Official Game Day Thread - Ottawa @ Winnipeg, August 14, 2026

[Blue In BC]

I'm a bit surprised you're jumping in the fire younger camp. You're usually quite measured. And to bring it up after a game where it kind of worked?

I guess I understand, but I'm not really in agreement. I'm starting to study and try to understand what younger is trying to do. I mean, we all have to assume mafia and younger aren't stupid.

To me the main issue is are the players just botching the scheme, or is it that the scheme is impossible for mere mortals to execute. If the scheme is utopia, and unobtainable, then its a useless as a bad scheme. That would mean it will never be good on the field.

It has nothing to do with this game or any one single game. It's the constant soft coverage and continual breakdowns in coverage. It's about giving up 377 yards rushing to the Lions. It's about the late drives allowed just before half time or at the end of the game.

Keep in mind that " this game " was against the worst team in the CFL that was win less before this game. That's a pretty low bar to measure against.

I've previously mentioned that the scheme is at the least part of the problem if not the major part of the problem. It was the same issue last year. So whether we don't have the talent or the wrong talent to execute the scheme, that's on the coaching.

It's the worst of bend but don't break since QB's can complete throws uncontested for high %.

The list goes on and are we seeing any improvement against good teams? Let's see how this looks against the Elks then the Als over the next two weeks.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The story of Younger is that he brought a bit of an unconventional approach to the league which worked for half a season. It got schemed hard last year and ultimately proved so ineffective he basically abandoned it this year in favour of a more traditional approach. The issue is that this version of his defense is even worse (it appears a bit of a hybrid between what he wishes he could run and what the results tells him he has to) and so what you're left with is a guy who made a bit of a splash, got countered hard, and hasn't been able to adapt at all.

Ultimately, he has shown next to nothing, has basically no history of running a successful defensive program and by and large looks lost and hopeless now. I don't think he has any idea what to do. And the unit basically quit on him in the BC game which is unheard of on an O'Shea led team. He had a fair shot but the results aren't good enough. We can do better. He may eventually grow into a better coordinator but how many more years do we want to commit to that? Just like the development of a young player, there's no guarantee.

[Jesse]

The story of Younger is that he brought a bit of an unconventional approach to the league which worked for half a season. It got schemed hard last year and ultimately proved so ineffective he basically abandoned it this year in favour of a more traditional approach. The issue is that this version of his defense is even worse and so what you're left with is a guy who made a bit of a splash, got countered hard, and hasn't been able to adapt at all.

He has shown next to nothing, has basically no history of running a successful defensive program and by and large looks lost and hopeless now. I don't think he has any idea what to do. And the unit basically quit on him in the BC game which is unheard of on an O'Shea team. This is not the best we can do.

I don't even think he needs to change that much. Use less subs and simplify the hand offs in the secondary. Stop using Tony Jones as a 4th rusher and keep your DL on the field.

[blue_gold_84]

A solid enough win overall, even with a few warts. And still gotta keep in mind this was over the winless RedBlacks.

The O-line still scares me, Collaros got pretty tenderized yet again, and the defense as a unit continues to worry me. Seems like a combination of system and personnel issues. Kramdi needs to hurry back, IMO.

Not sure how the next few weeks are gonna go.

[dd]

Both Younger and OShea were schooled in the Rich Stubler defense, so I doubt OShea fires Younger, it would be like firing his brother. He's got Richie Hall to help him out and that's what we're stuck with, warts and all.

[bunker]

I don't even think he needs to change that much. Use less subs and simplify the hand offs in the secondary. Stop using Tony Jones as a 4th rusher and keep your DL on the field.

The substitution seems a bit ridiculous at times. At least 2 players are going on and off every play. The jogging to the sidelines is probably tiring them out as much as one more play would. And he seems to favour putting in players for a special role every down, regardless of the discrepancy in talent level between them and the player they are relieving. Is taking Ceresna or Jefferson out on a second and medium or long down, and putting in Ball or Hallet really going to benefit us? Just seems to add the generalized confusion in the secondary.

I understand that players, D-line in particular, need plays off so they won't burn out, but why not just bring in the extra D-lineman we roster, who seem reasonably talented? All things being equal, there is still something to be said for trying to play your most talented players as much as possible, and keeping your scrubs on the bench or special teams. A simplied scheme with less substituion might also help with all the confusion and busted coverages we are seeing regularly.

And if he's really commited to bringing in an extra DB on passing plays, then  roster a decent extra American DB already for coverage, in place of an American special teams linebacker that rarely sees the field.