Blue Bombers add quarterback

[blue_or_die]

If we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.

Well, I guess we'll just quit then.

I always want to be excited about the newbie QBs we sign and 90% of the time they're a disappointment. It's pretty much always been that way so other than a hope and a prayer, we really have no way of knowing if we have now or will ever have this year the "heir apparent".

[blue_gold_84]

Would Cameron Dukes be worth a look? He showed some flashes during his time with the Argos.

[dd]

Well, I guess we'll just quit then.

I always want to be excited about the newbie QBs we sign and 90% of the time they're a disappointment. It's pretty much always been that way so other than a hope and a prayer, we really have no way of knowing if we have now or will ever have this year the "heir apparent".

I hear what you're saying regarding newbie Qb's and I don't see that changing. I really doubt we have an heir apparent on our roster this year, there's only so many starting Qb's out there in the league and our heir apparent will come via Free Agency

[Tecno]

You could equally point the finger at Brady for fumbling the ball in the ESF but you have to expect, in football sometimes bad things happen.

That's my point, both fumbles were accidents.

The difference was that Brady fumbled with plenty of time left.  Patterson fumbled very late in the game, such that it forced MTL into a panic final drive.

At PAS I looked around to all the guys around me and we all agreed that was game when it happened.

The Brady one did stink, and I say that was 50% what caused us to lose, but it wasn't insurmountable.  The main thing Brady did was cost us all that momo.  We had all the juice at that moment and could have driven a stake into MTL's heart.  The crowd was REALLY bummed out at that point.  They all thought they'd lose.

The Patterson fumble and subsequent decent return and good punt to pin MTL was basically death with a QB who can't move and no time left.

As for "accidents": if I put my tinfoil hat on, there's a non-zero (but not high) chance Patterson took a payoff well before that game to make sure he botched any important SY play.  Patterson was Green longer than he was any other color...

[Tecno]

Seems like you're onto something, @Jesse. From the Feb. 12 presser.

I can't link the timestamp using the YouTube link feature, but that topic is covered at the 21:42 mark:

Ya, that's it.  Thanks for digging that up.  The "ya" he says isn't "yes we are doing this", it's more a "hmmmmm" vocalization.

Also, the "when the Elgersma thing is settled" is meaningless because is it settled now?  Will it be settled in a month?  6 months?  No one knows poop, not even Elgersma.

I also read into it more of "we'll examine our options then", not "we'll for sure hire a vet QB to be #2 at that time".  Plus, now FA is all done and all the quality guys are taken, there's really nothing to do other than comb the scrap heap or eye trades.

And if KW was saying "once Elgersma is settled we'll move"... well, I guess some could say it is settled (thought it's not) because didn't he sign in XFL or whatever?  And yet no moves on QBs.

Nah, the QB thing we're doing is clearly this:
- see what we have in all the new arms coming to TC
- see what Strev's rehab is looking like
- wait another year for Elgersma
- panic sign a couch/trade if Zach 6G's

Basically the same as always.  We're surprised at this point?

[Tecno]

If we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.

Has Zach ever spent a whole 6G on the 6G when here?  I don't think so?  This is a track record over 5 seasons now.  Why not assume it continues?

Most I recall him doing is taking a head/neck whack and taking a couple/few games off.  Usually only 1-2 games, but that one time I think 4?

Personally, I'm not worried at all.  If it comes to it, we'll pull-another-Zach and splash trade for Powell or something.

[Blue In BC]

Has Zach ever spent a whole 6G on the 6G when here?  I don't think so?  This is a track record over 5 seasons now.  Why not assume it continues?

Most I recall him doing is taking a head/neck whack and taking a couple/few games off.  Usually only 1-2 games, but that one time I think 4?

Personally, I'm not worried at all.  If it comes to it, we'll pull-another-Zach and splash trade for Powell or something.

Yes, 2019 the year he joined the Bombers after early season injury in Regina. He has been more suspect in getting shorter term injuries that seem to be accumulating. IIRC he was bumped out of 3 games in 2025 and missed 1 complete game in concussion protocol. Overall he only played in 13 games which included that 1st game suspension. Still he's not getting any younger. It's going to depend on the quality of our new OL.

Speculating on getting a replacement in trade is never an easy spot to be in. Teams may not want to trade. When a significant injury happens may be past trade deadline and many other reasons. Dropping in a new QB mid season not likely so save our bacon.

While I wouldn't want Masoli he's probably the most experienced and readily available coming off the coach.

[dd]

Ya, that's it.  Thanks for digging that up.  The "ya" he says isn't "yes we are doing this", it's more a "hmmmmm" vocalization.

Also, the "when the Elgersma thing is settled" is meaningless because is it settled now?  Will it be settled in a month?  6 months?  No one knows poop, not even Elgersma.

I also read into it more of "we'll examine our options then", not "we'll for sure hire a vet QB to be #2 at that time".  Plus, now FA is all done and all the quality guys are taken, there's really nothing to do other than comb the scrap heap or eye trades.

And if KW was saying "once Elgersma is settled we'll move"... well, I guess some could say it is settled (thought it's not) because didn't he sign in XFL or whatever?  And yet no moves on QBs.

Nah, the QB thing we're doing is clearly this:
- see what we have in all the new arms coming to TC
- see what Strev's rehab is looking like
- wait another year for Elgersma
- panic sign a couch/trade if Zach 6G's

Basically the same as always.  We're surprised at this point?

A good coach of mine told our team years ago, I can only coach the players that show up, and I can't do anything about or spend a second worrying about those who don't. I am totally done with this Elgersma talk/dreaming going on, if the guy shows up, fine, if not, that's fine too, but quit all the talk about someone who isn't here and isn't likely to show up anytime soon. Its useless, focus on the guys who are here.

[Tecno]

A good coach of mine told our team years ago, I can only coach the players that show up, and I can't do anything about or spend a second worrying about those who don't.

Great post.  Ya, as MOS always says "don't worry about what you can't control".

[Tecno]

Yes, 2019 the year he joined the Bombers after early season injury in Regina. He has been more suspect in getting shorter term injuries that seem to be accumulating. IIRC he was bumped out of 3 games in 2025 and missed 1 complete game in concussion protocol. Overall he only played in 13 games which included that 1st game suspension.

Ya, but 2019 he wasn't here, doesn't count.  My point still stands.  His track record of starting the vast majority of games for WPG is pretty amazing.  If he missed only 4 due to injury in '25, then that's pretty darn good too, especially with all the punishment his weak OL foisted on him.

The main problem with Zach is if he takes any hit that wobbles his noggin they will pull him for the rest of the game.  So what we could really use is a "closer" QB who can excel at playing 1Q.  (Dru was great at this when here.)

[Blue In BC]

Ya, but 2019 he wasn't here, doesn't count.  My point still stands.  His track record of starting the vast majority of games for WPG is pretty amazing.  If he missed only 4 due to injury in '25, then that's pretty darn good too, especially with all the punishment his weak OL foisted on him.

The main problem with Zach is if he takes any hit that wobbles his noggin they will pull him for the rest of the game.  So what we could really use is a "closer" QB who can excel at playing 1Q.  (Dru was great at this when here.)

Sure but I'm looking at 2025 as the most critical info. He took a beating last year and the team takes a more cautious and necessary approach to pulling him after a hit. Obviously an improved OL and game plan would help.

All that said I think it's predictable that he's going to miss time. How much I don't know but we know that concussion issues are cumulative.  You are correct in your analysis.

Fingers are crossed we have a good # 2 in one of the rookies. Chances are he's going to see the field at some point.

[Tecno]

Fingers are crossed we have a good # 2 in one of the rookies. Chances are he's going to see the field at some point.

With Chase gone, strangely enough, assuming Strev isn't ready or re-signed, Wilson will likely be safe in his job.  He's a ready SY guy (which we don't have otherwise), and he's the only guy with years of 3-down ball under his belt.  And you gotta believe he can read a CFL D better than any rookie, having been steeped in it for like 3 years now.

The only fly in the ointment would be Elgersma.  Or if we do a late vet-backup pickup.  And if that doesn't happen, I could really see us still eyeing Strev after his 9+ month recovery.

Yes, none of this is ideal.

[Blue In BC]

With Chase gone, strangely enough, assuming Strev isn't ready or re-signed, Wilson will likely be safe in his job.  He's a ready SY guy (which we don't have otherwise), and he's the only guy with years of 3-down ball under his belt.  And you gotta believe he can read a CFL D better than any rookie, having been steeped in it for like 3 years now.

The only fly in the ointment would be Elgersma.  Or if we do a late vet-backup pickup.  And if that doesn't happen, I could really see us still eyeing Strev after his 9+ month recovery.

Yes, none of this is ideal.

I don't know about that. Wilson has only 21 pass attempts. Perkins was MVP in the UFL and had more recent playing time. He was also a good runner.

Now if Perkins ends up as our # 2 QB then Wilson may be safe. I'm not so sure he's kept around just to do that if he's not the development QB.

Thorne spent three seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Auburn. At Auburn he threw for 4,468 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for 798 yards and five touchdowns in 22 starts. During his college career he recorded 10,961 passing yards and 86 touchdowns, along with 1,068 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 53 games (46 starts).

I could see Thorne making a bid to be the # 3 QB. Played at good US colleges.  Seems more impressive back ground than Wilson.

Having 2 QB's with no CFL experience has to be a concern though.

[dd]

Great post.  Ya, as MOS always says "don't worry about what you can't control".

Exactly, I m all for discussing Thome or Perkins or Wilson —the guys we have in our locker room, and who cares about those who aren't

[Tecno]

I don't know about that. Wilson has only 21 pass attempts. Perkins was MVP in the UFL and had more recent playing time. He was also a good runner.

Perkins/Thorne are still 3-down virgins.  I'm sure Wilson also had some pedigree before he first signed here.  Doesn't really mean anything.

Zillions of promising USA U QBs pass through the CFL.  99% suck like Brohm.  You can't pin your hopes on any rookie IMP QB because there's literally no way to tell anything until they get live snaps.

And don't sleep on my point about SY.  Still need a guy who can 99% get us 3rd & 1.  Can you tell that in TC with a rookie?  Maybe?  It's not easy or guaranteed, but it should be easier to tell than "can they play 3-down CFL ball".

It's all clear as mud, and we may have to take a couple of risky gambles and hope for the best.  Wilson does make a nice security blanket though, especially if no Strev.  Be nice if we could find a way to keep him in the bullpen... PR or on the couch with his phone programmed to block all other teams.  MTL, for instance, would like a more reliable SY guy after that Patterson boondoogle.