We need a QB for the be future and a good backup!

[Blue In BC]

I'm not saying we should cut him regardless of his finishing the season or his ability to show up for camp next year.

Getting another season out of him at the expense of signing a replacement for the next 10 years and hoping we find someone in the next year that can be the next 10 years guy does not seem like a judicious use of roster management.  We lost out on Dru making that decision, but Zach was younger and hadn't missed the games he has this year, so that borderline decision was justified.

IF there is no potential starter available (FA or trade), of course you do not cut a servicable Zach.

But, if a potential starter is available, we know they will not come here with Zach on the roster as starter (getting starters pay).  If Zach wants to mentor the new guy at a reduced salary, and hold a clipboard ready to come in just in case, fantastic.  But is he wants his full current contract, we cannot afford a new guy.

So that's where the decision comes in.  It is made for us if there are no potentials available.  But if there are, we have to make the fish or cut bait decision.

Either way, I really can't see Streveler on the QB depth chart next year, but I do hope he's still here in another capacity.

Question.  If we have to pay Zach $SMS money next year, but he converts to being a coach, does that $SMS transfer to FO?

Good points and questions.

Regarding the question about coaching against the SMS. Injured players help their replacements all the time including QB's on the sidelines.

So no the SMS money wouldn't shift operations costs from SMS. Example: Who was to say Chad Kelly wouldn't have been playing by now or at some point during the season? Isn't he helping the other QB's in meeting and on the sidelines?

[theaardvark]

Good points and questions.

Regarding the question about coaching against the SMS. Injured players help their replacements all the time including QB's on the sidelines.

So no the SMS money wouldn't shift operations costs from SMS. Example: Who was to say Chad Kelly wouldn't have been playing by now or at some point during the season? Isn't he helping the other QB's in meeting and on the sidelines?

No, I meant that if Zach takes the job next year as QB coach here, and we still have to pay him guaranteed roster $SMS, can we move that roster $SMS to Front Office $SMS?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

No, I meant that if Zach takes the job next year as QB coach here, and we still have to pay him guaranteed roster $SMS, can we move that roster $SMS to Front Office $SMS?

That would be a disaster to the coaching cap as Zach is likely scheduled to make 3-4 times more than any of the other coaches. Last game I didn't see Zach talk to Strev or put on a headset at anytime, he seemed to be there as a neutral observer.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You can't re-negotiate a contract every time you have a string of good games, or downwards after a string of bad games. There is a tipping point in either direction where an organization may do something, but it's complicated.

He was going into the season as a player that could have been released or ear marked as a # 2 QB.

BLM was the East nominee for the MOP last season, doubt his improved performance would go unnoticed or unrewarded coming into this season.

[Blue In BC]

No, I meant that if Zach takes the job next year as QB coach here, and we still have to pay him guaranteed roster $SMS, can we move that roster $SMS to Front Office $SMS?

I don't know and we don't know how much was guaranteed and under what conditions. That will be a debate during the off season after we get a chance to see if he plays again in 2025 etc.

Guaranteed money is a bit of a wide concept. Normally if he makes the starting roster there is a cut down date for veterans that always applies. I still think what I said would be the most likely option for the team.  Put him on 6 game IR to avoid having to cut him or have any money apply to SMS and allow him to assist coaches with no penalty.

Now if there is a significant signing bonus, then that's an SMS problem. It could be that the guaranteed money was tied to an early payment even though it wouldn't be a "signing bonus" since he'd already be under contract.

We'll probably never know the real story whether he plays or doesn't play.

[Blue In BC]

BLM was the East nominee for the MOP last season, doubt his improved performance would go unnoticed or unrewarded coming into this season.

On the 4th place team in the East that won 7 games and out of the playoffs. No QB gets all the blame or all the credit, but the best of the worst doesn't get you a big raise.

The TiCats gave up the most points all together. That puts the QB in constant catch up mode and as we know, yardage and points in garbage time don't mean much.

He threw for both the most TD's and ints in his career. 

[Jesse]

The question is what is he worth on the open market. No one else would be paying him near $600k.

Bo Levi took a pay cut in Hamilton from 522k to 361k in 2024. We are gonna pay Zach twice that? We could really use the money elsewhere.

Yes, but Bo also got his 500+ salary from Hamilton after being let go by Calgary for sucking so bad. A starting QB hitting free agency clearly has value on the open market.

[Jesse]

No, I meant that if Zach takes the job next year as QB coach here, and we still have to pay him guaranteed roster $SMS, can we move that roster $SMS to Front Office $SMS?

First of all, no. You obviously can't do that.

Second, you still don't know if there's any guaranteed money.

For all we know, we still have an unspent 400k on our salary cap that we'll give to Zach as a signing bonus on December 29th and he'll only count as under 200k for next season.

[TecnoGenius]

Bo Levi took a pay cut in Hamilton from 522k to 361k in 2024. We are gonna pay Zach twice that? We could really use the money elsewhere.

But BLM was clearly "done" with noodle arm and crossed-eyes and Brohm-turfitis.  He was so done that CGY rolled with never-win Maier.  HAM was taking a HUGE gamble on BLM, and really only did it because there was literally nothing else out there to do.

That's why BLM was paid half of Zach.  It's actually a miracle BLM was able to get dialed in again.  Quite shocking.  Not sure I've ever before seen a washed-up 40yo QB have 3 years of complete suckage then light it up again.

[TecnoGenius]

No, I meant that if Zach takes the job next year as QB coach here, and we still have to pay him guaranteed roster $SMS, can we move that roster $SMS to Front Office $SMS?

Even if you could, you wouldn't want to.  WFC is in major coach-cap heck.  Whereas we have gobs of player SMS available.  PLUS you're allowed to go over.  PLUS you can fudge everything with MMM.

If Zach can't play and you want him to coach, the way you do it is sign him to his $600k, but no roster bonus, no signing bonus.  Then you put him day 1 on the 6GIR and leave him there all year.  Poof, SMS-free coach.  See: Biggie in CGY (yes, he's dressed for 2 games so far, but I expect he'll be sidelined again soon as he's been useless on-field).

[dd]

I'd have Collaros rework his contract and if he doesn't then he's done. We have to move on from this often injured, under performing highly paid player, it's killing our roster

[TecnoGenius]

I'd have Collaros rework his contract and if he doesn't then he's done. We have to move on from this often injured, under performing highly paid player, it's killing our roster

But any QB we'd want instead will be the same price or higher.

[dd]

But any QB we'd want instead will be the same price or higher.

Fajardo is higher than Collaros?? Don't think so. Arbuckle?? Not even close. MBT, c'mon not even close. Those are the only ones we ll have a shot at, all have stronger arms, all younger, all cheaper.

[TecnoGenius]

Fajardo is higher than Collaros?? Don't think so. Arbuckle?? Not even close. MBT, c'mon not even close. Those are the only ones we ll have a shot at, all have stronger arms, all younger, all cheaper.

None of those losers are getting you to the cup.

We want only the best.  That means Alexander, Kelly, VAJ (heaven forbid), or even Rourke.  Those are the cup contenders for the next 5 years.  I'd add in Dru and Powell as possible big gambles.

Aging retreads and never-weres are for backup, only.  That includes BLM, who any day will fall back off the cliff.

[dd]

None of those losers are getting you to the cup.

We want only the best.  That means Alexander, Kelly, VAJ (heaven forbid), or even Rourke.  Those are the cup contenders for the next 5 years.  I'd add in Dru and Powell as possible big gambles.

Aging retreads and never-weres are for backup, only.  That includes BLM, who any day will fall back off the cliff.

Hard no to headcase VAJ. Now way you're getting Kelly, alexander or Rourke. Never.

Losers?? Didn't Cody win a Grey Cup against us, ah ya, he did. And didn't Arbuckle win a Grey Cup against us, ah ya, I believe he did, it was last year. So those 2 losers have beaten us, so what does that make us?? The only real losers are us!!. we'd be fortunate to CF here, but hervey ain't an idiot, he will never let that happen, so no point in arguing. I'd go after Arbuckle, he'll want the opportunity to start and we can give it to him, its the perfect fit.