Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Montreal - October 26, 2024

[markf]

No fear

No excuses

I'm trying to find a way to watch game overseas

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[gobombersgo]

Bombers beef up depth with return of special teams ace Michael Ayers
By 3Down Staff -October 25, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will field an unchanged starting lineup for their pivotal regular-season finale against the Montreal Alouettes but will beef up their depth with the return of a couple of key faces.

Chief among the returnees is rookie linebacker Michael Ayers, who had carved out a significant role for himself this season before missing the last game with a hip injury. The Ashland product leads the team with 16 special teams tackles while also adding 11 defensive tackles, a sack, and a pick-six.

Joining him back in the linebacking corps after a one-game absence is backup SAM Michael Griffin. Fullback Bailey Feltmate is also back from a long injury to add to the special teams unit. Depth players sitting out as a result are American defensive back Tyrique Mcghee, American linebacker Bryce Notree, Canadian linebacker Max Charbonneau, and Global linebacker Fabian Weitz.

In the trenches, Winnipeg has benched defensive end Celestin Haba after he recorded six defensive tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in 10 games. Defensive tackle Miles Fox, who has not seen action since Week 2, will dress in his place. On the other side of the ball, rookie Canadian offensive lineman Gabe Wallace returns from a knee injury to dress as the seventh man.

The Bombers (10-7) can clinch first place in the West Division with a victory when they travel to visit the Montreal Alouettes (12-4-1) on Saturday, October 26 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/10/25/bombers-beef-up-depth-with-return-of-special-teams-ace-michael-ayers/

[gobombersgo]

RB Walter Fletcher, REC Austin Mack to play in Alouettes' finale
By 3Down Staff -October 25, 2024

The Montreal Alouettes are resting fewer key pieces than most expected for their regular-season finale on Saturday, including re-inserting two major offensive weapons into the lineup.

Running back Walter Fletcher and receiver Austin Mack will both play after sitting out last week. Fletcher has carried 129 times for 711 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games, while catching 67 passes for 641 yards and three more majors through the air. Mack has only played two games since returning from the NFL, notching seven catches for 124 yards, but was a CFL all-star in 2023.

The pair will catch passes from quarterback Cody Fajardo, who will get the start as Jason Maas' offence looks to regain its form. Running back Stevie Scott III and Canadian receiver Shedler Fervius have been returned to the practice roster to make room for the starting pair.

The offence will have to make do without right tackle Josh Donovan, who exited last week's game with a knee injury. Jamar McGloster will step in to replace him but is listed as a game-time decision with a hand injury. Canadian Theo Grant will dress as a seventh offensive lineman.

Montreal's nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian, defensive end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, will also be out this week with a quad injury. The 28-year-old has recorded 36 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble in 17 games. Lwal Uguak will start in his place, with Brock Gowanlock drawing into the lineup.

Kick returner James Letcher Jr. will be the only player to sit out this week as a healthy scratch. Rookie Tyjon Lindsey will get the nod for his first CFL appearance.

The Alouettes (12-4-1) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7) on Saturday, October 26 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/10/25/rb-walter-fletcher-rec-austin-mack-to-play-in-alouettes-finale/

[TecnoGenius]

No one is talking about MTL's chart.  They are going all-in here.  They are trying to intimidate, and it's working.  The message is they are trying to win, and I expect them to be tough coming out the gate.  But as the game wears on there are many scenarios where they will start taking it easy and shifting in the B-team because even if they claim to have their heart in it, it really won't be as the tough game slogs on.

If they get even one bad injury I expect MTL to fully turtle.  If they lose 2 important starters right before the EDF they will quit.  It's simply not worth it.

It would have been better if MTL had won last week so they wouldn't have to "get back into playoff form" against us.  But c'est la vie.

[TecnoGenius]

Fox in for Haba. Haba wasn't having a good year, so I'm not surprised. Haba: 10 games, 6 DTs, 1 Sack.
 
Two FBs? However Feltmate is good on teams.

2 FB + 7 OL was our preferred roster before injuries dictated otherwise.  And with our QB protection issues and run block issues, this is the smart move.  Show them the cold(ish)-game late-season bullyball that is our M.O. going into the post-season.

Agree, was more surprised by Habba being deleted and Kyrie Wilson not coming back, I wonder if they'll see any action in the playoffs. After the last game Bryan Cole showed he is almost indispensable.

Ya, strange move.  Could be Haba has been deemed not good enough for the post-season.  We sometimes take until the last minute like this to figure these things out.  Not sure Fox is any better, but he'll certainly be fresh.  Too bad we never got any late-season stud pickup/trade...

[TecnoGenius]

I'm more concerned about the west final.

I'm not.  This basically is the west final.  I'm not scared by BC or SSK if we can play them @PAS.  We should beat either handily, just like we did in the last 2 games against each.  We have their numbers, and both teams are very one-dimensional.

But if we lose to MTL and have to play both WSF/WDF and play WDF in SSK, then we're going to get beat up in terms of injuries and wear & tear.  Then even if we make it to the cup we'll be too injured and tired to win against an East that will have only one tough game to get there (whether TOR or MTL, because OTT will be a cakewalk).

Remember, half our team is geriatric  , and while they can perform great for 1-2 games, it's hard on them to keep that up 3-4 weeks in a row.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

RB Walter Fletcher, REC Austin Mack to play in Alouettes' finale
By 3Down Staff -October 25, 2024

The Montreal Alouettes are resting fewer key pieces than most expected for their regular-season finale on Saturday, including re-inserting two major offensive weapons into the lineup.

Running back Walter Fletcher and receiver Austin Mack will both play after sitting out last week. Fletcher has carried 129 times for 711 yards and three touchdowns through 16 games, while catching 67 passes for 641 yards and three more majors through the air. Mack has only played two games since returning from the NFL, notching seven catches for 124 yards, but was a CFL all-star in 2023.

The pair will catch passes from quarterback Cody Fajardo, who will get the start as Jason Maas' offence looks to regain its form. Running back Stevie Scott III and Canadian receiver Shedler Fervius have been returned to the practice roster to make room for the starting pair.

The offence will have to make do without right tackle Josh Donovan, who exited last week's game with a knee injury. Jamar McGloster will step in to replace him but is listed as a game-time decision with a hand injury. Canadian Theo Grant will dress as a seventh offensive lineman.

Montreal's nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian, defensive end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, will also be out this week with a quad injury. The 28-year-old has recorded 36 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble in 17 games. Lwal Uguak will start in his place, with Brock Gowanlock drawing into the lineup.

Kick returner James Letcher Jr. will be the only player to sit out this week as a healthy scratch. Rookie Tyjon Lindsey will get the nod for his first CFL appearance.

The Alouettes (12-4-1) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7) on Saturday, October 26 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/10/25/rb-walter-fletcher-rec-austin-mack-to-play-in-alouettes-finale/

Dressing Walter Fletcher and Austin Mack makes a big difference, gives the Als 2 explosive weapons that can make big plays, especially Fletcher sneaking out of the backfield for dump passes.  I don't expect the Bombers to hold them below 100 yds. each but hopefully they can keep them out of the endzone.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Dressing Walter Fletcher and Austin Mack makes a big difference, gives the Als 2 explosive weapons that can make big plays, especially Fletcher sneaking out of the backfield for dump passes.  I don't expect the Bombers to hold them below 100 yds. each but hopefully they can keep them out of the endzone.

They'll start but for how long is another question.

[Jesse]

Dressing Walter Fletcher and Austin Mack makes a big difference, gives the Als 2 explosive weapons that can make big plays, especially Fletcher sneaking out of the backfield for dump passes.  I don't expect the Bombers to hold them below 100 yds. each but hopefully they can keep them out of the endzone.

They're practicing to get ready for play-offs. I don't expect either to play the whole game.

[Blue In BC]

Rhetorical questions:

1. Is Haba actually injured
2. Or was Fox activated because he has fresh legs.
3. I never had the impression Fox was a DE and is more of a DT is size and speed but is listed at DE.
4. Will we see more LB's used as edge rushers / contain in some sets ( 34 defences ) than 2 DE's as a base formation?

I have no problem with Fox being activated but we've seen so little from him in due to injury. I had always thought he'd come in at DT when he was healthy. He'll be a player to watch to see how he fits in and how he does. He is the heaviest DL we have on our roster.

Although I said this was rhetorical but feel free to respond with an opinion. It is somewhat moot since Fox is on and Haba is off.

[markf]

Both games last night the players/teams went full out.

I think this game might well be the same.

trite but...... Contain/ Pressure Fajardo/Alexander. I would like to see Fajardo "regress to the mean"

it almost seems like O'Shea and friends are having a bit of a chuckle when they set the players positions on the depth chart.

I think everything is scrutinized for some kind of advantage by those guys.

[Blue In BC]

Both games last night the players/teams went full out.

I think this game might well be the same.

trite but...... Contain/ Pressure Fajardo/Alexander.

Kelly didn't take a snap last night so I don't think I'd agree the Argos went full out. Some players didn't play and some were rested early.

The Als have 1st place locked up and aside from wanting to get back on the winning path, they don't want to risk injury.

I don't think Fajardo plays long tonight. Alexander can be dangerous though.

[pdirks67]

For those (like me) that stream TSN - I just realized that today's game is on CTV. However, we should be able to watch the game on the "enhanced data" feed on TSN+.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

For those (like me) that stream TSN - I just realized that today's game is on CTV. However, we should be able to watch the game on the "enhanced data" feed on TSN+.

Yes I believe so, TSN+ has worked for the last few CTV televised games, but if the game is not listed there you could go to CFL+ to watch it.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Rhetorical questions:

1. Is Haba actually injured
2. Or was Fox activated because he has fresh legs.
3. I never had the impression Fox was a DE and is more of a DT is size and speed but is listed at DE.
4. Will we see more LB's used as edge rushers / contain in some sets ( 34 defences ) than 2 DE's as a base formation?

I have no problem with Fox being activated but we've seen so little from him in due to injury. I had always thought he'd come in at DT when he was healthy. He'll be a player to watch to see how he fits in and how he does. He is the heaviest DL we have on our roster.

Although I said this was rhetorical but feel free to respond with an opinion. It is somewhat moot since Fox is on and Haba is off.

Fox surely isn't classified as a DE but it doesn't matter much in a 3 man front they're all creators of havoc, like the Argos the the D-line roles are being combined, with no clear distinction between DE's and DT's.  A pure pass rushing DE like Willie gets lost in the mix and may soon become a disappearing breed, D-line bodies are getting heavier and thicker. As for Haba who knows, he hasn't done a whole lot to establish his place on the D-line and maybe considered the weakest havoc creator among the imports.