Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Edmonton, October 11, 2025

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If effected the TD pass to Wilson as well and posters complained about an under throw. Weather is always a factor.

True, on windy days don't throw deep.

[gordo]

Our last  offensive play...  need four for a first down, Mitchell running across the field, right on the line that would have been a first down, minute and six seconds left, basically about at most, a ten yard pass... there was a guy behind him, but it should be an easy completion, to keep the drive going.

Zach goes for the bomb, overthrows, game over.

Stupid decision by Zach.  I thought it was the call but the play caller. Nope.

On one int the receiver he threw it to ... Stearns I think, had four defenders around him. It looks like Zach initially thought no, double clutched, and threw it anyway. Again Stupid.

A coach needs to talk to him. Somebody got Fajardo to stop trying to be a hero. We need the same thing from Zach.

This is another thing I have noticed this year. He seems now to throw into double/triple coverages more than ever. Or is this just because his arm isn't what it was so balls are arriving a second late giving more time for the coverage to converge. So more interceptions.

[theaardvark]

I don't remember seeing that but it's still a marginal result for an entire game. Do you know when in the game that happened?

Quickly reviewing, watching for Jake, I see him doubled a lot, one Oline off the snap, a second as he pushes into the backfield.

The play I mentioned was at 5:50 of the 2nd... he is clearly holding on to Rankin in SY.  He and Woods get him front and back.

[gordo]

It would help if we could game an " A game " from our OL for the rest of the season.

I didn't hear anything about a new QB but that might have been an addition to our neg list. Either way, rookie QB's seldom get much playing time in their 1st season.

Hopefully we get Elgersma here for TC in 2026.

I found it. A next year guy.  And more of a receiver/returner than QB.

https://greenbayblizzard.com/news/2025/10/1/football-tj-davis-signs-with-the-cfls-winnipeg-blue-bombers.aspx

"TJ Davis Signs With the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers
On the night of September 30, 2025, Davis officially signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It is a future contract, which starts in 2026. "

[Blue In BC]

This is another thing I have noticed this year. He seems now to throw into double/triple coverages more than ever. Or is this just because his arm isn't what it was so balls are arriving a second late giving more time for the coverage to converge. So more interceptions.

Our receiving core has not been what it has in the past. You can throw to receivers that win 50/50 balls. Players like Lawler or Schoen influence the coverage which opens up other receivers. Collaros is forced to force many attempts as a result which causes more int's.

He's also has less time often due to OL issues, his age and arm strength deteriorating. So it's a combination of many things.

[Blue In BC]

I found it. A next year guy.  And more of a receiver/returner than QB.

https://greenbayblizzard.com/news/2025/10/1/football-tj-davis-signs-with-the-cfls-winnipeg-blue-bombers.aspx

"TJ Davis Signs With the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers
On the night of September 30, 2025, Davis officially signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It is a future contract, which starts in 2026. "

A player with that kind of versatility is always interesting but there will be dozens of players looked at before and during TC. Some will be signed and released before TC starts.

You never know about a given player that might excel and win a role. Just another of many we'll have to watch.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Our receiving core has not been what it has in the past. You can throw to receivers that win 50/50 balls. Players like Lawler or Schoen influence the coverage which opens up other receivers. Collaros is forced to force many attempts as a result which causes more int's.

He's also has less time often due to OL issues, his age and arm strength deteriorating. So it's a combination of many things.

Release angle too, as discussed earlier in the season some of Zach's passes are thrown needlessly high, the one he threw to Pokey looked to be 30 ft off the ground at it's peak.  This gives DB's too much time to adjust and intercept.

[Blue In BC]

Release angle too, as discussed earlier in the season some of Zach's passes are thrown needlessly high, the one he threw to Pokey looked to be 30 ft off the ground at it's peak.  This gives DB's too much time to adjust and intercept.

I don't know if that is a recent change. You don't throw a 50 yard pass on a rope. Arm strength, accuracy, coverage and wind all all factors. The arc is part of allowing receivers to run under a pass.

Reading the defence and coverage is an issue but I think this still falls down to the overall skill set ( or lack there of ) of the group.

We see even short quick passes where we're throwing into close coverage too often. Play calling predictability gas been a big issue this year.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

After Pokey's miraculous reception he took off to celebrate with his teammates and a couple of Elk DB's went after him, he ended up flat on his back seconds later, did anyone see what happened? It looked like a UR penalty should have been called.

[J5V]

I'm still hopeful he can put three straight games together to end the season.

Me too. That's about all I have left to hope on. I sure hope Demski is going to be back soon.

[Tecno]

Our last  offensive play...  need four for a first down, Mitchell running across the field, right on the line that would have been a first down, minute and six seconds left, basically about at most, a ten yard pass... there was a guy behind him, but it should be an easy completion, to keep the drive going.

The guy behind Mitchell was right behind him, like in his pocket.  We don't have a great success rate with those high-accuracy short passes.  DB could reach forward and bat it down, or whack Mitchell just before the catch (close enough so it's not DPI), or knock it out as they go down.  50/50 at best for us, and no real gain other than 1st down.  I think Zach saw how close the guy was and said "no way".

He saw 1 on 1 deep with no help and he did what he always does, take the shot.  The funny thing is that one time it may have paid off if he had underthrown.  Sterns could have come back for it, as the DB was higher.

[Tecno]

He scrambled, yes. But it felt like watching a ghost of the scrambler he used to be. Slow and plodding now. He used to able to hit receivers while on the run too. Now if he is not planted, I worry about every throw. He does run smart though, give him that. His football mind is as good as ever, it's the body that betrays him.

Nah, I thought his scrambling was good.  The reason he didn't find targets after scrambling was he has no one on the field right now with chemistry.  No Schoen, no Demski... The other guys aren't smart enough (yet?) to make themselves open.  Actually must be frustrating for Zach.

[Tecno]

This is another thing I have noticed this year. He seems now to throw into double/triple coverages more than ever. Or is this just because his arm isn't what it was so balls are arriving a second late giving more time for the coverage to converge. So more interceptions.

He's not mentally gauging the time & closing distance well the last 1-2 seasons.  He sees them open, but knows the FS (or 2) are back there somewhere, and thinks they won't get there in time.  When he chucks to the post double/triple coverage is almost always the result.  He has to chuck it to the corners like he did on that last bomb to Sterns -- as that is the only time you can be more certain the FS & other DBs won't make it there in time.

I think teams are also using Zach's tendencies against him by disguising high help, making him think guys are 1 on 1 when by the time the ball gets there they are not.

[Tecno]

After Pokey's miraculous reception he took off to celebrate with his teammates and a couple of Elk DB's went after him, he ended up flat on his back seconds later, did anyone see what happened? It looked like a UR penalty should have been called.

Ya, I saw that live too.  I thought for sure there would be a UR or OC flag.  You can't just push a player down, even if it's lightly.  Especially one who's celebrating a TD!!

[Sway]

Did Oshea ever have to explain why he didnt use the  time out at end of game?