Blue Bombers Forum

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I'll ask in the 3rd conversation, how would we accommodate that in the ratio on the roster. How we we accommodate that in the ratio of starters?

It's clearly not as simple of just adding him to the roster whether we want to or note.

Remove Cobb, AR a Nat DB/LB backup, and put Nichols on RR and use Vaval to start.

Quote from: theaardvark on August 03, 2026, 04:25:57 PMRemove Cobb, AR a Nat DB/LB backup, and put Nichols on RR and use Vaval to start.

Many have questioned whether we want to put Vaval in a dual role. He's played CB and I'm not sure if he's suited for DHB or even better than Nichols. Moxey seems to be the liability as well. I'd switch him at CB but that's only part of the issue.

Regardless, you have not shown how to change the number of Canadian starters. You're suggesting adding a back up for a starter and that doesn't work from those specifically starting.

We show 2 imports at DT starting however we rotate in Schmekel, Gatkouth and Kornelson on the DL and Smith at LB. One of those would have to be on the field on every down to make up for that 7th Canadian.

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 04:40:23 PMMany have questioned whether we want to put Vaval in a dual role. He's played CB and I'm not sure if he's suited for DHB or even better than Nichols. Moxey seems to be the liability as well. I'd switch him at CB but that's only part of the issue.

Regardless, you have not shown how to change the number of Canadian starters. You're suggesting adding a back up for a starter and that doesn't work from those specifically starting.

We show 2 imports at DT starting however we rotate in Schmekel, Gatkouth and Kornelson on the DL and Smith at LB. One of those would have to be on the field on every down to make up for that 7th Canadian.

Between all of those guys, we already have a 2nd Canadian in at defence most of the time. This is not that difficult to manage. There are several ways to do it.

Quote from: Jesse on August 03, 2026, 06:35:35 PMBetween all of those guys, we already have a 2nd Canadian in at defence most of the time. This is not that difficult to manage. There are several ways to do it.

Yeah, that worked so well when we gave up 377 yards rushing against a QB making his 1st CFL start. The fact we do rotate in all those players doesn't mean it's a good thing. It means it's a forced choice because of the ratio.

I think there is an over evaluation in the potential to add Lewis. Let's see if the team decides to do it and how it works out.

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 06:39:56 PMYeah, that worked so well when we gave up 377 yards rushing against a QB making his 1st CFL start. The fact we do rotate in all those players doesn't mean it's a good thing. It means it's a forced choice because of the ratio.

I think there is an over evaluation in the potential to add Lewis. Let's see if the team decides to do it and how it works out.

Kinda my point. Why are you fighting so hard to keep the underperforming members of that defence in their starting roles? Especially since the inability of the offence to stay on the field led to those late rushing/scoring plays surrendered by the defence?

Pass

I'd rather play Singer

Quote from: Jesse on August 03, 2026, 06:49:09 PMKinda my point. Why are you fighting so hard to keep the underperforming members of that defence in their starting roles? Especially since the inability of the offence to stay on the field led to those late rushing/scoring plays surrendered by the defence?

The point is that they are Canadians and the ratio makes that a necessity. It's necessary to have different defensive looks and to rotate players to keep them fresh. Those are the players we have. It's not because they are good or effective.

There is no suggestion that another import receiver, Lewis or otherwise wouldn't help the offence which would indirectly help the defence.

I've tried to point out the cost of the trade off. Do we want to see more reps for some of those Canadians in order to add Lewis? That's the question in a nutshell.

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 08:21:33 PMThe point is that they are Canadians and the ratio makes that a necessity. It's necessary to have different defensive looks and to rotate players to keep them fresh. Those are the players we have. It's not because they are good or effective.

There is no suggestion that another import receiver, Lewis or otherwise wouldn't help the offence which would indirectly help the defence.

I've tried to point out the cost of the trade off. Do we want to see more reps for some of those Canadians in order to add Lewis? That's the question in a nutshell.

I want to start Smith at LB anyways. So I'm all for making that change and adding another import at receiver.

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 03, 2026, 08:21:33 PMThe point is that they are Canadians and the ratio makes that a necessity. It's necessary to have different defensive looks and to rotate players to keep them fresh. Those are the players we have. It's not because they are good or effective.

There is no suggestion that another import receiver, Lewis or otherwise wouldn't help the offence which would indirectly help the defence.

I've tried to point out the cost of the trade off. Do we want to see more reps for some of those Canadians in order to add Lewis? That's the question in a nutshell.

Do more reps for Smith, Shay, Schmekel hurt us more than the added reps we've been giving all year to Cobb, Corcoran and Daniels?

Quote from: RebusRankin on August 03, 2026, 09:39:43 PMDo more reps for Smith, Shay, Schmekel hurt us more than the added reps we've been giving all year to Cobb, Corcoran and Daniels?

Shay, not sure, Schmekel yes (honestly cannot understand why he's still here) and Smith absolutely not, he's a baller. On the other end, Cobb and Corcoran are so limiting. Daniel's I like, wouldn't worry about him. His role is unique

Quote from: Jesse on August 03, 2026, 08:40:57 PMI want to start Smith at LB anyways. So I'm all for making that change and adding another import at receiver.

I'd go along with that change at LB.  Adding Lewis as that extra import is a separate question and I'm not convinced I'd choose him but he's a CFL veteran so I suppose it's an easier argument to make.

Quote from: kkc60 on August 03, 2026, 09:56:29 PMShay, not sure, Schmekel yes (honestly cannot understand why he's still here) and Smith absolutely not, he's a baller. On the other end, Cobb and Corcoran are so limiting. Daniel's I like, wouldn't worry about him. His role is unique

Schmekle is here because Thomas retired and Lawson is injured. We chose to not draft another interior DL for the past several years. Gatkouth might be the 1st DL that we drafted that has some upside.

Listening to Ed Hervey speak during the break and it really does seem like Lewis is more of a FO than a FI player.

Quote from: bomberjunkie on August 04, 2026, 01:02:54 AMListening to Ed Hervey speak during the break and it really does seem like Lewis is more of a FO than a FI player.

I A) don't care what Ed Harvey thinks and B) don't really think FIFO is a thing anymore.

Quote from: Jesse on August 04, 2026, 01:47:53 AMI A) don't care what Ed Harvey thinks and B) don't really think FIFO is a thing anymore.

FIFO is totally a thing still.  In fact, if we drop some players before the deadlines it will be due to FIFO.  Guys who FIFO but suck might get the dignity of RR, 6GIR or trade.

Can't remember who it was, but a couple of months back in one of the pressers someone mentioned FIFO again.

Quote from: bomberjunkie on August 04, 2026, 01:02:54 AMListening to Ed Hervey speak during the break and it really does seem like Lewis is more of a FO than a FI player.

That's exactly what I was thinking.  I don't think he's just a greedy "I want all the glory" thing, I think with Gino it's more a "I just show up and get paid" thing.  I think he lost all of his heart after playing 4 years for basement teams.

Quote from: Jesse on August 03, 2026, 06:35:35 PMBetween all of those guys, we already have a 2nd Canadian in at defence most of the time. This is not that difficult to manage. There are several ways to do it.

Well, consider that to start the season we were starting 8 NATs most of the time, for no apparent reason.  We could have been starting another IMP on O during all that time.  And we didn't.

In theory, when Lawson comes back (the dude ever healthy?) that gives us the flexibility again.  But don't get upset when we start 8 NATs again!!  Mafia does mafia things.

Quote from: Tecno on August 04, 2026, 03:45:45 AMFIFO is totally a thing still.  In fact, if we drop some players before the deadlines it will be due to FIFO.  Guys who FIFO but suck might get the dignity of RR, 6GIR or trade.

Can't remember who it was, but a couple of months back in one of the pressers someone mentioned FIFO again.

The guys who have been here will still say it, sure. I just don't think it means anything. The standard has slipped.

Quote from: Jesse on August 04, 2026, 01:47:53 AMI A) don't care what Ed Harvey thinks and B) don't really think FIFO is a thing anymore.

FIFO only works when you're winning or the vets are playing well. Outside of Jefferson, what veteran player from the past few years is consistently playing well?

Quote from: Tecno on August 04, 2026, 03:48:34 AMWell, consider that to start the season we were starting 8 NATs most of the time, for no apparent reason.  We could have been starting another IMP on O during all that time.  And we didn't.

In theory, when Lawson comes back (the dude ever healthy?) that gives us the flexibility again.  But don't get upset when we start 8 NATs again!!  Mafia does mafia things.

Losing Lawson hurt the team but we have no word about how long he may be gone. Knee injury could be minor or season ending? Who know.

Quote from: kkc60 on August 05, 2026, 07:49:59 PMFIFO only works when you're winning or the vets are playing well. Outside of Jefferson, what veteran player from the past few years is consistently playing well?

Vets grading consistently well in my lists:

Neuf
Demski
Pokey
Jones
Willie

Quote from: Blue In BC on August 05, 2026, 10:24:24 PMLosing Lawson hurt the team but we have no word about how long he may be gone. Knee injury could be minor or season ending? Who know.

Lawson is a good player when healthy but he's never made it through an entire season without getting hurt.  Same goes for Schmeck, since he's come back he hasn't looked that impressive.

Quote from: Tecno on August 06, 2026, 02:43:33 AMVets grading consistently well in my lists:

Neuf
Demski
Pokey
Jones
Willie

Pokey and Jones were not here when FIFO was really the big thing.

Quote from: kkc60 on August 06, 2026, 05:31:12 PMPokey and Jones were not here when FIFO was really the big thing.

TIL FIFO wasn't a thing all of two years ago.

Oh, wait. It actually was: https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/07/05/the-lede-my-motivation-to-work-hard-to-be-my-best-for-the-people-in-that-huddle-with-me/

More on FIFO in 2024: https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/09/27/the-lede-man-thats-cool-to-see-the-young-guys-step-in-buy-in-and-be-fifo/

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 06, 2026, 05:38:15 PMTIL FIFO wasn't a thing all of two years ago.

Oh, wait. It actually was: https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/07/05/the-lede-my-motivation-to-work-hard-to-be-my-best-for-the-people-in-that-huddle-with-me/

More on FIFO in 2024: https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/09/27/the-lede-man-thats-cool-to-see-the-young-guys-step-in-buy-in-and-be-fifo/

I think he means when  FIFO was a part of our successful seasons of 2021-2023. If you have a couple of old guys repeating a mantra that hasn't led to success that you've seen, I think it starts to become meaningless. And has only grown more meaningless.

Quote from: Jesse on August 06, 2026, 07:51:05 PMI think he means when  FIFO was a part of our successful seasons of 2021-2023. If you have a couple of old guys repeating a mantra that hasn't led to success that you've seen, I think it starts to become meaningless. And has only grown more meaningless.

I have no idea what he meant. I just meant to point out how both Jones and Wilson were here when FIFO was still being discussed and highlighted as a key part of this organization's culture.

Why are 2022 and 2023 considered successful but not 2024? The end result in all three seasons is the same.

Quote from: Jesse on August 06, 2026, 07:51:05 PMI think he means when  FIFO was a part of our successful seasons of 2021-2023. If you have a couple of old guys repeating a mantra that hasn't led to success that you've seen, I think it starts to become meaningless. And has only grown more meaningless.

It certainly loses it's relevance when they play like a group of mediocre losers.

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on August 06, 2026, 08:14:35 PMI have no idea what he meant. I just meant to point out how both Jones and Wilson were here when FIFO was still being discussed and highlighted as a key part of this organization's culture.

Why are 2022 and 2023 considered successful but not 2024? The end result in all three seasons is the same.

There's the culture of FIFO - when everyone buys in and it guides their behaviour. And there's some people saying the words, but it doesn't affect anything that anyone does.

There's no on/off switch, it's something that fades. And we got to the grey cup in 2024, but the season was very clearly less successful than previous years and the start of a now 3 year downturn.

Not all of them are playing poorly.

The linebackers are playing well. The D line is at the top for sacks.

Dontaria Wilson plays hard. Every game.

Last season people were complaining about no sacks, and they would never do anything with Jake in there, while the team was league leading off and on for least points allowed.

You got your sacks, but the defence is bad.

We don't have a quarterback.  How many teams have won without a quarterback?

Same boat ticats are in.

Just keep making the same criticism, year after year. Eventually you'll be right.

I don't know if I can agree the LBs are playing well. If the DL is getting sacks and creating pressure, the LBs and the DBs gotta be suspect.

Especially when 2/3 of our LBs are essentially DBs.

Quote from: Jesse on August 06, 2026, 07:51:05 PMI think he means when  FIFO was a part of our successful seasons of 2021-2023. If you have a couple of old guys repeating a mantra that hasn't led to success that you've seen, I think it starts to become meaningless. And has only grown more meaningless.

Hervey did a long panel segment in the rain delay in the Edmonton game. He described the new Edmonton philosophy. What he described is an exact copy of FIFO. He even spelled it out: he doesn't care if you're the best player in the league, you need to fit in or you're gone.

He also said he calls it Eskimo ball. That's what they're calling it internally. The PC police at tsn must have been freaking out at that one. I thought Kate was gonna blow a gasket!

Quote from: Tecno on August 07, 2026, 02:17:31 AMHervey did a long panel segment in the rain delay in the Edmonton game. He described the new Edmonton philosophy. What he described is an exact copy of FIFO. He even spelled it out: he doesn't care if you're the best player in the league, you need to fit in or you're gone.

He also said he calls it Eskimo ball. That's what they're calling it internally. The PC police at tsn must have been freaking out at that one. I thought Kate was gonna blow a gasket!

Also super irrelevant since none of the players know or care about the name change.

Quote from: Jesse on August 06, 2026, 10:37:50 PMI don't know if I can agree the LBs are playing well. If the DL is getting sacks and creating pressure, the LBs and the DBs gotta be suspect.

The huge embarrassing runs by bc we're the fault of

A. DL for losing contain
And
B. LBs for not, uh, backing the line.

Every big run had an embarrassing bite by the LBs, and embarrassing inability to shed by DL. Ya, there was lots of holding, but you still need to make the play.

I'd like to see Singer hit the field the guy is as good as Pokey....Wasting away on the pr....failing that sign Geno

Quote from: blueraid on August 07, 2026, 05:36:19 PMI'd like to see Singer hit the field the guy is as good as Pokey....Wasting away on the pr....failing that sign Geno

If Singer is as good as Wilson, there's no way we sign a high priced under achieving expensive reciever when we have one in the waiting on an ELC.

You can't put 5 Wilson's in the rec corps.  You need different guys for different jobs.

Gino is more a Wolitarsky, which we have been missing a while.  Clercius or Daniels may be that guy, but no one is better at it than Gino.  He is both sure handed, can get open and has a catch radius that is unchallenged.

I think he's a vet presence that can calm things down, and I believe he fits the Fake Nat, so he could slot right in without starter ratio issues.

Quote from: Jesse on August 06, 2026, 10:37:50 PMI don't know if I can agree the LBs are playing well. If the DL is getting sacks and creating pressure, the LBs and the DBs gotta be suspect.

Especially when 2/3 of our LBs are essentially DBs.

Tony Jones was leading the league in tackles after Week 9 with 50.  He's on pace for 110+ tackles in 2026.  Just sayin, he's not the problem.

Quote from: VictorRomano on August 07, 2026, 08:38:47 PMTony Jones was leading the league in tackles after Week 9 with 50.  He's on pace for 110+ tackles in 2026.  Just sayin, he's not the problem.

The problem was Tony Jones wasn't our MLB when we got gashed by BC, move him to MLB and we're good.

Quote from: VictorRomano on August 07, 2026, 08:38:47 PMTony Jones was leading the league in tackles after Week 9 with 50.  He's on pace for 110+ tackles in 2026.  Just sayin, he's not the problem.

It's been said many times, but tackles aren't really a great  indicator of success. The worst teams usually lead the league in tackles as teams run more on them. It means you're on the field for more plays. and a tackle for a short gain or a tackle after a first down look the same on the stat sheet.