Biggest issue

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'm sure there are ways to shed Zach in FA26 without too much SMS pain.  *Should we want to*.  Someone can maybe run the numbers to give us an idea.  Any vet guaranteed salary, etc.  My guess is the hit should be under $200k.  Would suck, but not hopeless should we want a new guy.

If the Bombers somehow miss the playoffs this season playing behind Zach, he will not be in a secure state moving toward next season, signed contract or not. Just wondering if Matt Nichols contract was expiring in 2019, or if he had another year or 2 left on his deal? 

[Tecno]

But therein lies the root. How do you suggest we get a top three offensive line when every year we lose a pretty good piece to free agency because we can't afford them? Why can't we afford them? Because the money is going elsewhere. Is elsewhere delivering? The answer this year is no. There's the real problem then.

Good post.  I don't have the perfect solution, but it seems clear that no matter what else you do, you need to field a top-3 OL.  Especially with Zach as your QB.

It is possible to shift unit budgets, and even (gasp) go over the SMS.  It's not like this isn't doable.

And as I said already, I think our solutions are in-house already!  We just need to get them on the field.  Even a wounded Stan is better than whatever other LT we might put in his place.

Don't make Lofton into a savior. He's been a mid PFF ranked player for most of his career and there were lots of people in TC looking for an upgrade there. I'd rather continue developing Randall over Lofton and the difference won't be significant.

Good points.  But I've been watching Lofton closely since we lost Yoshi.  He's been really solid, especially after a few weeks under his belt in '24.  I think Lofton was at least as good as Yoshi on pass pro!  It's the run game I think he may be lackluster at.

I also think Randolph has been doing OK at RT.  But RIGHT NOW I think Lofton is the better pass protector than Randolph, who has been burned for a few games in a row now.  And we need to win games RIGHT NOW, so I'm putting Lofton in if he's anywhere above 50% ready.

Randolph may prove the better run blocker, and maybe he'll become as good as Lofton at pass pro.  It's probably a safe bet.  And he'll probably be a great RT starter for us in future years.  But right now I want the crap OL play to stop and that means putting our best OTs on the field.

[Tecno]

If the Bombers somehow miss the playoffs this season playing behind Zach, he will not be in a secure state moving toward next season, signed contract or not. Just wondering if Matt Nichols contract was expiring in 2019, or if he had another year or 2 left on his deal?

It was Matt's last year on contract (17-18-19 = 3Y).  We simply released him in the off-season.  We paid no penalty SMS-wise.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3188441/winnipeg-blue-bombers-re-sign-quarterback-matt-nichols/

[dd]

Ya, any QB's rating can look high after only 1.5 games...

And this could be more a statement on EDM's OL being better (ya!) than the disaster we fielded last game.  At least EDM has real OTs.  VAJ, Alexander and Kelly would have looked awful behind our hodgepodge OL.

Let's see what Zach can do with our desired OL, and maybe a healthy dressed Schoen.

I thought Edmonton's o line was terrible, fajardo was running for his life all game, something  Collaros can't do well at all. And I don't think we ll see a healthy schoen last more than 3-5 games when he gets back. He"s too prone to injury to tie up dollars and rely on, I'd be moving on from him as well. He reminds me of nick Moore, in that he lit it up for one season then spent the rest of his career on the IR. Move on and sign a more reliable receiver next off season

[Tecno]

I thought Edmonton's o line was terrible, fajardo was running for his life all game, something Collaros can't do well at all.

That's my point.  EDM's OL was terrible.  WPG's OL was actually worse.  Yes, I know that seems impossible, and it should be.  There were some series and snaps EDM's OL held together enough to let Cody get some decent mid/deep passes off.

I'm not sure WPG's OL had any series where they looked even "OK".  I'm gonna start a rewatch now to confirm my thesis.

[kkc60]

Good post.  I don't have the perfect solution, but it seems clear that no matter what else you do, you need to field a top-3 OL.  Especially with Zach as your QB.

It is possible to shift unit budgets, and even (gasp) go over the SMS.  It's not like this isn't doable.

And as I said already, I think our solutions are in-house already!  We just need to get them on the field.  Even a wounded Stan is better than whatever other LT we might put in his place.

Good points.  But I've been watching Lofton closely since we lost Yoshi.  He's been really solid, especially after a few weeks under his belt in '24.  I think Lofton was at least as good as Yoshi on pass pro!  It's the run game I think he may be lackluster at.

I also think Randolph has been doing OK at RT.  But RIGHT NOW I think Lofton is the better pass protector than Randolph, who has been burned for a few games in a row now.  And we need to win games RIGHT NOW, so I'm putting Lofton in if he's anywhere above 50% ready.

Randolph may prove the better run blocker, and maybe he'll become as good as Lofton at pass pro.  It's probably a safe bet.  And he'll probably be a great RT starter for us in future years.  But right now I want the crap OL play to stop and that means putting our best OTs on the field.

I think an important thing to consider with Randolph is he really needs reps. I'm not saying that just because he's a second year guy, he hardly played in college and when he did was used primarily as a blocking tight end, so OL is still newish for him. Costello gets so much love for being "one of the best OL coaches in the league". The development of Randolph will be a great litmus test for how good he is at developing guys. Every starting OT he has coached thus far has come to him as a polished or at least experienced player

[BomberFan73]

Another thing with the Oline is that they do their best when the lineup is consistent. It's no coincidence that our best production there was when there was no changes to the lineup. We've lost key roles/players there and have recently had injuries too.
I also think falling behind early and abandoning the run plays a role. OL love to play bully ball, and when they can't sometimes they get bullied.

[TBURGESS]

Many people were saying the same in '23... but look at '24.  Now people are saying it in '25.  We could still make the cup.  Then they'll say it again in '26.

I'm not a betting man, but if I was, I'd bet we don't make it to the Cup this year. 

[bluebeard]

Want to improve our OL, play Americans there and pla Canadians elswhere. Better American OL are easier to find.  Sask did that and played (drafted) Canadian receivers and DB.  May not work all the time but it is a place to start.

[Jesse]

Want to improve our OL, play Americans there and pla Canadians elswhere. Better American OL are easier to find.  Sask did that and played (drafted) Canadian receivers and DB.  May not work all the time but it is a place to start.

That's what we've been doing...

[CrazyCanuck89]

OL
CB
OC
DL
QB
Receiver
Absolutely none of these guys should be gone this season
Bridges as a backup is the only one that we might have to consider  imo
The rest of key contributors to this ball club and while are old are not nearly as bad as you suggest imo
It's Taylor Elgersma
Hard stop no on Cody
Willie had a good year last year, need to be better this year
Bonds can cover and was part of a very good defense last year, has been fine this year
OL are not what they used to be but still solid but at the end of their rope, as a unit we are average when healthy and could improve by year end, been a bad few weeks yesThomas is a good rotational DL who is good against the run.  Sun is setting but still one season left.  Hopefully Lawson progresses and we get Woods back.
Kramdi/Jones is a very good LB, your take is as off base as it gets here

I don't get the Kramdi hate from people.  Plus their is depth behind him with Smith, Makonzo and Kelly.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Want to improve our OL, play Americans there and pla Canadians elswhere. Better American OL are easier to find.  Sask did that and played (drafted) Canadian receivers and DB.  May not work all the time but it is a place to start.

Many here don't seem to realize for every extra American playing offence there is one less playing Defence.  Who here wants to take Person out of the D-line rotation after he gave them a much needed spark last week?

[LXTSN]

Just a suggestion to fix our DB problem...
What about sliding Parker back out to DB and putting someone else out there at safety? Maybe it's time for Cam Allen to get a shot at safety.

Parker is familiar with the system and position, plus lately he hasn't really given us the spark that you look for from your safety.  Maybe Cam could?

[BomberFan73]

Just a suggestion to fix our DB problem...
What about sliding Parker back out to DB and putting someone else out there at safety? Maybe it's time for Cam Allen to get a shot at safety.

Parker is familiar with the system and position, plus lately he hasn't really given us the spark that you look for from your safety.  Maybe Cam could?

Ya, more than a few of of suggesting this move.

[The Zipp]

if Zach is out for a long time - that is the biggest issue