What QB should start game 1 (week 2)?

[Jesse]

100% disagree with your original statement, the club evaluates it's talent all the time and makes adjustments as needed.  You are over generalizing and wrong imo.  The level of competition is generally based on how many players are in camp for each position, their health, experience, cost, attitude, nationality and talent on the field (among many other factors I'm sure).  The organization is always evaluating that in camp, preseason, reg. season, off season and will bring in new faces as needed (PR).  I will not comment on the OL from last year can't remember what happened there exactly.  Our QB battle will be a good one imo and can't wait to find out the pecking order!

The thing is, you're not disagreeing with me because you can prove otherwise, you're disagreeing with me because you think I'm saying nothing negative against the club; if you can find an example of an incumbent starter losing their spot in TC or preseason, by all means offer one.

We've all talked about MOS' loyalty until blue in the face. For good and for ill, MOS puts his faith in his starters and, as we repeatedly see, those starters often don't participate much in TC and often don't participate in the preseason. I'm sure we'll see Strev take the first snaps in TC and whether he plays in the preseason or not, he'll be behind centre in week one.

[Blueforlife]

The thing is, you're not disagreeing with me because you can prove otherwise, you're disagreeing with me because you think I'm saying nothing negative against the club; if you can find an example of an incumbent starter losing their spot in TC or preseason, by all means offer one.

We've all talked about MOS' loyalty until blue in the face. For good and for ill, MOS puts his faith in his starters and, as we repeatedly see, those starters often don't participate much in TC and often don't participate in the preseason. I'm sure we'll see Strev take the first snaps in TC and whether he plays in the preseason or not, he'll be behind centre in week one.

Let's review what I disagreed with.  There is no right or wrong, nothing to do with positive or negative, just two peoples opinions.

"This team doesn't really do TC competitions. Strev was the #2 when he went down. It's his team until week 2 now."

It's a false statement to say the Bombers don't really do TC competitions imo and what I disagred with.  Each year what about 100 players come in, after a lot of recruitment and mini camps to professionally compete for a roster spot.  I believe every year the Bombers really do TC comps.  That is all.  Agree to disagree.  Always lots of roster movements.  Yes we have had a vetern core but there is always lots of turnover with any club and we have had great success with both vets and new faces.  Lots of new faces this year with lots of jobs on the line.

My opinion is based on decades of following the club.  Cfl camps are always highly competitive and one of best parts of the season is seeing who wins critical positions.  The battles are in depth positions and STs for most part.

[TecnoGenius]

Is the question "who do we think should" or "who probably will"?

If the former, whoever performs best in camp and preseason.

If the latter, Strev.

The question is "you're the HC, if you have to choose the guy tonight to play game 2 tomorrow, what QB do you pick?"

[TecnoGenius]

if you can find an example of an incumbent starter losing their spot in TC or preseason, by all means offer one.

It's rare, but it does happen.  No one is ever set in stone.

The ones I can recall are:

- whoever D. Alford replaced
- whoever Schoen replaced

Especially Alford was just another of a million DBs brought in to try out.  He was so good instantly in camp ("best hips ever") that whoever was penciled in that spot before he showed up was quickly moved or PR'd.  The normal course is to have the new DB PR and DI for a year, or get a shot when injuries crop up (like Bonds/Bridges).

As for Schoen, I can't remember who exactly he displaced, but he also won a fast-track to starting week 1 by beating everyone in TC.  I can't remember the quotes, but it was along the lines of "best dynamic receiver rookie to show up to camp in years".  Maybe it was Darvin's spot, so was wide open, but I think Agudosi, McKnight and Ellingson were the favorites for that spot, as some had starts in prior years?

So you're both right.

However, out of all the spots that are more "written in stone" before TC, it's probably TC.  Hard for super-skill spots to have a rookie just jump off the page in camp.  For instance, who was that QB that lit it up in PS I think 2 seasons ago and we dumped him like a week later.

[Jesse]

It's rare, but it does happen.  No one is ever set in stone.

The ones I can recall are:

- whoever D. Alford replaced
- whoever Schoen replaced

Neither displaced an existing starter.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Neither displaced an existing starter.

Kramdi dispaced somebody mid-season, the DB they brought over from Hamilton, don't think it was Anthony Gaitor.

[TecnoGenius]

Kramdi dispaced somebody mid-season, the DB they brought over from Hamilton, don't think it was Anthony Gaitor.

Probably Rutledge.  He'd Gaitor'd himself right out of town.  Strange situation.

However, that's not a TC example as was requested.  We do often do late-season change-ups at SAM, WILL and DB (even excluding injuries).  Like quite often.

[TecnoGenius]

Neither displaced an existing starter.

I'd have to go back and check the roster and off-season losses to be sure.  So you're saying both were simple cases of open spots due to FA losses and these guys simply were the best of the replacements?

[Jesse]

I'd have to go back and check the roster and off-season losses to be sure.  So you're saying both were simple cases of open spots due to FA losses and these guys simply were the best of the replacements?

Yup.

Heading into 2021, Alford, Nichols, and Houston were all listed as back-ups to Mike Jones entering training camp with some place holders listed as the starters at CB and HB.

Schoen came on after Lawler bailed to Edmonton.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yup.

Heading into 2021, Alford, Nichols, and Houston were all listed as back-ups to Mike Jones entering training camp with some place holders listed as the starters at CB and HB.

Schoen came on after Lawler bailed to Edmonton.

Schoen

Probably Rutledge.  He'd Gaitor'd himself right out of town.  Strange situation.

However, that's not a TC example as was requested.  We do often do late-season change-ups at SAM, WILL and DB (even excluding injuries).  Like quite often.

Twasn't Rutledge, Alden Darby who they traded for twice, first time in 2019 they sent OL Terry Poole to the Argos, Darby left Wpg. in FA after winning a GC and being named a CFL West All-Star.  Second time 2022 they traded  Cedric Wilcots to the Ti-Cats for him, Wiki says he sustained a serious injury in 2023 that ended his season and his career, so I guess Kramdi didn't directly take his job either.

[TecnoGenius]

So with the poll closed, Strev is the clear winner, getting more votes than the next 2 combined.

Patterson/Wilson are neck and neck in 2nd place.

I'm actually a bit surprised as many vocal posters really don't like Strev as a legit #2 (and #1 fill-in when Zach is out).  I guess there's a silent majority who either like Strev, or think MOS will choose Strev.

So it's a good thing that Strev is looking pretty darn healthy in TC!  We'll see if the forum is right with this prediction in a few weeks!

[Jesse]

So with the poll closed, Strev is the clear winner, getting more votes than the next 2 combined.

Patterson/Wilson are neck and neck in 2nd place.

I'm actually a bit surprised as many vocal posters really don't like Strev as a legit #2 (and #1 fill-in when Zach is out).  I guess there's a silent majority who either like Strev, or think MOS will choose Strev.

So it's a good thing that Strev is looking pretty darn healthy in TC!  We'll see if the forum is right with this prediction in a few weeks!

I think Strev will be the one. I absolutely don't see him as a legit starter.

I also don't believe Zach's replacement is on the roster, so might as well be Strev, I guess.

[theaardvark]

I think Streveler is a potent player, and had his spot.

Starter, I think other teams can gameplan against him too easily.

SY, then stay in for first and 10 with their Jumbo out there, he will be a disrupter.  2nd and short, step to the line and drop back, massive potential for harm.  He has package capabilities, and can spell an aging Collaros quite effectively.

And should we develop a new guy to replace Collaros, spelling a new guy is just as important. 

Love Strevey, love what he brings on and off the field, and hope he gets utilized to his full potential here.

Not sure that the Woli move was the best idea if Streveler is etched in stone, but no doubt he is a team guy first.  Would not put it past Goveia to come after Strevey, either during the season through trade, or in FA.  If we have a solid QB corps and Elgersma comes north, Goveia might get his wish. 

[Jesse]

Not sure that the Woli move was the best idea if Streveler is etched in stone, but no doubt he is a team guy first.  Would not put it past Goveia to come after Strevey, either during the season through trade, or in FA.  If we have a solid QB corps and Elgersma comes north, Goveia might get his wish. 

What does Woli have to do with Strev? Because they were friends? I think you're reaching for something that isn't there.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Zach's suspension threw a spanner in the works, instead of having a real competition to find the next best QB in TC, it sure looks like MOS defaulted to elevating Strev. for the early season start before TC even began.  Hopefully it's only a temp. arrangement and they reevaluate the QB room after the game, but it's bad news for the QB's that had their rep count and opportunity to perform cut in TC to accommodate this decision.

EDIT: It was reported somewhere Zach and Strev. are taking the lions share of reps. in practice, so it's semi-obvious they plan to start Strev. in their first game.