Ottawa @ Winnipeg

[TecnoGenius]

As for people wishing for the return on Demerio Houston, he was charged with domestic violence so he's likely been blacklisted from the CFL.

Won't know until you test it.  Hire him and see.  CFL allows all sorts of degenerates, historically, so what's one more?  DUIs, weed smugglers, verbal woman-abusers, drunks, n'er-do-wells with shady pasts (Johnny Football, Kelly), illegal CFL gamblers...

Someone said Houston charges were dismissed, so that's a big nothingburger compared to the actual convicted vagabonds listed above.

Also start eyeing who we can snipe near the trade deadline from the bottom 3 teams, like EDM and OTT.  Trade our 1st & 2nd RDP for Ford from EDM.  Problem solved.

[TecnoGenius]

It seems like Hogan comes out with a decent game plan, but can't adjust on the fly. Calgary threw a different D look at us in the second half and he had no answer.

Ya, and Hogan doesn't seem to know about the long con / setup.  You need to bait them intra-game and across weeks into buying your "tendency", only for you to spring a surprised on them.  Lapo was the king, and Buck did it his first couple of years (kind of fell off last season).

Teams are feasting on our tendencies (like those wide out picks, and weak screens), and we could 100% use this to our advantage by drawing up plays that WANT the DBs to cheat up and then we hit them with the surprise they're not expecting.

But no, we're very, very vanilla.

However, I do like all the new and higher-frequency draw plays.  Even if they don't always work (that's on the hoggies not clearing or the QB not selling it).

[TecnoGenius]

here are the numbers for Wheatfall:

Wheatie had a great start, now he's back to what he was in '24.  Should have never started that caliber player in the GC.  And now we have no solutions even after all of the '25 FA, TC and PS?  Holy smokes, that's sad.

Wheatie is PR fodder and future dev look at best.  He shouldn't be starting.

It could be we are expecting Pokey back and Wheatie is just the placeholder.  He's basically a Pokey-lite anyhow.  Same body type, same catch style.

I don't know if D.Mitchell will be better.  I will say that everyone should watch his presser the other day.  He is way more intelligent than I would have guessed, and he is saying all the "right things" (TM), and he seems to have his head screwed on straight.  Maybe our sit & wait approach was the right idea!

[TecnoGenius]

We lose to these guys we're done for the season.

Ya, OTT and EDM are basically the basement.  If we lose to the East basement we're in a whole lot of trouble.  How do we beat the powerhouses like HAM, or MTL with Alexander back?

And the 3 games coming up vs SSK...

Not to mention our standings is falling behind real quick...  1-2 more weeks of losses and winning the W will be impossible, even if every other starting QB loses a leg in a car accident.  2-3 more weeks of losses and hosting a playoff will also be impossible.

What we need now is some IR luck on our side, and some IR bad luck on opponents sides.

[Big Daddy]

Ya, OTT and EDM are basically the basement.  If we lose to the East basement we're in a whole lot of trouble.  How do we beat the powerhouses like HAM, or MTL with Alexander back?

And the 3 games coming up vs SSK...

Not to mention our standings is falling behind real quick...  1-2 more weeks of losses and winning the W will be impossible, even if every other starting QB loses a leg in a car accident.  2-3 more weeks of losses and hosting a playoff will also be impossible.

What we need now is some IR luck on our side, and some IR bad luck on opponents sides.

I liked this comment - only because I agree.  But I DO NOT like it, because it is reality.  So while I agree, I am not happy that I agree

[Ridermania]

Won't know until you test it.  Hire him and see.  CFL allows all sorts of degenerates, historically, so what's one more?  DUIs, weed smugglers, verbal woman-abusers, drunks, n'er-do-wells with shady pasts (Johnny Football, Kelly), illegal CFL gamblers...

Someone said Houston charges were dismissed, so that's a big nothingburger compared to the actual convicted vagabonds listed above.

Also start eyeing who we can snipe near the trade deadline from the bottom 3 teams, like EDM and OTT.  Trade our 1st & 2nd RDP for Ford from EDM.  Problem solved.



In my football opinion, Ford is not worth 1st and 2nd round draft picks. 

[Pigskin]

One practice this week and it's closed to the public.

[Jesse]

One practice this week and it's closed to the public.

I don't blame them on a short week.

[blue_gold_84]

It seems like Hogan comes out with a decent game plan, but can't adjust on the fly. Calgary threw a different D look at us in the second half and he had no answer.

Decent is a low bar. And his inability to make adjustments only reinforces his ineptitude.

[Waffler]

Decent is a low bar. And his inability to make adjustments only reinforces his ineptitude.

Maybe Hogan should move to the sidelines and communicate with more than just MOS? If he could call a game from there is questionable though.

I see Jackson coaching guys up on the sidelines but without a headset. Must be killing him to not have input. I thought it would be more of a group effort between him and Hogan but it seems pretty regimented. I wonder if we are wasting him. He is a "seen it all" former QB, OC, HC.

[Blueforlife]

Decent is a low bar. And his inability to make adjustments only reinforces his ineptitude.

Way too early to write him off, he has 8 games under his belt and it has been a mix of good, bad and ugly.  I would agree our game plan is fair and then adjustments are key.  Takes a bit for a new OC to figure that out. 

Maybe Hogan should move to the sidelines and communicate with more than just MOS? If he could call a game from there is questionable though.

I see Jackson coaching guys up on the sidelines but without a headset. Must be killing him to not have input. I thought it would be more of a group effort between him and Hogan but it seems pretty regimented. I wonder if we are wasting him. He is a "seen it all" former QB, OC, HC.

Pass on Hogan on field.  Jackson I'm sure is involved.  Our club has a team approach, everyone plays as per MOS.  Jackson on the sidelines will be helping our QB's develop and will help our young receivers imo.  I don't mind Jackson helping more with play calling as needed.  I bet MOS wants Hogan to find his way.  LIkely a good decision med to long term imo.

[Blue In BC]

Do we think we might see some new faces added to the PR in the next day or two? Obviously, unless they are recent cuts, there is no way they would see the field this week. At least Dawson was here for TC. I suppose it's possible there might be another rookie they liked in TC, but chances are he wouldn't be in game shape.

Regardless we're going to have some movement this week, either due to new injury or some coming off IR.

Cameron Lawson and Micah Vanterpool come to mind.

Will Logan be ready to be considered?  He could be that extra returner and used on offence as a rotation player.

Parker on crutches but not going to 6 game IR, threw me. Does he have any chance of a quick recovery and being back this week? Doesn't seem likely but his status is really a TBD.

Clearly Bonds is lost and it could be long term. Allen looks like the only current choice in the secondary. Or is their mindset to just stick with Kelly at safety and Vaval at CB? IDK if Allen is even a choice at CB. How the secondary is re-set is not going to be easy especially on the short week.

Like I suggested last week, I'd go with the 3 man OL if Vanterpool is healthy. What they do to accommodate that ratio change would be up for discussion. Part of that is the lack of choices on the PR for the secondary.

Any other thoughts?

[Blueforlife]

Do we think we might see some new faces added to the PR in the next day or two? Obviously, unless they are recent cuts, there is no way they would see the field this week. At least Dawson was here for TC. I suppose it's possible there might be another rookie they liked in TC, but chances are he wouldn't be in game shape.

Regardless we're going to have some movement this week, either due to new injury or some coming off IR.

Cameron Lawson and Micah Vanterpool come to mind.

Will Logan be ready to be considered?  He could be that extra returner and used on offence as a rotation player.

Parker on crutches but not going to 6 game IR, threw me. Does he have any chance of a quick recovery and being back this week? Doesn't seem likely but his status is really a TBD.

Clearly Bonds is lost and it could be long term. Allen looks like the only current choice in the secondary. Or is their mindset to just stick with Kelly at safety and Vaval at CB? IDK if Allen is even a choice at CB. How the secondary is re-set is not going to be easy especially on the short week.

Like I suggested last week, I'd go with the 3 man OL if Vanterpool is healthy. What they do to accommodate that ratio change would be up for discussion. Part of that is the lack of choices on the PR for the secondary.

Any other thoughts?

If Parker is back soonish, there is less panic on air lifting a guy or two.  Bonds I agree looks bad.  I expect a few new faces in the coming weeks as we determine how long term our injuries at at DB.

If we did sign someone, they wouldn't play imo.  I am also wondering what other DBs we cut that we could recycle.  Yup would take 2-3 weeks to tune em up.

Hopefully Lawson is back, Logan hard to know, he might need more time and we don't want to rush him.  Very curious what he could do.  I think we are wearing out Vaval by returning and playing D.  Also risking injury.  We can't afford to lose him.

I would not put Allen at CB full stop.  He shows promised but we can't put him into a frying pan his 1st meal LOL.

I wonder if Hallett or Ball are being considered for a bigger role.  I don't want Kramdi at safety but Kelly isn't doing well their either.  Gotta keep Griffin on the field as much as possible, he is developing well and is versatile.

OL I'm not sure as I'm not as educated on our guys and where they play as I would like to be.

I want to see Woods but likely not ready, he likely needs a few more weeks.  Will be telling who does a full practice.

Woodbey is a long shot, some think too big to cover.  I don't know anything about him other than being a little on the heavier side. 

I think they give Mitchell another game.  Not much for options other than Cobb unless McLeod is ready but I wouldn't think so.

[theaardvark]

Should have just paid the money LaPolice wanted

Did Lapo even consider it?  Was there a price he'd take?  Was there a chance you could fit any price into the $SMS? 

Its not like he's itching to get his first Cup, he did that here in 19 and in SSK 07...

[Blueforlife]

Did Lapo even consider it?  Was there a price he'd take?  Was there a chance you could fit any price into the $SMS? 

Its not like he's itching to get his first Cup, he did that here in 19 and in SSK 07...

I don't think he was ever in the running imo