Blue Bombers agree to terms with veteran defensive lineman Jake Ceresna

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Every coach was hired to be fired. So we can say "so far" for every person in the the league.

But heading into 2026, I think that MOS, Walters, Wade think that Younger is as extraordinary coach who is performing exactly as they want and expect.

We can make up an imaginary scenario where his defence is completely ineffective in 2026 and that would cause him to feel pressure, but right now I think any sort of job insecurity only exists in the minds of certain fans.

It's always an imaginary scenario for everyone.

The questions are whether or not he can adapt his 3-4 to get more pressure and generally speaking, be more effective. Whether or not he can expand his system to include more 4-3 and if he can be effective with it.

He probably can. But I want to see it. Don't you?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Every coach was hired to be fired. So we can say "so far" for every person in the the league.

But heading into 2026, I think that MOS, Walters, Wade think that Younger is as extraordinary coach who is performing exactly as they want and expect.

We can make up an imaginary scenario where his defence is completely ineffective in 2026 and that would cause him to feel pressure, but right now I think any sort of job insecurity only exists in the minds of certain fans.

They came in 4th in the West one up from the bottom, that's performing well below the water-line, no coach with the exception of Miller performed up to expectations, including O'Shea.  Do it again this season and another head or two might roll.  Pretty obvious in the Bomber organization pressure to course correct comes down from the very top.

[Jesse]

It's always an imaginary scenario for everyone.

The questions are whether or not he can adapt his 3-4 to get more pressure and generally speaking, be more effective. Whether or not he can expand his system to include more 4-3 and if he can be effective with it.

He probably can. But I want to see it. Don't you?

Again, I think his system works well enough to win the Grey Cup and our offence is our handicap.

I want to see what this defence looks like when Collaros is scoring TDs instead of throwing pick sixes or going 2 and out late in games allowing the opponent to lean on the run game.

[blue_gold_84]

JY system has resulted in a mixed bag. Novel and different in 2024. Major regression in 2025. I'm not sure how anyone could conclude otherwise?

I'm looking at the statistics from 2024 and 2025.

2024: fewest points allowed, sixth fewest rushing yards allowed, fewest passing yards allowed, fewest total yards allowed.

2025: third fewest points allowed, third fewest rush yards allowed, third fewest passing yards allowed, third fewest total yards allowed.

I see a regression but nothing that qualifies as a major one, with a minor improvement in rushing yards allowed. I have to wonder how much better the 2025 defensive unit does with a stronger D-line more capable of generating pressure on opposing QBs.

JY has had Hall in his back pocket all along, Hogan got Jackson as a "mentor", and he showed up late.

Hogan had Pierce as a mentor from the moment he joined the WFC in 2022. He didn't seem to learn much based on how his short-lived stint as OC went.
The Mafia should carry the bulk of the blame considering it was their in-house promotion after Pierce's departure.

[dd]

The regression in 2025 was primarily from our offense, how many time and games did they throw pick six or fumble the ball and give the opponent half a field to score?? A lot.

I expect our O to be far better with Wilson in our lineup from day 1 and with the addition of Tim white and Broxton on our o line.

Ceresna will really improve our D line but we still need a stud D tackle

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The regression in 2025 was primarily from our offense, how many time and games did they throw pick six or fumble the ball and give the opponent half a field to score?? A lot.

I expect our O to be far better with Wilson in our lineup from day 1 and with the addition of Tim white and Broxton on our o line.

Ceresna will really improve our D line but we still need a stud D tackle

Ceresna is the stud D tackle, Walters made it clear he's playing inside .

Overall the D-line is looking seriously vulnerable with only 3 experienced vets in Willie, Lawson and Ceresna locked in place, lose any of those 3 to long-term injury could cause serious problems in performance, experience and leadership that they might have to fill from outside.  Schmeck should be ready to step up as a regular in rotation this season but the rest of the spots will consist of new to the CFL players of which there are 7 competing.

[dd]

Not sure why we let vaughters go then I thought it was because we signed ceresna but if he's playing inside we need someone else to threaten from the edge other than Willie

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Not sure why we let vaughters go then I thought it was because we signed ceresna but if he's playing inside we need someone else to threaten from the edge other than Willie

Can't pay everyone. Good point though. I would have kept Vaughters and passed on Willie.

[Tecno]

2024: fewest points allowed, sixth fewest rushing yards allowed, fewest passing yards allowed, fewest total yards allowed.

2025: third fewest points allowed, third fewest rush yards allowed, third fewest passing yards allowed, third fewest total yards allowed.

Is it that we got 2 places worse, or that 2 other teams upped their game to do it better??  Looking at the absolute numbers may answer that.  My guess is a bit of both.

Our big problem in '25 was that we got a bit worse, but SSK, CGY, BC all made big improvements.

[Jesse]

Is it that we got 2 places worse, or that 2 other teams upped their game to do it better??  Looking at the absolute numbers may answer that.  My guess is a bit of both.

Our big problem in '25 was that we got a bit worse, but SSK, CGY, BC all made big improvements.

Well, BC got worse in terms of points allowed. But Sask got a couple points better, Calgary took a full TD a game off their points allowed, and we started allowing 3 points more per game (from 2024 to 2025).

That said, we were still first in defensive points allowed. In the context of our time of possession dropping a full minute per game, our turnover ratio going from +4 to -11. And that's only from '24 to '25. Our offensive play was also down in '24. If we can get our offensive play above what we've seen in the last 2 years, this defense (just as we've seen it) is more than good enough. But they are also identifying weaknesses and making moves.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Well, BC got worse in terms of points allowed. But Sask got a couple points better, Calgary took a full TD a game off their points allowed, and we started allowing 3 points more per game (from 2024 to 2025).

That said, we were still first in defensive points allowed. In the context of our time of possession dropping a full minute per game, our turnover ratio going from +4 to -11. And that's only from '24 to '25. Our offensive play was also down in '24. If we can get our offensive play above what we've seen in the last 2 years, this defense (just as we've seen it) is more than good enough. But they are also identifying weaknesses and making moves.

There's always more going on under the hood especially when you look at complementary football and bring that up as an reason why the other unit didn't succeed.

I don't really love that because it creates excuses where there really aught not to be.

For example: Our defense, by design, gives up yards and so what was our average starting field position? We didn't generate very many defensive turnovers so our offense didn't get many chances at sudden change points. You can of course inverse these.

Both units need to be better. Dominate offense and dominate defenses can carry teams to championships. Neither unit was good enough last year and both deserved the cross over exit in the end.