2024-2025 CFL (non-Bomber) off-season discussion

[Jesse]

Ok, multiple offers.

I'd call it more an invitation than an offer.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Greg Ellingson announces his retirement with Ottawa. He had a good connection with Zach in his short stint in Wpg. unfortunately injury and the arrival of Dalton Schoen made him expendable.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/15/greg-ellingson-announces-cfl-retirement-with-ottawa-redblacks/

[TecnoGenius]

Greg Ellingson announces his retirement with Ottawa. He had a good connection with Zach in his short stint in Wpg. unfortunately injury and the arrival of Dalton Schoen made him expendable.

He was already way along the down slope when he joined here, but he excelled anyhow, until he was injured.  Isn't that the first year we lost the cup?  We could have really used him healthy in that game.

He is a top-10 REC of the last decade in the CFL, in my books.  Certainly he should make most people's top-20 list.  He was fun to watch.  And always cool hair, for bonus points.

[Blue In BC]

We're seeing top 10 or 20 lists of players in different positions with their SMS salary. It begs the question why not just publish each teams entire list.

Anyway, today's list was for Kickers. Castillo is 6th and one of very few imports in that role. C. Grace was one of 2 global kickers and he had an interesting bonus clause if he is listed as a back up QB and takes a certain number of snaps!! I suppose he could be an emergency in game replacement but odds are slim.

I didn't really pay too much attention on which player did punting, kicking or both. Castillo is a good player but it is unfortunate that he isn't a Canadian or doing both roles. However having a global fill a spot punting is not the worst scenario either.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We're seeing top 10 or 20 lists of players in different positions with their SMS salary. It begs the question why not just publish each teams entire list.

Anyway, today's list was for Kickers. Castillo is 6th and one of very few imports in that role. C. Grace was one of 2 global kickers and he had an interesting bonus clause if he is listed as a back up QB and takes a certain number of snaps!! I suppose he could be an emergency in game replacement but odds are slim.

I didn't really pay too much attention on which player did punting, kicking or both. Castillo is a good player but it is unfortunate that he isn't a Canadian or doing both roles. However having a global fill a spot punting is not the worst scenario either.

Not sure there are many kickers still doing both jobs, maybe Bede?

I would like to hear how Castillo developed the extra power to break the 60 yd. barrier in FG length, was it improved technique, enhanced leg workouts, or luck of the wind?  Most kickers outer limit is 55 yds. he blew by that last season multiple times after he got over "chip gate".
 Just achieving O'Shea's blessing to try longer kicks is also interesting, considering the potential consequences of missing long ones. Castillo is still a bit inconsistent as he can miss multiple makeable FG's in one game, but lucky for him the Bombers usually overcome these mis-hits and it rarely costs them a game.

[J5V]

He was already way along the down slope when he joined here, but he excelled anyhow, until he was injured.  Isn't that the first year we lost the cup?  We could have really used him healthy in that game.

He is a top-10 REC of the last decade in the CFL, in my books.  Certainly he should make most people's top-20 list.  He was fun to watch.  And always cool hair, for bonus points.

His best performances were with Ottawa where he was amazing.

[Blue In BC]

Not sure there are many kickers still doing both jobs, maybe Bede?

I would like to hear how Castillo developed the extra power to break the 60 yd. barrier in FG length, was it improved technique, enhanced leg workouts, or luck of the wind?  Most kickers outer limit is 55 yds. he blew by that last season multiple times after he got over "chip gate".
 Just achieving O'Shea's blessing to try longer kicks is also interesting, considering the potential consequences of missing long ones. Castillo is still a bit inconsistent as he can miss multiple makeable FG's in one game, but lucky for him the Bombers usually overcome these mis-hits and it rarely costs them a game.

I'm not sure either in the era of specialists. In any case I see a distinct advantage in using one of those functions to a global if you can't find a Canadian or dual role import.

As I've said, Castillo is very good but he takes up a DI spot. He's not on an ELC but he's not getting Medlock money either.

In theory I like the idea like the Als using 2 global players. Both may be lower cost than many others and it's a good use of the global mandate.

EDIT: Obviously if you pay 2 players for kicking roles, the total kicking spend is higher. However if you fill a spot with another global player position or Canadian, you are still spending the money give or take.  Both of the Als kickers have been with the team for 43 years so they are around $100K each. At worst that's only $25K than an ELC Canadian or global.

EDIT: of the 26 global players currently on rosters, only 11 are non kicking players.

[J5V]

Not sure there are many kickers still doing both jobs, maybe Bede?

I would like to hear how Castillo developed the extra power to break the 60 yd. barrier in FG length, was it improved technique, enhanced leg workouts, or luck of the wind?  Most kickers outer limit is 55 yds. he blew by that last season multiple times after he got over "chip gate".
 Just achieving O'Shea's blessing to try longer kicks is also interesting, considering the potential consequences of missing long ones. Castillo is still a bit inconsistent as he can miss multiple makeable FG's in one game, but lucky for him the Bombers usually overcome these mis-hits and it rarely costs them a game.

Medlock spoiled us so badly.  :-)

[ModAdmin]

It's been reported that Alexander Hollins (formerly a BC Lion) has signed with the Edmonton Elks.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/28/edmonton-elks-sign-former-b-c-lions-receiver-alexander-hollins-after-cflpa-grievance/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Bombers have been fairly lucky this off-season not to have lost many vets to retirement, looks like a number of CFL vets. have called it quits recently.

Brayden Lenius BC receiver

Fraser Sopik BC LB

Tunde Adeleke Ottawa DB

Adam Korsak Rider Global punter

Devonte Williams Ottawa RB

Colton Hunchak Stamps receiver

David Côté  Als FG kicker

Dom Davis Als QB

Nate Behar Elks receiver

Jeremy Murphy ex Bomber

Jamal Morrow Rider RB

Greg Ellingson Ottawa receiver

Lucky Whitehead ex Bomber

[GOLDMEMBER]

Bombers have been fairly lucky this off-season not to have lost many vets to retirement, looks like a number of CFL vets. have called it quits recently.

Brayden Lenius BC receiver

Fraser Sopik BC LB

Tunde Adeleke Ottawa DB

Adam Korsak Rider Global punter

Devonte Williams Ottawa RB

Colton Hunchak Stamps receiver

David Côté  Als FG kicker

Dom Davis Als QB

Nate Behar Elks receiver

Jeremy Murphy ex Bomber

Jamal Morrow Rider RB

Greg Ellingson Ottawa receiver

Lucky Whitehead ex Bomber

that is alot of quality players.

[dd]

It's been reported that Alexander Hollins (formerly a BC Lion) has signed with the Edmonton Elks.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/28/edmonton-elks-sign-former-b-c-lions-receiver-alexander-hollins-after-cflpa-grievance/

Hollins is a very decent receiver, good that he got his bonus from the Lions!! I hate when teams try and get out of paying it, bombers included (still disappointed in the Woli release!!)

[TecnoGenius]

Bombers have been fairly lucky this off-season not to have lost many vets to retirement, looks like a number of CFL vets. have called it quits recently.

Brayden Lenius BC receiver

Tunde Adeleke Ottawa DB

Lenius didn't last long.

Adeleke got robbed of GC rings... by us.  Twice.  Oh wait, did he sneak one from us in '24 with TOR?  Drat.

He was one of the few quality NAT DBs/FSs and him being gone will make it harder to fill that last ratio spot on some team.

[Ridermania]

Former # 1 overall pick Dontae Bull retires due to injury.

https://3downnation.com/2025/05/09/former-first-overall-cfl-draft-pick-dontae-bull-retires-from-ottawa-redblacks-due-to-injury-concerns/

[Blue In BC]

Ottawa is down to 26 Canadians after recent retirements. That's a bit thin and they do have a Canadian Kicker taking one roster spot. They might be on the hunt for cuts during TC from around the league.

Bombers still have 32 Canadians on the roster. Hard to predict which end up being released over and above 2 - 4 on our PR.