He and Betts were pretty decent last year. I think the only reason BC released him was to make way for Covington's reported $300k salary.
Worth a look?
Absolutely. Outside of Jefferson it's all question marks at end (and DT to some degree).
Again, we don't need to be shopping BC's scrap heap for backup DE's... 33 year old vet who will command a decent amount more than an ELC. No Jefferson hurts, but an Imp DE is going to be younger and cheaper, and you don't find the next guy so long as you plug the spot with a player you have to play because of how much you paid.
Pass.
Quote from: VictorRomano on May 03, 2024, 01:39:47 PMHe and Betts were pretty decent last year. I think the only reason BC released him was to make way for Covington's reported $300k salary.
Worth a look?
Where did you hear Covington's salary at $300K??? That would be an insane amount to pay him or any other DE in the CFL.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 03, 2024, 03:53:27 PMWhere did you hear Covington's salary at $300K??? That would be an insane amount to pay him or any other DE in the CFL.
Considering he's been in the NFL since 2015, and has made $10 mill playing down there, I do not think $300k is a big stretch for him...
Quote from: theaardvark on May 03, 2024, 04:00:49 PMConsidering he's been in the NFL since 2015, and has made $10 mill playing down there, I do not think $300k is a big stretch for him...
That's hardly the point. It's a ridiculous amount for a CFL team to pay. They probably could have re-signed Betts instead.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 03, 2024, 04:12:10 PMThat's hardly the point. It's a ridiculous amount for a CFL team to pay. They probably could have re-signed Betts instead.
Re-signed Betts? While they were at it, they could re-sign Rourke too.
Betts signed in the NFL. But sure, offer him $300k and he'd stay north of the border.
Beets, who had a great CFL 2023 vs. Covington who has spent the last 9 years actually playing NFL ball. I am surprised Covington came north at any price, but I guess if he is going to, its with his home town Lions.
BTW, which is it, sativa or indica? I want some.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 03, 2024, 04:20:50 PMRe-signed Betts? While they were at it, they could re-sign Rourke too.
Betts signed in the NFL. But sure, offer him $300k and he'd stay north of the border.
Beets, who had a great CFL 2023 vs. Covington who has spent the last 9 years actually playing NFL ball. I am surprised Covington came north at any price, but I guess if he is going to, its with his home town Lions.
BTW, which is it, sativa or indica? I want some.
Lots of NFL veterans come back to the CFL after 1+ years in the NFL. That doesn't get them big money.
Jon Ryan, Chris Streveler more recently for example.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 03, 2024, 03:31:06 PMAgain, we don't need to be shopping BC's scrap heap for backup DE's... 33 year old vet who will command a decent amount more than an ELC. No Jefferson hurts, but an Imp DE is going to be younger and cheaper, and you don't find the next guy so long as you plug the spot with a player you have to play because of how much you paid.
Pass.
We still need a rotational guy as well, something Menard thrived at in MTL and, with his age, would maximize his abilities. Last season we had no depth at pass rusher and Jefferson and the DL as a whole suffered for it.
Price matters but to dismiss him only because he would "hold back" anyone is misguided. If anything, having a couple of veterans working with Bennett and Haba or some other rookies would be good
The retirement of Jeffcoat will hurt, but I don't know if Menard is the answer. He's been a pretty good as a rotational player. But, he also had a down year in 2023.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 03, 2024, 04:32:32 PMLots of NFL veterans come back to the CFL after 1+ years in the NFL. That doesn't get them big money.
Jon Ryan, Chris Streveler more recently for example.
1+ years of kicking around PR's, yeah. And Ryan only played in the CFL because it was home. It wasn't for the money. He'd already banked $20mil+ from Seattle. And Streveler is playing for the fun of it, and taking a paycheque.
On the other hand, 9 seasons of mostly active roster time in the NFL kinda carries a premium. And even if it is $300k, its not that much more that top American Dline have gotten.
Pass too $$$
Quote from: theaardvark on May 03, 2024, 05:53:37 PM1+ years of kicking around PR's, yeah. And Ryan only played in the CFL because it was home. It wasn't for the money. He'd already banked $20mil+ from Seattle. And Streveler is playing for the fun of it, and taking a paycheque.
On the other hand, 9 seasons of mostly active roster time in the NFL kinda carries a premium. And even if it is $300k, its not that much more that top American Dline have gotten.
Not a value decision if that's what they are paying him.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 03, 2024, 04:00:49 PMConsidering he's been in the NFL since 2015, and has made $10 mill playing down there, I do not think $300k is a big stretch for him...
I can't see BC having this much change leftover, they spent pretty heavily in free agency retaining their own and bringing in a few key vet. players from other teams.
Not every successful NFL player comes to Canada and has success. Ferragamo, Bilitnekof for example. I also remember Chris Walby making Gastineau wish he had retired. IIRC, he got ejected in his 1st game.
At the time of his retirement, Gastineau was the NFL's all-time leader in sacks. Gastineau attempted a comeback with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in 1990, but was released after only four games. Gastineau was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor on October 8, 2012.
I d bring him in for a look at TC and see what happens. Aside from Jefferson, we don't have any other outstanding D lineman and that means they'll double Willie every play and our pass rush goes to zero with a bullet.
Quote from: dd on May 04, 2024, 03:51:27 PMI d bring him in for a look at TC and see what happens. Aside from Jefferson, we don't have any other outstanding D lineman and that means they'll double Willie every play and our pass rush goes to zero with a bullet.
If he'd accept a contract close to an ELC with performance / playing time bonus's, then maybe. Realistically I can't imagine him taking that big a cut.
OTOH, we drafted DL and need to see what these players can do.
So generally, I say we pass on Menard.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 04, 2024, 01:11:07 PMNot every successful NFL player comes to Canada and has success. Ferragamo, Bilitnekof for example. I also remember Chris Walby making Gastineau wish he had retired. IIRC, he got ejected in his 1st game.
At the time of his retirement, Gastineau was the NFL's all-time leader in sacks. Gastineau attempted a comeback with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in 1990, but was released after only four games. Gastineau was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor on October 8, 2012.
Gastineau was 4 years older than Covington and 2 years out of football when he made his comeback attempt... but yeah, other than that...
Quote from: theaardvark on May 04, 2024, 04:45:20 PMGastineau was 4 years older than Covington and 2 years out of football when he made his comeback attempt... but yeah, other than that...
Another oldie but goodie. Jim Zorn only lasted 9 games with the Bombers. IIRC he had his 1st 2 or 3 passes intercepted. Returned to the NFL the following year.
My point being that $$ earned are irrelevant and is based on what a CFL can or wants to pay. If the Lions paid $300K then it was too much and will cost them elsewhere on the roster.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 04, 2024, 04:40:08 PMIf he'd accept a contract close to an ELC with performance / playing time bonus's, then maybe. Realistically I can't imagine him taking that big a cut.
OTOH, we drafted DL and need to see what these players can do.
So generally, I say we pass on Menard.
You drafted a DT, don't think you drafted any DEs.
Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on May 04, 2024, 09:32:45 PMYou drafted a DT, don't think you drafted any DEs.
Some DL will play both inside and outside. In any case I was also referring to our 2023 draft pick, Bennett. He didn't have a great 2023 and it's a make or bust TC for him.
Hubert was a late 2024 pick and he may be a choice at DE although I don't think he'll stick.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 04, 2024, 10:41:01 PMSome DL will play both inside and outside. In any case I was also referring to our 2023 draft pick, Bennett. He didn't have a great 2023 and it's a make or bust TC for him.
Hubert was a late 2024 pick and he may be a choice at DE although I don't think he'll stick.
You are right Blue, Hubert has played DE @ McMaster. Don't count him out until we see him in camp. His video/stats are OK.
Quote from: Blue In BC on May 04, 2024, 10:41:01 PMSome DL will play both inside and outside. In any case I was also referring to our 2023 draft pick, Bennett. He didn't have a great 2023 and it's a make or bust TC for him.
Hubert was a late 2024 pick and he may be a choice at DE although I don't think he'll stick.
Hubert is going back to McMaster. I don't understand how he fell, with his production.
Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on May 05, 2024, 03:16:19 AMHubert is going back to McMaster. I don't understand how he fell, with his production.
Perhaps he fell due to being a future rather than now available player? In any case that's good for the Bombers to have a few 2024 draftees going back to school for 1 more season. He'll get some reps in TC and we'll get a better look at his current skill set.
IIRC, that's at least 3 of this years draftees we don't have to find roster space for quite yet. Add in Manu that may be years away or never, that leaves perhaps 6 players fighting for actual roster or PR spots.
We might see a couple of 2023 draftees in a dog fight to stick.
https://www.cfl.ca/2024/05/27/a-d-line-presence-ticats-ink-david-menard/
Quote from: Blueforlife on May 27, 2024, 10:40:39 PMhttps://www.cfl.ca/2024/05/27/a-d-line-presence-ticats-ink-david-menard/
HAM stacking the DL again. Didn't they learn from last season? The league-best-depth DL doesn't always win you games. Have to have balance. Look at WPG: we've been underpowered at DL since Sayles left (maybe even since Stove left).
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 27, 2024, 10:51:49 PMHAM stacking the DL again. Didn't they learn from last season? The league-best-depth DL doesn't always win you games. Have to have balance. Look at WPG: we've been underpowered at DL since Sayles left (maybe even since Stove left).
Still waiting for the Ti-Cats to drop Anthony Bennett or Cedric Wilcots so the Bombers can scoop em back up, as they didn't get a whole lot of value out of Alden Darby.
Menard getting the Laurent money and NAt starting spot...
Quote from: theaardvark on May 28, 2024, 04:26:15 AMMenard getting the Laurent money and NAt starting spot...
Kongbo probably could have had a job if he was willing to compromise his demands.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 28, 2024, 04:26:15 AMMenard getting the Laurent money and NAt starting spot...
No, pretty sure Mason Bennett will be starting and Menard rotating in.
Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on May 28, 2024, 03:59:08 PMNo, pretty sure Mason Bennett will be starting and Menard rotating in.
Mason also had a chance to sign here in the off season, and didn't like our offer.
Quote from: Pigskin on May 28, 2024, 04:04:06 PMMason also had a chance to sign here in the off season, and didn't like our offer.
We will have a plethora of starting Nats, so overpaying a DE because they have the right passport is not wise $SMS usage.
For DE, we will have Jefferson on one side, and someone on an ELC on the other, and possibly an ELC backing up, and someone on the PR who has potential. Plus any NAT players that stick that have ST potential.
Bennett, Menard, Kongbo are all luxuries we do not need to compromise $SMS for.
Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on May 28, 2024, 03:59:08 PMNo, pretty sure Mason Bennett will be starting and Menard rotating in.
I've yet to see Mason Bennett do much, don't really understand the hype.
Next man up on our DL, my bet that man will be decent
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 28, 2024, 07:49:46 PMI've yet to see Mason Bennett do much, don't really understand the hype.
He's been a backup, who has only gotten the start in a couple of games. When you look at DLine, you look for these things.
Tackles for loss
Tackles for no gain
Knockdowns
Pressures
Sacks
The problem is most fans only look at sacks, they don't look at the other things. His best season was 2022, he may have had a down year last year.