Fatty Liver

No doubt it's been done with interior lineman often enough, but nobody has come up with the name of a rookie OT starter yet. I suspect it's happened on a team that is out of the playoffs and preparing for the next season, maybe the Elks or RedBlacks?

The veteran players that put their foot in Walters door and negotiated contracts early know how the game is played, the advantage of being proactive demonstrated once again.

Let's re-play the "name a rookie starting at OT?" game, keeping in mind Zach's health rides on his performance.

In the 3DN article referenced here a few days ago, it said Gray was the most expensive of the interior O-linemen, kinda hard to believe he was paid higher than Neufeld, but who knows. He has a M. Eng. so could have forced Walters on his previous contract to match his potential earnings in that field, or he wasn't playing football anymore. He could get a job anywhere, the determining factor whether he retires from football might be salary or his attachment to Wpg.

Based on experience I would pencil Lofton in as the starting RT game #1, they already know his ability and his personality probably fits in well with the team. Rookie O-linemen have to go through Marty Costello school first, if one progresses well, he may get a mid-late season look and take over from Lofton, but probably looking at 2025 for anyone else to establish themselves as the next RT.

Don't really believe that offer myself, he's a gritty receiver but probably not the clean route runner most teams would be looking for at #1 or #2 receiver spot.

Waiting...on hold from the NFL.

Thanks, you were right, found the game. Dobson often looks lost in space and rarely gets up field to help with the run blocking like Gray does consistently. Ceresna plants him in Zach's lap twice and blows by him cleanly one other time, being nervous starting his first game is a valid excuse, but I think from a physical standpoint he will remain the 6th man unless Eli is worse. He may be cheaper than Gray, but can't say I see him being a better O-lineman.

That was 2019, Fajardo led the Riders to a 13-5 record and lost on the last play of the West Finals to a Collaros lead Bomber team. That was a miracle season for both teams, the wheels started to fall off for the Riders the next off-season.

I think Sask. will show marked improvement this season, looks like Mace will stem the flow and get them back on the right track, might not be great this year but they should compete for 3rd place if Harris can remain healthy. Hard to determine who will be the weak sisters this season, the majority of teams look to have improved their overall roster, exceptions being the Bombers, Argos, Stamps and maybe the Lions.

Gray may have played for Stanley in that game, he played LT at least 2 full games that I can recall.

Displaced Landon Rice and is now the starting RT for the Als. I think the Bombers might have held onto him if they could have convinced him to sit on the PR for multiple year.

He actually subbed in for Hardrick an entire game and did not allow a bust, can't recall who the opponent was, maybe Cgy. late season game.

Don't think Lofton was necessarily a bright spot, but during the second half of the season he played well enough at LT that he was a consistent starter on a hodge-podge Rider O-line that changed personnel almost on a weekly basis. He might not be a star, but he is an experienced competent player that has the ability to play both Tackle positions and remain healthy.

Who are you talking about? Lofton played for Ott., BC, Edm. Wpg. Sask. and now back to Wpg.

That can't be right, it would mean Bailey was being paid $160k or more at one time, I don't think he's ever earned near that much. It seems he's been perpetually stuck at the bottom of the pay scale his entire career.

I dunno, take it up with DT, pretty sure that's what he said.

I think Jackson was originally used at FB as a temporary solution until Mike Miller returned to play. According to Miller the team tried all season to get approval for his return from a chronic neck injury that would not heal. Approval never came so Jackson stayed.

Don't know if this has already been mentioned or not, but on "The Huddle" podcast DT said that over the last 3 seasons in the 10 games that Jeffcoat missed that Willie played in, he registered 0 sacks. He also added Haba had 0 sacks in games Jeffcoat did not play. If they can't replace Jeffcoats pass-rush straight up, they're going to have to rely on blitzing combos a whole lot more than anyone wants to see.

Right, I was thinking of Glenn January. Stumbled across another memorable name from the 2014 roster, Dan Knapp, a pre-cursor to Trent Corney.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed American defensive end Jamal Davis II for 2024, per sources.

Must be how a Rider fan feels, every year!

Only exceptional rookies step into the lineup in their first year, should be okay with a rookie receiver and the secondary but if injuries come into play, could be rough. Biggest worry right now is Grant and Castillo, ST will suck and blow badly if those two are not re-signed.

Reaching beyond Greg Peach, not a clue who the last one was.

Walters buggered the accountant when he signed Lawler when he already had Schoen in house at 1/3 the price. Years of careful player development walking out the door, starting over from scratch in a few too many positions. Exciting times await!