Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at BC., June 21, 2025

[TecnoGenius]

Flame away, I am expecting it. But if you watch again, take note of the arm strength and decide for yourself.

Ya, we've talked about this before.  Probably since '23, and certainly in '24.

It's not our imagination, it's not a technique thing, it's not gameday nerves.  He just doesn't have the high max strength anymore.  The routes must be designed to be max 45Y from Zach to catch point.  Maybe 50Y if the guy is wide open (i.e. can be caught low with no trailing defender).

He gives us a perfect illustration in the @BC game 2Q12:11 Zach is completely unharrassed and uhuried and is standing precisely on the C line.  He appears to launch it with everything he's got.  The ball basically lands right at the GL.  Another 5Y (or a third of a steamboat earlier) and Sterns catches that over his shoulder with nothing the DBs can do.

So throw it earlier so it lands in the bucket 45-50Y downfield.  Earlier is almost always better anyhow because it keeps the 2nd DB from getting there in time.

However, this isn't the end of the world.  Zach's accuracy is still top-notch, as seen in the last game.  The zip may not have been there, but basically every short/mid pass was on target.  Compare to Masoli and many of the other QBs this weekend.  Even "most accurate" Trevor wasn't getting the balls out to where they needed to be in the 2nd H.

There's no law that saws a star QB has to be able to chuck it 60Y+ all the time.  It's gravy, not required.  I wonder now how far R.Ray was chucking them in the last 2 years of his career.

[TecnoGenius]

In most indigenous cultures that use totem poles, the low man is the most important man. He is usually the largest man, supporting the weight of all others on the totem pole.

LOL, this is hilarious, as that expression is really ancient.  I guess it pays to have a number of BC-dwelling fans on this forum, eh?

Of course, instead of meaning the "weak link" or "least seniority", it could possibly mean the guy getting the bum deal?  Sucks to be at the bottom holding everyone else up?  The guy at the top doesn't have to hold anyone, and they get the best BC view!

[TecnoGenius]

Hehe, 3down found a fun thing I missed.  They mention a pile stop by Fatboi in the 1st H.

I think it's 1Q5:20, Fatboi is getting stuffed by 2 OL (one slides off to go downfield) and Butler comes behind them.  Fatboi gets a hand on him as he goes to the other side of the engaged hoggie, and holds him up and starts taking him down, and then help arrives.

There's another play a few plays later where Fatboi holds up 2 hoggies, keeping them from pushing the carrier forward effectively.  However, in that case the carrier has already gone by.

[TecnoGenius]

Did BC plan for our D based on film from late last season?  Maybe they thought we'd mostly do 3 man rush (and actually bring only 3), our 2024 M.O.?

Their O had no idea what to do with us bringing 4, let alone 5, 6, 7.

[TecnoGenius]

After 2 games it's safe to say Vaughters is a great pick-up, and worth the money.  He's getting pressures or sacks every game.  It should start loosening up things for Willie to get his famous *** and pressures.

I hope Willie is teaching him how to stay uninjured.  No one has mastered that better than Willie!

[TecnoGenius]

Lost in the fun of the Eli TD, the tackler does a HC tackle on him.  Well, tries to.  Blue jersey part above the numbers is pulled down like 8" over the numbers, but let go pretty quickly.

Doesn't impact Eli at all, LOL.  Tiny DB ain't gonna alter that trajectory.  Still, it's still a foul, and would have rubbed it in real nice to tack on 15 on the KO.

[TecnoGenius]

Funny, but I think this is 4 BC games in a row we've made Betts a complete non-factor.  It's like he doesn't exist to us.  That's no small feat, especially since their entire DL is pretty talented.

[Blueforlife]

Hehe, 3down found a fun thing I missed.  They mention a pile stop by Fatboi in the 1st H.

I think it's 1Q5:20, Fatboi is getting stuffed by 2 OL (one slides off to go downfield) and Butler comes behind them.  Fatboi gets a hand on him as he goes to the other side of the engaged hoggie, and holds him up and starts taking him down, and then help arrives.

There's another play a few plays later where Fatboi holds up 2 hoggies, keeping them from pushing the carrier forward effectively.  However, in that case the carrier has already gone by.

This is awesome dude.  The anti Thomas herd has thinned out a bit it seams.  So proud of what he was done for this club.

[Blue In BC]

This is awesome dude.  The anti Thomas herd has thinned out a bit it seams.  So proud of what he was done for this club.

He needs to see less and less reps as Lawson gets back into game shape. He's old, slow and the least athletic player we have on defence.

Another year where he has yet to record a stat. Every DL on the team recorded a DT last week except Thomas.  Even Kornelson.

What he's done in the past I can appreciate.  Football is a business and about what have you done lately and what can you do now question.

I'd be curious to know how many reps he's getting now versus Lawson. Even now Thomas should be the back up not the starter at DT.

[Blueforlife]

He needs to see less and less reps as Lawson gets back into game shape. He's old, slow and the least athletic player we have on defence.

Another year where he has yet to record a stat. Every DL on the team recorded a DT last week except Thomas.  Even Kornelson.

Agree on Lawson, understating the impact Thomas has imo.  Yes old and slow but still effective with the tools he as left.  Yes least athletic to be sure.  He is strong and techno brings up a few good examples of value he brings.  He will never jump off the stat sheet but had made some plays in the past, fumble recoveries come to mind, get some tackles and a few sacks here and there.  A great combo to be sure.  Thomas brings much stability, leadership and experience, Lawson brings much promise.  Love em both.

[Waffler]

Zach's accuracy is still top-notch, as seen in the last game.  The zip may not have been there, but basically every short/mid pass was on target. 

What do you say about the hang time? Seems he compensates for lack of zip by by putting more rainbow on the ball to get it to the target. This helps the defense. But as you said, Ricky Ray played that way his whole career. It worries me to see it in Zach though. I wonder if he even realizes he needs to adapt.

[Waffler]

Upon Further Review | Wpg 27 BC 14 - Ed Tait

Woodruff told Abbott. "They claim I hit the ref, I didn't hit the ref. It'll be sent to the Review Centre, and we'll go from there.

DIDN'T hit the ref... Better he just says I might have but it was an accident.

[Blue In BC]

Agree on Lawson, understating the impact Thomas has imo.  Yes old and slow but still effective with the tools he as left.  Yes least athletic to be sure.  He is strong and techno brings up a few good examples of value he brings.  He will never jump off the stat sheet but had made some plays in the past, fumble recoveries come to mind, get some tackles and a few sacks here and there.  A great combo to be sure.  Thomas brings much stability, leadership and experience, Lawson brings much promise.  Love em both.

Re-watch any Bomber game and look to see whether Thomas is on the field when the opponent makes a big play. That is a lack of pressure / contain less than when Lawson is on the field. This is not to say Lawson is perfect but it's almost predictable that Thomas is a larger deficit and the opponent more likely to make a big play.

Note that I suggest a similar thing when Gauthier is on defence. Although he's getting less reps and those are usually in very short field position in the red zone. I question whether he's the best option essentially as a run stopper inside our 10 yard line.

[VictorRomano]

Eli making #2 on CFL's PLays of the Week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnt7bvwWJDU

[Jesse]

Gauthier's reps are likely less now, not sure. 
I haven't watch Gauthier this year at all. 
I haven't paid enough attention to see the comparison between Thomas and Lawson this year.

I can't stand how you admit to not paying attention but go ahead and argue the point against people who have anyway.