Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Calgary, August 9, 2025

[Jesse]

I was never certain that Woods was better than Adams but being healthy gives us injury insurance. However the larger question is whether he's better than any of our Canadian DT's and should be on the AR instead of Ayers.

It still seems a bit surprising that he ended up on the PR instead of the 1 game IR where we've hidden other players.

Regardless, we've shuffled the PR around a bit over the past couple of weeks. Some new faces and some departures.

I expect that to continue shortly as the NFL starts making some cuts and players become available.

I'm not positive, but I thought Woods was on the roster ahead of Adams several times last season.

I definitely think it would be a better use of our roster to get Woods on ahead of Ayers, but we also see many 3 man fronts.

[Pete]

Speaks to our depth that the best choice to put in to replace Lawson is Smeckle. (and not in a good way)

[Blue In BC]

I'm not positive, but I thought Woods was on the roster ahead of Adams several times last season.

I definitely think it would be a better use of our roster to get Woods on ahead of Ayers, but we also see many 3 man fronts.

Sure but that may have been injury related issues and / or Adams has progressed faster while he's been playing. I don't honestly know but like I said, it's better that he's now available if needed.

[Blue In BC]

Speaks to our depth that the best choice to put in to replace Lawson is Smeckle. (and not in a good way)

Ratio always comes into play when choices are made. The best players don't always get on the AR as a result. I was still trying to figure out why Kornelson made the AR ahead of Schmekel to start the season and is now on the PR. Did he digress while the other improved?

Being bumped to the PR is never a good sign for a player.

[Blueforlife]

Lawson out is bad news for us although the one game list is hopeful. Mitchell better play hungry. Lofton back off is irrelevant as long as Bryant and Randolph stay healthy but we're playing with fire with Eli being the only backup offensive lineman. Like that Jonathan Jones stays on. Not sure what the fascination is with Ayers. He's shaping up to be this year's Navy Seal. I get he's tough and athletic but neither really matter much if he can't chip in somewhere on defense. Being tough and athletic on the sideline isn't helpful.

The comparison for Ayers isn't accurate imo and I don't see any similarities here.  He is versatile player.  Shows a lot of promise imo. 

Hmmmm. The good news is that Parker and Lawson only went to the 1 game IR. That may mean Parker isn't lost for the season and could be back in a shorter time frame. Lawson was " limited " so he should be back much sooner.

The bad news is that Lofton is back on the 6 game IR after only playing 1 game?

I don't get the sticking with weak interior DL when Woods was available. For that matter I'm surprised he was moved to PR. If he's not deemed very good, then find a new player for the PR depth.

That's a lot of roster movement over the past 2 weeks.  Some expected and some not. I have concern about our depth at DT but Person was getting a lot of reps last game and playing well and seemed to be used inside and outside.

We need to be able to get pressure on VAJ.

Woods will be valuable for us at some point imo.  He will get his turn and will be ready when he does.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

He's a versatile player who has yet to be versatile. And you said Bridges showed lots of promise, right?

[gobombersgo]

Official: Vernon Adams Jr. returns for Calgary Stampeders to face Winnipeg
By 3Down Staff -August 8, 2025

The Calgary Stampeders will officially have Vernon Adams Jr. back in the starting lineup when the team hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday night.

The 32-year-old passer missed Calgary's loss to the Redblacks last week due to a head injury he suffered the previous week against Montreal. The veteran has thrown for 1,913 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions over seven games so far this season, posting a 5-2 record as a starter.

The five-foot-eleven, 190-pound target joined the Stampeders this offseason via trade from the B.C. Lions. He led the team to two wins over the Blue Bombers earlier this season, throwing for a combined five touchdowns and one interception in those outings.

The Stampeders may also have Canadian receiver Jalen Philpot back in the lineup, though he's listed as a game-time decision. The veteran target missed last week's game due to a hamstring injury and he had varied participation in practice this week as he was limited on day one, a non-participant on day two, and a full participant on day three.

Canadian receiver Clark Barnes will officially return to the lineup after missing a month due to an ankle injury. He scored a touchdown in his most recent game — a 37-16 win for Calgary over Winnipeg in the Stampede Bowl back in Week 5.

Breakout star defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings is dealing with a calf injury and has been listed as a game-time decision. Canadian defensive back Jackson Sombach has returned to the lineup from a hamstring injury and will be the backup to starting safety Damon Webb.

Canadian defensive back Adrian Greene and Ben Labrosse remain out due to injury, which means Godfrey Onyeka will make a second-straight start at field-side cornerback.

The Calgary Stampeders (5-3) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-3) on Saturday, August 9 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT. The Blue Bombers are coming off a close win over Toronto, while Calgary got crushed by the Redblacks 31-11.

The weather forecast in Calgary calls for a high of 21 degrees and a 60 percent chance of showers. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 680 CJOB in Winnipeg and 770 CHQR in Calgary.

https://3downnation.com/2025/08/08/official-vernon-adams-jr-returns-for-calgary-stampeders-to-face-winnipeg/

[Blue In BC]

The comparison for Ayers isn't accurate imo and I don't see any similarities here.  He is versatile player.  Shows a lot of promise imo. 

Woods will be valuable for us at some point imo.  He will get his turn and will be ready when he does.

Ayers is a good ST player but we saw last week that J.Jones is also very good and is more probable to start at WIL than Ayers. In that sense Ayers is more expendable on defence whereas Woods might have been beneficial this week with Lawson out.

Check again after the game on whether our interior DL was able to contain their rushing game and collapse the pocket.

In fairness we don't know how the team perceives Woods,Schmekel or Kornelson. That said, Woods had 20 DT's in 17 games and Schmekel has 6 in 17 games.

[blue_gold_84]

Looking forward to seeing what Mitchell can do.

So good to get Bryant back in as well.

[Pete]

Ayers is a good ST player but we saw last week that J.Jones is also very good and is more probable to start at WIL than Ayers. In that sense Ayers is more expendable on defence whereas Woods might have been beneficial this week with Lawson out.

Check again after the game on whether our interior DL was able to contain their rushing game and collapse the pocket.

In fairness we don't know how the team perceives Woods,Schmekel or Kornelson. That said, Woods had 20 DT's in 17 games and Schmekel has 6 in 17 games.

Ayers is very athletic, and we also have Shay and Smith, but we don't seem to want to play them on regular snaps. Ayers appears to be an upgrade on Cole but our penchant to not play young players unless we have to doesn't help development.
I'm gonna give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches on the Woods decision. Maybe he's just not yet in game shape

ps Tait mentions that Lofton is on the 6 game? Did anyone see an injiury.

[Pigskin]

Ayers is very athletic, and we also have Shay and Smith, but we don't seem to want to play them on regular snaps. Ayers appears to be an upgrade on Cole but our penchant to not play young players unless we have to doesn't help development.
I'm gonna give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches on the Woods decision. Maybe he's just not yet in game shape

ps Tait mentions that Lofton is on the 6 game? Did anyone see an injiury.

I agree. I look at players like Alford and Veresuk. Veresuk has been outstanding for Hamilton. 33 Dts, 2 STs, 1 Int, 1 TD, 1 FF.

[Pigskin]

2024 Adams. 14 Games, 16 DTs, 1 ST, 4 Sacks.

2024 Woods. 17 Games, 20 DTs, 2 Sacks.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ayers is very athletic, and we also have Shay and Smith, but we don't seem to want to play them on regular snaps. Ayers appears to be an upgrade on Cole but our penchant to not play young players unless we have to doesn't help development.
I'm gonna give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches on the Woods decision. Maybe he's just not yet in game shape

ps Tait mentions that Lofton is on the 6 game? Did anyone see an injiury.

Seems to be the case, MOS mentioned he is practising and making good progress.  From the same article also sounds like Randolph has won the RT job over Lofton, question is who gets Stanley's job when he's done Lofton or Vanterpool?

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/08/06/hes-been-such-a-good-fit-for-us-right-from-the-beginning/

[Jesse]

Ayers is very athletic, and we also have Shay and Smith, but we don't seem to want to play them on regular snaps. Ayers appears to be an upgrade on Cole but our penchant to not play young players unless we have to doesn't help development.
I'm gonna give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches on the Woods decision. Maybe he's just not yet in game shape

ps Tait mentions that Lofton is on the 6 game? Did anyone see an injiury.

Lofton was practicing on Monday and played LT, trading snaps with Bryant. Something must have happened.

[LXTSN]

I'm not positive, but I thought Woods was on the roster ahead of Adams several times last season.

I definitely think it would be a better use of our roster to get Woods on ahead of Ayers, but we also see many 3 man fronts.

I remember last season like this as well. I think Woods got the start when both were healthy.
Both of them are very talented. I think Adams is a little better pass rusher and Woods is relentless at attacking the run.