Calgary @ Winnipeg Pre-game.

[Blue In BC]

Our Border says he had a 90 minute workout, 60 minute rehab session, and spent another 90 minutes in the video room today. Didn't say how many players were there. Also said tomorrows practices is closed to the public.

Who had the workout? Smith?

[Tecno]

If we didn't practice today that means only 2 practices with our season on the line.

Why would we take that approach? Yikes.

I've been bemoaning the dumb practice schedule since like week 5.  Not to mention all the vet/injury days off.  I really don't think the top winning teams take such a casual approach.

Either that or the Mafia has wrongly (or rightly?) determined the players won't benefit from more practice -- that we're just stuck at a general level of crap that cannot be fixed.  Maybe that makes sense in week 19, but I maintain that it didn't in week 5.

The ironic part is Younger's scheme is supposed to be so complex that it takes a whole season to learn it, and we have a "new guy" Vaval who hasn't played CB for very long.

Maybe they could take the optional practice day, which they took off, and turned it into "let's learn how to follow the sneaking-out TE/FB to stop teams from getting the easy TD on us every darn game" day.  The O could also use the extra day for "learn how to block a -1 pass rush and get open downfield" day.  And the QBs a "how to feel & escape pressure in the pocket to buy 1-2 more secs" day.

Our team could really use those lessons.

[Tecno]

This wasn't a (whole) special teams execution failure in my mind.  They jumbo guys you have on the field to block for a FG are entirely differently athletically than the gunners you put of the field for punting situations.  No one expects Sergio to miss a sub-30 yard FG

If you're talking the TOR missed FG for Grant TD, that was 45-ish, not 30.  The point still remains though: no one expected for Castillo to miss a 45.  He's been on a great streak lately of basically 100% under 50.  And for over 50 we put in the slightly more spry blocking unit.

[Tecno]

Hansen had zero actual impact because we aren't playing well enough on either side of the ball. It's great he was the catalyst for a third and short stop. Did it make any difference at all? Did you see the score? Absolutely not.

I'm not adding to the banned argument, but I do want to highlight a different aspect: guys can make a huge impact without getting any stats or visible "big bang" plays.  ESPECIALLY on ST.

For example, the gunner who has shed his block so he can effectively set the edge as well as put pressure on the inside run -- or any of the ST guys who maintain the lane & funnel they are setting up so the designated tacklers can get the returner in the trap.  Absolutely critical to stop returns, but no one will notice unless they are breaking down what's on the screen as much as I do (or the film study guys do).  And yes, sometimes the limited TV coverage makes even that impossible.

And you've ignored the most important aspect of the Hansen SY stop: the morale boost.  That should make the whole sideline light up and make more guys believe "yes, we can beat these stinkin' Als".  I'd argue that morale boost is more valuable than Hansen getting an extra 2 pedestrian ST stat.  Him making that big play was worth more than every play by 90% of the rest of the team.  Out of the whole game the only other plays I really remember are the big play to Pokey and the Griffin sack.  It's those few impact plays that defined the game.  If we had more of those, by everyone, we win.

Kudos to Hansen for being one of the 3 memorable plays that could have changed the game, especially after being here basically 1 week and (apparently) "old".

[Blueforlife]

I'm not adding to the banned argument, but I do want to highlight a different aspect: guys can make a huge impact without getting any stats or visible "big bang" plays.  ESPECIALLY on ST.

For example, the gunner who has shed his block so he can effectively set the edge as well as put pressure on the inside run -- or any of the ST guys who maintain the lane & funnel they are setting up so the designated tacklers can get the returner in the trap.  Absolutely critical to stop returns, but no one will notice unless they are breaking down what's on the screen as much as I do (or the film study guys do).  And yes, sometimes the limited TV coverage makes even that impossible.

And you've ignored the most important aspect of the Hansen SY stop: the morale boost.  That should make the whole sideline light up and make more guys believe "yes, we can beat these stinkin' Als".  I'd argue that morale boost is more valuable than Hansen getting an extra 2 pedestrian ST stat.  Him making that big play was worth more than every play by 90% of the rest of the team.  Out of the whole game the only other plays I really remember are the big play to Pokey and the Griffin sack.  It's those few impact plays that defined the game.  If we had more of those, by everyone, we win.

Kudos to Hansen for being one of the 3 memorable plays that could have changed the game, especially after being here basically 1 week and (apparently) "old".

well written, well said, agree all, as usual on the same page, nice to have different perspectives on here and thanks for taking the time to do it, these glue guys do a lot behind the scenes, it won't pop out live, it won't make waves on the stat sheet but they grind and you need those guys

[Mick]

The practice schedule shows they were due to practice today and tomorrow with a closed practice on Thursday.

Where did you see an IR report isn't blank for Winnipeg so far. It does show Tuesday as a practice day and our always seems late to post something.

They actually have a closed practice today, which is unusual. Normally closed practice the last practice of the week? I wonder if they are testing waters with Collaros and trying to keep a lid on it.

[Blue In BC]

They actually have a closed practice today, which is unusual. Normally closed practice the last practice of the week? I wonder if they are testing waters with Collaros and trying to keep a lid on it.

Interesting but I don't think there is a need to keep a lid on that information. Changes to a game plan strategy would be more significant things to hide. Who is executing the game plan not so much IMO.

An example might be a new play on 2 point converts or something like a trick play on a return.

Anyway while my guess might be incorrect, I haven't expected Collaros to return. Hiding a testing of the waters doesn't fit that part of my expectation.

They'd have to show it in the daily report that he participated, so they wouldn't be hiding that info for long?

[Mick]

Interesting but I don't think there is a need to keep a lid on that information. Changes to a game plan strategy would be more significant things to hide. Who is executing the game plan not so much IMO.

An example might be a new play on 2 point converts or something like a trick play on a return.

Anyway while my guess might be incorrect, I haven't expected Collaros to return. Hiding a testing of the waters doesn't fit that part of my expectation.

They'd have to show it in the daily report that he participated, so they wouldn't be hiding that info for long?

Yes, but. They can at least hide the fact of which group he's practicing with and in what capacity. I just have this feeling something is cooking.

[Blue In BC]

Yes, but. They can at least hide the fact of which group he's practicing with and in what capacity. I just have this feeling something is cooking.

If he's capable of playing and they want to find out, why have him practising with 2nd or 3rd team after 2 weeks off.

I agree something might be cooking . We'll see.

[Waffler]

They actually have a closed practice today, which is unusual. 

Just MOS being secretive. Nothing announced for tomorrow but I am sure they already know and will wait to announce it 20 minutes before. Happens so often I feel fans aren't welcome anymore.

[Waffler]

Not sure if posted elsewhere but we picked up a former Stampeder.

https://3downnation.com/2026/10/07/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-vyshonne-janusas-after-roughriders-release/

[Blueforlife]

Not sure if posted elsewhere but we picked up a former Stampeder.

https://3downnation.com/2026/10/07/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-vyshonne-janusas-after-roughriders-release/

I like this pickup

[Blue In BC]

Just MOS being secretive. Nothing announced for tomorrow but I am sure they already know and will wait to announce it 20 minutes before. Happens so often I feel fans aren't welcome anymore.

Our practice schedule shows practice on Tuesday and didn't. It now shows no practice today and they are at practice in theory.

Hard to keep up. lol

Adding another Canadian receiver on the PR doesn't hurt to take a look. I don't any of us will be surprised if we see turnover in the group in 2027.

So I can imagine a quick look and invite to TC 2027.  He has a little more bulk / size than a few of our receivers.

[theaardvark]

So, any word as to who is getting the QB reps this week?  Did I miss that?

[Blue In BC]

So, any word as to who is getting the QB reps this week?  Did I miss that?

You didn't miss it. We don't know yet. If Collaros is getting reps he has to be moved to AR, reserve or 1 game IR. Obviously moving to 1 game IR blows any chance of SMS savings. Him playing again after this week if we lose seems to have little value.

If he can actually play then it's a different story whether we think he should play or not.

Put another way, I think if he practises then I think he ends up starting. He might give us a better chance than Brown.