Toronto (home) at Winnipeg (away)

[Sir Blue and Gold]

We've played risk-averse football this season. It's led to Zach throwing less INTs than the previous two years and it's also resulted in the lowest scoring in the league. The defense isn't some hall of fame calibre version of itself that can support that kind of offence.

The only glimmer is that Dru can open up the scoring.

Agree we need a change at QB but I'm not really sure it's true that Zach's on pace for anything different this year than the last two. The output is largely similar to 2024 and 2025. The last good year Zach really had was 2023.

2024: 300+ yard passing games (3), 17 TDs, 15 INTs
2025: 300+ yard passing games (3), 17 TDs, 16 INTs
2026: 300+ yard passing games (1), 5 TDs, 3 INTs (22% of the way through the season)

These numbers are all the same despite three different coordinators. Zach is a large part of the issue. Foot speed and off balance arm strength are too much to overcome.  Zach always needed his feet to be at his best and now that they're gone he's more Russell Wilson than Trevor Harris. Some older QBs just can't fully adapt to the pure pocket passing QB you need to be if you want to be elite into your late 30s.

[Blue In BC]

Feels like it makes perfect sense to put an injured player on the injured roster. Do you have a reason why we shouldn't use the IR for its designed purpose?

Then ask the question why Wallace was placed on the RR instead of IR? He could have been a GTD and activated but you can't do that from the IR.

Every player is banged up to some degree. Wallace participated in practice at some level, so where do you draw the line?

[Jesse]

Agree we need a change at QB but I'm not really sure it's true that Zach's on pace for anything different this year than the last two. The output is largely similar to 2024 and 2025. The last good year Zach really had was 2023.

2024: 300+ yard passing games (3), 17 TDs, 15 INTs
2025: 300+ yard passing games (3), 17 TDs, 16 INTs
2026: 300+ yard passing games (1), 5 TDs, 3 INTs (22% of the way through the season)

These numbers are all the same despite three different coordinators. Zach is a large part of the issue. Foot speed and off balance arm strength are too much to overcome.  Zach always needed his feet to be at his best and now that they're gone he's more Russell Wilson than Trevor Harris.

If you pace it out, he's up for >22 TDs and <14 INTs. It's not back to 2021 or anything, but it's certainly a better start than the last couple years (He had 6 INTs across his first 4 games last season).

If everything came together, I'm sure Zach could still be successful. But the early returns have been inconsistent in all the areas we needed improvements from. The most concerning being Zach availability/health. We need a spark from somewhere and if that's Dru, then it immediately pulls a couple areas up with him.

[Jesse]

Then ask the question why Wallace was placed on the RR instead of IR? He could have been a GTD and activated but you can't do that from the IR.

Every player is banged up to some degree. Wallace participated in practice at some level, so where do you draw the line?

Well, in that specific instance, Wallace practiced whereas Zach did not. Pretty clear line.

In all other instances, Walters has guidelines that are likely outlined by the league and he follows them as closely as changing information allows him to do in real time. It's a paperwork shuffle that has no consequence one way or the other. I would expect things to contradict each other sometimes as we find out about things in a different order than Walters does.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

If you pace it out, he's up for >22 TDs and <14 INTs. It's not back to 2021 or anything, but it's certainly a better start than the last couple years (He had 6 INTs across his first 4 games last season).

If everything came together, I'm sure Zach could still be successful. But the early returns have been inconsistent in all the areas we needed improvements from. The most concerning being Zach availability/health. We need a spark from somewhere and if that's Dru, then it immediately pulls a couple areas up with him.

Don't want to beat a dead horse here because we are agreeing but Zach's start is basically the same as 2025 from an analytics perspective. Nothing has changed:

First four games in:
2024: 796 yards passing, 0 TDs, 4 INTs - hurt in 4th game, missed game 5.
2025: 952 yards passing, 7 TDs, 6 INTs - (hurt in 5th game, missed game 6)
2026: 984 yards passing, 5 TDs, 3 INTs - hurt in 4th game, missed game 5.

The time to move on, in hindsight, was after 2023 but the next best time is now.

[Blue In BC]

Well, in that specific instance, Wallace practiced whereas Zach did not. Pretty clear line.

In all other instances, Walters has guidelines that are likely outlined by the league and he follows them as closely as changing information allows him to do in real time. It's a paperwork shuffle that has no consequence one way or the other. I would expect things to contradict each other sometimes as we find out about things in a different order than Walters does.

We know that in some cases players have not practised or been very limited but still played that week. The defining line between shouldn't play and couldn't play is a set of variables.

This week it's Eli that didn't practice but is on the AR. He could have just as easily been on the RR this week as Wallace was last week. Obviously nicked but not enough to be a 1 game IR for this game or beyond.

[Jesse]

Don't want to beat a dead horse here because we are agreeing but Zach's start is basically the same as 2025 from an analytics perspective. Nothing has changed:

First four games in:
2024: 796 yards passing, 0 TDs, 4 INTs - hurt in 4th game, missed game 5.
2025: 952 yards passing, 7 TDs, 6 INTs - (hurt in 5th game, missed game 6)
2026: 984 yards passing, 5 TDs, 3 INTs - hurt in 4th game, missed game 5.

The time to move on, in hindsight, was after 2023 but the next best time is now.

Especially those injuries. It's hard not to notice how predictable they've become.

[Jesse]

We know that in some cases players have not practised or been very limited but still played that week. The defining line between shouldn't play and couldn't play is a set of variables.

This week it's Eli that didn't practice but is on the AR. He could have just as easily been on the RR this week as Wallace was last week. Obviously nicked but not enough to be a 1 game IR for this game or beyond.

I don't think there is a defined, black and white line, if that's what you're looking for. We are dealing with ongoing injuries that you can't always predict if the player can or cannot play. And again, you're trying to discover answers when you don't, and will never have, complete or timely information about the players' health or the behind the scenes roster information that Walters is working from.

The picture is always going to be incomplete from a fan perspective.

[LXTSN]

I do think Dru Brown is better right now than Zach and that's all that should matter.
Zach should be a backup at this point but I'm not sure he sees it the same way. A great reliable backup.

What happens when Zach is healthy next week or the week after? I'm sure they will have Zach in the starting lineup again. But who will head to the PR?
Elgersma? He is a valuable asset and deemed the QB of the future for us. It's too risky.
Perkins? He has been elite at QB sneaks, even breaking a few into longer runs. We need him.
Brown? If Zach gets hurt, he is easily the next best QB on the roster. 

[The Zipp]

let's cool the jets on anointing Dru Brown as the next doug flutie - he was on a bad team but he wasn't lighting it up and was oft injured. 

hope he is awesome

[Jesse]

let's cool the jets on anointing Dru Brown as the next doug flutie - he was on a bad team but he wasn't lighting it up and was oft injured. 

hope he is awesome

I think we just want him to be what he previously was for us.

[bunker]

I do think Dru Brown is better right now than Zach and that's all that should matter.
Zach should be a backup at this point but I'm not sure he sees it the same way. A great reliable backup.

What happens when Zach is healthy next week or the week after? I'm sure they will have Zach in the starting lineup again. But who will head to the PR?
Elgersma? He is a valuable asset and deemed the QB of the future for us. It's too risky.
Perkins? He has been elite at QB sneaks, even breaking a few into longer runs. We need him.
Brown? If Zach gets hurt, he is easily the next best QB on the roster. 

This year, you keep TE on the 2 man reserve or 1 game IR so he gets paid and can practice with the team. Until he shows he can do short yardage as good or better then Perkins.

[Blueforlife]

let's cool the jets on anointing Dru Brown as the next doug flutie - he was on a bad team but he wasn't lighting it up and was oft injured. 

hope he is awesome

Nobody suggested that, they are just excited to have a proven QB that many liked back in town. That said some are a little ahead of themselves but that's ok, its exciting to think that he could retain his form he showed in the past here or after he left.  Brown did light it up at times in Ott, the injuries are my biggest concern as he will take some licks until the OL can gel, find our idea mix and improve.

Today its all in the OL and Brady.  They both cook and all Brown has to do is serve.

I expect Brown to be average at 1st with flashes but also rust.  I think he will slowly improve with more playing and practice time.

[Blue In BC]

I don't think there is a defined, black and white line, if that's what you're looking for. We are dealing with ongoing injuries that you can't always predict if the player can or cannot play. And again, you're trying to discover answers when you don't, and will never have, complete or timely information about the players' health or the behind the scenes roster information that Walters is working from.

The picture is always going to be incomplete from a fan perspective.

I'm not looking for that clear a definition. I was just commenting that we'll see some "nicked " players be put on the RR at times instead of the IR. It's a moot choice and the SMS hit is the same.

As far as the Bombers we've had very few players put on the 1 game IR. It's been discussed that the 6 game IR makes sense when they aren't certain when a player can return. If he comes off early than it's no different than having been on the 1 game IR.

Now we're seeing some players on the 6 game IR begin practice. Whether that could have happened sooner is not clear except for the 6 game IR ruling when that can happen.

Barring new injuries on the AR, I doubt we see any players come off early from the 6 game IR. It is good that some are getting healthy.

[Blue In BC]

Nobody suggested that, they are just excited to have a proven QB that many liked back in town. That said some are a little ahead of themselves but that's ok, its exciting to think that he could retain his form he showed in the past here or after he left.  Brown did light it up at times in Ott, the injuries are my biggest concern as he will take some licks until the OL can gel, find our idea mix and improve.

Today its all in the OL and Brady.  They both cook and all Brown has to do is serve.

I expect Brown to be average at 1st with flashes but also rust.  I think he will slowly improve with more playing and practice time.

Brown only has to play to " not lose " per se. He can't have the entirety of the playbook yet or the chemistry with all the receivers.

He can read defences though so he may have some latitude to stretch the defence when opportunity arises.

I think it all depends on how the OL plays and if we can get the running game going. The run game opens up the passing game and generally gives the QB more time in the pocket.