2025 Free Agency (other CFL teams Signings/News)

[TecnoGenius]

6'5" 245lb Tommy Stevens, formerly of Calgary, was far and away the best SY QB in 2024 - 60 carries for 237 yards (almost 4.0 YPC) and 10 TDs.  I'd have liked the Bombers to go after him in FA, but the Riders grabbed him.

Stevens would be a great choice, but I'd still go with Prukop.  What we need isn't any YAC or breakaways: No, what MOS needs is 99% on the 1-1.75Y range, and hopefully 90% on 2Y.  The entire 2017(ish)-2023 was patterned around this.  Just get 9Y in 2 downs.

[TecnoGenius]

I would not want to sign any QB just to do SY.

I'm going to waste a QB roster spot because one guy gets the yard 95% of the time instead of 91% of the time? I'd rather train a prospect how to do the sneak while hoping they can develop into something more.

If The Can Mafia was named Jesse, sure.  But the real Mafia's pattern has been to have a dedicated SY guy, who hopefully can throw if given a chance, but perfectly fine if he can't.

Since we are allowed to roster 3 QB again, there's no reason to try to dev & keep 2 legit #2's.  It's perfectly fine to dedicate a spot to SY and getting it up to 99%.

[TecnoGenius]

I think Wilson handled the SY very well last season.

That he did!  But the big question is Wilson still going to be on the AR come week 1.  If not, I don't really want to trust SY to Patterson or Dolegala!  They were pretty bad when in Green (and Orange).

Now if Strevy is 100%, then we're ok in any event.  And if we have Strevy + Wilson (both healthy) then we'll be totally set for SY, and the only big question mark will be who's the viable #2 (if any).

[Jesse]

If The Can Mafia was named Jesse, sure.  But the real Mafia's pattern has been to have a dedicated SY guy, who hopefully can throw if given a chance, but perfectly fine if he can't.

Since we are allowed to roster 3 QB again, there's no reason to try to dev & keep 2 legit #2's.  It's perfectly fine to dedicate a spot to SY and getting it up to 99%.

Other than Prukop (and this was when our back-up and developmental spot were both used by Dru), is this true?

[Blueforlife]

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/03/bmo-field-home-of-toronto-argonauts-to-receive-150-million-in-upgrades-for-2026-fifa-world-cup/

[TecnoGenius]

Other than Prukop (and this was when our back-up and developmental spot were both used by Dru), is this true?

Uh... as someone who tracks & loves the SY game, I can emphatically say that it's 100% true.  And Dru was never "the SY guy", he was always on the dev track and we always had a (near-)"dedicated" SY guy when he was here.

(going from memory here...)
Marve
Dom Davis (a #2 hopeful)
Le Fevour (my fave).
McGuire (another #2 hopeful)
Strevy (the only one who had any shot at being a real #2)
Prukop
(Then Strevy again)

Every single guy above was also given a chance to prove they were the next starter.  Almost all failed miserably.  Dom got a few more chances than the others.  McGuire was a hopeful but quickly was id'd as another Marve/Feve.

That takes us back to basically when I started going to games again: 2014.

My faves in order of "best at SY" (and ignoring all other attributes) would be:

Feve
McGuire
Prukop
Marve
Strevy
Dom

Dom really only had 1 season here as "the SY guy" and he was still being groomed as #2.  It was only after he left here that he switched to being a dedicated SY guy.

You can have a decent and long career in the CFL if you can be the league best or 2nd best SY guy.  Heck, look how long Dom hung around even after he clearly was not starter material!

I'm really glad MOS values the SY role and I love his "you only need to get 9" philosophy.  I really enjoy the 1Y trenches battle.  I have utmost respect for the guys who accept they can't be a #1 and dedicate all their energy into being the league-best SY.  Too many think it's beneath them, when it's one of the most important parts of the WPG game.

We are very lucky (or KW/MOS are so good!) that we've often had the league-best SY guy on our roster.

If Strevy gets injured and we have retained Wilson, I hope he can step up to the plate (even if still being groomed for #2).  Otherwise maybe we can shake Stevens / Prukop loose.

We've done very well sniping pre-vetted SY guys from other teams, as half the list above demonstrates.  I bet we can do it again, as so many HCs/GMs are shortsighted and don't value the SY position.

I look forward to another year of (near?) league best SY performance!  Gettin' excited to see the first 2025 sneak in late May!!

[TecnoGenius]

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/03/bmo-field-home-of-toronto-argonauts-to-receive-150-million-in-upgrades-for-2026-fifa-world-cup/

This is completely bonkers.  MLSE just got a massive freebie injection, barely putting up any money themselves!

And 150M?  Uh, didn't all of IGF/PAS cost only $30M? (50 with overruns??)  A couple of video boards, etc, is 150M?? 

[theaardvark]

This is completely bonkers.  MLSE just got a massive freebie injection, barely putting up any money themselves!

And 150M?  Uh, didn't all of IGF/PAS cost only $30M? (50 with overruns??)  A couple of video boards, etc, is 150M?? 

PAS cost $210 million, and has had multiple repairs/upgrades over the years, probably to the tune of another $40mil, so $250 mil total.

BC Place "renovation" was a whopping $514 including the new roof and scoreboard.

Costs of renovations and updates vary by many factors, including what they are starting with, and what they intend to end up with...  some technology and surfaces cost a lot more than others.

[drahgon]

PAS was also built over 10 years ago. Cost of construction has gone up significantly in that period of time.

[Pete]

Dobson signed at 210k and Woli at 132k can see why they aren't here

[Pigskin]

Hamilton Free Agent Signings.

Lawler $287K, $125K SB
Dobson $210K, $35K SB. $220 in 2026.
Stubblefield $150K.
Woli   $135K, $15K SB.
Garbutt $126K, $9K SB
Amos $125K, $10K SB.
Howsare $110K
JA27, Szott, Fox, Hubert, Cole, $100K.

[Pigskin]

Ottawa Free Agent Signings.

Lewis $223K, $100K, SB.
Gober $145K,
Shiltz $112K, $10K, SB.
Stanback, $106K, $20K, SB.
Henderson $94K
Adeleke  $90K
Knight $100K

[theaardvark]

Dobson signed at 210k and Woli at 132k can see why they aren't here

So, Woli got a $20k raise after his release.

Good for him.

[dd]

Ya, that is good for him. Still surprised we let a good NAT go, they're hard to come by. Even if Clercius starts, injuries do happen, and after years of luxury with an abundant number of starting NATS, I m concerned we'll get into ratio trouble with injuries. But I get it, we can't pay a backup $132k

[Pete]

yeah I feel that we are one potential Canadian starter away from having a well rounded team. If we end up starting an import at guard, that means that with  Castillo and Logan taking up two designated imp spots we only have two left. Likely a linebacker (Jones) and a dl (Adams)
(Assuming Griffin starts at safety, I'm not ready to call Kelly a starter yet)