Observations on the Rider Game

[the paw]

Some of my thoughts from pre-season game #2.

1.  Really like Piggy, I am anxious to see how he progresses/
2.  I though Salima had a good game, I expect him to make the PR.
3.  O'Leary-Orange continues to underwhelm.  He is getting his chances and shows occasional flashes, but not super consistent.
4.  Agudosi is a physical specimen to look at, but despite his greater height, he doesn't have the same catch radius as Lawler.  He was productive, but he had an awful lot of targets to produce 3 catches.

5.  I like Cole as a returner, but despite his enthusiasm and willingness, I am not sold on him as a DB.  He should make PR.
6.  No linebacking standouts to be found.
7.  I like Swarmay's game.  Demerio Houston was in good position most of the night, but man they made catches on him. 

8.  I think all 3 of our top draft picks this year make the roster.  Bennett, Murphy and Kelly have all shown enough to get more opportunity.  I think Kelly has the makings of a classic Canadian safety, although it is still early days. 

9.  I don't think anything in this game told us about how the kicking situation will play out.  If I had to guess, I would say that neither of the two globals showed enough to displace Legghio as punter. 

[TBURGESS]

It was a pre-season game so it doesn't mean anything.
Our DL and LB's were overwhelmed by the Riders running game.
The running QB's killed us too.
2 Weeks in a row that the other teams starting O beat our D & their starting D beat our O.
Cole isn't a DB.
Our Kicking game was good.
Piggy created offence, points & the only excitement for the 2nd week in a row. If we cut him someone else will pick him up.
BOO got a bunch more chances & didn't stand out.
Some tough decisions ahead for MOS and co.

[Waffler]

9.  I don't think anything in this game told us about how the kicking situation will play out.  If I had to guess, I would say that neither of the two globals showed enough to displace Legghio as punter. 

CJOB speculating Sheahan and Castillo. Legs will be cut and picked up immediately elsewhere.  I also was surprised but they are at camp everyday and see more than we do.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Pigrone overwhelmed and Dru Brown underwhelmed......albeit he played the Riders #1 D-line behind a #2 O-line.    Brown was running for his life most passing plays.   Pigrone will be the #3 QB and Dru Brown will be looking over his shoulder
.
We still haven't addressed the tackle position vacated when Stove left for BC....not to belabour the point however our ability to stop the run allowed the Riders to march down the field almost at will.

The Riders readily exploited Demerio Houston especially Derell Walker.

None of the kickers vying to out Legghio showed any consistency albeit Legghio booted his first punt out of bounds resulting in a 10 yard penalty and a net 33 yards on the punt.

Cole had some great returns with one being called back.....but is he good enough as a DB to crack the roster though?

The Bomber brain trust has some tough decision this weekend.

[Blue In BC]

Some of my thoughts from pre-season game #2.

1.  Really like Piggy, I am anxious to see how he progresses/
2.  I though Salima had a good game, I expect him to make the PR.
3.  O'Leary-Orange continues to underwhelm.  He is getting his chances and shows occasional flashes, but not super consistent.
4.  Agudosi is a physical specimen to look at, but despite his greater height, he doesn't have the same catch radius as Lawler.  He was productive, but he had an awful lot of targets to produce 3 catches.

5.  I like Cole as a returner, but despite his enthusiasm and willingness, I am not sold on him as a DB.  He should make PR.
6.  No linebacking standouts to be found.
7.  I like Swarmay's game.  Demerio Houston was in good position most of the night, but man they made catches on him. 

8.  I think all 3 of our top draft picks this year make the roster.  Bennett, Murphy and Kelly have all shown enough to get more opportunity.  I think Kelly has the makings of a classic Canadian safety, although it is still early days. 

9.  I don't think anything in this game told us about how the kicking situation will play out.  If I had to guess, I would say that neither of the two globals showed enough to displace Legghio as punter. 

Didn't notice Murphy much last night. We don't usually carry 2 Canadian receivers in depth. Just not enough roster spots to do that. Do you think he beats out BOO on the AR? If he does, is there a risk that BOO won't accept a PR spot?

I also liked MacDougall and Veltri as rookie Canadian DB's. Schmekel as a DT could make the roster if we go without an import DT as a DI.

[the paw]

CJOB speculating Sheahan and Castillo. Legs will be cut and picked up immediately elsewhere.  I also was surprised but they are at camp everyday and see more than we do.

Castillo is a lock.  Which makes the possibility of Sheehan more viable.  Even if I was planning on going with Sheehan long term, I would start him on PR and keep Legs on the roster to see if a trade can work out once all the training camp dust settles.  As a 3 duty kicker, I think there is still some value.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Pigrone overwhelmed and Dru Brown underwhelmed......albeit he played the Riders #1 D-line behind a #2 O-line.    Brown was running for his life most passing plays.   Pigrone will be the #3 QB and Dru Brown will be looking over his shoulder
.
We still haven't addressed the tackle position vacated when Stove left for BC....not to belabour the point however our ability to stop the run allowed the Riders to march down the field almost at will.

The Riders readily exploited Demerio Houston especially Derell Walker.

None of the kickers vying to out Legghio showed any consistency albeit Legghio booted his first punt out of bounds resulting in a 10 yard penalty and a net 33 yards on the punt.

Cole had some great returns with one being called back.....but is he good enough as a DB to crack the roster though?

The Bomber brain trust has some tough decision this weekend.

I'd give Dru Brown a break. He led the backups against the starting Riders defense, and ya, it wasn't super pretty but he also had a ton of pressure and mismatches everywhere.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Didn't notice Murphy much last night. We don't usually carry 2 Canadian receivers in depth. Just not enough roster spots to do that. Do you think he beats out BOO on the AR? If he does, is there a risk that BOO won't accept a PR spot?

I also liked MacDougall and Veltri as rookie Canadian DB's. Schmekel as a DT could make the roster if we go without an import DT as a DI.

I disagree with this statement, other than the last year or two the Bombers have usually carried more depth at CDN. receiver.  Now with the Fake Natl. rules, it probably isn't as much of a concern.  I think Murphy is destined for the PR or will be going back to school for another year.

[NewBlue]

I'd give Dru Brown a break. He led the backups against the starting Riders defense, and ya, it wasn't super pretty but he also had a ton of pressure and mismatches everywhere.

I said this in a different post, but I thought the protection was at least decent for Brown. Most of his struggles were self inflicted, almost like he was trying too hard to show he can escape & make yards too.  Except he couldn't, and seemed unsure of where to escape to, often even bouncing back and that is where he got caught.
Piggy on the otherhand seemed to make his choice very quickly and took it.

I still say we need to keep Brown as #2, but the more Piggy sees the field, the more fans will be calling for him to be #2.

[Blue In BC]

I disagree with this statement, other than the last year or two the Bombers have usually carried more depth at CDN. receiver.  Now with the Fake Natl. rules, it probably isn't as much of a concern.  I think Murphy is destined for the PR or will be going back to school for another year.

I disagree with your disagreement comment. Before O'Leary-Orange we had Petermann as the single Canadian back up receiver. In 2021 he only played 3 games as a result when we had injuries to deal with during the season. Our extra Canadian ( 2nd depth ) has always been on PR.

The Nationalized American doesn't really help. In theory that would be Grant this year since we don't tend to have an actual receiver as a DI. He'd also have to be a veteran to qualify.

Grant will only see a few reps on offence or if there are multiple in game injuries.

In previous years we had Kohlert and JFG on the roster. One starter and 1 back up Canadian. Simonise was briefly the back up when we had injuries.   

Who do you think were the Canadian receivers that were 2 fold depth players in any recent past? Our Canadian receivers only became a strength when we added Demski and Woli. Receivers don't generally play ST's sod depth players are more defensive players often DB's or LB's.

[Pigskin]

TP3 is our #3 QB, Brown will stay as #2 for for now. TP3 needs to learn more about the CFL.

Boo will be our backup Canadian receiver.

Leggs will be our punter.

Front 7 need to be much better.

[pdirks67]

Leggs will be our punter.

This was my thought too after the game last night. Jeff Hamilton is suggesting that Legghio is likely gone.

"Castillo, who had just the one field-goal attempt, is undoubtedly the Bombers place kicker this year. Chandler Staton, who was perfect last week, nailing a 34-yard field goal and all three of his converts, missed a convert Friday and you wonder if that?s enough to lose a potential PR spot. As for punters, it seems like Bombers will go with one of the global players in Jamieson Sheahan and Karl Schmitz. Nothing against Marc Liegghio, who punted well against the Roughriders, but he?s more expensive and after last year, still considered expendable."

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/02/inexperienced-bombers-fall-to-riders

[Blue In BC]

This was my thought too after the game last night. Jeff Hamilton is suggesting that Legghio is likely gone.

"Castillo, who had just the one field-goal attempt, is undoubtedly the Bombers place kicker this year. Chandler Staton, who was perfect last week, nailing a 34-yard field goal and all three of his converts, missed a convert Friday and you wonder if that?s enough to lose a potential PR spot. As for punters, it seems like Bombers will go with one of the global players in Jamieson Sheahan and Karl Schmitz. Nothing against Marc Liegghio, who punted well against the Roughriders, but he?s more expensive and after last year, still considered expendable."

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/02/inexperienced-bombers-fall-to-riders

Leigghio is on an ELC just like the global players. More expensive is not a factor.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I disagree with your disagreement comment. Before O'Leary-Orange we had Petermann as the single Canadian back up receiver. In 2021 he only played 3 games as a result when we had injuries to deal with during the season. Our extra Canadian ( 2nd depth ) has always been on PR.

The Nationalized American doesn't really help. In theory that would be Grant this year since we don't tend to have an actual receiver as a DI. He'd also have to be a veteran to qualify.

Grant will only see a few reps on offence or if there are multiple in game injuries.

In previous years we had Kohlert and JFG on the roster. One starter and 1 back up Canadian. Simonise was briefly the back up when we had injuries.   

Who do you think were the Canadian receivers that were 2 fold depth players in any recent past? Our Canadian receivers only became a strength when we added Demski and Woli. Receivers don't generally play ST's sod depth players are more defensive players often DB's or LB's.

Our fundamental difference is that I see the PR as a fluid part of the roster and you're more focused on DI's and how they can maneuver the ratio. An extra Natl. receiver on the PR in addition to one on the game roster is all they need, and this has usually been the case up until the last few years when they have been short in that dept.  For me if a player like Damian Jackson makes the PR, he's made the team, that's all that matters as he becomes a resource they can move back and forth as needed.

IMO Bailey is the obvious candidate for Fake Natl. as long as he doesn't get too upset about playing 50% of the snaps.

[pdirks67]

Adding to what others have said,
- LB: I was disappointed with Barrington Wade - he's a physical specimen, but he missed multiple tackles and generally didn't seem to have a nose for the ball
- DL: Caleb Thomas had a sack, so that's probably worth something. I tried to keep an eye on him, but it's hard to see what the interior DL is doing from the upper deck. Lawson looked good. I didn't see any magic from any of the rookie DLmen.
- Kicking: Staton and Schmitz cut themselves, not sure about Sheahan - I figured that Legghio did enough to stave off elimination as the punter, but Jeff Hamilton thinks otherwise.
- DB: Cole didn't display much in the way of coverage skills, but I think he was a late addition to camp? Maybe enough there as a returner to earn a PR spot? Daramy-Swaray looked like he might be OK? Houston gave up a couple of long balls, but I didn't think he looked awful in coverage - perhaps more "good play" by the offence as opposed to poor positioning on his part.