Blue Bombers re-sign DB Nick Hallett

theaardvark · February 17, 2026, 05:55:56 PM

Quote from: Tecno on February 17, 2026, 06:32:50 AMAnd after my ESF rewatch he was like a mega-beast possessed on ST! He was in on most tackles, and the main/co-tackler in a handful.

Whoever our main replacement is for Gauthier's role, I hope he's up to the task. Can't go back to the insouciant ST coverage we've had at times in the past.

(& thanks PJ)

I can see Ayers taking Gauthier's role. I know the passports don't match, but we've built NAT depth elsewhere, including Neild. So he could have been the reason we walked from Gauthier.

Blue In BC · February 17, 2026, 08:29:41 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on February 17, 2026, 05:55:56 PMI can see Ayers taking Gauthier's role. I know the passports don't match, but we've built NAT depth elsewhere, including Neild. So he could have been the reason we walked from Gauthier.

The problem with that thought is a certain expectation that we move to a 3 import OL and 3 Canadian starters at receiver.

Obviously we may do one or the other, both or neither.

I don't think Ayers being the next Gauthier has anything to do with the above. The number of import LB's is already a significant depth luxury that will have it's own solution.

What that will be is just an interesting conversation at the moment.

Tecno · February 17, 2026, 09:27:00 PM

I find it tougher and tougher to stomach wasting a DI on Ayers... or any IMP who is "ST-mostly" (K/P/RET excluded). You simply have to bring more to the table, and Ayers still doesn't see many/any reps on D.

At least with Griffin you sub him in at times for special sets and spelling. That makes sense. As would any DI on the DL where you want heavy rotation.

DIs are simply too valuable to "waste" on "just" ST coverage guys. To make the point clearer: if we ditch Ayers we could keep Kyrie as a DI who actually comes in on D, sharing WILL with JSK. Not saying that's preferred or likely, but it shows the trade-offs we're facing.

kkc60 · February 18, 2026, 11:27:40 AM

Quote from: Tecno on February 17, 2026, 09:27:00 PMI find it tougher and tougher to stomach wasting a DI on Ayers... or any IMP who is "ST-mostly" (K/P/RET excluded). You simply have to bring more to the table, and Ayers still doesn't see many/any reps on D.

At least with Griffin you sub him in at times for special sets and spelling. That makes sense. As would any DI on the DL where you want heavy rotation.

DIs are simply too valuable to "waste" on "just" ST coverage guys. To make the point clearer: if we ditch Ayers we could keep Kyrie as a DI who actually comes in on D, sharing WILL with JSK. Not saying that's preferred or likely, but it shows the trade-offs we're facing.

I agree. I like Ayers, and after his rookie season thought he could have a role in the defense (STer to defensive player pipeline) but it seems he's kind of stagnated as a STer. Moving him to DE seemed to be purely a depth chart move since we only really carried two ends into any game. While his STs work has been great, between Griffin, Wilson, JSK and Woodbey that's four guys with more flexibility than Ayers who can also all contribute on STs.

Sir Blue and Gold · February 18, 2026, 04:55:51 PM

Ayers would be the world's most appreciated Canadian special teamer. He's like a half dozen of our Canadian teamers but better.

But because he's American he'll never really be secure in that role, he'll always make way less money then those other guys and will assuredly have a much shorter career if he can't start anywhere.

Fun! Good for the game, obviously.

Tecno · February 18, 2026, 09:52:24 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on February 18, 2026, 04:55:51 PMFun! Good for the game, obviously.

Ugh. Well, first, Ayers' special team ability isn't really much better than our best NAT STers have been over the years. He's not much better than Gauthier, or M.Miller. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Cadwall starts having Ayers/Gauthier numbers if Ayers (and Guathier) are gone. A lot of those stats are dependent on where you are in the coverage formation.

Second, I like the ratio for 2 reasons:

1) I don't want to be UFL-lite, where we're all just competing for the same IMPs. I've watched the other leagues, basically all the ones that have popped up over the last 10 years, and they are all total butt.

2) I'm a brain guy, and the brain stuff is what draws me to football. Having a ratio (and all that entails) at minimum doubles the complexity of what a GM has to do and think about every year. Often the winner of the GC is the head office that navigated the NAT situation the best (DPs, retention, O/D ratio balancing, NAT backup balancing). I love this aspect of the CFL.

Imagine a new IMP GM being asked to come up north and lead a team... they'd be like "I have to consider/deal with WHAT? That will take months of effort!". And that's a good thing.

Jesse · February 18, 2026, 10:24:28 PM

Quote from: Tecno on February 18, 2026, 09:52:24 PMUgh. Well, first, Ayers' special team ability isn't really much better than our best NAT STers have been over the years. He's not much better than Gauthier, or M.Miller. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Cadwall starts having Ayers/Gauthier numbers if Ayers (and Guathier) are gone. A lot of those stats are dependent on where you are in the coverage formation.

Yeah, American or not, it's up to Ayers to force his way into the defensive reps in order to secure a starting spot.

Pigskin · February 18, 2026, 10:54:46 PM

I can't see Cad ever getting Gauthier type reps.

5 years, 86 games, 6 DTs, 68 STs, 2 FF.

9 games last season he didn't record a DT or ST.

Love his hustle and the way he plays the game. Probably a life time Bomber. But, he's 5 years deep into his career and he has never taken on Gauthiers role when he's been injured.

Cadwallader. 1 DT, 14 STs, 1 FF. 5'11" 216.

Smith: 3 DTs, 22 STs. 5'10" 227.

Throw Long Bannatyne · February 18, 2026, 11:13:37 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on February 18, 2026, 10:54:46 PMI can't see Cad ever getting Gauthier type reps.

5 years, 86 games, 6 DTs, 68 STs, 2 FF.

9 games last season he didn't record a DT or ST.

Love his hustle and the way he plays the game. Probably a life time Bomber. But, he's 5 years deep into his career and he has never taken on Gauthiers role when he's been injured.

Cadwallader. 1 DT, 14 STs, 1 FF. 5'11" 216.

Smith: 3 DTs, 22 STs. 5'10" 227.

I love Cadwallader but can't ever recall him getting reps at LB. Gauthier was the toughest hombre, made his limited appearances at LB on SY sneaks or goal-line stands in the absence of Biggie.

Tecno · February 18, 2026, 11:17:50 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on February 18, 2026, 10:54:46 PMI can't see Cad ever getting Gauthier type reps.

I meant purely on ST plays, as that's what we were talking about re: Ayers. Someone will have to fill the Gauthier void. Maybe like you point out that's Smith, not Cadwall. So be it. Strange I always notice a Cadwall tackle, but never ever notice Smith. Maybe he isn't as brutal and showy as Cadwall? Dunno.

As for what NAT can get some decent D reps... that's a whole other discussion. I think everyone hopes that guy's name is Shay.