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

[Blue In BC]

Noticed the defensive ends more aggressive in the second half. Think it was partly an adjustment. A controlled rush is great but it needs to get home sometimes. The second half was more the defense that I think is largely effective. Beat the man in front of you, attack the QB, and force decisions. Younger tries way too hard to make sure every square inch of field is accounted for because his system needs to account for the QB holding the ball forever instead of punching teams in the mouth.

We'll win more games if we play more like the second half and less like the first half when Younger's defense isn't quite as structured. In big moments he has to be more aggressive and not shrink back into "please drop the ball" defense that seems to be his safe place.

Yes it was an adjustment in the 2nd half. That said, it's not like we didn't know VA can be a dangerous running threat. In windy weather if may have been less risk with the adjustments then in good weather allowing him time to throw.

[TBURGESS]

Vaval was a primary difference maker last night. 
Brady ran great, but Calgary was missing two excellent DL's.
Callaros had lots of time, but Calgary was missing two excellent DL's. 
Game eventually came down to the kickers. No surprise that we won that battle.
I was very worried when Calgary got the late TD. 
New kicking rules mean we didn't have to return the kick resulting in getting the ball at the 40. It worked out for us, but robbed the fans of a couple (few?) returns. 
We lose if Calgary could make a 45-yard FG. 
Love a game that comes down to the last play or two. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Vaval was a primary difference maker last night.
Brady ran great, but Calgary was missing two excellent DL's.
Callaros had lots of time, but Calgary was missing two excellent DL's.
Game eventually came down to the kickers. No surprise that we won that battle.
I was very worried when Calgary got the late TD.
New kicking rules mean we didn't have to return the kick resulting in getting the ball at the 40. It worked out for us, but robbed the fans of a couple (few?) returns.
We lose if Calgary could make a 45-yard FG.
Love a game that comes down to the last play or two.

Last drive totally expected Zach to heave the ball into a crowd and make the receiver go get it, glad to see he's back to playing smart football.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Good analysis of the game from Dickie.

[Blueforlife]

I wonder whether Clinton was offered a spot on the PR and he declined. I can understand why a player might decline. However that does sort of fall into the FIFO theory.

OTOH, if we didn't offer him a PR spot then I think chances of a recall are slim.

Same points / questions about Cretsinger who is nearly identical size as Woodbey.

Realistically I think Ayers and the Canadian LB's get more reps in the short term. Another import like a DB or receiver more likely to be added. This is where JSK if healthy would have been an immediate solution.

Ayers was getting some reps in D, anyone notice him.

I am curious about Clinton too.  Yes sure would have been nice to have all our LBs healthy.

Sure working out having now extra bodies now at LB.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Ayers was getting some reps in D, anyone notice him.

I am curious about Clinton too.  Yes sure would have been nice to have all our LBs healthy.

Some like to rag on the club for how we roster LBs.  Sure working out having now extra bodies now.

Some like to pretend that shooting rainbows out their eyeballs is wisdom worth bragging about.

[Blue In BC]

Ayers was getting some reps in D, anyone notice him.

I am curious about Clinton too.  Yes sure would have been nice to have all our LBs healthy.

Some like to rag on the club for how we roster LBs.  Sure working out having now extra bodies now.

I did notice him a lot in the 1st Q. He didn't record a stat on defence and it wasn't quite clear who he was on the field for when he was on. He's shown as a DE on the depth chart but I thought I saw him rushing the QB and dropping in coverage. This week he was actually listed as MLB but as I said, he seemed to be more to the outside as a LB or off the edge as a DE.

The concern is that I have not seen him make a good play on defence last year or against the Stamps. Woodbey was always making plays so I wouldn't like to see him take on that role per se.

JSK would have been the obvious choice but the injury took away that choice.

[Blueforlife]

Some like to pretend that shooting rainbows out their eyeballs is wisdom worth bragging about.

Reported, please don't take person attacks.  This isn't about bragging or rainbows, its the pillar of strength for this club, being deep at LB has worked out for many years, bringing us a very good defense which continues.  These are facts and the reality of the club.  I have you on ignore please do the same.  Please talk about ball not me.  There is no value imo in posts like this and others have voiced similar frustrations.

I have seen value in rostering so many LBs and this has been my opinion for many years.  We have developed a bunch of guys and continued to retain and attract talent to this group.  I believe it will anchor us into our next phase as we continue to find continuity and success on D while slowly transitioning to new faces.

[Blue In BC]

Ayers. Just to point out that no defensive stats can be misleading. He may force a QB to change his mind by taking away a route etc.

Without knowing exactly who he was rotating for and what his assignments are each time, it's more difficult to assess.

All that said, when that happens for a DB that's usually a good thing. For a LB I expect him to be knocking someone down often. Woodbey, Griffin, Jones and K. Wilson make plays. They get more reps but it's a question for me whether he's effective.

Someone else might be able to offer another point of view.

[Jesse]

Reported, please don't take person attacks.  This isn't about bragging or rainbows, its the pillar of strength for this club, being deep at LB has worked out for many years, bringing us a very good defense which continues.  These are facts and the reality of the club.  I have you on ignore please do the same.  Please talk about ball not me.  There is no value imo in posts like this and others have voiced similar frustrations.

I have seen value in rostering so many LBs and this has been my opinion for many years.  We have developed a bunch of guys and continued to retain and attract talent to this group.  I believe it will anchor us into our next phase as we continue to find continuity and success on D while slowly transitioning to new faces.

He literally said the same thing that you repeatedly say about other posters. Don't call out others if you don't want to be called out. You've been told this before by the mods you're reporting to.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ayers. Just to point out that no defensive stats can be misleading. He may force a QB to change his mind by taking away a route etc.

Without knowing exactly who he was rotating for and what his assignments are each time, it's more difficult to assess.

All that said, when that happens for a DB that's usually a good thing. For a LB I expect him to be knocking someone down often. Woodbey, Griffin, Jones and K. Wilson make plays. They get more reps but it's a question for me whether he's effective.

Someone else might be able to offer another point of view.

Saw Ayers chasing after VA a few times early in the game he is super fast, I think he was in for Kyrie.  Noticed Tony Jones attempting to do the same thing later in the game with less success. Woodbey didn't look great in shallow pass coverage but that's a difficult job for any LB to do.

[Blueforlife]

He literally said the same thing that you repeatedly say about other posters. Don't call out others if you don't want to be called out. You've been told this before by the mods you're reporting to.

I never called out anyone just made a general statement, nor did I do personal attack.  I haven't agreed with others who have been critical of how many LBs we have rostered and with two recent injuries, its sure nice to have the depth.

My post was within the forum rules, personal attacks are not.  Please put me on ignore, I have done the same.

I don't agree with what you have said (we didn't say the same thing imo) and there is no value in continuing this exchange.  This is a game day thread, lets talk ball. 

Others have been frustrated with how SirBnG have recently interacted with them and I echo that.

 I am no angel on here but trying to keep the peace, stay on topic and talk ball.  A little razzing is part of the fun as long as its within the rules, not targeted or personal imo.  I have found ignoring users who often don't get along a very good way to keep the peace. 

I will remove part of my post as a good will gesture.  Lets move on please, agree to disagree .

[Blue In BC]

Saw Ayers chasing after VA a few times early in the game he is super fast, I think he was in for Kyrie.  Noticed Tony Jones attempting to do the same thing later in the game with less success. Woodbey didn't look great in shallow pass coverage but that's a difficult job for any LB to do.

Chasing is not catching though which is kind of the point. Yes he's faster and maybe he improves given more reps. That didn't happen last year so it begs the question why didn't it happen and why has he not seemed to move up the depth chart?

He's a very good ST player but I haven't been happy to see him on defence so far.

[Tecno]

Scary thing is Stan's replacement no longer seems to be in house, at least Randolph could play OT, not sure anyone else on the team can, besides Broxton.

You answered your own question.  Stan's replacement is 100% in the house.  And it is Broxton.  If Stan gets hurt, Brox goes left and whoever takes over RT.  Maybe Neuf temporarily, maybe Vant longer term.  Maybe even Wallace -- he got some stints at OT in PS!

When Stan retires it's Broxton to LT for 3-9 years.

[Tecno]

BLM doesn't escape the pocket like VA can, so a different defensive strategy will be taken.

Except when he's running it in for a TD, hook-sliding, but command says "he was going for it".  But ya, that's a rarity.  Hilariously, though, betting odds now put BLM more around Zach levels.  Used to be like 100-1 for 1st TD.  Now, like 11.  Ya, like BLM is going to rush for a TD ever 11-ish games, LOL.