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

[Sir Blue and Gold]

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.

Yea, it depends what they want to do. One of them almost certainly will be a starter. If they are utilizing McCrae as the Demski replacement then he'll start. If they are using McCrae as a returner and planning to use Grant more in rotation with O'Leary-Orange then that's the other way to go. 

[The Zipp]

Yea, it depends what they want to do. One of them almost certainly will be a starter. If they are utilizing McCrae as the Demski replacement then he'll start. If they are using McCrae as a returner and planning to use Grant more in rotation with O'Leary-Orange then that's the other way to go. 

that is what I am thinking...maybe he will get the odd jet sweep but I think GM will be the returner and Grant will get more offensive snaps with OL.  Or maybe the offense will look way different and catch TO off guard.

[The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB]

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).

#1 and #2 have statues outside IG Field. Room for one more?

[Stretch]

#1 and #2 have statues outside IG Field.

In addition, O'Shea's two GC victories have him tied for second in team history with Reg Threlfall and Mike Riley.

[The Zipp]

#1 and #2 have statues outside IG Field. Room for one more?

i hope someday...wouldn't that be cool...i still think that sadly he will make his way back to TO in some fashion.

[theaardvark]

Some bulletin board material....

John Hodge@JohnDHodge
Ryan Dinwiddie says Argos want to beat Winnipeg for star running back Andrew Harris

https://3downnation.com/2022/07/04/they-all-want-to-get-a-win-for-andrew-argos-aiming-to-beat-winnipeg-for-star-running-back-harris/

(looks like Hodge edited the article... lol )



Justin Dunk@JDunk12
Andrew Harris wants to show Winnipeg what they're missing at running back after not re-signing him in the off-season

[the paw]

Yea, it depends what they want to do. One of them almost certainly will be a starter. If they are utilizing McCrae as the Demski replacement then he'll start. If they are using McCrae as a returner and planning to use Grant more in rotation with O'Leary-Orange then that's the other way to go. 

I looked up McCrae's draft profile on a couple of sites.  Both of them note that while he has decent hands, he got relatively little work as a receiver out of the backfield, and wasn't really used in the slot position (unlike his RB teammate).  He had something like 7 drops against 44 career receptions, most of which were as a check down rather than as a route runner.  

It's entirely speculation on my part, but based on that report, I think it is less likely they will be bringing in McCrae to fill Demski's spot.  I think they are going to mostly use O-Leary-Orange in that spot,  but bring in Grant from time to time to stretch the field, run a sweep, etc.  

I think McCrae will be used to take some of the load off Grant on returns, and I think they are going to give him a look to see how effective he can run in the A and B gaps.  He was a little undersized for an NCAA back, but still had a career ypc of 6.5.  I think they are using this opportunity while Brandon Alexander is out to see what they have in McCrae, and define their ratio options more completely.  

[theaardvark]

I looked up McCrae's draft profile on a couple of sites.  Both of them note that while he has decent hands, he got relatively little work as a receiver out of the backfield, and wasn't really used in the slot position (unlike his RB teammate).  He had something like 7 drops against 44 career receptions, most of which were as a check down rather than as a route runner.  

It's entirely speculation on my part, but based on that report, I think it is less likely they will be bringing in McCrae to fill Demski's spot.  I think they are going to mostly use O-Leary-Orange in that spot,  but bring in Grant from time to time to stretch the field, run a sweep, etc.  

I think McCrae will be used to take some of the load off Grant on returns, and I think they are going to give him a look to see how effective he can run in the A and B gaps.  He was a little undersized for an NCAA back, but still had a career ypc of 6.5.  I think they are using this opportunity while Brandon Alexander is out to see what they have in McCrae, and define their ratio options more completely.  

We have no idea how or where any player fits into a new team, or a net scheme, or a for a new coach.  Sure, history can show where previous coaches and schemes have found a space for a guy, but many player realize getting pegged into certain holes can hurt their advancement, and they work to broaden/change their game...

I have no doubt Buck knows where/when he wants McCrae deployed in the offense, and if he will be used on teams, again, they know when and where to do so.

[Blue In BC]

Yea, it depends what they want to do. One of them almost certainly will be a starter. If they are utilizing McCrae as the Demski replacement then he'll start. If they are using McCrae as a returner and planning to use Grant more in rotation with O'Leary-Orange then that's the other way to go. 

I wouldn't call or expect either to be a full time starter per se. One of them should see the offence at times as a rotation player. Depending on how successful that turns out we may see reps increased during the game.

I'm not surprised they are taking a look at McCrae but I thought Harrison might be the one to look at this week. He'd be the one true receiver and the issue is whether O'Leary-Orange is the best alternative to start replacing Demski?

There is really no real sample size for any of them besides pre season.

So we'll see how this goes. I'll be pleased if we see some productivity from any of Grant, McCrae or O'Leary-Orange.

I'm not really sure what to expect from who or how. lol

[Sir Blue and Gold]

that is what I am thinking...maybe he will get the odd jet sweep but I think GM will be the returner and Grant will get more offensive snaps with OL.  Or maybe the offense will look way different and catch TO off guard.

Probably. This makes the most sense. It's also a very O'Shea thing to do. Grant has been here and put in the time. I would be surprised if he doesn't get the first shot and a lot of offensive snaps tonight. McCrae likely gets to return kicks and keep Grant fresh.

[Blue In BC]

I haven't seen an Argo depth chart. Their roster doesn't actually show any IR lists and their daily IR report literally shows every player on it as questionable ( 15 players ).

Their depth chart from last week did show 15 players on IR with 7 of them on 6 game IR. So there could be some 1 game IR players returning?

[blue_gold_84]

So, the Argos are starting an injured Harris in the hopes they can stick it to the Bombers because of what happened during free agency?

Didn't know the Boatmen were so petty.

[Blue In BC]

So, the Argos are starting an injured Harris in the hopes they can stick it to the Bombers because of what happened during free agency?

Didn't know the Boatmen were so petty.

They don't have many choices. One Canadian RB and one FB were on their 1 game IR last week. Another Canadian RB with 3 carries and 10 yards on the AR.  Import RB Leake has no CFL carries on the AR. None on PR at the moment.

So not much experience at RB if A. Harris needs to get spelled or has injury limitations.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

So, the Argos are starting an injured Harris in the hopes they can stick it to the Bombers because of what happened during free agency?

Didn't know the Boatmen were so petty.

Pretty sure the Bombers listed Harris as questionable for just about every game he did play last year. He's basically always hampered by something. He'll be ready for the game for sure.

[blue_gold_84]

They don't have many choices. One Canadian RB and one FB were on their 1 game IR last week. Another Canadian RB with 3 carries and 10 yards.  Import RB Leake has no CFL carries.

I understand the rationale personnel-wise. The "let's get the win for Andrew because his old team snubbed him" motivation seems strange to me, though.