Toronto @ Winnipeg Pregame

[Blueforlife]

Why would they take Peterson out to add Cooley who won't see the field much unless we're going to run 50 times.

Two Canadians out should mean we may see Kelly and Makonzo added. Maybe even Cobb as a choice or some version of these 3 choices.

None of this answers the receiver issue or whether we add another import DB.  OL & QB changes still pending.

Maybe Brady isn't 100% (random guess no clue)
Might be trying to do dual rbs, keep em fresh
Very interesting what happens at DB and OL
So much riding on this game and so many questions
I want Cobb (bad!)

This game is going to be on Jason Hogan to design running plays for Streveler. If Strev is sitting back in the pocket, this game will be done by half-time. Double tight-end, RB option plays, please.

Disagree need a mix of everything to run a successful offence
But yes plenty of run please
Don't mind me a jumbo at times

derek taylor says he doesn't think Mitchell will get in the line up.  cobb and corcoran time. 

how bad is Dillon Mitchell??  must be really bad. 

from DT:

My gut says we're going to get more Joey Corcoran and some Gavin Cobb at receiver. Cobb has done punt & kick returning in the CFL.

100% correct imo, nice that Cobb can return! Forgot about that!!!

[dd]

So if Cooley goes in, what import comes off the field?? Makes more sense to use Peterson, but whatever. Friday nights game is going to be a gong show.

[Blueforlife]

So if Cooley goes in, what import comes off the field?? Makes more sense to use Peterson, but whatever. Friday nights game is going to be a gong show.

We ran with Cooley and Peterson before without issue but different OL and can't remember who came off.  Someone will know.  I don't think it will be a gong show unless it's turnover city.

If Strev starts the defence is going to have to keep the score close, he can sustain drives and score points if he doesn't give the ball away, but it takes them a long time to march the field.  Great if they're ahead, bad if they fall behind and have to play ketchup.

Can always cut the mustard

Ok, musical chair time sorting out this week's roster. Quite probable we have a change at receiver due to injury. Not many choices but someone has to be added. Vaval being out could mean that Mitchell gets added as the returner even if he's not the starting receiver choice.

OTOH, that's a 2 for 1 benefit in theory. I'd like to think Logan is ready soon but not convinced it's this week. That continues to be unfortunate.

Just guessing but I think Kelly comes on the AR and replaces Ball on ST's. Kelly is pretty good in that role and can ease into getting some reps on defence.

Lots of changes possible but IMO the biggest questions are on the OL regarding who can be added.

I believe Collaros will play but can he survive another hit taking him out of the game early? No easy answer there but if the OL gets some help maybe he has better protection this week.

I'm not suggesting the possible changes at DB and receiver aren't important but everything starts with the offence being able to win LOS and TOP. That helps keep the defence off the field.

Cobb in at receiver I bet and could return if Vaval hurt
After reading all the other posts I have no clue now, so many options so little time lol
Roll the dice on our changes, just no snake eyes

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There will be players added from the injured lists;

my guess is Mitchell, Kelly and Makonzo.

Kornelson coming off so likely Wood coming on unless they're going with 3 DT's which they never do.

[Blue In BC]

Kornelson coming off so likely Wood coming on unless they're going with 3 DT's which they never do.

Nope don't think so. As mentioned he still has 1 more week on 6 game IR. Then there is the ratio issue to deal with to add him.

Will be lots of moved to and from IR tomorrow. Case will move to 6 game IR in theory. Any or all of Lofton, Kelly, Makonzo, Schmekel are on the possible move to AR. I doubt it will be Schmekel but I didn't think Cooley would be added either.

Speaking of Cooley, it may be that he's a better blocker than Peterson at the moment and more explosive. Maybe BO is nicked but then we would have kept Peterson too?

So if we don't add or use an another receiver, we can expect 30 or more run plays and 20 or less passing plays. YIKES.

[The Zipp]

maybe Cooley will be the returner??

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

maybe Cooley will be the returner??

The Cooley move is unexpected, I was just thinking a few days ago that everyone has pretty much forgotten about him.  Don't see the purpose of moving him to the roster unless a team like the Riders was snooping around the PR looking to sign him after losing Kadeem Carey, but that doesn't make much sense as there are many available RB options looking for work.

If Zach goes to the 1 game, will they roster Artie?

[TecnoGenius]

So if Cooley goes in, what import comes off the field?? Makes more sense to use Peterson, but whatever. Friday nights game is going to be a gong show.

The Cooley move 100% implies we will start a NAT (probably Corcoran?) in place of Case.  Mitchell gets to sit on his duff for another week.  That dude will never see the field.

I don't think Brady is any more nicked than usual, so I think Cooley gives us a change of pace option that we plan to use.  Clearly just playing ball will not win us anything on Friday, so we need to mix things up.  Maybe Cooley has started showing he can take dump and screen passes now?

Plus, when your team is such hot garbage it often pays to really shake things up to make players uncomfortable with their AR status...

If Mitchell of the D variety is such a waste of space, then cut him and get Mitchell of the M variety back here.  At least that dude was giving 110% effort and had his head in the right place.

[TecnoGenius]

We now know of a few roster changes:

Transactions:

2025-07-30    WPG    BRIDGES, Marquise    DB    A    North Dakota State    TRF TO PRACTICE ROSTER    Practice Roster
2025-07-30    WPG    PETERSON, Matthew    RB    N    Alberta    TRF TO PRACTICE ROSTER    Practice Roster
2025-07-30    WPG    KORNELSON, Collin    DL    N    Manitoba    TRF TO PRACTICE ROSTER    Practice Roster
2025-07-30    WPG    COOLEY, Quinton    RB    A    Liberty University    ADD FROM PRACTICE ROSTER    Active Roster

Wild!!  A rare 3-game-loss bench by Mafia.  I'm glad they are reacting so quickly... well, quickly in Mafia terms.

The July 30 MOS presser was VERY telling, and a great one that everyone should watch.  Asked about issues and yanking guys, and Bridges in particular, MOS spelled out precisely what it takes to bench a guy.

[TecnoGenius]

What does bad mean???  That's a poor choice of words to describe a problem because it's too general, it's little more than an insult. I believe Bonds and Bridges are athletically gifted enough to play corner as I've seen no evidence that they can't keep up with the fastest receivers or jump with the best of them.

Bad means not getting the job done.  I'm not sure I really care if it's because they can't run or jump (we've had DBs like this a lone while back), or can't hip-pocket a REC (seen that too), or are just (to be nice) "low football IQ".  I also don't care if it's an insult, because it kind of is.  To say "you suck" in some facet is always kind of an insult by its very nature.

We've had DBs exactly like this in the past, and they get roasted and roasted here until Mafia finally wised up and benched/cut them.  In every case we were right, because any capable CFL fan can see when a DB is hopeless out there.

I can't recall their names right at this moment, but seriously we were having this exactly same convo and issue like 6-9 years ago about other rookie(ish) DBs.  (If someone can remember some names, that would be cool!)  Oooh, it's on the tip of my mind... who was that one guy everyone in the world saw stunk except MOS?... come on... maybe 2017?  He was the laughing stock whipping boy here for half the season!

[TecnoGenius]

Anyhow, so we gonna lose.  Big Stan out, so bad OL stays in... but wait!  There's more!  Vanterpool may be nicked and may be a GTD!  Oh joy!  If Lofton is still out, then what on earth are we fielding?  Rand Wallace Ko-man Eli Neuf?  Total disaster.

But it's not all gloom... Vegas says we'll win, with a 3.5pt spread!  Huh, wha?  Have Jimmy the Greek give me a call, I'll set him straight.

We'll be starting a new CB, almost certainly a rookie unless we shuffle Parker.  While it may be true that "anyone must be better than Bridges", a rookie could get burned big time just from lack of experience.  Arbuckle is a seasoned uber-vet (as in uber-old, not uber-good) and Whisperer Dinwiddie will be whispering sweet nothings fakes and tricks into his helmet to destroy whoever is weakest in our corps.

Vaval appears ok, which is a miracle, but likely harboring some ding somewhere.  And it would appear he'll be the one back there taking the return poundings.  Maybe Cooley on as backup / other side.

Yet another brand new REC will step in.  Any chem Case was starting to get is ankle-blown away until 2026.

You know what, with Strev starting I'd throw Mitchell in if for nothing other than the reason would Strev/Mitchell be on the same page after both sharing the "2nd team" in practice for 8 weeks?  You can sometimes get strange synergies with 2nd team matchups.  But it won't happen, because hey that would make too much sense!  So I'll also hope Corcoran or Cobb may have the same effect.

Our only hope is by some miracle we keep things within 1-2 scores so the boobirds don't rain down and the crowd all leaves at 12:00 this time instead of 6:00.  That will take ST and D scores.  Good luck with that.  I say we get blown away.

That said, I think we can still make the cup if we make some strategic signings / trades and have some IR luck (Schoen, Stan, Lofton, Logan, looking at you).  So it's not really the end of the world.  Well, not yet.

[Pigskin]

Looks like 26 for kick off, 8 Km, SW wind. Air quality in the unhealthy range.

[kkc60]

Cooley being added is fun, although I really want to see what Mitchell can do. But with Cooley, we can run 2 back sets and pop the ball out behind the LOS a variety of was. Our offense was at its best this season using Chris-Ike as a gadget guy, so perhaps the addition of Cooley will open the playbook more. Peterson was and is a great depth player but if we're essentially ignoring a receiver spot (let's be real, Corcoran/Cobb will see few targets) then we may as put the ball in two running backs hands instead of one.

[Pigskin]

What or who is a Cad? I am a fan, but not familiar with "pet" names.

Cadwallader.

[Blue In BC]

The Cooley move 100% implies we will start a NAT (probably Corcoran?) in place of Case.  Mitchell gets to sit on his duff for another week.  That dude will never see the field.

I don't think Brady is any more nicked than usual, so I think Cooley gives us a change of pace option that we plan to use.  Clearly just playing ball will not win us anything on Friday, so we need to mix things up.  Maybe Cooley has started showing he can take dump and screen passes now?

Plus, when your team is such hot garbage it often pays to really shake things up to make players uncomfortable with their AR status...

If Mitchell of the D variety is such a waste of space, then cut him and get Mitchell of the M variety back here.  At least that dude was giving 110% effort and had his head in the right place.

I'm not sure what the thinking was adding Cooley. Obviously Bridges came off the roster and it doesn't appear we're adding another import DB. Kelly comes on IMO and Griffin are depth in the secondary.

Mitchell could still be added when they move Case to IR. IDK that will be the choice but it could be. All of that might depend on whether Vanterpool can or can't play. One choice could be back to 3 import OL, but that's not certain either.

Then there is the import receiver on the PR but that seems unlikely as well.

So the depth chart and moves are going to be interesting.

BTW we could have moved Cooley to 1 game IR if we were just trying to protect him. OTOH if another team was trying to scoop him we had to add him to AR for 3 games IIRC?

Either way, it surprised me that he was added. Not because of talent issue, just because of ratio. At best he'll get some reps but be limited behind Oliveria.