Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Edmonton, August 10, 2023

[Sir Blue and Gold]

An upgrade to our return game would have been nice. Also an extra DL or DT instead on an extra FB. Speaking of FB. Would like to see Burtenshaw run the ball once in awhile. The kid is a load at 5'10" 235.

I think they liked what they saw from wider offensive lines and more backfield protection. The belief is likely that there's not a team in the league that can cover the receiving core if Collaros has time.

[The Zipp]

I think they liked what they saw from wider offensive lines and more backfield protection. The belief is likely that there's not a team in the league that can cover the receiving core if Collaros has time.

Truth

[bunker]

I think they liked what they saw from wider offensive lines and more backfield protection. The belief is likely that there's not a team in the league that can cover the receiving core if Collaros has time.

Probably true. But Eli and Dobson are the players that widen the oline on the line. As for Jackson lining up a yard back of the line, he's only in for about 10 plays a game, and you'd think Burtenshaw could fill that roll. Hard to believe Jackson is so much better in that role in a limited number of plays that he warrants using up the DA on him. I love O'Shea, but Jackson is this years Kaule/Hurl etc...Hopefully if/once Miller is back, Jackson goes back to PR.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Probably true. But Eli and Dobson are the players that widen the oline on the line. As for Jackson lining up a yard back of the line, he's only in for about 10 plays a game, and you'd think Burtenshaw could fill that roll. Hard to believe Jackson is so much better in that role in a limited number of plays that he warrants using up the DA on him. I love O'Shea, but Jackson is this years Kaule/Hurl etc...Hopefully if/once Miller is back, Jackson goes back to PR.

Kuale and Hurl both started at middle linebacker. That's not a fair comparison. Maybe we want both fullbacks in case of an injury. Perhaps they value that roster flexibility better than the difference between Parker to McCrae on returns?

[Pete]

Looking at special teams Jackson has 0 tackles.If Im a player not dressing such as swarmay fox etc I'd be wondering whats going on

[bunker]

Kuale and Hurl both started at middle linebacker. That's not a fair comparison. Maybe we want both fullbacks in case of an injury. Perhaps they value that roster flexibility better than the difference between Parker to McCrae on returns?

I wasn't referring to position so much as what seems an irrational attachment by O'Shea to a player out of proportion to his apparent abilities. Possibly there are intangibles there that I am not aware of with Jackson.

To me, McRae is a disaster waiting to happen on punt returns. He bobbles virtually every ball he tries to catch, and by the time he secures it and looks up field there is no where to go. Of returners who have returned 9 punts or more, he is dead last at 6.6 yards per return. We are losing field position with him in there. Other teams are averaging 10-14 yards per return. I think Parker looks much more confident in securing the ball and turning up field. Hopefully Grant (who is averaging 13.7 yards per return) is back soon.

[TecnoGenius]

I wasn't referring to position so much as what seems an irrational attachment by O'Shea to a player out of proportion to his apparent abilities. Possibly there are intangibles there that I am not aware of with Jackson.

There must be more going on with Jackson that we know about.  There must be more schemes, injury plans, or trick plays in the hopper with Jackson.  Trust in the process and prepare to be dazzled.

To me, McRae is a disaster waiting to happen on punt returns. He bobbles virtually every ball he tries to catch, and by the time he secures it and looks up field there is no where to go. Of returners who have returned 9 punts or more, he is dead last at 6.6 yards per return. We are losing field position with him in there. Other teams are averaging 10-14 yards per return. I think Parker looks much more confident in securing the ball and turning up field. Hopefully Grant (who is averaging 13.7 yards per return) is back soon.

McCrae has fumbled far less returns than Grant.    As long as McCrae secures that ball (bobble or not) I don't care if he gets 0 yards every kick.  We don't need him to get big yards to win games.

Keep in mind McCrae has gotten a couple of big returns already, and is fast enough to exploit any ST mistake.

[TecnoGenius]

Wow, I thought EDM was going to blow up their roster, but instead only 3 changes??

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/2023_08_10_depthchart_vsWIN_revised-800x576.png

Arceneaux may be ancient and not the quickest/best anymore, but that team certainly needs some vet presence and sanity on those sidelines.

[bunker]

Keep in mind McCrae has gotten a couple of big returns already, and is fast enough to exploit any ST mistake.

Really?
McRae's longest punt return is 12 yards. That's less than the AVERAGE of many punt returners.
McRae's longest kickoff return is 27 yard. There are multiple kick returners averaging around that. Seventeen kick returners have longer returns than him. He's just not that good as a returner. (Watch him take one to the house tomorrow  )

[GOLDMEMBER]

Wow, I thought EDM was going to blow up their roster, but instead only 3 changes??

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/2023_08_10_depthchart_vsWIN_revised-800x576.png

Arceneaux may be ancient and not the quickest/best anymore, but that team certainly needs some vet presence and sanity on those sidelines.

Manny was good Many moons ago. Not worried about him one iota. Looks like a roster the Blue Bombers can take advantage of.

[Doublezero]

McCrae has fumbled far less returns than Grant. 

McCrae has handled all of 14 kickoff/punt returns for Winnipeg. Grant has handled more than 200. I agree with Bunker that McCrae is a little wobbly-looking on returns. Bombers really miss Janarion Grant. Hopefully he's back soon.

[pjrocksmb]

Bombers by 14

[Jesse]

Bombers by 14

In the first quarter, maybe.

[TecnoGenius]

Really?
McRae's longest punt return is 12 yards. That's less than the AVERAGE of many punt returners.
McRae's longest kickoff return is 27 yard.

I could have sworn he busted one to the house, or at least a huge return, in the first game we dressed him this year; the one he got that huge TD reception in.  But maybe I'm conflating his returns with that reception.  I'm lost without my cfl stats (ya I know you guys have mentioned other places).  Maybe I'll just go rewatch that game...

[TecnoGenius]

McCrae has handled all of 14 kickoff/punt returns for Winnipeg. Grant has handled more than 200. I agree with Bunker that McCrae is a little wobbly-looking on returns. Bombers really miss Janarion Grant. Hopefully he's back soon.

Ya, I was being a bit cheeky, and goofy.  Again, wobbly is fine, as long as he secures that ball.  So far so good.  I think the coaches are drilling that into him.  Don't be a hero.  Secure it and go north and get beat up.  Easy.