Here we go with another season of Blue Bomber football! And this is the first GDT of the season. Go Bombers!
No need to say it, but, this will be an important game for the newcomers to show what they bring to the team as well as for the coaches as they are faced with fielding the team for the 2026 season.
There will be plenty of battles, none more important than the #2 quarterback. The offensive and defensive lines will also be an interesting watch along with the defensive backs.
Here is Ed Tait's 48 Hour Primer for this game. Click here! (https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/05/21/48-hour-primer-preseason-1/)
Enjoy the game on CFL+ and discuss it here.
Love that it is GDT time!
Biggest game of the year so far! ;D
Is Bryce Perkins the only Bomber player that has a Super Bowl ring? Not this team, but any team?
Quote from: markf on May 22, 2026, 02:50:35 PMIs Bryce Perkins the only Bomber player that has a Super Bowl ring? Not this team, but any team?
AI says:
"The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian Football League (CFL) franchise that competes for the Grey Cup, not the NFL's Super Bowl. However, several notable players and coaches have made their mark in both leagues, including quarterback Bryce Perkins (Super Bowl LVI in 1999 with the Rams while on their PR), receiver Terry Greer (Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV with the 49ers, played 6 seasons in Toronto from 1980 - 1985), and former Bombers WR Chris Matthews (Super Bowl XLIX with the Seahawks, Bombers in 2012, 2013, and 2019)."
Also, Bobby Singh: The only player in football history to win an XFL Championship, a Super Bowl (XXXIV with the Rams), and a Grey Cup (with the BC Lions, though he later had a stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2009 with other stops in Calgary and BC).
Quote from: VictorRomano on May 22, 2026, 03:00:02 PMAI says:
"The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian Football League (CFL) franchise that competes for the Grey Cup, not the NFL's Super Bowl. However, several notable players and coaches have made their mark in both leagues, including quarterback Bryce Perkins (Super Bowl LVI in 1999 with the Rams while on their PR), receiver Terry Greer (Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV with the 49ers, played 6 seasons in Toronto from 1980 - 1985), and former Bombers WR Chris Matthews (Super Bowl XLIX with the Seahawks, Bombers in 2012, 2013, and 2019)."
Also, Bobby Singh: The only player in football history to win an XFL Championship, a Super Bowl (XXXIV with the Rams), and a Grey Cup (with the BC Lions, though he later had a stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2009 with other stops in Calgary and BC).
Yeah that AI is wrong on multiple levels. Perkins certainly did not win a Super Bowl in 1999, Matthews didn't win a Super Bowl.
For former Bombers, Bruce Johnson is someone who certainly won one with the NYG before coming here.
Quote from: kkc60 on May 22, 2026, 03:30:54 PMYeah that AI is wrong on multiple levels. Perkins certainly did not win a Super Bowl in 1999, Matthews didn't win a Super Bowl.
For former Bombers, Bruce Johnson is someone who certainly won one with the NYG before coming here.
Thanks!
I have no memory of bruce Johnson. Sadly.
What the heck happened to Matthews..." and caught four passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX."
Let's goooooo!!!
Lots of positions up for grabs, so this should be a fun one!
Starting WR/SB will be fun to see. For sure Demski, Tim White and Pokey have a spot. At least one of Nield/Clercius should have another. That leaves one open spot or a national or import to take a spot. I really like what we've heard about Singer (#17). He seems like he would fit in well with what we have.
OL has a couple positions that feel open as well.
Broxton, Neufeld, Bryant are locks. It feels like Eli and Wallace are the front runners for the other spots, but the idea of starting an import at C or LG is one that I'm a big fan of! I'd personally rather start Wallace over Paddy but I'm not winning that argument with MOS lol
Looking out for Randolph, Vanterpoole or Bucky to take one of those spots. I really think this is the last season for Paddy and/or Bryant, so building long-term depth is super important.
DL will be the only thing I'm watching on defense. It's looking like Ceresna, Willy and Lawson are set to start. It would make sense to have Bailey and Gatkuoth backing up. Really we are just looking for one big boy in the middle and one starting DE across from Willy. I think all our eyes will be on Dixon, but he has some great competition this year!
Jenkins might be big enough to play inside if needed, but we don't have much talent to replace those big boys we lost in the offseason. Lot's of pass rush talent, and it seems like that's where they were focused this offseason.
That's my 2 cents, can't wait to watch the game!
Quote from: markf on May 22, 2026, 02:50:35 PMIs Bryce Perkins the only Bomber player that has a Super Bowl ring? Not this team, but any team?
Tim Jessie won a Super Bowl with Washington for the 1987 season then won Grey Cups with the Bombers in 1988 and 1990.
Weird seeing TE instead of FB on the roster! Chris-Ike moved over to RB. I'm wondering now how he and Peterson will fit in.
The depth chart is up on the site. We know it isn't something written in stone but it does have some odd alignments, or some suggesting what to expect in some battles.
Jones is listed at WIL and Wilson is listed at MLB. Ayers is shown at DE.
The starting OL is the same as last year except Broxton at RT. 3 Canadian OL. Collaros is starting QB.
4 rookie's competing at CB.
Unless some players that aren't on the depth chart have injuries, I think they are locks to make the AR.
None of the import OL besides Bryant and Broxton shown as starters. I find that surprising but how long does Collaros play and how fast does that change?
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 22, 2026, 04:48:41 PMThe depth chart is up on the site. We know it isn't something written in stone but it does have some odd alignments, or some suggesting what to expect in some battles.
Jones is listed at WIL and Wilson is listed at MLB. Ayers is shown at DE.
The starting OL is the same as last year except Broxton at RT. 3 Canadian OL. Collaros is starting QB.
4 rookie's competing at CB.
Unless some players that aren't on the depth chart have injuries, I think they are locks to make the AR.
OL - Eli in for Kman as well...
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 22, 2026, 04:48:41 PMThe depth chart is up on the site. We know it isn't something written in stone but it does have some odd alignments, or some suggesting what to expect in some battles.
Jones is listed at WIL and Wilson is listed at MLB. Ayers is shown at DE.
The starting OL is the same as last year except Broxton at RT. 3 Canadian OL. Collaros is starting QB.
4 rookie's competing at CB.
Unless some players that aren't on the depth chart have injuries, I think they are locks to make the AR.
Ayers at DE is so silly. Truly do not understand why they were doing that last year except because they had 0 other DE's on the gameday roster.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 22, 2026, 04:48:41 PMThe depth chart is up on the site. We know it isn't something written in stone but it does have some odd alignments, or some suggesting what to expect in some battles.
Jones is listed at WIL and Wilson is listed at MLB. Ayers is shown at DE.
The starting OL is the same as last year except Broxton at RT. 3 Canadian OL. Collaros is starting QB.
4 rookie's competing at CB.
Unless some players that aren't on the depth chart have injuries, I think they are locks to make the AR.
Wow, so many names I know nothing about, going to need a program to follow the show!
Quote from: theaardvark on May 22, 2026, 04:53:12 PMOL - Eli in for Kman as well...
Kman has gone to Hamilton.
Ed Tait @EdTaitWFC
The @Wpg_BlueBombers depth chart for tomorrow in Saskatoon. Veteran-laden lineup. No Demski, Pokey Wilson, Ceresna, Moxey, Lawson, Castillo, Sheahan, Vaval
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HI73fEHXIAAz9o7?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HI7wPenbsAA0PZA?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
I'm going to go out on a small limb predicting players going to the PR, just based on the depth chart. In itself that predicts who I think makes the AR. Two of these might end up on the reserve instead of the PR.
Humour me. lol
1. Lamont
2. Williams.
3. Texada
4. Stuart
5. Dixon
6. Pace
7. Allen
8. Mazzocua
9. Elsbury
10. Reese
11. Andrews
12. Lidster
13. Randolph
14. Perkins
A rhetorical opinion. Worth about $0.04
LET THE GAMES BEGIN, YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAA!
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 22, 2026, 05:04:42 PMI'm going to go out on a small limb predicting players going to the PR, just based on the depth chart. In itself that predicts who I think makes the AR. Two of these might end up on the reserve instead of the PR.
Humour me. lol
1. Lamont
2. Williams.
3. Texada
4. Stuart
5. Dixon
6. Pace
7. Allen
8. Mazzocua
9. Elsbury
10. Reese
11. Andrews
12. Lidster
13. Randolph
14. Perkins
A rhetorical opinion. Worth about $0.04
I think Stuart ends up replacing Kelly. He can play safety, defensive halfback, SAM, WILL.
so exciting and thanks for the heads up about the depth chart so many LBs LOL love it
Will be interesting to see. We're going to get a healthy dose of the Riders starters this week and I can't imagine we'll want to play the top of our chart for as long as them given that they're on pre season game two already, and at home.
Quote from: markf on May 22, 2026, 02:50:35 PMIs Bryce Perkins the only Bomber player that has a Super Bowl ring? Not this team, but any team?
Tyrone Williams, from Halifax, won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in 1992 and 1993. Luke Wilson from LaSalle, Ontario, and Jon Ryan from Regina, both won one Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.
Quote from: gobombersgo on May 22, 2026, 04:30:00 PMTim Jessie won a Super Bowl with Washington for the 1987 season then won Grey Cups with the Bombers in 1988 and 1990.
Thanks.
Agree - Stuart is a wildcard - stood out at camp, a national with a very high ceiling and a ton of defensive versatility plus ST value. Surprised if he doesn't land a spot on the AR. Tmo should offer some clues.
Quote from: BlueComber on May 22, 2026, 08:16:36 PMAgree - Stuart is a wildcard - stood out at camp, a national with a very high ceiling and a ton of defensive versatility plus ST value. Surprised if he doesn't land a spot on the AR. Tmo should offer some clues.
I think for that to happen an existing Natl. ST player would have to be cut. Take your pick. Being a lower round draft pick pretty sure he would happily accept a PR spot and wait his turn for an injury call up.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 22, 2026, 05:04:42 PMI'm going to go out on a small limb predicting players going to the PR, just based on the depth chart. In itself that predicts who I think makes the AR. Two of these might end up on the reserve instead of the PR.
Humour me. lol
1. Lamont
2. Williams.
3. Texada
4. Stuart
5. Dixon
6. Pace
7. Allen
8. Mazzocua
9. Elsbury
10. Reese
11. Andrews
12. Lidster
13. Randolph
14. Perkins
A rhetorical opinion. Worth about $0.04
Looks like Perkins made the AR...
I think Texada might be the earlier favorite at CB. He's been touted a couple of times and I think this is his 2nd or 3rd camp for us? MOS likes persistence and tenacity.
Strange, but the name seems familiar from another team a few years back... but I'm assuming that's a different Texada?
Quote from: markf on May 22, 2026, 04:05:45 PMWhat the heck happened to Matthews..." and caught four passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX."
He was the star of that SB. They should have just chucked every ball to him. That was that SB where Seahawks lost near the end trying a pass (for the INT) instead of the guaranteed Lynch running TD from like the 2. I think that's known as one of the stupidest SB calls ever?
Matthews returned here a few years later and had the 1000-yard stare of complete disinterest so common to ex-NFLers who already struck it rich. I think we cut him and he did some PR for another team before retiring? Sad story. Such wasted talent. He should have stayed in the CFL the whole time and become the next Milt Stegall.
So, no, Matthews didn't have a SB ring.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 06:39:36 AMI think Texada might be the earlier favorite at CB. He's been touted a couple of times and I think this is his 2nd or 3rd camp for us? MOS likes persistence and tenacity.
Strange, but the name seems familiar from another team a few years back... but I'm assuming that's a different Texada?
Yeah, I had the same deja vu, but new Texada is only 24 so it's definitely not the guy we're thinking of from whenever.
Hard to get a read on what they're doing at CB since they cut McGhee. Burrell has been the guy taking the other side form Moxey and is listed as the started for the game tonight. We'll see how they do.
Quote from: Tecno on Today at 06:39:36 AMI think Texada might be the earlier favorite at CB. He's been touted a couple of times and I think this is his 2nd or 3rd camp for us? MOS likes persistence and tenacity.
Strange, but the name seems familiar from another team a few years back... but I'm assuming that's a different Texada?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranthony_Texada
This guy, I think he's Ridge's older brother.
They are brothers - Ranthony, Raleigh and Ridge
Quote from: M.O.A.B. on Today at 03:18:39 PMThey are brothers - Ranthony, Raleigh and Ridge
omg, we've signed all three of them?!?
Why hasn't Ed done one of his training camp articles on this family?
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 04:10:14 PMomg, we've signed all three of them?!?
Why hasn't Ed done one of his training camp articles on this family?
None of them stuck, not sure any even played a game for the Bombers, maybe 3rd time is the charm for the Texada family. His size is a disadvantage compared to Burrell and a few of the competitors, it looks like Younger is gradually building up the height of his secondary with most rookie DB's touching 6'-0" and weighing close to 200 lbs.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 04:37:42 PMNone of them stuck, not sure any even played a game for the Bombers, maybe 3rd time is the charm for the Texada family. His size is a disadvantage compared to Burrell and a few of the competitors, it looks like Younger is gradually building up the height of his secondary with most rookie DB's touching 6'-0" and weighing close to 200 lbs.
I was pegging him as a candidate for the PR and needing to beat out Javier who might also be headed to the PR.
Based on TC comments it would suggest Burrell is the leading player to win the starting role.
Moxey hasn't been practising so I'm not sure whether that is maintenance or whether he's ready for game 1. That could shift the decisions to begin the season.
what's with all our QBs flying the coop? Wilson was a surprise! Is the writing on the wall for #2 and #3?
Quote from: M.O.A.B. on Today at 03:18:39 PMThey are brothers - Ranthony, Raleigh and Ridge
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 04:10:14 PMomg, we've signed all three of them?!?
Why hasn't Ed done one of his training camp articles on this family?
I mentioned it when Ridge was signed in September.
https://forums.bluebombers.com/index.php?topic=56733.0
I was out for breakfast with my Rider friend this morning in Winnipeg and two people in full on Rider gear walked in. I said your people are here..Happy Game day! He didn't even know!! :o
It'll be interesting to see how the Oline holds up. I am hoping for big improvements this year. Go Blue!