Blue Bombers transactions - January 21, 2025

Started by ModAdmin, January 21, 2025, 03:45:33 PM

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ModAdmin

Blue Bombers transactions - January 21, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., January 21, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American defensive back Quandre Mosely.

Mosely (6-2, 185, Kentucky, born: May 8, 1999 in Brunswick, GA ) most recently was in training camp with the Carolina Panthers in 2024, while also spending time with Dallas, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and New England, seeing action in one regular season game with the Patriots. He spent his final two collegiate seasons at Kentucky, recording 69 tackles (48 solos, 21 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions for 77 yards, and one touchdown in 36 games for the Wildcats.
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one." - John Wooden

DM83


BomberFan73

Quote from: DM83 on January 22, 2025, 09:15:37 PMCan you say safety

Ya, 1st thing I thought of was BA replacement?  Let's hope he's physical.

Blue In BC

Quote from: BomberFan73 on January 23, 2025, 01:34:17 AMYa, 1st thing I thought of was BA replacement?  Let's hope he's physical.

Do you know something about him to suggest he'd be a better fit at safety then CB or DHB? I'm not disputing that may be the case, but what is the basis of your thought?  He's a little taller and lighter than Alexander. That seems like a body type for a CB just off the top of my head.

Of course body type doesn't always mean anything.
Take no prisoners

Pigskin

Quote from: Blue In BC on January 23, 2025, 04:05:26 PMDo you know something about him to suggest he'd be a better fit at safety then CB or DHB? I'm not disputing that may be the case, but what is the basis of your thought?  He's a little taller and lighter than Alexander. That seems like a body type for a CB just off the top of my head.

Of course body type doesn't always mean anything.

He is fast running a 4.3/40, so he will close on the ball quickly. However, I can't see him walking in to camp and jumping into BA's spot ASAP. He has to learn the CFL game, deal with another player on the field, and learn our system. Can't see it happening in our short TC. 
Don't go through life looking in the rearview mirror.

Blue In BC

Quote from: Pigskin on January 23, 2025, 04:37:35 PMHe is fast running a 4.3/40, so he will close on the ball quickly. However, I can't see him walking in to camp and jumping into BA's spot ASAP. He has to learn the CFL game, deal with another player on the field, and learn our system. Can't see it happening in our short TC. 

His draft profile suggests his fit at CB but that doesn't exclude from getting a look at safety. Safety needs a high football IQ and that's usually part of playing experience.

Most teams will have an idea of where a given player fits best but will also move everyone around during TC. Versatility is a good asset to have  and that's hard to determine from a given profile.

Fast is natural asset to have.
Take no prisoners

theaardvark

FS is a physical position, but also a traffic control / cover position. Need to be able to lower the boom, but also read the receivers routes and direct traffic, as the last line of defence.

Players need to have the physical and mental chops to play FS.  And the CFL is far different than NCAA/NFL, with an extra body and the waggle.
Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: theaardvark on January 23, 2025, 06:36:25 PMFS is a physical position, but also a traffic control / cover position. Need to be able to lower the boom, but also read the receivers routes and direct traffic, as the last line of defence.

Players need to have the physical and mental chops to play FS.  And the CFL is far different than NCAA/NFL, with an extra body and the waggle.

Yep, it's been a longtime since the Bombers played a rookie at Safety, for good reason.

BomberFan73

Quote from: Blue In BC on January 23, 2025, 04:05:26 PMDo you know something about him to suggest he'd be a better fit at safety then CB or DHB? I'm not disputing that may be the case, but what is the basis of your thought?  He's a little taller and lighter than Alexander. That seems like a body type for a CB just off the top of my head.

Of course body type doesn't always mean anything.
Alexander did not start with us at safety, wasn't he originally a HB?  I don't worry about an exact body size, but I think I like a bigger, hard hitting safety.  Our corners for the past while have been small.

BomberFan73

Quote from: Pigskin on January 23, 2025, 04:37:35 PMHe is fast running a 4.3/40, so he will close on the ball quickly. However, I can't see him walking in to camp and jumping into BA's spot ASAP. He has to learn the CFL game, deal with another player on the field, and learn our system. Can't see it happening in our short TC. 
For sure, I wouldn't bet on him walking in and replacing BA right away. But if a rookie safety does impress, I think it's likely we'll need a backup to play that position for at least a few games.

TecnoGenius

Quote from: theaardvark on January 23, 2025, 06:36:25 PMFS is a physical position, but also a traffic control / cover position. Need to be able to lower the boom, but also read the receivers routes and direct traffic, as the last line of defence.

Dequoy is the league-best FS by far and he can't lower the boom on anyone.  He looks like a 200M dash star, not a football player.  Dude can run and get to balls.

That's the type of FS I want.  The Loffler type isn't as useful anymore because CFL has outlawed all of this hits that let them break up catches and force fumbles.
Never go full Rider!

dd

Ya, defenseless player rules have made the crushing safety obsolete in the CFL, speed and knockdown passes is the order of the day.

BomberFan73

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 24, 2025, 02:06:35 AMDequoy is the league-best FS by far and he can't lower the boom on anyone.  He looks like a 200M dash star, not a football player.  Dude can run and get to balls.

That's the type of FS I want.  The Loffler type isn't as useful anymore because CFL has outlawed all of this hits that let them break up catches and force fumbles.

That is a good point, but a big legal hit still has the potential to be a turning point in the game.
You can't tell me that WR's aren't aware when BA is downfield of them. It's in their head.
Ideally you want a Dequoy/BA hybrid.

theaardvark

Quote from: BomberFan73 on January 24, 2025, 12:02:32 PMThat is a good point, but a big legal hit still has the potential to be a turning point in the game.
You can't tell me that WR's aren't aware when BA is downfield of them. It's in their head.
Ideally you want a Dequoy/BA hybrid.

You want either one or the other, a hybrid who is not quite as fast as Dequoy and doesn't hit quite as hard as Alexander is m'eh, and you won't find a hybrid that is 100% of both...
Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

Sir Blue and Gold

#14
Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 24, 2025, 02:06:35 AMDequoy is the league-best FS by far and he can't lower the boom on anyone.  He looks like a 200M dash star, not a football player.  Dude can run and get to balls.

That's the type of FS I want.  The Loffler type isn't as useful anymore because CFL has outlawed all of this hits that let them break up catches and force fumbles.

It depends how you use your safety and what responsibilities he has within the system. Historically (under Hall and last year too), we've used Alexander as a bit of jack of all trades. He played down in the box quite a bit which, if we continue to do that, sort of changes the body type you want there. If the position is more of that traditional umbrella over the top guy then sure give me someone long with lots of speed. If not, then it's probably not the best fit. If we're going to keep dropping 9, we could use more of a hybrid safety because depth of coverage should never be a significant issue.

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: BomberFan73 on January 24, 2025, 12:46:03 AMAlexander did not start with us at safety, wasn't he originally a HB?  I don't worry about an exact body size, but I think I like a bigger, hard hitting safety.  Our corners for the past while have been small.

Yes in his rookie season BA played HB alongside rookie Brian Walker at CB and they got burned a lot.  Walker was eventually cut and played with the Elks for a few seasons.

Throw Long Bannatyne

#16
Quote from: dd on January 24, 2025, 03:03:25 AMYa, defenseless player rules have made the crushing safety obsolete in the CFL, speed and knockdown passes is the order of the day.

That describes Holm perfectly but doubt they'll move him away from HB.  Haven't given up on Jake Kelly yet, seems like an athletic player we'll see if he's smart enough to handle Safety. It would be great ratio wise, with Ford's return in serious doubt.

TecnoGenius

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 24, 2025, 04:06:17 PMThat describes Holm perfectly but doubt they'll move him away from HB.  Haven't given up on Jake Kelly yet, seems like an athletic player we'll see if he's smart enough to handle Safety. It would be great ratio wise, with Ford's return in serious doubt.

I think Dequoy has a couple of inches on Holm?  I think if you want the roving/speed FS you need as tall and lanky a guy as you can get.

And yes, I agree with SB&G, if your FS is going to be in the box stuffing holes and trying to run stop 235lb RBs, you don't want him to be featherweight Dequoy.  Switching to that style a FS would represent a big change on the standard WFC D scheme.

And also great note that if we're always dropping 9 then having a tougher BA-style FS is not much help.  For instance, I'm pretty sure it was BA that was beat on the zone Brissett TD in the GC.  A taller/faster FS may have been able to make a play as the QB was throwing.

However, with the change to Younger, maybe that will be something we look at.  I guess it depends on the personnel provided by KW.  I think the $$$ to Dequoy hints that the CFL future really is with that style of FS.
Never go full Rider!

Throw Long Bannatyne

#18
Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 27, 2025, 08:49:06 AMI think Dequoy has a couple of inches on Holm?  I think if you want the roving/speed FS you need as tall and lanky a guy as you can get.

And yes, I agree with SB&G, if your FS is going to be in the box stuffing holes and trying to run stop 235lb RBs, you don't want him to be featherweight Dequoy.  Switching to that style a FS would represent a big change on the standard WFC D scheme.

And also great note that if we're always dropping 9 then having a tougher BA-style FS is not much help.  For instance, I'm pretty sure it was BA that was beat on the zone Brissett TD in the GC.  A taller/faster FS may have been able to make a play as the QB was throwing.

However, with the change to Younger, maybe that will be something we look at.  I guess it depends on the personnel provided by KW.  I think the $$$ to Dequoy hints that the CFL future really is with that style of FS.


There's only one Dequoy and the Als have made him the highest paid Safety in the CFL at $156k. Holm can cover just as well with his great timing and leaping ability and he's become a much more efficient tackler than he was in his first season starting.  As for plugging holes up front, Younger's new look D has reduced that requirement significantly.

TecnoGenius

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 27, 2025, 05:21:02 PMThere's only one Dequoy and the Als have made him the highest paid Safety in the CFL at $156k.

Ya, it's weird.  Maybe the USA isn't putting out that type FS?  Maybe we need to ignore the draft choices and go find U level track stars who can just run faster than everyone else to the ball?  Kinda like what some U coaches do when they see a soccer guy with a huge leg and say "hey you wanna kick?".
Never go full Rider!

Sir Blue and Gold

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 28, 2025, 03:35:48 AMYa, it's weird.  Maybe the USA isn't putting out that type FS?  Maybe we need to ignore the draft choices and go find U level track stars who can just run faster than everyone else to the ball?  Kinda like what some U coaches do when they see a soccer guy with a huge leg and say "hey you wanna kick?".

Lol no.

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 28, 2025, 03:35:48 AMYa, it's weird.  Maybe the USA isn't putting out that type FS?  Maybe we need to ignore the draft choices and go find U level track stars who can just run faster than everyone else to the ball?  Kinda like what some U coaches do when they see a soccer guy with a huge leg and say "hey you wanna kick?".

I think Taylor Loffler was the pre-cursor to Dequoy at safety, tall rangey Natl. who could cover reasonably well and really lower the boom. Probably not as mobile as Dequoy or as gifted but a lot more frightening for receivers to encounter midfield.

If it wasn't for 3 ACL surgeries that hampered him I think he could have had a HOF career.

theaardvark

Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

J5V

It's fun to discuss all the real and potential players moves for the Bombers but at the end of the day I'm happy to trust in the Bomber brain-trust that has taken us to four straight Grey Cup appearances and two Grey Cup victories. I see no reason for that not to continue.
Go Bombers!

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: theaardvark on January 28, 2025, 05:15:58 PMDaquoy : 4.35 40
Loffler : 4.75 40

Two of Loffler's ACL surgeries occurred before he even arrived in the CFL, he was hobbled from the git go.

theaardvark

Quote from: J5V on January 28, 2025, 05:30:41 PMIt's fun to discuss all the real and potential players moves for the Bombers but at the end of the day I'm happy to trust in the Bomber brain-trust that has taken us to four straight Grey Cup appearances and two Grey Cup victories. I see no reason for that not to continue.

Ummm... 5 straight appearances...
Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

TecnoGenius

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 28, 2025, 04:45:09 PMLol no.

Why not?  We don't know the Dequoy story and how he got into football...

I'm willing to bet he was super good at track or soccer or both.

His body type would be seen by a football coach and instantly placed at WR/SB.  It took some sort of inspiration for someone to say "FS/DB".  Name me another FS like that, in either league...
Never go full Rider!

TecnoGenius

Quote from: theaardvark on January 28, 2025, 06:31:28 PMUmmm... 5 straight appearances...

Strange, but during a post the other day I at first thought it was 4 too.  LOL.  Guess we all have one cup we want to forget.

I don't care what y'all say: the d d d d "D word" certainly applies.  Get to the 6th, and it's indisputable.  Plus, to see the green faces when they miss out yet again!  Priceless.
Never go full Rider!

Sir Blue and Gold

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 29, 2025, 03:17:02 AMWhy not?  We don't know the Dequoy story and how he got into football...

I'm willing to bet he was super good at track or soccer or both.

His body type would be seen by a football coach and instantly placed at WR/SB.  It took some sort of inspiration for someone to say "FS/DB".  Name me another FS like that, in either league...


Are you really asking why we shouldn't just "ignore the draft choices and go find U level track stars who can just run faster than everyone else"?

Waffler

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 29, 2025, 03:17:02 AMHis body type would be seen by a football coach and instantly placed at WR/SB.  It took some sort of inspiration for someone to say "FS/DB".

Chris Jones was always converting somebody. With mixed results though.

Apparently Dequoy has been playing safety since the age of 5. I googled. surprised to learn he is already 30.
Buried in the essentially random digits of pi, you can find your eight-digit birthdate. (Is that a wink from God or just a lot of digits?) - David G. Myers
__________________________________________________
Everything seems stupid when it fails.  - Fyodor Dostoevsky

markf

Quote from: Waffler on January 29, 2025, 02:11:17 PMChris Jones was always converting somebody. With mixed results though.

Apparently Dequoy has been playing safety since the age of 5. I googled. surprised to learn he is already 30.

Chris Jones... now working for Bill Belichick.  Should be interesting.

Just curious which of his conversion projects worked? Only one I remember at all was Carter  at Defensive backfield which backfired.

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: markf on January 29, 2025, 03:01:51 PMChris Jones... now working for Bill Belichick.  Should be interesting.

Just curious which of his conversion projects worked? Only one I remember at all was Carter  at Defensive backfield which backfired.

AC Leonard was a receiver or TE before Jones converted him to DE.

Waffler

Jordan Reaves tried out here as a receiver. Jones put him at DE.
Buried in the essentially random digits of pi, you can find your eight-digit birthdate. (Is that a wink from God or just a lot of digits?) - David G. Myers
__________________________________________________
Everything seems stupid when it fails.  - Fyodor Dostoevsky

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: Waffler on January 29, 2025, 04:37:59 PMJordan Reaves tried out here as a receiver. Jones put him at DE.

Reaves played basketball for the Brandon Bobcats in college, didn't play football till the Bombers gave him a tryout based on his athletic ability and family name. He's chipped out a career as a ST player since 2015, which is better than many.

TecnoGenius

Quote from: Waffler on January 29, 2025, 02:11:17 PMApparently Dequoy has been playing safety since the age of 5. I googled. surprised to learn he is already 30.

This is insane.  So that's like his dad or his coach looking at some skinny kid and saying "you'll be the best CFL FS ever!".  Very strange.

Goes to show, perhaps aspiring NAT kids should look at playing out-of-the-box positions (as in wacky, not outside the tackles!).  As a WR Dequoy might be one of zillions available that achieves nothing.  As a FS he's pure gold.
Never go full Rider!

TecnoGenius

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 29, 2025, 01:31:44 PMAre you really asking why we shouldn't just "ignore the draft choices and go find U level track stars who can just run faster than everyone else"?

No.  I'm asking why more high school and U coaches don't do this.  By the time they get to the CFL it's pretty much too late to change anything.

Although... if there was a super skinny guy NAT DP who is just too skinny to be a WR, and he has insane speed and ball skills... and he comes near the end of the draft... maybe...? ?  The beauty of FS is if you rove and ball hawk you basically are a WR who never has to TAKE a hit!  It's like the best of all worlds.

The only time I've seen Dequoy take a beating is when he tried run stopping some brute RB near the box (that was a mistake).  Every other time he's doing INTs or simple leg tackles.
Never go full Rider!

Sir Blue and Gold

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 30, 2025, 05:31:20 AMNo.  I'm asking why more high school and U coaches don't do this.  By the time they get to the CFL it's pretty much too late to change anything.

Although... if there was a super skinny guy NAT DP who is just too skinny to be a WR, and he has insane speed and ball skills... and he comes near the end of the draft... maybe...? ?  The beauty of FS is if you rove and ball hawk you basically are a WR who never has to TAKE a hit!  It's like the best of all worlds.

The only time I've seen Dequoy take a beating is when he tried run stopping some brute RB near the box (that was a mistake).  Every other time he's doing INTs or simple leg tackles.


If being a track star made you a good football player then teams would do it at all levels of the game. A baseline ability to run fast in a predefined direction is a prerequisite to being able to play certain positions on the field but it is not the most important determinate of success in any position or example I can think of.

Jesse

Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 30, 2025, 05:31:20 AMNo.  I'm asking why more high school and U coaches don't do this.


All coaches from all sports from all schools try to recruit the best athletes. Always. It's their job.

I'm a middle school teacher and you'll find me watching gym classes sometimes when I'm trying to field a better team (in any sport I happen to be coaching).
My wife is amazing!

VictorRomano

Quote from: Jesse on January 30, 2025, 01:41:47 PMAll coaches from all sports from all schools try to recruit the best athletes. Always. It's their job.

I'm a middle school teacher and you'll find me watching gym classes sometimes when I'm trying to field a better team (in any sport I happen to be coaching).

Facts.  I'm the high school rugby coach, and I'm in the gym every fall looking at the basketball and volleyball players to see if there are any worth trying to recruit.

Blue In BC

So, will we snag a free agent from somewhere else across the CFL?
Take no prisoners

J5V

Quote from: theaardvark on January 28, 2025, 06:31:28 PMUmmm... 5 straight appearances...
Ugh! Thanks. I must be repressing the last 3 years. ;-)
Go Bombers!