2026 Training Camp

[Waffler]

That answers that question. good chance he gets bumped from the neg list with another QB.

The Blue Bombers, who own Pavia's exclusive CFL rights, have backed off for the time being, though it seems they'll approach his camp again if things don't work out with the Ravens.

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/30/winnipeg-blue-bombers-keeping-tabs-on-diego-pavia/

He's worth holding onto. He is in a fight for #3 QB there, no guarantees.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Be heading out to a camp day or two.

[Jesse]

The Blue Bombers, who own Pavia's exclusive CFL rights, have backed off for the time being, though it seems they'll approach his camp again if things don't work out with the Ravens.

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/30/winnipeg-blue-bombers-keeping-tabs-on-diego-pavia/

He's worth holding onto. He is in a fight for #3 QB there, no guarantees.

Back off makes it seem like we were previously talking with him. It never even got that far. He more than likely has never heard the name Winnipeg in his life at this point.

[Jesse]

Daniels won't be a starter and he's not a backup O-lineman. He is an H back and will be listed on the depth chart as a TE or FB.

The Bombers weren't the only team to draft a TE. As I mentioned in the draft thread, the new 35 second clock could be a reason.

For most of the game, the 35 second clock is a moot point as teams regularly get plays off in 30-35 seconds with ease. The times where it will become an issue is short yardage. Coaches like O'Shea will have to make quicker decisions, teams will still swap players on offence which means that the defence also gets time to substitute.

Where a TE is preferable to a 6th O-lineman in this situation is the TE wears an eligible number and does not have to report for each play. Those extra 2-4 seconds could be the difference between a well executed play and a play that is rushed resulting in failure.

Walters also mentioned the fact that we were really predictable when we ran formations with Eli on the field and this will be a "better" version of our 6-man front where teams have to account for the pass threat that they mostly ignored before.

[Waffler]

According to the article they had talked to Pavia's reps

 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers made contact with the star quarterback's representation after he recently went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

"(Conversations) picked up a little bit, just educating them (about the CFL)," general manager Kyle Walters told the media on Wednesday.

Apparently the guy he has to beat for #3 in Baltimore is 6'3". Both are undrafted rookies though. So it could be best man wins.

[bwiser]

According to the article they had talked to Pavia's reps

 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers made contact with the star quarterback's representation after he recently went unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft.

"(Conversations) picked up a little bit, just educating them (about the CFL)," general manager Kyle Walters told the media on Wednesday.

Apparently the guy he has to beat for #3 in Baltimore is 6'3". Both are undrafted rookies though. So it could be best man wins.

A 5foot 9 inch QB doesn't have a chance against a 6 foot 3 inch QB in the NFL. We have seen over and over again that teams in the NFL have preconcieved notions about Qb's. Whether it is Flutie [too short] Moon[too black] or Rourke [too Canadian] they already have their minds made up.

[Jesse]

A 5foot 9 inch QB doesn't have a chance against a 6 foot 3 inch QB in the NFL. We have seen over and over again that teams in the NFL have preconcieved notions about Qb's. Whether it is Flutie [too short] Moon[too black] or Rourke [too Canadian] they already have their minds made up.

Doesn't need to ever be a starter to hold a clipboard and run around like Lamar for the defence in practice.

[Tecno]

Where a TE is preferable to a 6th O-lineman in this situation is the TE wears an eligible number and does not have to report for each play. Those extra 2-4 seconds could be the difference between a well executed play and a play that is rushed resulting in failure.

So why don't we always dress our 6th (backup NAT) OL as eligible (eligible number)?  Then if he's needed in the 5 due to injury, swap to an OL jersey?

We could have been doing this all along with Eli??

If this is allowed for TE, then why not a 6th?  You could argue Daniels is the same size as a OL anyhow.  This would allow you to always keep the D guessing without having to tip them off with an eligible report.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

As I've suggested he's not really going to be any sort of back up at RB or receiver in reality. That's why I suggested Chris-Ike might be the real player he could replace.

If Eli doesn't show well at Centre, he is also at risk of being replaced, but I don't see Daniels making an immediate impact, this season will be for learning.

[Stats Junkie]

So why don't we always dress our 6th (backup NAT) OL as eligible (eligible number)?  Then if he's needed in the 5 due to injury, swap to an OL jersey?

We could have been doing this all along with Eli??

If this is allowed for TE, then why not a 6th?  You could argue Daniels is the same size as a OL anyhow.  This would allow you to always keep the D guessing without having to tip them off with an eligible report.

I'm not sure where I heard this but there seems to be a requirement that the next man up at O-line is required to wear a non eligible number.

In 2024, Jake Thomas switched to #62 midgame when he was next man up. He didn't play on the O-line in that game.

In 2025, J-Min Pelley switched to #69 in an Argos game. 2024, Micah Johnson switched numbers a few times.

Once a number change has been made it is locked in for the balance of the game.

[Tecno]

I'm not sure where I heard this but there seems to be a requirement that the next man up at O-line is required to wear a non eligible number.

You mean before he's called upon?  Of course WHEN he's called upon he has to wear an ineligible.  The question is what about before.  We know, like you said, when he's some DT or something then he just switches jerseys.  But if your statement above is about the 6th before an injury... it's a darn good question and it would be nice to see a rule-book answer for it, eh?

In 2025, J-Min Pelley switched to #69 in an Argos game. 2024, Micah Johnson switched numbers a few times.

Once a number change has been made it is locked in for the balance of the game.

Man, I could have sworn Micah switched back and forth (many times) between sides of the ball... might be wrong.  Is the "locked in" thing in the rule book too?  It would have to be?

So back in the olden days the "both sides" guys could never be a hoggie??  Because if there was a lock-in rule (back then), he'd be stuck at ineligible...

So if you run out of OL then you may be severely weakened (or in the case of WFC's usual roster allocation -- screwed) at DL?  Seems rather harsh.

Just for fun... you mentioned 6th (maybe) needing to be an ineligible number.  What about the 7th?  We used to dress 2 NAT backup OL (6th/7th) for nearly every game (most recently Eli/Wallace before Wallace took over LG)... could we have made Wallace (arguably the 7th then) an eligible number?

This (sorta, work with me here) walks-like-a-hoggie talks-like-a-hoggie Daniels guy certainly could mess with these norms.  What if you don't dress a 6th at all (assuming that's allowed, which I'm nearly positive it is).  Daniels plays how a 6th does (and more).  Now you've gotten your 6th and bypassed any "6th must wear ineligible number" rule.  Ya, it's a stretch, but put 20lb on Daniels and let's say he sucks at REC, TE, FB but excels at OL (or at least Eli's jumbo/TE spot)...

Interesting thought exercises, and worth examining to gain the advantage of having your 6th (or 7th) wear an eligible until injury!  It's little tricks like this that can perhaps give you that little edge needed to win a close one.

[Tecno]

If Eli doesn't show well at Centre, he is also at risk of being replaced, but I don't see Daniels making an immediate impact, this season will be for learning.

Daniels could easily get Ike cut or PR'd.  All depends how pro-ready he is.  Ike is the one shaking in his boots right now (and maybe Clercius).  I really can't see us ever AR'ing both Ike and Daniels, even if Daniels is on the slow dev train.  Yes, we saw some other teams roster 2 FBs in the same game last season, but it was weird and didn't seem to be worth it.

Eli has said he's happy doing anything for the team.  He's happy with his salary.  He's happy with starting, jumbo, stashed, or even PR.  I think to him being starting C would be great gravy, but not something he needed to stay with WFC.

He's like the Hogan of hoggies.  "Where do you need me?  Great, I'll do it."  It's actually a nice sort of flexible asset to have around.  I've always been a big Eli fan, but everyone is well aware of his ceiling by now.

If we get WORSE at C than '25 that will indicate huge mistakes were made in FA and we'll be in for a world of hurt as the DL will bypass our monster OTs and all attack the A gap with delays and stunts galore.

[CrazyCanuck89]

Daniels could easily get Ike cut or PR'd.  All depends how pro-ready he is.  Ike is the one shaking in his boots right now (and maybe Clercius).  I really can't see us ever AR'ing both Ike and Daniels, even if Daniels is on the slow dev train.  Yes, we saw some other teams roster 2 FBs in the same game last season, but it was weird and didn't seem to be worth it.

Eli has said he's happy doing anything for the team.  He's happy with his salary.  He's happy with starting, jumbo, stashed, or even PR.  I think to him being starting C would be great gravy, but not something he needed to stay with WFC.

He's like the Hogan of hoggies.  "Where do you need me?  Great, I'll do it."  It's actually a nice sort of flexible asset to have around.  I've always been a big Eli fan, but everyone is well aware of his ceiling by now.

If we get WORSE at C than '25 that will indicate huge mistakes were made in FA and we'll be in for a world of hurt as the DL will bypass our monster OTs and all attack the A gap with delays and stunts galore.

Exactly, Daniels is there to mainly block and catch the odd pass.  I doubt he will be used like some of the other tightends, taken in the draft.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Daniels could easily get Ike cut or PR'd.  All depends how pro-ready he is.  Ike is the one shaking in his boots right now (and maybe Clercius).  I really can't see us ever AR'ing both Ike and Daniels, even if Daniels is on the slow dev train.  Yes, we saw some other teams roster 2 FBs in the same game last season, but it was weird and didn't seem to be worth it.

Eli has said he's happy doing anything for the team.  He's happy with his salary.  He's happy with starting, jumbo, stashed, or even PR.  I think to him being starting C would be great gravy, but not something he needed to stay with WFC.

He's like the Hogan of hoggies.  "Where do you need me?  Great, I'll do it."  It's actually a nice sort of flexible asset to have around.  I've always been a big Eli fan, but everyone is well aware of his ceiling by now.

If we get WORSE at C than '25 that will indicate huge mistakes were made in FA and we'll be in for a world of hurt as the DL will bypass our monster OTs and all attack the A gap with delays and stunts galore.

We can absolutely roster both if we want and we likely will. They will have totally different roles on special teams and different assignments scheme wise on offense. They're incredibly different players.

[BIGBLUE204]

Maybe the daniels signing can let Ike be the RB he should have been all along. Guy can be a handle full with the ball in his hands and would be able to give Brady a break everyone once in a while.