Shay, Smith & Novak

Blue In BC · July 31, 2025, 07:49:47 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 31, 2025, 07:08:46 PMStats. 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.

Sure but it still comes down to how many Canadian LB's do we roster. How does age and SMS come into play? We didn't expect to be able to land Shay this draft. Every off season every team has to assess the bottom 1/3 of their roster. How specific is a given players skill set.

Gauthier is not a bad player but he will be 34 by next TC and have played 120 games give or take. He's been healthy for the most part over 9 seasons.

I'd put him and Nick Hallett as possibly at the bottom of our Canadian depth. A little on the older and slightly higher SMS hit compared to draft choices over the last 2 years etc.

Blue In BC · July 31, 2025, 07:52:49 PM

Quote from: Jesse on July 31, 2025, 07:42:16 PMBig waste of a lot of draft picks if they saw no potential for a starter in the group.

Perhaps but if they are " next man up " on the depth chart then they eliminate the need for a DI LB. It's too early to tell who rises to the top but Shay was perceived to be that capable in the draft. I don't know that Novak was considered for more than a good ST player. IE: replacement for Gauthier in 2026 potentially but injury changes that to a TBD.

Jesse · July 31, 2025, 07:56:57 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 31, 2025, 07:52:49 PMPerhaps but if they are " next man up " on the depth chart then they eliminate the need for a DI LB. It's too early to tell who rises to the top but Shay was perceived to be that capable in the draft. I don't know that Novak was considered for more than a good ST player. IE: replacement for Gauthier in 2026 potentially but injury changes that to a TBD.

Well, if you believe Walters, Smith was supposed to be our first round pick because they didn't think Shay would be available. And they weren't going to double down on LB, but then Smith was still there.

I think they believe pretty strongly in their ceilings.

Blue In BC · July 31, 2025, 08:13:11 PM

Quote from: Jesse on July 31, 2025, 07:56:57 PMWell, if you believe Walters, Smith was supposed to be our first round pick because they didn't think Shay would be available. And they weren't going to double down on LB, but then Smith was still there.

I think they believe pretty strongly in their ceilings.

Agreed. They could be a significant part of the future. They can play ST's and be fighting for roles to start in 2026 or at the least be next man up. I don't get to go to home games so more input from posters that can see what they are doing beyond stats and PR.

TecnoGenius · August 01, 2025, 04:39:08 AM

I think Shay will be a future Kramdi-like starter. Not sure which position, per se, but he's being groomed to be another ratio-buster.

It would be nice if he could get some D snaps this season, though. Not easy seeing as how our starting LB corps is probably the strongest part of our D.

Throw Long Bannatyne · August 01, 2025, 05:04:39 AM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 01, 2025, 04:39:08 AMI think Shay will be a future Kramdi-like starter. Not sure which position, per se, but he's being groomed to be another ratio-buster.

It would be nice if he could get some D snaps this season, though. Not easy seeing as how our starting LB corps is probably the strongest part of our D.

Agree I think both Shay and Smith are calculated to become starters within the next season or two, once they establish themselves as capable replacements for the current imports. Recall O'Shea saying he sees Smith as more of a DB type than a heavy LB because of his mobilitiy. Could potentially take over at Safety.

BBFANDM · August 01, 2025, 05:10:03 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 01, 2025, 05:04:39 AMAgree I think both Shay and Smith are calculated to become starters within the next season or two, once they establish themselves as capable replacements for the current imports. Recall O'Shea saying he sees Smith as more of a DB type than a heavy LB because of his mobilitiy. Could potentially take over at Safety.

He is going to have to get lighter to play safety in the CFL.
SMITH, Jaylen LB N 5'10 227 23

TecnoGenius · August 01, 2025, 05:50:32 AM

Quote from: BBFANDM on August 01, 2025, 05:10:03 AMHe is going to have to get lighter to play safety in the CFL.

Then Shay MLB and Smith WILL? (eventually) That body type of Smith screams WILL. Kyrie won't last forever.

kkc60 · August 01, 2025, 12:27:42 PM

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on July 31, 2025, 07:34:31 PMConsidering Shay, Novak and Smith can all play MLB, I don't see why the Bombers won't start a national in the future.

I think Smith is almost a Kramdi-role guy. The Bombers love his versatility, so perhaps a Griffin role (as a obvious passing downs linebacker) is in his future?

kkc60 · August 01, 2025, 12:29:56 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 01, 2025, 05:50:32 AMThen Shay MLB and Smith WILL? (eventually) That body type of Smith screams WILL. Kyrie won't last forever.

I think perhaps SAM. Yes, heavier than the usual but if he can keep up with his man, why not have the advantage of a bigger SAM vs the run? If he can't do it, then WIL it is

LXTSN · August 01, 2025, 02:27:35 PM

Quote from: kkc60 on August 01, 2025, 12:27:42 PMI think Smith is almost a Kramdi-role guy. The Bombers love his versatility, so perhaps a Griffin role (as a obvious passing downs linebacker) is in his future?

That's how I see it as well. Smith is faster and more versatile, while Shay is more built for the MLB or maybe WLB.

CrazyCanuck89 · August 01, 2025, 02:43:09 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on August 01, 2025, 05:04:39 AMAgree I think both Shay and Smith are calculated to become starters within the next season or two, once they establish themselves as capable replacements for the current imports. Recall O'Shea saying he sees Smith as more of a DB type than a heavy LB because of his mobilitiy. Could potentially take over at Safety.

If Shay can take the WLB spot and Smith the SLB spot, that would be alot of speed in your linebacking corps.

LXTSN · August 01, 2025, 02:54:06 PM

Quote from: Jesse on July 31, 2025, 07:42:16 PMBig waste of a lot of draft picks if they saw no potential for a starter in the group.

I think at least Shay and Smith have starter potential, but not at the MLB spot. There are so many very talented MLB's in this league, and very few of them are nationals. Teitz for Calgary and Veresuk are only NAT starting MLB's in the league currently, and I wouldn't say either of them stand out. It's just a tough position to find standout Canadians it seems.
Lots of GREAT National WLB's however! Hladik, Judge, Allen (SSK) are some of the best in the league.

LXTSN · August 01, 2025, 02:55:11 PM

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on August 01, 2025, 02:43:09 PMIf Shay can take the WLB spot and Smith the SLB spot, that would be alot of speed in your linebacking corps.

I think that would be a huge draft success if both those guys become solid starters. I'm happy with Smith as a rotational guy though too.

Throw Long Bannatyne · August 01, 2025, 04:40:02 PM

Quote from: LXTSN on August 01, 2025, 02:54:06 PMI think at least Shay and Smith have starter potential, but not at the MLB spot. There are so many very talented MLB's in this league, and very few of them are nationals. Teitz for Calgary and Veresuk are only NAT starting MLB's in the league currently, and I wouldn't say either of them stand out. It's just a tough position to find standout Canadians it seems.
Lots of GREAT National WLB's however! Hladik, Judge, Allen (SSK) are some of the best in the league.

Yes, Shay would have to be very good to beat out either of the Jones boys, hate to compromise for ratio at MLB, still think it's the most important position on the defence. Makes total sense for Shay to take over at WIL if he is mobile enough to cover inside receivers.