Official Game Day Thread - Edmonton @Winnipeg, June 25, 2026

[blue_or_die]

2 weeks ago some guy named Rountree ran rampant on us. Now we face Rankin who, tbh, is the only thing on their depth chart that scares me (other than being dink-dunked across the field ala T-Hare by CoFaj).

There ought to have been significant and systematic changes to the D to ensure we can halt their conversion rate. You gotta think that was worked on over a bye week.

If the Hamilton game happens again with no effort shown to improve, pitchforks will come out. If the defense performs even reasonably well though we can chalk the other week up to a bad game and I can un-twist my knotted up knickers.

"I don't blame people for their mistakes, but I do ask that they pay for them"
- John Hammond, Founder and CEO, InGen Corp.

[gobombersgo]

The game will be sold out by the morning. Not alot of tix left.

[gobombersgo]

[Blueforlife]

They will miss Anderson at LB

[Tecno]

I want to see more out of Gatkouth this game.  Kongbo, who had 2 years of doing nothing of note, is starting to produce so far in 2026.  And Kongbo was a lower DP, right -- so Gatkouth should be far better.  He hasn't done anything yet.

Reese made a big play last game.  Fletcher didn't do much.  Didn't even notice Jenkins.  It can't just be all Willie & Ceresna.  If anything, Ceresna drawing a double team most snaps should allow the junior guys to get home.

Watch out for that patented Cody wheel out escape... plan for the wheel and tackle him where he's going to be, not where he is.  Blow him up!

[Tecno]

I wish this game was away.  I noticed the D had real trouble getting things setup right with the big home crowd noise.  I think they may instantly be better if playing in a quiet environment.

Of course, they have to learn to function in our noise, but maybe one step at a time.  Maybe MOS needs to be piping in the crowd noise when the D is practicing...

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I wish this game was away.  I noticed the D had real trouble getting things setup right with the big home crowd noise.  I think they may instantly be better if playing in a quiet environment.

Of course, they have to learn to function in our noise, but maybe one step at a time.  Maybe MOS needs to be piping in the crowd noise when the D is practicing...

First, the last home game was pretty quiet for our crowd because it was very clear they weren't going to get off then field anyway. And they didn't have trouble hearing one another, they had trouble reading out the assignment based on the routes they were seeing. It was a "who does what when" problem, not a "what are we doing" one.

Very different.

[Jesse]

I want to see more out of Gatkouth this game.  Kongbo, who had 2 years of doing nothing of note, is starting to produce so far in 2026.  And Kongbo was a lower DP, right -- so Gatkouth should be far better.  He hasn't done anything yet.

Reese made a big play last game.  Fletcher didn't do much.  Didn't even notice Jenkins.  It can't just be all Willie & Ceresna.  If anything, Ceresna drawing a double team most snaps should allow the junior guys to get home.

Watch out for that patented Cody wheel out escape... plan for the wheel and tackle him where he's going to be, not where he is.  Blow him up!

Kongbo is like a 6 year vet, I hope he's doing better than a raw rookie getting a handful of rotational snaps.

[Tecno]

Kongbo is like a 6 year vet, I hope he's doing better than a raw rookie getting a handful of rotational snaps.

Had to look it up... Kongbo was 1RDP!  Wow, I had forgotten that.  '19 draft.  Because he fizzled out when here I'd call that a bit of a wasted pick.  Yikes.

He was really looking like that would be it for him in the CFL after a few years of producing nada.  If he's finally making hay, good for him.  Good timing.

Man, I really hope Gatkouth turns out better than Kongbo.  Something more like a Betts, please.

[Tecno]

First, the last home game was pretty quiet for our crowd because it was very clear they weren't going to get off then field anyway.

Maybe 2nd & 3rd Q.  But not to start the game, when we stopped them on their first drive, and were up most of the Q.  No excuse for low noise then.  And we got within 8 a couple of times late in the game, and the crowd got REALLY loud -- much louder than the rest of the night.  As I said in GDT, once the nambypamby fans left the real fans let 'er rip. 

And they didn't have trouble hearing one another, they had trouble reading out the assignment based on the routes they were seeing. It was a "who does what when" problem, not a "what are we doing" one.

I don't know why all that pointing and shouting of "you go here", "you take that SB", would be any easier in the noise.  I think the noise did cause problems because a) you can see it on TV (or in stadium), and b) this is the first time many of those guys had to experience that.  Sure, Moxey had heard it before, but never had to operate in it.  And Williams is raw green.

Aside: I find it interesting the DL and LB/DB don't communicate AT ALL on these passing downs.  The LB/DBs do comm between each other like crazy.  But I would have thought front 4 would have to comms with other-8 to some degree?  Maybe it's all determined way in advance by the playcall.  Weird.

[blue_gold_84]

Had to look it up... Kongbo was 1RDP!  Wow, I had forgotten that.  '19 draft.  Because he fizzled out when here I'd call that a bit of a wasted pick.  Yikes.

I don't think that's an accurate assessment at all.

He was a solid developmental piece who got to learn form the likes of Jefferson and Jeffcoat, helping the team win back-to-back championships. He also managed to get some looks from both the 49ers and then the Broncos during that time. He's since put up respectable numbers and is off to a good start this season with the Argos.

It's too bad the Bombers couldn't have found a way to retain him; he's a good NAT. I wouldn't be mad to have him on the D-line right now as a depth/rotational piece.

[Blue In BC]

I want to see more out of Gatkouth this game.  Kongbo, who had 2 years of doing nothing of note, is starting to produce so far in 2026.  And Kongbo was a lower DP, right -- so Gatkouth should be far better.  He hasn't done anything yet.

Reese made a big play last game.  Fletcher didn't do much.  Didn't even notice Jenkins.  It can't just be all Willie & Ceresna.  If anything, Ceresna drawing a double team most snaps should allow the junior guys to get home.

Watch out for that patented Cody wheel out escape... plan for the wheel and tackle him where he's going to be, not where he is.  Blow him up!

We need to see something from some of the newbies on the DL. At least some of the stops on Rankin have to be made by them. If he's getting past the LOS to the LB's or beyond, it will be a long game.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Could be superb game day conditions! Cloudy in evening so no sun in my face.

[markf]

Defense needs a redemption game in every sense of the term. Get to Fajardo early and that should help, IMO.

It's time for the defence to defeat the Fajardo spin move.

[ModAdmin]