2024 Free Agency Signings/Transactions (Blue Bombers)

[TecnoGenius]

"We just don't have any money," he said. "The spots that are available are going to be for training-camp battles for young players, for first-year players. If somebody wants to come in on a minimum contract, we might kick the tires on that."

Could be a ruse to lure the marginals back should they not get better offers elsewhere.  Could include Bailey, Jackson, Grant(?).

If it's true, then WM/KW may have emptied the kitty too fast.  What happens if you've allocated all the $ and there's nothing left to even fill out the PR to mandated size??  Surely they are not that incompetent; I refuse to believe that.

It could also be used to get some already-signed high-$ vets to come to the table to each chip in $10-$30k to make space...

[TecnoGenius]

If true I'm good with Jackson being let go. It couldn't have been about money since he'd have been on an ELC. Wasting a DI spot on an import FB was just a bad idea for our ratio.

Ya, but our scheme needs a FB.  We like our max-pro sets and the odd FB sneak-out pass.  I don't think we have any NAT natural FB on the roster at the moment.  That would hint that a FB would be our highest priority in the draft.

No way we do IMP FB again, none, nada.  Unless Jackson comes back for ELC again... who knows.  We'd have to be desperate.

[TecnoGenius]

LG Geoff Gray.

Ouch, if that's true, ouch.  What a disappointment in the end.  Argh.  We're in a big pickle on OL now, with very limited options.  See the OL thread.

This could put is in the bottom 50% of OL quality come week 1.  Maybe start Strev every game until we get it sorted!  Haha, at least Strev can take all the hits that will be coming the QB's way!           

[kkc60]

Ya, but our scheme needs a FB.  We like our max-pro sets and the odd FB sneak-out pass.  I don't think we have any NAT natural FB on the roster at the moment.  That would hint that a FB would be our highest priority in the draft.

No way we do IMP FB again, none, nada.  Unless Jackson comes back for ELC again... who knows.  We'd have to be desperate.

IMP FB is only sustainable if he can do more than be an extra OL. Even then, it's a luxury.

Sask just signed an american FB , and Hamilton had one years ago. Difference is one actually produced some offense in college and the other was also a defensive tackle. Even those guys probably won't or did not pan out. FB is important to the offense and should be treated as such by having a sustainable plan for the position

[Blueforlife]

Sure going to need to fill some big shoes in camp

[Jesse]

Could be a ruse to lure the marginals back should they not get better offers elsewhere.  Could include Bailey, Jackson, Grant(?).

If it's true, then WM/KW may have emptied the kitty too fast.  What happens if you've allocated all the $ and there's nothing left to even fill out the PR to mandated size??  Surely they are not that incompetent; I refuse to believe that.

It could also be used to get some already-signed high-$ vets to come to the table to each chip in $10-$30k to make space...

Ok, settle down buddy.

It just means that after we sign Grant and Castillio, everyone else we add to the roster will be through the CFL draft and scouting. We aren't signing any other vets.

[Pigskin]

Is it talent or money with Gray?

[blue_gold_84]

Is it talent or money with Gray?

Probably both.

[Blue In BC]

Ya, but our scheme needs a FB.  We like our max-pro sets and the odd FB sneak-out pass.  I don't think we have any NAT natural FB on the roster at the moment.  That would hint that a FB would be our highest priority in the draft.

No way we do IMP FB again, none, nada.  Unless Jackson comes back for ELC again... who knows.  We'd have to be desperate.

I wonder if Jackson requested his release? Perhaps an opportunity to join the UFL for another pay check.

His early release is as curious as retaining him for all of 2023. Did the Bombers sign someone that may take on that role? I had suggested a good import RB that can block and back up the RB position would be useful. Or perhaps we have our eye on a draft choice or 2?

[Blue In BC]

Derek Taylor🏈
@DTonOB
·
10h
Bombers GM Kyle Walters reveals that DB Tyrell Ford will be back with the Bombers this season. He's under contract through the end of this year after a year in the NFL.
#CFL
Dave Naylor reposted
Derek Taylor🏈
@DTonOB
Walters says guys they've moved on from CB Winston Rose, WR Rasheed Bailey and LG Geoff Gray.
Expects that Ford & Tyrique McGhee will be in the mix at corner this season.

I'd be sorry to see Bailey not on our roster this season. Great guy, team player and always great effort. I suppose this comes down to SMS more than performance. He always contributed.

I can understand Rose and Gray for the most part. SMS and succession thoughts to get younger and cheaper. Very likely we add at least 1 OL in our drafts this year.

Rough count is about 14 players that were on the AR most or all of the 2023 season. Another 10 or so that spent quite a bit of time on the PR.

[Jesse]

Is it talent or money with Gray?

I think it's "we have two young players ready to start already under contract".

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Transactions - Damian Jackson

WINNIPEG, MB., February 15, 2024 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announces the team has released American fullback Damian Jackson.

[theaardvark]

I'm not sure that Bailey isn't being "pushed out of the nest".  We don't have enough SMS$ to have him on the Rec corps, we are overspent there already, and that spot need to be an ELC.  He signed here last year at below market wage, without Schoen's new deal, because he wanted to play here.  And I love that about him.

I wouldn't be surprised if Walters was trying to get him to take the bigger contract he has earned somewhere else, and not even offering him a minimum deal.  Bailey has earned a veteran deal of $120-$150k.  Unless he's otherwise financially taken care of, signing here for min to follow his heart seems like taking advantage of him. 

The fact that Walters said he'd look at veterans on min salaries does keep the door open for that, if 8 other teams are dumb enough to pass on him.

Rose, not sure where his game is at, and Gray, we had so much hope for him as a Nat OT, at OG, we have depth of younger players.  Neufeld or Gray would have been my question, and Neufeld signed early.  There should be a spot for Gray out there, Nat OL are always in demand.  Might skip TC and hook up somewhere as an injury replacement.

[J5V]

Bailey was absolutely fearless catching balls over the middle. No aligator arms there. We will regret not finding a way to keep him.

[Blueforlife]

Bailey is a player I would have found a way to keep, that said, we brough in bigger names and that's how business is, he will be good somewhere else, he can do it all, proud of what he did here, good luck!