Ottawa @ Winnipeg

[Blueforlife]

Well, you are persistent on getting Ayers out of the lineup. But, I can't see it happening. Ayers is just to good on teams. I like JJ, and he made a few plays on teams against the Argo's. However he disappear against Calgary.   

Yeah I see value in Ayers as well, tough choices coming up.  Ayers is versatile, knows our system and has upside.

[Blue In BC]

Yeah I see value in Ayers as well, tough choices coming up.  Ayers is versatile, knows our system and has upside.

All the reason to increase roster size by a couple of players. Can keep the same number of Canadians starting. So many injuries every year and having a couple of extra players would help. Also could / would give some development time as well.

It's a financial issue though even if those are ELC players. Players looking at the next contract wouldn't be on ELC so hard to know where to draw that line.

I'm not questioning his value but trying to determine where he fits in both now and in future.

[TecnoGenius]

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

Very easy to say when you're sitting in SSK's position right now.  In normal circumstances Ford isn't worth much (given his price), but our DB situation isn't normal and is only getting worse.  We cannot win games while we have 1-2 free bingo rail and corner routes for decent QBs to pick on all night.

Think Henderson and Fields and Dalke for you last season... Remember how useless the SSK DB corps was in '24?  Ya, that's our pain now.

[BlueFire]

NFL cuts can't come quick enough

[TecnoGenius]

I'm not sure if Vanterpool is a better choice at RT with Randolph moving to LG. I just think the OL could be better with 3 import OL. Last week I thought we might see some combination of that with Lofton then he ends up on 6 game IR.

Our results were definitely better when Vant was LG.  I don't see anything particularly wrong with Wallace, but the wins come easier when Vant is in there.  He may be doing more than is immediately obvious.

I don't know what Lofton's problem is, but the dude needs to just play.  IR most of the start of the season, IR now.  Ankle or something?  Tape it up, numb it up, and get the heck on the field like every other team does.

We will not win anything with Randolph at RT.  They've figured him out.  Heck, we might do better with Neuf bumping out there.  Unfortunately, we have zero options with Lofton out and Randolph sucking at OT.  (I think he's a good OG though!)

[TecnoGenius]

Agree 1,2,3.  Agree Person doesn't come off.  Only if Logan is 100% I would have him return full time.  Otherwise I would rotate him and Vaval.  I don't like starters on D or O at returner but that's just me.

If we have no better solution at CB than Vaval, and if Logan is healthy, both dress and every kick we have 2 guys back returning.  Pick your poison.  Do the odd reverse.

Bonus: put some plays on O for Logan to mix things up.

[TecnoGenius]

Do we think we might see some new faces added to the PR in the next day or two?

You'd think so!  Every other team does.  Just look at how quickly MTL brought in C.Evans and that other guy.

I'm no fan of Evans (washed up), but it was a very good move as he's MTL-start-ready.  That's exactly what we need.  Cough Houston cough.

But no, "we're happy with what we have in house", whatever that means.

And I'm half-dreading the announcement we are re-hiring Bridges... Maybe Roc is available.    Can LDW play CB?   

[Blueforlife]

If we have no better solution at CB than Vaval, and if Logan is healthy, both dress and every kick we have 2 guys back returning.  Pick your poison.  Do the odd reverse.

Bonus: put some plays on O for Logan to mix things up.

Like it, like the reverse, good to give Vaval a break or two  👍 👌

[Blue In BC]

You'd think so!  Every other team does.  Just look at how quickly MTL brought in C.Evans and that other guy.

I'm no fan of Evans (washed up), but it was a very good move as he's MTL-start-ready.  That's exactly what we need.  Cough Houston cough.

But no, "we're happy with what we have in house", whatever that means.

And I'm half-dreading the announcement we are re-hiring Bridges... Maybe Roc is available.    Can LDW play CB?   

Injuries mean we've got some open spots somewhere on the roster. I'd say there is room for at least a couple. They may only be early add PR players but make use of open spots.

If there is another experienced CFL DB like we did late last year when injuries added up ( Taylor ).

I mentioned Dozier before the Argos signed him but don't know if he was approached. Of course we added Lawson but that was before we lost Bonds this week. So maybe bad timing or maybe he said no. IDK.

Who is still left out there?

[J5V]

We may be royally screwed.

We're 4-4 and approaching the halfway mark. We've lost 4 games and 3 of them to the league's best team by a mile, the last one on their turf by a single point. Geez Louise. 

We have always looked at the regular season as a process of getting ready for the playoffs. As long as we squeak into a playoff spot we can run the table by winning 3 in a row like we did in 2019. What could be more fun than that in a Grey Cup hosting year?

What would you rather do, win now, maybe go on a heater like we did last year by winning 10 straight, and lose the Grey Cup at home, or win 3 in a row and win the Grey Cup at home?

I am certain this management group has every intention of hoisting that cup in front of our fans and will do everything possible to make that happen. After 5 straight Grey Cup appearances I have every confidence in them. No one is asleep at the wheel.

[TecnoGenius]

What would you rather do, win now, maybe go on a heater like we did last year by winning 10 straight, and lose the Grey Cup at home, or win 3 in a row and win the Grey Cup at home?

I love your optimism.  But...

Every team is improved this season, except us (and maybe BC; and TOR will be great when Kelly returns).  We run a huge risk of not even making the playoffs, or making the "never gotten to a cup" crossover spot.

And even if we make it legit into the W playoffs, beating powerhouse SSK or CGY in their barns is a tall ask, let alone beating them both in a 3-game path.

The main reason we've made it to the cup so many times is we have won the W in reg season so many times since 2019.  You get a critical bye and then only need to plan for 1 game.

At this point we don't have the luxury of worrying or thinking about the cup game.  We need to focus on getting to the cup.  Just getting to the home cup would be a massive win for this year, and placate nearly everyone.  And with our home crowd completely sold out we may be able to beat anyone by sheer crowd force-of-will (like SSK in '13).

I haven't given up on #1 in W yet.  We need to make big moves immediately if we want a shot.  Then we pray for bad luck for SSK and CGY.  That's the only real path to the cup.  But it has to start now.

[TecnoGenius]

Who is still left out there?

DBs still listed as FAs on cfl.ca (maybe not updated recently?):

Lindley NAT
Cranston NAT
Harry NAT
Leonard IMP
Alexander IMP
Hallett NAT
Taylor IMP
Roberson IMP
Statz NAT
Thompson NAT
Dominique NAT
Hutter NAT
Purifoy IMP
Lee IMP

Most are NAT nobodies, probably ELC DP guys who weren't good enough for the CFL.

However, assuming the list is still accurate, there's some interesting names there:
Leonard, Roberson, Purifoy, Lee.  Older guys, but certainly CFL-ready if they're still in shape.  If we took a flyer on Nick Taylor, why not one of the other guys?

Thompson was here I think vying for FS a couple of years back.

The key is get someone who is a natural CB.  Or a great FS so Parker can roll to CB when he returns.

[blue_gold_84]

We have always looked at the regular season as a process of getting ready for the playoffs. As long as we squeak into a playoff spot we can run the table by winning 3 in a row like we did in 2019. What could be more fun than that in a Grey Cup hosting year?

I think most would be okay with that, but finishing third and trying to get past both the Stampeders and the Riders - in whichever order - could be a taller order than it was in 2019.

The season doesn't truly start until Labour Day Weekend, but sitting at .500 right now makes the next two games very crucial, IMO.

[Blue In BC]

DBs still listed as FAs on cfl.ca (maybe not updated recently?):

Lindley NAT
Cranston NAT
Harry NAT
Leonard IMP
Alexander IMP
Hallett NAT
Taylor IMP
Roberson IMP
Statz NAT
Thompson NAT
Dominique NAT
Hutter NAT
Purifoy IMP
Lee IMP

Most are NAT nobodies, probably ELC DP guys who weren't good enough for the CFL.

However, assuming the list is still accurate, there's some interesting names there:
Leonard, Roberson, Purifoy, Lee.  Older guys, but certainly CFL-ready if they're still in shape.  If we took a flyer on Nick Taylor, why not one of the other guys?

Thompson was here I think vying for FS a couple of years back.

The key is get someone who is a natural CB.  Or a great FS so Parker can roll to CB when he returns.

Not an encouraging list. I'd consider one of our cuts in TC before any of these players.  We brought Nick Taylor back but he had been with the team previously and had solid experience.

[blue_gold_84]

Is Bridges on speed dial?