Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at BC., June 21, 2025

[Blue In BC]

Both Thomas and Lawson were getting deep into the backfield.  Repeatedly.  Which forces the QB out. 

Against a mobile QB, it puts things into the DE and LB's hands to finish him off.

No soft pockets with Thomas and Lawson bullrushing.

You might ask whether either or both are forcing the QB outside or stepping up into the pocket. That later is preferable but we're seeing QB's buy time and escape outside to complete passes into the flat.

[TecnoGenius]

You might ask whether either or both are forcing the QB outside or stepping up into the pocket. That later is preferable but we're seeing QB's buy time and escape outside to complete passes into the flat.

But pressure leads many (most? all?) QBs to also complete more INTs.  When harassed, they also make more mistakes.  The main thing is to achieve that without letting them run 20Y downfield for a 1st down and big gain.

The WFC D motto is get the QB off their mark, relentless pressure.  I have a feeling they know what they are doing.  The only time it fails is when you have a Flutie-esque QB, which thankfully is rare.

[TecnoGenius]

The logical thing to attempt in free agency was to try and upgrade Canadian content on either the OL or DL. We did neither.

NAT OL are of course plentiful (though not the top ones), but NAT DL are the "hen's teeth" situation.  I can count very good NAT DTs from the past decade using just one hand.  Maybe even less DEs.  It's kind of like good NAT DBs (excluding FS).

So there was no law or reason why we had to seek NAT DL at all.  Just seek NAT anywhere (perhaps the "easier" positions) and fill the ratio that way.

But yes, it feels like we're thinner on NAT starters and depth this season, although I have optimism there are 2-4 rookies that can start during short injury intervals.  Peterson already showed he can.  How about Corcoran, Shay, Smith ...?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

NAT OL are of course plentiful (though not the top ones), but NAT DL are the "hen's teeth" situation.  I can count very good NAT DTs from the past decade using just one hand.  Maybe even less DEs.  It's kind of like good NAT DBs (excluding FS).

So there was no law or reason why we had to seek NAT DL at all.  Just seek NAT anywhere (perhaps the "easier" positions) and fill the ratio that way.

But yes, it feels like we're thinner on NAT starters and depth this season, although I have optimism there are 2-4 rookies that can start during short injury intervals.  Peterson already showed he can.  How about Corcoran, Shay, Smith ...?

Bombers let Hubert and Samson walk away without giving them much of a trial, but with Lawson, Jake, Schmek  and Kornelson in house, the cupboard was already full.

[Blue In BC]

NAT OL are of course plentiful (though not the top ones), but NAT DL are the "hen's teeth" situation.  I can count very good NAT DTs from the past decade using just one hand.  Maybe even less DEs.  It's kind of like good NAT DBs (excluding FS).

So there was no law or reason why we had to seek NAT DL at all.  Just seek NAT anywhere (perhaps the "easier" positions) and fill the ratio that way.

But yes, it feels like we're thinner on NAT starters and depth this season, although I have optimism there are 2-4 rookies that can start during short injury intervals.  Peterson already showed he can.  How about Corcoran, Shay, Smith ...?

It's too early to know how Samson will do career wise. OTOH, we traded him to get Peterson and Bailey and that certainly looks like a win for Winnipeg where Peterson is thrust into a starting role.

We lost Kelly and Makonzo early and both would have been very good depth pieces on defence.

We'll see how any of the draft choices look as the season progresses but I think we had a good draft. They don't solve the depth on either the OL or DL.

[Blue In BC]

Bombers let Hubert and Samson walk away without giving them much of a trial, but with Lawson, Jake, Schmek  and Kornelson in house, the cupboard was already full.

I agree but whether either were the best or the worst of those 5 choices time may tell. Regardless we won that trade IMO.  We let Hubert go in free agency but Samson was a post free agency trade.

[markf]

Just finished a re-watch of this game. Thanks to Zip!

A few observations:
Chris-Ike is a beast!

Yes. He is very effective. Definitely stands out.