Post preseason games cuts

[Pete]

Will watch this one closely. It does seem to be a bit of a case of loyalty over ability - albeit without knowing the play calls and the ask of the punter, etc. Regardless, Sheahan better have a good year.

did we have one rookie beat out a vet a training camp for a roster spot? Did we even release just one vet that was in training camp?

either we did a terrible job of scouting or OShea's refusing to recognize opportunities to improve Either way its baffling

[Jesse]

did we have one rookie beat out a vet a training camp for a roster spot? Did we even release just one vet that was in training camp?

either we did a terrible job of scouting or OShea's refusing to recognize opportunities to improve Either way its baffling

Rookies, for the most part, shouldn't beat the vets of a veteran team that has been to 5 straight Grey Cups.

You'll notice we have a ton of second year players, many in starting roles or in contention for them.

[J5V]

Riders scoop the punter Bombers just cut, guess that's why he refused their PR offer.

https://3downnation.com/2025/06/03/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-punter-james-evans-after-release-from-blue-bombers/

Ahhhh crap! That guy has a real, live leg.

[Pete]

Rookies, for the most part, shouldn't beat the vets of a veteran team that has been to 5 straight Grey Cups.

You'll notice we have a ton of second year players, many in starting roles or in contention for them.
[/quote

Rookies, for the most part, shouldn't beat the vets of a veteran team that has been to 5 straight Grey Cups.

You'll notice we have a ton of second year players, many in starting roles or in contention for them.

I get "for the most part" but none? C'mon !
If we had kept Evans would any other team have picked up Sheehan?

[Blueforlife]

did we have one rookie beat out a vet a training camp for a roster spot? Did we even release just one vet that was in training camp?

either we did a terrible job of scouting or OShea's refusing to recognize opportunities to improve Either way its baffling

I have seen a similar tone from you this season and I haven't agreed with you take often and certainly don't here.

We brought in some great new players that challenged our veteran core.  Nothing is baffling other than exceptional management, coaching and team depth.  Let the season play out before you right off the fresh talent this club has.

We have had a solid core with a few holes to fill and the roster looks incredibly solid at the moment imo.

Our scouting is fine and MOS is a legend.  Trust the mafia.

Did you watch preseason? We had so many guys that made plays that were cut or on PR.

I get "for the most part" but none? C'mon !
If we had kept Evans would any other team have picked up Sheehan?

We kept a vet who is a proven decent punter over a complete unknown with a good leg.

[Pete]

My main point is that we do bring in good talent but we don't give enough of them the opportunity.
And yes I have brought up similar observations because it keeps happening,and you keep on defending them.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

My main point is that we do bring in good talent but we don't give enough of them the opportunity.
And yes I have brought up similar observations because it keeps happening,and you keep on defending them.

I think this year was a much more competitive camp and I also believe we're a better team this year than last, overall.

I would have liked to see a change at punter because I think when you just put two returners out there Sheahan is out of tricks and he usually can't kick it high or far enough to make up for the shorter leg when we're backed up. Maybe the tradeoff of one less blocker still makes it worth it for O'Shea. Maybe since teams start at the 40 he's got analytics that we don't punt very much from inside 30 or whatever. He is usually rock solid on special teams fundamentals so I'll of course give him the benefit of that, but if Sheahan is a bottom third punter by labour day I won't surprised.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

My main point is that we do bring in good talent but we don't give enough of them the opportunity.
And yes I have brought up similar observations because it keeps happening,and you keep on defending them.

Might not seem like it but there is plenty of roster turnover every year, players leaving in FA, team not renewing vet. contracts like BA, Biggie or Winston Rose, players deleted from the PR list at the end of the season and not brought back.  For the most departing players are usually replaced by younger players, ensuring a constant renewal. Starting a number of inexperienced rookies in different positions is not a method the Bombers seem to favour.

[bunker]

Noticed Evans punted some beautiful high spirals late in PS#2 but they didn't necessarily go further than what Sheahan was achieving.  In the end the choice was made to maintain good vibes and stability within the kicking team with a player they are comfortable with, you just know MOS loves those player celebrations after every successful kick.  It's often not worth overturning the apple cart if there isn't really a problem.

I wish Sheahan had a bigger leg. But I think O'Shea and many other STCs put just as much emphasis on directional punting. If you can pin the returner at the sideline, it can cut off 2-3 yards from the average return, and reduce long returns for touchdowns. When you add in that Evans actually didn't out kick Sheahan for distance in preseason, and that Sheahan has some trick kicks, and was Sergio's holder, its not that surprising he did not lose his job to Evans. They obviously liked Evans since they tried to hang on to him. We'll see if it was the wrong decision as the season progresses.

https://www.cfl.ca/2019/08/15/landry-directional-punting-analytics-beginning-gain-traction/

[Blueforlife]

My main point is that we do bring in good talent but we don't give enough of them the opportunity.
And yes I have brought up similar observations because it keeps happening,and you keep on defending them.

Patience, we have a lot of new talent on the roster and on the PR.  I'll defend this club because all we do is win.  Enjoy the ride.  Not over yet.

I 100% disagree that we don't give players opportunity.  We have developed many studs at receiver as of late.  We have rotated on d as much as anyone and next man up on D is how we have gotten through injuries.  We don't panic and sign a vet when we have guys go down, we develop the next the gen and it's one of our pillars of success. 

I believe you will see the gen shine this year.  As MOS says all the players play. 

Might not seem like it but there is plenty of roster turnover every year, players leaving in FA, team not renewing vet. contracts like BA, Biggie or Winston Rose, players deleted from the PR list at the end of the season and not brought back.  For the most departing players are usually replaced by younger players, ensuring a constant renewal. Starting a number of inexperienced rookies in different positions is not a method the Bombers seem to favour.

Agree, we have taken the route of keeping vets, moving on when needed, not over paying for FAs, developing new talent, drafting well and scouting great.

I think this year was a much more competitive camp and I also believe we're a better team this year than last, overall.

I would have liked to see a change at punter because I think when you just put two returners out there Sheahan is out of tricks and he usually can't kick it high or far enough to make up for the shorter leg when we're backed up. Maybe the tradeoff of one less blocker still makes it worth it for O'Shea. Maybe since teams start at the 40 he's got analytics that we don't punt very much from inside 30 or whatever. He is usually rock solid on special teams fundamentals so I'll of course give him the benefit of that, but if Sheahan is a bottom third punter by labour day I won't surprised.

Bottom third at yardage yes or likely, but let's see what the net yards are and how many tds we give up.  Let's see how many big plays we give up and how many blocked punts we have.

I wish Sheahan had a bigger leg. But I think O'Shea and many other STCs put just as much emphasis on directional punting. If you can pin the returner at the sideline, it can cut off 2-3 yards from the average return, and reduce long returns for touchdowns. When you add in that Evans actually didn't out kick Sheahan for distance in preseason, and that Sheahan has some trick kicks, and was Sergio's holder, its not that surprising he did not lose his job to Evans. They obviously liked Evans since they tried to hang on to him. We'll see if it was the wrong decision as the season progresses.

https://www.cfl.ca/2019/08/15/landry-directional-punting-analytics-beginning-gain-traction/

Nailed it
Some posters are obsessed with the big leg imo and it's not the only way to skin a cat.  Punting average doesn't tell the entire story. Analytics are key to sports, Joe QB gets too hell bent on one factor and doesn't see the forest through the trees often imo.  Trust the mafia.

[TecnoGenius]

Riders scoop the punter Bombers just cut, guess that's why he refused their PR offer.

This isn't a function of Evans being great, this is just SSK had awful P options coming out of TC/PS.  The dude they had in PS2 was getting 50% less leg than Sheahan.

Their GDT was up in arms over how bad their punting was.  This gives them a second "test run", basically.

[Jesse]

My main point is that we do bring in good talent but we don't give enough of them the opportunity.
And yes I have brought up similar observations because it keeps happening,and you keep on defending them.

Opportunity does not mean being handed a starting spot.

Look up and down the roster: Adams, Bonds, Ayers, Bridges, Clercius, Randolph, Vanterpool, Wallace, Wheatfall, Woods are all 2nd year players who received opportunities last year as rookies and are either starters or major contributors going into their second season.

This year we have: Artopoeus, Corcoran, Novak, Shay, Smith, Vaval on the AR with 8 more CFL rookies on the PR. Plus a handful of CFL veterans that were signed in the off season - because we had too many rookies playing meaningful time last year.

There have been years to complain about young players not being given opportunities but this ain't one of them.

[Blueforlife]

This isn't a function of Evans being great, this is just SSK had awful P options coming out of TC/PS.  The dude they had in PS2 was getting 50% less leg than Sheahan.

Their GDT was up in arms over how bad their punting was.  This gives them a second "test run", basically.

Agree

Opportunity does not mean being handed a starting spot.

Look up and down the roster: Adams, Bonds, Ayers, Bridges, Clercius, Randolph, Vanterpool, Wallace, Wheatfall, Woods are all 2nd year players who received opportunities last year as rookies and are either starters or major contributors going into their second season.

This year we have: Artopoeus, Corcoran, Novak, Shay, Smith, Vaval on the AR with 8 more CFL rookies on the PR. Plus a handful of CFL veterans that were signed in the off season - because we had too many rookies playing meaningful time last year.

There have been years to complain about young players not being given opportunities but this ain't one of them.

Couldn't agree more great summary

Can someone tell me more about Novak

[markf]

If you take a look back at the Roster, there are many new players, Every season.

The turnover rate is quite high, surprisingly so to me, although it may not seem like it.

It's hard to argue with their method when you look at the record.

[TBURGESS]

I can't remember the last time a rookie got the job over the vet in training camp even if the vet didn't practice. In Bomber land, vets get the spots, promising rookies get PR unless the vet gets hurt. 

I don't see us as being as good a team as we were last year. 

We downgraded at O line, receiver and DB. 
We didn't upgrade our punter, who was below average last year. 
We hopefully upgraded at returner, but he's injured. 
DE is the most likely upgrade, but we're paper thin, only having 2 on the roster, which isn't even enough to rotate them. 
Collaros is another year older and will take more hits due to the O line. 
We've got a rookie OC and Jackson is still a no show. 
We'll win on the back of Brady O and rely on the defence to keep the score low.