ontaria wilson released

[Blue In BC]

The difference is Houston was on the couch.  Wilson was in NFL camp.

Wilson excelled last year, and maybe the reason he did great here and got cut by the Jets is that the CFL suits his game.  Many players excel with the waggle, wider field, more available targets scenario. 

His game is purely a CFL game, and that is the difference between thriving it here, and making it into the NFL.

Our league is full of players who have just as much talent as NFL players, just in a slightly different bend.  Talent which makes them CFL stars, and NFL busts.

Houston may have been on the couch but he's played in 45 CFL games. Wilson was in an NFL camp with 30 other receivers ( guesstimate ) and was at the bottom of their depth chart in getting reps.

[theaardvark]

Houston may have been on the couch but he's played in 45 CFL games. Wilson was in an NFL camp with 30 other receivers ( guesstimate ) and was at the bottom of their depth chart in getting reps.

Houston may have been keeping in shape, but Wilson was competing for a spot.  Reps or no, you can bet his conditioning is better right now than its ever been.

The only issue might be if he bulked up in the NFL camp.  We've seen that with players that go south for a try.

But i'd lay dollars to donuts, Wilson is in game ready shape.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Zero chance this would happen.  Literally zero.

With our injury situation, and the fact he has been in uber competitive NFL camp, so there is no "coming off the couch, shake the rust, get in shape" concern, plus the fact it is still Zach throwing to him, and he has 100% knowledge of our basic system, which even though we've had an OC change means he's not going to be coming into a foreign system and has to learn  much, No.  No PR.

He was basically tied for our leading receiver last year, and had an NFL experience.  Its not like Mitchell, or any of the recent signings, who may not be in shape, and have to learn the system.

Zero chance he is offered a PR spot, both for the above reasons, and the fact he'd instantly be scooped by another team. 

I'd say the only question in what he was offered is whether they gave him st straight up option of finishing his ELC, or offered the option of a new multi year deal at a much bigger number, which I truly hope they did.

You may have a point, either Pokey or his agent may be playing hardball to get paid more than his ELC based on the results he put up in his first season as well as being invited to an NFL camp.  From his perspective why should he be paid the same as Wheatfall?  Walters reacted to his bluff by signing Moore and Echols, could be he's playing hardball too.

[Blue In BC]

You may have a point, either Pokey or his agent may be playing hardball to get paid more than his ELC based on the results he put up in his first season as well as being invited to an NFL camp.  From his perspective why should he be paid the same as Wheatfall?  Walters reacted to his bluff by signing Moore and Echols, could be he's playing hardball too.

Wheatfall had TC experience in the NFL and played some USFL as well. Wilson is not special in that regard.

Either or neither side could be playing hard ball. We don't really know but the lure of the NFL is always going to be a factor.

[Blue In BC]

Houston may have been keeping in shape, but Wilson was competing for a spot.  Reps or no, you can bet his conditioning is better right now than its ever been.

The only issue might be if he bulked up in the NFL camp.  We've seen that with players that go south for a try.

But i'd lay dollars to donuts, Wilson is in game ready shape.

Game shape is not the same as game ready. I already mentioned things like wider field, quicker clock, notion and waggle that the NFL doesn't have.  I also mentioned we do have a new OC.

Wheatfall is here, Wilson is not.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Game shape is not the same as game ready. I already mentioned things like wider field, quicker clock, notion and waggle that the NFL doesn't have.  I also mentioned we do have a new OC.

Wheatfall is here, Wilson is not.

Wilson is the superior receiver, he delivered and didn't disappear for games on end.

[Jesse]

Houston may have been on the couch but he's played in 45 CFL games. Wilson was in an NFL camp with 30 other receivers ( guesstimate ) and was at the bottom of their depth chart in getting reps.

NFL is way different than the CFL though. A lot more hours and days of training camp. He got plenty of reps.

[Jesse]

Wilson is the superior receiver, he delivered and didn't disappear for games on end.

He did have a 5 game stretch to end the season where he only got more than 59 yards one time.

What's your definition of disappearing? Receivers are very rarely consistent.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He did have a 5 game stretch to end the season where he only got more than 59 yards one time.

What's your definition of disappearing? Receivers are very rarely consistent.

Games of 3 receptions or less, Wheatfall has had 6 of them in 10 games.  He contributes, but not always in a significant way. Could be Zach's fault, Wheatfall is the first choice to take the top off the Defence as he looks fast as hell, but Zach looks to be more reluctant heaving up those long balls and Wheatfall hasn't proven he can make tricky catches over the shoulder.

[theaardvark]

You may have a point, either Pokey or his agent may be playing hardball to get paid more than his ELC based on the results he put up in his first season as well as being invited to an NFL camp.  From his perspective why should he be paid the same as Wheatfall?  Walters reacted to his bluff by signing Moore and Echols, could be he's playing hardball too.

There is ZERO chance that Walters is "playing hardball" trying to get Wilson at his ELC against Wilson's desires.

But he won't give him a big deal without term, and Pokey does not have vet status that I think is needed to allow guaranteed money.

If he wants more than ELC, he's going to have to sign 2-3 years (including 2025)

Otherwise, take the balance of his deal and try FA.

I just hope he remembers that it was Walters and the Bombers that gave him even the chance at another NFL look...

The only fly in the ointment I can see is if Goveia gets in his ear.  Is that allowed?  Are other teams allowed to even talk to a player "under contract" like Pokey is?

[dd]

There is ZERO chance that Walters is "playing hardball" trying to get Wilson at his ELC against Wilson's desires.

But he won't give him a big deal without term, and Pokey does not have vet status that I think is needed to allow guaranteed money.

If he wants more than ELC, he's going to have to sign 2-3 years (including 2025)

Otherwise, take the balance of his deal and try FA.

I just hope he remembers that it was Walters and the Bombers that gave him even the chance at another NFL look...

The only fly in the ointment I can see is if Goveia gets in his ear.  Is that allowed?  Are other teams allowed to even talk to a player "under contract" like Pokey is?

They got Lawler, white and smith in Hamilton fighting over passes, they don't need a high priced 4th receiver. I say Wilson comes here, it's just going to be a while but he'll be here for the playoff stretch and that's all that really matters. Demski, schoen and Wilson are very good options for Collaros

[Jesse]

There is ZERO chance that Walters is "playing hardball" trying to get Wilson at his ELC against Wilson's desires.

But he won't give him a big deal without term, and Pokey does not have vet status that I think is needed to allow guaranteed money.

If he wants more than ELC, he's going to have to sign 2-3 years (including 2025)

Otherwise, take the balance of his deal and try FA.

I just hope he remembers that it was Walters and the Bombers that gave him even the chance at another NFL look...

The only fly in the ointment I can see is if Goveia gets in his ear.  Is that allowed?  Are other teams allowed to even talk to a player "under contract" like Pokey is?

No one is allowed to talk to Pokey.

[Jesse]

Games of 3 receptions or less, Wheatfall has had 6 of them in 10 games.  He contributes, but not always in a significant way. Could be Zach's fault, Wheatfall is the first choice to take the top off the Defence as he looks fast as hell, but Zach looks to be more reluctant heaving up those long balls and Wheatfall hasn't proven he can make tricky catches over the shoulder.

Well, most of Wilson's games were 3 receptions or less.

[Pete]

No one is allowed to talk to Pokey.

unless someone just happens to bump into his agent and wonders aloud how'd Pokey looks good in black and gold

[Blue In BC]

unless someone just happens to bump into his agent and wonders aloud how'd Pokey looks good in black and gold

He's under contract in Winnipeg for 2025. Doesn't matter who anybody bumps into if he wants to return to the CFL. He could ask for a trade I suppose but that seems unlikely.