Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Edmonton, October 11, 2025

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The stupid thing about the system is that quarterbacks can get the ball out fast and can hold the ball in equal measures. It's not like it's never been effective, it's just that there's a significant tradeoff for marginal benefit most nights.

Another way to think about defense is what it takes away. Did it scheme away what they do best? What did we take away last night? Not the short passing game. Not the run. The deep ball? Is the Edmonton offense known for that? No.

This is basic defensive theory, guys. It's not controversial or disputed really.

[Waffler]

Let Jarious call plays already and while you're at it can someone ask Richie Hall what he thinks about going through half the season without even trying to attack the quarterback? It's beyond stupid already.

We have a coaching staff in love with their own ideas no matter the result.

The pre-game show was citing the Rich Stubler influence on Younger. Both MOS and Younger played under Stubler. Lapo says he sees the influence all over our D especially the rush 3. 

[Blue In BC]

The stupid thing about the system is that quarterbacks can get the ball out fast and can hold the ball in equal measures. It's not like it's never been effective, it's just that there's a significant tradeoff for marginal benefit most nights.

Another way to think about defense is what it takes away. Did it scheme away what they do best? What did we take away last night? Not the short passing game. Not the run. The deep ball? Is the Edmonton offense known for that? No.

This is basic defensive theory, guys. It's not controversial or disputed really.

Bomber defence did hold Fajardo to 142 yards passing @ about 50%. Only 1 big reception for 37 yards. It was the run game that we had difficulty with and we knew we had to take away Rankin and we didn't.

That said, the 3rd and 2 that went for a 65 yard TD was a killer. That was the exception to holding him under control.  The punt fumble, recovery and TD were the two plays that ultimately did us in.

Sometimes those odd plays just don't go your way. I'm not saying we played extremely well in any of the 3 aspects. We didn't control the LOS on either side of the ball.

[Waffler]

he is just a poor punter. That is massive field position Given up.

I never liked him but he has had some good games this year.

James Evans, punter we tried to keep on our PR after camp has been released by Sask. (Sept 22) He's worth another look.

[gordo]

Jake Thomas has 9 tackles on the season. Three tackles in his last seven games and none since September 6. Four straight games without a stat.

Lawson had four tackles tonight.
Woods had three tackles tonight.

The guy has become a pylon and a symptom of flawed decision making by the coaching staff.

"Jake is a key part of our defense and a character guy that's been around so long he's like another coach out there. It's not about stats. He consistently fills the J-gap and does an outstanding job of that.  Most people don't understand this and are too quick to be critical and point at stats that we don't consider important." 

[Waffler]

Amazing catch on what should have been another interception.  Zach ain't got the arm

He did last week

He did. LAST WEEK. That is what happens to older players, the good games are still there but not as often, not often enough.

For anyone that wants to really look, his under throws and interceptions tell the story of a QB's arm in serious decline. His scrambling ability, once the league's best at buying time, is gone. What surprises me is how many fans are not objective and think somehow he can play like last week all the time. The evidence suggests otherwise.

[dd]

"Jake is a key part of our defense and a character guy that's been around so long he's like another coach out there. It's not about stats. He consistently fills the J-gap and does an outstanding job of that.  Most people don't understand this and are too quick to be critical and point at stats that we don't consider important."

Blah, blah, blah.....

The J gap??? Never heard of that one before, please elaborate, is this whatever gap he plops his fat body in becomes the J gap?? He is the Sam hurl of our defense.

[Ducky]

It seems Zach has one great game and then 2 or 3 or 4 sub-par games (including one stinker). Whatever he had is fading, like a lot of the veterans on this team.

Can't believe they decided to run the same old gang one more time in a year the club hosts the Grey Cup.

[markf]

He did last week

He did. LAST WEEK. That is what happensu to older players, the good games are still there but not as often, not often enough.

For anyone that wants to really look, his under throws and interceptions tell the story of a QB's arm in serious decline. His scrambling ability, once the league's best at buying time, is gone. What surprises me is how many fans are not objective and think somehow he can play like last week all the time. The evidence suggests otherwise.

Greatest football player in history Tom Brady has ruined it for everyone.

[dd]

Bomber defence did hold Fajardo to 142 yards passing @ about 50%. Only 1 big reception for 37 yards. It was the run game that we had difficulty with and we knew we had to take away Rankin and we didn't.

That said, the 3rd and 2 that went for a 65 yard TD was a killer. That was the exception to holding him under control.  The punt fumble, recovery and TD were the two plays that ultimately did us in.

Sometimes those odd plays just don't go your way. I'm not saying we played extremely well in any of the 3 aspects. We didn't control the LOS on either side of the ball.

I said before the game, that this game would expose our defensive weakness—stopping the run, and folks were quick to point out our run defense was fine, well folks it ain't, it stinks!! Could be because we have a slew of defensive tackles that don't make a tackle!?!

[gordo]

Blah, blah, blah.....

The J gap??? Never heard of that one before, please elaborate, is this whatever gap he plops his fat body in becomes the J gap??

I was giving a preview of the Coaches show. And man you really do know your football. The J-gap is exactly what you described but I would have left out the personal insult. He's a good guy who has given it his all for alot of years.

Not his fault Bomber management can't bring themselves to move on from him. Most guys would take the money and keep playing past their best before date too.

[Go_Big_D]

Bombers dont have the personnel up front to do a 3 man rush with any authority

[markf]

Strange that Dontaria is not good enough for the NFL in any capacity.

Makes you wonder.

I feel some sympathy for our receivers trying to establish a career with a faded quarterbackwho can't get the ball to them. Or Streveller.

So we see the opinion, that our receiving group is bad. Wheatfall and Wilson are both good receivers. And 86 has looked good at times.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Bomber defence did hold Fajardo to 142 yards passing @ about 50%. Only 1 big reception for 37 yards. It was the run game that we had difficulty with and we knew we had to take away Rankin and we didn't.

That said, the 3rd and 2 that went for a 65 yard TD was a killer. That was the exception to holding him under control.  The punt fumble, recovery and TD were the two plays that ultimately did us in.

Sometimes those odd plays just don't go your way. I'm not saying we played extremely well in any of the 3 aspects. We didn't control the LOS on either side of the ball.

On Rankin's long run O'Shea said that they lost contain on the left side, this is because the DE either cut in too early or the SAM was out of position covering a receiver.  Griffin might have made the difference, too often Holm or Nichols are tasked with making the tackles a LB should be making.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I said before the game, that this game would expose our defensive weakness—stopping the run, and folks were quick to point out our run defense was fine, well folks it ain't, it stinks!! Could be because we have a slew of defensive tackles that don't make a tackle!?!

Tale of the tape, the Defence did not lose this game, they held the Elks to 25 points and 307 yds. in total offence. It was the inept offence that could not put points up on the board and turned the ball over twice.  They only lost by 5 points but look at that last drive, at what point does it make sense to heave the ball 40 yds. and not come close to hitting the receiver?

As for Jake, I saw him make at least 2 tackles last night and he's not listed on the stat. sheet anywhere, so those numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.