Bombers release Chris Kolankowski.
https://www.cfl.ca/2026/01/05/bombers-extend-tanner-schmekel-release-chris-kolankowski/
Quote from: Ridermania on January 05, 2026, 06:20:17 PMBombers release Chris Kolankowski.
https://www.cfl.ca/2026/01/05/bombers-extend-tanner-schmekel-release-chris-kolankowski/
Wow, bold move! The change has begun. Full credit to Kolankowski he's a great guy and did everything the team asked of him.
I can honestly say I'm surprised the balls this regime is showing to make significant changes to get better. The whole loyalty thing is going out the door after what was clearly a big wake-up call following the 2025 home Grey Cup Fail.
I have nothing against Kolankowski and he had some good years, but I'm impressed that we're not accepting mediocrity. It really gets me excited for summer!
Quote from: blue_or_die on January 05, 2026, 07:27:01 PMI can honestly say I'm surprised the balls this regime is showing to make significant changes to get better. The whole loyalty is going out the door after what was clearly a big wake-up call following the 2025 home Grey Cup Fail.
I have nothing against Kolankowski and he had some good years, but I'm impressed that we're not accepting mediocrity. It really gets me excited for summer!
They must be thinking someone can take over at Center, but it isn't likely to be Eli or an Import. Any Natl. Centers on the FA list?
Interesting move. Makes me wonder what the plan is at C.
Also nice to see Schmekel get re-signed.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 05, 2026, 08:12:48 PMThey must be thinking someone can take over at Center, but it isn't likely to be Eli or an Import. Any Natl. Centers on the FA list?
I'm not exactly surprised but have no idea who the replacement might be at the moment. Considering all the import OL being signed that might be an indication. Predicting possible Canadians that might fit the bill won't be known until we see who is available when free agency starts.
We have Vibert and the 8th round OL we drafted in 2025 that might be in the mix I suppose.
Doesn't the centre have to make protection calls?
I think theyNeed someone experienced for that, specially after last seasons pass protecting being not great.
Quote from: markf on January 05, 2026, 10:01:22 PMDoesn't the centre have to make protection calls?
I think theyNeed someone experienced for that, specially after last seasons pass protecting being not great.
Can't disagree with that thought but we'll see how this pans out.
Likely was due a bonus? I have mixed feelings, as long as we can stay as good or get better it's worth it, likely growing pains to get there but could be worth it. Happy about Schmekel. Thomas will tune him up!
I guess it's not a time to be gleeful but I'm definitely glad.
We were weak last year in the interior of our D and O line. This move is long overdue and with Thomas retiring it is good to see we are upgrading our major weaknesses from last years roster.
O-line needs to be better and he was the weakest link. Makes sense. Only question is why they didn't give him a chance to compete for the spot at camp, since we don't currently have a replacement who is better to my knowledge. Can Neufeld play centre? Can't recall him playing there in his career.
Quote from: markf on January 05, 2026, 10:01:22 PMDoesn't the centre have to make protection calls?
I think theyNeed someone experienced for that, specially after last seasons pass protecting being not great.
No reason a smart young IMP can't pick this stuff up. It's not exactly alien to what a NCAA/NFL C does.
A super great, super experienced NAT C is NOT going to come cheap. Not to mention, who is out there? The top teams have been snapping (hehe) them up the last couple of FAs.
The beauty of an IMP C is no one will snipe him from you. It's 100% unorthodox to use an IMP C. That's why I love the idea. There must be a ton of great NCAA C's just sitting around after not being NFL drafted, because they are 6'4 instead of 6'6.
This is our first real big pre-FA shakeup. And signals that we are "blowing some poop up".
This also signals we have reliable plans for C going forward. I bet we have our eye on a FA or prev DP or a potential '26 DP or a TC IMP guy. And our plan B is Eli.
In all the EOY pressers, guys were talking Neuf and Stan a ton, but no one ever mentioned Ko-man. It's like they knew he was on the outs. Heck, maybe Zach/Brady didn't just demand we keep some guys -- maybe they hinted we should release some guys!!
The only way this hurts us is if we blow it and field someone WORSE in week 1. Let's hope that doesn't happen.
Ko-man is a capable middle-of-the-line (hehe) C and will probably be snapped up (hehe#2) by OTT or similar. I will reiterate that he almost never sailed one over Zach's head. That's just as important as rush-blocking.
Assuming we re-sign Stan & Neuf, I think every other OL position should be a massive TC fight. I don't want any favorites / shoeins. I also don't want any position set in stone that it "must be NAT".
I'm still all for 3 IMP OL.
I think we should strategize the entire team around a grand plan and ratio tricks like SSK did last season. Can't just play normal ball and do normal signings. Need to out-smart the ratio via scheme. This demands KW+MOS and coords/positional coaches all sit in a room and come up with a new grand paradigm. And this has to be done BEFORE we start signing FAs and making DPs. I have a hunch it's already done...
I don't want to see just another "normal CFL team with tweaks" in '26. I want some big brain overarching madness.
Oh ya, and decide if we're continuing with the "no pass rush" paradigm or not. That will dictate how we handle the DL and DB personnel choices.
Blue Bombers re-sign veteran defensive lineman Tanner Schmekel
WINNIPEG, MB., January 5, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Canadian defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel
He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Schmekel (6-1, 286; University of Regina; born: July 22, 1999, in Regina, SK.) returns in 2026 for his fourth year with the Blue Bombers and after a 2025 campaign that was cut short due to injury and limited to just four games.
Schmekel was having arguably his best start to his young pro career last year before the injury with a pair of tackles and a sack in those four contests, with his season ending in Saskatchewan in the annual Labour Day Classic.
He has now suited up for 26 regular-season games for the club since he was selected in the fourth round, 35thoverall, in the 2023 CFL Draft. Schmekel was a 2022 U Sports First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star.
The club has also released National offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski.
Schmekel is going into year 4? Wow. Didn't know he existed until late '24.
I guess we'll give him a 1 year to prove he's worth keeping. He might get heavier rotation with Fatboi promoted. I guess the plan is a lot of Lawson + Schmekel. Still need a legit monster IMP DT, though.
He must have the right MOS attitude to keep getting chances. That's always a good thing.
I like Schmekel as a mauler. He just crashes and bashes his way through the line of scrimmage and you need a guy like that. Will also say for as wild as he was in his early years, last year before he got hurt he looked a tad more polished. It's always going to be a pretty straight forward game for him but I think he's a good resign for us and if things break right for him, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a pretty good year out there in 2026.
He could be a good backup for Lawson, but he is coming off a season ending injury.
26 games in three years, 9 DTs, 2 QS.
The team needs a left guard. They need to replace Stanley and Neuf. They don't appear to have much in the backup positions.
They were duped into playing who? At fullback? Non productive. Lining up as a fullback or a tight end would provide defenses abnormal coverage responsibilities for the defence, and of course better blocking...Zac should be in here demanding this. Or get Ford here to run around and give def coord nightmares.
They need a real burner at WR, who can play.
Then we have a real chance. That goes without saying, they need DNs who can cover and tackle. There are literally hundreds of college kids coming out
Happy Christmas Eve? For the Ukrainian friends?
Quote from: DM83 on January 06, 2026, 02:21:15 PMThe team needs a left guard. They need to replace Stanley and Neuf. They don't appear to have much in the backup positions.
They were duped into playing who? At fullback? Non productive. Lining up as a fullback or a tight end would provide defenses abnormal coverage responsibilities for the defence, and of course better blocking...Zac should be in here demanding this. Or get Ford here to run around and give def coord nightmares.
They need a real burner at WR, who can play.
Then we have a real chance. That goes without saying, they need DNs who can cover and tackle. There are literally hundreds of college kids coming out
Happy Christmas Eve? For the Ukrainian friends?
Ukrainian Christmas is on the same day as ours now.
Quote from: DM83 on January 06, 2026, 02:21:15 PMHappy Christmas Eve? For the Ukrainian friends?
(https://y.yarn.co/a258dadd-aadd-400f-bc7e-a24b1a133e5d_text.gif)
The true Christmas. ;)
I have no issue with slotting Eli in at C. Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan. He's marinated long enough.
In college, he was considered an NFL draftable C. He had some life issues, and took time off, but ended up here.
Can anyone remember the name of that big DT from the Rifles that attended TC last year? Wouldn't mind seeing more of him as he showed a lot of raw grit and explosiveness in pre-season games.
The Bombers don't do the greatest job of bringing along local football talent, they pluck the stars off the tree once they've been developed elsewhere but they seem to let the rest of the crop whither in the field after quickly rejecting them, if they succeed at all it's elsewhere. It seems like Sask. does a much better job of raising a healthy crop of football players and giving them a longer timeframe to develop. Maybe it comes down to having a better provincial football organization and more ways to bring them along.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 06, 2026, 04:37:29 PMI have no issue with slotting Eli in at C. Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan. He's marinated long enough.
In college, he was considered an NFL draftable C. He had some life issues, and took time off, but ended up here.
I think Eli is down to 287 lbs. Kola struggled at 305 lbs, happy to see him get the chance but not sure he's equipped to do the job.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 06, 2026, 05:27:25 PMI think Eli is down to 287 lbs. Kola struggled at 305 lbs, happy to see him get the chance but not sure he's equipped to do the job.
I'll take what's behind door number three please.
I hope Eli gets some competition sent his way (not just Vibert). This team needs to invest some serious $$ in Canadian OL. An interior of Neufeld, Eli and Wallace would he the worst interior 3 OL in the CFL.
Quote from: kkc60 on January 06, 2026, 07:39:18 PMI hope Eli gets some competition sent his way (not just Vibert). This team needs to invest some serious $$ in Canadian OL. An interior of Neufeld, Eli and Wallace would he the worst interior 3 OL in the CFL.
I seem to remember in the past old guards and tackles moving to Center to extend their careers, from that I assumed it was the easiest position to play on the O-line, but that was before snapping the ball in shotgun became the norm.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 06, 2026, 04:37:29 PMI have no issue with slotting Eli in at C. Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan. He's marinated long enough.
In college, he was considered an NFL draftable C. He had some life issues, and took time off, but ended up here.
Taking a guy who couldn't beat out the worst starting centre in the league the last 3 years, and promoting him once that centre has been released is not a recipe for success. I hope that's not the plan.
Sean McEwen has been a very good C, is Canadian and a potential free agent. I do like the go with an American at C idea.
Quote from: bunker on January 06, 2026, 10:37:11 PMTaking a guy who couldn't beat out the worst starting centre in the league the last 3 years, and promoting him once that centre has been released is not a recipe for success. I hope that's not the plan.
That's harsh on Ko-man. No way he was league worst. I put him in the middle of the pack. You want bad -- look to that HAM guy that threw every snap over BLM's head for the last quarter of the season.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 06, 2026, 04:37:29 PMI have no issue with slotting Eli in at C. Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan. He's marinated long enough.
But he's way too small. We thought Ko-man got pushed around! There are many DTs heavier than Eli! Heck, maybe even some DEs!
Love the guy, and he has great heart and clearly FIFO, but he's best used as a TE/jumbo and C backup.
SURELY Mafia has a real plan for C. I think the whole OL gets a huge shakeup and there will be a ton of legit fights in TC.
Quote from: Tecno on January 07, 2026, 08:33:24 AMBut he's way too small. We thought Ko-man got pushed around! There are many DTs heavier than Eli! Heck, maybe even some DEs!
Love the guy, and he has great heart and clearly FIFO, but he's best used as a TE/jumbo and C backup.
SURELY Mafia has a real plan for C. I think the whole OL gets a huge shakeup and there will be a ton of legit fights in TC.
He can still put on weight, it's only January. When he first got to the Bombers he wasn't this small.
Quote from: Tecno on January 07, 2026, 08:31:27 AMThat's harsh on Ko-man. No way he was league worst. I put him in the middle of the pack. You want bad -- look to that HAM guy that threw every snap over BLM's head for the last quarter of the season.
Well if you're right I guess we'll see him get picked up by another CFL team shortly. I'm not holding my breath.
Quote from: bunker on January 07, 2026, 03:03:20 PMWell if you're right I guess we'll see him get picked up by another CFL team shortly. I'm not holding my breath.
Easy to generalize Kola as the worst, but hard to know as most couldn't identify the starting center of each team out of a 5 man lineup. His age becomes a factor at 33 and he wouldn't be an effective 6th man, so his best hope maybe injury replacement if he stays in shape. Could also see him packing it in and starting his second career.
Quote from: bunker on January 06, 2026, 10:37:11 PMTaking a guy who couldn't beat out the worst starting centre in the league the last 3 years, and promoting him once that centre has been released is not a recipe for success. I hope that's not the plan.
We don't know how close they were to equal, and we know that MOS needs a clear difference to make a move from an extablished vet.
This might be Miller/Walters' way of taking K-Man out of the starting roster.
I guess we'll find out based on what kind of shape Eli is in this spring.
It's a natural assumption to make but I really think more than likely we're going in a new direction and the player that will start is currently not known to us.
I think you're going to see, out of necessity, tons of new faces on both sides of the line. We kind of have no choice. We flatlined totally on defense and we were probably the worst we've been since 2018 on the offensive line last year. CFL rosters aren't big enough to have younger guys pushing from behind so new faces it must be. Won't be the last.
Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on January 07, 2026, 01:51:41 PMHe can still put on weight, it's only January.
He could have done that each of these other seasons, too. There's only so much extra "pack it on" weight a hoggie can do before it starts to affect his other performance metrics. Maybe 30 lb? That would still make him fairly light for a hoggie.
He seems to be a good enough run blocker, but I've never been impressed by his pass-pro.