Bomber Free Agents

[GOLDMEMBER]

I read that Tony Jones re-signed. Loved his play last year.

[Blue In BC]

I'm surprised there has been less activity than I thought at this point. I was guessing we'd have some 2024 SMS left that we'd be using now. Obviously there is still time before the end of the month.

Note that my thought on SMS was that we had so few players spend time on 1 game IR to accumulate any overspend on that part of the budget. That was outside of what I'd think the normal budget would project.

We'll find out in the new year which teams did go over and how much.

[Jesse]

I'm surprised there has been less activity than I thought at this point. I was guessing we'd have some 2024 SMS left that we'd be using now. Obviously there is still time before the end of the month.

Note that my thought on SMS was that we had so few players spend time on 1 game IR to accumulate any overspend on that part of the budget. That was outside of what I'd think the normal budget would project.

We'll find out in the new year which teams did go over and how much.

We've re-signed three players. As well as a few new signings.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

O'Shea seems to be slow finding his next OC, if it was as easy as promoting somebody from inside I think it would be done by now.  He's getting older and may not be that active in upcoming coaching circles anymore and may have limited outside contacts he can call on.

I think it was only 2 years ago the Riders couldn't find anyone to take their OC job, everyone they approached quickly declined the job opportunity.

[blue_gold_84]

O'Shea seems to be slow finding his next OC...

Not exactly under a time constraint right now. And the holidays are right around the corner, so I wouldn't be too shocked if there's no development until the new year.

[theaardvark]

O'Shea seems to be slow finding his next OC, if it was as easy as promoting somebody from inside I think it would be done by now.  He's getting older and may not be that active in upcoming coaching circles anymore and may have limited outside contacts he can call on.

I think it was only 2 years ago the Riders couldn't find anyone to take their OC job, everyone they approached quickly declined the job opportunity.

Who would want the Riders gig with the clown show that was/is going on there...

Due diligence is the key.There's no rush, not a lot of OC openings right now... so we can take time deciding on the best fit.

Curious how TSN contracts work.  Are they exclusive?  Can guys under contract negotiate with other industries or even take on other jobs?  When do CFL pundits contract end?  Is it a calendar year thing, or a season based deal?

[markf]

Cone of silence over Blue Bombers office.

I don't care, that's the way they do things.

We have no idea who they are interviewing for O.C. Not a peep.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ayers along with 10 other CFL players getting tryouts with the Denver Broncos, some surprising names on that list.

The Denver Broncos hosted a CFL-packed workout on Saturday, bringing in receivers Ajou Ajou, Ayden Eberhardt, and Makai Polk, offensive lineman Logan Ferland, defensive linemen Brandon Barlow, Elliott Brown, and Jonah Tavai, and linebackers A.J. Allen, Michael Ayers, Isaac Darkangelo, and Davion Taylor.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/16/denver-broncos-host-11-cfl-players-for-nfl-work-out/

[Blue In BC]

Ayers along with 10 other CFL players getting tryouts with the Denver Broncos, some surprising names on that list.

The Denver Broncos hosted a CFL-packed workout on Saturday, bringing in receivers Ajou Ajou, Ayden Eberhardt, and Makai Polk, offensive lineman Logan Ferland, defensive linemen Brandon Barlow, Elliott Brown, and Jonah Tavai, and linebackers A.J. Allen, Michael Ayers, Isaac Darkangelo, and Davion Taylor.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/16/denver-broncos-host-11-cfl-players-for-nfl-work-out/

Good luck to Ayers but I hope he ends up in Winnipeg in 2025. He showed some promise. Whether that's enough to get him a shot in the NFL I don't know. Can't deny the young man for wanting to make an NFL team and that big money.

There have been reports of about 15 or so CFL players getting tryouts with NFL teams so far. We usually see a few that actually get TC invites but it's a very small number that have longevity beyond TC.

T. Ford had his 2nd tryout that I've heard about to date. To some degree I have fading hopes of seeing him return to Winnipeg in 2025. Whether that is due to a longer NFL look or CFL offers besides Winnipeg IDK.

[markf]

I have a theory that USFL and other lower league players have a better chance of signing with the NFL cause the coaches, and management, and players representatives have ties, and dealings, that do not exist between CFL staff and NFL

So.... "In just two seasons, the USFL has shown it can help players get to the NFL. The USFL has seen more than 320 players land workouts with NFL teams, with more than 100 NFL contracts signed."

Could be wrong though.

[dd]

I have a theory that USFL and other lower league players have a better chance of signing with the NFL cause the coaches, and management, and players representatives have ties, and dealings, that do not exist between CFL staff and NFL

So.... "In just two seasons, the USFL has shown it can help players get to the NFL. The USFL has seen more than 320 players land workouts with NFL teams, with more than 100 NFL contracts signed."

Could be wrong though.

Makes sense. I had no idea so many USFL tryouts result in contracts--1:3 ratio roughly. I thought the USFL would be a feeder league to the CFL not the NFL. Do you know if most of the USFL player contracts PR contracts or actual roster spots earned via these tryouts??

[markf]

Makes sense. I had no idea so many USFL tryouts result in contracts--1:3 ratio roughly. I thought the USFL would be a feeder league to the CFL not the NFL. Do you know if most of the USFL player contracts PR contracts or actual roster spots earned via these tryouts??

Not sure, this is the article... https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/14-usfl-players-end-up-on-nfl-active-rosters-practice-squads-or-injured-reserve

Not an answer to your question, but...... I do know that from that list, Brandon Aubrey...field goal  kicker,  is really good, starter for Dallas this season

[Blue In BC]

Not sure, this is the article... https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/14-usfl-players-end-up-on-nfl-active-rosters-practice-squads-or-injured-reserve

Not an answer to your question, but...... I do know that from that list, Brandon Aubrey...field goal  kicker,  is really good, starter for Dallas this season

USFL is more visible to the NFL. They are always going to add some players that will be TCF to fill out their roster early. Obviously a few will get longer looks and may already have some NFL experience. It's just a numbers game.

[theaardvark]

Proximity and familiarity do make USFL players more likely to get a glance from an NFL team, and that can be all it takes for a late bloomer to get a shot.

CFL players need to stand out to get noticed, but some teams seem to have their eyes trained north of the border to catch some untapped talent.

[ichabod_crane]

Cone of silence over Blue Bombers office.

I don't care, that's the way they do things.

We have no idea who they are interviewing for O.C. Not a peep.

Ah Yes, the cone of silence!! Wonder if they got the prop from the Get Smart set from the 1960's!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxmEtJ31Ldw