BC @ Winnipeg Aug.3.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I like Kramdi. Ratio wise it would be awesome if we could fit in another national on the that unit. The offense carries the ratio load but the flexibility of having the defense have two starters makes things much easier. It's also not asking that much.

[Blue In BC]

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but can anyone tell me what they think Kramdi did poorly in his first start?

I know that SLB spot is one that you wouldn't really notice the screw ups like you would from a MLB or a DB. I find it odd that it's almost consensus that Kramdi is not our longterm solution for that SLB spot.

He has been one of our best players on special teams for the past couple years, and he is only 26 years old.
I'm not concluding that he will be a great SLB. But it takes a lot for MOS to start a youngster over a veteran, so he must see some things in practice that we haven't seen yet in game.

He started a game last year once we had 1st place locked up.

That said it's a small sample size of starting for any player.

IMO we see him in chase position more often than in good position. In that sense he's like a younger version of Briggs. I don't want him starting or even in on rotation unless absolutely necessary.

[pjrocksmb]

I like Kramdi. Ratio wise it would be awesome if we could fit in another national on the that unit. The offense carries the ratio load but the flexibility of having the defense have two starters makes things much easier. It's also not asking that much.

Agree and I also like Kramdi.

He started a game last year once we had 1st place locked up.

That said it's a small sample size of starting for any player.

IMO we see him in chase position more often than in good position. In that sense he's like a younger version of Briggs. I don't want him starting or even in on rotation unless absolutely necessary.

Hard to argue with any of that.  Interesting comparison to Briggs.  Can anyone comment on Kramdi's ability in passing vs. Running downs.  Gut tells me better on pass defense like Briggs?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but can anyone tell me what they think Kramdi did poorly in his first start?

I know that SLB spot is one that you wouldn't really notice the screw ups like you would from a MLB or a DB. I find it odd that it's almost consensus that Kramdi is not our longterm solution for that SLB spot.

He has been one of our best players on special teams for the past couple years, and he is only 26 years old.
I'm not concluding that he will be a great SLB. But it takes a lot for MOS to start a youngster over a veteran, so he must see some things in practice that we haven't seen yet in game.

I see promise here.  I see him as a long term Bomber.  Agree he is showing something to get a start.

[Pete]

I agree that we aren't likely to get help in short term, as for nfl cuts we haven't done much in the past, any we did sign was more for the following year. However this year to me is different, with other teams ie Toronto and BC becoming legitimate Grey Cup contenders we can't sit still. Calgary is an example of a team being on top then regressing..We need to strengthen Sam lb ,de depth and dt. As for offensive line it's likely too hard to assess or bring in someone new until next year. Our window is shrinking faster than we originally hoped.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I like Kramdi. Ratio wise it would be awesome if we could fit in another national on the that unit. The offense carries the ratio load but the flexibility of having the defense have two starters makes things much easier. It's also not asking that much.

I'd like to see them try to develop Exume into something more than a ST hound dog this time around, he has great athletic ability and a nose for the ball and he could eventually fit in at multiple spots.  I think it's a waste not to develop Natl. talent beyond ST and expect them to hang around as backbenchers their entire career.

[bunker]

I rewatched the last game, and to his credit, Kramdi made a couple of nice plays including a tackle in the backfield for a loss. But I think the only reason to start him is if you feel he's better than starting a Canadian at DT, and with Lawson's play, I don't see the point. The fact that he's starting indicates something is wrong with Darby (either injury or level of play), and that we did not do a good enough job recruiting American's to potentially fill that role.

[Blue In BC]

I'd like to see them try to develop Exume into something more than a ST hound dog this time around, he has great athletic ability and a nose for the ball and he could eventually fit in at multiple spots.  I think it's a waste not to develop Natl. talent beyond ST and expect them to hang around as backbenchers their entire career.

He'll still be behind Hallett in that role. Exume might develop into seeing more reps on defence but I don't see that happening in 2023. He might also be on a 1 year deal and might choose going east again in the off season. It's a TBD.

[Blue In BC]

Agree and I also like Kramdi.
Hard to argue with any of that.  Interesting comparison to Briggs.  Can anyone comment on Kramdi's ability in passing vs. Running downs.  Gut tells me better on pass defense like Briggs?
I see promise here.  I see him as a long term Bomber.  Agree he is showing something to get a start.

Yes Kramdi is better than Briggs in coverage. He's 7 years younger and 20 lbs lighter. A SAM is by definition a DB. I don't think anyone will think of Briggs as a DB. He was another defensive player in serious chase mode against Ottawa along with Darby at the end of regulation and OT.

[3rdand1.5]

BC is a really good team, we are a really good team, they got the best of us in the first meeting, now it is our turn, essentially our best shot at hosting the WF is by winning this game and doing so with enough point differential to end the season ahead of BC should it end in a tie. Edm. isn't turning it around, Sask won't be fighting for fist, nor will Cal. So it's a two-horse race and our competitor has a major advantage already winning the first meeting.

We need to show we can compete and win against the top teams, and BC is a top team. We need to establish a run game as we have shown we cannot be successful one dimensional and our O-line has difficulty is sustained passing sets. IF we can get the run game established it should be a great game, even it means burning a spot or two on TE's, and import FB's whatever needs to be done to get the run established if not BC and Betts will tee off on Zach all game.

People are fair IMO of the questioning of our D-line and LB play and depth. Simply put we do not have depth and/or enough quality. Yes Biggie, Jeffcoat and Jefferson are all great players, but that's not enough, we have one rotational end in Bennet, one is not good enough and sorry Bennet is not good enough yet either. So when one of the Jeffs need a break we are handicapping our defence. Many fans questioned this depth even at TC, now it's almost at a critical level. Lemon may not have been the guy we wanted or desired, but we need someone and with Jake and Lawson in the middle we don't need a CDN, we just need a guy or two who can rotate with better success than Bennet. The frustrating part is the illusion of not even looking for one. It would be great to hear a press release of us signing a DE or two even unknowns just to try out, at least we have Fox on the PR in the middle, we have nothing on our roster for the outside unless Mauro can play end better than Bennet?

[Pigskin]

I am wondering if Ford could play Sam when he gets back?

Darby:   31, 5'10" 206
Kramdi: 26, 5'10" 194
Ford:     25, 5'11" 195

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I am wondering if Ford could play Sam when he gets back?

Darby:   31, 5'10" 206
Kramdi: 26, 5'10" 194
Ford:     25, 5'11" 195

Exume is here right now, put his name in the hat. 29, 6'0" 197.      

[The Zipp]

BC is a really good team, we are a really good team, they got the best of us in the first meeting, now it is our turn, essentially our best shot at hosting the WF is by winning this game and doing so with enough point differential to end the season ahead of BC should it end in a tie. Edm. isn't turning it around, Sask won't be fighting for fist, nor will Cal. So it's a two-horse race and our competitor has a major advantage already winning the first meeting.

We need to show we can compete and win against the top teams, and BC is a top team. We need to establish a run game as we have shown we cannot be successful one dimensional and our O-line has difficulty is sustained passing sets. IF we can get the run game established it should be a great game, even it means burning a spot or two on TE's, and import FB's whatever needs to be done to get the run established if not BC and Betts will tee off on Zach all game.

People are fair IMO of the questioning of our D-line and LB play and depth. Simply put we do not have depth and/or enough quality. Yes Biggie, Jeffcoat and Jefferson are all great players, but that's not enough, we have one rotational end in Bennet, one is not good enough and sorry Bennet is not good enough yet either. So when one of the Jeffs need a break we are handicapping our defence. Many fans questioned this depth even at TC, now it's almost at a critical level. Lemon may not have been the guy we wanted or desired, but we need someone and with Jake and Lawson in the middle we don't need a CDN, we just need a guy or two who can rotate with better success than Bennet. The frustrating part is the illusion of not even looking for one. It would be great to hear a press release of us signing a DE or two even unknowns just to try out, at least we have Fox on the PR in the middle, we have nothing on our roster for the outside unless Mauro can play end better than Bennet?

we play BC three times so if we lose this game we have lost the series and the tiebreaker.

[Blue In BC]

Exume is here right now, put his name in the hat. 29, 6'0" 197.      

Interesting thought.

[Jesse]

Exume is here right now, put his name in the hat. 29, 6'0" 197.      

I don't need another STer at that key of a position.

I'd be more interested in giving Parker a shot. Or Alexander if they're going to play him close to the line anyway.

[TecnoGenius]

It stretches the imagination to think this organization would suddenly drop the ball or become complacent in their search to improve the team where needed.  Clearly Lemon was not a fit - either financially, culturally or talent-wise.

Finances, definitely.  And we liked what we had.

If we wanted "cheap Lemon", the time was before week 1.  Every week, as DEs got hurt and some DEs looked worse than expected, Lemon's value kept rising.

Smart move by Lemon waiting it out.  He's basically only lost 1/3 of a season if MTL already had a bye.  I bet Lemon made bank on this deal.  MTL snatching him up may have been just as much about keeping him away from their E competitors as getting a quality DE.  Now there's no one left on the couch should TOR or OTT need someone.