Blue Bombers Forum

I've mentioned that we have to play our Canadians where they are best suited to play. At the moment I'd rank our best options at SAM:

1. Griffin
2. Kramdi
3. Smith

IMO that creates some complications / questions at SAM that may result in a move to MLB

1. If Griffin is really our best SAM as some have suggested, having Smith take on that role means less reps for Griffin. Maybe Smith's upside means he can grow into the best SAM we have.

2. I don't think Kramdi at safety is his best position but also think he's not our best SAM either.

3. If Smith does compete at MLB that still leaves Kramdi at safety, or moving him to SAM leaves Griffin somewhat out of his best role.

Essentially I want a more traditional player at safety so I'm tying to determine the lesser evils of the choices and how to get around the possibilities.

I threw in Griffin as an option at MLB but that's just another guess.

Why not smith at WILL? I'm still not sold on Jones being anywhere except MLB.

I think the current setup is being dictated by the desire to keep Kyrie around. Once he's gone we might be able to place guys more optimally.

There's also the question of shay.

And no matter who gets Sam, they aren't making the impact that guys like Moe used to. So are any of them really that "good"?

If Younger is still the DC, it does not matter at all what you call him, but Smith is 100% starting at LB for us next year.

I still expect Tony Jones next to him and a couple tweeners playing all over around them as well.

I'd stick him at SAM with his size and speed.  He makes plays constantly.

Quote from: Tecno on November 04, 2026, 02:41:42 PMWhy not smith at WILL? I'm still not sold on Jones being anywhere except MLB.

I think the current setup is being dictated by the desire to keep Kyrie around. Once he's gone we might be able to place guys more optimally.

There's also the question of shay.

And no matter who gets Sam, they aren't making the impact that guys like Moe used to. So are any of them really that "good"?

Jones is not good in pass coverage over the middle. I think that is why he was moved to WIL. Yes, Smith could be a candidate at WIL, but then we have an issue with what to do with Jones. More going on at MLB then at WIL IMO.

I agree that there was a desire to keep Wilson around and that may have been somewhat forced once JSK got injured in TC.

Hard to say what the plan for Shay is since he doesn't get many if any reps on defence. In theory, he'd be a good choice to be the back up at MLB if Smith takes that role as a starter.


Maybe others will comment on what they think about Jones at MLB.

As I've suggested we have to play the Canadians where they are most suited. The Americans will play elsewhere unless we find the next Bighill and he dictates where he plays due to his skill set.

It would be easier if Kramdi was best suited at safety. However, better play at MLB might make that an easier job. He moves into the box because of what I consider a liability at MLB.

I really like Smith in that SAM role. He's great at it. It's hard to find good strong side linebackers from either side of the border because it's a pretty uniquely CFL position. In that context, it makes little sense to move him to MLB or WILL which is much more 1:1 Canada to US game. Theoretically, we can recruit for those easier.

Quote from: Tecno on November 04, 2026, 02:41:42 PMWhy not smith at WILL? I'm still not sold on Jones being anywhere except MLB.

I think the current setup is being dictated by the desire to keep Kyrie around. Once he's gone we might be able to place guys more optimally.

There's also the question of shay.

And no matter who gets Sam, they aren't making the impact that guys like Moe used to. So are any of them really that "good"?

Complicated issue for sure, I think Woodbey is pretty close to being healthy so that would have added another piece to the puzzle if there were more games left to play.  Jones spends half his time at WIL in the backfield trying to rush the QB, I think any LB with good speed could take on that role such as Ayers, can't recall Smith being in on any sacks so maybe he's not physical enough to shed larger blockers. 

Jones has also become the chief agitator and I think Younger has been using that to antagonize the other team more since mid-season, he's not the brains of the D but he is the mouth. Jones other asset is he has a non-stop motor, he doesn't come off the field and never slows down, which is a pretty hard act to follow.

Quote from: Blue In BC on November 04, 2026, 04:38:51 PMJones is not good in pass coverage over the middle. I think that is why he was moved to WIL.

Neither is Kyrie.  Probably none of them are.  So then does it really matter?

To be honest, I'm more concerned about run stop and QB scramble-stop.  If they can drop back to try to INT passes, that's just gravy.  I'm sick and tired of our flats being wide open for every scramble and dump.  Find me someone who can stay in that middle and clog it up.  They'll get my vote.

Quote from: Tecno on November 04, 2026, 05:33:04 PMNeither is Kyrie.  Probably none of them are.  So then does it really matter?

To be honest, I'm more concerned about run stop and QB scramble-stop.  If they can drop back to try to INT passes, that's just gravy.  I'm sick and tired of our flats being wide open for every scramble and dump.  Find me someone who can stay in that middle and clog it up.  They'll get my vote.

Agree, Biggie set up unreasonable expectations for the MLB position, I'd rather have a physical beast in the middle that eats RB's and doesn't worry about passes going over his head.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 04, 2026, 05:06:23 PMI really like Smith in that SAM role. He's great at it. It's hard to find good strong side linebackers from either side of the border because it's a pretty uniquely CFL position. In that context, it makes little sense to move him to MLB or WILL which is much more 1:1 Canada to US game. Theoretically, we can recruit for those easier.

The issue then is it takes Griffin off the field more often.

Quote from: Tecno on November 04, 2026, 05:33:04 PMNeither is Kyrie.  Probably none of them are.  So then does it really matter?

To be honest, I'm more concerned about run stop and QB scramble-stop.  If they can drop back to try to INT passes, that's just gravy.  I'm sick and tired of our flats being wide open for every scramble and dump.  Find me someone who can stay in that middle and clog it up.  They'll get my vote.

Yes it matters and is why WIL is a better option for either than MLB. We need a MLB that is side to side active. He needs to be able to stuff the run and collapse the pocket in the middle on passing downs.

That isn't where we've succeeded on defence and why Kramdi is often also in the box which creates a problem at safety.

Quote from: Blue In BC on November 04, 2026, 05:49:06 PMThe issue then is it takes Griffin off the field more often.

If you're the second best SAM then you're backing up or you're not here anymore. That's how successful football teams operate. Same story for Kramdi at safety. Football is competitive and we need to be okay with letting players go if they aren't the best fit or have been beat out or declined.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 04, 2026, 05:56:26 PMIf you're the second best SAM then you're backing up or you're not here anymore. That's how successful football teams operate. Same story for Kramdi at safety. Football is competitive and we need to be okay with letting players go if they aren't the best fit or have been beat out or declined.

Griffin is a potential free agent and I can't find any indication of what is SMS is currently. IMO he's our best SAM but my suggestion is that the Canadians have to be put where they can best succeed.

That could force him into a different role as a rotational player. Depending on his new SMS, that may not be a bad thing even if he is the best choice as a SAM, he's not a Canadian. That's the reality.

Kramdi has a high SMS. Maybe in a perfect world he goes to SAM, Smith goes to MLB and we find an actual safety in 2027.

I'm not really expecting Allen back after a year long injury and only a few games actually played. I could be wrong about him. We don't have any other obvious candidate at safety at the moment.

The first choice is a decision on what we do at MLB and there is no guarantee that Smith even gets considered in that role.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 04, 2026, 05:56:26 PMIf you're the second best SAM then you're backing up or you're not here anymore. That's how successful football teams operate. Same story for Kramdi at safety. Football is competitive and we need to be okay with letting players go if they aren't the best fit or have been beat out or declined.