Jake Thomas Discussion

[Blue In BC]

In 3 games Willie has only recorded 1.33 tackles a game.  Near none.  Near zilch.  Nuff said on that?

Fire Willie?

Watch. The. Pressers.  It's all about pressure.  From my vantage point Fatboi has caused more pressure than Willie this season!  And, for those really watching, Fatboi's motor keeps running until the whistle.  Willie tries his 1-2 moves and then stops if they didn't work (until playoffs).

How many knockdowns has Willie had, forced fumbles?

Yeah, Thomas keeping running until the play is over but at that point he was just in chase mode and the offensive player is already down.

[Blue In BC]

Yeah it's getting annoying the cutting and pasting agree it's gotta stop
The 1st time I let it go but someone who feels that they need another forum to backup their point is on thin ice imo
Just because an opinion is posted elsewhere means nothing to me
Well written, well said agree all, nice that now there are three amigos minimum on the Thomas train, props man props
Nope, we are holding the other teams to under 100 yards a game and our run D has been strong
If our run D was weak it already would have been exposed

I hope they run on our middle our dl and deep rotational lbs will feast

Bring it
Nah, he has contributed plenty, understating the significance of him staying healthy

Lots of tackles, sacks, ff and an int!
Jake Thomas - CFL.ca https://share.google/JHd0uVnExxG10kRFo

It's annoying that you quote 4 different comments in one post rather than adding actual information / facts. How many times do we have to hear your main argument that he's played 200 games and seldom injured?

Assessment is always a comparison against others is similar roles whether on our team or others.

I've asked twice already: In 2024 and in 2025 where does Thomas rank against our starters?

[Jesse]

In 3 games Willie has only recorded 1.33 tackles a game.  Near none.  Near zilch.  Nuff said on that?

Fire Willie?

Watch. The. Pressers.  It's all about pressure.  From my vantage point Fatboi has caused more pressure than Willie this season!  And, for those really watching, Fatboi's motor keeps running until the whistle.  Willie tries his 1-2 moves and then stops if they didn't work (until playoffs).

Willie has different responsibilities. I think the fair comparison is to compare Thomas to Lawson. Who is getting pressures and turning them into tackles with less time on the field.

And again, I'm fine with Thomas as a vet member of the team. I'm just with the proponate that thinks he's going to be able to be more effective with less reps. Willie too, for that matter - We've also needed a rotational DE since Kongbo left.

[Blue In BC]

Willie has different responsibilities. I think the fair comparison is to compare Thomas to Lawson. Who is getting pressures and turning them into tackles with less time on the field.

And again, I'm fine with Thomas as a vet member of the team. I'm just with the proponate that thinks he's going to be able to be more effective with less reps. Willie too, for that matter - We've also needed a rotational DE since Kongbo left.

Yes our DL is older and thin on bodies. At some point we might be able to flip the ratio. Person might get an opportunity to see some game time. Bailey as global could help and Weitz could get bumped.

Obviously we've got a lot of talent at LB but we need to be able to stop the run at the LOS and not 4 - 6 yards after. I think we've improved  on not letting opponents get outside as often with any running attack.  We're seeing a lot up the gut so to speak.

[TBURGESS]

5 pages of discussion about one of the worst players on the team? SMH. 

[dd]

5 pages of discussion about one of the worst players on the team? SMH.

I know, never has so much been said about someone who has done so little!!!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes our DL is older and thin on bodies. At some point we might be able to flip the ratio. Person might get an opportunity to see some game time. Bailey as global could help and Weitz could get bumped.

Obviously we've got a lot of talent at LB but we need to be able to stop the run at the LOS and not 4 - 6 yards after. I think we've improved  on not letting opponents get outside as often with any running attack.  We're seeing a lot up the gut so to speak.

They're giving up an average of 66 yds. on the ground per game, is that worthy of a lineup shuffle? I doubt the coaches are losing sleep at night.  So far this season there isn't a paticipating player that has fallen short of expectations that has under-performed, they've all played remarkably well.

[Blueforlife]

They're giving up an average of 66 yds. on the ground per game, is that worthy of a lineup shuffle? I doubt the coaches are losing sleep at night.  So far this season there isn't a paticipating player that has fallen short of expectations that has under-performed, they've all played remarkably well.

Agree all, our defense has been very good and has stopped the run well.  Thomas has been part of a rotation this year and for over a decade simply getting the job done.  I am excited to see if we can get some other players on our DL some more reps this year so we can continue to develop depth in this area. 

[Blue In BC]

They're giving up an average of 66 yds. on the ground per game, is that worthy of a lineup shuffle? I doubt the coaches are losing sleep at night.  So far this season there isn't a paticipating player that has fallen short of expectations that has under-performed, they've all played remarkably well.

If you read what I said, then possibly yes. Teams have been running less against us because they have been behind from the get go. A slight change of strategy might also work but we're going to be up against a better QB this week. Note that I pointed out a lack of youth on our DL. That can be an issue and possible scenario of injury.

The fact teams can run against us when they want to can become an issue. The Elks ran for 90 yards on 16 runs. Ford only had 6 yards on his 1 carry.

Mills is a better RB than the Elks have and he rushed for 96 yards on 15 carries.

We've only got 6 DL on the roster when other teams have 7 or 8.  In the last game we were losing TOP and field position. That's much harder on the DL when rotation is more limited. Dropping in LB's means more space at the LOS and better runs by the opponent.

So if we get an early lead, then Calgary goes to more passing and less running at some point. Lots of factors in play here.

[dd]

If you read what I said, then possibly yes. Teams have been running less against us because they have been behind from the get go. A slight change of strategy might also work but we're going to be up against a better QB this week. Note that I pointed out a lack of youth on our DL. That can be an issue and possible scenario of injury.

The fact teams can run against us when they want to can become an issue. The Elks ran for 90 yards on 16 runs. Ford only had 6 yards on his 1 carry.

Mills is a better RB than the Elks have and he rushed for 96 yards on 15 carries.

We've only got 6 DL on the roster when other teams have 7 or 8.  In the last game we were losing TOP and field position. That's much harder on the DL when rotation is more limited. Dropping in LB's means more space at the LOS and better runs by the opponent.

So if we get an early lead, then Calgary goes to more passing and less running at some point. Lots of factors in play here.

Great point. Our D hasn't been stopping the run, rather, we get up 14+ points in a game and the other team has to go pass heavy to try and generate some points quick. I'd pound the rock against us and at the very least, try and keep the ball out of our offenses hands.

Calgary's recieving corps is missing Begelton, so I am thinking they'll start out with running the ball as Mills is a very decent RB.

[Jesse]

I know, never has so much been said about someone who has done so little!!!

It's a pretty regular occurrence as guys get to the back 9 of their career.

[Blueforlife]

https://youtu.be/E5nX6QTfFr4?si=k5eKFVgBEqyUwAVH

https://youtu.be/N09NFvgH3bA?si=yIDtH8UBKATNd8j-

Thomas highlights last two years

[TecnoGenius]

Willie has different responsibilities. I think the fair comparison is to compare Thomas to Lawson. Who is getting pressures and turning them into tackles with less time on the field.

And that's why we're dev'ing Lawson and every single person (Fatboi fan or hater) thinks Lawson will take Fatboi's place one day, when he retires.

But Lawson has spent more time in the tub than on the AR... and Lawson has also spent more time in the tub in 2 years than Fatboi has in the last 13!

Unless we have a next-next NAT DT, Lawson can never be a Fatboi replacement unless he can prove more healthy than Nevis and Stove did (let alone get to Fatboi's 99.9% availability).

[TecnoGenius]

The fact teams can run against us when they want to can become an issue. The Elks ran for 90 yards on 16 runs. Ford only had 6 yards on his 1 carry.

If we can hold a run-mostly, can't-pass-QB, scrambling-QB, good-dual-RBs team to 90Y on the ground then that's amazing and 100% a win for the D.

It's like when BC faced SSK.  Everyone knew SSK was going to run all night because they had a garbage QB.  If we can hold SSK and Maier to 90Y on the ground, then we will beat them too.

[TecnoGenius]

Obviously we've got a lot of talent at LB but we need to be able to stop the run at the LOS and not 4 - 6 yards after. I think we've improved  on not letting opponents get outside as often with any running attack.  We're seeing a lot up the gut so to speak.

But our D is deisgned to do precisely this.  We want to force them in the middle.  All the while keeping levels of defense so we can (hopefully) stop the explosion.  And on top of that, sometimes we get the RB in the back field, which is gravy.

We seem perfectly happy to give up the 4-6Y run nearly every time.  Limit the 10-20Y runs.  Eliminate the 25Y+ runs.  Try to get them in 2nd and medium or long and then mess with their pass.

In this we are basically unlike every other team.  Is this a function of personnel or just a strategy choice?  We certainly didn't play this way when we had Stove!  In any event, it mostly works quite well.

The real test will be when we face the run heavy teams like CGY and SSK.  However, they were run heavy last season and we whooped them pretty darn good!