Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg @ Calgary, June 5, 2026

[Tecno]

I think they might like Wallace more than they like Eli.
If Eli is good to play Friday, why wouldn't they start him?
I don't think it would make sense to AR Eli if he was good to go Friday, but not quite good enough to start the game.
I believe they've had their eyes on Elsbury for a little while, and they just weren't bringing that info forward. Or he just won that position in camp...

You might be right.  But it does have major ratio implications if this is our desired way to roll in '26.  It will absolutely force that 3rd NAT REC, which may or may not end up being ideal.

Keep in mind that it will mean Clercius/Cobb/Corcoran instead of a potential Singer.

That said, I'm all for it.  I'm always keen on more IMPs on OL.  Overall much cheaper than vying for the top NATs.  And if Elgersma gets any starts this season, throw Vant in at Wallace's spot!     

3 IMP OL could be the talking point of the season.

[Jesse]

I think you're all still putting way too much focus on a depth chart that doesn't show how our players line up.

[theaardvark]

If Eli can benefit from another week of rest, you rest him, sorry.  If he's 100%, he goes.

The last thing you want to do is have an opening game season ender.  These guys will be giving it their all at game speed, and that opens up anyone with nagging injuries to make them worse.

If we can make the ratio work with 3 Int Oline, better to rest Eli.

With the lineup as shown, there is going to be a lot of different looks for opponents to work against.  Many, many moving pieces.  And we should get an early idea on how effective our 6 DB and 6 OL type sets are going to do.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The Shay/Kyrie swap is also intriguing.  I think we saw some of this in the PS1 game?

I like the move as I think we were hurt by not having more violence & beef at WILL.  Kyrie isn't much beef, and in his old age he may not be wanting to lay as much wood as is required at that spot.  Whereas Jones is a bit of a nutter who can mollywop you.

It also puts more brains at MLB, where it's supposed to be.  Kyrie is the wise old sage.  He can direct things better from there.  If Kyrie is running the show from the middle LB level, then Kramdi can focus on running the DBs from the middle FS spot.  This could really help stop all the brain toots like we saw in the ESF where we couldn't stop the deep pass OR the run.

Plus, getting Jones used to WILL might be us getting ready for the "real solution" (i.e. brains + braun, a la Biggie) to move into MLB, probably in 2027.  That real solution might be a target in FA.

I had hoped it would be Shay, but it would appear he's at least another 1-2 seasons off.  Or a total bust.

This also could help stop all the outside run explosions the good teams exploited against us in '25.  We were pretty good at stopping the gut runs.  It was when they bounced it outside, through a B seal-off or C gap or edge around, that they would ream us.  I still have nightmares.  We now have beef at SAM (instead of lightweight Kramdi) and beef at WILL.  The middle isn't as important as it gets more help from the cavalry.

In 2026, we simply can't have Oullette, Mills, and Scott just waltzing in for 15Y TDs just by going a bit outside the tackles.

ESF last season had Kyrie in the middle trying to get his hands on Stevie Scott and Tony Jones at WIL standing off by himself in space looking for someone to hit, it could be a continuation of that strategy.

Possible theory most RB's are not coming up the middle, they're going through the B or C gaps unless it's short yardage, Jones and Griffin should be free of the O-line blocking by attacking from the outside in, and Kyrie is going to hang back covering the flats for dump passes and escapees.  LB's simply plugging gaps is a waste of athleticism, they are better used to attack the ball carrier, Berserkers on the football field.

[Blueforlife]

Won't be surprised if we see a lot of 3 man front as well, hopefully an extra LB can help out with the rush, no matter who they are relying on 3 to pressure the QB is never going to work.

The entire league has done 3 man fronts for the last number of years, it's been a trend, it works and well.  Yes you switch it up with different looks, 4 man front but the 3 man front will be used across the CFL for max pass pro, it's a passing league.  The 3 man front trend might slowly fade but I don't see that happening any time soon.  3 guys can get a push.  LB's and DB's can stunt, lots of a ways to skin a cat and that's how our D works, as complex and variable as it comes.  GO BLUE!

[3rdand1.5]

I like our chances better after seeing the Cal. depth chart.....I have my TCB Willie beer's chilled and ready let's goooooooooo......

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

[GOLDMEMBER]

I was wondering if DARREN was returning for another go?

[barbk]

Looks like there's going to be a whole lot of rotation among the LB's, including Tony Jones who didn't come off the field much last season, he's not a pass coverage guy so can't see why he would play WIL.  Expect to see plenty of Woodbey, Smith, Shay, and Ayers rotating with Kyrie and Jones, danger is too much rotation can lead to an increase in confusion.

I am very surprised they moved Tony Jones from MLB.  I thought he did a good job from last year, but Kyrie Wilson will be interesting playing MLB.  Hopefully Kramdi can succeed as the safety.  I agree alot of confusion in our new lineup.

[Jesse]

If Eli can benefit from another week of rest, you rest him, sorry.  If he's 100%, he goes.

The last thing you want to do is have an opening game season ender.  These guys will be giving it their all at game speed, and that opens up anyone with nagging injuries to make them worse.

If we can make the ratio work with 3 Int Oline, better to rest Eli.

With the lineup as shown, there is going to be a lot of different looks for opponents to work against.  Many, many moving pieces.  And we should get an early idea on how effective our 6 DB and 6 OL type sets are going to do.

That said, MOS never rests players like that. If they say they can play, they play, even if they're detrimental to team success.

Hard to believe he's dressing Eli and not starting him "just to give him another week".

[Blue In BC]

That said, MOS never rests players like that. If they say they can play, they play, even if they're detrimental to team success.

Hard to believe he's dressing Eli and not starting him "just to give him another week".

He still has a role in " heavy OL sets " and it's a choice between him or Vibert. Makes sense to dress him.

[Jesse]

He still has a role in " heavy OL sets " and it's a choice between him or Vibert. Makes sense to dress him.

I'm not saying he shouldn't be dressed (unless he's hurt). I'm just saying it's hard to believe the argument he won the starting job but is being given some kind of transition week.

[Blueforlife]

With the heavy rotation and a million different looks, the positions don't matter as much on D.  Everybody going to get reps for most part.  Pillar of strength for this club.  Our D has been good for years because of this and it will continue with growing pains from new faces.

[dd]

I am very surprised they moved Tony Jones from MLB.  I thought he did a good job from last year, but Kyrie Wilson will be interesting playing MLB.  Hopefully Kramdi can succeed as the safety.  I agree alot of confusion in our new lineup.

Wilson will get hurt at MLB, he's too light to play there. And Jones was lights out last year there, what the heck is going on???!!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]