Blue Bombers re-sign defensive back Michael Griffin II

[Blue In BC]

I'm all for having very solid players coming into camp, the more the merrier.  Plus, we will have some rookies trying to steal spots.

I/R, P/R will get a workout this year.

I think we'll be back to the normal use of the 1 game IR this year. Of course there are always some legit short term injuries especially coming out of TC.

Players like Griffin are not going to get significant signing bonus but might get something. There is no problem with that. He is a good player.

A player like Woodbey might be more willing to get bumped back to PR if Griffin wins a spot on the AR. OTOH we might be able to roster both. Lots of possibilities and I mentioned a few.

I have a perception of what I'd like to see but that changes every time another player is signed. lol

We won't see anything that specifically improves the roster until free agency once we see the + and - to the roster.

[Blueforlife]

That's not the issue. The issue is the make up of the imports on the roster. It's been suggested we might go to a 3 import OL. While I'm not convinced that happens, if it does, we need to remove one of the imports from defence.

If we decide to add another import DT, then we have to make a similar choice.

It's possible we go with a Canadian at WIL instead of Wilson. That would allow adding that import DT. Or we slide Woodbey over to WIL which adds another spot. Woobey could also be bumped back to PR with Griffin healthy. I'm not expecting that result but yes it's a possibility.  I don't think both were on the roster at the same time. Ayers is in the mix as a starter.

Based on the current roster those seem to be the choices I can come up with at the moment.

Most posters agree we need to improve and / or move away from using a 3 man DL as often. All 3 of the import DL are currently potential free agents. Still waiting to see who we re-sign etc.


Both Woodbey and Ayers were listed at both WIL and SAM. Depth charts aren't written in stone so it's just a question of how this might change in 2026..

3 man front will continue to be used and has been across the league for a few years
Mixing up schemes is key, having the horses to execute that flexibility is key imo.  Just because most posters don't like 3 man fronts doesn't mean they won't continue.  I believe some have been overly critical in this regard.  Our DL must get more pressure, that's for sure but I think it will come with some new faces, old faces stepping up and schemes.  I like the flexibility that a 3 man front provides.  It's a passing league.

I would start Wlison again but rotate him more.

[Blue In BC]

3 man front will continue to be used and has been across the league for a few years
Mixing up schemes is key, having the horses to execute that flexibility is key imo

Of course it will be used. The suggestion is that it needs to be used less or the front 3 talent needs to be improved.

[Blueforlife]

Of course it will be used. The suggestion is that it needs to be used less or the front 3 talent needs to be improved.

Talent improved, yes if we can.  But I wouldn't break the bank here.

You post too fast, you know I need time to edit 5x lol.

[Blue In BC]

Talent improved, yes if we can.  But I wouldn't break the bank here.

You post too fast, you know I need time to edit 5x lol.

At the moment I expect we'll re-sign, Vaughters, Jefferson and Woods. Hopefully with some lower contracts overall. IMO it's more about the ability to have another import DT as a DI as I've mentioned.

I don't know whether any of that happens. None of those 3 are re-signed yet, but things are speeding up across the CFL as teams make announcements.

There is some thought that the 2 rookie's that made the AR for the last game might be fighting for a starting spot. But both are DE's not DT's and we still have to figure out how to " add " someone.

[theaardvark]

Might we be moving to more of a SAM at WIL for certain packages?

Especially going with a 3 man front, making the 4th LB that tweener?

Could that be a possibility? 

We seem to be loading up the tweener LB/DB's.

[Jesse]

Might we be moving to more of a SAM at WIL for certain packages?

Especially going with a 3 man front, making the 4th LB that tweener?

Could that be a possibility? 

We seem to be loading up the tweener LB/DB's.

Younger's been using 6-7 DBs for 2 years now?

3 DL, Wilson and Jones, the rest are in the secondary. Griffin and Woodbey being the tweener guys you are talking about are nothing new. They're the Younger D we've been seeing this whole time.

[Blue In BC]

Younger's been using 6-7 DBs for 2 years now?

3 DL, Wilson and Jones, the rest are in the secondary. Griffin and Woodbey being the tweener guys you are talking about are nothing new. They're the Younger D we've been seeing this whole time.

Yes, those guys are pretty good cover guys. OTOH, they are typically " heavier " than a SAM or secondary player. So there is a trade off in being able to defend running plays and still cover intermediate routes.

I don't want or expect to see Woodbey or Griffin covering Lawler 35 yards downfield.

[markf]

Younger's been using 6-7 DBs for 2 years now?

3 DL, Wilson and Jones, the rest are in the secondary. Griffin and Woodbey being the tweener guys you are talking about are nothing new. They're the Younger D we've been seeing this whole time.

This is something I haven't noticed.


Where would the extra two db line up to have seven in the secondary?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Younger's been using 6-7 DBs for 2 years now?

3 DL, Wilson and Jones, the rest are in the secondary. Griffin and Woodbey being the tweener guys you are talking about are nothing new. They're the Younger D we've been seeing this whole time.

Well I'm hoping O'Shea puts more restrictions on Younger this season as the DB heavy schemes he's come to rely on have been unable to contain the league's smartest QB's, Alexander and Harris figured it out quickly  and Rourke, Kelly, BLM and VA will eventually catch on watching game film. Time to get back to basics and stop trying to re-invent the wheel, a new scheme can only take a team so far, but it eventually comes up short.
 
Improving DE personnel won't change anything as long as they're constantly outnumbered, no D-line is going to perform well when they're outnumbered by 2-3 extra bodies.  Willie and Vaughters are not the problem, they just require more assistance, that help can come from a 4th LB if need be but it has to be a consistent feature that disrupts the QB's sense of safety.

[theaardvark]

Having a 6'5 4.4 40 guy that can come off the edge on a blitz sounds juicy...

[Blue In BC]

Having a 6'5 4.4 40 guy that can come off the edge on a blitz sounds juicy...

He doesn't have to gain weight to do that if he's on the AR as a DB. Getting him to add weight and convert to a DE is an interesting thought but 1% chance of that.

[Jesse]

This is something I haven't noticed.


Where would the extra two db line up to have seven in the secondary?

There's no particular place. And it's not the same 7 guys. They don't line up like it's on a paper depth chart, they're covering zones all over the field.

But just do the math.. if you only see 3 DL, how many guys are back there?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There's no particular place. And it's not the same 7 guys. They don't line up like it's on a paper depth chart, they're covering zones all over the field.

But just do the math.. if you only see 3 DL, how many guys are back there?

You're including the SAM as a DB instead of a LB which is fair.

[Jesse]

You're including the SAM as a DB instead of a LB which is fair.

Yes.