Calgary @ Winnipeg pre-game thread

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

A few players coming off the 6 game might not be quite ready yet and get stashed on the 1 game. We might not see that many changes this week "IF TRUE".

[GOLDMEMBER]

Get Ethan ball back on the field!

[Jesse]

Nah the notion was proposed this year that we didn't value or prioritize sacks which wasn't true

This year we have the same schemes for the most part

We upgraded our DL

Why did we we upgrade our DL?

Why is Willie the only returning starter? Why did we spend so much on Ceresna? Why did MOS convince Jake to transition to coaching? Why did we go with an all-american DL last game? Why are we using 7-8 DL this year instead of 5-6 the last two years?

That's a lot of changes for something that wasn't broke.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/07/22/stamps-bring-back-receiver-damien-alford-sign-defensive-back-lance-boykin/

My godt this guys is tall, sure hope he isn't ready to go this week, causing Deatrick Nichols some serious anxiety.

[Blueforlife]

Why did we we upgrade our DL?

Why is Willie the only returning starter? Why did we spend so much on Ceresna? Why did MOS convince Jake to transition to coaching? Why did we go with an all-american DL last game? Why are we using 7-8 DL this year instead of 5-6 the last two years?

That's a lot of changes for something that wasn't broke.

Trying to start an argument when there wasn't one presented.

My original point was that a few suggested that we didn't value or prioritize sacks which wasn't true.

But I'll bite.  We had some turn over on the DL due to moving on from players and new faces stepping up or developing.  Lawson started at times last year unless I'm mistaken or did he only rotate?

We signed Ceresna over retaining Vaughters because he was a little better.  Jake Thomas was at the end of his career and it was a natural transition.  All American DL was due to injuries.  Won't be like that all the time and we rotate so much.  Slightly more DL this year as talent is better than in the past.  We have deployed a similar defensive roster as last year, heavy on the LBs.  Only 7 DL all year.  Big change is Ayers on depth charge as LB.

I have disagreed with many that something was or is broken with this defense.  Yes the DL has under preformed a bit but this year its talent is shining on a similar defensive system.  Our DL is better than in the past and as we get healthy and our young guns develop it will only get stronger.  They are executing well on a well coached team.  Jake is one of the best in the business and it has brought us to a new level by allowing Willie to shine again.  I put credit to the players, as Dave would say, the players play.  And boy are they playing well.

Don't agree with much you are implying.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

What he's implying in a far nicer way than I will is you spent all last year telling us the defensive line was the world's best back then too, remember? And the year before that. And this year it's super duper awesome and everyone should be sorry they said it wasn't before because it's still so awesome. All without a modicum of technical explanation for why you think so. It just is because beast mode best ever.

For the record, the defense has been better the last few games but better is relative to wholly unacceptable in the first few weeks and with the caveat that you're finger waving your told-ya-so's after just giving up 420 yards to freaking Ottawa.

But that doesn't matter because they're still so super duper super awesome.

[Blueforlife]

What he's implying in a far nicer way than I will is you spent all last year telling us the defensive line was the world's best back then too, remember? And the year before that. And this year it's super duper awesome and everyone should be sorry they said it wasn't before because it's still so awesome. All without a modicum of technical explanation for why you think so. It just is because beast mode best ever.

For the record, the defense has been better the last few games but better is relative to wholly unacceptable in the first few weeks and with the caveat that you're finger waving your told-ya-so's after just giving up 420 yards to freaking Ottawa.

But that doesn't matter because they're still so super duper super awesome.

Fake news, I never said our DL was the best ever last year.  No I don't remember because it didn't happen lol.  I defended Thomas last year, liked Vaughters and called Willie what he is, one of best ever.  Nice try.  The previous year I can't remember what exactly what I stated about the DL but I think you are exaggerating.

I never claimed this year DL awesome.  Fake news x2. I liked our off season moves.  I have commented on our good and bad games.  I explain my thoughts in detail about who I like and why.  Sorry your take here is simply not true. You constantly paint me as a simply a positron on here which isn't true and no you are not correct my posts have way more detail and substance than you suggest.  It doesn't add to the discussion and is your fall back when you have nothing to counter.  It's getting really repetitive but kind of entertaining at the same time as its so predictable.  But please stop doing that. 

I never said our defense is awesome this year, fake news x3.

I have been critical of our defense this year like many.  I thought on paper looked good and was worried about Kramdi at FS but that is starting to work out.  Yes the defense has been better as of late.  I was a little worried about our new corner but he has been just awesome.

I pointed out after seeing the sack numbers that indeed we both value and prioritize sacks, which is a factual rebuttal of what you claimed was true previously.  No told you so.  I presented a counter argument to your position previously and now again.  You can lead the league in sacks unless you value and prioritize them.  That's the facts.  Today my comments didn't specifically mention the level play of the DL or how good I thought it was.

For someone that often tells me to use facts in my arguments you are sure presented exactly none here.

Your post simply is non factual and trying to throw shade against me, which I have repeatedly asked you to stop doing.  The tone of your post is not welcome or needed.  You are simply trying to get a rise out of me with little to no substance in your counter argument because you have none.  So just to be clear we are still not valuing or prioritizing sacks? That was my point of my original post.

Please comb the forum and prove me wrong to support what you claim I have posted, you are simply posting things that I never said and attempting to spread fake news about me.  Its unfortunate you continue to do so.  I prefer facts.

I use the term beast when I praise a player for having a strong game or usually due to the strong physical nature of their play.  Razzing me in your reference to that term is a real stretch.

The season started out bad, some of the forum went full negative mode and I stayed the course, which is my hallmark.  Patience paid off the DL.  Let's see if their strength can help this D take a the next step.

I see a club with an improving D, great special teams and an offense that needs better playing calling, a more consistent run game, better play by the OL and a QB that needs to gel with his new surroundings.  I remain cautiously optimistic about the club and am excited we are getting healthy.

[kkc60]

Trying to start an argument when there wasn't one presented.

My original point was that a few suggested that we didn't value or prioritize sacks which wasn't true.

But I'll bite.  We had some turn over on the DL due to moving on from players and new faces stepping up or developing.  Lawson started at times last year unless I'm mistaken or did he only rotate?

We signed Ceresna over retaining Vaughters because he was a little better.  Jake Thomas was at the end of his career and it was a natural transition.  All American DL was due to injuries.  Won't be like that all the time and we rotate so much.  Slightly more DL this year as talent is better than in the past.  We have deployed a similar defensive roster as last year, heavy on the LBs.  Only 7 DL all year.  Big change is Ayers on depth charge as LB.

I have disagreed with many that something was or is broken with this defense.  Yes the DL has under preformed a bit but this year its talent is shining on a similar defensive system.  Our DL is better than in the past and as we get healthy and our young guns develop it will only get stronger.  They are executing well on a well coached team.  Jake is one of the best in the business and it has brought us to a new level by allowing Willie to shine again.  I put credit to the players, as Dave would say, the players play.  And boy are they playing well.

Don't agree with much you are implying.

Ceresna and Vaughters play different positions. Devin Adams was the best pass-rushing DT we had last year and rode the bench. This year we have Ceresna who can rush the passer from the interior (and play DE when needed) and then some rookies at DE. It's not hard to see that last year (and the year prior as well) the team wanted DTs who plugged vs. the run and offered less in the pass rush department. Do I have some issues with that? Sure. But it's what they did. Ceresna is the guy they've needed the past couple years. Someone who pushes the A and B gap and gets home.

[Pete]

Its no secret that Jefferson is revitalized now that he isnt bring triple or double teamed as much with the arrival of Ceresna. Reese has mpressed as well. It sure helps that they aren't trotting out Thomas ty, He was fone ly already and shouldnt have been starting

[Tecno]

Get Ethan ball back on the field!

Then you have to shed someone.  Probably Stuart.  I bet ball is back on AR pretty soon.

However, I don't think it will be at the expense of Kelly -- dude is rapidly earning his spot on the AR and actual D.  Don't know why it took him so darn long to not suck!

[Tecno]

My godt this guys is tall, sure hope he isn't ready to go this week, causing Deatrick Nichols some serious anxiety.

Ya, I think we luck out.  Same-week AR is somewhat rare, but not unheard of.

That said, he's not as good as Eric Rogers.  And as a super big guy, he's prone to injury.  Hands are suspect, too.  He's more about beef and out-heighting you.  He may be used mostly as a red zone guy -- just like Rogers was.

The thing that really hurts, though, is he's a NAT, right?  Talk about a ratio buster.

[Jesse]

Its no secret that Jefferson is revitalized now that he isnt bring triple or double teamed as much with the arrival of Ceresna. Reese has mpressed as well. It sure helps that they aren't trotting out Thomas ty, He was fone ly already and shouldnt have been starting

I don't think he was being double-teamed as much as is the narrative. Willie did not play well last year and too often went looking for the knockdown instead of trying to rush the passer. He's turned the switch back on a little bit and is serving him well.

That said, the defense still needs to keep improving. This is far from a top performing unit, especially with the offense underperforming.

[Blueforlife]

I don't think he was being double-teamed as much as is the narrative. Willie did not play well last year and too often went looking for the knockdown instead of trying to rush the passer. He's turned the switch back on a little bit and is serving him well.

That said, the defense still needs to keep improving. This is far from a top performing unit, especially with the offense underperforming.

Willie was average last year which would be verified on his pressure numbers, which I don't have, his looks great this year due to a better DL imo

Knock downs are impactful plays

He is getting doubled less now imo, would be awesome if we had stats on that

Pro Football Focus (PFF) credited Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson with 37 total quarterback pressures during the 2025 CFL regular season.Willie Jefferson's 2025 Performance OverviewPressure Consistency: He averaged 2.2 pressures per game across 17 games. This marked a notable statistical drop from his 2022–2024 average of 3.8 pressures per game.Disruptive Impact: Despite recording a career-low 3 sacks, he heavily disrupted passing lanes by leading the league with a career-high 16 pass knockdowns.2026 Resurgence: Jefferson has rebounded sharply early in the 2026 season, racking up 21 pressures through just his first four games.

Above not fact checked but like we know Willie on fire, so much for his so called decline, best in the biz baby (career)