STREVELER

[Blue In BC]

They re-signed Strev this past off-season after a mediocre showing in 2024, so they knew what they were getting and their plan was to stand pat.  If they wanted a change and wanted to be aggressive they had the opportunity to pursue a number of CFL vets, including Fajardo and MBT.  Walters always uses the bounds of the SMS to temper aggressive pursuits which is reasonable behaviour.

Yes and no. It doesn't explain D. Mitchell signed for a lot of money and sitting on the 1 game IR for 6 weeks. Ditto for J. Jones sitting for 6 weeks. Great to have depth but that was a significant trade off.

It seems some decisions about the starters and back ups were made before TC. We have a grand total of 1 rookie import on the AR and if Logan didn't get hurt we may not have seen Vaval yet.

Other than Cooley and our # 4 QB, we only have 2025 draft choices that are on the AR that are rookies.

[dd]

Given the lacklustre state of our receiving corps I don't understand why we didn't go after Hollins. Heck Montreal just did!!you mean to tell me we don't need a burner with cfl experience in our lineup?!?! I am mystified by our personnel decisions

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes and no. It doesn't explain D. Mitchell signed for a lot of money and sitting on the 1 game IR for 6 weeks. Ditto for J. Jones sitting for 6 weeks. Great to have depth but that was a significant trade off.

It seems some decisions about the starters and back ups were made before TC. We have a grand total of 1 rookie import on the AR and if Logan didn't get hurt we may not have seen Vaval yet.

Other than Cooley and our # 4 QB, we only have 2025 draft choices that are on the AR that are rookies.

I thought we were talking about Strev in this thread?  No one has a crystal ball, maybe Dillon Mitchell should explain why he's sitting on the PR mid-season? As for J. Jones, Kyrie has played well and remained healthy, he can take over his job when and if he falters.

[Blue In BC]

I thought we were talking about Strev in this thread?  No one has a crystal ball, maybe Dillon Mitchell should explain why he's sitting on the PR mid-season? As for J. Jones, Kyrie has played well and remained healthy, he can take over his job when and if he falters.

We are but it was mentioned that Streveler was a good deal for the SMS and whether we shouldn't have stood pat at QB.

[Blueforlife]

At the price we paid I believe he has already earned his salary and will continue to bring a great deal of value and a good emergency backup

If he could just clean up the turnovers that would be great

[theaardvark]

Throwing out any career stats on a player has little or no value.  Throwing our past success in the NFL, again, little to no value.

Sure, they suggest that the player has ability, but only current results tell us whether a player should be in the position they have been given.

I love Strevy, there is no doubt about his character or his desire/drive.  But when it comes to results...

I HATE that he occasionally hits a long pass or drops on in over Cam Judge.  Because that makes people forget somewhat about him fixating on an endzone throw and almost costing us the game.

If he stunk 70% of the time, we could move on.  But to me, it seems he's very good 15% of the time, m'eh 70%, and awful 15%.  And with the ST and D support "he" gets a win.  "He" does not deserve credit for the win, far from it.

Do I hate having him as a backup / SY guy?  Not at all, he brings a lot in that role, and is great value.

Do I hate having him start?  YES.  We KNOW what he brings as a starter, and while the team has wins with him starting, its not wins due to his play.  So saying he wins games is a total fallacy.

He is not our post Collaros starter, that has been established with his play over the years.

So, if Wilson is in our succession plan, lets see what we have in him.  If Chase is in that mix, lets let him get some reps, in practice and live fire.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Throwing out any career stats on a player has little or no value.  Throwing our past success in the NFL, again, little to no value.

Sure, they suggest that the player has ability, but only current results tell us whether a player should be in the position they have been given.

I love Strevy, there is no doubt about his character or his desire/drive.  But when it comes to results...

I HATE that he occasionally hits a long pass or drops on in over Cam Judge.  Because that makes people forget somewhat about him fixating on an endzone throw and almost costing us the game.

If he stunk 70% of the time, we could move on.  But to me, it seems he's very good 15% of the time, m'eh 70%, and awful 15%.  And with the ST and D support "he" gets a win.  "He" does not deserve credit for the win, far from it.

Do I hate having him as a backup / SY guy?  Not at all, he brings a lot in that role, and is great value.

Do I hate having him start?  YES.  We KNOW what he brings as a starter, and while the team has wins with him starting, its not wins due to his play.  So saying he wins games is a total fallacy.

He is not our post Collaros starter, that has been established with his play over the years.

So, if Wilson is in our succession plan, lets see what we have in him.  If Chase is in that mix, lets let him get some reps, in practice and live fire.

Agreed, the uncertainty around Zach's current abilities make me nervous about sticking with Strev as a backup, who if injuries dictate could be called upon IF the Bombers make the playoffs. I can accept they won't make any change this year and may not make the GC, but if they're both brought back next season as if "all's good", it will be a small indicator that O'Shea is willing to go down with the ship rather than alter course.

[bunker]

Agreed, the uncertainty around Zach's current abilities make me nervous about sticking with Strev as a backup, who if injuries dictate could be called upon IF the Bombers make the playoffs. I can accept they won't make any change this year and may not make the GC, but if they're both brought back next season as if "all's good", it will be a small indicator that O'Shea is willing to go down with the ship rather than alter course.

There have been times in the past 2 years where I've wondered if winning at all costs is really not his goal anymore, that winning the right way and treating his players in what he see's as the right way is even more important to him. He's won multiple cups as player and coach, and maybe now he puts more stock in doing things "the right way" according to him. I'm sure he still wants to win, but not in the cut throat way some coaches/GMs do (Wally Buono comes to mind). Could be wrong, just a thought I've had after seeing some of the decisions he's made.

[Jesse]

Throwing out any career stats on a player has little or no value.  Throwing our past success in the NFL, again, little to no value.

Sure, they suggest that the player has ability, but only current results tell us whether a player should be in the position they have been given.

I love Strevy, there is no doubt about his character or his desire/drive.  But when it comes to results...

I HATE that he occasionally hits a long pass or drops on in over Cam Judge.  Because that makes people forget somewhat about him fixating on an endzone throw and almost costing us the game.

If he stunk 70% of the time, we could move on.  But to me, it seems he's very good 15% of the time, m'eh 70%, and awful 15%.  And with the ST and D support "he" gets a win.  "He" does not deserve credit for the win, far from it.

Do I hate having him as a backup / SY guy?  Not at all, he brings a lot in that role, and is great value.

Do I hate having him start?  YES.  We KNOW what he brings as a starter, and while the team has wins with him starting, its not wins due to his play.  So saying he wins games is a total fallacy.

He is not our post Collaros starter, that has been established with his play over the years.

So, if Wilson is in our succession plan, lets see what we have in him.  If Chase is in that mix, lets let him get some reps, in practice and live fire.

The succession plan doesn't matter when you're trying to win games in 2025. The coaches have deemed that Strev is better than Wilson right now and that's the only thing that matters.

[TecnoGenius]

I don't know that we had other # 2 QB's available to us or at what possible cost.

Let's look at it this way.  Who are the top teams right now and their backups?

SSK Maier
HAM Powell
CGY nobody
MTL MBT

Maier & MBT cost decent coin ($150-200? more?).  Powell hasn't proven anything yet and is probably same $ as Strev.  Mr Nobody in CGY is ELC.

So 2 teams splurged for a "real" #2 (both of who are new to those teams).  The $ tied-up doesn't seem to have hurt SSK any.  But MTL is struggling, but probably more due to injury than QB $ tied up.

Powell is predicted by some (me) to be a future starter.  So he may do ok.  Or he may lose everything.

CGY will be lucky to win anything, and they have probably the best team before VAJ got hurt.

SSK is good enough that Maier might win up to .600 for them, should Trevor go down.

MBT should win .500 for MTL, but injuries are killing them.

Let's look at the "bad" teams:
BC: "expensive" QB2, sucking badly, doesn't support the case
TOR: "expensive" QB2, sucking badly, doesn't support the case
OTT: cheap QB2, sucking badly, supports the case
EDM: "expensive" QB2, sucking badly, doesn't support the case
* expensive means expensive for a #2

Bottom line: teams can tie up $800-$900k on QB 1 & 2 and still win, clearly.  But some teams are struggling even with an expensive #2.  So it looks like there is no correlation between "expensive" QB2 and sucking.

Us?  We have only ~$700k in our QB1&2.  How much is that savings allowing us to field better guys elsewhere, etc?  Or maybe it's a function of having the highest-paid-by-a-mile RB...

If we wanted a legit mercenary QB2 in FA, there will be guys available in FA26.  Wilson is great SY, so we could get a "legit backup" if we really wanted to.  But it'll cost us an extra $100k.  Who do we sacrifice because of that?

I still think we are just a "let's gamble" club when it comes to QB1 health.  And if poop happens we'll just try to solve it at that time with best-available options.  Just like 2019.

And what will a "good QB2" do for you in the post-season anyhow?  Arbuckle is the first example in a loooong time of a #2 actually winning something in the post-season.  Most other examples have the team losing baaaaadly (i.e. Dinwiddie).

[TecnoGenius]

The succession plan doesn't matter when you're trying to win games in 2025. The coaches have deemed that Strev is better than Wilson right now and that's the only thing that matters.

Right on.  Next season QB situation gets a side eye level of attention, at best.  We'll worry about that Nov 17.

And Mafia doesn't care if Strev can't start and win 9 games for us, because that's not the plan, and shouldn't come to pass.  If Zach is season-ended come trade deadline I fully expect us to make some splash trade and pull a '19.

Ford, Powell, Masoli could all be up for sale at the right price (i.e. an arm & leg) at the deadline, depending on team standings.  Ford or Powell might give us a better shot in the post-season than Strev.  Maybe.  Masoli would probably be on par with Strev.

[TecnoGenius]

There have been times in the past 2 years where I've wondered if winning at all costs is really not his goal anymore, that winning the right way and treating his players in what he see's as the right way is even more important to him.

Ya, for sure.  But to the average player, would you rather have the cup and garbage man of HC?  Or one & done with the Nicest HC Ever?  Serious question.

Answer might depend on the age / marital status of the player...

[TecnoGenius]

I HATE that he occasionally hits a long pass or drops on in over Cam Judge.  Because that makes people forget somewhat about him fixating on an endzone throw and almost costing us the game.

LOL, Aards in the stands wishing bad things on Strev all game:  "Just botch it, throw another INT, do it now!  I want to be rid of you!"  "Argh, you made a great zone sit pass, curse you!"

If he stunk 70% of the time, we could move on.  But to me, it seems he's very good 15% of the time, m'eh 70%, and awful 15%.  And with the ST and D support "he" gets a win.  "He" does not deserve credit for the win, far from it.

Have you seen a lot of Zach games in the last 3 seasons?  He "won" a whole lot of those games because of the D or ST too!

And who's to say Strev being the leader for his wins isn't what drove the D/ST to be better?  Who knows.

Ya, Zach is by far the better QB, and I want him starting every game, but let's not be hard on Strev as the relief pitcher.  Up until this very second he's been a very decent backup QB for us over the years, all things considered.

As for post-Zach starter, I'm 99% positive no one is thinking about Strev being that anymore: NFL didn't make him "better" in any way, shape or form.  No, the entire post-Zach plan is buy a top-3 in FA no matter the cost.  Preferably Alexander!

[theaardvark]

The succession plan doesn't matter when you're trying to win games in 2025. The coaches have deemed that Strev is better than Wilson right now and that's the only thing that matters.

With the lack of live fire reps for Wilson, I don't think that can be an objective assessment.

Streveler has really crapped the bed while the teams manages to win. Those W's on his record are NOT earned, they are inherited.  And every post game he keeps saying "I have to be better, I will learn from this film".  I don't think he can get better, or learn from film any more, he hasn't and its been how many years? 

I'm sure if we can win with Streveler, we have just as much chance of winning with Wilson, otherwise, what the heck is he still here for.

Poop or get off the pot.

We don't want to get to the GC and have to put Wilson in due to injury in the WDF (or EDF if we cross over).

Ask Dinwiddie how that works.

[theaardvark]

Let's look at it this way.  Who are the top teams right now and their backups?

SSK Maier
HAM Powell
CGY nobody
MTL MBT

Maier & MBT cost decent coin ($150-200? more?).  Powell hasn't proven anything yet and is probably same $ as Strev.  Mr Nobody in CGY is ELC.

So 2 teams splurged for a "real" #2 (both of who are new to those teams).  The $ tied-up doesn't seem to have hurt SSK any.  But MTL is struggling, but probably more due to injury than QB $ tied up.

Powell is predicted by some (me) to be a future starter.  So he may do ok.  Or he may lose everything.

CGY will be lucky to win anything, and they have probably the best team before VAJ got hurt.

SSK is good enough that Maier might win up to .600 for them, should Trevor go down.

MBT should win .500 for MTL, but injuries are killing them.

Let's look at the "bad" teams:
BC: "expensive" QB2, sucking badly, doesn't support the case
TOR: "expensive" QB2, sucking badly, doesn't support the case
OTT: cheap QB2, sucking badly, supports the case
EDM: "expensive" QB2, sucking badly, doesn't support the case
* expensive means expensive for a #2

Bottom line: teams can tie up $800-$900k on QB 1 & 2 and still win, clearly.  But some teams are struggling even with an expensive #2.  So it looks like there is no correlation between "expensive" QB2 and sucking.

Us?  We have only ~$700k in our QB1&2.  How much is that savings allowing us to field better guys elsewhere, etc?  Or maybe it's a function of having the highest-paid-by-a-mile RB...

If we wanted a legit mercenary QB2 in FA, there will be guys available in FA26.  Wilson is great SY, so we could get a "legit backup" if we really wanted to.  But it'll cost us an extra $100k.  Who do we sacrifice because of that?

I still think we are just a "let's gamble" club when it comes to QB1 health.  And if poop happens we'll just try to solve it at that time with best-available options.  Just like 2019.

And what will a "good QB2" do for you in the post-season anyhow?  Arbuckle is the first example in a loooong time of a #2 actually winning something in the post-season.  Most other examples have the team losing baaaaadly (i.e. Dinwiddie).

Cost is the LAST consideration I have for QB2.

They should either be a proven QB that is trying to get back to QB1 status, or a future QB1.  Case 1 costs $SMS, case 2 does not.

We have case 3, a never has been, never projected to be QB1, who has flashes of brilliance but is generally m'eh, who came very cheap.  And is a fan favourite (sells jerseys, puts butts in seats). 

I want a case 2, we had it in Dru Brown, but Collaros wasn't ready to go, so we lost him.  Every time we hear about Wilson, they mention he throws such a nice ball.  Two games ago, MOS said it, and then complimented Streveler, talking about his one good pass.

We need either a VERY short leash on Streveler, or to give Wilson a start.  We cannot rely on Vaval getting 2 TD's and Willie getting 4 pass knockdowns to be able to win a game any longer.

Teams can scheme against Streveler too, now, although its not hard.  With no film on Wilson, that will be much harder.

Edm almost won with Ford being benched.  They should have, but for a dropped ball.

I'd happily lose to Calgary if it mean we get a strong look at Wilson and what he can do with live reps against a quality team.  Tossing him in in garbage time after we go down bigly is not the answer.