Game 1 Day roster

[LXTSN]

Don't get why they kept Case over Myron Mitchell, they cover the same bases and Mitchell performed well in training camp while Case sat out. Proves you can make the club from the tub!

I actually really liked Case. Compared to Mitchell, he is the more consistent option, and I think what we've seen so far from Mitchell hasn't been overly impressive. Rather take a shot with Case.
I remember being high on him last preseason game after making some nice grabs!

Also, he averaged more yards per return on punts and kickoffs. He was much more of a North-South returner than other guys we've tried, and I don't think he fumbled at all.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I guess.  I don't think anyone is "Lofton fan".  But he does get the job done (well!), is cheap, and doesn't seem to get injured much.  He's almost ideal in that regard.

But then if Wallace or Eli don't pan out at LG we're in a bit of a pickle with no options.  If you give Randolph RT then what do you do with Lofton?  I guess hide him on the 6G for a while then what?

Still also leaves the issue of not enough good NATs to fill the jumbo 6th/7th. If we do my lineup we get to keep Wallace/Eli as jumbo and backup.  Perfect!  Worry about shaking things up in '26.

Worrying about RT is a luxury right now.  The big question mark and worry is how we can have a Dobson/Desjar level LG... Ain't gonna win much if our OL play is worse than last season.

I thought they said they were keeping Natl. Ethan Vibert on the roster as the 7th man, but as of now he's still on the PR, so I don't know.

[TecnoGenius]

I actually really liked Case. Compared to Mitchell, he is the more consistent option, and I think what we've seen so far from Mitchell hasn't been overly impressive. Rather take a shot with Case.

Good point.  Myron doesn't seem to have much upside, and that's probably why we moved on.  But man, after this TC, you have to give him A++ for effort, morale, and willingness to learn/please.  Major credit for that.  This is what we want to see from all players.

I really haven't seen or heard much from/about Case to know if he has the same attitude.

[TecnoGenius]

I thought they said they were keeping Natl. Ethan Vibert on the roster as the 7th man, but as of now he's still on the PR, so I don't know.

I forgot about him.  That name really never entered into my head, especially in tandem with the word "NAT".  Ya, if he's the next guy in the dev pipeline then no reason he can't be the next 7th.  In which case that does make it more comfortable starting Wallace at LG.

[TecnoGenius]

I just don't care what happens to Lofton, lol. He's a placeholder.

I'm not sure you're being fair.  Lofton stepped up when Yoshi abruptly abandoned us and was instantly as good on pass pro.  I know the line suffered early '24, but I spent a lot of time grading each guy between games 4 and 9 and Lofton was rarely the problem.

That means we got Yoshi-level passpro for like $120k.  Half price.  And DM83 will probably tell you Lofton was even better! (He always thought Yoshi was a turnstile.)

Seriously, the only beef I think one can have with Lofton is his run block may not be as good as Yoshi was, and our Brady game suffered for over half a season.

If we ditch Lofton for Randolph I can see another team snapping him up instantly.

Plus, if we do that then we still have no answer for the real problem: when Stan retires or IRs.  If Randolph can eventually be a LT, then keep grooming him for that, letting Lofton hold down the right.

[theaardvark]

Good point.  Myron doesn't seem to have much upside, and that's probably why we moved on.  But man, after this TC, you have to give him A++ for effort, morale, and willingness to learn/please.  Major credit for that.  This is what we want to see from all players.

I really haven't seen or heard much from/about Case to know if he has the same attitude.

I guess it's easier to Rudy onto the team as a FB/ST... much harder as a returner.

[Jesse]

I'm not sure you're being fair.  Lofton stepped up when Yoshi abruptly abandoned us and was instantly as good on pass pro.  I know the line suffered early '24, but I spent a lot of time grading each guy between games 4 and 9 and Lofton was rarely the problem.

That means we got Yoshi-level passpro for like $120k.  Half price.  And DM83 will probably tell you Lofton was even better! (He always thought Yoshi was a turnstile.)

Seriously, the only beef I think one can have with Lofton is his run block may not be as good as Yoshi was, and our Brady game suffered for over half a season.

If we ditch Lofton for Randolph I can see another team snapping him up instantly.

Plus, if we do that then we still have no answer for the real problem: when Stan retires or IRs.  If Randolph can eventually be a LT, then keep grooming him for that, letting Lofton hold down the right.

I am admittedly being very hard on Lofton. But he's ultimately a guy we picked up off the scrap heap and I need our whole line to be better this year.

So I'm hoping Randolph steps up.

[Blueforlife]

I just don't care what happens to Lofton, lol. He's a placeholder.

And I don't want him to lose his spot to injury, I'm hoping Randolph clearly beats him out.

Lofton was a starter last year and filed in reasonably well.  Calling him a placeholder is disrespectful imo.  Would you say that to his face?

OL is the key to our success only behind how our Qbs play.  I care deeply about our prospects, role players and vets on the line.  Takes a village to build and maintain an OL.  All can't be studs.

I'm not sure you're being fair.  Lofton stepped up when Yoshi abruptly abandoned us and was instantly as good on pass pro.  I know the line suffered early '24, but I spent a lot of time grading each guy between games 4 and 9 and Lofton was rarely the problem.

That means we got Yoshi-level passpro for like $120k.  Half price.  And DM83 will probably tell you Lofton was even better! (He always thought Yoshi was a turnstile.)

Seriously, the only beef I think one can have with Lofton is his run block may not be as good as Yoshi was, and our Brady game suffered for over half a season.

If we ditch Lofton for Randolph I can see another team snapping him up instantly.

Plus, if we do that then we still have no answer for the real problem: when Stan retires or IRs.  If Randolph can eventually be a LT, then keep grooming him for that, letting Lofton hold down the right.

Agree all, very good analysis.

I am admittedly being very hard on Lofton. But he's ultimately a guy we picked up off the scrap heap and I need our whole line to be better this year.

So I'm hoping Randolph steps up.

The reference to scrap heap shows zero respect for a decent OL that played fairly well last year.  Again would you use this language in front of him?

[markf]

The Lions offence didn't do much until Rourke started scrambling.

I do not know what the Bombers defence can do to control that. He's speedy elusive and unlike Ford, he has shown that he can pass accurately.

If he plays up to his potential he's probably the best qb in the league. He's got a bit of Flutie to him.

[Jesse]

The Lions offence didn't do much until Rourke started scrambling.

I do not know what the Bombers defence can do to control that. He's speedy elusive and unlike Ford, he has shown that he can pass accurately.

If he plays up to his potential he's probably the best qb in the league. He's got a bit of Flutie to him.

He was moving the ball from the firs drive. The score didn't reflect that because they gambled on two third downs and lost, but Rourke was on all game.

[LXTSN]

I am admittedly being very hard on Lofton. But he's ultimately a guy we picked up off the scrap heap and I need our whole line to be better this year.

So I'm hoping Randolph steps up.

You could say the same thing about Kolankowski or Hardrick as well. Hardrick was cut from Sask and CK was cut by Toronto if I remember correctly? I could be wrong, maybe they just let Hardrick walk, but I'm pretty sure CK was cut.

OL is tough because there aren't good metrics to show how good an OL is. Usually the bad ones stand out more than the good ones do.

That being said, I'm 100% with you on Randolph! I think he's the future, whether we decide to put him at LT, RT or LG, we have to get him reps!

[markf]

He was moving the ball from the firs drive. The score didn't reflect that because they gambled on two third downs and lost, but Rourke was on all game.

Yeah, and I forgot about the well thrown, but dropped, td pass.

Anyway... if he regains his first season form, he's a big problem.

[theaardvark]

I am admittedly being very hard on Lofton. But he's ultimately a guy we picked up off the scrap heap and I need our whole line to be better this year.

So I'm hoping Randolph steps up.

Not quite a "scrap heap" pickup... from his profile:

2024: Blue Bombers
The Blue Bombers re-signed Lofton to a one-year contract extension on February 3, 2025 after he started all 18 games plus the Western Final and Grey Cup at right tackle in 2024 and was part of a unit that helped running back Brady Oliveira capture his second straight rushing title while quarterback Zach Collaros set a career high in passing yards.

2023: Roughriders
Lofton signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in February of 2023 and started in 14 games at right tackle for the club.
He has 21 career starts in the CFL with Ottawa, Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
Lofton signed a one-year contract with the Blue Bombers on February 16, 2024.
2022: Blue Bombers

Lofton spent most of the season on the practice roster and dressed for one game starting at right tackle for the club in a 40-32 loss to the B.C. Lions in Vancouver on October 15.

2019-20: Edmonton
Lofton signed in Edmonton in July of 2019 after attending training camp with the B.C. Lions. He dressed for two games during the 2019 season.

2017-18: RedBlacks
Lofton first signed in the CFL with Ottawa on February 24, 2017. He started one game in 2017 and then dressed for three games, with one start, in 2018.

He started his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks, dressing in four games during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Sure, not a starter day one, and he is 32 now... having earned his starting spot...

[theaardvark]

You could say the same thing about Kolankowski or Hardrick as well. Hardrick was cut from Sask and CK was cut by Toronto if I remember correctly? I could be wrong, maybe they just let Hardrick walk, but I'm pretty sure CK was cut.

OL is tough because there aren't good metrics to show how good an OL is. Usually the bad ones stand out more than the good ones do.

That being said, I'm 100% with you on Randolph! I think he's the future, whether we decide to put him at LT, RT or LG, we have to get him reps!

CK was an Argo for his ELC, and started an entire 18 game season before being released in favour of All Star Sean McEwen in 2019.  Missed 2019, and 2020 (Covid) although he was signed to play here for 2020.

Yoshi, as an INT, went a different route, 12 games with BC, 6 with the Riders before landing here and establishing himself. 

Not really "scrap heap" as much as "scouted and given a chance".  But, sure, they all played for other teams who chose not to resign them at the desired rate of pay for whatever reason.  Like Lawler getting taken off our scrap heap by Edm and Ham...

[Blue In BC]

Lofton still hasn't practised. Whether he is better than Randolph is moot at the moot. He must be headed to IR and we don't know when he'll even be an option. Just guessing but it's beginning to look he might be a candidate for the 6 game and beyond IR.

The injury report indicates knee issue. That could be serious or minor. Not practising suggests more than a week IMO.

I'll say it again, that I'm surprised Case was kept on the PR. Of all the receivers we had in TC, he's the one we kept? It might be said he's currently the back up as our returner. Vaval will do that week 1 but when will Logan be back. He's on the 1 game IR but that doesn't guarantee he's ready for week 2.  If he isn't practising at all this week, I think it takes him a couple of games to get " ready " even if the injury is nearly normal.  Game speed and all that.

Note that the 1st daily IR report doesn't include anyone we didn't know about. Except for Lofton the others are already on the IR lists.