Page 1 of 1
GC teams' roster deployment
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 3:32 pm
by OV Argo
Interesting, perhaps, that the 2 teams who made it to the GC this season, sorta shared a couple of roster thinking traits:
Both teams almost always dressed 2 back-up O-linemen (most other CFL teams only dress one, though the Als usually dress 2 as well); so i guess having the extra back-up guy who only plays STs, did not pay real dividends for those other teams ?
And both teams usually started 8 or 9 Nationals/Canadians (9 for both in the play-offs), as opposed to the 7 only need apply thinking of a bunch of other CFL teams. Surely the teams that had the "luxury" of playing just 7 and maxing out on superior imports (bottom feeders like the Ticats, EE & Stamps) should have been beating up on other teams who did not ?
Hmmmm.
Re: GC teams' roster deployment
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 4:26 pm
by paulwoods13
Dressing seven o-linemen is definitely the smart way to go, especially now that rosters have 45 players.
I'm also on record going back several years as praising the strategy of starting more than seven NATs, because of the flexibility it gives coaches to make substitutions in-game. That said, a reason teams like Calgary and Hamilton didn't do that often (if ever) might just be that their NAT talent was not very good or very deep. Not all NATs (or INTs) are created equal. Argos have done an outstanding job of loading up on NATs who can play offence and defence, not just special teams (although they, like every other team, have some of those as well). To start eight, nine or 10 NATs, you need to draft well and make very smart free-agent signings. Toronto has certainly done both, especially the former, in recent years. Hopefully this will continue now that Magri and Russell are gone.
Re: GC teams' roster deployment
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:05 pm
by OV Argo
paulwoods13 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 4:26 pm
Dressing seven o-linemen is definitely the smart way to go, especially now that rosters have 45 players.
I'm also on record going back several years as praising the strategy of starting more than seven NATs, because of the flexibility it gives coaches to make substitutions in-game. That said, a reason teams like Calgary and Hamilton didn't do that often (if ever) might just be that their NAT talent was not very good or very deep. Not all NATs (or INTs) are created equal. Argos have done an outstanding job of loading up on NATs who can play offence and defence, not just special teams (although they, like every other team, have some of those as well). To start eight, nine or 10 NATs, you need to draft well and make very smart free-agent signings. Toronto has certainly done both, especially the former, in recent years. Hopefully this will continue now that Magri and Russell are gone.
The Stamps, for one team, have over the past decade or so, retained and added CFL draft picks better than pretty well all other teams. They are also, like all other teams, capable of going out and signing very good Canadian talent as FAs (see McEwen, Sean) Now, maybe they have not done that good of a job there in drafting; or, maybe it has a lot to do with the attitude of that pompous, cry-baby clown of a HC & GM they have had in place for a few years now. Only sees Canadians as fit at certain positions, and strives to play/start only 7 so he can hand starting jobs to his favored guys.
The Ticats with geniuses like Scotty M and Orlando (and now Jonestown too) in charge = same old deep thinkers on the matter.
That's the way she goes (as Ray said to Bubbles).
Re: GC teams' roster deployment
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:17 pm
by AngeloV
I would make 2 changes this week. Cage and Nield in, MacKellar and Herslow out. This keeps the ratio the same, and i think they need Cage and Hunter both on the left side of the line for this one. Herslow was needed for insurance in Montreal with the uncertainty of Coxie’s health, but unless Coxie is still nursing something, you don’t need to dress Herslow.
Re: GC teams' roster deployment
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:53 pm
by OV Argo
AngeloV wrote: ↑Mon Nov 11, 2024 6:17 pm
I would make 2 changes this week. Cage and Nield in, MacKellar and Herslow out. This keeps the ratio the same, and i think they need Cage and Hunter both on the left side of the line for this one. Herslow was needed for insurance in Montreal with the uncertainty of Coxie’s health, but unless Coxie is still nursing something, you don’t need to dress Herslow.
The Bombers current D-line is IMO about the weakest one in the CFL, IMO; Willie J only good for a couple of knock-downs (which is still valuable) with not much pass rush anymore; vet DT Jake Thomas is average and getting older (getting some support from young NI Schmekel lately) and the other imports they have at DE & DT are average at best and with little CFL experience. They might get some help in pressuring Arbuckle with well timed blitzes, but the Argo O-line can easily man-handle that Bomber front 4 - both in pass pro and in terms of blowing them out of the way in ground game.
A healthy Cage back at one OT would be nice, with Hunter back at OG, (and I'd go with Giffen over Vandal at the other OG spot), but this Argo O-line should not be even close to a weak link in this match-up.
Re: GC teams' roster deployment
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:27 pm
by paulwoods13
I'll be very surprised if they dress Cage, much less start him. Dinwiddie et al have shown great reluctance to disrupt continuity on the o-line by choice (as opposed to necessity). The current config has played together for five or six weeks, I think. The o-line struggled at times against Mtl but I'm not sure Cage/Hunter on the left side is significantly better than Hunter/Giffen. And having an extra INT d-lineman has been helpful the past two weeks.