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#21

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Global Draft

Last post by Jesse - Today at 10:57:52 AM

That's a great point.  I'm not sure we've ever seen as many GTD notes on depth charts as we did in '25.  Every game most teams had a GTD (or 2!).  It was starting to get silly.

But surely teams will still be able to pull from the PR if a GTD isn't playing?  Or will they say all GTDs "no goes" must be replaced from the 2-man reserve?  Since you'll never GTD more than 2 players, you can rig your reserve to include those positions... BUT then you lose the "stash" aspect of the reserve should the ones you want to protect play other positions.

I imagine your reserve will change game to game depending on what you might likely need in each game.

Teams will obviously still be able to use the 1GIR and to pay PR players whatever they like.

[Jim Jauch]

#22

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: 2026 CFL Draft - Blue Bomb...

Last post by Tecno - Today at 08:01:22 AM

Interesting, the longer BTS draft-night look gobombersgo recently put in the videolinks thread makes it look like the Daniels trade/pick was driven in no small way by Jim Jauch (newly appointed asst GM) -- KW specifically asks "Jimmy" on the final word?  Which is interesting because that guy only joined WFC Jan '25.

Bet most of us haven't really heard that name much, if at all, this last year, let alone remember it, eh?

Looks like Jauch is moving up the ranks fast, partially filling the holes made by Ted and Rigmaiden?

I like it, especially if he's a keeper and we can actually keep him around.

#23

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / "Cleaned up language" (IR,MMM,...

Last post by Tecno - Today at 07:52:03 AM

Dunk from 3down:
"Also, language has been cleaned up when it comes to the injured lists, marketing money, and Nationalized Americans."

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/30/cfl-players-association-record-wins-through-2027-grey-cup-playoff-expansion/

Does anyone have access to this "cleaned up language"?  Details?  Dunk didn't say.

1. I would guess the IR language might put a stop to 1GIR stash?  With the new reserve roster, I would love it if they'd find a foolproof way to outlaw 1GIR stashing.  More transparency and honesty always == better.

2. (Magic) Marketing Money (MMM): 'bout time.  Is Johnston going to put it in stone that you can't "pull a Doman" ever again?  If so, will this affect any existing MMM contracts forcing more to be exposed to the SMS?

3. Nationalized Americans (NA): always a question if they mean NA or DNA, as so many (even the CFL) confuse the nomenclature.  Let's assume they do mean NA.  What could this tweak be?  Other than changing the years or how many you need, what needed to be cleaned up?  (And as for DNA... just scrap it already!)

Post details as people find them.

[Eli doesn't show well at Centre]

#24

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: 2026 Training Camp

Last post by Tecno - Today at 07:39:40 AM

If Eli doesn't show well at Centre, he is also at risk of being replaced, but I don't see Daniels making an immediate impact, this season will be for learning.

Daniels could easily get Ike cut or PR'd.  All depends how pro-ready he is.  Ike is the one shaking in his boots right now (and maybe Clercius).  I really can't see us ever AR'ing both Ike and Daniels, even if Daniels is on the slow dev train.  Yes, we saw some other teams roster 2 FBs in the same game last season, but it was weird and didn't seem to be worth it.

Eli has said he's happy doing anything for the team.  He's happy with his salary.  He's happy with starting, jumbo, stashed, or even PR.  I think to him being starting C would be great gravy, but not something he needed to stay with WFC.

He's like the Hogan of hoggies.  "Where do you need me?  Great, I'll do it."  It's actually a nice sort of flexible asset to have around.  I've always been a big Eli fan, but everyone is well aware of his ceiling by now.

If we get WORSE at C than '25 that will indicate huge mistakes were made in FA and we'll be in for a world of hurt as the DL will bypass our monster OTs and all attack the A gap with delays and stunts galore.

[seems to be a requirement that the next man up at O-line is required to wear a non eligible number]

#25

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: 2026 Training Camp

Last post by Tecno - Today at 07:30:44 AM

I'm not sure where I heard this but there seems to be a requirement that the next man up at O-line is required to wear a non eligible number.

You mean before he's called upon?  Of course WHEN he's called upon he has to wear an ineligible.  The question is what about before.  We know, like you said, when he's some DT or something then he just switches jerseys.  But if your statement above is about the 6th before an injury... it's a darn good question and it would be nice to see a rule-book answer for it, eh?

In 2025, J-Min Pelley switched to #69 in an Argos game. 2024, Micah Johnson switched numbers a few times.

Once a number change has been made it is locked in for the balance of the game.

Man, I could have sworn Micah switched back and forth (many times) between sides of the ball... might be wrong.  Is the "locked in" thing in the rule book too?  It would have to be?

So back in the olden days the "both sides" guys could never be a hoggie??  Because if there was a lock-in rule (back then), he'd be stuck at ineligible...

So if you run out of OL then you may be severely weakened (or in the case of WFC's usual roster allocation -- screwed) at DL?  Seems rather harsh.

Just for fun... you mentioned 6th (maybe) needing to be an ineligible number.  What about the 7th?  We used to dress 2 NAT backup OL (6th/7th) for nearly every game (most recently Eli/Wallace before Wallace took over LG)... could we have made Wallace (arguably the 7th then) an eligible number?

This (sorta, work with me here) walks-like-a-hoggie talks-like-a-hoggie Daniels guy certainly could mess with these norms.  What if you don't dress a 6th at all (assuming that's allowed, which I'm nearly positive it is).  Daniels plays how a 6th does (and more).  Now you've gotten your 6th and bypassed any "6th must wear ineligible number" rule.  Ya, it's a stretch, but put 20lb on Daniels and let's say he sucks at REC, TE, FB but excels at OL (or at least Eli's jumbo/TE spot)...

Interesting thought exercises, and worth examining to gain the advantage of having your 6th (or 7th) wear an eligible until injury!  It's little tricks like this that can perhaps give you that little edge needed to win a close one.

[Parking 2 vets that are earning a higher than ELC to NOT DRESS but get paid]

#26

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Global Draft

Last post by Tecno - Today at 07:16:09 AM

That's an even worse resolution. Parking 2 vets that are earning a higher than ELC to NOT DRESS but get paid.

No different from the 1 healthy scratch of yore.  BUT, you make a great point that this could have SMS repercussions.  In the end the stash aspect won't cost any more SMS than the '25 1GIR stash-fest, right?  But that was already elevated vs "normal" '23/'24, right?  So it depends if you want to be in the '25 model or back to the stingier '24 model.  Meh.

You are right that it's the 2 extra PR spots that will be the real SMS eater.  That will be ABOVE any reserve stash SMS hits.

AND, unless the league clamps down on the 1GIR-used-as-stash trick, teams will STILL stash on 1GIR!!  Yikes.

We (especially you) were wondering this time last year how we'd best use or even out the $400k windfall.  This may be the final answer.  The stash plus reserve could easily eat up most of it.  $160k will go to ELC PR guys (generally considered a "good thing").  The rest will likely go to middling vets getting a bigger payday (AR vs PR $SMS$).  The main thing is it wasn't as some feared that it'll all go to the superstars.

For example, the reserve could be a great place to stash JSK if Kyrie/Jones show really good in TC and are healthy that week.  (Or vice-versa if it's JSK who wins out.)  Or a place to stash Shay if we want to keep him for D dev but he's not as good as, say Ball, at ST.

[be on the 1 game injured list and wouldnt be eligible to be a last minute game replacement]

#27

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Global Draft

Last post by Tecno - Today at 07:06:56 AM

Currently they would be on the 1 game injured list and wouldnt be eligible to be a last minute game replacement.

That's a great point.  I'm not sure we've ever seen as many GTD notes on depth charts as we did in '25.  Every game most teams had a GTD (or 2!).  It was starting to get silly.

But surely teams will still be able to pull from the PR if a GTD isn't playing?  Or will they say all GTDs "no goes" must be replaced from the 2-man reserve?  Since you'll never GTD more than 2 players, you can rig your reserve to include those positions... BUT then you lose the "stash" aspect of the reserve should the ones you want to protect play other positions.

[This plan parks healthy players and that makes zero sense]

#28

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Global Draft

Last post by Tecno - Today at 07:02:50 AM

Normally ( except last year ) teams don't park veterans on 1 game IR for extended periods unless they are really injured. . Veterans play and when injured are replaced by mostly rookies off the PR.  This plan parks healthy players and that makes zero sense.

You guys sussed it out pretty well.  BinBC, the others are right that this is just a way to legitimize the 1GIR "stashing" everyone does.  The stashing seems to be growing in frequency and acceptability.  No one batted an eye when even our "always above board" team did it in '25.

I love it.  Stashing was just as shady and dumb as the league not enforcing tandem blocking which is clearly forbidden in the rule book.  Just come out and legitimize what everyone is doing anyhow!  Why the lies and games.

Not many years ago we had the "healthy scratch" (HS), which was basically the exact same thing, but for only 1 player.  This "reserve" is better than the HS because I'm assuming you declare it 24-hours before the game (or even mid-week) and NOT 30 mins before the game like the HS was.  Gambling cannot maximize when players are stashed less than 24-hours out!

And the talk and worry the last 1-2 seasons of "PR sniping" has been ramping up.  We never used to talk about PR sniping 8 years ago.  For some reason everyone is now freaked out about it (even though it never happens).  This also lets us protect 2 guys from PR sniping -- without "lying" about the 1GIR.  This is a definite win.

#29

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: 2026 Training Camp

Last post by Stats Junkie - Today at 06:57:50 AM

So why don't we always dress our 6th (backup NAT) OL as eligible (eligible number)?  Then if he's needed in the 5 due to injury, swap to an OL jersey?

We could have been doing this all along with Eli??

If this is allowed for TE, then why not a 6th?  You could argue Daniels is the same size as a OL anyhow.  This would allow you to always keep the D guessing without having to tip them off with an eligible report.

I'm not sure where I heard this but there seems to be a requirement that the next man up at O-line is required to wear a non eligible number.

In 2024, Jake Thomas switched to #62 midgame when he was next man up. He didn't play on the O-line in that game.

In 2025, J-Min Pelley switched to #69 in an Argos game. 2024, Micah Johnson switched numbers a few times.

Once a number change has been made it is locked in for the balance of the game.

#30

Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: major announcement - big c...

Last post by Stats Junkie - Today at 06:50:59 AM

The enigma is that league revenues and the salary cap have gone up the past 2 seasons, but nobody will explain how that happened or what it means.  Is this CFL gloom just a case of team owners always hoping for higher returns, cause I don't see them increasing spending if their revenue is truly in the red.

Revenue growth is a lagging indicator which means that the groundwork was done in previous seasons. I.e. revenue growth is from the Ambrosie era. My guess would be gambling revenue.

Profits are harder to evaluate because only 2 teams open their books (WPG & SSK). The media keeps citing old information that the other 7 teams are losing money.

This offseason we have heard that Montreal is now in a break even position.

In Calgary, if not for a rain game they would have moved from the red to the black. So they are close to even.

I would not be surprised if Hamilton is in the black as well.