Kolankowski was available

The Zipp · August 03, 2026, 01:33:21 PM

Hamilton traded him to the argos just now for a 6th round pick..maybe we were looking at him but i would have taken him back in a heartbeat

Blue In BC · August 03, 2026, 01:36:19 PM

Me too. I can't really say that Elsbury is a better or less expensive player. From a ratio point of view it would make a huge impact with what we could add elsewhere.

Elsbury may have more upside but he's not exactly a top player at his position yet.

Jesse · August 03, 2026, 01:46:52 PM

Yeah...no.

We got rid of him because he was the weak link. The fact that other elements are regressing doesn't make him better.

Tecno · August 03, 2026, 01:50:38 PM

Elsbury is totally better in pass pro. He's at least as good in run block, maybe already better. He's not miles better though. But keep in mind, with Els:

We get:
much cheaper because IMP
better at both
more upside
easy and cheap FA retention

We lose:
ratio

I'm all over that deal! This deal is why we could afford Broxton. Els is the least of our concern.

Tecno · August 03, 2026, 01:53:25 PM

Quote from: Jesse on August 03, 2026, 01:46:52 PMYeah...no.

We got rid of him because he was the weak link. The fact that other elements are regressing doesn't make him better.

Ya, definitely don't want to move backwards. Remember, we didn't let him go because he was going to get a huge Dobson payday, we let him go because he was not good enough.

HAM picked him up for depth and realized he wasn't good enough either.

He is a good depth piece, but too much money even with the haircuts he's taking, and I've never seen any indication he can do sixth.

Blue In BC · August 03, 2026, 02:39:33 PM

Quote from: Tecno on August 03, 2026, 01:53:25 PMYa, definitely don't want to move backwards. Remember, we didn't let him go because he was going to get a huge Dobson payday, we let him go because he was not good enough.

HAM picked him up for depth and realized he wasn't good enough either.

He is a good depth piece, but too much money even with the haircuts he's taking, and I've never seen any indication he can do sixth.

If you're going to go with an import he should be much better than just better to mess with the ratio.

He was our starter the past 2 seasons and in our last Grey Cup.

Many argued last year that Randolph and even Wallace were part or all of the problem depending on the day of the week.

I would expand the question to ask whether he was a better option as the 6th OL instead of Eli. Obviously Eli has not taken over the role either. You've suggested he was not a better option and yet he was starting in front of Eli.

I have nothing against Elsbury and he may become a very good OL. OTOH we're going into game 9 and I haven't seen that improvement. Perhaps is and when we get Collaros back it starts to show.

Overall the ratio trade off with the receivers has not improved the offence. Clearly we don't have the best Canadian receivers behind Demski. Regardless the net result is not an improvment.

Blueforlife · August 03, 2026, 02:49:40 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 02:39:33 PMIf you're going to go with an import he should be much better than just better to mess with the ratio.

Give him time to cook, but yes you are right needs to much better than a CDN. Might happen yet.

Agree with Techno, Jesse on this one

I wouldn't have bothered

theaardvark · August 03, 2026, 03:26:27 PM

Kman was serviceable. Walters wanted better. Either Eli steps up to preserve ratio, or one of the INT Oline brought in. We didn't just bring OT's to camp this year for the first time, and Elsbury won that spot.

Yeah, I'm a pass at a serviceable OC. But if a serviceable OT comes up, grab him.

Blue In BC · August 03, 2026, 03:29:19 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on August 03, 2026, 03:26:27 PMKman was serviceable. Walters wanted better. Either Eli steps up to preserve ratio, or one of the INT Oline brought in. We didn't just bring OT's to camp this year for the first time, and Elsbury won that spot.

Yeah, I'm a pass at a serviceable OC. But if a serviceable OT comes up, grab him.

It's been pointed out that the " competition " in many roster spots is next to invisible. Lots of OL were brought in but I'm not clear on which were centers. How good was the competition?

In pre-season we showed Eli and Vibert on the depth chart. In game 2 we showed Williams. So at best did we have more than 1 other import being considered?

OTOH we had 5 or 6 imports shown at G or OT including Randolph and Vanterpool. Elsbury was on our PR for at least part of 2025.

theaardvark · August 03, 2026, 03:32:35 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 03:29:19 PMIt's been pointed out that the " competition " in many roster spots is next to invisible. Lots of OL were brought in but I'm not clear on which were centers. How good was the competition?

In pre-season we showed Eli and Vibert on the depth chart. In game 2 we showed Williams. So at best did we have more than 1 other import being considered?

There were at least 2 OL with OC experience, and obviously Elsbury won that competition. Kman would not have beaten him.

Blue In BC · August 03, 2026, 03:43:03 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on August 03, 2026, 03:32:35 PMThere were at least 2 OL with OC experience, and obviously Elsbury won that competition. Kman would not have beaten him.

That's not quite the point. At least 2 OC is a bit vague and I only found 1 other. After adding Broxton and still having Vanterpool and Randolph in TC for OT, the question was how serious was that for OC in quantity?

Pigskin · August 03, 2026, 04:12:10 PM

A few factors came into play with Kolski. But the biggest one was, he wanted to return to Ontario to be closer to family.

theaardvark · August 03, 2026, 04:18:28 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 03:43:03 PMThat's not quite the point. At least 2 OC is a bit vague and I only found 1 other. After adding Broxton and still having Vanterpool and Randolph in TC for OT, the question was how serious was that for OC in quantity?

This was all discussed in the preseason. 2 candidates with C experience is 2 more than we've ever brought into camp before, and there were 2 NAT's up for C. So, half of the candidates to win the C job were INTs. Not sure if any other of the INTs also were vying for C, there might have been.

Blue In BC · August 03, 2026, 04:41:30 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on August 03, 2026, 04:18:28 PMThis was all discussed in the preseason. 2 candidates with C experience is 2 more than we've ever brought into camp before, and there were 2 NAT's up for C. So, half of the candidates to win the C job were INTs. Not sure if any other of the INTs also were vying for C, there might have been.

That's a low bar when those 2 Canadians have not been able to take the starting role. Vibert can't even make the AR as a back up. We've often had 2 back up OL on the AR.

Saying that we had 2 imports was more than we ever had is a weak argument when we were specifically looking to start an import at OC.

theaardvark · August 03, 2026, 04:54:00 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 04:41:30 PMThat's a low bar when those 2 Canadians have not been able to take the starting role. Vibert can't even make the AR as a back up. We've often had 2 back up OL on the AR.

Saying that we had 2 imports was more than we ever had is a weak argument when we were specifically looking to start an import at OC.

"looking to start an import at OC" is overstating, I think. Rather than "looking", I think the proper term is "considering".

Eli has stuck with the team for years, and he's not the worst backup C we've had. And I believe fully that he had a shot at winning the spot.

I've always wondered why OT is an import spot in general, but C isn't. There are so many INT C's and the shotgun is the same, US vs. CAN. Yes, calling the blocking schemes is different, but there is no reason an OG can't do that, in fact, I am surprised that they don't on every team.

So, NAT OG's calling blocking for each side, INT C focused on getting the ball to the QB.

Not rocket surgery.

Blue In BC · August 03, 2026, 04:56:27 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on August 03, 2026, 04:54:00 PM"looking to start an import at OC" is overstating, I think. Rather than "looking", I think the proper term is "considering".

Eli has stuck with the team for years, and he's not the worst backup C we've had. And I believe fully that he had a shot at winning the spot.

I've always wondered why OT is an import spot in general, but C isn't. There are so many INT C's and the shotgun is the same, US vs. CAN. Yes, calling the blocking schemes is different, but there is no reason an OG can't do that, in fact, I am surprised that they don't on every team.

So, NAT OG's calling blocking for each side, INT C focused on getting the ball to the QB.

Not rocket surgery.

I'd challenge the " considering " comment". It was a given IMO just as the 3 Canadian receiver plan. That and Kramdi to safety, switching Jones and Wilson were done deals.

Sir Blue and Gold · August 04, 2026, 01:35:46 AM

He's an extremely overrated rated. Toronto is going to find out next.

Pete · August 04, 2026, 02:17:34 AM

I would have liked to see them have signed McGloster but we seem allergic to looking outside our roster

Tecno · August 04, 2026, 04:08:02 AM

Quote from: Pete on August 04, 2026, 02:17:34 AMI would have liked to see them have signed McGloster but we seem allergic to looking outside our roster

Except McGloster was inside our roster

We're the ones that scouted him.

But I get your general meaning...

Tecno · August 04, 2026, 04:11:00 AM

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 04:41:30 PMThat's a low bar when those 2 Canadians have not been able to take the starting role. Vibert can't even make the AR as a back up. We've often had 2 back up OL on the AR.

I would bet the farm Vibert is 6th next season and Eli cut. Eli's had a long run, but clearly not good enough to actually play a whole game at C, thus limiting his value. It would be different if he only had to sub in half a game here and there, but our OL has needed many half and full games of sub duty you really need someone who might be on a starter track.

The only way I'm wrong is if Vibert is deemed to be even worse. Possible, but unlikely. And we'll know that pretty quick because then he'll be the one cut.

Tecno · August 04, 2026, 04:12:29 AM

Quote from: Pigskin on August 03, 2026, 04:12:10 PMA few factors came into play with Kolski. But the biggest one was, he wanted to return to Ontario to be closer to family.

He might like being closer to family, but that's not the reason he left. I watched his HAM signing pressers and other things about him and a) he was 100% shocked he was let go, with no pre-hints at all, and b) he wanted to stay a Bomber.

His release had nothing to do with Ko-man's wants.

Addtl: Ko-man did a Huddle or whatever WFC show just a couple of weeks before he go canned. It was all business as usual. He got totally blindsided.

Jesse · August 04, 2026, 01:08:01 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on August 03, 2026, 04:12:10 PMA few factors came into play with Kolski. But the biggest one was, he wanted to return to Ontario to be closer to family.

I mean, after we let him go, that may be why he ended up in Hamilton. Has nothing to do with why he's not a Bomber though.

dd · August 04, 2026, 05:19:32 PM

I don't get why we let him go, sure he wasn't an allstar, but he was easily as good as the IMP Elisbury is at Centre and he was a NAT, so that gave us the ability to start an IMP at safety. I don't think the dumping of Koko worked out at all for either side.

Tecno · August 05, 2026, 01:44:16 AM

Quote from: dd on August 04, 2026, 05:19:32 PMI don't get why we let him go, sure he wasn't an allstar, but he was easily as good as the IMP Elisbury is at Centre and he was a NAT, so that gave us the ability to start an IMP at safety. I don't think the dumping of Koko worked out at all for either side.

Els is better. See my other posts. Better as pass-pro, better at run block. And much higher ceiling -- still dev'ing.

But most importantly, Ko-man was probably getting up near $200k, Els is ELC. That's huge. That's why we have Broxton here!! Even when Els is off ELC he'll still cost only around 60% of what a good NAT C would cost. It's literally the smartest move ever, one I suggested right here on thsi forum for 2-3 seasons!!