom Brady |Patriots |2.75%
2010 |Peyton Manning |Colts |2.30%
2011 |Curtis Painter |Colts |6.18%
2011 |Tim Tebow |Broncos |6.82%
2012 |Peyton Manning |Broncos |3.48%
2019 |Tom Brady |Patriots |4.22%
2020 |Cam Newton |Patriots |7.77%
2019 |Jameis Winston |Buccaneers |6.98%
2020 |Tom Brady |Buccaneers |3.33%
Quote from: markf on December 13, 2025, 12:22:14 AMSaw this:
"QBs are more responsible for their sack rate than the OL, though obviously it's a linked system, but the sack rate follows the QB, not the OL. Some examples:
Year |QB |Team |Sack Rate
2007 |Tom Brady |Patriots |3.51%
2008 |Matt Cassel |Patriots |7.85%
2009 |Tom Brady |Patriots |2.75%
2010 |Peyton Manning |Colts |2.30%
2011 |Curtis Painter |Colts |6.18%
2011 |Tim Tebow |Broncos |6.82%
2012 |Peyton Manning |Broncos |3.48%
2019 |Tom Brady |Patriots |4.22%
2020 |Cam Newton |Patriots |7.77%
2019 |Jameis Winston |Buccaneers |6.98%
2020 |Tom Brady |Buccaneers |3.33%
Interesting data
Curious how Zac compares to Strev last year
Quote from: markf on December 13, 2025, 12:22:14 AM"QBs are more responsible for their sack rate than the OL, though obviously it's a linked system, but the sack rate follows the QB, not the OL. Some examples:
Too simplified. I would say this only applies to the most mobile & slipperiest QBs. Comparing most QBs to, say, Mahomes, is not fair and doesn't really tell us much about QBs on average except Mahomes is slippery. The same would apply to Flutie. There are just some magic QBs who find their way out of literally every tight spot.
And you can use Zach as the perfect example because he's not slippery in the slightest. When he had league-top OL (say 2021) he was almost never touched, and now that his OL is bottom-4 he gets sacked all the time. Even if you think Zach is going downhill (I don't), it can't explain the sheer explosion in sacks and hits.
The real answer is more likely "it's both".
Sounds like a poorly conditioned guy. Could be our new center?
Having bodies in camp that know 1 yard off the ball is important. They may not have a high ceiling, but hanging around the CFL for a few year, we know they have an adequate floor to build on, even if it is just TC competition.
Rookie NCAA recruits will come in and be behind guys like this. How fast they can catch up and surpass them is the key. If they can pass them.
Not sure what the cost is of having boatloads of TC fodder, or if any of the affects our $SMS, but I love having bodies in camp, competing.
Quote from: theaardvark on December 23, 2025, 04:25:45 PMHaving bodies in camp that know 1 yard off the ball is important. They may not have a high ceiling, but hanging around the CFL for a few year, we know they have an adequate floor to build on, even if it is just TC competition.
Rookie NCAA recruits will come in and be behind guys like this. How fast they can catch up and surpass them is the key. If they can pass them.
Not sure what the cost is of having boatloads of TC fodder, or if any of the affects our $SMS, but I love having bodies in camp, competing.
TC rosters are limited to the number of players allowed. So whether a player is an OL or a receiver doesn't mean anything.
You need to have multiple sets of 5 at several positions in order to run drills and test the skill sets of players.
IIRC we usually have about 15 OL at TC. At the moment we have a higher number than that but some will be released before TC as the dust settles. Some will decide not to attend etc etc.
OTOH, we have had a higher than usual focus on the sheer number of candidates. That may just be due to having about 5 or 6 as potential free agents today. Once we start re-signing then we may see some rookies released. Or they may make the mini camp but not the main TC.
Everyone looks good on paper but some will arrive out of shape for the CFL. Others may not pass medical issues and others may show slowing learning curves in the 1st few days. As we know, early TC injuries can quickly eliminate candidates.
QuoteTC rosters are limited to the number of players allowed. So whether a player is an OL or a receiver doesn't mean anything.
You need to have multiple sets of 5 at several positions in order to run drills and test the skill sets of players.
IIRC we usually have about 15 OL at TC. At the moment we have a higher number than that but some will be released before TC as the dust settles. Some will decide not to attend etc etc.
OTOH, we have had a higher than usual focus on the sheer number of candidates. That may just be due to having about 5 or 6 as potential free agents today. Once we start re-signing then we may see some rookies released. Or they may make the mini camp but not the main TC.
Everyone looks good on paper but some will arrive out of shape for the CFL. Others may not pass medical issues and others may show slowing learning curves in the 1st few days. As we know, early TC injuries can quickly eliminate candidates.
15 seems high, I think in years past they brought in around 10 O-linemen when there was realistically no more than one opening available.
The roster from 2025 TC lists 11.
https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/WINNIPEG-AT-SASKATCHEWAN_-MAY-30.pdf (https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/WINNIPEG-AT-SASKATCHEWAN_-MAY-30.pdf)
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 23, 2025, 06:31:29 PM15 seems high, I think in years past they brought in around 10 O-linemen when there was realistically no more than one opening available.
The roster from 2025 TC lists 11.
https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/WINNIPEG-AT-SASKATCHEWAN_-MAY-30.pdf (https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/WINNIPEG-AT-SASKATCHEWAN_-MAY-30.pdf)
I showed 14 OL before the main camp and 12 at main TC. Either way, we've been active adding OL. It's also a question of when we added them. In this case it's before we know the status of free agency or the status of Lofton's injury by May.
In 2025, Wallace, Eli and Lofton were not potential free agents. Bryant had extended on Dec 2 and is often one of the 1st to re-sign. So I don't know if 2025 was the norm number or what to expect by having 5 OL currently as potential free agents. The age of some of our OL is in question as to whether they will or should be re-signed.
I was only not expecting Lofton to return due to injury status but it's all just speculation until somebody signs.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 23, 2025, 07:56:32 PMI showed 14 OL before the main camp and 12 at main TC. Either way, we've been active adding OL. It's also a question of when we added them. In this case it's before we know the status of free agency or the status of Lofton's injury by May.
In 2025, Wallace, Eli and Lofton were not potential free agents. Bryant had extended on Dec 2 and is often one of the 1st to re-sign. So I don't know if 2025 was the norm number or what to expect by having 5 OL currently as potential free agents. The age of some of our OL is in question as to whether they will or should be re-signed.
I was only not expecting Lofton to return due to injury status but it's all just speculation until somebody signs.
Some years they brought in almost no competion at O-line because no jobs were up for grab, but looks like they'll put in a concerted effort to evaluate their imports squarely this year and give more players a real shot. Can't see them moving away from Wallace or Neufeld, but everyone else may be at risk of being replaced.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 23, 2025, 09:28:43 PMSome years they brought in almost no competion at O-line because no jobs were up for grab, but looks like they'll put in a concerted effort to evaluate their imports squarely this year and give more players a real shot. Can't see them moving away from Wallace or Neufeld, but everyone else may be at risk of being replaced.
I'm surprised we haven't re-signed any of our OL yet. That isn't necessarily a bad thing but it is a bit curious. In that sense we may see some changes forced or otherwise including the potential for 3 starting imports.
Every new re-signing that happens starts to indicate the puzzle coming together.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 23, 2025, 09:38:55 PMI'm surprised we haven't re-signed any of our OL yet. That isn't necessarily a bad thing but it is a bit curious. In that sense we may see some changes forced or otherwise including the potential for 3 starting imports.
Every new re-signing that happens starts to indicate the puzzle coming together.
Wallace, Vanterpool and Randolph are still under contract, not that means their jobs are safe.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 23, 2025, 09:51:33 PMWallace, Vanterpool and Randolph are still under contract, not that means their jobs are safe.
Vanterpool might be at the greatest risk for an OL under contract. 8 games in 2 seasons and lots of OL being signed.
Bryant usually re-signs by mid January.
Lofton injury status is unknown to me but either way is a TBD.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 23, 2025, 10:11:09 PMVanterpool might be at the greatest risk for an OL under contract. 8 games in 2 seasons and lots of OL being signed.
Bryant usually re-signs by mid January.
Lofton injury status is unknown to me but either way is a TBD.
Fact is Vanterpool spent a lot of time on the 1 game IR while Randolph was playing ROT, but he could still be the superior OG of the two. I expect them to keep both.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 24, 2025, 01:36:02 AMFact is Vanterpool spent a lot of time on the 1 game IR while Randolph was playing ROT, but he could still be the superior OG of the two. I expect them to keep both.
Possible but the 1st question is whether they think Lofton is better than one or the other and whether he gets re-signed. We need a couple for the PR at the least.
Can never tell when we find the next Bryant for example.