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

[Blue In BC]

Start him off at DB, then maybe get him some time at safety and swap with Parker

DB usually refers to the halfbacks Nichols and Holms. No way I'd make that change if that's what you are suggesting. We don't have the luxury of adding an extra DB as a DI. So someone has to be replaced.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The thing about Bridges at the moment is he's biting on some 1st moves by receivers. Ok, he's up against some receivers that will beat DB's. I may have a larger issue in that he seems to miss a lot of tackles.

Griffin by definition is our back up SAM and that means he's cover guy and can lay the wood on receivers.

Somebody goes to practices will have to provide input on who else gets reps at safety and CB.

We could argue that Hallett might be a consideration at safety and he does have experience there. A short term solution but possibly allows other options and he's a ratio advantage.

If and when Woods is healthy he doesn't have to be a direct replacement to start but he could be a replacement as a DI on the DL.

Maybe Jake Kelly once healthy, I think Hallett has already been surpassed, could also groom draft pick Smith for that specific role, important position from a ratio flexibility standpoint.  Trending, young CDN Safeties dominating, Dequoy, Katsantonis, Royce Metchie, Cristophe Beaulieu in BC look like he is going to be a stud.

[BomberFan73]

DB usually refers to the halfbacks Nichols and Holms. No way I'd make that change if that's what you are suggesting. We don't have the luxury of adding an extra DB as a DI. So someone has to be replaced.

LOL, no I'm not suggesting replacing Holm or Nichols. HB is HB, I guess I could have said CB
I even said I'd replace him with Bridges. Your confusion is confusing.

[Blue72]

It seemed like the Stamps were playing with 4 extra players on D, Every time our receivers tried to catch a ball there seemed to be at at least two defenders on them  NOT 5 yards back but on them. While our Defenders were not even close to their receivers except for Holms.

[Blueforlife]

The thing about Bridges at the moment is he's biting on some 1st moves by receivers. Ok, he's up against some receivers that will beat DB's. I may have a larger issue in that he seems to miss a lot of tackles.

Griffin by definition is our back up SAM and that means he's cover guy and can lay the wood on receivers.

Somebody goes to practices will have to provide input on who else gets reps at safety and CB.

We could argue that Hallett might be a consideration at safety and he does have experience there. A short term solution but possibly allows other options and he's a ratio advantage.

If and when Woods is healthy he doesn't have to be a direct replacement to start but he could be a replacement as a DI on the DL.

Forgot about Hallet good point, yes good temp. Option

[theaardvark]

It seemed like the Stamps were playing with 4 extra players on D, Every time our receivers tried to catch a ball there seemed to be at at least two defenders on them  NOT 5 yards back but on them. While our Defenders were not even close to their receivers except for Holms.

They were using 4 man rush and a zone D.

For the next game, we should have a completely new way to attack that. Zone D's have a lot of ways to be taken advantage of.  Hogan needs to figure that out. 

It really exposed Streveler's reading ability.  Again, we have to see if Wilson can read a D, that would have been a big opportunity for that.

[bunker]

I asked myself, when we get to the off-season, which Bombers would be considered highly sought after free agents? There aren't many. I believe Demski, Brady, and Schoen are all still under contract for next year. Holm would be sought after. Nichols will be 32 next season, so though he's good, he's getting on for a DB. Maybe Wheatfall, although he's slowed his production recently. Other than that, ? Willie based on past reputation. ? Castillo based on his strong leg. Anyone else? Collaros is signed, but not sure too many teams would be interested in him at 600.000+ at age 38. To me, that really speaks to the absence of talent on our roster. There just aren't many difference makers. I have my issues with O'Shea sometimes, but to me, thats on Walters and the scouting.

[Pigskin]

Well, that was a slap in the face. TSN turning point Strev Int on the goal line.

This no #1 D. DBs are blowing coverages every game. Said after the second BC game do this against a good team and they will burn you.

DT missing in action. Vaughter 5 DTs, Willy with 2.

ZC8 before the injury 8/11, 151, 1 TD, but another 2 Ints.

Bombers rushed for 146 yards. Case, Demski, and Strev chipping in with 75 yards.

6 Turnover, is far to many.

Lawson 7 DTs,  Kornelson  3, and Thomas 2.  12 Tackles in 5 games just not good enough.

And some bad penalties at the  wrong time.

[J5V]

Just some musings on the state of affairs in Bomberland at this point.

Last year the injuries piled up on us early in the season and led to an ugly 0-4, 2-6 start. This year after a 3-0 start we've now lost Dalton Shoen and Zach Collaros, two of our star players. Sooner or later all teams face adversity. Montreal with Alexander and Toronto with Kelly are two examples. The losses of receivers Lawler, Shoen, O. Wilson, and now #1 QB Collaros, is a lot to overcome on offense. The loss of Tyrell Ford and Brandon Alexander is noticeable to our secondary also.

These two losses to the Stamps have come against the league's best team so far in 2025. It's unfortunate we have to face that team 3 times in such a short period of time when we're not at our best is not ideal but this is one of the worst schedules I've seen with both our byes already behind us.

If there's a silver lining it's that we're only 5 games into this 18 game season and Wilson and Collaros should be back at some point.

[Blue In BC]

Maybe Jake Kelly once healthy, I think Hallett has already been surpassed, could also groom draft pick Smith for that specific role, important position from a ratio flexibility standpoint.  Trending, young CDN Safeties dominating, Dequoy, Katsantonis, Royce Metchie, Cristophe Beaulieu in BC look like he is going to be a stud.

Hallett has peaked but he might still be a short term solution if they decide to move Parker to CB. Now I think we all think Kelly would be a better choice and have upside. He's started to practice but he's been out for 8 months. Healthy and game shape means maybe another few weeks? So it's a question of timing not about the longer term options.

Smith might be a candidate in 2026 but not if he isn't getting any reps in 2025 IMO.

[Blue In BC]

They were using 4 man rush and a zone D.

For the next game, we should have a completely new way to attack that. Zone D's have a lot of ways to be taken advantage of.  Hogan needs to figure that out. 

It really exposed Streveler's reading ability.  Again, we have to see if Wilson can read a D, that would have been a big opportunity for that.

The problem is that most of our receivers aren't scaring anybody. Our OL isn't giving Collaros time to find receivers that are taking too long to run routes and / or get open.

I wasn't at the stadium but maybe someone can give input to Sterns, Case, Corcoron and Clercius being open etc. I think I pointed out they only had 6 receptions as a group. Oliveria had more yardage then them combined.

That group had 13 attempts in their direction that only resulted in the 6 completions. It may not have all been on them but Clercius had 1 catch in 4 attempts for 6 yards.

[Horseman]

This should be the last year for the following players in Blue and Gold:

1) Neufeld (getting beat consistently)
2) Bryant (getting beat consistently)
3) Willie Jefferson (not enough production from him on the pass rush)
4) Zack Collaros (age has caught up to him and now is getting concussed)
With Zack their is no clear #1 QB available BUT I would take a chance on Fajardo out of Edm. Fajardo plays with heart and does what it takes to win, only a matter of time where he will be starting in Edmonton.

That #80 for Calgary is their Lawler, makes the tough long catches look easy.

[dd]

Strev is our SY Qb, agree to move on and give Wilson a shot, especially when Stev stinks , move on already

[Blueforlife]

Might get one more win before BB.  Toronto sweeps us, Calgary destroys us again.  Might beat Ottawa, their coaching is almost as bad as ours.  BUT I think they still win.  Dyce is terrible but still better than Oshay.

I'll take that action with Zach we are middle of the pack.  Without we will be a little under 500.

[Blueforlife]

The problem is that most of our receivers aren't scaring anybody. Our OL isn't giving Collaros time to find receivers that are taking too long to run routes and / or get open.

I wasn't at the stadium but maybe someone can give input to Sterns, Case, Corcoron and Clercius being open etc. I think I pointed out they only had 6 receptions as a group. Oliveria had more yardage then them combined.

That group had 13 attempts in their direction that only resulted in the 6 completions. It may not have all been on them but Clercius had 1 catch in 4 attempts for 6 yards.

Case was open on a few occasions but not being the primary hurts the chances of taking advantage of that.  Didn't watch the others.