Poll
Question:
Will Kramdi be our starting safety this year?
Option 1: Yes
votes: 6
Option 2: No
votes: 12
I know it's a little early fellas , but let's give it a thought, I didn't think it was even a possibility but more I read I'm not sure now. I still voted no mostly because I like him at LB. Techno made a good point about it in the camp thread which I agree with him on, surprise surprise lol.
I voted no but many seem to think it's a strong possibility. As I mentioned in another string, that would be bad for Allen unless he's being considered at CB. Burrell is getting a long look to start there but so did McGhee.
Has anyone notice where Allen is getting reps and with 1st 2nd or 3rd string?
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 19, 2026, 05:36:35 PMI voted no but many seem to think it's a strong possibility. As I mentioned in another string, that would be bad for Allen unless he's being considered at CB. Burrell is getting a long look to start there but so did McGhee.
Has anyone notice where Allen is getting reps and with 1st 2nd or 3rd string?
2nd string safety.
Quote from: Jesse on May 19, 2026, 05:37:24 PM2nd string safety.
Noting that we won't have a 2nd string import at safety as a DI in theory. It creates a similar problem as Ayers only as an ST player. It can be done, but it costs us something somewhere else.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 19, 2026, 05:36:35 PMI voted no but many seem to think it's a strong possibility. As I mentioned in another string, that would be bad for Allen unless he's being considered at CB. Burrell is getting a long look to start there but so did McGhee.
Has anyone notice where Allen is getting reps and with 1st 2nd or 3rd string?
Thinking about this, Allen should initially have a very good shot at starting the season at CB opposite Moxey, especially if he's only competing against rookies. Younger requires all his DB's to understand what's happening for his scheme to work, faking it doesn't fly for long. I think he'll put any rookie on PR time delay for a couple of months before considering making a change.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 19, 2026, 08:34:05 PMThinking about this, Allen should initially have a very good shot at starting the season at CB opposite Moxey, especially if he's only competing against rookies. Younger requires all his DB's to understand what's happening for his scheme to work, faking it doesn't fly for long. I think he'll put any rookie on PR time delay for a couple of months before considering making a change.
On the surface that makes sense. In practice is he seeing any reps at CB? Changing the role of Kramdi, Griffin and Allen seems a bit much with 2 new starters on the DL as well.
I am betting 2-1 odds that Allen isn't our starting corner
That said I offered 2 to 1 that Kramdi wouldn't start at safety, which I have now downgraded to 1.5 to 1. Just like the betting sites, my odds are subject to change. If someone else gets reps at starting safety Kramdi's odds will go to 3 to 1 lol.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 19, 2026, 10:30:59 PMOn the surface that makes sense. In practice is he seeing any reps at CB? Changing the role of Kramdi, Griffin and Allen seems a bit much with 2 new starters on the DL as well.
Griffin probably stays at SAM. I think Allen played CB in pre-season last year, I remember him defending well against a jump ball along the sidelines. I bet he'll play anywhere he's asked to. Is he on ST's?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 20, 2026, 01:00:25 AMGriffin probably stays at SAM. I think Allen played CB in pre-season last year, I remember him defending well against a jump ball along the sidelines. I bet he'll play anywhere he's asked to. Is he on ST's?
If Griffin moves to SAM then Kramdi has to move to safety. It would be the only other place he could play. He's too light to play the other LB positions. He's not the best cover guy to be at CB or DHB.
Allen only shows 1 ST but that might not be his primary role when he plays on ST's. I don't really remember seeing him on ST's.
I don't disagree he'll probably play anywhere they ask but we only get to play 12 at a time.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 20, 2026, 02:13:49 AMIf Griffin moves to SAM then Kramdi has to move to safety. It would be the only other place he could play. He's too light to play the other LB positions. He's not the best cover guy to be at CB or DHB.
Allen only shows 1 ST but that might not be his primary role when he plays on ST's. I don't really remember seeing him on ST's.
I don't disagree he'll probably play anywhere they ask but we only get to play 12 at a time.
I thought it was a given Kramdi is moving to Safety, accept it man, you're in denial.
No.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 19, 2026, 10:30:59 PMOn the surface that makes sense. In practice is he seeing any reps at CB? Changing the role of Kramdi, Griffin and Allen seems a bit much with 2 new starters on the DL as well.
We've changed that many into week 1 before. It does seem like a lot, except Griffin probably could have started SAM last year -- he's ready. Kramdi is the brains and can probably start anywhere, though size/speed limits that. Allen as an IMP is in tough. He doesn't strike me as fast enough for the "real" DB spots.
I think that last CB spot is wide open right now. Could still be Vaval. Or a rookie. Or Allen. Or who knows. Maybe we sign another teams' TC cut.
Quote from: Jesse on May 19, 2026, 05:37:24 PM2nd string safety.
Only if we waste a DI at DB. We sometimes do that, but usually stick with the NATs for the special max-coverage sets.
He could go PR or RR waiting for an injury. I wouldn't be shocked if we just cut him, especially if some rookie shows better.
Quote from: Tecno on May 20, 2026, 06:50:08 AMOnly if we waste a DI at DB. We sometimes do that, but usually stick with the NATs for the special max-coverage sets.
He could go PR or RR waiting for an injury. I wouldn't be shocked if we just cut him, especially if some rookie shows better.
Unless Vaval is a starting CB and Allen is kept in the rotation. That keeps everything the same as last year.
I just hope this won't be like last year where trials at safety failed pretty bad with Parker & Kramdi.
Allen came in and looked the part. I hope he stills lines up there in traditional sets.
Quote from: BomberFan73 on May 20, 2026, 11:43:12 AMI just hope this won't be like last year where trials at safety failed pretty bad with Parker & Kramdi.
Allen came in and looked the part. I hope he stills lines up there in traditional sets.
No one wants that. But I'm not totally sold on Allen at FS. I'm having major PTSD from the ESF a few months ago. Allen was a big part of complete stench that was our DB corps for 3/4 of the game. FS and CBs were worse than useless for all of those explosions.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 20, 2026, 02:39:29 AMI thought it was a given Kramdi is moving to Safety, accept it man, you're in denial.
It wouldn't be the 1st time though. lol
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 19, 2026, 10:30:59 PMOn the surface that makes sense. In practice is he seeing any reps at CB? Changing the role of Kramdi, Griffin and Allen seems a bit much with 2 new starters on the DL as well.
Thats only 1 change from the end of last year. Kramdi was playing safety often.
Quote from: BIGBLUE204 on May 20, 2026, 03:13:55 PMThats only 1 change from the end of last year. Kramdi was playing safety often.
Rotating at safety is not the same as assigned there most of the time. It also means Allen is bumped, so who is the next man up at safety if they make this change? No room for Allen as a DI.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 20, 2026, 03:45:37 PMRotating at safety is not the same as assigned there most of the time. It also means Allen is bumped, so who is the next man up at safety if they make this change? No room for Allen as a DI.
I'm not going to argue semantics. Kramdi and Griffin both played in the spots they're in right now, last year. The only change is a new DL. Kelly/Hallet play safety, assuming they can actually stay healthy. They also drafted a kid this year that has potential.
Quote from: BIGBLUE204 on May 20, 2026, 04:59:07 PMI'm not going to argue semantics. Kramdi and Griffin both played in the spots they're in right now, last year. The only change is a new DL. Kelly/Hallet play safety, assuming they can actually stay healthy. They also drafted a kid this year that has potential.
Ethan Stuart, yah why not, if Kelly or Hallett haven't figured it out yet, give the new kid a shot at second safety.
Quote from: BIGBLUE204 on May 20, 2026, 04:59:07 PMI'm not going to argue semantics. Kramdi and Griffin both played in the spots they're in right now, last year. The only change is a new DL. Kelly/Hallet play safety, assuming they can actually stay healthy. They also drafted a kid this year that has potential.
We'll also have 2 new CB's starting. Two new DL. You can call it semantics but it's much more than that. At least 2 new starters are veteran CFL players but it's still 4 new starters and 2 players in different roles.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 20, 2026, 05:23:02 PMWe'll also have 2 new CB's starting. Two new DL. You can call it semantics but it's much more than that. At least 2 new starters are veteran CFL players but it's still 4 new starters and 2 players in different roles.
My original point was referring to your claim that there would be a change in Kramdi & Griffins role. Which isn't true. They both played the positions they have been occupying for TC to end the year.
Quote from: BIGBLUE204 on May 21, 2026, 02:19:41 PMMy original point was referring to your claim that there would be a change in Kramdi & Griffins role. Which isn't true. They both played the positions they have been occupying for TC to end the year.
Kramdi dropped into a double safety look with Allen and Parker before that. I can't remember him in an actual normal single safety look which is somewhat what is being suggested now.
At times he was at SAM and Griffin was inside covering slot receivers or RB's out of the backfield.
Woodbey came on towards the end of the season so he may take on a role more similar to what Griffin had last year.
This may or may not be what happens but it is definitely changes in the roles of all of those players. To the point where we may not have Allen on the roster. I don't know how you can dispute that. It also raises concern over the depth at safety if Allen ( or replacement ) is bumped from the AR.
Would those be a bad change in direction, not necessarily but we'll see.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 21, 2026, 02:38:50 PMKramdi dropped into a double safety look with Allen and Parker before that. I can't remember him in an actual normal single safety look which is somewhat what is being suggested now.
At times he was at SAM and Griffin was inside covering slot receivers or RB's out of the backfield.
Woodbey came on towards the end of the season so he may take on a role more similar to what Griffin had last year.
This may or may not be what happens but it is definitely changes in the roles of all of those players. To the point where we may not have Allen on the roster. I don't know how you can dispute that. It also raises concern over the depth at safety if Allen ( or replacement ) is bumped from the AR.
Would those be a bad change in direction, not necessarily but we'll see.
This is what has been happening. Just without Allen.
Quote from: Jesse on May 21, 2026, 02:45:09 PMThis is what has been happening. Just without Allen.
That's what I said. With Allen in a double safety look it's a split zone look. With one safety as a more traditional look the safety has to be working sideline to sideline.
We did all of those at various times. Griffin and Woodbey dropped into coverage a lot even when we had a double safety look. Down and distance come into play.
Depth charts can't always be taken too seriously. However, Smith was often listed as depth at SAM even though Griffin more often moved to SAM when Kramdi dropped deeper. Maybe he gets to be more actual depth behind him if this comes to pass..
Ball has been looking good in TC from some reports so maybe he's the new immediate depth in the format used in 2025? We did see Kelly on the field at times in the secondary.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 21, 2026, 02:56:43 PMThat's what I said. With Allen in a double safety look it's a split zone look. With one safety as a more traditional look the safety has to be working sideline to sideline.
We did all of those at various times. Griffin and Woodbey dropped into coverage a lot even when we had a double safety look. Down and distance come into play.
Depth charts can't always be taken too seriously. However, Smith was often listed as depth at SAM even though Griffin more often moved to SAM when Kramdi dropped deeper. Maybe he gets to be more actual depth behind him if this comes to pass..
Ball has been looking good in TC from some reports so maybe he's the new immediate depth in the format used in 2025? We did see Kelly on the field at times in the secondary.
Good point about Ball, he could be in contention for Second Safety as well.
I could be wrong but I don't believe Griffin, Woodbey and Kramdi were ever on the field at the same time, unless Woodbey was subbing for Kyrie over at WIL. A big wish for this season is to get all 3 on the field at the same time for the majority of the reps.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 21, 2026, 05:18:16 PMGood point about Ball, he could be in contention for Second Safety as well.
I could be wrong but I don't believe Griffin, Woodbey and Kramdi were ever on the field at the same time, unless Woodbey was subbing for Kyrie over at WIL. A big wish for this season is to get all 3 on the field at the same time for the majority of the reps.
I know both Woodbey and Griffin were on the roster at the same time. Not 100% sure if they were on the field at the same time as you mentioned. We make substitutions so often it's tough to keep up while watching TV.
All of this could be a way to get both on the field by removing Allen from the AR.
Should add a 3rd voting option,
Do we want Kramdl as the starting safety
Quote from: Pete on May 21, 2026, 10:27:07 PMShould add a 3rd voting option,
Do we want Kramdl as the starting safety
Start a seperate poll, that's a good one
Quote from: Pete on May 21, 2026, 10:27:07 PMShould add a 3rd voting option,
Do we want Kramdl as the starting safety
But then you need to ask the question "do you want any brains on the field getting everyone lined up".
It's easy to ask if Kramdi is good/fast/hardhitting enough to be the starting FS, but if you say "no", then where do you put Kramdi, given it seems Griffin won SAM.
Like I told you guys, there is
no scenario where Kramdi doesn't start somewhere on the D. And traditionally you'll park your weakest (less strongest?) NAT at FS.
And let's be honest here, this isn't like a new Hurl situation. Kramdi is legit at SAM or FS. Not league-best, but certainly no waste of space.
Quote from: Tecno on May 22, 2026, 03:00:52 AMBut then you need to ask the question "do you want any brains on the field getting everyone lined up".
It's easy to ask if Kramdi is good/fast/hardhitting enough to be the starting FS, but if you say "no", then where do you put Kramdi, given it seems Griffin won SAM.
Like I told you guys, there is no scenario where Kramdi doesn't start somewhere on the D. And traditionally you'll park your weakest (less strongest?) NAT at FS.
And let's be honest here, this isn't like a new Hurl situation. Kramdi is legit at SAM or FS. Not league-best, but certainly no waste of space.
The coach/brains on the field thing is a bit overstated. It's helpful that he's smart primarily because he needs to read quickly which involves taking visual information in and quickly telling your legs where to go based on what's called and what's unfolding in front of him.
He's not calling plays and he's not lining people up every play. From the safety spot he's really only communicating with the defensive backs and if you think Holm and Nichols need any help you're completely mistaken. Guess who will probably be talking lots to the new corners in reality? The guys beside them, which again, is Evan and Deatrick.
Quote from: Tecno on May 22, 2026, 03:00:52 AMBut then you need to ask the question "do you want any brains on the field getting everyone lined up".
It's easy to ask if Kramdi is good/fast/hardhitting enough to be the starting FS, but if you say "no", then where do you put Kramdi, given it seems Griffin won SAM.
Like I told you guys, there is no scenario where Kramdi doesn't start somewhere on the D. And traditionally you'll park your weakest (less strongest?) NAT at FS.
And let's be honest here, this isn't like a new Hurl situation. Kramdi is legit at SAM or FS. Not league-best, but certainly no waste of space.
They made Kramdi their highest paid DB at $180k for a reason and his physical skills are average at best, I think you're right he's being paid more for his brain than his brawn. Younger leans heavily on a secondary QB to run his complicated schemes more than most DC's and Kramdi gladly takes on that role. Same reason Jake Thomas became the leader of the D-line, he took on the responsibility other players would not accept.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 22, 2026, 11:11:28 AMThe coach/brains on the field thing is a bit overstated.
Tell that to MOS. In pressers last year he basically spelled out what Kramdi's role & importance is.
Can we at least agree there is usually a "QB of the D", often the MLB. Not just for WPG, but for most teams. Heck, every time I see Singleton in the NFL he's telling everyone what they should be doing! And he's just "only a Canadian / ex-CFLer", directing multi-100's-of-millions D corps!
Think back to when Biggie was here. Was Biggie lining everyone up and pointing everyone on what to do? Absolutely. Did things fall apart whenever Biggie was hurt? Absolutely -- at least until we had Kramdi in place in the later seasons.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 22, 2026, 11:11:28 AMHe's not calling plays and he's not lining people up every play.
I think he is, more often than not. Let's face it, Jones isn't the sharpest D on the field, so he's certainly not doing it. Kyrie knows the score, but he's too far off in WILL land to properly coordinate everything (though it is an option). The whiz HBs are too busy doing their own thing.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 22, 2026, 11:11:28 AMFrom the safety spot he's really only communicating with the defensive backs
Wrong again. For a while when Biggie was faltering / injured / gone it was BA37 at FS who was the QB of the D. And BA certainly was telling LBers what to do. You could see him, coming closer to the line from his FS spot and directing things. And when BA was hurt and Biggie was out/gone things kind of fell apart. That's when Kramdi earned the role.
And the theory can be proven quite simpliy: do they put a physically weaker Kramdi at FS over the other options? Or back at SAM when Griffin is probably stronger? If YES, then it's for Kramdi's brains and leadership (and ratio -- assuming we need it).