Bombers re-sign Willie Jefferson

[Blueforlife]

Ah, now there is at least something to debate. We have 3 Canadian and 2 import LB's that I think makes K. Wilson a casualty. OTOH he has the most experience and if we lose some others that may be needed.

I wouldn't like to see 2 new CB's particularly if we've shuffling a new deck on the DL. So Houston is needed unless Bonds is healthy for TC and they choose him. Noting he hasn't been re-signed either.

Vaughters, same issue if we don't sign Woods ( I don't think we do ) then potentially 2 of 4 on the front 4 are new. Yes we had a couple of rookies that played the last game, but I don't want to bank on that per se.

We don't yet know which free agents we'll add. Rookies may sit on the PR all year. IDK. We could sign the rookie of the year.

You know my preference for vets and how I favor Wilson but you make a good point as our LB depth is strong. We might pass.  Saves a buck.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

[Pete]

I feel Jefferson can be effective, but the team has to realize that he cant do it on his own, they have to make some serious upgrades to the the dline as a whole, especially at the dt position. Lawson is good but he also needs a strong partner inside, or even to rotate in.
Ly Thomas wasn't good enough, and they didn't seem to have much confidence in Woods so it will be interesting to see what happens

[Blueforlife]

It's never too early to make predictions about the ball club.  That's why this place exists.  Doesn't mean they are accurate, they are simply opinions that we can debate and reflect on as the season advances and our roster becomes more clear.  I believe members of this forum should welcome all voices and posting styles.

Willie will be good most games.  D and ST will be good.  Offense will struggle as we adjust to changes on the OL.  The clubs success will be dependent on the talent we bring in on the DL and OL and how those units can develop and gel. I believe the rest will fall in place.  I am worried about our OL (1st 1/4 of season).  How the DL will preform is a coin flip.  Our LBs and DBs will fine imo (if healthy).  Do need a couple signings which I am betting on.

I have been on here for over a decade and have offered my subtantive views on this club good, bad and ugly.  Not everyone will always get along on here or agree with everyone's opinions and that ok.  It's important that we do our best to focus on talking ball imo and not about each other.  If needed the ignore function can be a good tool but I haven't used it yet.  The reporting tool also serves it purpose well.  But I do avoid replying to some members in an attempt to keep the peace and stay on topic.  Those like myself that have a high post count have to be careful of the content we post and I'm doing my best to keep that in consideration and improving my forum edicate the best I can.  I would like to thank the mods for their continued hard work in making this forum inclusive, fun and informative.

[TBURGESS]

We weren't a good team last year. We only made the playoffs because Edmonton chose the wrong QB to start the season. We haven't gotten any better yet. Suggesting we're going to be good this year is magical thinking.

[Pete]

We weren't a good team last year. We only made the playoffs because Edmonton chose the wrong QB to start the season. We haven't gotten any better yet. Suggesting we're going to be good this year is magical thinking.

Aren't we a ray of sunshine today

[theaardvark]

Having Willie, even if he isn't an every down guy, is a great value to the team.

We will have rookies in TC and beyond, and no better role model and mentor than Willie. Jake will be grateful to have Willie on the field, and also helping him off the field as he finds his feet as a coach.

This is a literal no brainer.

[bunker]

We weren't a good team last year. We only made the playoffs because Edmonton chose the wrong QB to start the season. We haven't gotten any better yet. Suggesting we're going to be good this year is magical thinking.

There's some truth to this unfortunately. But we replaced Hogan with Condell which is an upgrade IMO. Offense was our major problem last year. I will reserve judgement until I see what happens in FA.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Aren't we a ray of sunshine today

He's also not entirely wrong. It's a bit harsh and probably not entirely fair, but the last two seasons have seen continued regression, not improvement, on the whole. To some degree it was inevitable, you can't dominate the league with the same players forever, and so regression compared to the high water mark of probably the best all CFL teams in the last decade isn't quite the same as regression for the 2024-2026 Ottawa RedBlacks... but it's still regression.

In my estimation we need four things: an injection of players playing above their contract value, significantly better offensive and defensive line play, better offensive schemes and improved QB talent behind Collaros.

We probably have one of those things so far. The rest? Somewhere between looking unlikely to totally unknown. Free agency will be interesting.

[TBURGESS]

There's some truth to this unfortunately. But we replaced Hogan with Condell which is an upgrade IMO. 

I agree that Condell is the only upgrade so far. 

[markf]

Good signing.

Grey cup 2024 Willie had a spectacular game. A one man wrecking crew.
That's not that long ago.

[Blueforlife]

We weren't a good team last year. We only made the playoffs because Edmonton chose the wrong QB to start the season. We haven't gotten any better yet. Suggesting we're going to be good this year is magical thinking.

I have suggested we will be slightly better than last year.  People are allowed to suggest we will be good this year, nothing magic about it, just one opinion.

Good signing.

Grey cup 2024 Willie had a spectacular game. A one man wrecking crew.
That's not that long ago.

Facts, was a beast of a game and those will continue

We were an average ball club last year with a bunch off issues, I see us retooling and improving.  All on the OL and ensuring our DL improves imo.
 

[TBURGESS]

I have suggested we will be slightly better than last year.  People are allowed to suggest we will be good this year, nothing magic about it, just one opinion. Facts, was a beast of a game and those will continue

We were an average ball club last year with a bunch off issues, I see us retooling and improving.  All on the OL and ensuring our DL improves imo.
 

And people are allowed to call that kind of thinking magic thinking. 

[Blueforlife]

And people are allowed to call that kind of thinking magic thinking.

Doesn't mean the Bombers won't pull a few magic tricks of their own and treat us to solid season of success.  We have a good core and top coaches.  I think things will fall if place once we shore up our lines.  Will be a challenging year as the West will likely be pretty good.  The parity in the league will be evident again, which is a good thing.  I am cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.

[dd]

Aren't we a ray of sunshine today

But it's the truth, if Edmonton started with Cody, we don't make the playoffs. I m sure they won't make that mistake again, West is going to be tough and we need to upgrade both lines and so far, I don't see any upgrading. We d better make some big signings during FA