Love the win! Dru Brown is our qb in my opinion, better arm can move quicker and will get better with reps. He has not played all year and look what he done. We developed him and he should be our Quarterback. Our secondary needs improvement to many open receivers and poor, tackling. Turnovers tonite if eliminated would of lead us to more points. It's a nice win but we will face better teams and have to improve.
GH o bombers go! Dru Ian glad your home!!
The defensive scheme is to give up yards in front of the DB's. It works best when you can get pressure on the QB and we did a better job of that tonight. It's less aggressive than I'd like and we often see 2nd and long completed which is very annoying.
I'm more annoyed we let the Argos drive 80 yards after the int in the end zone. Huge swing in points and momentum.
I thought the DBs did astoundingly better in this game and the last one. That's partially because both games the other O didn't dink & dunk us. But also because our main problem was when a go-route or double-move extended out the back of our zone, we'd lose the guy or get too far behind. See: ESF, and our first 3 games. Remember how bad Moxey looked getting torched by RECs whizzing past him earlier this season?
They've really cleaned that up. The "last guy in the zone" is now quicker to react to these go routes. In fact, the biggest burn against our DBs this game was that go route where Nichols was too slow to turn his hips, and too slow to catch up. But for the most part all the other DBs kept those burns to a minimum.
I'm seeing lots of progress. And Major is rapidly becoming our 2nd best DB, which is quite astonishing. And Moxey really improving fast as he gets accustomed to our scheme. Only Nichols is looking a bit slow out there -- I wonder if he's nursing something vs having just "lost it".
(I'll put my Dru thoughts on the Dru threads)
The defense looked like real football out there yesterday for probably the first game all season.
They attacked Chad Kelly. They hit him. They made him play faster than he wanted to. By the end of the game he felt it. The hits added up. It wasn't a free bingo night on the schedule at that position. That's how you win football games in October and November.
The secondary had a breakdown or two and Nichols still got beat all day but they looked better. They trusted the rush and played with more reasonable gaps. They contested balls. They tended to get beat when the rush didn't get there but I don't have a huge issue with that. You can't cover forever.
Aside from the first play of the game the run defense was effective. Toronto isn't exactly a prolific rushing team, but it's a good building block game.
The whole defense seemed tuned for a big home crowd instead of whatever it is that JY usually calls.
There's still a lot to fix but at least it's looking like we're trying to fix a professional defense now. Lots of four man front. It was a proper night of defense that just made sense even if we struggled a bit on second and ten in the second half.
Nichols has been noticeably beaten in each of our games this year for explosion/chunk plays. I'm guessing it's a combo of scheme (soft zone) and father time catching up to him. Teams aren't afraid to attack him, which is different from previous years. If we had a better option at strong side HB, I'd consider moving him to safety.
Younger outsmarted everyone, Kramdi isn't lining up at Safety, in fact I don't think I saw a single Safety set, it seems to be a combo of Kelly and Holm covering the deep middle of the field. Kramdi looks to be playing a rover SAM position mostly off either corner of the box that allows him the flexibility to blitz when necessary or help out against the run. Like Griffin he is rarely isolated in pass coverage playing a short zone formation among the LB group.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 11, 2026, 03:39:49 AMThe defensive scheme is to give up yards in front of the DB's. It works best when you can get pressure on the QB and we did a better job of that tonight. It's less aggressive than I'd like and we often see 2nd and long completed which is very annoying.
I'm more annoyed we let the Argos drive 80 yards after the int in the end zone. Huge swing in points and momentum.
I agree as the Bombers D often makes great plays on first and 10 however they were failing at second and long too many times and I lost count.
Younger has also made a big adjustment starting with the Hamilton game, the dbs are tightening up there coverage and leaving a smaller cushion. The dink and dunk isnt there nearly as much. Part if this is the dbs are communicating better and quicker to react
Quote from: Pete on July 12, 2026, 03:49:39 PMYounger has also made a big adjustment starting with the Hamilton game, the dbs are tightening up there coverage and leaving a smaller cushion. The dink and dunk isnt there nearly as much. Part if this is the dbs are communicating better and quicker to react
OC's are no longer avoiding Bomber HB's, Nichols and Holm are seeing their share of challenges and losing many of them. The CB's have fared well considering how little time they've been here.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 12, 2026, 03:30:03 PMYounger outsmarted everyone, Kramdi isn't lining up at Safety, in fact I don't think I saw a single Safety set, it seems to be a combo of Kelly and Holm covering the deep middle of the field. Kramdi looks to be playing a rover SAM position mostly off either corner of the box that allows him the flexibility to blitz when necessary or help out against the run. Like Griffin he is rarely isolated in pass coverage playing a short zone formation among the LB group.
Early in the year, O'Shea was asked about Jones & Wilson switching positions compared to last season. His response was something like, players play multiple positions in Younger's defence and we have to list them somewhere on the depth chart.
I don't think we should read too much into the depth chart especially when Younger goes to a 4-1-7, 3-2-7 or 3-1-8 alignment (SLB is a DB position).
Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on July 12, 2026, 03:42:14 PMI agree as the Bombers D often makes great plays on first and 10 however they were failing at second and long too many times and I lost count.
Because on 2nd & long the Younger D almost always goes prevent.
2nd & long:
Younger: "We got them right where we want them!"
Opponent OC: "We got them right where we want them!"
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 12, 2026, 03:30:03 PMYounger outsmarted everyone, Kramdi isn't lining up at Safety, in fact I don't think I saw a single Safety set, it seems to be a combo of Kelly and Holm covering the deep middle of the field. Kramdi looks to be playing a rover SAM position mostly off either corner of the box that allows him the flexibility to blitz when necessary or help out against the run.
Ya I was watching for Kramdi. Lots of SAM, even some WILL. He was back sometimes on 2-safety sets, I think. He was doing a LOT of directing. Whatever it was, it worked out a lot better.
Quote from: Tecno on July 13, 2026, 02:15:06 AMYa I was watching for Kramdi. Lots of SAM, even some WILL. He was back sometimes on 2-safety sets, I think. He was doing a LOT of directing. Whatever it was, it worked out a lot better.
Did you ever see Kramdi or Griffin leave the field or were they both on for every defensive play?
Quote from: Slingin Sammy on July 11, 2026, 02:36:26 PMNichols has been noticeably beaten in each of our games this year for explosion/chunk plays. I'm guessing it's a combo of scheme (soft zone) and father time catching up to him. Teams aren't afraid to attack him, which is different from previous years. If we had a better option at strong side HB, I'd consider moving him to safety.
Terrible idea to move him to S. He is struggling and this would make it worse imo. He is where he should be. He has struggled. Hopefully finds his way.
Funny how the criticism by some of Kramdi went a little quiet. He had a GAME! Bird?
Quote from: Tecno on July 13, 2026, 02:15:06 AMYa I was watching for Kramdi. Lots of SAM, even some WILL. He was back sometimes on 2-safety sets, I think. He was doing a LOT of directing. Whatever it was, it worked out a lot better.
I didn't notice that but explains a lot. The Younger system simply works because its so flexible. Where is the D sucks and demote Younger crowd this week? Nice to see that settled down lol.
Moxie looked very good. Major is very good for a rookie. D starting to cook but needs to do that for 3-4 games before we can say its a force again.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 13, 2026, 03:56:00 AMDid you ever see Kramdi or Griffin leave the field or were they both on for every defensive play?
Kramdi & Griffin were going on & off. Griffin for sure. But I feel Kramdi too. Would have to re-study to confirm... might try to do that. But it stands to reason since we do have so many "rotational" guys that get regular sets, AND it was crazy hot out there at the start, so spelling the front 7 (that Kramdi was part of sometimes) would make sense.
However, we saw a lot more Kyrie than usual, and Jones is almost an every-down guy. And lots of Kelly and Smith. Something has to give for all these other players to be on, too.
Quote from: Tecno on July 13, 2026, 04:07:31 AMKramdi & Griffin were going on & off. Griffin for sure. But I feel Kramdi too. Would have to re-study to confirm... might try to do that. But it stands to reason since we do have so many "rotational" guys that get regular sets, AND it was crazy hot out there at the start, so spelling the front 7 (that Kramdi was part of sometimes) would make sense.
However, we saw a lot more Kyrie than usual, and Jones is almost an every-down guy. And lots of Kelly and Smith. Something has to give for all these other players to be on, too.
Yup rotate the D, some angry we added a LB, worked out just tickety boo. Everybody plays, everybody is fresh. Poetry in motion. Smith looked good.
Please study and get back to us, a techno deep dive would be welcome 🙏
Kelly continues his development and I did not see that coming! Just awesome. Mafia knows things we don't. Sorry we don't have enough Kelly crow as the entire forum would be eating heavy starting the previous week.
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 13, 2026, 04:12:29 AMKelly continues his development and I did not see that coming! Just awesome. Mafia knows things we don't. Sorry we don't have enough Kelly crow as the entire forum would be eating heavy starting the previous week.
I don't understand why Kelly went from huge liability zero one week to and effective piece on the field the next. It's like someone flipped a switch. Not something that usually happens.
4 games ago (and every game before that) he was garbage. Then 3 games ago he starts making plays, and he's making plays every game since.
It's not something you usually see. Maybe we changed the way we allow him to play? More leash? Or maybe Ball being close to returning lit a fire under his butt? Hard to know.
Quote from: Tecno on July 13, 2026, 04:30:09 AMI don't understand why Kelly went from huge liability zero one week to and effective piece on the field the next. It's like someone flipped a switch. Not something that usually happens.
4 games ago (and every game before that) he was garbage. Then 3 games ago he starts making plays, and he's making plays every game since.
It's not something you usually see. Maybe we changed the way we allow him to play? More leash? Or maybe Ball being close to returning lit a fire under his butt? Hard to know.
You are right, very rare to go from zero to hero. Maybe he switched his Gatorade colour lol. Forgot about Ball. He will help.
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 13, 2026, 04:12:29 AMYup rotate the D, some angry we added a LB, worked out just tickety boo. Everybody plays, everybody is fresh. Poetry in motion. Smith looked good.
Please study and get back to us, a techno deep dive would be welcome 🙏
Kelly continues his development and I did not see that coming! Just awesome. Mafia knows things we don't. Sorry we don't have enough Kelly crow as the entire forum would be eating heavy starting the previous week.
I don't notice the new LB on the field, so that's hardly a tickety boo result. He didn't record a stat. It does appear that Jenkins has fallen out of favour but he'd of had some reps if he played. Hazen might have a future but he was an odd choice to add to the AR.
Singer, Fredrickson, Texada would have had more opportunity to see reps if there was an in game injury.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 13, 2026, 01:35:16 PMI don't notice the new LB on the field, so that's hardly a tickety boo result. He didn't record a stat. It does appear that Jenkins has fallen out of favour but he'd of had some reps if he played. Hazen might have a future but he was an odd choice to add to the AR.
Singer, Fredrickson, Texada would have had more opportunity to see reps if there was an in game injury.
I didn't see a receiver go down and the point is with the amount of rotation on D, particularly the LBs, having depth there is critical. None of those guys would have seen the field imo.
Don't know if you have a future till you get on the AR. Obviously the mafia wanted to give him a look and its not odd we added him seeing as we always have a wealth of LBs.
Yes Jenkins stock has fallen.
Anyone see Hazen on teams?
The tickety boo reference is based on how well our rotation works and how we didn't need a receiver due to injury as I expected. In the heat extra bodies on D was the right choice imo. Next week we shall see. A lot of talent on this team, they will all get a chance eventually.
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 13, 2026, 03:12:09 PMI didn't see a receiver go down and the point is with the amount of rotation on D, particularly the LBs, having depth there is critical. None of those guys would have seen the field imo.
Don't know if you have a future till you get on the AR. Obviously the mafia wanted to give him a look and its not odd we added him seeing as we always have a wealth of LBs.
Yes Jenkins stock has fallen.
Anyone see Hazen on teams?
The tickety boo reference is based on how well our rotation works and how we didn't need a receiver due to injury as I expected. In the heat extra bodies on D was the right choice imo. Next week we shall see. A lot of talent on this team, they will all get a chance eventually.
We have lots of depth at LB. OTOH we have very little at receiver if O. Wilson or Smith go down even for a series, it's a drop off.
Hazen was never going to be next or next next if we had an injury at LB. If one of the import receivers went down then Singer or Fredrickson would have been next up. He might have even gotten reps to keep everyone fresh and to use different play selections for him.
Obviously we didn't have an injury at receiver but it's a point about a practical depth choice. In that sense Hazen was not a good choice.
The same applies at DB if any of our 4 imports goes down, then Kelly is a full time starter in game and Hallett or Stuart is on the field in the dual safety look.
It's not entirely true that a player can't show very well in TC / practice and be determined to have a better than average chance to excel.
If Hazen was added for some reason to at least see time on ST's then maybe it made sense. That said, we had no new injuries on our ST players and they are playing very well. I didn't see him on the field. Maybe someone can suggest he was on ST's?
So IMO Hazen was not the best selection available. He wouldn't even have been on my radar. If management wanted to see him on the AR then he should have been given some reps. Otherwise, what did we gain if he sat on the bench the entire game?
He develops and waits his turn. There is no rush.
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 13, 2026, 03:46:56 PMHe develops and waits his turn. There is no rush.
That's not the issue. That's what the PR is for until there is an injury necessary to activate another player. His college experience is impressive but that's true for most rookies in TC. He was a late add after TC and may have been on our neg list. I didn't see a transaction to the neg list putting on or taking him off to sign him?
I'll be surprised if he's still on the AR for our next game but that was true for this game as well.
Maybe he wanted to be released if he wasn't added to the AR.
Wallace was nicked the prior game so even keeping Mazzcca on the AR for depth at LG wouldn't have been the worst idea. I don't know how serious Wallace's shoulder issue was but I doubt he was 100%.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 13, 2026, 03:55:05 PMThat's not the issue. That's what the PR is for until there is an injury necessary to activate another player. His college experience is impressive but that's true for most rookies in TC. He was a late add after TC and may have been on our neg list. I didn't see a transaction to the neg list putting on or taking him off to sign him?
I'll be surprised if he's still on the AR for our next game but that was true for this game as well.
Maybe he wanted to be released if he wasn't added to the AR.
Wallace was nicked the prior game so even keeping Mazzucca on the AR for depth at LG wouldn't have been the worst idea. I don't know how serious Wallace's shoulder issue was but I doubt he was 100%.
Probably doesn't mean much but Wallace was one of the players who came out and spent a long time with fans after the game Friday at the south end zone. He was moving around and signing things just fine. Who knows with a shoulder injury but he looked like a guy who was pretty comfortable.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on July 13, 2026, 04:21:34 PMProbably doesn't mean much but Wallace was one of the players who came out and spent a long time with fans after the game Friday at the south end zone. He was moving around and signing things just fine. Who knows with a shoulder injury but he looked like a guy who was pretty comfortable.
That's good to know but there must have been some issue and having the starter from the previous week in reserve wasn't a bad idea. At least compared to a rookie in his 1st game that probably didn't see the field. Wallace may have just had some bruising / stiffness rather than structural damage.
Setting the roster is risk management. Where is the depth the greatest concern and I mentioned several other choices. The fact we didn't have a receiver or DB go down for at least a series, is partially good luck. I don't think anyone would have been happy with the alternatives if O.Wilson had gone down early for example.
We have no DI on offence which is a concern. It's one thing to have another DI on defence if he's seeing reps ( Jenkins ), but wasn't Hazen a surprise?
We've seen teams lose 2 receivers or DB's in one game.
I'm going to be curious to see if Hazen is still on the AR next week.
Quote from: Tecno on July 13, 2026, 04:30:09 AMI don't understand why Kelly went from huge liability zero one week to and effective piece on the field the next. It's like someone flipped a switch. Not something that usually happens.
4 games ago (and every game before that) he was garbage. Then 3 games ago he starts making plays, and he's making plays every game since.
It's not something you usually see. Maybe we changed the way we allow him to play? More leash? Or maybe Ball being close to returning lit a fire under his butt? Hard to know.
I think you're exaggerating on each side. There were times that Kelly looked good, had a big hit at safety in the past. I know he took a beating on here lastyear, but that is the nature of this forum it seems, everyone likes to pile on. He has improved and that is good to see. With Ball back soon it will be interesting to see who gets delegated.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 13, 2026, 04:31:43 PMAt least compared to a rookie in his 1st game that probably didn't see the field. Wallace may have just had some bruising / stiffness rather than structural damage.
Setting the roster is risk management. Where is the depth the greatest concern and I mentioned several other choices. The fact we didn't have a receiver or DB go down for at least a series, is partially good luck. I don't think anyone would have been happy with the alternatives if O.Wilson had gone down early for example.
We have no DI on offence which is a concern. It's one thing to have another DI on defence if he's seeing reps ( Jenkins ), but wasn't Hazen a surprise?
Hazen came on to replace Boulaine who was sent to the PR, that's a direct sub of an Import for a Natl if that matters. We don't know the reasoning but he most likely played ST as it would be unlikely they'd dress an unused ST player, no way he was going to see any action at LB after such a short time with the team.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 13, 2026, 06:40:28 PMHazen came on to replace Boulaine who was sent to the PR, that's a direct sub of an Import for a Natl if that matters. We don't know the reasoning but he most likely played ST as it would be unlikely they'd dress an unused ST player, no way he was going to see any action at LB after such a short time with the team.
I don't know that would have mattered. Boulaine was a rookie as well and only played 3 games but was with the team in TC. He was the 24th pick in the 2026 draft and last played against the TiCats. He had 1 ST stat but I don't think he saw a lot of work on teams.
He went back to the PR when Wallace was added back and Mazzccua also went to the PR.
IDK but switching a rookie import for a rookie draft choice seems odds as a ratio balancing. If they wanted an ST player they could have switched in Oyelola who is an ST LB type with CFL experience.
Cadwallader ans Ayers each had 2 ST's. Stuart had another and Holm had the other one of our 6 ST's.
We had no injuries to our ST " starters " so again, if Hazen was going to be used on ST's, who did he replace and did he see the field?
So if we didn't need to really replace an ST player was this the best choice for our roster overall?
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 13, 2026, 07:09:46 PMI don't know that would have mattered. Boulaine was a rookie as well and only played 3 games but was with the team in TC. He was the 24th pick in the 2026 draft and last played against the TiCats. He had 1 ST stat but I don't think he saw a lot of work on teams.
He went back to the PR when Wallace was added back and Mazzccua also went to the PR.
IDK but switching a rookie import for a rookie draft choice seems odds as a ratio balancing. If they wanted an ST player they could have switched in Oyelola who is an ST LB type with CFL experience.
Cadwallader ans Ayers each had 2 ST's. Stuart had another and Holm had the other one of our 6 ST's.
We had no injuries to our ST " starters " so again, if Hazen was going to be used on ST's, who did he replace and did he see the field?
So if we didn't need to really replace an ST player was this the best choice for our roster overall?
Bombers also use these manoeuvres to boost a players income if they have financial difficulty or require a financial incentive to stay with the program, even if they don't play they get a salary bump being on the gameday roster. I imagine Walters spends a great deal of his time figuring out how to keep players that are not playing happy.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 13, 2026, 08:11:10 PMBombers also use these manoeuvres to boost a players income if they have financial difficulty or require a financial incentive to stay with the program, even if they don't play they get a salary bump being on the gameday roster. I imagine Walters spends a great deal of his time figuring out how to keep players that are not playing happy.
In that case the RR was available. Use the AR to field the best roster not boost a players income. I'm not sure if you can add a player to the RR directly from the PR. Regardless I gave examples where our depth was limited and could have used a DI on offence.
Mike O'Shea: Willie Jefferson still 'most dominant defensive lineman' in CFL - 3DownNation https://share.google/a89k5iR1EQPlEZsps
Agree all
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 13, 2026, 10:04:13 PMMike O'Shea: Willie Jefferson still 'most dominant defensive lineman' in CFL - 3DownNation https://share.google/a89k5iR1EQPlEZsps
Agree all
I'm a Willie fan but I'm also sure a few other head coaches in the league would same exactly the same thing about their DLinemen.
Quote from: ModAdmin on July 14, 2026, 01:08:26 AMI'm a Willie fan but I'm also sure a few other head coaches in the league would same exactly the same thing about their DLinemen.
Willie's don't grow on trees, one of best ever
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 14, 2026, 01:26:18 AMWillie's don't grow on trees, one of best ever
Never said he wasn't.
Quote from: ModAdmin on July 14, 2026, 04:22:04 AMNever said he wasn't.
I know but suggesting that other coaches would say their DL are the best isn't as relevant as they are mostly not referring to best players all time
Quote from: Blueforlife on July 14, 2026, 04:23:33 AMI know but suggesting that other coaches would say their DL are the best isn't as relevant as they are mostly not referring to best players all time
Except you have provided no facts to back that statement up. Willie has proven to be ONE of the best. When you start comparing other DLinemen from other teams, different eras, different defensive strategies you get into the weeds.
As opined above, suffice it to say Willie will go down as ONE of the best in history.
Quote from: BomberFan73 on July 13, 2026, 05:11:28 PMI think you're exaggerating on each side. There were times that Kelly looked good, had a big hit at safety in the past. I know he took a beating on here lastyear, but that is the nature of this forum it seems, everyone likes to pile on. He has improved and that is good to see. With Ball back soon it will be interesting to see who gets delegated.
I really don't recall any good thing Kelly has done on D, not before the last 2-3 games. If you can remember some 2025 thing, let me know if you can remember the opponent/venue, I'll see if I can find it.
Normally I'd agree with you in general (about extreme positions), but in Kelly's case he really was that bad. And now, suddenly, he's adding a ton of value relative to his time on the field. Not a ton in absolute terms, but divided by the number of snaps he sees.
Quote from: Blue In BC on July 13, 2026, 01:35:16 PMI don't notice the new LB on the field, so that's hardly a tickety boo result. He didn't record a stat. It does appear that Jenkins has fallen out of favour but he'd of had some reps if he played.
Fletcher has been a great add. Reese also starting to make trouble. And Gat and Korny getting in there.
I frankly never noticed Jenkins much, even since last season.
Ceresna isn't getting much accomplished except tying up 2 OL every snap. But that's why these junior guys are getting through. So that's almost as good. Lawson is pretty quiet, and doesn't draw the double-team like Ceresna. I'd like to see him get more push.
All in all one would have to conclude our DL is like 2X (or more) effective than 2025. Having both Willie & Ceresna really puts O's in a bind.
Vaughters is have a good season in SSK, but I'm much happier we have Ceresna. Willie seems rejuvenated, and the rest of the line is overachieving.
All this under the coaching of first year Dline coach Jake. We know that Hall has his fingers in there, but this is Jake's job and he's doing pretty darned well. Knockdowns and tackles for loss, we lead. Sacks, 1 behind SSK. Good job Jake.