Who will be the other starting DE?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ayers is 100% a LB. His listing as a DE was probably because they literally couldn't fit another name under the LBs in the depth chart. And a major problem some of us had with the roster deployment last year.

Funny thing is when Ayers did line up on D he was added to the line, much as Cole did the year previously to help with the pass rush. Can't recall Ayers getting any LB reps last season, thus I think Griffin and Woodbey may have surpassed him.

[Blueforlife]

forum split on this one, not surprised, will have to see when more vote, keep it up fellas

[Tecno]

Ayers is 100% a LB. His listing as a DE was probably because they literally couldn't fit another name under the LBs in the depth chart.

LOL, that's actually pretty fun.  And sad at the same time.

Boy, I sure wish the FA chart and the rosters always specified DE or DT, instead of just the semi-useless DL designation.  Otherwise we have to wrack our memories to figure out who potential DEs are.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Defensive end can be a little more forgiving for new Americans getting used to the CFL game. At least in terms of understanding assignments. Still an uphill battle if they're coming right from college.

The ideal pairing is probably a younger, physical American who can provide a very different look from the one we get from Willie.

[Blue In BC]

I don't know. Jaworski looked good in one game but it was like a pre season back ups against back ups. He looked aggressive, fast quick and all that.

The issue if there is one is that a defensive player can be over aggressive at times. Young players can tend to fall into that problem and end up giving up gaps by over pursuit.

I'm not suggesting that is the case with these players but our sample size is so small.

[theaardvark]

Oline is a ballet, the players need to both be on the exact same page and know what the guy beside them is going to do, both good and bad.

Dline is anarchy, chaos.  A new Dlineman can drop in and be effective day one. play one.  It can even enhance his effectiveness, because the Oline will have game planned for something else.

Oline must be nurtured and grown.

Dline, get the best players you can and plug them in.

The one yard is the only big difference, and like the waggle, once an American figures that out, it can be an advantage.  Like Schoen who was nothing in 4 down, but using the waggle, excelled up here.

[Blue In BC]

Oline is a ballet, the players need to both be on the exact same page and know what the guy beside them is going to do, both good and bad.

Dline is anarchy, chaos.  A new Dlineman can drop in and be effective day one. play one.  It can even enhance his effectiveness, because the Oline will have game planned for something else.

Oline must be nurtured and grown.

Dline, get the best players you can and plug them in.

The one yard is the only big difference, and like the waggle, once an American figures that out, it can be an advantage.  Like Schoen who was nothing in 4 down, but using the waggle, excelled up here.

Yes a new DL player can be effective play one. OTOH, the motion, 12 man, speed of the game and field size are something that is an adjustment to their US experience.

Yes it's an easier transition than on the OL.

Like any position, some players adapt immediately and some never do. Finding athletic individuals that have shown high football IQ's is a good starting point.

Jaworski and Jenkins only joined the PR on Oct 6. That gives them a very slight edge but both could just as easily be surpassed by new rookies in TC.

There is no real way to tell just yet. At least Munier-Bailey was here all year and was a high global draft pick. Realistically he probably makes the AR as a rotation player, almost by default. When we draft new global players this year the trend is a kicker and a LB. Even if one is a DE he'll be more raw than Bailey.

Since I don't see many veteran options in free agency it will be a free for all in TC with the last man standing winning a starting role.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Oline is a ballet, the players need to both be on the exact same page and know what the guy beside them is going to do, both good and bad.

Dline is anarchy, chaos.  A new Dlineman can drop in and be effective day one. play one.  It can even enhance his effectiveness, because the Oline will have game planned for something else.

Oline must be nurtured and grown.

Dline, get the best players you can and plug them in.

The one yard is the only big difference, and like the waggle, once an American figures that out, it can be an advantage.  Like Schoen who was nothing in 4 down, but using the waggle, excelled up here.

I disagree, the D-line isn't all freelancing, they have gaps to fill and boundaries to set to contain the QB, any player that continually goes off script isn't going to last long. Pretty clear one of Jake's jobs in the last few years was relaying the play to the D-line keeping them organized and on the same page.

[blue_gold_84]

Oline must be nurtured and grown.

Dline, get the best players you can and plug them in.

I think any GM worth his salt can and should apply both strategies to either side of the trenches.

[GCn19]

Ceresna and Willie will be our DEs.

[Blue In BC]

Ceresna and Willie will be our DEs.

Not on a regular basis. He weighs 295 lbs. He's perfect for a DT collapsing the pocket and run stuffing.

[dd]

Ceresna and Willie will be our DEs.

I think both wi11 move around on the 1ine so teams can't just doub1e the edges or chip b1ock with the RB. Offense is going to setup and then the D 1ine wi11 setup and attack. It's not going to be the straight rush 3 BS from 1ast year, we can ATTACK now. Not sure if Thomas knows what or how to generate pressure from the 1ine
 

[theaardvark]

I think both wi11 move around on the 1ine so teams can't just doub1e the edges or chip b1ock with the RB. Offense is going to setup and then the D 1ine wi11 setup and attack. It's not going to be the straight rush 3 BS from 1ast year, we can ATTACK now. Not sure if Thomas knows what or how to generate pressure from the 1ine
 

Thomas has played too long in this league, for too many great coaches, to not bring a lot to the table.  And he's been given 2 of the best at their positions to start with.

He will be fine.