Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg @ Hamilton, July 5, 2026

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Definitely like prioritizing the offensive line. We aren't a team that can afford to have a lot of pocket disruption.

[The Zipp]

I don't buy it, Gabe is their best run blocker and a decent pass blocker, I think he's out due to injury.

being the best and playing like it are different things.  potential doesn't make blocks.  he got eaten up and the team made the change based on what they saw.  every player can be "hurt" at any time.

[Tecno]

McManis and Peters back... we're completely screwed.  It'll be a wipeout.

And look at all the creativity and maximum use of every single "cheat code" by HAM.  They are designating a DNA on both O and D.  Kenny is DNA on O, McManis DNA on D.  25 snaps each.

My only wish now is we escape without injury.  That will be a "win".

[Tecno]

Back to 6 game IR. How did he do that without playing after being on the reserve last week.  Injured or not, he hasn't played many games for one reason or another. He's probably falling down down down on any perceived depth chart.  Only played in 8 games in 2 seasons prior to 2026.

I for one am shocked.  Mazzccua jumping Vant is the biggest news of this week.  Vant got many starts at OG last 2 seasons, and played quite well.  And he benefits from the MOS mantra of seniority and working hard gets you on the team.

Isn't Mazzccua a rookie?

Very bizarre.  P.S. I'm fine with 4 IMP OL in a pinch, but it's not sustainable long term unless you have a NAT QB.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Vanterpool is on the 6-game.

[Tecno]

I don't buy it, Gabe is their best run blocker and a decent pass blocker, I think he's out due to injury.

Ya, since Wallace was on the injury report day 1, I don't think they're pulling a fast one.  They want Wallace to heal.

Wallace is NOT their best run blocker though.  Neuf is probably the best there.  Wallace is catching up, though.  But so often he's blocking air or letting the DL shed him too fast while he works up to the 2nd level too early.

[Tecno]

It's going to be interesting to see how this new version performs in both pass and run blocking.

You bet.  And we'll have a real problem if it's super good.  4 IMP isn't sustainable with our current model.

However, make sure you do not compare this week OL vs last week OL.  Vs EDM was all discombobulated with 2 positions changing.  This week is just 1 change from our desired OL.  You must compare this week against our previous HAM game.

In our previous HAM game our pass pro was very good.  It was run block that stunk to high heaven.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

You bet.  And we'll have a real problem if it's super good.  4 IMP isn't sustainable with our current model.

However, make sure you do not compare this week OL vs last week OL.  Vs EDM was all discombobulated with 2 positions changing.  This week is just 1 change from our desired OL.  You must compare this week against our previous HAM game.

In our previous HAM game our pass pro was very good.  It was run block that stunk to high heaven.

It's 100% sustainable if it's really good. It's probably not the best from a long term flexibility standpoint, but if it turns out to be the mix that works best this year, we could run with it for the season without major issues.

[Tecno]

Vanterpool is on the 6-game.

The point BinBC made is he was not previously on any injury report.  Ya, maybe he got hurt in final practice; in which case I have the Louise bridge to sell you.  Possible, sure, probable?  Nah.

Looks like a demotion and a park to 6G so we can get the SMS back.  It's basically a "you still get paid full $" SMS shelter when he'd normally go to the PR.  Win/win.

Since Vant wasn't on the reports... have they declared what his injury is?  P.S. Totally fine with it.  Roster creativity is a must in this league.

[Tecno]

It's 100% sustainable if it's really good. It's probably not the best from a long term flexibility standpoint, but if it turns out to be the mix that works best this year, we could run with it for the season without major issues.

You better believe this is rubbing Mafia the wrong way though.  Basically no team runs 4 IMP OL, except BC at times because of what Rourke NAT QB provides.  Has any team ever run one before, except as a one-off due to injury?

What this does right now is take an IMP D off the field, and makes it so whoever was the "IMP backup who is not a DI" disappears and all IMPs are now starters or DIs (as it should be).

Oh ya, and if Mazzccua stinks up the joint, that will basically prove this was purely due to a real injury, not a demotion of Wallace.  And what does all of this say about our OL pipeline... yikes!  And that won't be solved until FA29 probably with all the 1RDP's we've traded away!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The point BinBC made is he was not previously on any injury report.  Ya, maybe he got hurt in final practice; in which case I have the Louise bridge to sell you.  Possible, sure, probable?  Nah.

Looks like a demotion and a park to 6G so we can get the SMS back.  It's basically a "you still get paid full $" SMS shelter when he'd normally go to the PR.  Win/win.

Since Vant wasn't on the reports... have they declared what his injury is?  P.S. Totally fine with it.  Roster creativity is a must in this league.

Could be. I'm not really sure, but you're making a lot of assumptions.

It's incredibly hard for lineman to move up and down the lineup in practice these days because there's so little contact. There isn't a lot of opportunity and it's equally hard to evaluate.

I'd be more inclined to buy it if he already played a game or two and was lights out.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

How are we feeling about todays game?  For whatever reason I'm not feeling that optimism I usually have?   I guess two consecutive losses at home might be the cause....even after acquiring Dru I'm not feelin' it! 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

With Jenkins being moved to the PR I'm concerned we're seeing a continuation of the merry-go-round effect we've witnessed along the D-line over the past couple of years.  Ricky Walker was the last one that stuck for a couple of seasons, since then they've gone through multiple young candidates and moved on from all, many of which have been scooped upon release by other top teams, the latest being Munier-Bailey.

This trend coincides roughly with Younger's appointment as DC who is most likely the person making these decisions.  Does he understand this position well and put his players in the best situation to succeed?  Does he know what he's looking for? Is he constantly in search of the next Jackson Jeffcoat? Maybe Jake Thomas should be given the responsibility of building stability on the D-line, he couldn't do worse.

[BBRT]

I have to agree with your statement. Maybe only time will tell but so far not impressed.

[Pete]

With Jenkins being moved to the PR I'm concerned we're seeing a continuation of the merry-go-round effect we've witnessed along the D-line over the past couple of years.  Ricky Walker was the last one that stuck for a couple of seasons, since then they've gone through multiple young candidates and moved on from all, many of which have been scooped upon release by other top teams, the latest being Munier-Bailey.

This trend coincides roughly with Younger's appointment as DC who is most likely the person making these decisions.  Does he understand this position well and put his players in the best situation to succeed?  Does he know what he's looking for? Is he constantly in search of the next Jackson Jeffcoat? Maybe Jake Thomas should be given the responsibility of building stability on the D-line, he couldn't do worse.

I tbink.going in we thought with Dixon and Jaworski we would ok, but again we misjudged, With Vautner we would have been better but our scouting is lacking