Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Toronto, July 4, 2022

[the paw]

Any way to find out with import is not the DI? That makes a difference whether McCrae for example can alternate at RB or for O-Leary-Orange for example without requiring an import receiver to come out.

Logically, McRae will be undesignated.  That allows him to get a good long look at RB if they want, and he can still split return duties with Grant.  I think we will see more of Grant at receiver, but not full time.  I think O?Leary-Orange is going to get more time at receiver.

If O?Leary shows well, that gives another dimension. I think Schoen and Bailey both have the speed to run those sweeps that they use Demski for, so it?s not like they are dependent on Grant to run those.

Honestly, I think this is a wake up call for Oliveira and Augustine.  The team would prefer to stay CDN at RB, but 3.0 ypc is not getting it done.

[pjrocksmb]

O'Shea may have dropped a clue yesterday when he said QB protection is first and foremost over running and pass receiving for the RB's, because the CFL is primarily a passing league.  My guess is Brady is more capable of blocking than Johnny due to his bulk, but it could be that he also reads his blocking assignments better.  A few weeks ago O'Shea commented that A.H. always scored 100% with his blocking reads, so they have a very high standard to live up to.

Exactly why BO is our man but lets make sure others get reps too.  I am happy with how we have managed our run game and it will come around as the Ol gels and improves.

I agree that pass blocking is important, but to me it's definaly not the most important thing. If it was, we would just play a FB all the time. I don't feel that BO is much better at pass blocking then Augustine, but I do think Augustine is a much better ball carrier. That being said, I know MOS sees every practice so he obviously sees something I don't lol

Just want JA to get his chance sooner rather than later, but I know it will happen eventually!

Keeping Zach healthy is all that matters.  Blocking is critical.  Harris was king at it and likely just as important for our cups wins as his offensive production was.  He would have taught BO a great deal.

Logically, McRae will be undesignated.  That allows him to get a good long look at RB if they want, and he can still split return duties with Grant.  I think we will see more of Grant at receiver, but not full time.  I think O?Leary-Orange is going to get more time at receiver.

If O?Leary shows well, that gives another dimension. I think Schoen and Bailey both have the speed to run those sweeps that they use Demski for, so it?s not like they are dependent on Grant to run those.

Honestly, I think this is a wake up call for Oliveira and Augustine.  The team would prefer to stay CDN at RB, but 3.0 ypc is not getting it done.

I doubt we see McRae getting many reps at RB
Agree Grant will get some time at receiver but not a great deal , 2 catches 17 years
 Agree O?Leary-Orange get more reps, 4 catches 35 yards
Disagree about wakeup call for our RBs, they live and die with OL

I expect a very hard fought and competitive football game in a very entertaining one as well I think these are two reasonably talented teams at good spots in their seasons but we'll see the CFL could go either way that's what I like about it we have no idea really what's going to happen in any week for the most part

[The Zipp]

Logically, McRae will be undesignated.  That allows him to get a good long look at RB if they want, and he can still split return duties with Grant.  I think we will see more of Grant at receiver, but not full time.  I think O?Leary-Orange is going to get more time at receiver.

If O?Leary shows well, that gives another dimension. I think Schoen and Bailey both have the speed to run those sweeps that they use Demski for, so it?s not like they are dependent on Grant to run those.

Honestly, I think this is a wake up call for Oliveira and Augustine.  The team would prefer to stay CDN at RB, but 3.0 ypc is not getting it done.

I agree it is an early reminder to both RB's that nothing is guaranteed and while RB performance goes with the oline the 3 ypc isn't going to get it done on any team but especially the Bombers. Perhaps in watching the film there were some things discovered regarding the reads and hitting the holes / not hesitating. 

[pjrocksmb]

I agree it is an early reminder to both RB's that nothing is guaranteed and while RB performance goes with the oline the 3 ypc isn't going to get it done on any team but especially the Bombers. Perhaps in watching the film there were some things discovered regarding the reads and hitting the holes / not hesitating. 

MOS won't read much into a few games.  He will continue on a similar path for at least a few more.  But yes you do need to produce in sports to keep your job but we are a long long ways away from that discussion in my opinion.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Well I am here in Toronto for the game tomorrow. Been to 3 out of the last 4 Blue Jays games and there is not much interest in the Argos. Most of the people we talked to didn't even know there was a game this week. Another group thought it was a stupid time and had decided not to attend.

a stupid time? What does that mean? More like stupid sports fans!

[Pete]

I can see McRae getting the call on sweeps much like Demski Also utilizing him on swing out passes to let him use his running ability.
They can rotate him with O Leary Orange. If they planned on using Grant as reciever they wouldn't need to activate McRae

[DM83]

LXTSN

BLOCKING IS THE ESSENCE OF FOOTBALL.

Why do you think the Bombers run game sucks?

Grey is a massive disappointment. 

[The Zipp]

a stupid time? What does that mean? More like stupid sports fans!

The game should have been Saturday or Sunday.  A Monday night in the worst cfl market isn't going to draw flies.  Canada day is over by Monday - stupid schedule all around and the Bombers play 2 games in 5 days because of it. 

[The Zipp]

Toronto has a decent set of receivers...if MBT has time it could be dangerous.  I am more worried about the bombers looking past this game and making a boatload of errors..

[ModAdmin]

Game Preview | WPG at TOR - Ed Tait

GAME #4 | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (3-0) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (1-1)

THE 4-1-1

Kickoff: Monday, 6:30 p.m. CT, BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
TV: TSN; ESPN+
Radio: 680 CJOB
Home/Road: The Blue Bombers are 1-0 on the road so far this season, courtesy their 19-12 win in Ottawa on June 17th. Toronto is 1-0 at home in 2022 after edging Montreal 20-19 in their opener. The Argos were 6-1 at home a year ago and has won nine of their last 10 at BMO Field.

BetRegal.ca odds: The Blue Bombers are favoured by 4.5 points. For more of Bet Regals numbers on this game, here.

Streaks: Winnipeg: 3W; Toronto: 1L

Notable: The Bombers, B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders are all 3-0, making the first time three teams have been undefeated following Week 3 since 2004. B.C. improved to 3-0 after this week's win over Ottawa, the Bombers have a chance to go to 4-0 while the Stamps are on a bye.

The QBs

    Toronto will start veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who has a career record of 14-18 and is 1-2 in starts against Winnipeg

    Winnipeg lines up Zach Collaros behind centre. He is 49-34 in his career and now 20-2 in his games as a starter in Winnipeg, including playoffs and two Grey Cup victories.

The Coaches

Winnipeg: Mike O'Shea: 70-55. O'Shea's 70 wins as a Blue Bombers head coach ranks third on the club's all-time list, behind only Bud Grant (102) and Cal Murphy (86).

Toronto: Argo head coach Ryan Dinwiddie - the former Blue Bombers QB - is 10-6 since becoming the boss in Toronto.
Blue Roster Shuffle

The Bombers depth chart features three changes from last week. Coming aboard are CB Winston Rose, running back Greg McCrae and linebacker Les Maruo.

Off this week are SB Nic Demski - who was moved to the six-game injured list - DE L.B. Mack III and CB Tyquwan Glass, who was released on Friday.

"We like what he's done at receiver. He's got some versatility to him and certainly once the ball gets into his hands, he's explosive. We'll see how many plays he gets. Brendan O'Leary-Orange is going to get at that spot (for Demski), so we?ll see what Greg can do."

More on the Game Day Preview https://www.bluebombers.com/2022/07/03/game-preview-wpg-at-tor/

[TecnoGenius]

Funny, MOS appears to be preparing for a TOR air assault.  But I think TOR will let AH dominate between the tackles.  Our weakest point is at DT, where we're good, but not stop-AH good.  Bighill and Thompson will have to predominantly stay on AH-spy duty.  Could give MBT time for some great option runs on his own.

If we can't stop AH I suspect the game will look much like the SSK game, and not in our favor.

[TecnoGenius]

Interesting. It would appear that Houston has not only played his way onto the roster but also the boundary corner. Rose is playing with Taylor over on the field side which we have never seen before.

Yes, that's the first big non-injury-forced shuffle they're trying this season.  It's an eye-opener.

But... it makes sense as before the boundary was too strong (on paper: assuming a 100% healthy Rose).  Now we split our best assets more evenly.  Nichols can help cover a weaker Houston and if he whiffs any tackles.  Taylor can help out Rose if he's still ailing.  If Rose is 100%, the strong-side becomes verboten for opponent QBs.

Actually, look at TOR's alignment: Banks is boundary WR.  If you had to pick an adversary for Houston, Banks is literally the perfect guy!  He's not hard to tackle at all.  He's hard to stay with.  Houston shows great speed and stickiness, so as long as he's in Banks' hip pocket his weak tackling should be irrelevant.

I love it.  This move makes Hall look even more genius.

I say we have no trouble shutting down MBT's air attack.  Our DEs might have a mega game.  INTs might be copious.  The only question mark is can we stop an insanely hungry and shoulder-chipped AH... It might come down to our LB play.

Regardless, this is an insanely juicy match-up and no matter who wins I'm going to enjoy watching it.  If we can win it, it will go a long way to proving we're still #1.

[TecnoGenius]

And more from CFL stats: Toronto comes into this game having won 9 of their last 10 home games. That stretch will go up against Winnipeg's current road form of wins in 5 of their last 7 away games overall. Winnipeg last won in Toronto in 2018.

I think Pinball has made it clear he wants wins at home at all costs.  I'm not sure they prep much for away games; they just concentrate on winning the home games.  Makes sense to get more butts in seats.

[DM83]

Winnipeg is the better team.

Harris May have a short term boost, but he seems still out of shape
McLeod looks good if his job was a model.  He is so hot and cold?usually missing throws, like Fajardo.

I have not seen any practices, so have no idea if McRae is legit.  If he is fast, perhaps that?s our ace in the hole.
Defensively for the Bombers, they should be OK

I am sure most of us think toronto will lose.
Their home record and the Bombers last output games have not been great in Toronto.. a toss up? I did pick Winnipeg as my choice.  I however first picked Toronto?

Not much on the injury front from newspaper. Hmm!

[Blue In BC]

Logically, McRae will be undesignated.  That allows him to get a good long look at RB if they want, and he can still split return duties with Grant.  I think we will see more of Grant at receiver, but not full time.  I think O?Leary-Orange is going to get more time at receiver.

If O?Leary shows well, that gives another dimension. I think Schoen and Bailey both have the speed to run those sweeps that they use Demski for, so it?s not like they are dependent on Grant to run those.

Honestly, I think this is a wake up call for Oliveira and Augustine.  The team would prefer to stay CDN at RB, but 3.0 ypc is not getting it done.

If Grant is the DI then he won't see many reps on offence because an import will have to come off for anytime he's on the field.

McCrae could be used more on offence as a non DI as was suggested.