Rough Riders at Blue Bombers pre-game Discussion

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Another interesting conversation was about whether Alexander or Taylor get activated.

We didn't get an accurate explanation of his injury aside from hand injury. Could be finger, wrist or forearm? That could limit his ability to tackle, hit or knockdown passes. OTOH, Taylor hasn't played in a year and I still don't remember him playing safety. I think he could and if IIRC both have been taking reps with 1st team defence.

In either case either could be activated as a back up rotation player and would not necessarily have to start. Bridges would come off I think.

That said, IMO if either gets activated he will be starting.

Some feedback from anyone at practice might be useful.

All practices from this point on are closed.

[Blue In BC]

All practices from this point on are closed.

Today doesn't show as closed but Friday walk through does?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Today doesn't show as closed but Friday walk through does?

Yes. That's what it says. I would assume they've structured it this way to reveal as little information as possible to the outside world.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

That's an interesting position to take for a back up. It may not happen but if we have an injury you may regret that position. Ayers is another player that I think will become better in 2025 with a more significant role but 2025 is not the WDF in 2024.

Noting I'm not adamant that Wilson make the roster. I just think it would be wise depending on how he looks in practice this week. Depth can never be over looked and I stated why I might have a concern.

I don't and won't regret it. Give me Ayers over Wilson straight up. Go with the guys that got you there. Ayers has been slugging it out all season for us. He's a monster on the teams. He's young, athletic and a foot taller and a bit heavier than Wilson not to mention he'll probably finish the game and who knows if Wilson will finish warmups. Nothing against Wilson but he hasn't been around since July. Don't like it. Odds are Cole is going to do all the heavy lifting anyway. 

[jayrock]

I saw Reid, and Shafer-Baker get injured. But Not Reavis, Ford, or Cox interesting. Either just resting them, or something significant.

Reavis is a big one, he's been a big part of their D.

Report that Shaffer-Baker, Reavis and Cox back practicing today.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Report that Shaffer-Baker, Reavis and Cox back practicing today.

Not surprised. I'm sure they'll all play which is fine by me. Bighill played on one leg in last year's playoffs. We'll see how healthy everyone is in the fourth quarter.

[markf]

Bighill played on one leg in last year's playoffs.

Do you think, last year, in their post season analysis,  the Bombers coaches viewed that as a mistake?

Or will they do it again?

[Blue In BC]

I don't and won't regret it. Give me Ayers over Wilson straight up. Go with the guys that got you there. Ayers has been slugging it out all season for us. He's a monster on the teams. He's young, athletic and a foot taller and a bit heavier than Wilson not to mention he'll probably finish the game and who knows if Wilson will finish warmups. Nothing against Wilson but he hasn't been around since July. Don't like it. Odds are Cole is going to do all the heavy lifting anyway. 

Ayers probably doesn't see many if any reps on defence unless there is an injury. He is good on ST's but if our offence is clicking we won't see many punts.  So he'll see the field less.

You're a little bitter about Wilson being injured all the time. It's football and that happens.

I have no idea whether Wilson will see the field again in 2024. That said we'll agree to disagree on whether he should if he's healthy or whether we will need him in the role I suggested ( rotation / back up ).

Bombers are going to need fresh legs to rotate on defence.

[blue_or_die]

Do you think, last year, in their post season analysis,  the Bombers coaches viewed that as a mistake?

Or will they do it again?

Let's hope not. It was a mistake. Same with Schoen.

While I'm here, count me in as an Ayers fan. Love Wilson but yeah, he can't stay healthy and I still have PTSD from last year. Ayers has really impressed me and I want him available as either a starter or situation guy.

[Blue In BC]

Let's hope not. It was a mistake. Same with Schoen.

While I'm here, count me in as an Ayers fan. Love Wilson but yeah, he can't stay healthy and I still have PTSD from last year. Ayers has really impressed me and I want him available as either a starter or situation guy.

I'm an Ayers fan but not for the WDF if we have a legit choice.

[Mick]

On another topic, the headline of this matchup is how SSK limited Brady and the run in our last two meetings. But the media is failing to mention we were without a very important component. Stanley Bryant.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Ayers probably doesn't see many if any reps on defence unless there is an injury. He is good on ST's but if our offence is clicking we won't see many punts.  So he'll see the field less.

You're a little bitter about Wilson being injured all the time. It's football and that happens.

I have no idea whether Wilson will see the field again in 2024. That said we'll agree to disagree on whether he should if he's healthy or whether we will need him in the role I suggested ( rotation / back up ).

Bombers are going to need fresh legs to rotate on defence.

If they put Wilson on for Ayers I'll understand it. It's not that I don't get your logic I just don't value Wilson in the same you obviously do. I think we've been plenty loyal to our veterans (Bighill limping around last year is still in my mind) and don't want to repeat that. I also think it's extremely hopeful to assume that Wilson can go in and play a really good west final after months in the tub. It's not like he's been a perennial all star. Solid player. Gets hurt way to much. Hasn't been around. We've got guys who have.

[Blueforlife]

We're better without Bighill & Wilson. I'd go as far as to say we'd have lost more games if they played the whole season.

Heavily disagree
When healthy they are excellent

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS    PRACTICE DAY   
Player Name    POSITION    Injury    TUE    WED    THU    Game Status
Shawn Bane Jr.    WR    Knee    DNP    DNP       
Bryan Cox    DL    Knee    DNP    Full       
Jaxon Ford    DB    Knee    DNP    DNP       
Frankie Hickson    RB    Head    Limited    Limited       
Colton Hunchak    WR    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       
Lake Korte-Moore    DL    Knee    DNP    Limited       
Anthony Lanier II    DL    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       
Dohnte Meyers    WR    Shoulder    DNP    DNP       
Aubrey Miller Jr    LB    Back    DNP    DNP       
Kosi Onyeka    DB    Healthy Scrach    Full    Full       
C.J. Reavis    DB    Knee    DNP    Full       
Trevor Reid    OL    Knee    DNP    DNP       
Joe Robustelli    WR    Shoulder    DNP    DNP       
Ryan Sceviour    OL    Elbow    Full    Full       
Kian Schaffer-Baker    WR    Neck    DNP    Full       
Melique Straker    LB    Hip    Full    Full       
Deontai Williams    DB    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       
Noah Zerr    OL    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       

I bet Wilson will play but will he start? I don't mind heavy rotation

[Blue In BC]

Heavily disagree
When healthy they are excellent

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS    PRACTICE DAY   
Player Name    POSITION    Injury    TUE    WED    THU    Game Status
Shawn Bane Jr.    WR    Knee    DNP    DNP       
Bryan Cox    DL    Knee    DNP    Full       
Jaxon Ford    DB    Knee    DNP    DNP       
Frankie Hickson    RB    Head    Limited    Limited       
Colton Hunchak    WR    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       
Lake Korte-Moore    DL    Knee    DNP    Limited       
Anthony Lanier II    DL    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       
Dohnte Meyers    WR    Shoulder    DNP    DNP       
Aubrey Miller Jr    LB    Back    DNP    DNP       
Kosi Onyeka    DB    Healthy Scrach    Full    Full       
C.J. Reavis    DB    Knee    DNP    Full       
Trevor Reid    OL    Knee    DNP    DNP       
Joe Robustelli    WR    Shoulder    DNP    DNP       
Ryan Sceviour    OL    Elbow    Full    Full       
Kian Schaffer-Baker    WR    Neck    DNP    Full       
Melique Straker    LB    Hip    Full    Full       
Deontai Williams    DB    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       
Noah Zerr    OL    Healthy Scratch    Full    Full       

I bet Wilson will play but will he start? I don't mind heavy rotation

I think it's a toss up whether Wilson gets added to the AR. If he is I think he's more the rotation and in game injury depth. 161 DT's in 51 games and 65 DT's in the last 2 seasons ( 18 games total ) as a Bomber.

But, he could just as easily start with Cole as the rotation LB. Cole is very versatile. He can be used as a DB as well. So that would allow Alexander or Taylor to return in lieu of Bridges while still having depth at DB.

Lots of choices but how they structure the depth chart for the WDF we won't know until Friday.

That's better than a bunch of walking wounded and starters hobbling.

[Blueforlife]

I think it's a toss up whether Wilson gets added to the AR. If he is I think he's more the rotation and in game injury depth. 161 DT's in 51 games and 65 DT's in the last 2 seasons ( 18 games total ) as a Bomber.

But, he could just as easily start with Cole as the rotation LB. Cole is very versatile. He can be used as a DB as well. So that would allow Alexander or Taylor to return in lieu of Bridges while still having depth at DB.

Lots of choices but how they structure the depth chart for the WDF we won't know until Friday.

That's better than a bunch of walking wounded and starters hobbling.

How well does Wilson cover?