Positional Preview '26 | #7 The Running Backs/Fullbacks
He's a durable and consistent bulldozer with the ball tucked under his arm, an underrated receiver out of the backfield and a ferocious blocker in pass protection.
He's also still just 28 years old and rocketing up the Winnipeg Blue Bombers franchise chart for rushing yards, already listed among of the legends of the game.
He's from Winnipeg and proud to support his hometown.
And, FYI, in his spare time he and his partner Alex Blumberg rescue dogs in this province and in places all over the globe, passionately serving as advocates to the point that their red-carpet premiere of their new show 'Must Love Dogs' on CBC Gem on Monday night raised over $100,000 for three local rescue agencies in K-9 Advocacy, Winnipeg Pet Rescue and Manitoba Animal Alliance.
So, heck yeah, who wouldn't be vigorously waving the pom-poms for Brady Oliveira?
We're on to the seventh chapter in our annual Positional Preview series today by zooming in on the running back/fullback position and, naturally, that discussion for the most part begins and ends with Oliveira, the club's popular hometown product and a Canadian Football League shining star.
Oliveira has cranked out four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons heading into 2026 and now ranks sixth in franchise history in career yards at 5,480 yards, trailing only Charles Roberts (9,987), Leo Lewis (8,861), Willard Reaves (5,923), Jim Washington (5,736) and Gerry James (5,541).
His 1,163 yards rushing last season — and a career high 61 receptions for 546 yards — are particularly impressive given the struggles of the passing attack, which finished last in the CFL in yardage, as defences subsequently fixated on #20 as the one constant in Winnipeg's attack.
The club found some depth behind him on draft day in 2025, swinging a trade to land Matthew Peterson — the University of Alberta product and Canada West Player of the Year in 2023 — from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
His impact was almost immediate, as he stepped in to replace an injured Oliveira in the first game of the year, coming off the bench to rush for 130 yards and a touchdown in a win over the B.C. Lions.
Read the rest of Position Preview '26 - #7 The Running Backs/Fullbacks here...
https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/04/22/positional-preview-26-7-the-running-backs-fullbacks/?utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2026-04-22+Bomber+Insider+%E2%80%93+Insiders&utm_brazeid=6976501fcbbc5c0055760b3b&utm_content=&utm_instance=wpg&CAMEFROM=
Hope they make good use of Matthew Peterson this year, he's an outstanding Natl. talent that should not be neglected, use him or lose him.
Brady's dog show "Must Love Dogs" is streaming on CBC Gem, have to create an account to watch but it's free.
https://gem.cbc.ca/must-love-dogs (https://gem.cbc.ca/must-love-dogs)
Also on YouTube.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 22, 2026, 07:38:08 PMHope they make good use of Matthew Peterson this year, he's an outstanding Natl. talent that should not be neglected, use him or lose him.
Maybe. Maybe not. He had 1 good game that just happened to be the game nobody had (WPG) film on him yet. I think he had 2=ish more starts? And he didn't do as much in those games, often got stuffed at LoS.
Of course, to be fair, with our subpar OL, jumbo and REC blocking help last year even Brady was getting stuff at LoS a whackton.
You're right that if he flashes some more this season it may be hard to keep him "forever" as a JA27 type. JA was just below the "good enough" level to warrant a snipe. Kind of like Antwi.
If Peterson flashes above those guys then we'll have a conundrum come re-signing time. How much younger is he than Brady? It sure would be nice to have long-term insurance as well as an heir to the Brady throne in 3-7 years (an eternity). But that only works if he's 5 years younger,
and doesn't get sniped.
We've seen the Bombers rushing plan for as long as I've been a fan. We have a bell cow back, we use the bell cow back.
Peterson will get the same amount of usage as last year that Augustine got before him.
Quote from: Jesse on April 23, 2026, 12:01:23 PMWe've seen the Bombers rushing plan for as long as I've been a fan. We have a bell cow back, we use the bell cow back.
Peterson will get the same amount of usage as last year that Augustine got before him.
I just hope Michael Chris-Ike gets more than 4 touches in 2026. Dude had 69 yards last year, making for a 17.25 YPC average in 2025.
Did not realize Brady's partner was on the Bachelor in 2019, 2 years before she started dating Brady. I guess the occupation "Dog rescuer" makes for good TV.
Quote from: theaardvark on April 23, 2026, 04:48:20 PMDid not realize Brady's partner was on the Bachelor in 2019, 2 years before she started dating Brady. I guess the occupation "Dog rescuer" makes for good TV.
I watched the first 3 episodes on YouTube, it's well produced and fairly entertaining, they mix in enough football stuff so it's not all about dog rescue.
Quote from: VictorRomano on April 23, 2026, 03:06:14 PMI just hope Michael Chris-Ike gets more than 4 touches in 2026. Dude had 69 yards last year, making for a 17.25 YPC average in 2025.
Same issue, if they have talented players make use of them instead of wasting their time standing around. The offence hasn't exactly been performing well the last 3 seasons diversifying the running attack would help everyone including Brady.
Quote from: VictorRomano on April 23, 2026, 03:06:14 PMI just hope Michael Chris-Ike gets more than 4 touches in 2026. Dude had 69 yards last year, making for a 17.25 YPC average in 2025.
Ya, except a lot of that is because the D doesn't expect him or cover him half the time. If Ike got 1-3 touches a game then you'd find he's not open as much anymore. Of course... that helps get the other guys open, so it probably is still worth it.
I'm a big fan of the "TE" slipping out for the easy TD, just as I am for the jumbo hoggie to do the same. Except for the 1-2 Eli attempts and 2-3 Ike attempts we were soooooo bland and vanilla and uncreative and low-risk-taking last season. Half of the game is doing what the D doesn't expect.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 23, 2026, 06:07:05 PMSame issue, if they have talented players make use of them instead of wasting their time standing around. The offence hasn't exactly been performing well the last 3 seasons diversifying the running attack would help everyone including Brady.
When you are as good as Brady, you get 95% of the reps. Sprinkle in the other backs sure but if healthy you run your best horse.
Quote from: Blueforlife on April 25, 2026, 01:06:35 PMWhen you are as good as Brady, you get 95% of the reps. Sprinkle in the other backs sure but if healthy you run your best horse.
Yes and no. At some point you have to manage the wear and tear as well as injury risks. The next man up needs to get some work as well in case of longer term injuries.
It's a grey line when or if you can sprinkle in the other backs. Almost a no win situation but I'd like to see a bit more than a sprinkle per se. That also forces the defences to prepare for different situations.
Quote from: Blueforlife on April 25, 2026, 01:06:35 PMWhen you are as good as Brady, you get 95% of the reps. Sprinkle in the other backs sure but if healthy you run your best horse.
Brady is a great RB, he owns 2 GC rings, but he didn't earn either of them.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 25, 2026, 04:53:57 PMBrady is a great RB, he owns 2 GC rings, but he didn't earn either of them.
He was a major contributor getting to the grey cups so, yeah, he did earn them.
Quote from: ModAdmin on April 25, 2026, 09:58:48 PMHe was a major contributor getting to the grey cups so, yeah, he did earn them.
Better to say he was a minor contributor, in 2019 he was out with injury the entire season, in 2021 he filled in as an injury replacement for Harris but had not yet found his game. No doubt he's an important part of the offence but so far he has not proven himself to be a game changer. Maybe if every running play did not mean 99/100 times Brady gets the ball defences would be less likely to key on him.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 26, 2026, 12:13:44 AMMaybe if every running play did not mean 99/100 times Brady gets the ball defences would be less likely to key on him.
I think only half of that is Brady, and half is "WPG is gonna run on 1st down X% of the time" (with X being very high). Did that a lot last year. Get stuffed 5 times for only 1-2Y and get hosed on the 2nd down pass.
Makes it waaaaay too easy for DC's. So many 2 & outs. Embarrassing.
Run game will be strong with better OL by mid season (gel time).
Deep ball and Brady all we need.
He earned his cups and will continue to deliver all the mail. Generational talent (Cdn) if he can do this 2-3 more years.
Quote from: Blueforlife on April 26, 2026, 07:23:33 PMRun game will be strong with better OL by mid season (gel time).
Ya, this may be the worst season start in a while for OL continuity. The C is an especially touchy position to toy with. Let's hope we pick our C wisely in TC and ride with him the whole season, and it turns out to be the correct choice.
At least if we go 3 IMP there's a good chance the 3rd is Vant or Rand, who both have extensive experience and tons of real game reps in our system.
I hope that if we actually end up with 2 or 3 totally new guys on the line that the hoped-for massive talent improvement will overcome the lack of week 1 gel.
Quote from: Tecno on April 27, 2026, 01:28:42 AMYa, this may be the worst season start in a while for OL continuity. The C is an especially touchy position to toy with. Let's hope we pick our C wisely in TC and ride with him the whole season, and it turns out to be the correct choice.
At least if we go 3 IMP there's a good chance the 3rd is Vant or Rand, who both have extensive experience and tons of real game reps in our system.
I hope that if we actually end up with 2 or 3 totally new guys on the line that the hoped-for massive talent improvement will overcome the lack of week 1 gel.
I think we know that Walters wants real competition in training camp. To not go in with predetermined guys. Now the question is if MOS has the ability to do that.
Quote from: Jesse on April 27, 2026, 05:31:08 PMI think we know that Walters wants real competition in training camp. To not go in with predetermined guys. Now the question is if MOS has the ability to do that.
Which of the 3 Import O-linemen from last year to keep or cut could have been determined by the end of last season, they know exactly what Randolph, Vanterpool and Bryant bring to the table, when the biggest variable is age difference. It seems highly unlikely that all 3 will fit into roster spots with ratio considerations, Broxton and a slew of newcomers now in the mix. Maybe a lack of leadership on the offensive side of the ball inhibited them from making the more difficult decisions. Condell gets to start fresh with little carry over from the previous staff.
Funny but they show no hesitation making those hard decisions before deleting D-linemen, Habba, Garbutt, Fox, Person, Woods and Adams all let go with little warning, after sometimes more than one season on the roster.
Quote from: Tecno on April 27, 2026, 01:28:42 AMYa, this may be the worst season start in a while for OL continuity. The C is an especially touchy position to toy with. Let's hope we pick our C wisely in TC and ride with him the whole season, and it turns out to be the correct choice.
At least if we go 3 IMP there's a good chance the 3rd is Vant or Rand, who both have extensive experience and tons of real game reps in our system.
I hope that if we actually end up with 2 or 3 totally new guys on the line that the hoped-for massive talent improvement will overcome the lack of week 1 gel.
I really don't want Vant or Rand as 3rd IMP oline. They've had far to long to grab that spot, and haven't.
This is going to be a pivotal camp for the Oline, I'd love to get a guest coach in here... and you know who...
Quote from: theaardvark on April 27, 2026, 07:43:10 PMI really don't want Vant or Rand as 3rd IMP oline. They've had far to long to grab that spot, and haven't.
This is going to be a pivotal camp for the Oline, I'd love to get a guest coach in here... and you know who...
Randolph beat out Eric Lofton and Vanterpool for the RT job last season and started every game, but Broxton most likely owns that spot now.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 28, 2026, 12:08:16 AMRandolph beat out Eric Lofton and Vanterpool for the RT job last season and started every game, but Broxton most likely owns that spot now.
Lofton was injured in TC wasn't he? So Randolph may or may not have won the spot outright.
Quote from: theaardvark on April 27, 2026, 07:43:10 PMI really don't want Vant or Rand as 3rd IMP oline. They've had far to long to grab that spot, and haven't.
But they did... they were superb when starting at OG. What they didn't grab was OT, because that's far harder and they simply aren't capable.
But I do posit that both Vant/Rand were better than Wallace at OG! The only question is will the ratio and plan allow this. If not, they are toast, or stuck on PR in reserve.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 27, 2026, 07:02:27 PMFunny but they show no hesitation making those hard decisions before deleting D-linemen
DL is very much more "plug & play". OL has to have gel, continuity, experience, time-in-system, etc.
Teams will shake up entire DLs every other season and if they get the right guys they'll be monsters week 1. OL, not so much.
Quote from: Blue In BC on April 28, 2026, 12:17:05 AMLofton was injured in TC wasn't he? So Randolph may or may not have won the spot outright.
Maybe for a little while but he never got the RT job back, stats show he dressed for 1 game, that means most of his salary was carried on the 1 game IR.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 28, 2026, 02:56:01 AMMaybe for a little while but he never got the RT job back, stats show he dressed for 1 game, that means most of his salary was carried on the 1 game IR.
I'm not sure we'll ever know the real story. I think Lofton was a way better RT than Rand/Vant. My hunch is he really did have a nagging injury. Or we knew there were going to be signing troubles this off-season, or maybe FIFO troubles.
Our run block and pass-pro in '24 with Lofton were much better than '25...
Quote from: Tecno on April 28, 2026, 03:23:08 AMI'm not sure we'll ever know the real story. I think Lofton was a way better RT than Rand/Vant. My hunch is he really did have a nagging injury. Or we knew there were going to be signing troubles this off-season, or maybe FIFO troubles.
Our run block and pass-pro in '24 with Lofton were much better than '25...
Meh. I have no doubt you're right that Lofton was injured and not beat out for the spot. But our offensive troubles were just as bad in '24 as in '25.
Quote from: Jesse on April 28, 2026, 10:35:11 AMMeh. I have no doubt you're right that Lofton was injured and not beat out for the spot. But our offensive troubles were just as bad in '24 as in '25.
Running about the same (remember the chicken box?), but passpro was worse in '25. Part of the reason we canned Ko-man, methinks.
Quote from: Tecno on April 29, 2026, 02:58:50 AMRunning about the same (remember the chicken box?), but passpro was worse in '25. Part of the reason we canned Ko-man, methinks.
Was pass pro worse?
Collaros was on pace for same amount of yards, same average yards per throw, on pass for more TDs (and INTs) than in '24
Quote from: Jesse on April 29, 2026, 10:23:50 AMWas pass pro worse?
Collaros was on pace for same amount of yards, same average yards per throw, on pass for more TDs (and INTs) than in '24
IMHO, yes. Zach was always scrambling or on his butt. Didn't he miss more games in '25 ("upper body" / "head" / "neck")? Stats may be skewed because we had a lot more garbage-time games in '25 where we weren't gonna win anyhow.
'24 pass-pro wasn't great either, but the season outcome -- winning the W and making the cup instead of being out in the 1st round xover -- tells the real story.
I'm partway through my rewatch of '25 and I'll see if I can get more notes/proof. Our oft-changing OL in '25 didn't help anything either, and neither spare IMP was ever good enough to be a real starting OT (hence the Broxton splurge...).