Official Game Day Thread - Calgary at Winnipeg, July 18, 2025

[GOLDMEMBER]

Incredibly Hip pre game is awesome. Solid cover band!

[LXTSN]

I'm honestly a little shocked that not just Case but Person was added to the AR over Mitchell and Jones.
We obviously have a bunch of LB's so we don't really need another, but I really thought Jones would be a starter going into the season.

That does hype up Person a little though. Having more guys to rotate on the DL also means that Willie can stay a little fresher.

[Blue In BC]

I'm honestly a little shocked that not just Case but Person was added to the AR over Mitchell and Jones.
We obviously have a bunch of LB's so we don't really need another, but I really thought Jones would be a starter going into the season.

That does hype up Person a little though. Having more guys to rotate on the DL also means that Willie can stay a little fresher.

It was more shocking that we choose an ST player in Ayers over any choice at beefing up our DL rotation though 4 games. I think we all like Ayers but we have 10 or 11 LB's and no depth on the DL and it's showed. Qb's getting too much time to throw.

I don't know if Person will live up to the hype. He was brought back to the PR after a similar stint in 2024. I suppose a positive spin is that Ayers is still on the AR as well as Person. The hit is on the OL both starting and depth.

[ModAdmin]

Game 5: Stampeders (4-1) at Blue Bombers (3-1)

Kickoff: Friday, July 18th, 7:30 p.m. CDT; Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg
TV/Streaming: TSN 1/3, RDS2, CBS SportsNetwork; CFL+
Radio: 680 CJOB (pre-game begins at 5:30 p.m. CDT); Play-by-play: Derek Taylor/analyst: Doug Brown; Sirius XM (ch. 167)

Scene Setter

They took a punch — a series of them, actually — right to their collective mugs and then had almost two weeks to gaze at the black eyes and busted lips staring back at them in the mirror.

So, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers sat and stewed following their first defeat of the season a couple weeks ago in a 37-16 loss to the Calgary Stampeders which then led into a bye week, we now get the chance to see how well this 2025 edition can take a punch and then get up off the mat.

"We're going to show what we're about coming off this loss with the bye week and having a chance to rest," said veteran defensive end Willie Jefferson. "Plus, it's a chance to play at home so this is a chance to show the league we can bounce back and how we bounce back.

"You've got take a punch, but you've got to get up and keep swinging."

Now 3-1, the Blue Bombers will play the Stampeders for a second straight game in what will be the fifth consecutive matchup against a divisional opponent. That's especially critical Friday night with the club already having swept the season series with the B.C. Lions and being up 1-0 on the Edmonton Elks. Winnipeg will face Calgary again — in Cowtown — on August 9th in what will be the final regular-season matchup between the two clubs of the year, meaning this week is massive for any potential tiebreaker down the road....

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/07/17/game-preview-5-cgy-at-wpg/

[The Zipp]

It was more shocking that we choose an ST player in Ayers over any choice at beefing up our DL rotation though 4 games. I think we all like Ayers but we have 10 or 11 LB's and no depth on the DL and it's showed. Qb's getting too much time to throw.

I don't know if Person will live up to the hype. He was brought back to the PR after a similar stint in 2024. I suppose a positive spin is that Ayers is still on the AR as well as Person. The hit is on the OL both starting and depth.

It is a bit puzzling - we have 17 players dressed for 7 positions on DL and LB...and very little depth on O line and receiver (1 for each)...just seems a bit lop sided to me.  If we lose I am going to question this strategy.

[Pigskin]

Schoen moved to 6 game IR and Bryant to 1 game IR. Those are big blows to the roster. I don't know what that will mean for Schoen who could be gone for longer and potentially for the season. We never will get a straight answer.

Obviously players headed to the 1 game IR may also be gone longer so it's all TBD.

I'm excited to see Person on the AR and that depth created on the DL. OTOH, still wondering why Bailey hasn't been able to make the AR after all the hype.



Two open spots on the PR now.

Tough break for DS83. Will be interesting to see what Person can do.

[BBRT]

No Schoen, No Bryant, Case in, Person in.  Eli is our only backup O-lineman.

https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/CALGARY-at-WINNIPEG_JULY-18.pdf

I am starting to lose patience with the Schoen situation. Off all last year with injuries, back for a short while this year and now back on the 6 game. Maybe second thoughts would have been better to have signed Lawyer even if costly and move on from Schoen. I guess time will tell if Bomber management made the right decision.

[Blueforlife]

It is a bit puzzling - we have 17 players dressed for 7 positions on DL and LB...and very little depth on O line and receiver (1 for each)...just seems a bit lop sided to me.  If we lose I am going to question this strategy.

DL and LB required for defensive flexibility and more pressure on QB.  Disagree, we are dressing our best options imo.  Win lose or draw, this is how we approach our defense.  Overload on LBs as they rotate and DL need to be fresh.

Some were hard on Case for even making the PR.  Goes to show the Bomber brass knew what they were doing.  Case can step in quickly, knows the playbook and should catch a few balls.  I am on the fence on him but hopefully takes the next step.  His ability to return kicks is a big bonus.  I see 4 catches for 45 yards.  I am hopeful he can progress.  Might take a few games.

I know nothing about Person but hopefully gets reps and keeps us fresh.

I admire our members optimism.
However, based on previous performance, I have to refer back to the old Pool  billiards activity.  Once upon a time, my girlfriend and I went out for drinks and some pool playing. She won every game except the last one.  How embarrassing. She let me win I suspected.  Anyway, "it's not what you make it's what you leave". 

We see the same with some good football teams." Why are we punting?" Of course, if we turn it over. The opponent is left with great field position.  So, as I comment on what we have left, it isn't a view of optimism.  And I note I stated this as a last hurrah! For many of our heroes.

Also, we don't have adequate replacements....or they have not played if they are. In short, I earlier predicted, our stars would gradually, become injured, and we would lose a lot of agonizing games.

However, I don't coach or recruit this group, so obviously, we all defer to the guys hired to coach who ever. I don't mean to be such a pessimistic s.o.b. it's Just that, I personally don't like any passive football demeanor. I believe in attacking. However, the DC, has decided to be passive. I mean Jefferson, doesn't want to engage.  He thinks he's a knockdown of passes guy. The fellow they git from Calgary, as much as the writers wanted you to believe, hasn't even gotten off the line of scrimmage. We have no pass rush, that makes anyone nervous.  I mean did we watch Adams last week?  He looked like Patrick Mahones back there.  He looked like he could read a defense! No pass rush leaves whoever lb, to cover amped RB out of the backfield.  Didn't the coaches see any film? A rb who runs a 4.6 forty vs a linebacker who in all truth is probably 5.1? That's a joke.

Offensively, as I also mentioned, our aged vets and heroes, are old and hurt. We have an alphabet of an O line. Really? Who do you put your faith in?

Secondly, Zac is a finesse passer. Some of the QB are finesse guys. Throw the ball up, and give your outstanding receiver go get it. When we had Lawler and Schoenberg, with Demski and Wolitarski, sure.  But we only have one of those guys.

Done....Schoen before an ill advised rushed return, was slow after in my opinion, was over weight  coming back from the NFL. He was slower. The he got hurt. He was really playing on one leg in the Grey Cup last year. He was deemed "OK" this season.  But how many practice days was he DNP? Then horrifically, last game he jumped up for another floater from Zac, simply landed, and his repairs snapped.  As a pro football player, I suspect the whatever is not repairable. For the average guy, sure, he'll be fine. Just don't sprint, cut or yikes jump. Sort of what you don't want one of your grand parents not to do.

We lost Bighill. Can he resurrect his career?  He tried and failed, but he will keep. Trying.
Pros are not meant to keep playing much after 25-30. So the end, has appeared to be coming.

I will miss Schoen.  So amazing was his one year. Will we see some great new guys.

Its ok to be negative, you provided a lot of your thought on the team.  I disagree with most of it.

Willie is still a top player.  He does it all and well.  Aging but don't count him out.  To suggest that he doesn't engage is full stop wrong imo.  Our pass rus is average, will improve.  Vaughters has been good to great.  He gets pressure.

Zach will bounce back, agree he is a finesse thrower and that what makes him great.

Offensive is not as bad as you suggest, imo.  OL is average and good when healthy.  Will take time for us to figure out the new normal.  Will be a tough game likely for this unit.

We don't have that many injuries (yet).  I don't see us losing that many games.  Middle of the pack likely.  Schoen out hurts bad.

Our defense is not passive.  We have one of the best defensive duos coaching a good to great unit.  You wanted Hall fired before our great run and all we did was win cups and make it to the cup.  Our run on D is one of the best ever for this club imo.

Bombers have hope, we are just not the powerhouse we used to be.  Friday will tell a story.  Time to fight back.

[Blue In BC]

DL and LB required for defensive flexibility and more pressure on QB.  Disagree, we are dressing our best options imo.  Win lose or draw, this is how we approach our defense.  Overload on LBs as they rotate and DL need to be fresh.

Some were hard on Case for even making the PR.  Goes to show the Bomber brass knew what they were doing.  Case can step in quickly, knows the playbook and should catch a few balls.  I am on the fence on him but hopefully takes the next step.  His ability to return kicks is a big bonus.  I see 4 catches for 45 yards.  I am hopeful he can progress.  Might take a few games.

I know nothing about Person but hopefully gets reps and keeps us fresh.
Its ok to be negative, you provided a lot of your thought on the team.  I disagree with most of it.

Willie is still a top player.  He does it all and well.  Aging but don't count him out.  To suggest that he doesn't engage is full stop wrong imo.  Our pass rus is average, will improve.  Vaughters has been good to great.  He gets pressure.

Zach will bounce back, agree he is a finesse thrower and that what makes him great.

Offensive is not as bad as you suggest, imo.  OL is average and good when healthy.  Will take time for us to figure out the new normal.  Will be a tough game likely for this unit.

We don't have that many injuries (yet).  I don't see us losing that many games.  Middle of the pack likely.  Schoen out hurts bad.

Our defense is not passive.  We have one of the best defensive duos coaching a good to great unit.  You wanted Hall fired before our great run and all we did was win cups and make it to the cup.  Our run on D is one of the best ever for this club imo.

Bombers have hope, we are just not the powerhouse we used to be.  Friday will tell a story.  Time to fight back.

If Case gets 4 for 45 yards, I'd quality that as a success. Schoen had 4 receptions for 46 and 47 yards in 2 of his games this season. One game at only 29 yards and one at 75 yards.

He caught about 2 of 3 thrown his way, although not every miss is on the receiver. His last game he was only 4 of 10 and IIRC a couple of those may have been on him.

Anyway total catches and yardage are only part of the comparison / analysis. Difficulty and blocking need to be assessed as well.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If Case gets 4 for 45 yards, I'd quality that as a success. Schoen had 4 receptions for 46 and 47 yards in 2 of his games this season. One game at only 29 yards and one at 75 yards.

He caught about 2 of 3 thrown his way, although not every miss is on the receiver. His last game he was only 4 of 10 and IIRC a couple of those may have been on him.

Anyway total catches and yardage are only part of the comparison / analysis. Difficulty and blocking need to be assessed as well.

That's a valid concern, they've lost focus on retaining the blocking component of the receiving corps and how important it is supporting the running game. 200+ lb receivers block more effectively than 180 lbers that avoid the weight room.

[Pete]

If Case gets 4 for 45 yards, I'd quality that as a success. Schoen had 4 receptions for 46 and 47 yards in 2 of his games this season. One game at only 29 yards and one at 75 yards.

He caught about 2 of 3 thrown his way, although not every miss is on the receiver. His last game he was only 4 of 10 and IIRC a couple of those may have been on him.

Anyway total catches and yardage are only part of the comparison / analysis. Difficulty and blocking need to be assessed as well.

Sounds like your making excuses for him before the game even starts. Sure Schoen wasnt the impact we thought hed be yet, 45 yds a game wasn't good for him
 As far as intangibles Case isn't built to be a blocker, what he can bring is speed and quickness  to our short game which we need.
 It comes down to how we use him, to make use of strengths rather tha n just replacing Schoen

[Blue In BC]

Sounds like your making excuses for him before the game even starts. Sure Schoen wasnt the impact we thought hed be yet, 45 yds a game wasn't good for him
 As far as intangibles Case isn't built to be a blocker, what he can bring is speed and quickness  to our short game which we need.
 It comes down to how we use him, to make use of strengths rather tha n just replacing Schoen

Not at all. I'm just point out that the pure math or yardage is only part of the equation. I did qualify that as I'd consider it a success.  However also just making a comment about how that was relative to Schoen's contribution in 2025. We know that was low for him , but it is what it is. Schoen was part of our offence that struggled quite a bit in 2025. Collaros missed game one and wasn't clicking at 100%.

True that Case is smaller and doesn't look to be suited as a blocker but size is not everything. He doesn't have to put an opponent on his back to be effective.

I've never seen him practice so I have no idea what his skill set looks like aside from what O'Shea says.

Kudos or complaints come after some games played.

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Not at all. I'm just point out that the pure math or yardage is only part of the equation. I did qualify that as I'd consider it a success.  However also just making a comment about how that was relative to Schoen's contribution in 2025. We know that was low for him , but it is what it is. Schoen was part of our offence that struggled quite a bit in 2025. Collaros missed game one and wasn't clicking at 100%.

True that Case is smaller and doesn't look to be suited as a blocker but size is not everything. He doesn't have to put an opponent on his back to be effective.

I've never seen him practice so I have no idea what his skill set looks like aside from what O'Shea says.

Kudos or complaints come after some games played.

Watch the video on Case posted earlier today, it shows he had a high level of skill, good hands and speed in college.