Roster

[Tecno]

Literally nothing behind that at all. It was just the reporter saying, "well, you never know".

Ya, a HC who got you a Zach fumble away from possibly making the cup is not being fired.  And he can't leave because he's under contract for 2 more years.  So ya, talk about a nothingburger.

[Tecno]

The Dru Brown trade.

second round selection in 2028 (conditional)

What was the condition? Do we know yet?

I haven't seen it reported.  However, it'll either be:

1. start X games in '26 (this is probably already met)
2. be re-signed for '27 (this is somewhat likely)

I'd say that 2RDP is gonzo, along with the 1RDP already spent.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Interesting that you pick Woodbey over Griffin who was the starter at SAM most of the season.

Because I think SAM is going back Canadian next year with Smith basically pencilled in. That puts Griffin in a tough spot. I didn't have him in the 'get rid of' pile either. I like him it's just that this is the CFL and he's not born here. Woodbey should stay if we pass on Kyrie and Santos-Knox, which I would. But you're right, with changes you do one thing here and it affects other choices there.

[Blue In BC]

Because I think SAM is going back Canadian next year with Smith basically pencilled in. That puts Griffin in a tough spot. I didn't have him in the 'get rid of' pile either. I like him it's just that this is the CFL and he's not born here. Woodbey should stay if we pass on Kyrie and Santos-Knox, which I would. But you're right, with changes you do one thing here and it affects other choices there.

Yeah there are a bunch of what ifs to contemplate with our LB's.

I can't disagree that Smith could very well end up starting at SAM. I have questioned whether he MIGHT be a candidate at MLB. I think some others suggested he could do well at WIL.

Where he lands creates that domino effect with the others.

SMS and ratio decisions further cloud the net choices. Griffin probably will have a higher SMS than Woodbey but IMO he's more versatile. Partially a cost versus production choice.

I'm not honestly sure we retain either and that Hazen might be next up as a DI rotational player.

There will be a change at MLB and that is going to dictate what happens with the rest of the choices.

I don't think most of our potential free agents will look elsewhere as their 1st choice. Which are our 1st choice to keep I'm less certain.

Ottawa has some good LB's that may reach free agency. That's something to keep an eye on.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Yeah there are a bunch of what ifs to contemplate with our LB's.

I can't disagree that Smith could very well end up starting at SAM. I have questioned whether he MIGHT be a candidate at MLB. I think some others suggested he could do well at WIL.

Where he lands creates that domino effect with the others.

SMS and ratio decisions further cloud the net choices. Griffin probably will have a higher SMS than Woodbey but IMO he's more versatile. Partially a cost versus production choice.

I'm not honestly sure we retain either and that Hazen might be next up as a DI rotational player.

There will be a change at MLB and that is going to dictate what happens with the rest of the choices.

I don't think most of our potential free agents will look elsewhere as their 1st choice. Which are our 1st choice to keep I'm less certain.

Ottawa has some good LB's that may reach free agency. That's something to keep an eye on.

Good points but I think you're underestimating the difference between the linebacker roles. SAM is a true hybrid and skews much more defensive back in most scenarios. That position has more in common with safety and the secondary in the modern CFL than MLB or weak side. WILL and MLB are your more traditional sideline to sideline run stoppers and gap fillers so I view them as distinctly separate. You won't usually find a guy who an excellent SAM also be a realistic WILL or MLB unless it's an in game thing.

[Blue In BC]

Good points but I think you're underestimating the difference between the linebacker roles. SAM is a true hybrid and skews much more defensive back in most scenarios. That position has more in common with safety and the secondary in the modern CFL than MLB or weak side. WILL and MLB are your more traditional sideline to sideline run stoppers and gap fillers so I view them as distinctly separate. You won't usually find a guy who an excellent SAM also be a realistic WILL or MLB unless it's an in game thing.

I understand that. I think Griffin is our best SAM which I've mentioned previously.  I haven't seen enough of Smith and specifically no games live to know how good he is with his coverage skills as a DB needed as a SAM. I also don't get to see practices. Watching on TV is not as useful to assess.

He does seem to be a good tackler but not all LB's are good side to side players. MLB also needs a high football IQ, fast reaction time and good lateral movement.

I have mentioned that the Canadians need to be used where they are best suited. I won't go so far to say he'll be best at SAM. So I'm leaving options / opinions open and will wait to see how it works out.

At the moment I'm just hoping he's a top player where ever he ends up playing.

Realistically I hope to acquire a top MLB in free agency and then let the rest fall into place.

[theaardvark]

We have a lot of players in the SAM/FS fitment, and some might be able to move up to WIL or down to DB, but not as effectively as a WIL or DB.

I have no issue carrying extra SAM/FS types that can go up or down, its a nice option to have in case of injury, but I don't want to be starting an oversized/underfast DB or an undersized/overfast WIL just because we have a great player on the roster.

Williams was a great surprise this year, and if he doesn't get a chance down south, I hope he stays long term.  But there are a number of DB's that are just not good enough, that we need to replace.  Hopefully with scouting.

Walters is not a big FA signer, White was an anomaly, but we could pick up a decent DB in FA.  I don't want a DB that is aging out though, who signs cheap because no one else wants him.

LB's we have too many of, and that's not a bad thing as long as we can find room on the roster.  NAT LB's are always ST players, so we can keep them.

[Blue In BC]

Walters did sign White, Ceresna, Moxey and Broxton in free agency. Later in the season he traded for Brown. In that sense he had a higher activity level than we've seen in the past.

M. Williams might get an NFL tryout offer but the NFL will have access to an entire draft class of newbies. I'm not sure he can make an NFL roster.

I see many of our issues on defence as MLB and safety. If we decide that Smith is going to end up at SAM, then I see Kramdi as possibly the odd man out. He has a high SMS and he's not best at playing safety. I know he's popular and the " smart guy " on defence but is he trade bait?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Walters did sign White, Ceresna, Moxey and Broxton in free agency. Later in the season he traded for Brown. In that sense he had a higher activity level than we've seen in the past.

M. Williams might get an NFL tryout offer but the NFL will have access to an entire draft class of newbies. I'm not sure he can make an NFL roster.

I see many of our issues on defence as MLB and safety. If we decide that Smith is going to end up at SAM, then I see Kramdi as possibly the odd man out. He has a high SMS and he's not best at playing safety. I know he's popular and the " smart guy " on defence but is he trade bait?

Williams an NFL shot? I would say the chances of that are as close to zero as possible. Under 6 feet and a pretty solid but not remarkable in anyway rookie season in the CFL? He'll be back.

Vaval on the other hand might get a look as a returner.

[Blue In BC]

Williams an NFL shot? I would say the chances of that are as close to zero as possible. Under 6 feet and a pretty solid but not remarkable in anyway rookie season in the CFL? He'll be back.

Vaval on the other hand might get a look as a returner.

The problem is that he might get that tryout offer he can't refuse to achieve the dream. We tend to lose a player for a half a season before they get released after TC.

NFL teams bring in a bunch of CFL players that are essentially TCF.

Vaval had a chance last year so I think he's settled into a life in the CFL.