Official Game Day Thread - Grey Cup - Winnipeg & Toronto - Nov. 17, 2024

[gobombersgo]

Ed Tait   @EdTaitWFC

The @bluebombers make three changes from last week's Western Final roster. Off are DBs Jake Kelly and Noah Hallett, both injured, along with FB Michael Chris-Ike. On are LBs Max Charbonneau and Fabian Weitz and DT Kyle Samson, who will dress for his first game of the year.

[gobombersgo]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers set roster for Grey Cup against Argonauts
By John Hodge -November 16, 2024

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have set their roster for the 111th Grey Cup against the Toronto Argonauts at BC Place in Vancouver.

There were no surprise changes to the starting lineup, which has remained consistent from last week's West Final. Canadian defensive backs Jake Kelly and Noah Hallett, neither of whom practiced this week due to knee injuries, will not dress, taking the number of defensive backs on Winnipeg's depth chart from eleven to nine. Rookie fullback Michael Chris-Ike has also been moved off the roster as a healthy scratch.

Global linebacker Fabian Weitz, Canadian linebacker Max Charbonneau, and Canadian defensive tackle Kyle Samson have all been promoted to the active roster for Sunday, which could be an indication that defensive coordinator Jordan Younger is looking to stop the run with more defenders in the box. Samson, a rookie second-round pick out of UBC, hasn't dressed for a game since the preseason.

Canadian receiver Drew Wolitarsky was a limited participant in practice with the Blue Bombers this week but will not dress. The 29-year-old hasn't played since September, making 33 catches for 403 yards and one touchdown on the year.

American defensive linemen Jamal Woods, Devin Adams, and Celestin Haba have all been left off the roster as healthy scratches. Other players who remain on Winnipeg's long-term injured list include Adam Bighill, Dalton Schoen, Chris Streveler, and Jamal Parker.

The Blue Bombers will take on the Argonauts in the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday, Nov. 17 with kickoff slated for 6:00 p.m. EST.

https://3downnation.com/2024/11/16/winnipeg-blue-bombers-set-roster-for-grey-cup-against-argonauts/

[TecnoGenius]

All in all a good roster, with the shifts not stinging too bad.

We're pulling the beef forward on the D and dropping one of the FB.  This jives perfectly with the expectation that TOR will be run-mostly (run-always?).  Well, I guess behind/at LoS passes too, but that's almost the same as a run.

Sucks Woli couldn't make it back in time, maybe a couple of more weeks would have been the difference.  Emperor needs to have the game of his life.  If he can get a completion early it'll force TOR to respect him.

Glad Demski is good(ish) to go.

Looking good!

[gobombersgo]

Toronto Argonauts set depth chart for Grey Cup clash with Bombers
By 3Down Staff -November 16, 2024

The Toronto Argonauts have set their depth chart for Sunday's Grey Cup clash with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, offering no surprises.

The largest change comes at the quarterback position after star Chad Kelly suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in the East Final. The controversial former Most Outstanding Player has since undergone surgery and is not with the team as he embarks on six to nine months of rehab.

31-year-old backup Nick Arbuckle has been given the starting gig after going five-of-eight for 73 yards in relief last week. The Oxnard, Cal. native was 65-of-100 for 799 yards, four touchdowns, and three interception this season, supplanting Cameron Dukes as the team's number two option. Bryan Scott, who was re-signed by the team earlier this week after being released earlier this year and spending time in Winnipeg, will dress as the third-stringer.

Defensively, the Argos have added some depth to the secondary for the big game. Rookie Canadian safety Tyshon Blackburn will dress behind starter Royce Metchie after recording four defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and an interception in 17 games this year. Veteran American Robert Priester returns from injury to provide insurance at strong-side linebacker, having amassed 28 defensive tackle, a sack, and a forced fumble in 11 games this year.

National defensive back Jonathan Edouard has been returned to the practice roster after dressing last week. He'll be joined by American receiver Jake Herslow, who scored a touchdown in the team's East Semi-Final win over Ottawa.

The Argonauts will take on the Blue Bombers in the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday, Nov. 17 with kickoff slated for 6:00 p.m. EST from BC Place in Vancouver.

https://3downnation.com/2024/11/16/toronto-argonauts-set-depth-chart-for-grey-cup-clash-with-bombers/

[TecnoGenius]

Uh, that chart on that web page is the ESF chart!!

[TecnoGenius]

So with Grant back there, and the fact it's "dead air" BC Place, do we limit our FG attempts to maybe 55Y?  Less?

MOS punted in a possible FG situation in WDF... I think he's already thinking about it.  Sergio made the big shots this season, but his success rate is bottom tier.  Grant changes the equation.  Though I would pay big money to see an unsighted Fatboi pancake Grant barrelling down at 25km/h.

[gobombersgo]

Uh, that chart on that web page is the ESF chart!!

I'll post the Argos depth chart when I see the correct one on X.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

So with Grant back there, and the fact it's "dead air" BC Place, do we limit our FG attempts to maybe 55Y?  Less?

MOS punted in a possible FG situation in WDF... I think he's already thinking about it.  Sergio made the big shots this season, but his success rate is bottom tier.  Grant changes the equation.  Though I would pay big money to see an unsighted Fatboi pancake Grant barrelling down at 25km/h.

Wouldn't be surprised if O'Shea used Sergio more conservatively this game and refrained from 50+ FG attempts with Grant waiting in the endzone. It would more closely match his strategy prior to this season before he let Sergio off the chain.

[Stats Junkie]

Dead air has not been an issue at BC Place since the inflatable roof was removed in 2010.

[TecnoGenius]

TOR's chart shows the big weakness is their DB corps.  The best attack is thus the deep pass.  The tricky part is can we give Zach time.  If TOR can't get pressure consistently, the game is over.

Their SAM is also a weakness.  Let's give Adeleke flashbacks to the HAM GCs where we consistently beat him.

Attack the secondary, and look for 1-on-1 matchups with SAM.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'll post the Argos depth chart when I see the correct one on X.

Don't like the ones that don't have the in and out designation.

[TecnoGenius]

My friend's BFF Rice is strangely in 2 GCs in a row.  Great guy, but let's make sure he doesn't sneak another ring.

We could have had Rice in FA.  He got picked up super super late.  It was looking like he'd have to retire.  NAT who can play OG or OT.  MB boy.  I bet he signed for super cheap, too.  What's a super-vet non-starting NAT OL these days?  $110k?

[Pigskin]

Ed Tait   @EdTaitWFC

The @bluebombers make three changes from last week's Western Final roster. Off are DBs Jake Kelly and Noah Hallett, both injured, along with FB Michael Chris-Ike. On are LBs Max Charbonneau and Fabian Weitz and DT Kyle Samson, who will dress for his first game of the year.

It's a funny game. Samson worked hard all season and doesn't dress for one regulars season game. Now he's playing in the GC. Happy for Kyle.

[Pigskin]

Have to feel for Jamal Woods 17 games, 20 DTs, 2 Sacks. Also Brian Cole. 11 games, 24 DTs, 4 STs, 1 Int, 1 FF. Last time we played the Argos, Cole had an outstanding game with 5 DTs, and 1 FF.  Devin Adams 14 games, 16 DTs, 1 ST, 4 sacks.

[dd]

My friend's BFF Rice is strangely in 2 GCs in a row.  Great guy, but let's make sure he doesn't sneak another ring.

We could have had Rice in FA.  He got picked up super super late.  It was looking like he'd have to retire.  NAT who can play OG or OT.  MB boy.  I bet he signed for super cheap, too.  What's a super-vet non-starting NAT OL these days?  $110k?

Signing Rice seemed to be a natural no brainer, but it didn't happen,and he can play OT no less. hope we can sign him next year