2024 Free Agency Signings/Transactions (Blue Bombers)

[PloenFan]

According to his career stats, Lawlor was a bit of a disappointment in 2023:
https://www.bluebombers.com/players/kenny-lawler-2/163693/

However, according to this list, he is the second highest paid receiver in the CFL:
https://3downnation.com/2023/04/19/the-cfls-20-highest-paid-receivers-for-the-2023-season/

According to to this list, he was only 12th in receiving yardage, and 8th in TDs in 2023:
https://www.cfl.ca/stats?stat_category=receiving&filter[season][eq]=2023&group_by=player

Maybe we overpaid Lawlor, so now can't afford to hang onto some of our other talented receivers, such as Bailey.

[theaardvark]

According to his career stats, Lawlor was a bit of a disappointment in 2023:
https://www.bluebombers.com/players/kenny-lawler-2/163693/

However, according to this list, he is the second highest paid receiver in the CFL:
https://3downnation.com/2023/04/19/the-cfls-20-highest-paid-receivers-for-the-2023-season/

According to to this list, he was only 12th in receiving yardage, and 8th in TDs in 2023:
https://www.cfl.ca/stats?stat_category=receiving&filter[season][eq]=2023&group_by=player

Maybe we overpaid Lawlor, so now can't afford to hang onto some of our other talented receivers, such as Bailey.

He missed 6 games that were not included in the $SMS.  So, in 12 games he ended up 12th.  Extrapolate that to 18 games, and he leads the league with 1351 yards. 

But yeah, a disappointment.

[theaardvark]

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

No doubt he was a big part of the success of the team, and will be missed.  But with Lawler, Schoen, Demski and Wolitarski as all well paid veterans, the 5th WR spot needs to be a development ELC guy, both for a succession plan and $SMS management.

I will miss him, and if we did not manage to sign Schoen, you can bet he would have been a big part of our WR corps.  But in this business, dominoes fall, and sometimes you have to make the decision that feels wrong, but is what you have to do as a team.

[Waffler]

Extrapolate that to 18 games, and he leads the league with 1351 yards. 

Schoen missed a couple too, they might have been 1 and 2 at the top of the league with a full season each. To me Lawler is always a threat to shake up a game with a highlight reel grab and I would bet he's the guy that scares other teams the most. I am glad he is here.

[TecnoGenius]

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

Bailey is the clutch 2nd down guy who can take the punishment.  Woli is like that too.  Tough guys who just keep going.

Schoen is a little more fragile.  Not wimpy, just not as stout.  Schoen can get injured if we force him into the hot crossers/slants too much.  When he was an ELC, who cared.  But now that he's a top earner, we'll want to protect our investment a little more.

We may want to eye another bruiser for our 5th spot.  Someone like Cottoy.  I find the big guys, but not tall, work out best.  Rogers/Agudosi tall types always get injured.  5'11" with lots of beef (yet decent speed) works out better.  What is Thick Nick doing?!    

[TecnoGenius]

Schoen missed a couple too, they might have been 1 and 2 at the top of the league with a full season each. To me Lawler is always a threat to shake up a game with a highlight reel grab and I would bet he's the guy that scares other teams the most. I am glad he is here.

Lawler is one of the best at the moment.  Like Dress at his peak.  Or even close to Burnham.  I think Lawler may even get better for another 1-2 seasons.  He scares the poop out of teams.

The key is to throw it to where only Lawler can get it.  The mistake in the GC was throwing him nice feathered softballs.  No, you overthrow or high-throw Lawler; he'll get it.

[Blue In BC]

It appears we've signed Hansen according to a post on Facebook. I wonder how much he will earn.

[Jesse]

It appears we've signed Hansen according to a post on Facebook. I wonder how much he will earn.

I thought he already signed with the Argos.

[Blue In BC]

I thought he already signed with the Argos.

Now that you mention it, I did think he did that earlier. Perhaps he changed his mind or possibly I misread the Facebook mention.

[ModAdmin]

Now that you mention it, I did think he did that earlier. Perhaps he changed his mind or possibly I misread the Facebook mention.

According to the CFL Free Agency tracker Hansen signed with the Argos on Feb. 13th.

[Pigskin]

I like the looks of Jeremiah Gemmel. 6'1" 226, excellent on open field tackles, very good closing burst, kid seems to be around the ball all the time. In 38 games with North Carolina. 135 DTs, 101 Ast. 6.5 Sacks, 5 FF, 2 Int.

[DM83]

Did. Jansen sign with the Argos? Or not.  He's a good glue guy and can play

[blue_gold_84]

It appears we've signed Hansen according to a post on Facebook. I wonder how much he will earn.

Another reason to get off the misinformation cesspit that is Facebook.

Hansen signed with the Argonauts on Tuesday: https://www.cfl.ca/2024/02/13/argos-sign-global-dl-thiadric-hansen/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Hopefully they tie up Castillo and Grant this week, that would reduce the number of question marks on the field this season.  Gray, Walker and Bailey still floating around in space probably contemplating their future.

[TecnoGenius]

Hopefully they tie up Castillo and Grant this week, that would reduce the number of question marks on the field this season.  Gray, Walker and Bailey still floating around in space probably contemplating their future.

The fact that Gray hasn't been snapped up is very telling.  Maybe other teams see what DM83 does?  Walker & Bailey probably haven't signed yet because of bigger asks$$.

The problem for all 3 is if they don't get decent offers, they may have no choice but to beg to KW for the scraps and earn even less than we would have given them had they agreed to decent terms earlier (b/c no money left).  FA can be a big gamble, and some players will lose.