Blue Bombers agree to terms with veteran defensive lineman Jake Ceresna

[GCn19]

Our D last year gave up way too many points in the 4th Q. That was the biggest problem. Turnovers did not help, nor did the O keeping them on the field.

[Tecno]

Our D last year gave up way too many points in the 4th Q. That was the biggest problem. Turnovers did not help, nor did the O keeping them on the field.

I don't know about 4th Q, but IIRC we lost every reg season 3rd Q except one, and another we tied at 0.

[Tecno]

Truly good defenses pass an eye test. Dominate defenses can power teams to championships. There are plenty of examples of this.

Our defense in 2025 was never one of those. They beat up some bad quarterbacks and had some good games against better talent but then would go out the next week and get absolutely torched. 

Yes, it points to our D being what it was, which was one thing, and being unable to adjust or morph into what was needed to win against certain schemes.

There simply wasn't the option of switching from max coverage to suddenly being a pressure / blitzing D.  Even if it was desperately needed.

In the heydays of '19-'22 we could be a pressure D or a max coverage D, or a random who-knows-what-it'll-be D.

We need more D flexibility.

[GCn19]

Ceresna is going to have a huge impact on our DL. He will provide pressure from wherever we line him up. He draws a lot of double teams and not a lot of DEs do. We will also put him in at DT and he will be effective inside and out. He provides a ton of different looks to our DL that will give other OLs fits

[Tecno]

Ceresna is going to have a huge impact on our DL. He will provide pressure from wherever we line him up.

So it's likely we'll normally put Willie & Cersna together on one side, probably against the RG/RT?  They'll have to shift more resources to cover that side, freeing up some sneaky play on the "weaker" side?

Can't sneeze at Lawson, either.  Boy, it would sure be nice if we could have a super-effective final DE to put the nail in the O's coffin.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Yes, it points to our D being what it was, which was one thing, and being unable to adjust or morph into what was needed to win against certain schemes.

There simply wasn't the option of switching from max coverage to suddenly being a pressure / blitzing D.  Even if it was desperately needed.

In the heydays of '19-'22 we could be a pressure D or a max coverage D, or a random who-knows-what-it'll-be D.

We need more D flexibility.

Agree we need to be better. I'm not sure we need flexibility. Not getting pressure on the QB is not really a viable option as an every down defense.

I'm not against a 3-4 look that doesn't put pressure on the quarterback as a wrinkle. But it needs to be a wrinkle.

We see teams do this more than we know. Or versions of it. There's whole sets of simulated pressure. If we're getting in on the QB and making him play fast it absolutely makes sense to simulate and drop 8 at times.

It just all falls apart when there is so little pressure that QBs consistanty extend plays beyond the time that zones realistically hold or man coverage can survive.

No amount of JY X's and O's can overcome that.

[GCn19]

We need guys who can eventually get home in a 3 man front. There isn't a Qb in this league that won't carve you up if he's able to thru all his reads.

[GCn19]

So it's likely we'll normally put Willie & Cersna together on one side, probably against the RG/RT?  They'll have to shift more resources to cover that side, freeing up some sneaky play on the "weaker" side?

Can't sneeze at Lawson, either.  Boy, it would sure be nice if we could have a super-effective final DE to put the nail in the O's coffin.

I think we will give all kinds of looks with both the 3 and 4 man looks. Guys will be lining up everywhere. Ceresna, and Jake out allows for it. Be very interesting to watch. If we can get opposing QBs confused they aren't going thru their reads as effectively. Plus we need to punish QBs more even if it isn't a sack. We allowed old timers like Harris to sit in the pocket and go virtually untouched. That cant happen or he will carve you up. Harris, and VA fall apart if you hit them.