Calgary @ Winnipeg

[Blue In BC]

Think back to the off-season.  I'm pretty sure most of us had Fatboi slotted in as starting.  At worst we had him slotted in like 2023 with Fatboi/Lawson sharing a spot, with an IMP taking the other one.  Many wanted to see a progression where Lawson gets more snaps as Fatboi is slowly phased out this (or next) season.

Was anyone surprised when the week 1 chart came out and Fatboi was the starter?  Definitely not.  You find me a post by someone who said boo at the time.  Saying Fatboi is starting just because of injury is retconning.

You think that's all or even mostly on the DL?  Have you seen how our D leaves the flat completely wide open with 30Y windows in all directions?  Have you seen how our LBers are having trouble against the run?  The FS isn't doing his run-stop job either, and the DBs are all whiffing in space.  Only Holm seems capable of catching lowly big not-super-fast RBs once they get going.

Ya, the entire D is to blame for the run explosions of the last couple of weeks (and the ugly tone-setter by Stanback in the GC).  For some reason teams will always limit Brady to 5 to 15, and he never gets a 40 lately, but we leave wide open swathes of field for opponent runners to go crazy.  I really don't get why this is.

Lawson was injured in TC so it was no surprise that Thomas was the next man up. We only had 2 import DT's in TC for most of camp.

I'm not going to look for posts from May and June saying Thomas shouldn't be starting. Many said that during all of 2023, before TC and during TC. I know I've said in all of those time frames.

One thing you might do is time the amount of time Maier had to throw over a series or two.

[Slingin Sammy]

Lawson was injured in TC so it was no surprise that Thomas was the next man up. We only had 2 import DT's in TC for most of camp.

I'm not going to look for posts from May and June saying Thomas shouldn't be starting. Many said that during all of 2023, before TC and during TC. I know I've said in all of those time frames.

One thing you might do is time the amount of time Maier had to throw over a series or two.

On Fatboi's sack, count steamboats.  Clearly a coverage sack.  Maier had a similar amount of time all game to throw the ball.  There isn't sufficient push from the front 4; there hasn't been all year.  I'm not suggesting that's all on Jake; but it's not good enough...V Adams and other high level QBs will continue to carve us up in the next 2/3 of the season if we don't fix it. 

Garbutt might be back this week; not sure what he brings but maybe it improves pressure off the end...haven't heard any reports that Fox, Lawson or Haba are anywhere near a return.  I've seen all 3 at practice sitting on the injured players bench with Parker.  They're not doing sprints or anything other than watching.  Looks like they'll be on the mend for quite a bit more time

This all leads to the conclusion that the staff like the guys they have and are willing to play these injuries out.  Who ends up starting after our injured players return is inconsequential as long as there's improvement on the line.

[Blue In BC]

On Fatboi's sack, count steamboats.  Clearly a coverage sack.  Maier had a similar amount of time all game to throw the ball.  There isn't sufficient push from the front 4; there hasn't been all year.  I'm not suggesting that's all on Jake; but it's not good enough...V Adams and other high level QBs will continue to carve us up in the next 2/3 of the season if we don't fix it. 

Garbutt might be back this week; not sure what he brings but maybe it improves pressure off the end...haven't heard any reports that Fox, Lawson or Haba are anywhere near a return.  I've seen all 3 at practice sitting on the injured players bench with Parker.  They're not doing sprints or anything other than watching.  Looks like they'll be on the mend for quite a bit more time

This all leads to the conclusion that the staff like the guys they have and are willing to play these injuries out.  Who ends up starting after our injured players return is inconsequential as long as there's improvement on the line.

Those on our IR might be great players but the issue is that they may not be available for and extended period.

At the very least we should be bringing a couple of DL to look at on our PR.

[Slingin Sammy]

Those on our IR might be great players but the issue is that they may not be available for and extended period.

At the very least we should be bringing a couple of DL to look at on our PR.

I agree.  We've now got too many receivers on the PR.  Dropping former TC cuts like Cody Case and/or Alston from the PR for a D Lineman or two seems like a prudent thing to do

[Blue In BC]

I agree.  We've now got too many receivers on the PR.  Dropping former TC cuts like Cody Case and/or Alston from the PR for a D Lineman or two seems like a prudent thing to do

I think there is a decent chance Lawler is back after the Rider game. He'll have completed his 6 game on IR. If that's true then we might look to trim a receiver from the PR. Who that would be IDK. The impression I get is that Mitchell and Case are being looked at as returners more so than receivers.

Whitehead might fill that next man up so we might move away from one receiver in order to add a DL. In reality even if a new DL shows up tomorrow, he'll need a couple of weeks to learn the playbook.

The general thought is that Lawson and Haba are going to be out for quite awhile. Fox and Garbutt might be available sooner.

Action depends on what we don't know, but it can't hurt to bring in a DT candidate or two.

I didn't think Fayad was playing that well but didn't think he'd earn such a quick exit. Even the PR has limited spaces and we had just added 3 receivers.

The team sees more about a player in practice than we see in limited game time. Raw talent doesn't out weigh lack of effort, football IQ and consistency.

I'm not suggesting that was the case with Fayad, but it's a question as what just happened. Adding Lucky O as a LB was curious but he be a good player in the future. Some mention of him being an athletic freak of nature is not a bad thing to start.

Strategically replacing a DE with a LB body type, was another what's going on here. He did recover a fumble but was getting washed out by the OL most of what I saw. 

I don't think we have another choice for this week, so round 2. Let's see what he can do. OTOH, Hubert has looked like he could be a good player soon. He did record a couple of DT's and created some push.

[TecnoGenius]

One thing you might do is time the amount of time Maier had to throw over a series or two.

We've given QBs tons of time all season.  The DL is weak, we all know that.  But I'd say it's at most 25% Fatboi, as he is 1/4 of the line.

Our #2 DE (whoever it has been) has been pretty useless all season.  Our IMP DT, whoever it's been, has had limited success.  People have been noting Willie getting shut down even without being double-teamed.

The entire unit has been bad, I don't see why we should single out Fatboi.  At least, unlike most of the other pieces, he gives us the passport advantage.  For my money I'd get a star-level DE before I'd worry about Fatboi.  Probably an IMP DT too.  And also start looking at the DL coach, unless you guys can vouch for him...

It's not like this is the first time we've had an ineffective DL!  Remember all the times Jeffcoat was out?

[drahgon]

He kicked my dog.

And now your dog need operation?

[LXTSN]

We've given QBs tons of time all season.  The DL is weak, we all know that.  But I'd say it's at most 25% Fatboi, as he is 1/4 of the line.

Our #2 DE (whoever it has been) has been pretty useless all season.  Our IMP DT, whoever it's been, has had limited success.  People have been noting Willie getting shut down even without being double-teamed.

The entire unit has been bad, I don't see why we should single out Fatboi.  At least, unlike most of the other pieces, he gives us the passport advantage.  For my money I'd get a star-level DE before I'd worry about Fatboi.  Probably an IMP DT too.  And also start looking at the DL coach, unless you guys can vouch for him...

It's not like this is the first time we've had an ineffective DL!  Remember all the times Jeffcoat was out?

Really counting on Garbutt to provide pressure on the QB. I still have moderately high hopes for Hubert, but It does feel like Lucky Obgeoven(spell check??) is not ready for game action. Looked completely helpless out there.

[theaardvark]

Really counting on Garbutt to provide pressure on the QB. I still have moderately high hopes for Hubert, but It does feel like Lucky Obgeoven(spell check??) is not ready for game action. Looked completely helpless out there.

Guys are getting tested by fire.  Some get hardened (the tempering process of steel), and some burn up.  Pokey took a few games to temper, lets hope we see our DL rookies do the same.

[Blue In BC]

Just checked stats for Edmonton / Ottawa game.

Oakman had 4 DT's including 2 TFL in his 1st game. That's pretty good for a player that is not completely familiar with the playbook or communicating with his teammates. His game speed and conditioning also not up to full yet.

I don't know if we spoke with his agent or what his salary expectations were. My impression was that we thought we didn't need him and didn't speak to him. Maybe it was deemed he was not a personality fit etc etc.

We'll see how this plays out over the course of the season. If Fox returns and has an all star type season it will be different than if our DT's continue to struggle. There has been no indication that Fox will be available anytime soon though.

I wonder if we've approached Walker to see if he's interested in playing this season?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I watched Oakman a bit in this last game, he looked like a slow lumbering giant, the name fits, Willy J. he ain't.

[dd]

There's enough blame to go around for everyone on the DL, but you can start with Willie Jefferson —-he has 2 sacks over 6 games, prorated over the season, that's 6 sacks. Not much for the much talked about and highly paid superstar.

 Your best players have to be your best players, and clearly WJ ain't pulling his weight. Collaros was struggling, but seems to have upped his game last game.

Back off on chewing on Thomas and if Jefferson could get to the Qb twice as often as he has been, we d all be happier

[blue_gold_84]

There's enough blame to go around for everyone on the DL, but you can start with Willie Jefferson —-he has 2 sacks over 6 games, prorated over the season, that's 6 sacks. Not much for the much talked about and highly paid superstar.

Yeah, it isn't like he's getting double-teamed most of the time or anything...

Jefferson is the absolute least of the D-line's issues right now. Look beyond a stat line.

[dd]

Yeah, it isn't like he's getting double-teamed most of the time or anything...

Jefferson is the absolute least of the D-line's issues right now. Look beyond a stat line.

He isn't getting double teamed. Watch next game and make note of how many double teams he gets and we'll come back to this

[ModAdmin]

There's enough blame to go around for everyone on the DL, but you can start with Willie Jefferson —-he has 2 sacks over 6 games, prorated over the season, that's 6 sacks. Not much for the much talked about and highly paid superstar.

 Your best players have to be your best players, and clearly WJ ain't pulling his weight. Collaros was struggling, but seems to have upped his game last game.

Back off on chewing on Thomas and if Jefferson could get to the Qb twice as often as he has been, we d all be happier

Yet, strangely, Dave Dickensen said Jefferson "had his way" with the Stamps in that game.  Hmmmm.