2026 Main Training Camp - News & Views

[Tecno]

No, actually Nic had decided he was coming home. There was nothing the Riders could have done. It wasn't money, it was a Manitoba boy wanting to be in Winnipeg and playing for the Bombers.

If that was true we wouldn't have had to offer Demski $150k, which for that time period was massively huge money for a NAT REC.  When you guys dug up the $150k number I was shocked.  I would have guessed $100k for a 4th year guy who had flashed but still hadn't proven much, maybe $120 if you lock him to 2 years.

But still, if Riders had said $250k to stay, Demski would have said "you bet!".

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If that was true we wouldn't have had to offer Demski $150k, which for that time period was massively huge money for a NAT REC.  When you guys dug up the $150k number I was shocked.  I would have guessed $100k for a 4th year guy who had flashed but still hadn't proven much, maybe $120 if you lock him to 2 years.

But still, if Riders had said $250k to stay, Demski would have said "you bet!".

Don't think any receiver was getting $250k back then, I believe they were all paid well under $200k.

[Tecno]

Don't think any receiver was getting $250k back then, I believe they were all paid well under $200k.

That's my point.  Money talks.  There is no "for sure" in pro sports.

[Tecno]

I could see Daniels and Gatkouth both not making the AR.  I saw nothing insanely good that made them a "must roster now!".  You could easily park them on PR and re-evaluate after a few months of practice/training.  On the other hand, I could also see Daniels/Ike both being rostered and Peterson going to PR.  Ike has been flashing, which is very good for him, as he was a potential bubble player.

If someone has to be sacrificed I think it's Kelly.  Before TC I would have also said Ball, but he seems to be progressing well.  I haven't heard Hallett's name at all, so he may be another sacrifice.  He has tons of knowledge and experience but I think he's one that MOS says always keeps to himself so that's useless as the wise old leader.  Cadwall probably wins that role.

[Blueforlife]

Kicking consistently as a rookie isn't as easy as some make it out to be.

It's also more important to be consistent than having a big leg imo.  The trend of other teams having big leg kickers has skewed the narrative imo.  Some keys are net punting, avoiding blocks,  ball security and not giving on majors.

Like all positions in football, experience is king, which Sheehan has in spades.

We have a good punter.  Nice to have competition, also nice to depend on a position that impacts a great deal of field position.

Paying 3 to 1 he sticks.

Directional kicking, the ability to kick into the wind and in bad weather > big leg imo.  Was lot of bird served last year regarding Sheehan.

Bring me a Canadian with experience or that can do both jobs at least at an average level, now we talking.

I likely wouldn't carry a punter or kickers on the PR.

Holding for FG key.

[Pigskin]

Nic wasn't paid $150K in 2018.

[Tecno]

Nic wasn't paid $150K in 2018.

That's what I thought too (my guess was $110k) but in the Corcoran-will-never-be-Demski discussion someone posted a 3down link that supposedly said $150k.  Seems quite high for '18 -- back when money was worth something.

[Blue In BC]

I could see Daniels and Gatkouth both not making the AR.  I saw nothing insanely good that made them a "must roster now!".  You could easily park them on PR and re-evaluate after a few months of practice/training.  On the other hand, I could also see Daniels/Ike both being rostered and Peterson going to PR.  Ike has been flashing, which is very good for him, as he was a potential bubble player.

If someone has to be sacrificed I think it's Kelly.  Before TC I would have also said Ball, but he seems to be progressing well.  I haven't heard Hallett's name at all, so he may be another sacrifice.  He has tons of knowledge and experience but I think he's one that MOS says always keeps to himself so that's useless as the wise old leader.  Cadwall probably wins that role.

I think Gatkouth makes the AR just because our DL depth is hindered after losing Schmekel. Either way, I doubt we put top draft choices on the PR. I'd think maybe the reserve to protect him. I don't really know how well he's showing in practice but I think he makes the game day roster.

Daniels same thing but his role will be different than Chris-Ike and there are only so many roster spots, it is a question.

I agree that Kelly or Hallett could be potential sacrifices but O'Shea loves guys like Hallett and he does play well on ST's. There is always a trade off in choices. In his case, I think he should be retained.

Stuart might be the wild card in choices for ST and upside. Based on 2025, O'Shea doesn't rush newbies into bigger roles. So this is all a TBD.

[LXTSN]

I think Gatkouth makes the AR just because our DL depth is hindered after losing Schmekel. Either was, I doubt we put top draft choices on the PR. I'd think maybe the reserve to protect him. I don't really know how well he's showing in practice but I think he makes the game day roster.

Daniels same thing but his role will be different than Chris-Ike and there are only so many roster spots, it is a question.

I agree that Kelly or Hallett could be potential sacrifices but O'Shea loves guys like Hallett and he does play well on ST's. There is always a trade off in choices. In his case, I think he should be retained.

Stuart might be the wild card in choices for ST and upside. Based on 2025, O'Shea doesn't rush newbies into bigger roles. So this is all a TBD.

As much great stuff we've heard about Stuart, I can't see him making the roster. Keep him on the PR and develop him over the season. If he's improving at a good rate, we can look at him next year. He only started playing football in his high school senior year. That means he has the tools but hasn't 100% grasped the game yet.

[Waffler]

2. Andrews over Sheehan

Zero chance. Evans couldn't take his job last year and he was kicking better than what I have seen from Andrews. Practice roster maybe.

[Blue In BC]

As much great stuff we've heard about Stuart, I can't see him making the roster. Keep him on the PR and develop him over the season. If he's improving at a good rate, we can look at him next year. He only started playing football in his high school senior year. That means he has the tools but hasn't 100% grasped the game yet.

He only has to be as good as someone like Kelly on ST's. Since he's perceived to have more upside, that might be all it takes.

[Pigskin]

He only has to be as good as someone like Kelly on ST's. Since he's perceived to have more upside, that might be all it takes.

Agree, we keep these young players hanging around on the PR far to long. If Stuart can play and is better then Kelly, Ball, or Hallett, or Shay he's on the field. 

[Blueforlife]

Agree, we keep these young players hanging around on the PR far to long. If Stuart can play and is better then Kelly, Ball, or Hallett, or Shay he's on the field. 

Not that simple imo and I don't agree fully but you both make some good points here.  All these guys can play but they are developing slowly and most often wait their turn.  The mafia likes experience and that has worked out just fine.  In Kelly's case, he might be in tough.  Those other players are likely to remain but only time will tell.  A good problem to have.

I find that patience usually pays off and the cups and cup appearances prove that theory in spades.

BnBC makes a great point about teams.

Zero chance. Evans couldn't take his job last year and he was kicking better than what I have seen from Andrews. Practice roster maybe.

facts

[LXTSN]

He only has to be as good as someone like Kelly on ST's. Since he's perceived to have more upside, that might be all it takes.

Going into Kelly's 4th year, you would like to see some kind of improvement on the coverage side of things.
It's not a high bar for Stuart, so I hope he or Ball make the roster instead of Kelly.

[LXTSN]

Also...
This got me looking into our roster online and a few of the ages caught me by surprise!

The 2 youngest players on the roster are Lidster (21) and Andrews (23). Nice to see the 21 year old kicking 50+ yarders with ease! Solid potential for him if he can wait around.

Potential starters Dorian Singer and Kydran Jenkyns are also both 23 years old. If they do end up both winning starting jobs, they will be our youngest starters by 3 years. Ontaria Wilson and Gabe Wallace are both 26 years old.