We Need WRs

[TecnoGenius]

Wolitarsky slides to Schoen's spot, Clercius into Woli's spot...  just makes sense.

I like it.

Which part doesn't make sense to the nay sayers?  The Woli moving inside part, or the fact we're starting an extra NAT when we don't need to?  I actually think Clercius has looked pretty darn good compared to the (unhurt) IMPs (based on PS looks).

And Woli moving inside is a great idea.  He can do more blocking and also run the brutally punishing inside routes, slants, curls.  Woli's body is similar to Bailey's and he's more than capable of making the clutch catches and hanging on.

Plus, by being closer to the QB he'll be getting more targets, and since he's now basically our #2 best R, this will be important to getting any traction on O.

[Blue In BC]

I like it.

Which part doesn't make sense to the nay sayers?  The Woli moving inside part, or the fact we're starting an extra NAT when we don't need to?  I actually think Clercius has looked pretty darn good compared to the (unhurt) IMPs (based on PS looks).

And Woli moving inside is a great idea.  He can do more blocking and also run the brutally punishing inside routes, slants, curls.  Woli's body is similar to Bailey's and he's more than capable of making the clutch catches and hanging on.

Plus, by being closer to the QB he'll be getting more targets, and since he's now basically our #2 best R, this will be important to getting any traction on O.

We've only got 2 starters left, so moving Woli is not my favourite or 1st option. Starting 3 Canadians suggests that our scouting of import receivers wasn't very good, although some of them have suffered injuries.

Nothing against Clercius but this is not a 1 game issue so we need to see what the imports can do. Failing that find more imports on defence ( DT ) that can beef up that side of our roster. Starting 10 Canadians and losing is the worst situation.

Not trying to knock our Canadian talent but it isn't working in our favour to be starting 10.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We've only got 2 starters left, so moving Woli is not my favourite or 1st option. Starting 3 Canadians suggests that our scouting of import receivers wasn't very good, although some of them have suffered injuries.

Nothing against Clercius but this is not a 1 game issue so we need to see what the imports can do. Failing that find more imports on defence ( DT ) that can beef up that side of our roster. Starting 10 Canadians and losing is the worst situation.

Not trying to knock our Canadian talent but it isn't working in our favour to be starting 10.

The way I see it Zach has become an off script QB who relies heavily on receivers already knowing how to accommodate his penchant to scramble, so any receiver that has been here for awhile and has worked with him will have a leg up understanding what he's doing back there.  It's a lot to ask new receivers to learn their position and be disciplined in their route running but also be prepared to cut off their route at the drop of a hat and improvise on any given play.

[CrazyCanuck89]

We've only got 2 starters left, so moving Woli is not my favourite or 1st option. Starting 3 Canadians suggests that our scouting of import receivers wasn't very good, although some of them have suffered injuries.

Nothing against Clercius but this is not a 1 game issue so we need to see what the imports can do. Failing that find more imports on defence ( DT ) that can beef up that side of our roster. Starting 10 Canadians and losing is the worst situation.

Not trying to knock our Canadian talent but it isn't working in our favour to be starting 10.

You're trying to knock Canadian talent.  Why shouldn't Clercius get a chance over some Import off the street?

[markf]

Milt was commenting on Canadian receivers, saying basically, they are now, just as good as Americans.... He mentioned (I think this is accurate) that five of top ten receivers so far this season, are Canadian.

Worth finding ... he said there has been a big change over the last ten years from receivers being ratio fillers, to,  now top rank.

Think he discussed the reasons.coaching being one. 

[Blue In BC]

You're trying to knock Canadian talent.  Why shouldn't Clercius get a chance over some Import off the street?

It still comes down to supply and demand. We brought in at least a dozen import rookie receivers. There were probably that many or more we didn't bring in that attended mini camps etc.

To think that 1 Canadian we drafted this year is better than all of them defies the odds.

Let him prove me wrong. I'll be happy if he does and sad that our scouts didn't do better.

Noting that O. Wilson and then Wheatfall already started before Clercius. On Saturday I'm not sure who will be starting.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You're trying to knock Canadian talent.  Why shouldn't Clercius get a chance over some Import off the street?

I'm a bit disappointed Clercius and MCI are not playing a bigger role in the offence as it would be nice to see them become starters, but I guess with the bad start this not the time to bring them along.  Like most Natls. they probably won't get many chances to play in their first season.

[TecnoGenius]

You're trying to knock Canadian talent.  Why shouldn't Clercius get a chance over some Import off the street?

To me it boils down to do we want to win now or do auditions for the next Lawler/Schoen.

If you want to improve your odds of winning right now, I say Clercius has looked better than all but one of the rookie IMP Rs.

If you want to win later in the season or 2025, do live game "tryouts" on the IMPs to see if you have the next superstar.

The best of the best Rs will always be IMPs.  Demski & Philpot are probably the best NAT Rs right now and they still aren't Lawler/Schoen.  Close, but no cigar.  I like Milt's sentiment, but he's wrong.  For sure there's more great NAT WRs now than ever, and their stats may be higher, but the elite IMPs are still better.  (And further argument would be worthy of its own thread.)

So ya, do a "Chris Jones" and cycle through these guys as fast as we can to find the next diamond.  To have a shot at the cup we really do need someone who can hold a candle to Schoen, because Schoen is gone.  How many Rs did Jones cycle through before he found Mitchell?

Maybe if there's a game we have a hope in hades of winning (i.e. against OTT, HAM, EDM, maybe CGY), then you stop the tryouts and field your best.  Maybe.  In that case I start Clercius.

[TecnoGenius]

The way I see it Zach has become an off script QB who relies heavily on receivers already knowing how to accommodate his penchant to scramble

That was Zach 2019-2022.  I'd posit that's not Zach now.  He basically never escapes the pocket unless it's a designed bootlet or roll out.  Look at the last real chance to win play in the '23 GC.  And the last TD chance in the last game.

He scrambles worse than BLM now.  Either he needs to study pocket dynamics and learn to navigate better, or he needs to just stand there no matter what and be Ricky Ray.  So many times if he had a never-scramble mindset and took the extra 1-2s to stand still he would have found a wide open guy.  Again, like the last TD chance in the last game: JA27 was open on a cleared out flat to his left.

He also always steps up into the pocket when that's the worst possible choice and stepping back would buy him more time.  BLM is far better at that aspect.

I can't remember the last time Zach had a big panic scramble that worked out.  If it's not working, don't do it.

[Blue In BC]

The rookie imports have had injuries during TC and then in games. I have no idea who was ranked where or might have started the season if not for that. Alston might have been 1st on the list or 5th. IDK. Wheatfall looked good in his 1st game and then gets injured. O. Wilson has not had many looks but he was the 4th or 5th target.

I wonder if we take a shot at the receiver in the supplemental draft tomorrow. He's a big target at 6'7" but I don't know much about him. Maybe he's the next Woli?

[theaardvark]

The rookie imports have had injuries during TC and then in games. I have no idea who was ranked where or might have started the season if not for that. Alston might have been 1st on the list or 5th. IDK. Wheatfall looked good in his 1st game and then gets injured. O. Wilson has not had many looks but he was the 4th or 5th target.

I wonder if we take a shot at the receiver in the supplemental draft tomorrow. He's a big target at 6'7" but I don't know much about him. Maybe he's the next Woli?

6'7" Rec that had an invite to Tampa's rookie camp.  Looks good, but do we *need* another NAT rec? 

https://3downnation.com/2024/06/27/cfl-to-host-supplemental-draft-for-giant-north-dakota-state-rec-zach-mathis/

Elks get first crack, I have no issue with using a 2nd rounder here... but I think someone will use a 1st before we get a shot at 8th overall.   Only Tor picks after us, if he drops to us, only they can outbid us. 

If Schoen is out for the season, we definitely need a stud WR, and maybe need to find that guy that won't come to the CFL for an ELC...  and make it worth his while.

[Blue In BC]

6'7" Rec that had an invite to Tampa's rookie camp.  Looks good, but do we *need* another NAT rec? 

https://3downnation.com/2024/06/27/cfl-to-host-supplemental-draft-for-giant-north-dakota-state-rec-zach-mathis/

Elks get first crack, I have no issue with using a 2nd rounder here... but I think someone will use a 1st before we get a shot at 8th overall.   Only Tor picks after us, if he drops to us, only they can outbid us. 

If Schoen is out for the season, we definitely need a stud WR, and maybe need to find that guy that won't come to the CFL for an ELC...  and make it worth his while.

It depends on who might be on the potential free agent list. We'll know what it will cost us in giving up a draft choice so that's somewhat of an advantage.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

It depends on who might be on the potential free agent list. We'll know what it will cost us in giving up a draft choice so that's somewhat of an advantage.

It all depends on what our scouts think of him but we're very likely going to win the "most Canadian starters" award again this year so we can probably pencil in an extra second rounder to work with. That said we're currently looking like we're going to have better than usual draft picks this off-season so it's hard to part with anything in the first couple rounds, I would think.

[kkc60]

6'7" Rec that had an invite to Tampa's rookie camp.  Looks good, but do we *need* another NAT rec? 

https://3downnation.com/2024/06/27/cfl-to-host-supplemental-draft-for-giant-north-dakota-state-rec-zach-mathis/

Elks get first crack, I have no issue with using a 2nd rounder here... but I think someone will use a 1st before we get a shot at 8th overall.   Only Tor picks after us, if he drops to us, only they can outbid us. 

If Schoen is out for the season, we definitely need a stud WR, and maybe need to find that guy that won't come to the CFL for an ELC...  and make it worth his while.

I would do a 2nd no doubt. Not sure what the next draft class looks like and we might have a pretty early 1st...

[M.O.A.B.]

The rookie imports have had injuries during TC and then in games. I have no idea who was ranked where or might have started the season if not for that. Alston might have been 1st on the list or 5th. IDK. Wheatfall looked good in his 1st game and then gets injured. O. Wilson has not had many looks but he was the 4th or 5th target.

I wonder if we take a shot at the receiver in the supplemental draft tomorrow. He's a big target at 6'7" but I don't know much about him. Maybe he's the next Woli?

Does he worth 1st rounder? I wish the Bombers could get him but I don't think it will happen. I wouldn't think Walters will offer a first, probably the highest he will offer is a 3rd. And all what it takes for next 7 teams is to match it.