Blue Bombers Transactions - August 17, 2025

[Jesse]

Don't care how much.  And I care even less now that half the season is done, meaning SMS hit is also cut in half.

Cup year, $400k unspent, I want overages anyhow... that said, I bet we got him for $140k pro-rated (i.e. $70k).  We may have waited until Vaval/Lawson were looking OK (which they were) so we didn't show desperation.  However, there's also a chance we've been negotiating with his agent for 4 weeks... we all knew at least that long we needed him.  KW likely did too.  Certainly we've been aware since Bonds went season-ender.

If he was paid anywhere close to $140, that's gross mismanagement. He was on his couch. $140 is what we pay Nichols and Holm. It's top tier money.

[Waffler]

His salary is all speculation. It could be high if other teams also were in contact with him. If we were his only option, then lower. I am ok with paying him near top tier money because that is what he brings.

[Blue In BC]

I'm just guessing but I don't see any reason Houston can't be added to the AR this week if he's kept in shape. He'll know most of our defence and significant number of the team.

What I'm less certain about is what changes to accommodate him being added. So many alternatives. I'd like to see Allen stay on the AR for at least another week.

Houston will be a solid addition to the secondary and that alone will give the front 7 more time to get to the QB.

Darn ratio. There are a few others I'd like to get on the AR but they're aren't any I really want to take off.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If he was paid anywhere close to $140, that's gross mismanagement. He was on his couch. $140 is what we pay Nichols and Holm. It's top tier money.

Yah, if Walters was being kind he offered him $100k, if not $85k. He was on the couch and no other team inquired, cause he would have taken the first offer he received, a desperate man doesn't turn down a dollar.

[Blueforlife]

I'm just guessing but I don't see any reason Houston can't be added to the AR this week if he's kept in shape. He'll know most of our defence and significant number of the team.

What I'm less certain about is what changes to accommodate him being added. So many alternatives. I'd like to see Allen stay on the AR for at least another week.

Houston will be a solid addition to the secondary and that alone will give the front 7 more time to get to the QB.

Darn ratio. There are a few others I'd like to get on the AR but they're aren't any I really want to take off.

Rust tells me he will take an extra week
I wouldn't rush him

He will take a few weeks of practice and games to get up to speed imo

[Blue In BC]

Rust tells me he will take an extra week
I wouldn't rush him

He will take a few weeks of practice and games to get up to speed imo

Bombers added Lawson to the AR the week he arrived. I don't see rust as a problem that is resolved by waiting a few weeks. He may be a big rusty but even at 80% he's a top DB.

[Pete]

If hes not in game shape then for injury protection may have to wait

[Blue In BC]

If hes not in game shape then for injury protection may have to wait

These guys are mostly gym rats and keep in shape all year. I agree with trying to prevent injury but injuries happen to players in shape all the time. Bonds is the perfect example of that getting injured in a non contact situation. Some players never seem to get injured and other fine tuned athletes can't stay healthy.

Tomorrow we'll see the depth chart for the game. I expect Houston to be on it but obviously no guarantees.

[Blueforlife]

Bombers added Lawson to the AR the week he arrived. I don't see rust as a problem that is resolved by waiting a few weeks. He may be a big rusty but even at 80% he's a top DB.

Top DB we don't want to hurt, rust was mentioned I believe at press conference

If hes not in game shape then for injury protection may have to wait

Agree,  need him around all year, could sit this game

[Pete]

Has Houston played with younger as dc?

[blue_gold_84]

Has Houston played with younger as dc?

No, but Younger's been here in a coaching capacity since 2018. Younger spoke highly of Houston yesterday.

[Slingin Sammy]

Bombers added Lawson to the AR the week he arrived. I don't see rust as a problem that is resolved by waiting a few weeks. He may be a big rusty but even at 80% he's a top DB.

Lawson indicated that after TC, he went and played arena ball...it ended just before Bombers signed him so he didn't have any physical rust to work off...but I agree with you...Houston should be on the AR...even on ST's to help him get into game shape.

[bwiser]

Houston had a lot of INT's when he was here. He also was the weakest DB at that time and that's why so many teams went after him. He has had more time in the CFL since then so hopefully he plays better.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

His salary is all speculation. It could be high if other teams also were in contact with him. If we were his only option, then lower. I am ok with paying him near top tier money because that is what he brings.

It doesn't really matter much what it is for this year.

For one, it's only half a season worth anyway so even if it's top dollars it's really half that.

Secondly, salary really matters during roster construction when there's an opportunity cost. In season? There really isn't much of one. We need a good corner and if we have a spare 50-70k we should be spending it on one. Saving 15ish thousand (by signing a pro rated 150 vs 120)  doesn't matter at all. He's only going to get it if he's rostered and if he's rostered it's an effective use of money because he's better than what we have. There are very few players that can really help us now and we're in win now mode for certain.

[Blueforlife]

Lawson indicated that after TC, he went and played arena ball...it ended just before Bombers signed him so he didn't have any physical rust to work off...but I agree with you...Houston should be on the AR...even on ST's to help him get into game shape.

If he isn't going to start which isn't that likely, I wouldn't dress him for teams due to injury risk.  Yes the game would help for knocking the rust but I personally wouldn't risk it.