CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[bunker]

Brown has really fallen from Grace. Gone from being one of the most promising new starting QBs, to playing back-up to Mr. Mediocrity, and having Dinwiddie question his arm strength.

His contract is up at the end of this year. I would  be interested in him at the right price. If Zach retires, he might be our best immediate option to pair with Elgersma.

[Blue In BC]

Question... why would Ottawa trade Brown? To get a lesser QB in return? Doesn't make sense.

I never said they would trade to get a different QB although that's not out of the question. Trading a player with CFL experience for one that might have upside whether on a neg list or just a rookie for example.

Bumping a starter down to back up might cause a problem. Or even a back up that doesn't progress on one team may on another.

Noting why Wilson left the team.

Regardless, shedding SMS happens when a player gets demoted. Wrong player in the wrong place issue at times. Last year on his contract.

I doubt Ottawa trades him but he might even ask to be traded. Usually this happens before TC but not always.

He wouldn't be the last QB to find success elsewhere.

Collaros was acquired by Winnipeg at the trade deadline. Bombers win Grey Cup.

[M.O.A.B.]

Papi for Dru?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ottawa has decided that Maier is the starting QB in 2026. Having Brown in reserve is optimal but so was my suggestion of a trade situation.

QB's change teams all the time one way or another. Could say the same about Maier moving to Ottawa. Ford to Hamilton and so on.

The biggest example might be V. Adams to Calgary last year. I can't remember what the Lions got in return but now have to play against him.

Settle down pilgrim, Dinwiddie is not about to put all of his eggs in Maier's magical basket. Notice how all those big moves occurred during the off season? If Maier finally reaches his potential, Dru Brown may be shopping for a new home next season and it would be great if Kyle welcomed him home with open arms.

[Tecno]

Maier has been announced as the starter.

This is patently insane.  It will have the same results as TOR starting Arbuckle for all of '25.  Maier has had infinity chances on exceptionally good teams and was arguably worse than Arbuckle.

In fact, if I'm Dinwiddie, I'm asking for a Maier/Arbuckle trade right now.  It's a lateral move, but at least they know how to work well together.

Dru still has upside, he's still in training.  He's kind of like Cody was before he broke out and became starter.  Or even VAJ.  Some guys need many seasons to get better.

I think this is just Dinwiddie stirring the pot, because the entire team DOES need a kick in the butt and a slap upside the head.  After they lose 6 games straight with Maier starting, he'll change his tune.

On the bright side, should be able to make bank betting against OTT all season!

[Tecno]

You asked and answered your own question. While I'm not a fan of MBT, he might be signed for less than $200K as a # 2 and be happy as a # 2

Why would he?  MBT is the next man up should a team get an injury.  As such he'll be able to ask for $400k pro-rated.  Ya, it might amount to $200k in the end, but at least he got to laze on the couch until then!

I'm pretty sure MBT is in it just for kicks and giggles now.

[BIGBLUE204]

This is patently insane.  It will have the same results as TOR starting Arbuckle for all of '25.  Maier has had infinity chances on exceptionally good teams and was arguably worse than Arbuckle.

In fact, if I'm Dinwiddie, I'm asking for a Maier/Arbuckle trade right now.  It's a lateral move, but at least they know how to work well together.

Dru still has upside, he's still in training.  He's kind of like Cody was before he broke out and became starter.  Or even VAJ.  Some guys need many seasons to get better.

I think this is just Dinwiddie stirring the pot, because the entire team DOES need a kick in the butt and a slap upside the head.  After they lose 6 games straight with Maier starting, he'll change his tune.

On the bright side, should be able to make bank betting against OTT all season!

uhhhhh...what? Exceptionally good? What team that he was on where he had infinite chances was exceptionally good? I really know you're not talking about those CGY teams.

[Blue In BC]

Why would he?  MBT is the next man up should a team get an injury.  As such he'll be able to ask for $400k pro-rated.  Ya, it might amount to $200k in the end, but at least he got to laze on the couch until then!

I'm pretty sure MBT is in it just for kicks and giggles now.

Nobody is going to pay MBT $400K under any circumstance IMO.

[Blue In BC]

Settle down pilgrim, Dinwiddie is not about to put all of his eggs in Maier's magical basket. Notice how all those big moves occurred during the off season? If Maier finally reaches his potential, Dru Brown may be shopping for a new home next season and it would be great if Kyle welcomed him home with open arms.

I already mentioned those mostly come during the off season. I also pointed out that we got Collaros at the trade deadline in 2019 so it's not impossible to see a trade during the season.

Maybe Ottawa thinks they have the next Alexander in the wings or another team offers them something they can't refuse?

Neither is likely but also not impossible.

[theaardvark]

I already mentioned those mostly come during the off season. I also pointed out that we got Collaros at the trade deadline in 2019 so it's not impossible to see a trade during the season.

Maybe Ottawa thinks they have the next Alexander in the wings or another team offers them something they can't refuse?

Neither is likely but also not impossible.

When we got Collaros, Toronto was set at QB, and Collaros hadn't played in a year, and was notably an injury risk.

Yes, we really hit the jackpot on that deal.

If, late in the year, someone is willing to give up a first rounder for Brown, and Maier has solidly won the job, and they have a development guy they like, sure... they can trade him.  But having him as an insurance policy is just as valueable, Dinwiddie knows from personal experience what a rookie tossed into a GC due to injury is all about.

[Blue In BC]

When we got Collaros, Toronto was set at QB, and Collaros hadn't played in a year, and was notably an injury risk.

Yes, we really hit the jackpot on that deal.

If, late in the year, someone is willing to give up a first rounder for Brown, and Maier has solidly won the job, and they have a development guy they like, sure... they can trade him.  But having him as an insurance policy is just as valueable, Dinwiddie knows from personal experience what a rookie tossed into a GC due to injury is all about.

Collaros was the starting QB in Regina then had another concussion in game 1. Spent part of the season on the 6 game IR before  traded to Toronto. Yes, Collaros was perceived as an injury risk even when and since we acquired him.

Toronto was so set at QB that they finished 4 -1 4 and got bumped by the Esks as a crossover team. They traded him because they were out of the play offs before the end of the season.

Toronto's QB's were MBT, Franklin, O'Conner and Prukop. I don't think anyone then would have considered them having a set or good QB stable.

Regina had Fajardo, Bennett and Harker as depth behind Collaros. Fajardo had only thrown for about 40 yards 40 games prior to getting the start after the injury to Collaros.

So neither Regina appeared to be set at the position.

Like Collaros, Brown got knocked out of several games due to concussion protocol and forced to sit out a few more.  Bad luck or injury prone is a bit too early to tell but he has fallen out of favour in Ottawa.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Collaros was the starting QB in Regina then had another concussion in game 1. Spent part of the season on the 6 game IR before  traded to Toronto. Yes, Collaros was perceived as an injury risk even when and since we acquired him.

Toronto was so set at QB that they finished 4 -1 4 and got bumped by the Esks as a crossover team. They traded him because they were out of the play offs before the end of the season.

Toronto's QB's were MBT, Franklin, O'Conner and Prukop. I don't think anyone then would have considered them having a set or good QB stable.

Regina had Fajardo, Bennett and Harker as depth behind Collaros. Fajardo had only thrown for about 40 yards 40 games prior to getting the start after the injury to Collaros.

So neither Regina appeared to be set at the position.

Give Maier 4-5 games of rope to see what happens, Dru Brown has patience and will rise again.  Not sure why Dinwiddie would bother to declare a starter unless he was trying to stir up some interest in Ottawa, he's no dummy.

Using Zach is a bad example, the miraculous series of events that lead to his arrival in Wpg. will never happen again.

[Blue In BC]

Give Maier 4-5 games of rope to see what happens, Dru Brown has patience and will rise again.  Not sure why Dinwiddie would bother to declare a starter unless he was trying to stir up some interest in Ottawa, he's no dummy.

Using Zach is a bad example, the miraculous series of events that lead to his arrival in Wpg. will never happen again.

I understand but there must have been some other good QB's that fell from grace and were traded elsewhere shortly after the season started.

Ricky Ray was traded during the off season for Steven Jyles and some no names. Argos went on to win the Grey Cup. The reasoning for the trade was to shed SMS and to get younger.

There are many reasons to move on from the previous starter.

[bunker]

All Dinwiddie cares about is winning, and he is ruthless in pursuing it. He will pull Maier and put in Brown within a game or two without a thought if Maier doesn't perform and the team loses. Maybe even within the first game 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

All Dinwiddie cares about is winning, and he is ruthless in pursuing it. He will pull Maier and put in Brown within a game or two without a thought if Maier doesn't perform and the team loses. Maybe even within the first game 

It's the Maier curse, all the physical intangibles are there he just never delivers, reminds me of the curse that followed Calvillo around for the first half of his career.