Elks at Blue Bombers pre-game thread

[LXTSN]

wow, that's not much of a statement for the other centres around the league. He and Gray are our weak links on the O line

They put too much stock into the PFF rankings on social media.
Gray still looks lost out there. He is atheletic but he hits the deck every other play and takes some dumb penalties.

I think it would help our team to replace him with either Eli or Dobson. They are the future for sure

[Lincoln Locomotive]

They put too much stock into the PFF rankings on social media.
Gray still looks lost out there. He is atheletic but he hits the deck every other play and takes some dumb penalties.

I think it would help our team to replace him with either Eli or Dobson. They are the future for sure

At one point earlier in Gray's career he was touted as a future stalwart for our O-Line.....what happened.   I will ask Bluto's opinion on him on Bonfire Sports as he knows a thing or two about O-linemen

[LXTSN]

At one point earlier in Gray's career he was touted as a future stalwart for our O-Line.....what happened.   I will ask Bluto's opinion on him on Bonfire Sports as he knows a thing or two about O-linemen

It makes sense why he would be so highly touted. There are not that many guys his size that are as fast, and agile as he is.
That being said, he just gets caught out of position a lot. He just doesn't seem to get it.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They put too much stock into the PFF rankings on social media.
Gray still looks lost out there. He is atheletic but he hits the deck every other play and takes some dumb penalties.

I think it would help our team to replace him with either Eli or Dobson. They are the future for sure

Really???  How many penalties has he taken this season, sure sounds like a lot.  Please quantify.

[LXTSN]

Really???  How many penalties has he taken this season, sure sounds like a lot.  Please quantify.

Not great punctuation on my part, but also not great reading on your part.
"...hits the deck every other play and takes some dumb penalties."

He takes about a holding call a game when he gets blown by.
To be fair, every guy on our OL has been blown by this year. I just feel like he gets blown by more than the others

[3rdand1.5]

Looking at the changes to the roster I am actually concerned about this game now.

My reasoning is we are featuring a front seven of Thomas/Lawson, Walker, Jeffcoat, Jefferson/Bennet. So unless I am missing something, and please correct me if I am...we have one rotation piece on the interior and we have one rotation guy on the edge in Bennet, who I think could have a great career, but IMO should be on the PR gaining some experience, not being a main piece of our defence. Six games in I believe that the stats give my opinion at least some merit. We then have Marou, Kramdi and Biggie in the LB crew, without much in the way of back-ups.

With the lack of rotational pieces and quality I am very concerned that one injury to the trifecta of Biggie, Jeffcoat or Jefferson could sink us. Injuries aside I am concerned that if EDM. has any success along the ground and/or can get a few long drives, we won't have the stamina to keep-up. We saw a bit of that last week and this week we appear to be even thinner with less rotational ability.

I just don't understand the lack of depth we have had all season and especially now along the D-line.

[Pete]

I'll add my concerns to the lack of depth. When you have imports Cole and Jackson on the active roster neither of whom can adequately replace a starter, and you've used a di spot for a kicker then you have serious depth issues. Add to that aged vets such as Briggs who have lost some ability to compete and you are in trouble.
I'm just hoping that we don't lose another starter to injury because they are tired at the end of game as they were forced to play most downs as we have noone else. We need to bring in a linebacker and a defensive end at the minimum.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Looking at the changes to the roster I am actually concerned about this game now.

My reasoning is we are featuring a front seven of Thomas/Lawson, Walker, Jeffcoat, Jefferson/Bennet. So unless I am missing something, and please correct me if I am...we have one rotation piece on the interior and we have one rotation guy on the edge in Bennet, who I think could have a great career, but IMO should be on the PR gaining some experience, not being a main piece of our defence. Six games in I believe that the stats give my opinion at least some merit. We then have Marou, Kramdi and Biggie in the LB crew, without much in the way of back-ups.

With the lack of rotational pieces and quality I am very concerned that one injury to the trifecta of Biggie, Jeffcoat or Jefferson could sink us. Injuries aside I am concerned that if EDM. has any success along the ground and/or can get a few long drives, we won't have the stamina to keep-up. We saw a bit of that last week and this week we appear to be even thinner with less rotational ability.

I just don't understand the lack of depth we have had all season and especially now along the D-line.

Depth at LB is ok, at least they still have enough bodies with Briggs, Cadwallader and Cole, but without Gauthier no one is capable of replacing Bighill in the middle.  Time to give Cole some reps at WLB and maybe Jackson at DE, if not polished he should at least be able to create some mayhem, ala Hansen.

[Jesse]

Depth at LB is ok, at least they still have enough bodies with Briggs, Cadwallader and Cole, but without Gauthier no one is capable of replacing Bighill in the middle.  Time to give Cole some reps at WLB and maybe Jackson at DE, if not polished he should at least be able to create some mayhem, ala Hansen.

We have a lot of special teamers - don't have any starters.

[pjrocksmb]

No real concerns on depth for this game for me but healthy are are certainly much better.  Hopefully we can come out of this one with no more guys down.

[kkc60]

No real concerns on depth for this but healthy are are certainly much better.  Hopefully we can come out of this one with no more guys down.

so many concerns in depth. we are one DL injury away from either being forced to run 3 DE sets a ton, move a DT to end or just have no rotation. Also our LB corps has Bighill and two question marks on it in a game where we face another mobile QB.

[pjrocksmb]

so many concerns in depth. we are one DL injury away from either being forced to run 3 DE sets a ton, move a DT to end or just have no rotation. Also our LB corps has Bighill and two question marks on it in a game where we face another mobile QB.

I am taking the optimistic approach here.  Hopefully no more injuries and guys get healthy fast.  Not worried about our DL or LBs tomorrow as long as we out scheme em.  I think we can play reasonably well with this group.  If we go get hurt then yes I'm worried.  Cross your fingers.  Mobile QB is a factor but we got the book on this guy.  Ding ding.  Game on, will be a good battle.

Happy guys are not rushing back.

[kkc60]

I am taking the optimistic approach here.  Hopefully no more injuries and guys get healthy fast.  Not worried about our DL or LBs tomorrow as long as we out scheme em.  I think we can play reasonably well with this group.  If we go get hurt then yes I'm worried.  Cross your fingers.  Mobile QB is a factor but we got the book on this guy.  Ding ding.  Game on, will be a good battle.

Happy guys are not rushing back.

optimistic approach is right. that doesn?t negate the fact there are a multitude of real concerns with the roster going into tomorrow.

[pjrocksmb]

optimistic approach is right. that doesn?t negate the fact there are a multitude of real concerns with the roster going into tomorrow.

That's the beauty of sport.  You are swinging to the worry and I'm swinging for the fences.  Half of it is how much you want it.  These guys getting a shot to start will want it bad and I have have seen them enough to know they might just do it.  Also know with heavy rotation and good schemes we keep fresh and if healthy its all gravy.  I have seen us great through with less depth against stronger opponents.  We shall see tomorrow, good debate.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

I keep hearing Kyrie Wilson's name over the past two seasons and what a great player MOS thinks he is....,reminds me of another former Bomber LB, Ian Wild.    He too was a great player (when he actually played) however he was always hurt.   Also Achilles tendon injuries are the most difficult to completely recover from.   You can't help the team from the tub.