Bomber starting WIL

[Sir Blue and Gold]

From your list the only three "most" down starters would be Woodbey, Ayers and Shay.

Sometimes on second and long sets we'd go more hybrid but you still need a run stopper there most downs.

[Blue In BC]

Most of the time we already have Griffin and Kramdi on the field at the same time.

Yes until  Griffin was injured and then Woodbey looked as good or better. So that's a problem getting both on the field at the same time.

[Pigskin]

Wilson   6'1" 227  (33). 18 Games  49 DTs,  2 STs, 3 QS.
Woodbey  6'1" 234  (26).  8 Games  30 DTs,  1 ST.
Griffin  6'0" 220  (27). 13 Games  47 DTs,  8 STs, 1 QS
Ayres    6'2" 227  (27). 18 Games   4 DTs, 23 STs.

Shay     6'1" 225  (23). 18 Games          10 STs.
Smith    5'10 227  (23). 18 Games   3 DTs, 22 STs.

Shay and Smith did not play any WIL last season. So, I don't see them in the picture. I see Woodbey starting at WIL, with Ayres backing him up. 

[Blueforlife]

Kramdi at 189 is 31 lbs lighter than Griffin at 220, could use the extra muscle to chop down beefy RB's which also spares Nichols and Holm a lot of wear and tear.

Everyone has their role and yes the beef is welcome but Kramdi as an LB is deadly good.  Safety in a pinch if a few guys go down.

Like Jesse said we had Griffin paired with Kramdi last year, thunder and lightning 2.0 lol

We don't know what our lineup will be but we will see a lot of rotation but I ain't taking Kramdi off the field much

Funny how things change, a small vocal bunch calling for Ayers to come off the AR last year, now he is tied as fan vote to start.  Key cog imo.

[Blue In BC]

Everyone has their role and yes the beef is welcome but Kramdi as an LB is deadly good.  Safety in a pinch if a few guys go down.

Like Jesse said we had Griffin paired with Kramdi last year, thunder and lightning 2.0 lol

We don't know what our lineup will be but we will see a lot of rotation but I ain't taking Kramdi off the field much

Funny how things change, a small vocal bunch calling for Ayers to come off the AR last year, now he is tied as fan vote to start.  Key cog imo.

Ayers is a candidate by process of elimination and the fact he's going into his 3rd year. Woodbey has only played in 8 games. The Canadians didn't get any reps as far as I can tell. It's still a choice based on wanting Ayers to contribute more than just an ST player.  If he doesn't become a starter the vocal group will have the same view. I'd also say it wasn't a small vocal group.

I wouldn't read too much in that assessment just yet.

[Pigskin]

Ayers is a candidate by process of elimination and the fact he's going into his 3rd year. Woodbey has only played in 8 games. The Canadians didn't get any reps as far as I can tell. It's still a choice based on wanting Ayers to contribute more than just an ST player.  If he doesn't become a starter the vocal group will have the same view. I'd also say it wasn't a small vocal group.

I wouldn't read too much in that assessment just yet.

I don't think Ayers has to start. As long as he sub in when needed at one or more of the LB spots he will be around for a while. His 23 STs and the fact that MOS and MM love this guy will keep him in Winnipeg until he start demanding to much $$.

[Blue In BC]

I don't think Ayers has to start. As long as he sub in when needed at one or more of the LB spots he will be around for a while. His 23 STs and the fact that MOS and MM love this guy will keep him in Winnipeg until he start demanding to much $$.

The issue is whether he will sub in for anyone let alone start.  He has 15 DT's in 35 games and only 4 in 2025.  Woodbey has 30 DT's in 8 games.  Ayers is certainly good on ST's and an O'Shea favorite but I expect more from a DI than just as an ST player.

When Griffin was injured Woodbey was brought onto the roster to fill that role on defence. Ayers was not chosen to fill that role.

The conversation last season was that using a DI spot for an ST player prevented having another import DT in rotation. Nothing changes that math this year.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Everyone has their role and yes the beef is welcome but Kramdi as an LB is deadly good.  Safety in a pinch if a few guys go down.

Like Jesse said we had Griffin paired with Kramdi last year, thunder and lightning 2.0 lol

We don't know what our lineup will be but we will see a lot of rotation but I ain't taking Kramdi off the field much

Funny how things change, a small vocal bunch calling for Ayers to come off the AR last year, now he is tied as fan vote to start.  Key cog imo.

Kramdi isn't a linebacker in a traditional sense. He's more like a slot corner. Sam is essentially a slightly more versatile defensive back across basically every system in the CFL these days.

Griffin is a good flex option on obvious passing downs at will but I'm not sure he's the best fit on first and ten which is what I think we're talking about.

Lastly, people voting for Ayers because they recognize the name. Most people don't even understand the role of our linebackers. Of the names on the list in order of likelihood it's probably: Woodbey, Shay, Ayers.

[Blueforlife]

Kramdi isn't a linebacker in a traditional sense. He's more like a slot corner. Sam is essentially a slightly more versatile defensive back across basically every system in the CFL these days.

Griffin is a good flex option on obvious passing downs at will but I'm not sure he's the best fit on first and ten which is what I think we're talking about.

Lastly, people voting for Ayers because they recognize the name. Most people don't even understand the role of our linebackers. Of the names on the list in order of likelihood it's probably: Woodbey, Shay, Ayers.

Agree all, point was Ayers earned his AR spot last year and I expect that to continue (teams and rotating on D a bit).  Don't agree people are just picking Ayers because they recognize the name.

Everyone is making some incredibly insightful points.

Can't we just keep and play em all lol

I believe this is as deep as we will ever be at LB but a few faces likely will have jobs elsewhere this season

Will be interesting to see if we draft any

A small group were vocal that we had too many LBs on the AR, I supported the roster decisions we did and I believe is a pillar of strength for our D and we will continue to dress many.

[Blue In BC]

Kramdi isn't a linebacker in a traditional sense. He's more like a slot corner. Sam is essentially a slightly more versatile defensive back across basically every system in the CFL these days.

Griffin is a good flex option on obvious passing downs at will but I'm not sure he's the best fit on first and ten which is what I think we're talking about.

Lastly, people voting for Ayers because they recognize the name. Most people don't even understand the role of our linebackers. Of the names on the list in order of likelihood it's probably: Woodbey, Shay, Ayers.

I agree with your ranking. So far we've only added 1 import LB to the TC roster. He appears to be a MLB type. It's unfortunate our Canadians didn't get more reps last year to see where they'll fit in longer term.

I'm not even sure who would be next up if T. Jones is injured.

Yes we did have too many LB's in 2025. It was at the expense of our DL and the lack of success the DL had.  Even if we get Vaughters and Woods back it's still an issue based on DI ratio issues.