Official Game Day Thread - Toronto at Winnipeg, August 1, 2025

[Blue In BC]

How does Kornelson beat out Schmekel onto the AR but still gets bumped to PR while Schmekel is still on 1 game IR with no injury? Just curious about that.

D. Mitchell to PR. He's toast. Not sure why he isn't just released. 3 Canadian receivers? YIKES!

Changes at safety, CB and SAM along with J. Jones being added. That's a lot after a short week and 1 practice. I guess we'll see how this works out. I don't know that the depth chart will be factual but it might be.

[Blueforlife]

Yeah, that Corcoran/Cobb spot should be Mitchell.

BUT, it's Streveler. So let's anticipate lots of running (Corcoran has some size to him, at least, for the blocking game).

disagree, Mitchell is a WR, our combo of Canadians will be fine
Bomber brass don't want Mitchell in at slot
Very excited to see if Cobb can make a few plays
Yes not as deep at receiver as we should be but it's the best roster we can dress at the moment

Aha! I called Kramdi to Safety over a month ago! Make enough predictions and some come true!  Maybe just a temp. move till Kelly gets back up to speed.

Don't get why they replaced Petersen with Cooley, long-term, he's a more valuable asset.

Cooley gives a spark
Props to calling Kramdi at safety!

Offense looks really weak! Having Streveler and 3 Canadian Receivers as your starters will not scare anyone. I still think the OL is weak.

Receivers are average at best, OL/QB my only big worry

I think they like Cooley and just found an opportunity to get him on the AR (Perhaps at the expense of Mitchell).

My tinfoil hat theory is we also need to prep for the possibility of Brady leaving. He does not have a contract for next year and I fully expect Hamilton to offer him something like 300+ if they get the chance.

crush that foil, Brady for life, but yes he will get a blank cheque

[Blue In BC]

disagree, Mitchell is a WR, our combo of Canadians will be fine
Bomber brass don't want Mitchell in at slot
Very excited to see if Cobb can make a few plays
Yes not as deep at receiver as we should be but it's the best roster we can dress at the moment
Cooley gives a spark
Props to calling Kramdi at safety!

It was suggested moving Wheatfall to SB and Mitchell to his spot. I guess we'll see how well Corcoran and Cobb do and whether it's on them or the QB.

[Blueforlife]

It was suggested moving Wheatfall to SB and Mitchell to his spot. I guess we'll see how well Corcoran and Cobb do and whether it's on them or the QB.

I did not want Wheatie at SB.  A big challenge for these two at slot.  Need to a catch a few balls.  Next man up tested on O big time!

I might need to bring in less snack and more meds to calm the nerves LOL

[The Zipp]

you think someone tried to poach Cooley off the PR?  is Cooley a way better blocker for max protection?

tough gig for Hogan - don't envy his position..Strev at qb doesn't scare too many people so it will have to be a very imaginative offense. 

big test for the Bombers

[Blue In BC]

I did not want Wheatie at SB.  A big challenge for these two at slot.  Need to a catch a few balls.  Next man up tested on O big time!
I might need to bring in less snack and more meds to calm the nerves LOL

We can only judge the roster as decided. Whether the Wheatfall / Mitchell combo would have been better is debatable. I'd say the Case experiment was a failure before the injury occurred. Mitchell did play at slot at times in Edmonton so that was also an option.

2 catches out of 5 targets for 10 yards. One slip that led directly to a pick which brings us back to how much fault goes to Collaros for unfortunate footwear? I think he had a 2nd slip on one attempt?

Corcoran has 6 out of 6 for 36 yards. That includes 4 of 4 for 25 yards against the Argos. So maybe he does quite well. We'll see how much they rotate Corcoran and Cobb and compare post game. Cobb is 4" shorter and nearly 40 lbs lighter. That could be both good and bad depending on how he's used. Blocking assignments would be a concern.

[Blue In BC]

you think someone tried to poach Cooley off the PR?  is Cooley a way better blocker for max protection?

tough gig for Hogan - don't envy his position..Strev at qb doesn't scare too many people so it will have to be a very imaginative offense. 

big test for the Bombers

It was suggested that perhaps someone tried to poach Cooley but there is nothing to confirm that. If he stays on the AR for 3 games, that might confirm this move was needed. OTOH, they could have moved him to 1 game IR unless being poached.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It was suggested that perhaps someone tried to poach Cooley but there is nothing to confirm that. If he stays on the AR for 3 games, that might confirm this move was needed. OTOH, they could have moved him to 1 game IR unless being poached.

Don't think they could move him to the IR to protect, pretty sure it has to be AR.

[RebusRankin]

To those defending Hogan, he hasn't done much this year worth defending. Jury is still out but right now, he has not been a good OC.

[Blue In BC]

Don't think they could move him to the IR to protect, pretty sure it has to be AR.

I know but we don't know why the decision was made. Realistically I don't think another team tried to poach him. Every team has their own depth including at RB. You'd think Peterson is at greater risk being poached since he's Canadain.

We'll see how he's used and whether he stays on the AR for an extended time. I'm thinking we might see a 3 man OL when Bryant returns but when he or Vanterpool can return is up in the air. Both are on the 1 game but clearly that can be 1 game or longer.

A stronger OL with Peterson as the back up RB would be my choice.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It was suggested moving Wheatfall to SB and Mitchell to his spot. I guess we'll see how well Corcoran and Cobb do and whether it's on them or the QB.

Wheatfall might not be able to handle a switch to SB well either, he struggled to get on the same page with Zach last season. For many of these football players the KISS principle applies.

[Blueforlife]

We can only judge the roster as decided. Whether the Wheatfall / Mitchell combo would have been better is debatable. I'd say the Case experiment was a failure before the injury occurred. Mitchell did play at slot at times in Edmonton so that was also an option.

2 catches out of 5 targets for 10 yards. One slip that led directly to a pick which brings us back to how much fault goes to Collaros for unfortunate footwear? I think he had a 2nd slip on one attempt?

Corcoran has 6 out of 6 for 36 yards. That includes 4 of 4 for 25 yards against the Argos. So maybe he does quite well. We'll see how much they rotate Corcoran and Cobb and compare post game. Cobb is 4" shorter and nearly 40 lbs lighter. That could be both good and bad depending on how he's used. Blocking assignments would be a concern.

Good point about blocking.  I think we needed a couple more games with Case to figure that part out.  Yes didn't show well but can return so I would welcome him back next year.  Cobb shows flashes, might be tough for him to make an impact quickly.  Corcoran will develop more quickly with more reps.  I am happy to develop our Canadian over playing Mitchell.

To those defending Hogan, he hasn't done much this year worth defending. Jury is still out but right now, he has not been a good OC.

Too early to make a judgement either way.  We have had good moments and terrible ones, need more sample size.  Also need patience with a new coach.  My bet bumps along the road and worth the wait.  Seen this story before.

Wheatfall might not be able to handle a switch to SB well either, he struggled to get on the same page with Zach last season. For many of these football players the KISS principle applies.

My point exactly.  We made the best changes with the least amount of impact.  You are seeing it exactly the way I do.  Key is to get Wheatie cooking, hard to do when you change the recipe.

[gobombersgo]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers bench DB Marquise Bridges, reshuffle secondary vs Argos
By 3Down Staff -July 31, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made several changes ahead of their rematch with the Toronto Argonauts on Friday.

Defensively, the team has benched cornerback Marquise Bridges and sent him to the practice roster, reshuffling the secondary around him. Jamal Parker will move to the field-side, and Canadian Redha Kramdi takes over at safety, while Michael Griffin slots in at strong-side linebacker.

Through six games, Bridges had made 16 defensive tackles and two interceptions. He played eight games last season and finished with seven defensive tackles, as well as a forced fumble.

Dressing for depth for the first time this year are Canadian safety Jake Kelly and American linebacker Jonathan Jones, while Canadian defensive tackle Collin Kornelson goes to the practice squad.

Chris Streveler will make his second start of the season at quarterback, as Zach Collaros goes on the one-game injured list due to a neck issue that has knocked him out of the last two games. Rookie Chase Artopoeus will come off the practice roster to serve as the third-stringer behind Steveler and Terry Wilson.

Streveler led the team to a 34-20 win over the B.C. Lions in their season-opener while Collaros served a one-game suspension. The former NFL backup has thrown for 558 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions on the year, while rushing for 63 yards on the ground.

The new quarterback will get the benefit of upgraded protection, as veteran American offensive lineman Eric Lofton makes his season debut after a knee injury and slots in at left tackle. He replaces Micah Vanterpool, who heads to the one-game injured list with an ankle issue.

Rookie Canadian receiver Joey Corcoran will also make his debut in the starting lineup after American Kody Case was placed on the six-game injured list with a broken ankle. Fellow Canadian pass catcher Gavin Cobb will dress for depth at the position, while rookie Canadian running back Matthew Peterson was demoted to the practice roster. American ball carrier Quinton Cooley gets the chance in his place.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-3) will host the Toronto Argonauts (2-5) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, August 1 with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT. The two teams met at BMO Field this past week where Nick Arbuckle carved up Winnipeg's secondary for 316 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 31-17 win.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 26 degrees and sunny conditions. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1050 in Toronto and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

https://3downnation.com/2025/07/31/winnipeg-blue-bombers-bench-db-marquise-bridges-reshuffle-secondary-vs-argos/

[Blue In BC]

Too early to make a judgement either way.  We have had good moments and terrible ones, need more sample size.  Also need patience with a new coach.  My bet bumps along the road and worth the wait.  Seen this story before.



Good point about blocking.  I think we needed a couple more games with Case to figure that part out.  Yes didn't show well but can return so I would welcome him back next year.  Cobb shows flashes, might be tough for him to make an impact quickly.  Corcoran will develop more quickly with more reps.  I am happy to develop our Canadian over playing Mitchell.

Next year Case would be going into year 3. Not many players survive past year 2 without making some progress. He had an opportunity but got injured and may not even be available for TC. There will be another 30 receivers looked at in tryout camps and during TC.

He'll be hard pressed to fight off that competition with 3 receptions for 15 yards in limited play. He probably is already 3 rd or 4 th on the depth chart as the returner.

Football is a tough business. Opportunity doesn't always come but when you get it, you need to hang tight. An injury never helps a short term player that hasn't been on the AR much. A broken ankle could even be potentially career ending. Sad but true

Just in that sense alone, I'd be stunned if he's back in 2026.

[Blueforlife]

Next year Case would be going into year 3. Not many players survive past year 2 without making some progress. He had an opportunity but got injured and may not even be available for TC. There will be another 30 receivers looked at in tryout camps and during TC.

He'll be hard pressed to fight off that competition with 3 receptions for 15 yards in limited play. He probably is already 3 rd or 4 th on the depth chart as the returner.

Football is a tough business. Opportunity doesn't always come but when you get it, you need to hang tight. An injury never helps a short term player that hasn't been on the AR much. A broken ankle could even be potentially career ending. Sad but true

Just in that sense alone, I'd be stunned if he's back in 2026.

Make a good point, sun could be set.  I liked his speed and versatility.  Likely victim of the numbers game / risk of coming off injury/ business nature of the sport etc.

His numbers don't make you want to bring him back but his potential does.  Long shot to be sure.  I would bring him into camp if 100% healthy and we are not that deep at slot of receiver.  Time will tell.  Feel for the guy.  I didn't think we seen enough to make a final decision.  I wanted a few more reps.