2024-2025 CFL (non-Bomber) off-season discussion

Pete · March 15, 2025, 09:57:12 PM

Quote from: dd on March 15, 2025, 06:59:14 PMthat would make sense.

I find the cutting a player just before his roster bonus is due a greasy move. To me, it should be if he was on your roster the last game of the season, then you pay him his bonus regardless of when it s due to him.

Here's Hollins who's played his heart out for the Lions, got hurt, and then they want to stiff him his bonus cheque. Same goes for Woli. He played his guts out for us, got hurt not once but twice, and pretty bad at that, and our thanks for that effort is to stiff him a measley $10k and cut him so we don't have to pay him his bonus. And its clear he can still play again, as he got immediately snapped up. That's just not ethical in my books. It would be like a player dogging it during the season, then turn it up in the playoffs to warrant his big salary. I don't think players dog it, they live up to their end of the bargain, I think management should too.

The bonuses are for the upcoming hear not past performance. They are part of the negotiation process. players are well aware of possibility of being cut prior.

dd · March 16, 2025, 01:43:53 AM

Quote from: Pete on March 15, 2025, 09:57:12 PMThe bonuses are for the upcoming hear not past performance. They are part of the negotiation process. players are well aware of possibility of being cut prior.

If I was a player, I wouldn't want one as it gives management a reason to cut you. If Woli had been just paid X amount, he'd still be here, the measley $10k bonus, just cost him his job here. Just negotiate a decent salary and play.

Jesse · March 16, 2025, 01:51:54 AM

Quote from: dd on March 16, 2025, 01:43:53 AMIf I was a player, I wouldn't want one as it gives management a reason to cut you. If Woli had been just paid X amount, he'd still be here, the measley $10k bonus, just cost him his job here. Just negotiate a decent salary and play.

The players s' agents put them in so the players will be cut if not in the teams plans.

The worst thing for Woli would be to come to camp and then be cut, after teams have spent all their cap.

The bonus ensures they'll be cut ahead of free agency and have a chance to catch on with another team.

TecnoGenius · March 16, 2025, 03:45:27 AM

Quote from: dd on March 15, 2025, 06:59:14 PMI find the cutting a player just before his roster bonus is due a greasy move. To me, it should be if he was on your roster the last game of the season, then you pay him his bonus regardless of when it s due to him.

Here's Hollins who's played his heart out for the Lions, got hurt, and then they want to stiff him his bonus cheque. Same goes for Woli.

Ya, I always thought that
a) players were somewhat protected/shielded from just getting dumped while on IR
and
b) WFC specifically was "nicer" than other teams in this regard.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts. If Hollins won this, what's to keep Woli from doing the same? How about the other released-from-IR players like Biggie?

Is it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season? Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

Blue In BC · March 16, 2025, 12:44:11 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 16, 2025, 03:45:27 AMYa, I always thought that
a) players were somewhat protected/shielded from just getting dumped while on IR
and
b) WFC specifically was "nicer" than other teams in this regard.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts. If Hollins won this, what's to keep Woli from doing the same? How about the other released-from-IR players like Biggie?

Is it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season? Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

Injured versus injury history? Woli signed in Hamilton and if he passes his medical, then your idea goes out the window.

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 16, 2025, 02:42:58 PM

Quote from: Jesse on March 16, 2025, 01:51:54 AMThe players s' agents put them in so the players will be cut if not in the teams plans.

The worst thing for Woli would be to come to camp and then be cut, after teams have spent all their cap.

The bonus ensures they'll be cut ahead of free agency and have a chance to catch on with another team.

Worked out well for both parties.

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 16, 2025, 03:00:04 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 16, 2025, 03:45:27 AMYa, I always thought that
a) players were somewhat protected/shielded from just getting dumped while on IR
and
b) WFC specifically was "nicer" than other teams in this regard.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts. If Hollins won this, what's to keep Woli from doing the same? How about the other released-from-IR players like Biggie?

Is it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season? Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

I think people are overplaying Woli's injury, his second injury last year to the rib area looked to be a reinjury of his first, seems reasonable to assume he's fully recovered by now and will do well in Hamilton.

It would be poor luck for BOLO if he's relegated to backup behind Woli once again.

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 16, 2025, 04:01:37 PM

Calgary Stampeders unveil branding for inaugural 'Stampede Bowl' the bombers will be the opponent.

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/14/calgary-stampeders-unveil-branding-for-inaugural-stampede-bowl/

Cool logo but not sure what kind of crowd they expect to draw for their first home game on a Thursday night. Looks like they're trying to tie it into the Stampede, which starts the same weekend.

J5V · March 16, 2025, 05:47:32 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on March 16, 2025, 03:45:27 AMIs it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season? Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

Achilles injuries are usually career enders. From what I hear it's one of the hardest tendon injuries to recover from due to such poor blood flow. Many athletes have never recovered from this type of injury. Leggett was such a beauty too. I felt awful for him.

These guys are human beings but you're right, it's a business, and from that perspective they are considered players and damaged players have limited value. Hard truth in pro sports.

theaardvark · March 16, 2025, 05:56:16 PM

Quote from: dd on March 16, 2025, 01:43:53 AMIf I was a player, I wouldn't want one as it gives management a reason to cut you. If Woli had been just paid X amount, he'd still be here, the measley $10k bonus, just cost him his job here. Just negotiate a decent salary and play.

Umm, sure. The reason you WANT one is that if you have performed well and EARNED your spot on the club, they will have no reason not to give you a nice bonus, even if you don't end up making the club after TC.

It is rare that a player who should be on the roster gets cut before a bonus. Woli is a rare exception, in that his replacement was on the roster, cheaper and with more upside.

Hollins is another reason why you want that roster bonus. Even though he got cut, he's getting paid because of his injury status. Knowing you are going to get a bonus even if you are injured is a plus. And it doesn't cost you anything. If anything, it gets you released to look for a new team. like in Woli's case, he got a better deal and a more likely starting spot. If there was no signing bonus, Bombers could have kept him until the end of camp for no charge, and decided then whether to cut him.

TecnoGenius · **Today** at 04:14:49 AM

Quote from: Blue In BC on March 16, 2025, 12:44:11 PMInjured versus injury history? Woli signed in Hamilton and if he passes his medical, then your idea goes out the window.

My criteria for this is "on the IR as of the last game of the year". Woli (and Biggie) ended the season and post-season on the IR and thus fit the criteria.

It doesn't matter that they healed up in Dec or Jan. The last transaction on the roster transactions list is "moved to IR". If the subsequent transaction is "moved to FA", then to me that counts as "cut while injured". And that's something people used to care about avoiding.

And isn't that what Hollins' whole argument (and case-winning one at that!) is about?

TecnoGenius · **Today** at 04:16:30 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 16, 2025, 04:01:37 PMCalgary Stampeders unveil branding for inaugural 'Stampede Bowl' the bombers will be the opponent.

I think it's a great idea. There is basically zero cost and zero downside. The worst case is some will think it's cheesy. But no one will stay home because of fancy branding. And maybe they start the next "Banjo Bowl" mania that lasts 20 years like ours!

And great 3D logo. Bring it on, CGY!

Throw Long Bannatyne · **Today** at 03:02:25 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on Today at 04:16:30 AMI think it's a great idea. There is basically zero cost and zero downside. The worst case is some will think it's cheesy. But no one will stay home because of fancy branding. And maybe they start the next "Banjo Bowl" mania that lasts 20 years like ours!

And great 3D logo. Bring it on, CGY!

Could be a real party if they give away enough tickets and booze to get the tradition started. The branding might have worked better for LDC or the return game they play the following week with the Elks. Can't recall if they rotate the LDC or not, but between the two Alberta teams they need to come up with a BB gimmick for the rematch.