Winnipeg @ BC pre-game

[Blue In BC]

Weather is good at the moment. Clear sky and no rain.

[TecnoGenius]

The upper deck is open but it appears as though it is just the first 10ish rows, between the 20s, on the side opposite the benches - good for t.v.

Ya, I was just going to say that upper-deck being open is not the important point: putting butts in those seats is.  BC doesn't sell enough tickets to make a lot of noise.  I'm not scared at all of BC attendance at a reg season game.

I would find it funny if it did rain on them all, though 

[TecnoGenius]

If your thought is that any player on the AR is productive, then that's a form of " proof". I'd suggest it's more a matter of on the roster by default. We cut Burtenshaw and he was the only other choice for a similar type of role.

It is a form of proof when many other decent players at other positions have become available and yet Jackson keeps his DI spot.  Haba for instance.  McCrae anyone?  There's no shortage of guys who've come up for rostering and been benched so Jackson can stay on.  What does that tell you?

[TecnoGenius]

For a starting point he's not on the field very often. As I mentioned, he's of zero value as an offensive threat.

We did throw to him once, but it was a busted play.  I'd say he's as much of a threat on passing as >50% of the CFL FBs.

And clearly we're setting it up for him to be the lost receiver and be wide open for something big in a big game.  I'm sure the guy can catch.

There are import FB's and RB's that are available that are also excellent blockers that could also be an offensive threat.  We've seen those players in the CFL in the past. Most teams don't use a DI spot for an extra import RB though and even less use it for a player of this type.

I'm not saying what we're doing with Jackson is smart, or the best use of our roster.  I have many of the same doubts you do.  But clearly The Mafia thinks it's smart!  They are telling us by their actions that he is instrumental to their plans.

And it's going to pay off tonight as Neuf is benched.  With only 1 other dressed hoggie, it's a huge sigh of relief we have a beefy TE/FB who can pick up the slack.

Although some are suggesting he's a multiple role player but that is really a stretch. He's useless on ST's an only sees reps on defence late in blow out games. If he was a back up Canadian it wouldn't be an issue. Gee how are all the other teams managing without a player like him?

MOS/Buck are clearly trying something new that is basically never seen in the CFL.  Buck has new ideas.  I've proffered reasons for this.  It remains to be seen if I'm right.

It's not about ST or D.  That's all just gravy.

Just out of curiosity maybe someone can track how many times Jackson is on the field for offence and his " highlights " tonight.

I can do that.  I usually rewatch and study the scheme for each snap.  My tech makes it easy to figure out exactly what's going on on every play.  Lately he's had 3-5 important run or pass blocks a game.