Jerreth Sterns

[TecnoGenius]

Again with this? If you're going to pay a player his fully salary, you don't waste a limited number of PR spots to do that. You put him on the 1 game IR.

I don't care how it's done, what tricks they use, or what it costs them: I'm just happy for once it looks like we're going to have big depth at REC.  I'll leave KW to work out how it's structured.

[TecnoGenius]

Too much inefficiency and guess work mitigating for a situation that may not arise, what if they prepare for a receiver crisis and they lose half the O-line instead?

It doesn't have to be an either-or, it can be a both-and.  It's not like these middling RECs are expensive.

And it seems clear other teams are able to maintain non-rookie depth at REC, so I would say that is somewhat "normal" and certainly doable within the confines of the SMS.

Better to go shopping if and when the need arises and pick the best option available between candidates in house and the open market, like they did with Lucky last year.  Rather than only sticking with players they brought to TC for injury replacement like O'Shea has done in the past, they need to widen their approach. When the solution falls short, the strategy has to be re-examined.

Uh, in '24 the solution did fall short!  '25 FA is our "re-examination"!  It seems pretty clear.  We've never done this in the past.  Why this year?  It seems obvious.

The problem with the '24 approach is no one was available when the need arose!  Lucky, pffft.  He was on the outs in the CFL already, and should have never started the GC game.

We started Wheatie and Clercius in a GC game when neither would have been in had our starters not been injured, OR we had legit middling 3rd-4th year guys on the PR.

Hey, I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you.  I'm saying it's clear KW is taking a different approach this year, and I bet it's strongly influenced by the 2-6 start to '24 and the complete lack of legit RECs on the field.  And I'm not saying Clercius/Wheatie were bad: I'm saying they were thrust into starting roles way too soon in their dev cycle.

How quickly everyone forgets how dire '24 started: an O without Kenny, Schoen or Woli nearly all at the same time!  The fact we even got to the cup was a heck of a miracle (and a function of the weak West).

[LXTSN]

It doesn't have to be an either-or, it can be a both-and.  It's not like these middling RECs are expensive.

And it seems clear other teams are able to maintain non-rookie depth at REC, so I would say that is somewhat "normal" and certainly doable within the confines of the SMS.

Uh, in '24 the solution did fall short!  '25 FA is our "re-examination"!  It seems pretty clear.  We've never done this in the past.  Why this year?  It seems obvious.

The problem with the '24 approach is no one was available when the need arose!  Lucky, pffft.  He was on the outs in the CFL already, and should have never started the GC game.

We started Wheatie and Clercius in a GC game when neither would have been in had our starters not been injured, OR we had legit middling 3rd-4th year guys on the PR.

Hey, I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you.  I'm saying it's clear KW is taking a different approach this year, and I bet it's strongly influenced by the 2-6 start to '24 and the complete lack of legit RECs on the field.  And I'm not saying Clercius/Wheatie were bad: I'm saying they were thrust into starting roles way too soon in their dev cycle.

How quickly everyone forgets how dire '24 started: an O without Kenny, Schoen or Woli nearly all at the same time!  The fact we even got to the cup was a heck of a miracle (and a function of the weak West).

This is an awesome point. Sometimes the easy decision of keeping someone on the roster that's been here for a long time isn't the right decision.

Guys like Bighill, Lawler, Alexander will all be replaced with younger guys on the upswing, rather than trying to hang on to what's left. It's hard to do that to someone who has been such a big part of the organizations sucess, but the longer you hang on to it, the more tainted those memories become of them being dominant players for us.

Even letting Augustine go is a good move. Let's open up that spot to someone like Payton Logan who can change the pace on offence and make a big impact on the kick/punt return!

[theaardvark]

Back to Sterns, I remember him as a Rider, which is saying a lot.  The fact he thinks WFC is a better fit for him, well, says a lot about the culture here. 

Did Wilson getting a look down south have anything to do with it? 

He doesn't bring the pedigree Dressler did, more like Smith.  Regardless, having solid prospects in camp never hurts.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It doesn't have to be an either-or, it can be a both-and.  It's not like these middling RECs are expensive.

And it seems clear other teams are able to maintain non-rookie depth at REC, so I would say that is somewhat "normal" and certainly doable within the confines of the SMS.

Uh, in '24 the solution did fall short!  '25 FA is our "re-examination"!  It seems pretty clear.  We've never done this in the past.  Why this year?  It seems obvious.

The problem with the '24 approach is no one was available when the need arose!  Lucky, pffft.  He was on the outs in the CFL already, and should have never started the GC game.

We started Wheatie and Clercius in a GC game when neither would have been in had our starters not been injured, OR we had legit middling 3rd-4th year guys on the PR.

Hey, I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you.  I'm saying it's clear KW is taking a different approach this year, and I bet it's strongly influenced by the 2-6 start to '24 and the complete lack of legit RECs on the field.  And I'm not saying Clercius/Wheatie were bad: I'm saying they were thrust into starting roles way too soon in their dev cycle.

How quickly everyone forgets how dire '24 started: an O without Kenny, Schoen or Woli nearly all at the same time!  The fact we even got to the cup was a heck of a miracle (and a function of the weak West).

The most baffling decision in 24 was not re-engaging Bailey as a temp. fix when he was available and there was dire need.  If they no longer wanted him they could let him walk after the GC, as they did with Nick Taylor.

As for 25, I repeat.

Only 2 of the following will make the starting roster and pretty sure Dillon Mitchell already has one spot tied up.
 
Dillon Mitchell
Jerreth Sterns
Reggie White Jr.
Keric Wheatfall
A host of new no-names + a couple returning TC receivers from last season, Kody Case, Myron Mitchell and Jaylen Hall.

I'd predict they'll keep 2 extra around on the PR and there may be a mid-season adjustment if Pokey comes back.

[theaardvark]

The most baffling decision in 24 was not re-engaging Bailey as a temp. fix when he was available and there was dire need.  If they no longer wanted him they could let him walk after the GC, as they did with Nick Taylor.

As for 25, I repeat.

Only 2 of the following will make the starting roster and pretty sure Dillon Mitchell already has one spot tied up.
 
Dillon Mitchell
Jerreth Sterns
Reggie White Jr.
Keric Wheatfall
A host of new no-names + a couple returning TC receivers from last season, Kody Case, Myron Mitchell and Jaylen Hall.

I'd predict they'll keep 2 extra around on the PR and there may be a mid-season adjustment if Pokey comes back.

The problem with "re-engaging Bailey" is having said no to him so many times.  I'm not sure it makes the best example for the club that you need to go backwards.  We had brought him back once already, and the fact he did not stick anywhere else speaks to the fact that there was something more going on than on field production. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved the guy and thanked him when I met him at a fan day, and when he made plays on the field, they were good.  But we got back to the cup without him, and I don't think he would have made a whiff of difference in the GC game.

Schoen, Demski and Clercius on on the opening day roster, barring injury,

This year, we are going to have to release a guy that came to us because they thought we were a great option.  Most of our FA signings are those guys, and there is no way the roster has spots for them all.  There are 2 starting spots and a DI, a returner spot:

Dillon Mitchell
Jerreth Sterns
Reggie White Jr.
Peyton Logan

Potential PR spots if they aren't off the charts in TC and steal a spot from the above 4:
Keric Wheatfall
Kody Case
Myron Mitchell
Jaylen Hall
Draft Picks
Recruits

1 NAT Backup spot
Gavin Cobb
Gassamma

Our Receiving corps is going to be just fine.

[Blue In BC]

I think we'll have 1 Canadian back up on the roster. In theory, he'd have to have some ability to also play on ST's.

Returnees from 2024 like Case, Mitchell and Wheatfall might be on a short lease in TC if they don't show more than some of the dozen rookies we'll see early. It's a tough business. They might have some potential but decisions come quickly in TC as new candidates are found in a revolving door situation. Don't get nicked early or it;s curtains.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think we'll have 1 Canadian back up on the roster. In theory, he'd have to have some ability to also play on ST's.

Returnees from 2024 like Case, Mitchell and Wheatfall might be on a short lease in TC if they don't show more than some of the dozen rookies we'll see early. It's a tough business. They might have some potential but decisions come quickly in TC as new candidates are found in a revolving door situation. Don't get nicked early or it;s curtains.

I think Cobb will support Logan on returns replacing Augustine, he'll also be the backup Natl. receiver unless Gassama breaks out. 

Not sure why they brought back Myron Mitchell or Kody Case, of the 3 Wheatfall probably has the advantage with more playing time under his belt. Sizewise Jaylen Hall is 6'-3" but a skinny 180 lbs, everyone else is average height, the Bombers don't seem to put much emphasis on size when they shop for receivers.

[Pete]

1 NAT Backup spot
Gavin Cobb
Gassamma

Our Receiving corps is going to be just fine.

Im not sure that I'd call Cobb/Gassama fine. If needed Im not sure either is an adequate starter. But agree with the rest of it.

[theaardvark]

Im not sure that I'd call Cobb/Gassama fine. If needed Im not sure either is an adequate starter. But agree with the rest of it.

They are backups, as per my post.

You can't have a full team of starters, you need some "backups" who can step in if needed in game.  That can also play teams. 

[Pete]

agree but as long as the drop off isn't too much.

[TecnoGenius]

The most baffling decision in 24 was not re-engaging Bailey as a temp. fix when he was available and there was dire need.  If they no longer wanted him they could let him walk after the GC, as they did with Nick Taylor.

Ya, who here doesn't think our GC may have been better had we obtained Bailey late-season and started him when it was clear Wheatie needed another year of PR dev?

Don't know what the reason is, but you suck up your pride and you ask him nicely to come help us win another cup.

Dillon Mitchell
Jerreth Sterns
Reggie White Jr.
Keric Wheatfall

Mitchell is a done deal, doubly so with Jarious here.

Wheatie is almost certainly just a PR/injury-replacement guy for another year.

White & Sterns duke it out in TC, and we may dabble rotating who starts in early weeks.  White is more experienced and actually produced in the past, and is a beefy target in the punishing middle.  Sterns may be a better home run guy.

Since Mitchell is also the home run guy ("Lawler lite"), that means White may be the favorite as he takes the place of the never-properly-replaced Bailey.  Last season we had way too many lanky speed guys and no one that could take the beating on 2nd & mid.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, who here doesn't think our GC may have been better had we obtained Bailey late-season and started him when it was clear Wheatie needed another year of PR dev?

Don't know what the reason is, but you suck up your pride and you ask him nicely to come help us win another cup.

Mitchell is a done deal, doubly so with Jarious here.

Wheatie is almost certainly just a PR/injury-replacement guy for another year.

White & Sterns duke it out in TC, and we may dabble rotating who starts in early weeks.  White is more experienced and actually produced in the past, and is a beefy target in the punishing middle.  Sterns may be a better home run guy.

Since Mitchell is also the home run guy ("Lawler lite"), that means White may be the favorite as he takes the place of the never-properly-replaced Bailey.  Last season we had way too many lanky speed guys and no one that could take the beating on 2nd & mid.

Agree, I want to see some beef playing inside, my perfect inside receiver looks just like Nik Lewis, a receiver that could play linebacker.

[theaardvark]

Agree, I want to see some beef playing inside, my perfect inside receiver looks just like Nik Lewis, a receiver that could play linebacker.

Bailey 6'2 212.  Clercius 6'2 217.  Lewis 5'10 240.

[markf]

Mitchell is a done deal, doubly so with Jarious here.

Since Mitchell is also the home run guy ("Lawler lite"), that means White may be the favorite as he takes the place of the never-properly-replaced Bailey.  Last season we had way too many lanky speed guys and no one that could take the beating on 2nd & mid.

Dillon Mitchell also returned  punts, kicks for the elks...

And it seems he played in eighteen games in both 24, and 23...

https://www.cfl.ca/players/dillon-mitchell/166027/