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#21
Offside Forum / Re: Winnipeg Jets Discussion -...
Last post by blue_gold_84 - March 12, 2026, 03:32:42 PMComparing Winnipeg Jets Hellebuyck to Team USA Hellebuyck as though the two teams are somehow on equal terms isn't reasonable.
And it'll take more than a netminder playing at his absolute best for this team to make the playoffs, much less go on a deep run. This Jets team just doesn't have the horses.
And it'll take more than a netminder playing at his absolute best for this team to make the playoffs, much less go on a deep run. This Jets team just doesn't have the horses.
#22
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers add quarterba...
Last post by Blue In BC - March 12, 2026, 03:19:51 PMQuote from: theaardvark on March 12, 2026, 02:33:56 PMIf we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.
Now, should Zach AND our chosen QB2 BOTH get 6G, then yes, call the guys on the sofas. Until then, if QB1 goes down, QB2 - QB1, QB3 - QB2, and PRQB - QB3. Just like the Streveler/Wilson/Chase QB room last year.
Well it's a good theory. We've been trying to do that since Brown left. Most of us never thought that Streveler was the heir apparent.
So what do we have today in the wings? That's the giant question we can't answer at the moment. There is a certain level of optimism about the newbies.
There aren't really any CFL free agent QB's that fit the role beyond emergency band-aid solutions.
Time for the recruitment team to have success with those brought in. History has not been good at finding QB's for the Bombers.
The reality is that we won't know what we have until Collaros misses games due to injury. Our back ups don't get much playing time.
#23
Offside Forum / Re: Winnipeg Jets Discussion -...
Last post by theaardvark - March 12, 2026, 02:37:58 PMYes, coming back, CH37 did not light the rink on fire. Almost wish he'd missed another 2 weeks. Then there's be an excuse.
Looks like his training had him peak in the Olympics, enough that he stole the Gold Medal for the US and got a Medal of Honor for his troubles. I guess it worked out for him.
Time to go on a tear, and get the Jets into the wildcard, and stand on his head to get us the cup.
Its the least he could do for the team that is actually paying him.
Looks like his training had him peak in the Olympics, enough that he stole the Gold Medal for the US and got a Medal of Honor for his troubles. I guess it worked out for him.
Time to go on a tear, and get the Jets into the wildcard, and stand on his head to get us the cup.
Its the least he could do for the team that is actually paying him.
#24
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers add quarterba...
Last post by theaardvark - March 12, 2026, 02:33:56 PMQuote from: Tecno on March 12, 2026, 03:32:08 AMI recall no such suggestion. I may need a citation/quote to believe that one. I watch all WFC pressers.
Of course, it goes without saying, that everyone knows if Zach goes 6G that we'll be on the market for a "real" QB (couch sitter, trade bait, whatever). That's not the same as saying we'll be hiring, before week 1, a non-ELC QB, let alone a "super backup" (MBT/Maier/Arbuckle/etc). And I don't think Elgersma has anything to do with it, other than being fortuitous gravy should he show up to camp.
There is simply no money.
If we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.
Now, should Zach AND our chosen QB2 BOTH get 6G, then yes, call the guys on the sofas. Until then, if QB1 goes down, QB2 - QB1, QB3 - QB2, and PRQB - QB3. Just like the Streveler/Wilson/Chase QB room last year.
#25
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Official Game Day Thread -...
Last post by Blue In BC - March 12, 2026, 01:28:48 PMIf that analysis is correct then Randolph and K. Wilson should both be shown the door, possibly before TC. We've obviously added players in free agency that fill those spots in theory. This might explain more about why we targeted those positions.
Also the sheer number of rookie OL added already indicates there should be a real competition at ( LG ) beyond Broxton starting at RT.
Also the sheer number of rookie OL added already indicates there should be a real competition at ( LG ) beyond Broxton starting at RT.
#26
Offside Forum / Re: Winnipeg Jets Discussion -...
Last post by blue_gold_84 - March 12, 2026, 01:12:17 PMQuote from: dd on March 11, 2026, 10:12:27 PMHad Hellebuyck no missed a few weeks, we'd be in the playoffs!!
I'm not so sure about that.
The Jets began to struggle in early November and basically imploded for two months straight. Hellebuyck played until Nov. 15th, he returned on Dec. 12th, helped the Jets beat the Capitals at home, and they then went on to lose ten straight games, collecting a measly 4 loser points over that stretch.
A lack of roster depth, reliance on aged out veterans to fill gaps, poor special teams, and an unwillingness to play a consistent two-way game are what sank this team's campaign, IMO.
#27
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Official Game Day Thread -...
Last post by Tecno - March 12, 2026, 04:18:17 AMSince it's "boring season" right now, and nothing will happen for a couple/few weeks, I thought I'd drum up discussion by offering my take on my recent rewatch of the '25 ESF (our loss to MTL). I promise you I have some insights that everyone missed. (Give me some clemency here, I was in MTL for many days for that game, away from my normal computers, and the PTSD kept me from rewatching for a while.)
1) I'll start with the best. 2Q10:34. Looks like a crap play, with more OL breakdown, and failed deep look by Zach. Everyone on here was just looking at the surface (I read the posts from that time) and thought it was more of the same crap O we had all year. Hogan took 99% of the blame.
But watch it again. It's a brilliant Lapo-esque play design & setup. Not only was it pretty brilliant, but it would have worked perfectly, guaranteed 1st down and maybe 20Y+ explosion. What is it? Watch #89 who is the SECOND guy coming around on a planned sweep. When he comes around 2 OL are already starting the screen downfield. The DL is otherwise tied up, and the LBers have followed the 1st sweep and other RECs who are clearing.
What goes wrong? Zach for some reason eyes the deep shot and decides that's what he's going to do. He ignores the play setup, and ignores or doesn't see the 2nd sweep worked and the guy is wide open. Or maybe he got greedy/impatient and didn't want the dink & dunk yards. Maybe he no longer trusted Hogan and just wanted to do his own thing. I don't know. But Zach blew it, made the wrong choice, and cost us another drive.
Maybe this speaks as much to the non-chemistry Zach/Hogan had. Ya, Hogan was mostly useless, but at times he did provide smart plays that would work if the players would just execute (and not just Zach). If I had to guess, I'd say Hogan got pretty miffed about this one play. If I was him I'd have excoriated him in the film room.
2) Brady's runs were limited and botched mostly by garbage OL play. Guys not blocking, blocking air, being out of place, or not maintaining their grip/wash on DL. Brady isn't superman, he's just a normal RB, and he needs OL holes and chaos just like they all do.
3) Wynn destroyed us. He had 3 plays where he basically stopped us dead all on his own doing things that are pretty remarkable. No OL could hold him. Brady couldn't escape his clutches. As much as I hate Wynn, I think he went cheap in FA and we should have been a suitor.
4) For all the "WPG runs all/too-much 3-man rush" all year, we only ran it 9 times all game. That's a pretty small fraction of all D snaps. We'd show 3 a lot more, but usually bring a 4th immediately. And I'm not including the times we showed 3, brought 3 initially, then a LBer runs in when he sees it's a pass play! If you include those, we almost never brought only 3 -- but I won't because the delayed extra guy is often pretty useless.
5) See 2Q1:30, show-3, bring-4, forces Alexander to commit IG. I have no idea why the refs didn't flag this. The RB was 6Y away and facing/heading the other direction, and should not count as a target.
6) 3Q5:21 Eli got pancaked totally on his butt on a bull rush. Totally not a good look for our potential future C. He's too light!!
7) 1h21m into the broadcast, when we were getting destroyed, Kate says "WPG wanted this, resting all their starters in week 21, MTL is making them pay". She was talking about us WANTING the xover and throwing the week 21 game so we could get MTL instead of stay in the West.
This is simply 100% not true! First of all, we WON the week 21 game, so what she says makes no sense. Yes, we did rest starters, but that's because with the CGY game a day before ours, our xover spot was set in stone. It didn't matter who we started or whether we won. Just as it didn't matter for MTL with HAM's win the day before -- and they rested starters, including Alexander, just the same!
We should have won that ESF simply to stick it to Kate.
8 ) Witches to burn... I counted the following bad screwups (listing only those with 2+):
5 Randolph
4 Kyrie
3 Parker
3 Houston
3 Zach (lone mistake) (+2 if you include times the OL made him rushed by whiffing)
2 Ko-man
2 Allen
2 Kramdi
Excluding Zach, of those with 3, Parker & Houston are gone. Randolph may or may not have a spot after TC. And Ko-man with 2 is gone. This may be the first year in a long while where we really did "burn the witches". Only Kyrie got a pass... so far.
9) Good plays. Likewise my good play count (more than 2+):
6 Zach
5 Sterns
2 Parker
2 Brady
2 Wheatie
Bummer. Only the superstars Zach/Brady were retained. The guys with 2, I guess are "meh" or "got lucky", so no big deal. But Sterns had one of his best games for us and without his production we would have sucked so much worse.
The fact we let Sterns walk and brought in an expensive NAT lends credence to the idea we are going 3 NAT RECs. Since Sterns was probably still cheap(ish), there's literally no reason to not retain him otherwise. Who's to say he wouldn't have been even better for us in his 2nd year here? Oh well.
10) Discuss. If you don't want to discuss (you know who you are: "it's so long ago, pointless, herr derr derp!") don't read the thread!! And hey, who would have thought: Hogan wasn't 100% useless!!
1) I'll start with the best. 2Q10:34. Looks like a crap play, with more OL breakdown, and failed deep look by Zach. Everyone on here was just looking at the surface (I read the posts from that time) and thought it was more of the same crap O we had all year. Hogan took 99% of the blame.
But watch it again. It's a brilliant Lapo-esque play design & setup. Not only was it pretty brilliant, but it would have worked perfectly, guaranteed 1st down and maybe 20Y+ explosion. What is it? Watch #89 who is the SECOND guy coming around on a planned sweep. When he comes around 2 OL are already starting the screen downfield. The DL is otherwise tied up, and the LBers have followed the 1st sweep and other RECs who are clearing.
What goes wrong? Zach for some reason eyes the deep shot and decides that's what he's going to do. He ignores the play setup, and ignores or doesn't see the 2nd sweep worked and the guy is wide open. Or maybe he got greedy/impatient and didn't want the dink & dunk yards. Maybe he no longer trusted Hogan and just wanted to do his own thing. I don't know. But Zach blew it, made the wrong choice, and cost us another drive.
Maybe this speaks as much to the non-chemistry Zach/Hogan had. Ya, Hogan was mostly useless, but at times he did provide smart plays that would work if the players would just execute (and not just Zach). If I had to guess, I'd say Hogan got pretty miffed about this one play. If I was him I'd have excoriated him in the film room.
2) Brady's runs were limited and botched mostly by garbage OL play. Guys not blocking, blocking air, being out of place, or not maintaining their grip/wash on DL. Brady isn't superman, he's just a normal RB, and he needs OL holes and chaos just like they all do.
3) Wynn destroyed us. He had 3 plays where he basically stopped us dead all on his own doing things that are pretty remarkable. No OL could hold him. Brady couldn't escape his clutches. As much as I hate Wynn, I think he went cheap in FA and we should have been a suitor.
4) For all the "WPG runs all/too-much 3-man rush" all year, we only ran it 9 times all game. That's a pretty small fraction of all D snaps. We'd show 3 a lot more, but usually bring a 4th immediately. And I'm not including the times we showed 3, brought 3 initially, then a LBer runs in when he sees it's a pass play! If you include those, we almost never brought only 3 -- but I won't because the delayed extra guy is often pretty useless.
5) See 2Q1:30, show-3, bring-4, forces Alexander to commit IG. I have no idea why the refs didn't flag this. The RB was 6Y away and facing/heading the other direction, and should not count as a target.
6) 3Q5:21 Eli got pancaked totally on his butt on a bull rush. Totally not a good look for our potential future C. He's too light!!
7) 1h21m into the broadcast, when we were getting destroyed, Kate says "WPG wanted this, resting all their starters in week 21, MTL is making them pay". She was talking about us WANTING the xover and throwing the week 21 game so we could get MTL instead of stay in the West.
This is simply 100% not true! First of all, we WON the week 21 game, so what she says makes no sense. Yes, we did rest starters, but that's because with the CGY game a day before ours, our xover spot was set in stone. It didn't matter who we started or whether we won. Just as it didn't matter for MTL with HAM's win the day before -- and they rested starters, including Alexander, just the same!
We should have won that ESF simply to stick it to Kate.
8 ) Witches to burn... I counted the following bad screwups (listing only those with 2+):
5 Randolph
4 Kyrie
3 Parker
3 Houston
3 Zach (lone mistake) (+2 if you include times the OL made him rushed by whiffing)
2 Ko-man
2 Allen
2 Kramdi
Excluding Zach, of those with 3, Parker & Houston are gone. Randolph may or may not have a spot after TC. And Ko-man with 2 is gone. This may be the first year in a long while where we really did "burn the witches". Only Kyrie got a pass... so far.
9) Good plays. Likewise my good play count (more than 2+):
6 Zach
5 Sterns
2 Parker
2 Brady
2 Wheatie
Bummer. Only the superstars Zach/Brady were retained. The guys with 2, I guess are "meh" or "got lucky", so no big deal. But Sterns had one of his best games for us and without his production we would have sucked so much worse.
The fact we let Sterns walk and brought in an expensive NAT lends credence to the idea we are going 3 NAT RECs. Since Sterns was probably still cheap(ish), there's literally no reason to not retain him otherwise. Who's to say he wouldn't have been even better for us in his 2nd year here? Oh well.
10) Discuss. If you don't want to discuss (you know who you are: "it's so long ago, pointless, herr derr derp!") don't read the thread!! And hey, who would have thought: Hogan wasn't 100% useless!!
#28
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: SERGIO CASTILLO HONOURED W...
Last post by Tecno - March 12, 2026, 03:36:52 AMQuote from: ModAdmin on March 11, 2026, 03:49:08 PMCastillo is not only one of the most popular players in the Blue Bomber locker room, but he is also constantly represented the club through countless appearances – many on his own time – while spreading his good cheer.
Uh, this is a total wasted opportunity to shift $50k-$75k of his salary to MMM (i.e. off-SMS). It's nice it he does all of this pro bono, but get the bean counters to take advantage of it anyhow, even though it could be a "wash" as far as Castillo is concerned. Maybe they can do this after the fact? It's not like the appearances and "work" aren't "real".
BC would be all over this.
That said, really good stuff by Castillo. Cool he's the first ever to win both. I think Fatboi used to earn at least one of these some years?
#29
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers add quarterba...
Last post by Tecno - March 12, 2026, 03:32:08 AMQuote from: Jesse on March 11, 2026, 04:35:06 PMI didn't expect either Artopoeous or Wilson to survive training camp. Walters has already suggested they'll add a vet QB if Elgersma doesn't come up North. They have Perkins to be a SY prospect and Thorne to sit on the PR.
I recall no such suggestion. I may need a citation/quote to believe that one. I watch all WFC pressers.
Of course, it goes without saying, that everyone knows if Zach goes 6G that we'll be on the market for a "real" QB (couch sitter, trade bait, whatever). That's not the same as saying we'll be hiring, before week 1, a non-ELC QB, let alone a "super backup" (MBT/Maier/Arbuckle/etc). And I don't think Elgersma has anything to do with it, other than being fortuitous gravy should he show up to camp.
There is simply no money.
#30
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers add quarterba...
Last post by Tecno - March 12, 2026, 03:28:49 AMQuote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 11, 2026, 04:26:55 PMThey won't want to spend that much, they'll lure Shea Patterson back or give Streveler one more crack at the cat.
Uh, the loser who singlehandedly lost MTL the GC a couple of months ago in front of all of us @PAS? Ya, not only do I never want to see him in WPG again, I don't think any team
But I hope they treat him real nice in SSK, free beers & food & such. He did them a real solid...