Bombers acquire QB Dru Brown

Tecno · July 05, 2026, 07:44:15 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 05, 2026, 01:57:29 AMHave you ever played competitive sports? Nobody involved in football or hockey is what you would call high-brained, they're blood spitting knuckle draggers of low intellect. LaPo is as close as you'd get to being a brain scientist.

No comment on the premise... I don't want to get in trouble, not do I want to upset all the jocks here.

But there are varying levels of intelligence in the CFL; yes, probably with Lapo and Condell types at the top. But you don't have to be Einstein to be "highbrained" enough to think up winning football. You just have to be better than the opponent.

As for Dinwiddie: he's an ex-QB, and those are most often the smartest guys on the field. That's why they are QB. After seeing what Dinwiddie did to us in the GC with a masterful plan & prep with useless Arbuckle, I have no doubt he's a highbrain.

Throw Long Bannatyne · July 05, 2026, 05:17:39 PM

Quote from: Tecno on July 05, 2026, 07:44:15 AMNo comment on the premise... I don't want to get in trouble, not do I want to upset all the jocks here.

But there are varying levels of intelligence in the CFL; yes, probably with Lapo and Condell types at the top. But you don't have to be Einstein to be "highbrained" enough to think up winning football. You just have to be better than the opponent.

As for Dinwiddie: he's an ex-QB, and those are most often the smartest guys on the field. That's why they are QB. After seeing what Dinwiddie did to us in the GC with a masterful plan & prep with useless Arbuckle, I have no doubt he's a highbrain.

Disagree about Arbuckle, he throws a better ball than Zach and is easier to re-program, with the right OC he can be effective. Straight up I'd make that trade.

I think motivation and execution are bigger factors in team success than scheme, the team that plays well with more enthusiasm is usually the one that comes out on top, and enthusiasm has to come from the players it can't be programmed from the top down. Notice this mostly in Sask and Montreal and now in Edmonton, those guys are having fun flying around making plays on both sides of the ball.

I can see over time how Wpg. has lost this edge, Hardrick, Harris and Bailey were boisterous individuals, most of the current crew is subdued, some barely cracking a smile, Zach brings none of that energy and Brady tries to pump things up but it usually gets washed away.

Not sure they have much enthusiasm on Defence either, Willy is kind of in it for his own glory and Kramdi is usually telling other players where to line up with the bark of a harsh school teacher, as far as I can tell Nichols and Holm are deep introverts. Could be lessons are taken super seriously and boisterousness is discouraged by O'Shea who is super conservative by nature, they may dictate the team personality they want but the restraint doesn't pay off on the field. They ain't a loose crew.

Blueforlife · July 07, 2026, 02:37:33 AM

Those that said we should have waited to pay a lower price for Dru got the micro on turbo defrost. We are looking like geniuses now.

Tecno · July 07, 2026, 02:42:07 AM

Quote from: Blueforlife on July 07, 2026, 02:37:33 AMThose that said we should have waited to pay a lower price for Dru got the micro on turbo defrost. We are looking like geniuses now.

Still not a sure thing. The main thing we've accomplished, serendipitously, is we've kept HAM from acquiring Dru. Assuming they aren't happy with the somewhat expensive Ford/Dolegala room as it is.

If we can actually use Dru (now or next year) then it's a good move, or if we ream HAM for more DPs than we had to pay in a trade, then it's a great move!

Pete · July 07, 2026, 02:50:47 AM

Quote from: Tecno on July 07, 2026, 02:42:07 AMStill not a sure thing. The main thing we've accomplished, serendipitously, is we've kept HAM from acquiring Dru. Assuming they aren't happy with the somewhat expensive Ford/Dolegala room as it is.

If we can actually use Dru (now or next year) then it's a good move, or if we ream HAM for more DPs than we had to pay in a trade, then it's a great move!

based on how fragile Zac is looking not only this year but last, it was a pretty good bet that we would need a backup to win some games for us. Im more confident in Dru doing that than our other qbs. (apologies to Taylor but he didn't show much to indicate that against a starting qb we would be successful)

Tecno · July 07, 2026, 02:55:03 AM

Quote from: Pete on July 07, 2026, 02:50:47 AMIm more confident in Dru doing that than our other qbs.

Totally. But what if Zach's IR stints are all front-loaded this year and in 5 weeks when Dru is "ready" with the book Zach goes on an injury-free streak the rest of the season? It's possible. Good insurance to have, but it's like dying with new life insurance during the probationary/no-payout period.

And I cite the "5 weeks" number because I think it was 5-6 weeks from the Zach trade to him starting our last reg season game. No reason why this wouldn't be similar.

bunker · July 07, 2026, 03:03:37 AM

Quote from: Tecno on July 07, 2026, 02:55:03 AMTotally. But what if Zach's IR stints are all front-loaded this year and in 5 weeks when Dru is "ready" with the book Zach goes on an injury-free streak the rest of the season? It's possible. Good insurance to have, but it's like dying with new life insurance during the probationary/no-payout period.

And I cite the "5 weeks" number because I think it was 5-6 weeks from the Zach trade to him starting our last reg season game. No reason why this wouldn't be similar.

It was 19 days. And Zach had never worked with LaPolice before as an OC.

Tecno · July 07, 2026, 04:19:17 AM

Quote from: bunker on July 07, 2026, 03:03:37 AMIt was 19 days. And Zach had never worked with LaPolice before as an OC.

Hmm, it would appear you are right. It wasn't 5 weeks. It was 2 sat-out games from signing to playing, or roughly 3 weeks:
benched Oct 11
benched Oct 19
starts Oct 25

I thought it was a bit longer. I remember everyone freaking out at the time after that WPG 33 CGY 37 loss Oct 19 that we had Zach in-house but weren't starting him. However, we may have rushed Zach sooner than Mafia wanted because we absolutely had to get him in a game before the playoffs started, and that was the last reg season game.

Ok, so if we give Dru a 1 week edge because he knows WFC and Condell, then yes, we could possibly start him this week. Even though all the last-week pressers said there was no rush and no thoughts about it.

But, because there is still no rush (plenty of games left), we could still see them keep Dru undressed. Heck, it could be the plan is to roll with Elgersma as #2 as much as we can, and only bring Dru in if Zach is hurt and Elgersma loses.

I'm pretty sure Mafia is pleased as punch right now Elgersma did everything he was asked to do, and did it very well.

theaardvark · July 19, 2026, 11:15:03 PM

With a derth of QB's coming available, and so many injured, one would think that Walters wants to sign Dru before FA starts, but I wouldn't fault Dru for dipping his toes, at least in the tamper period.

The only way he signs before free agency is if Zach is retiring, and Walters gives him starting money, guaranteed.

He should easily get a starting contract somewhere, he won't waste a year hoping to get in behind Zach.

Tecno · July 20, 2026, 07:06:05 AM

Telling you guys. Dru is Kimi reincarnated as a QB (ya, Kimi's not dead, but don't ruin my talking point!):

Kimi just won his first F1 race ever:

https://youtu.be/qqB6Iz1iaE8?t=7

vs

Dru getting ready for a big game against his old team:

I'm not saying this is bad. Kimi won a whackton of races. But it certainly is amusing! And odd.