Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Edmonton - Sept. 21, 2024

[Jesse]

I'm curious what happens if Demski or Clercius gets injured. Augustine plays receiver? Seems like a bit of a gamble.

Whitehead is the back-up receiver.

[Blue In BC]

Whitehead is the back-up receiver.

Yes but he's been nicked for 2 weeks and didn't practice. Two significant changes with our receivers this week already. We'll see how that goes but it's a bit of a TBD situation.

[peg_city]

Whitehead is the back-up receiver.

I guess O'shea will choose offense to switch a Canadian for an American then.

[Blueforlife]

We have to win and stay healthy this game. 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I guess O'shea will choose offense to switch a Canadian for an American then.

Yep. You also have Randolph backing up everyone on the offensive line except for Kolankowski so it makes double sense.

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

Future Hall of Fame LT Stanley Bryant returns to Bombers' lineup
By 3Down Staff -September 20, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have one of the best to ever do it back in the lineup when they take on the Edmonton Elks.

Left tackle Stanley Bryant will start this week after missing the past two games due to a medical incident in the first quarter of the team's Week 12 game with Hamilton. The 38-year-old had to be stretchered off the field and taken to hospital, though his collapse was later attributed to a combination of heat and illness.

Bryant is arguably the greatest offensive lineman in CFL history, having won a record four Most Outstanding Offensive Linemen awards. He's also ultra-durable, starting 148 of a possible 153 career games since joining the Blue Bombers as a free agent in 2015. He was a healthy scratch for the three games he missed, all of which came late in the season after Winnipeg had clinched first place in the West Division.

The legend's return will bump Kendall Randolph into a backup role, while Micah Vanterpool has been returned to the practice roster.

Also returning from injury is weak-side linebacker Kyrie Wilson, who last played in Week 7 due to a knee injury. In seven games this year, the 31-year-old has posted 28 defensive tackles and a sack. Defensive back Marquise Bridges has been returned to the practice squad to accommodate the move.

In the receiving corps, Canadian Drew Wolitarsky (ribs) has been added to the six-game injured list and will be replaced by rookie Kevens Clercius. Keric Wheatfall, who had three catches for 111 yards through the first two games of the year, also returns to the starting lineup following the release of Josh Johnson.

Terry Wilson will back up Zach Collaros and recently signed quarterback Jake Dolegala will serve as the third-stringer following the season-ending injury to Chris Streveler. Rookie fullback Michael Chris-Ike will also suit up as backfield depth.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) will visit the Edmonton Elks (5-8) on Saturday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/09/20/future-hall-of-fame-lt-stanley-bryant-returns-to-bombers-lineup/

[gobombersgo]

Elks without RB Javon Leake, REC Hergy Mayala for QB Tre Ford's return to starting lineup
By 3Down Staff -September 20, 2024

The Edmonton Elks will be without two critical offensive weapons for Tre Ford's much-anticipated return to the starting lineup on Saturday.

Running back and returner Javon Leake will not be in the lineup as he is back home dealing with a personal matter. The CFL's reigning Most Outstanding Special Team Player has blossomed into an elite rushing threat since taking on an increased offensive role, carrying 80 times for 506 yards and five touchdowns while adding 26 receptions for 191 more yards through the air.

Canadian receiver Hergy Mayala (calf) also won't be available after being placed on the six-game injured list. The 28-year-old was on pace for a career year, notching 41 receptions for 503 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.

Veteran Kevin Brown and rookie Justin Rankin will continue to split carries in Leake's absence. Gavin Cobb is expected to step into the starting lineup for Mayala, with Frederik Antoine dressing for insurance.

Making his first appearance of the season will be veteran defensive end A.C. Leonard, who was re-signed earlier this week after being allowed to walk in free agency. The 32-year-old had a career-high 12 sacks last year for the Elks.

As expected, dual-threat Canadian Tre Ford will get the start at quarterback after the bye, sending veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson to the bench despite strong play of late. The former Hec Crighton Trophy winner has completed 35-of-45 passes for 473 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 11 times for 79 yards. He went 2-0 as a starter but was forced to exit his second outing in the second quarter after sustaining an injury.

The Edmonton Elks (5-8) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) on Saturday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/09/20/elks-without-rb-javon-leake-rec-hergy-mayala-for-qb-tre-fords-return-to-starting-lineup/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes but he's been nicked for 2 weeks and didn't practice. Two significant changes with our receivers this week already. We'll see how that goes but it's a bit of a TBD situation.

They'll just keep plugging Lucky in as a returner till he breaks and can't go anymore.  Don't understand why they ignore durability issues he's had his entire career, he's very fast, not strong!  Seems like a terrible waste for a receiver who can make an immediate difference when given the opportunity.  Don't be surprised if he rides out the season on the 6-game, never to return.

[ichabod_crane]

We are building something special again.  Sure lots of panic in Bomberland early season.  Patience paid off (again).

Was WAY TOO MANY CHICKEN LITTLES earlier in the season. I hope everyone knows PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!   In the Manitoba Mafia we trust!

[Blue In BC]

Was WAY TOO MANY CHICKEN LITTLES earlier in the season. I hope everyone knows PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!   In the Manitoba Mafia we trust!

We went 1 - 6. Lost our 2 best receivers including Schoen for the season. IIRC we had 14 players on the 6 game IR.  Patience has nothing to do with anything. It's just an excuse when things seem to work out. Things did not look good and we've had some luck after that horrible start.

The odds of things going south were greater than improving to where we are now. Thank the East as well for beating our competition while we got things going our way in the west.

I might point out we haven't won anything yet. We're in a nice place at the moment. Lose to the Elks tomorrow and they are 2 points behind us. A sweep the following week and they pass us in the standings. I don't expect that but football is unpredictable. I didn't expect to lose Streveler or Bighill for the season either.

Have you looked at how close the standings are right now?  The Bombers know this as well. Rise to the challenge. We're a better team than the Elks.

[TecnoGenius]

In:
Out:

Once again, I go to 8 team website depth chart pages just now, and 7 of the 8 have their charts up on time... only one is missing...

I love the chart that is put up by GBG in the sticky thread (otherwise I wouldn't have one at all!), but it's getting comical we are the only team that continues to not put a chart up on their site until just before (or after!) each game.

Grumble grumble, moan moan

P.S. All we get this week is the stylized social media chart and not the white-background one?

[ichabod_crane]

We went 1 - 6. Lost our 2 best receivers including Schoen for the season. IIRC we had 14 players on the 6 game IR.  Patience has nothing to do with anything. It's just an excuse when things seem to work out. Things did not look good and we've had some luck after that horrible start.

The odds of things going south were greater than improving to where we are now. Thank the East as well for beating our competition while we got things going our way in the west.

I might point out we haven't won anything yet. We're in a nice place at the moment. Lose to the Elks tomorrow and they are 2 points behind us. A sweep the following week and they pass us in the standings. I don't expect that but football is unpredictable. I didn't expect to lose Streveler or Bighill for the season either.

Have you looked at how close the standings are right now?  The Bombers know this as well. Rise to the challenge. We're a better team than the Elks.

I call B.S.! You don't know the makeup of this team then and the pride of the veterans on it coming into the season. They would not tank a season despite a slow start. AND THEY WERE NEVER 1-6! That was the 2011 BC LIONS! KNOW YOUR HISTORY DUDE! You are making stuff up so I call B.S.!

I never said we have won anything yet. Where do you see me saying this? Show me a quote!

Odds schmods, like statistics are sometimes for losers. Life is not only about numbers...I guess maybe you are too young too fully understand that yet.

Sorry if I come on strong, but when I see B.S. I will call it. You can't bully me or make things up without a retort from me. Other than that, I wish you a great weekend and GO BLUE! Maybe they tank the rest of the season for all I know because I have no crystal ball which some people seemed to think they had early in the season, but they won't tank from lack of effort as too much pride on this team to throw in the towel when they just climbed out of their hole. 

[TecnoGenius]

Yep. You also have Randolph backing up everyone on the offensive line except for Kolankowski so it makes double sense.

With Neufeld back I'm pretty sure Neuf gets kicked to OT if Bryant or Lofton go down, and Randolph takes his RG spot.  Randolph wasn't great at LT, and remember, he's a rookie... we've placed big asks on him (and he's been pretty good!).

[TecnoGenius]

I call B.S.! You don't know the makeup of this team then and the pride of the veterans on it coming into the season.

It was possible the crowd (and all media) that said "the whole team is geriatric" were going to (finally) be right... I didn't think so, but I knew it was certainly possible.

My main concern after the 4 losses was new weaker OL (still kind of a thing even now), and losing Schoen/Kenny and starting too many rookie Rs.  And the DBs looked weak after losing Houston(FA) / Parker(IR).  But OL improved, got Kenny back, Pokey ok enough to numb the Schoen sting, DBs have proved stellar after gelling.

It was ok to be worried.  We could be having the "SSK Slump" the last 7 weeks instead of the "WPG Whip Their Tails"!