Shay, Smith & Novak

[BomberFan73]

Our 3 LBers we drafted this year. Novak is now on the IR, but I had seen/heard his name more than the other 2. I was actually surprised he made the squad and wasn't sent back to University.

Has he passed Shay & Smith? How many reps have these guys gotten outside of Teams?

[Blueforlife]

Blue in BC high on Novak on teams, about all I know he knows things LOL

[kkc60]

I don't think any of these guys have gotten run outside of STs. Not sure the numbers but our coverage has appeared alright. Smith is different from Shay and Novak, as he's more of a SAM.

[Jesse]

Our 3 LBers we drafted this year. Novak is now on the IR, but I had seen/heard his name more than the other 2. I was actually surprised he made the squad and wasn't sent back to University.

Has he passed Shay & Smith? How many reps have these guys gotten outside of Teams?

They all have zero defensive reps.

[RebusRankin]

None have gotten a single rep on D, all have contributed on teams.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Our 3 LBers we drafted this year. Novak is now on the IR, but I had seen/heard his name more than the other 2. I was actually surprised he made the squad and wasn't sent back to University.

Has he passed Shay & Smith? How many reps have these guys gotten outside of Teams?

Zero, so far the starting LB's have remained healthy, if injury happens likely Jon Jones, Griffin and Ayers are next up.  the 3 Natl. draft picks are not likely to get reps till later in the season or next year.  I see Novak as a ST who can contribute now, but not sure a starting job is in his future, in that respect he is behind Shay and Smith.

[Blue In BC]

Each will have different roles going forward. We may see Gauthier gone in 2026 with the new crop of LB's. His role has changed to mostly ST's and we have others picking up that role. He's not an expensive player but how many Canadian LB's can we retain on the AR barring injury?

[Blueforlife]

Each will have different roles going forward. We may see Gauthier gone in 2026 with the new crop of LB's. His role has changed to mostly ST's and we have others picking up that role. He's not an expensive player but how many Canadian LB's can we retain on the AR barring injury?

Agree if they step up might see Gauthier gone but some have suggested that for years and he continues to be a good depth guy (against the run)

[Blue In BC]

Agree if they step up might see Gauthier gone but some have suggested that for years and he continues to be a good depth guy (against the run)

Not really. He used to get more reps on defence on running plays but now it's just on 3rd and short or 3rd and goal. Depth is always good but like I said, how many Canadian LB's can we keep on the AR? I don't know how long Novak will be out or whether he'll be gone for the season and part of 2026.

Novak had 3 ST's in 5 games and Gauthier had 2 in 6 games. It appears Novak had a solid role on ST's in the early going. Younger, faster and a little cheaper.

Shay and Smith are not getting defensive reps yet but I'd be expecting them to be doing that by 2026.

So it's a tough call. Gauthier could be asked back for TC 2026 but it's bad PR if he gets beat out by those draft choices.

We'll also have 6 - 8 2026 draft choices that we'll need to find some room on the rosters. A few will make the AR.

Who we lose or gain in free agency comes into play as the roster gets shuffled. Wilson, Cadwallader and Gauthier are all potential free agents.

[Blueforlife]

Not really. He used to get more reps on defence on running plays but now it's just on 3rd and short or 3rd and goal. Depth is always good but like I said, how many Canadian LB's can we keep on the AR? I don't know how long Novak will be out or whether he'll be gone for the season and part of 2026.

Novak had 3 ST's in 5 games and Gauthier had 2 in 6 games. It appears Novak had a solid role on ST's in the early going. Younger, faster and a little cheaper.

Shay and Smith are not getting defensive reps yet but I'd be expecting them to be doing that by 2026.

So it's a tough call. Gauthier could be asked back for TC 2026 but it's bad PR if he gets beat out by those draft choices.

We'll also have 6 - 8 2026 draft choices that we'll need to find some room on the rosters. A few will make the AR.

Who we lose or gain in free agency comes into play as the roster gets shuffled. Wilson, Cadwallader and Gauthier are all potential free agents.

I keep Wilson and Cadwallder, if better options beat out Gauthier yes move on

Gauthier this year is a good depth LB against the run (if we get injuries), he is like an insurance policy, hope don't need it but it's there when you need it, not the greatest coverage but good cost LOL

But can't keep everyone and need the new gen to step up, our development at LB is key to our success going forward, as deep as I can remember in a decade, maybe not the star power but everyone can play or looks to be a good prospect imo

[Blue In BC]

I keep Wilson and Cadwallder, if better options beat out Gauthier yes move on

Gauthier this year is a good depth LB against the run (if we get injuries), he is like an insurance policy, hope don't need it but it's there when you need it, not the greatest coverage but good cost LOL

But can't keep everyone and need the new gen to step up, our development at LB is key to our success going forward, as deep as I can remember in a decade, maybe not the star power but everyone can play or looks to be a good prospect imo

We never know what players decide to move on in free agency. Cadwallader is very good on ST's. Smith has been exceptional so far in 2025 and Shay has had less impact that I can see.  Novak was doing very well too. So it's a numbers game and then it's an SMS game to sort out.

[LXTSN]

I've seen Smith make some plays on special teams and I like his upside.
I don't really see us starting a national middle linebacker. It's just too important a position and they would have to beat out a ton of very talented players to get a spot.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Not really. He used to get more reps on defence on running plays but now it's just on 3rd and short or 3rd and goal. Depth is always good but like I said, how many Canadian LB's can we keep on the AR? I don't know how long Novak will be out or whether he'll be gone for the season and part of 2026.

Novak had 3 ST's in 5 games and Gauthier had 2 in 6 games. It appears Novak had a solid role on ST's in the early going. Younger, faster and a little cheaper.

Shay and Smith are not getting defensive reps yet but I'd be expecting them to be doing that by 2026.

So it's a tough call. Gauthier could be asked back for TC 2026 but it's bad PR if he gets beat out by those draft choices.

We'll also have 6 - 8 2026 draft choices that we'll need to find some room on the rosters. A few will make the AR.

Who we lose or gain in free agency comes into play as the roster gets shuffled. Wilson, Cadwallader and Gauthier are all potential free agents.

Stats. don't tell the whole story on ST's, the gunners will get more tackles than players like Gauthier and Novak who's jobs are to block up return lanes and cut down angles.  They only move to pursuit mode if the returner evade the first wave of tacklers and advances further up field.

[CrazyCanuck89]

I've seen Smith make some plays on special teams and I like his upside.
I don't really see us starting a national middle linebacker. It's just too important a position and they would have to beat out a ton of very talented players to get a spot.

Considering Shay, Novak and Smith can all play MLB, I don't see why the Bombers won't start a national in the future.

[Jesse]

Considering Shay, Novak and Smith can all play MLB, I don't see why the Bombers won't start a national in the future.

Big waste of a lot of draft picks if they saw no potential for a starter in the group.