State of the roster

[LXTSN]

Where are we with WR's now?
Nationals - Demski and Clercius
Americans - Sterns, Mitchell, White, Schoen plus Wheatfall, Case and other rookies coming in!

Are we going to rock with only one National at WR? We still can, but we are less flexible if there is an injury to Kramdi or some OL.

That WR room will be an upgrade over last season with the addition of Sterns. We didn't get a consistent output from Lawler until later in the season, and Schoen was out all year. 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Where are we with WR's now?
Nationals - Demski and Clercius
Americans - Sterns, Mitchell, White, Schoen plus Wheatfall, Case and other rookies coming in!

Are we going to rock with only one National at WR? We still can, but we are less flexible if there is an injury to Kramdi or some OL.

That WR room will be an upgrade over last season with the addition of Sterns. We didn't get a consistent output from Lawler until later in the season, and Schoen was out all year. 

I posted this in another thread but something like this not including any rookies or new draft picks or PR players:

SLOT 1: Schoen
SLOT 2: Demski
SLOT 3: White Jr. / Sterns in an open competition
Boundary WR: D. Mitchell, Wheatfall
Field WR: Clercius, Gassama

[LXTSN]

I posted this in another thread but something like this not including any rookies or new draft picks or PR players:

SLOT 1: Schoen
SLOT 2: Demski
SLOT 3: White Jr. / Sterns in an open competition
Boundary WR: D. Mitchell, Wheatfall
Field WR: Clercius, Gassama

HA! Just replied to this comment in the other thread! We can keep it here if that's better.
I just think that Sterns is far superior to Clercius.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

HA! Just replied to this comment in the other thread! We can keep it here if that's better.
I just think that Sterns is far superior to Clercius.

He totally is. But Sterns is a slot receiver and Clercius is that fifth receiver on the field side that does a lot of blocking. The roles are very different. Sterns can't win a spot out there unless the offense looks incredibly different and even then I'd be skeptical.

[peg_city]

I posted this in another thread but something like this not including any rookies or new draft picks or PR players:

SLOT 1: Schoen
SLOT 2: Demski
SLOT 3: White Jr. / Sterns in an open competition
Boundary WR: D. Mitchell, Wheatfall
Field WR: Clercius, Gassama

We'll be fine. Considering the injuries last year, this is an upgrade.

Aging Oline is the issue offensively, IMO.

[Blue In BC]

We'll be fine. Considering the injuries last year, this is an upgrade.

Aging Oline is the issue offensively, IMO.

Dunbar is still a potential free agent isn't he? Will some team look at him now that they have some surprise SMS? Looking at all the players left, I don't see anyone in particular I'd like to target. Might be an OL worth bringing in.

Anyone have a player of interest in mind?

Do we think some of the players that moved across the CFL now get new offers from their previous teams?

[Pigskin]

I think Gassama will be in tough to beat out Gavin Cobb.

[markf]

Anyone think Cole should have been kept?

He was all over the field making plays end of the season.

[Pigskin]

Anyone think Cole should have been kept?

He was all over the field making plays end of the season.

Would have loved to have him back, at the right price.

[Blue In BC]

Would have loved to have him back, at the right price.

Yes but as I've been suggesting it's a ratio issue with how many import LB's we planned to keep on the AR. Previously I thought we'd move on from Wilson. That would have created a Jones, Ayers, Cole on the AR with a rookie on the PR.

Once Wilson got added that skewed the math, assuming no TC injuries at that position. I can't see Coles was not affordable per se. The team seems high on one or two rookie LB's but those are TBD issues.

I could see Cole potentially winning a starting role in Hamilton.

There are more Canadians starting then in the past. However the number of imports on the roster still has a max whether they are starting or non DI's as part of the total.

Barring injury it's always interesting to see how the ratio is used across the roster when final cuts are made.

[Blue In BC]

Speaking of LB's what about making a pitch to Makonzo? He's a very good up and comer. He'd be a possible upgrade to Canadian LB depth.

Need to find a way to spend some of that extra SMS. Adding any Canadian that is an upgrade can't hurt. It's not that our Canadians are bad, but there are some players that can still be added that are better. A least somewhere on the roster.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes but as I've been suggesting it's a ratio issue with how many import LB's we planned to keep on the AR. Previously I thought we'd move on from Wilson. That would have created a Jones, Ayers, Cole on the AR with a rookie on the PR.

Once Wilson got added that skewed the math, assuming no TC injuries at that position. I can't see Coles was not affordable per se. The team seems high on one or two rookie LB's but those are TBD issues.

I could see Cole potentially winning a starting role in Hamilton.

There are more Canadians starting then in the past. However the number of imports on the roster still has a max whether they are starting or non DI's as part of the total.

Barring injury it's always interesting to see how the ratio is used across the roster when final cuts are made.

They also added Jon Jones from the Argos who can play either WIL or MLB, pressing Kyrie and Ayers for the starting WIL job, I don't think they'll be able to retain all 3. 

[Blue In BC]

They also added Jon Jones from the Argos who can play either WIL or MLB, pressing Kyrie and Ayers for the starting WIL job, I don't think they'll be able to retain all 3. 

I know and he could be a good one. I guess we'll see who wins the starting spot at WIL and he'll be in the mix. Your point about being to keep all 3 is the question and I don't know that we will either. OTOH, I don't know with certainty that we won't.

I see a roster ratio issue but it can be made to work.

Jon Jones might have similar skill set to Cole and might be a little less expensive and more capable to play MLB if necessary than Cole? After we decided to move away from Bighill, changing the depth at MLB became a new issue.

Jon Jones would seem to be the next man up at MLB depth and possibly 3rd depth choice at WIL behind Wilson / Ayers. In theory, that would be my analysis.

[theaardvark]

I am very pleased with Oline, LBs, Rec, Specials, DBs, DL, RBs... the only question left is QB depth in my mind. 

If we started camp with this lineup, I think we win the west and probably the cup.

Walters has done a fine job of making a roster that, while it may be missing a few "stars" has more than made up for it by increasing the average talent across the board, as well as depth.

This is more a workman team that an allstar team this year.  And who knows, some may turn the corner to allstar.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I am very pleased with Oline, LBs, Rec, Specials, DBs, DL, RBs... the only question left is QB depth in my mind. 

If we started camp with this lineup, I think we win the west and probably the cup.

Walters has done a fine job of making a roster that, while it may be missing a few "stars" has more than made up for it by increasing the average talent across the board, as well as depth.

This is more a workman team that an allstar team this year.  And who knows, some may turn the corner to allstar.

So much riding on Zach's health and performance, it's a seriously risky plan.