OL whispers

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Well, it's Wallace and Eli rotating snaps with the #1 group, not Randolph or Vanterpool.

https://3downnation.com/2025/05/11/leaner-wiser-gabe-wallace-wants-starting-job-really-badly-with-winnipeg-blue-bombers/

For now. I wouldn't count out Vanterpool yet - he could easily win the job once the real test begins. The good thing about playing the Riders back to back in the pre-season is they have a rock solid defensive line. Gabe Wallace can talk all he wants about how much he's improved and how comfortable he is. Both are probably true - but can he do the job from May 24 against a good defense? We'll see.

[Jesse]

For now. I wouldn't count out Vanterpool yet - he could easily win the job once the real test begins. The good thing about playing the Riders back to back in the pre-season is they have a rock solid defensive line. Gabe Wallace can talk all he wants about how much he's improved and how comfortable he is. Both are probably true - but can he do the job from May 24 against a good defense? We'll see.

I just don't think he'll have the opportunity.

Preseason had no bearing on the OL decisions last year. The group we saw in the first week of training camp was the group we saw in week 1 despite them never playing together in the preseason.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I just don't think he'll have the opportunity.

Preseason had no bearing on the OL decisions last year. The group we saw in the first week of training camp was the group we saw in week 1 despite them never playing together in the preseason.

You're right if Wallace plays at a high level right now. It's a big if. Vanterpool and the rest of the Americans are in the mix if he doesn't. Training camp means different things in different years for different players. They really like Wallace as a long term option, I think. Whether he is ready to start full time in three weeks is what they're looking at. He absolutely couldn't last year. In order to make that determination you've got to play him in that spot with the other starters. It's preferred outcome A, I'm sure. But I'm not convinced he's ready and I think they absolutely will look at others there before training camp is over.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You're right if Wallace plays at a high level right now. It's a big if. Vanterpool and the rest of the Americans are in the mix if he doesn't. Training camp means different things in different years for different players. They really like Wallace as a long term option, I think. Whether he is ready to start full time in three weeks is what they're looking at. He absolutely couldn't last year. In order to make that determination you've got to play him in that spot with the other starters. It's preferred outcome A, I'm sure. But I'm not convinced he's ready and I think they absolutely will look at others there before training camp is over.

Sounds like Wallace spent the winter in Wpg. working out with Neufeld and Kola, that's a pretty good sign he might be willing to put down deeper roots in Wpg. if they offer to pay him fairly to stay once his ELC contract expires.

[TecnoGenius]

For now. I wouldn't count out Vanterpool yet - he could easily win the job once the real test begins.

What's the rationale for pegging Vanterpool as getting the spot instead of Randolph?  I'm curious: if Vanterpool was better, why didn't he get the nod for all of those starts in '24 that Randolph got?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

What's the rationale for pegging Vanterpool as getting the spot instead of Randolph?  I'm curious: if Vanterpool was better, why didn't he get the nod for all of those starts in '24 that Randolph got?

Could absolutely be Randolph too but I think Randolph's frame is slightly better suited to tackle. Putting aside play for now and just looking at fit - we know the Bombers love to play simple along the line and maul - especially in the interior.

Liam Dobson 6 foot 3, 340
Micah Vanterpool, 6 foot 6, 315
Kendall Randolph, 6 foot 4, 300

Given what we try to do in the run game we probably don't want to lose 40 pounds at left guard. Especially left because for the last 3-4 yards we run guard-tackle left most often in short yardage. As for why Vanterpool might be better this year? Year two for American offensive lineman is a big deal too. Vanterpool was a bit more raw than Randolph coming out of Hawaii compared to Randolph at Alabama. Not knocking Randolph at all - great player (also in year two I should point out). He's probably OT3 right now which is important especially when you factor in the age of our current tackles. And another American could jump off the page - but we know the slow drip approach that O'Shea likes and Vanterpool being here last year and dressing for a couple games gives him a big advantage with this coaching staff.

[TecnoGenius]

Liam Dobson 6 foot 3, 340
Micah Vanterpool, 6 foot 6, 315
Kendall Randolph, 6 foot 4, 300

By that token, then, Eli won't get the job either:

Eli 6'4 305

Which now strikes me as very strange since Eli when starting (LG?) was beating badly like he was badly undersized.  Yet Randolph excelled at RG in his starts.  With the same body type.  And I never once thought "Randolph is too small".  Weird.

Could it be that RG requires less beef than LG?  I kind of figured they were similar to play.  But you are right, the run game (for most teams) runs through the weak side, which is more often left.  Maybe you need more beef on the left side.

For fun:
Neufeld 6'4 300

So these 3 guys are basically all clones.  And I've never thought Neuf was "undersized".  Double weird!

Lastly:
Wallace 6'6 340

LOL.  Ya, if you can get him rockin' and rollin' you'll have the next Desjar.