Official Game Day Thread - Sask. at Winnipeg, May 24, 2025

[Pigskin]

Allen has had an excellent TC. I will be watching to see how he does again the Riders.

[TecnoGenius]

Didn't know about the home game and ability to dress all players.  Is that new? 

Ya, clearly AR roster size rules don't apply to the PS, LOL.  This is pretty normal, they want to get looks at as many non-regulars as possible to get ready for the next cut-down date.

Not everyone is on it, though.  For example, no Schoen.

[TecnoGenius]

I am curious as to what everyone thinks about the Riders this year? From what I have read on various sites and articles they appear to be somewhat improved this year.

Well, they think they're improved.  Doesn't necessarily mean anything though!

Their OL is already weaker by 2 desired starters.  I still don't see Hardrick on it, either, so maybe weaker by 3.

Going by their PS1 depth chart:

- Still very weak at REC.  Really just Emilus and KSB with any talent.

- Ouellette as sole good RB will be trouble early in the season.  Dude is hurt like every series.  AH33 will make him better, but he's not a legit franchise back IMHO.

- DL looks ok, and Mace always prioritizes it so it should be decent.  Where's Brown??

- LBers: meh, ok.

- DBs: looks weaker than last year, which wasn't great.  They all hated Fields after the playoffs!

- QB: You just know Maier will be getting some big reps (and starts) this season...

There may be some star players they aren't bringing, so that may change the above a bit.  Overall it appears they are around the same as last season.  A lot might depend on how much EDM and CGY improve (if at all).

[TecnoGenius]

His last good season was in 2019 and that was, not coincidentally, his last healthy season. You've been saying that quite literally for the past five years.

Wilson is (was?) money when healthy.  He is never healthy anymore, though, and that's the problem.  He has Wild Syndrome (TM), which seems to be a problem of most WILLs (probably from taking all those beefy RB hits).

It hasn't been 2019 since he did something, though, LOL.  He won the '21 GC for us with the triple-tip.  And he's been good in reg season when playing.  The worst I'd say about his play is he was pretty invisible in the '24 GC.

This will be his last season here, though, if he sits in the tub a ton again.  Him being here does fit in with MOS's vet+youngn strategy.  We need the knowledge transfer.  He's basically the Fatboi of the LB corps.

Trust The Mafia and have faith.  And if he fails, we have tons of good guys now that can take over.

[TecnoGenius]

Yup. I personally think we've been told the starting OL.

Never.  I'll be crazy shocked if this is game 1 (barring injury) OL.

Lofton has the RT spot locked, and is just nicked up.

Randolph: I think we want to see if our plans to make him an OT are still realistic.  Maybe he will be better at easier/run-heavy RT rather than LT.

Eli is like the last guy I'd expect to start LG, unless he put on 30 more lbs.

The #1 thing Eli offers, according to MOS, is "versatility".  That's always his answer about Eli.  He is great on jumbo, can do C ok, and do OG when you're in a pinch.  But that's it.

He's like the perfect jack of all trades, and starter at none.

I will be happy indeed if any of my negative comments prove wrong.  Eli or Wallace being Desjar caliber @ OG, Randolph being Yoshi caliber @ OT, would all be welcome surprises.  But I won't put any money on it!

[Jesse]

Never.  I'll be crazy shocked if this is game 1 (barring injury) OL.

Lofton has the RT spot locked, and is just nicked up.

Randolph: I think we want to see if our plans to make him an OT are still realistic.  Maybe he will be better at easier/run-heavy RT rather than LT.

Eli is like the last guy I'd expect to start LG, unless he put on 30 more lbs.

The #1 thing Eli offers, according to MOS, is "versatility".  That's always his answer about Eli.  He is great on jumbo, can do C ok, and do OG when you're in a pinch.  But that's it.

He's like the perfect jack of all trades, and starter at none.

I will be happy indeed if any of my negative comments prove wrong.  Eli or Wallace being Desjar caliber @ OG, Randolph being Yoshi caliber @ OT, would all be welcome surprises.  But I won't put any money on it!

Randolph stayed in with the starters in practice this week and Lofton joined in with the 2s. So maybe it's just him being worked in but maybe not.

Eli and Wallace have been exclusively at guard. I'm no longer expecting the 3 import line. So maybe Eli on the depth chart is just the vet respect move we've seen, but I believe it's one of those 2.

[markf]

I tried to watch the O line last season, (tv) I didn't think Tua looked as effective as we would like.

Take that opinion with a big grain of salt.

After reading about Connor Shay, I hope to see him get some time on the field.

[Jesse]

Alright. So I can't make the game today.

Are home games still available on CFL+ or am I relegated to listening to the game?

[Stats Junkie]

Both Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season games will be on CFL+

https://www.cfl.ca/plus/

[Jesse]

Both Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season games will be on CFL+

https://www.cfl.ca/plus/

That's a relief, thank you.

[theaardvark]

So, Toronto's game is on TSN, but instead of the Bombers game, TSN is running PWHL finals, PGS 3rd round, legit options.  But also MLS La at SD, NLL Lacrosse SSK vs. Buf, and sports centre.

At worst TSN5 could run it.

[Blue In BC]

Depth chart available?  I know it will change series by series but it's a starting point.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Ya, clearly AR roster size rules don't apply to the PS, LOL.  This is pretty normal, they want to get looks at as many non-regulars as possible to get ready for the next cut-down date.

Not everyone is on it, though.  For example, no Schoen.

No min/max roster rules and no ratio required in the pre season. Schoen isn't dressing.

[ModAdmin]

Depth chart available?  I know it will change series by series but it's a starting point.

Blue Bombers Depth Chart

Scroll down for the depth chart.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Randolph stayed in with the starters in practice this week and Lofton joined in with the 2s. So maybe it's just him being worked in but maybe not.

Eli and Wallace have been exclusively at guard. I'm no longer expecting the 3 import line. So maybe Eli on the depth chart is just the vet respect move we've seen, but I believe it's one of those 2.

If you're right about starting a Natl. at RG they may have to decide who to keep and who to let go between Lofton, Randolph and Vanterpool + any newcomer in the mix, could come down to keeping the extra Import that's willing to stick around and accept a PR spot. Of the 3, I think Randolph has the most long-term potential and value, with the ability to play Guard or Tackle.