TC Battles

[Blue In BC]

Obviously there will be battles at every position. The point of the topic string is to comment about specific players to watch as camp progresses. IE: Who are your favourites? No particular justification is needed but feel free to make some if you feel so inclined.

Highlight reels always look good. Some players have some NFL or spring league experience. However its just opinion as a discussion topic.

I'm going to mention McGhee and Gemmel only because they were mentioned in the positional topic strings. Gemmel has the best chance only in the sense that there is less competition than at the DB position. Doesn't really mean much and the opinions will change day to day as camp starts.

Pick your favourites.

[theaardvark]

Every year, we seem to find a couple "Diamonds in the rough". 

This year, we seem to have a lot of competition coming in.  And we have openings at just about every spot.

We still don't know who we will draft, and what they will be competing for, so that's hard to factor in.

My favourites will be the DB's, and the guys competing for the final WR AR spot and the 2 or 3 PR WR spots. 

Each year, there seems to be a player that has either the natural drive, or has researched OSH and understands that "stealing reps" gets extra attention (as long as you do something with them).  We will see reporters and fans that are watching notice these players as well, and comment on them.

Watching a WR and DB compete one on one is always a drill that leads to cheers from the stands.  And those cheers can go either way.  A great catch, or a great knockdown/pick will wake up the crowd.  And get that player another look.

Its harder to see good play from Oline, they tend to stand out when they get beat.  DL, though, when they make the play and get past the OL, that's where they attract attention. 

IMHO LB's are probably the hardest to judge in a TC competition, their responsibilities change on every play, from DL to DB at the drop of a hat.  There will be a lot of LB's in camp for ST depth as well, so there's that factor too.

The third  (and maybe 4th) QB is also going to be fun.  Can they find the next Dru Brown?  We know the 1/2 is etched in stone, and the guys competing know that they are in a 2 year apprenticeship program in a great QB room that can lead to a deal like Dru got, or that launched Streveler into the NFL, so if they are willing to commit, the payoff could be great.  Plus, who knows how long Zach wants to continue.  They could be auditioning for his job too.

[Blue In BC]

Every year, we seem to find a couple "Diamonds in the rough". 

This year, we seem to have a lot of competition coming in.  And we have openings at just about every spot.

We still don't know who we will draft, and what they will be competing for, so that's hard to factor in.

My favourites will be the DB's, and the guys competing for the final WR AR spot and the 2 or 3 PR WR spots. 

Each year, there seems to be a player that has either the natural drive, or has researched OSH and understands that "stealing reps" gets extra attention (as long as you do something with them).  We will see reporters and fans that are watching notice these players as well, and comment on them.

Watching a WR and DB compete one on one is always a drill that leads to cheers from the stands.  And those cheers can go either way.  A great catch, or a great knockdown/pick will wake up the crowd.  And get that player another look.

Its harder to see good play from Oline, they tend to stand out when they get beat.  DL, though, when they make the play and get past the OL, that's where they attract attention. 

IMHO LB's are probably the hardest to judge in a TC competition, their responsibilities change on every play, from DL to DB at the drop of a hat.  There will be a lot of LB's in camp for ST depth as well, so there's that factor too.

The third  (and maybe 4th) QB is also going to be fun.  Can they find the next Dru Brown?  We know the 1/2 is etched in stone, and the guys competing know that they are in a 2 year apprenticeship program in a great QB room that can lead to a deal like Dru got, or that launched Streveler into the NFL, so if they are willing to commit, the payoff could be great.  Plus, who knows how long Zach wants to continue.  They could be auditioning for his job too.

Sure that's a fair positional analysis. But some posters will be somewhat familiar with rookies coming in. They may have watched some in college, NFL or spring leagues. As such they may start as " favourites" at a position.

Regardless that is still an arbitrary decision / opinion based on some knowledge, especially with the imports. Some posters will have a more comprehensive knowledge about Canadian rookies.

Like I said, it's just a discussion topic as we reach TC and it progresses. Today's interest may not be tomorrow's interest. It's just a starting point.

I expect there will be some relatively unknowns that will rise to top. A few may gain AR spots and others PR spots.

As always, getting injured early is never a good thing for a player fighting to win a role.

[theaardvark]

I guess the gist of what I am looking at this TC is guys I've never heard of making a name for themselves at camp.  Those are the guys that get me excited.

Had anyone heard of Dalton Schoen pre camp?  Or Dru Brown?  Or Houston, Holm, Alford.

Hoping we see a few new "next ones".

[ModAdmin]

No doubt every position is important but there are obviously six positions that need a heavy amount of attention prior to and during training camp.  That would be - on the oline - guard and tackle with the loss of Grey and Hardrick, and on defence with the loss of HB's Houston and Rose and the losses of Jeffcoart and Walker.  Those will be the key battles to watch. 

[GOLDMEMBER]

Thanks for posting Blue in BC

It'll very interesting *** to whom steps up and rises to the opportunities.

We need some new stars!

[Blue In BC]

No doubt every position is important but there are obviously six positions that need a heavy amount of attention prior to and during training camp.  That would be - on the oline - guard and tackle with the loss of Grey and Hardrick, and on defence with the loss of HB's Houston and Rose and the losses of Jeffcoart and Walker.  Those will be the key battles to watch. 

I'd add that there may be a battle for punter. However we haven't added any competition yet unless they re-consider using Castillo in both roles.

Do the Bombers and most teams draft more global K's and P's this year? Only 2 rounds again and the bulk of choices seem to fall into that category.

We've only got 2 globals on the roster and there are 2 PR spots normally as well. Thin pickins!!

NOTE: We have 12 or so rookie DB's that are 5'11" or taller. MacDougall is 6'3"!!! I wonder where he fits in. He's a LB in size so maybe he gets a look at as a bavk up at SAM or Wil?

[LXTSN]

WR - We have 20 WR's currently on our roster and already have 4 spots filled with returning starters! That one spot left is going to be a tough battle! Here are my favorites for the spot:
>K.J. Hill - Broke a couple records in his 4 years at Ohio State, very steady consistent option.
>Aron Cruickshank - Return specialist/gadget guy, but still averaged 3.6 catches per game for Rutgers.
>Keytaon Thompson - Big body receiver, who went from QB at Miss St. to WR at Virgina for the last 3 seasons. Dark horse candidate, but I'm throwing him in because he's a fun prospect.

[Blue In BC]

WR - We have 20 WR's currently on our roster and already have 4 spots filled with returning starters! That one spot left is going to be a tough battle! Here are my favorites for the spot:
>K.J. Hill - Broke a couple records in his 4 years at Ohio State, very steady consistent option.
>Aron Cruickshank - Return specialist/gadget guy, but still averaged 3.6 catches per game for Rutgers.
>Keytaon Thompson - Big body receiver, who went from QB at Miss St. to WR at Virgina for the last 3 seasons. Dark horse candidate, but I'm throwing him in because he's a fun prospect.

That's the kind of feedback I was looking for from posters. Doesn't matter if you end up as right or wrong. It just gives us some specific players " highlighted " by posters in early days of TC.

Aside from 1 starting position, there is a DI spot for a returner. At least until we find out whether Grant re-signs just before TC or not.

Also going to be at least a couple of PR spots open for receivers.

I like the comments about Thompson ( my last name ) lol. However he some versatility and size which can't be over looked.

Lots of size among the newbies. It won't guarantee a spot on the AR but I wouldn't mind a big body guy that can block and catch at the high point.

[LXTSN]

I'll do one more because this was a fun exercise!
RT - Hardrick will be a tough loss for the Bombers OL, but I think we've brought in a really good group of talent to fill his spot. This is how I would rank the likelihood of these players filling the RT position:
>Eric Lofton - He will come into camp as the favourite to fill the position. Been in the league since 2017 but has only 16 starts under his belt.
>Micah Vanterpool - My favourite prospect, in his senior season at Hawaii, he started all 13 games at RG, didn't give up a single sack or take a single penalty! He has started games at LT, LG, RG and RT.
>Larnel Coleman - He has the most OT experience of anyone on the list, and he started every game the last 3 seasons of his collegiate career. Drafted in the 7th round by the Dolphins in 2021 and has been passed around since then.
>Chris Ivy - Nothing exciting to say about him other than he is returning to our roster from last season. Didn't play much other than his senior season at Tulsa, starting in all 12 games at LT.
>Kendall Randolph - Versatile OL/TE for Alabama, took snaps at multiple positions in each game. I would say similar to how we use Eli and Dobson last season.
>Khalil Keith - Probably the least interesting prospect, but seems to be quite athletic, running a 5.1 40yd dash (73rd percentile). 5 starts at right tackle in his senior season.

[LXTSN]

That's the kind of feedback I was looking for from posters. Doesn't matter if you end up as right or wrong. It just gives us some specific players " highlighted " by posters in early days of TC.

Aside from 1 starting position, there is a DI spot for a returner. At least until we find out whether Grant re-signs just before TC or not.

Also going to be at least a couple of PR spots open for receivers.

I like the comments about Thompson ( my last name ) lol. However he some versatility and size which can't be over looked.

Lots of size among the newbies. It won't guarantee a spot on the AR but I wouldn't mind a big body guy that can block and catch at the high point.

I would highlight also that just being a big body, doesn't make you a great blocker as a WR but it should help.

Hill (IMO) is head and shoulders above the other prospects ON PAPER.
Until they hit training camp, we won't really know, but it is fun to go through the list of players that will be interesting to look out for!

[Blue In BC]

Thompson is 3" taller than Bailey and similar weight. Of course size doesn't guarantee anything. OTOH at times it does mean durability. Now if we can find size, weight, good blocking and a nasty attitude in a receiver, we might have something.

That's what Bailey brought to the team.

[Pete]

there will be more battles this year than in a long time. In previous years some of our best rookies have been players that were on our negotiation list ie Nichols, Holm, Streveler, Marcus Sayles. Ty we've signed Ayers (Lb), Woods(dt), Witherstone(db), and Kody case (wr)
It will be interesting to see who we replace Houston with, to me, in addition to McGhee, Montrae Braswell whose had nfl experience, Ford, and Texada Raleigh look good.
Ali Fajad may be a sleeper at de too.

[BomberFan73]

I feel we'll need to bring in at least a couple more LB prospects as it is likely Bighill/Wilson get injured at some point. Right now I'm not too impressed with who they would be replaced by.

Should be good battles for the RT spot, Jeffcoat's DE spot, and Bailey's WR spot

[Blue In BC]

I feel we'll need to bring in at least a couple more LB prospects as it is likely Bighill/Wilson get injured at some point. Right now I'm not too impressed with who they would be replaced by.

Should be good battles for the RT spot, Jeffcoat's DE spot, and Bailey's WR spot

We are a little light in numbers of imports at LB for TC at this point. There are 4 Canadian LB's but not really sure about how they fit in aside from Gauthier. Expect them to be mostly ST and emergency players. We may only end up with 1 LB as a DI depending on how things work out on the roster. Cole is good on ST's and might be back up at WIL.  I like him but even he may not survive TC.

Roster gets reduced ( non counters ) to 85 on May 11 and 75 on May 14.  I can imagine another 5 - 6 players being signed from the tryout camps. So there are a bunch of players that won't even make it to May 14 ( about 25 ).

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

WR - We have 20 WR's currently on our roster and already have 4 spots filled with returning starters! That one spot left is going to be a tough battle! Here are my favorites for the spot:
>K.J. Hill - Broke a couple records in his 4 years at Ohio State, very steady consistent option.
>Aron Cruickshank - Return specialist/gadget guy, but still averaged 3.6 catches per game for Rutgers.
>Keytaon Thompson - Big body receiver, who went from QB at Miss St. to WR at Virgina for the last 3 seasons. Dark horse candidate, but I'm throwing him in because he's a fun prospect.

You forgot one receiver, Ontaria Wilson, he's the man!

[theaardvark]

You forgot one receiver, Ontaria Wilson, he's the man!

Nickname "Pokey".

Is it an ironical nickname, like calling a big guy "Tiny"?

Did he poke some guy in the eye?

Does he like Hawaiian foods?

Watching his highlights, he starts off with the one handers, then a lot of catches with huge separation, then a few contested, some fly sweeps, punt return...

Looks interesting for sure, lots of YAC yardage and broken tackles, will be interesting to see what he can do at this level.

[LXTSN]

You forgot one receiver, Ontaria Wilson, he's the man!

I actually did forget about him!
I tried to just highlight my 3 favorite (or most interesting) prospects, but he is absolutely one of the top WR prospects that we brought in this off-season.

[Blue In BC]

A Canadian punter has been added to TC roster. He'll need two nameplates to fit in all those letters.

2024-04-29   WPG   Mastrogiuseppe, Dante   P   N   

[TecnoGenius]

2024-04-29    WPG    Mastrogiuseppe, Dante    P    N   

If he's good, I have a nickname ready for him:

The Maestro

(too obvious?)

I'm trying to figure out what's better for our team ratio issues: GLOB P or NAT P.  Maybe it's a wash?  What's more useful, a NAT DL/LB or a GLOB DL/LB?  I nothing better comes up in the GLOB draft, might we call back Maruo or is he done and over?

[Blue In BC]

If he's good, I have a nickname ready for him:

The Maestro

(too obvious?)

I'm trying to figure out what's better for our team ratio issues: GLOB P or NAT P.  Maybe it's a wash?  What's more useful, a NAT DL/LB or a GLOB DL/LB?  I nothing better comes up in the GLOB draft, might we call back Maruo or is he done and over?

I'm thinking there might be a nickname that comes out of his first name. Or at least some catchy comments after a punt. IE: A devil of a kick. Or fiendishly good punt. lol


Only 2 rounds in the global draft so I think it's a wash. I'd expect more choices in the Canadians drafted to make the AR as ST players. Not really sure if we have 2 globals on the AR this year.  Karamoko should have the edge right now to beating out a 2024 draft choice in the immediate future.

That and we've drafted mostly global kickers of one sort or another.

Hard to imagine another 2nd global ( rookie ) beats out everybody else for an AR spot. With 10 choices we may choose to keep another Canadian as a developmental player instead of a global.

[TecnoGenius]

Only 2 rounds in the global draft so I think it's a wash. I'd expect more choices in the Canadians drafted to make the AR as ST players. Not really sure if we have 2 globals on the AR this year.  Karamoko should have the edge right now to beating out a 2024 draft choice in the immediate future.

What we really need now with our OL woes is Machino... but right when we need him we let him walk?  Karamoko has hardly ever dressed, and we keep him over Maruo (who was very competent)?

And the league-best GLOB Hansen is let loose... (Ya, money and post-injury drop-off, ok, but still.)

I'm baffled as to what our GLOB plan is.

[ModAdmin]

Some Global names recommended by 3DownNation for consideration...

https://3downnation.com/2024/04/28/top-10-position-players-in-the-2024-cfl-global-draft/

[ModAdmin]

Other Global names for consideration...

https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/2024-cfl-global-draft-top-20-position-players-by-all22-global-scouting-network/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I actually did forget about him!
I tried to just highlight my 3 favorite (or most interesting) prospects, but he is absolutely one of the top WR prospects that we brought in this off-season.

Important to note, Wilson's accomplishments came at Florida State NCAA Div. 1 in the ACC, that division is among the top level of College football, so he wasn't competing against shlubs from Montana and Idontno in empty stadiums, he was achieving on the main stage.

[theaardvark]

I think we will have a GLB punter again this year.  It is one position where its pretty easy to get into game shape quick.

I can see drafting another GLB LB/ST player as well, or picking one up, just for the quota.

With the "Hansen rule" in play now, keeping any GLB after 2 years is more costly, especially for the role they will play.  I can see staying with DP's or guys on ELCs.

[theaardvark]

I think we will have a GLB punter again this year.  It is one position where its pretty easy to get into game shape quick.

I can see drafting another GLB LB/ST player as well, or picking one up, just for the quota.

With the "Hansen rule" in play now, keeping any GLB after 2 years is more costly, especially for the role they will play.  I can see staying with DP's or guys on ELCs.

OK, that didn't age well...

We pick up a LB and DB with pro experience in the EFL, 24 and 25 years old.  They should slot in nicely to teams, and who knows how well they will evolve in their positions. 

Still think they will bring in some competition for punting.  Maybe someone with more leg and fewer types of punts.  Would really like a fun Aussie personality too, for Mic'd up...

[Blue In BC]

So we had 2 mock draft lists. Teams picked 5 P's that weren't on either. Our 2nd pick wasn't on either list. Our 1st pick was ranked @ # 7 so we agreed with the mock drafts in that sense.

Did we know something about our 2nd pick when we could have selected another player from the top 10 list? I'm not saying it was a bad decision and in theory we can still sign another global in the top 10 that wasn't drafted.

Also curious that 5 teams continued to select P's instead of other positions.

[theaardvark]

So we had 2 mock draft lists. Teams picked 5 P's that weren't on either. Our 2nd pick wasn't on either list. Our 1st pick was ranked @ # 7 so we agreed with the mock drafts in that sense.

Did we know something about our 2nd pick when we could have selected another player from the top 10 list? I'm not saying it was a bad decision and in theory we can still sign another global in the top 10 that wasn't drafted.

Also curious that 5 teams continued to select P's instead of other positions.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are teams that give the Global Draft almost no attention at all, or the GLB spots on their roster, and have just penned in a P to meet quota, as that takes the least effort. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

What we really need now with our OL woes is Machino... but right when we need him we let him walk?  Karamoko has hardly ever dressed, and we keep him over Maruo (who was very competent)?

And the league-best GLOB Hansen is let loose... (Ya, money and post-injury drop-off, ok, but still.)

I'm baffled as to what our GLOB plan is.

Karomoko did play DB in the pre-season and looked decent, best attribute is his size 6'-2" 213 lbs and athleticism, he's almost big enough to play WIL.

[LXTSN]

Isn't our punter a global? Seems to be the way to use that spot honestly.