tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post2823774614657772426..comments2024-03-11T21:26:54.222-06:00Comments on Rider Prophet: Monday Morning Sentimonies: Where To From Here?Rider Prophethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05111976277479263164noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post-5882103342271334262018-01-09T20:29:23.363-06:002018-01-09T20:29:23.363-06:00The OL setup is very much like Bombers who have Go...The OL setup is very much like Bombers who have Goosen at Ctr, Bond beside him & 2 import tackles. They had a very good OL this past year. The difference is their OL has only one guy, Bryant @ 31, over 30. We have to start getting younger guys worked in or in a couple of years the entire OL gets old quick. We need at least one new young starter this year who can play & another one or 2 over the next 2 years. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post-80659636407238112622018-01-09T18:44:37.984-06:002018-01-09T18:44:37.984-06:00Yeah I'm less worried about the defense. We ha...Yeah I'm less worried about the defense. We have a really strong core and recruiting is showing good results: Moncrief, Butler, Rogers, Antigha, James, Eguavoen etc...<br /><br />We could easily bump Dennis back out to tackle and roll with 3 interior Cdn. and ratio-wise that would be a huge plus. As much as it defies all common logic the Labbate at Center, Dennis at guard is a tough option to completely discount.Rider Prophethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05111976277479263164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post-54836757947183631192018-01-09T10:19:23.145-06:002018-01-09T10:19:23.145-06:00Based on the last 2 years i trust our scouting to ...Based on the last 2 years i trust our scouting to find defensive backs. I've come around on Jones's D as he showed last year when he gets his personal and everyone is on the same page it works. That being said the final piece is a big disruptive force in the middle, whether that is Nick James or a Nick James type.<br />Because Campbell initially retired vs coming here, I have suspicions on if he returned to play out his contract and can leave now. He has to be better than last year but Dennis could move back to LT if that happens and go 3 Cdns inside again. I am hoping Bladek wins a starting job and I too have not given up on St. JohnGovindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17266076144685069975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post-14783226390198764112018-01-08T21:27:51.033-06:002018-01-08T21:27:51.033-06:00Anon 1 - The RB situation I see as an open competi...Anon 1 - The RB situation I see as an open competition between Marshall/Thigpen/Richardson with only 2 being kept around. Not really a bad option in there. The issue is more usage than production. If our guys got the carries of the teams that actually make the run a priority we could easily be among the top rushing attacks. As for the draft, the next big step in terms of sustainable success is our draft picks starting to pan out. As you say recent history is not great. Bladek looks good. Hopefully you can add Judge and St John in there but honestly who knows about either at this point.<br /><br />Anon 2 - Nothing official but Jones has repeatedly stated that he expects to get things finalized with Willie. My guess is that there is a deal typed up and agreed to but Jefferson is exploring NFL options first (and I have heard of no workouts for him). I'm not worried just yet.Rider Prophethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05111976277479263164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post-87062896554692265812018-01-08T17:23:05.072-06:002018-01-08T17:23:05.072-06:00Have you heard anything about the supposed signing...Have you heard anything about the supposed signing of Jefferson some time ago? I remember when he came back to the CFL he tweeted his return in an Eskimo jersey & there was confirmation that was where he was going. Next thing you know he's a Rider. Now nothing more on a signing for weeks & The Score has him going to the Bombers. Another reversal for Jefferson? Or much ado about nothing??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457862363782171899.post-84852340554680096302018-01-08T11:13:34.596-06:002018-01-08T11:13:34.596-06:00As usual, a great & thorough analysis. I would...As usual, a great & thorough analysis. I would only add we need to get the RB situation clarified. Never was, still not, sold on LaFrance. Have a bunch of backs who, together, contributed to the worst rushing attack in the CFL. Somebody has to step up. On the other points....<br />1. Fully agree. Again, desperately need a stud DT. Evans is the most likely target & sign Steele. <br />2. Everyone says we have Cdn depth. I don't see it. LaFrance is an expensive bust. So much for making that a ratio changer. We still need to play 3 imports @ OL. Bladek hopefully is ready but he would push out Dyakowski who, mimicking Abou-Mechrek's comments, was a turnstyle the 2nd half. At WR Bagg isn't getting any younger, Demski needs to be re-signed & finally realize the potential we glimpsed at the start of 2017. Bailey has size but never panned out in Edm partly because he's one dimensional - he couldn't play special teams for Jones there so has to make it as a receiver. Time's running out. At best a ???? From JSJ's draft class, 3/4 of the rookie of the year candidates in the East came from the OL. Argos' McEwen was East award winner last year. What we don't have is guys who have stepped in & started from the drafts.<br />3. I hope we don't have to go with those 4. Roosevelt is o/s & needs to play 18 games. Holley is also very good. Grant had a great season but finished like the old Grant the Stamps & TiCats could live without - too many easy drops. Owens is too old, sorry. These days of 5 receiver sets you need 3 good receivers. Carter likes Regina so you need to sign him. Like you say, the other teams aren't sitting still. The CAP is the great equalizer & it's the depth that takes good teams to the top. Look at Edmonton. Gotta admire the coaching job there, like Maas or not. When you're down to 4th line players at LB, for instance, & win 1 less game than Calgary, that's depth.Even without Walker & Zylstra, they have Bowman, Williams, Mitchell, Stafford & likely Hazelton. The 2 young guys both were healthy scratches multiple times but extrapolated to 1,000 yard seasons. <br />4. I'm with you on Clark but think he needs to be signed. There are a lot of National OL currently on FA list though<br />5. Not a big Rodgers fan. An atea of concern but good chance to get some help here via FA route.<br />The biggest fish is Collaros. Fans should be very hopeful about next season. I see the West shaping up as a killer. A whole lot hinges on FA for all tne teams. My feel is, right now, Stamps & Bombers take a step back, BC & Riders a step forward. Esks are a dark horse for me. Maas had the CFL's best offence the past 3 years, starting with his OC stint in Ottawa. Last year his offence absoluted dominated the stats. I don't see that changing. If they get healthy & add some pieces on defence they may be the team to beat. But the East may not be the pushovers they were in the regular season. Ham & Argos will be better, Ott worse & Als will be the Als.<br />Good work. I always look forward to Monday mornings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com