1st & 10 | The Blue Bombers Pending Free Agent List

[Sir Blue and Gold]

You absolutely need to account for the position of the player and you don't blindly throw $300,000 at any starting anybody. Everything is an opportunity cost and Oliveira's value is dependent on the economics of the position, which for him, aren't great considering how much success $75,000 American backs have had. I'm not against resigning Oliveira but I'd rather have a better offensive line and an American running back, as an example, compared to what we have now.

[Tecno]

You absolutely need to account for the position of the player and you don't blindly throw $300,000 at any starting anybody. Everything is an opportunity cost and Oliveira's value is dependent on the economics of the position, which for him, aren't great considering how much success $75,000 American backs have had.

Except the last couple of FAs the teams have been blindly throwing $225-$275k at top-5 NATs, regardless of position.  It seems to be a trend.  Ford, Betts, Demski... you guys add to the list.

And it stands to reason.  You need a top NAT to fix your ratio, and it doesn't matter what position they are in -- because the ratio doesn't care.

And if you think the cornucopia of great IMP RBs should lessen Brady's price, then how do you explain Ty Ford??  He's at a position where great IMP players are a dime a dozen -- literally the lowest paid starting unit on any team.

I like Jesse's theory better.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Except the last couple of FAs the teams have been blindly throwing $225-$275k at top-5 NATs, regardless of position.  It seems to be a trend.  Ford, Betts, Demski... you guys add to the list.

And it stands to reason.  You need a top NAT to fix your ratio, and it doesn't matter what position they are in -- because the ratio doesn't care.

And if you think the cornucopia of great IMP RBs should lessen Brady's price, then how do you explain Ty Ford??  He's at a position where great IMP players are a dime a dozen -- literally the lowest paid starting unit on any team.

I like Jesse's theory better.

You sure field corner is an easy position to play? We went through like four of them this season. We can afford to spend on a couple of Canadian spots for sure and it's possible that one is Oliveria. It is still an choice that will have an impact on what else we can do with our SMS. I would be less concerned but it's been awhile since we've scouted our way to a couple stellar offensive lineman so we may need to try and buy them in Free Agency or resign us to another season of offensive line regression from age and ability. Suggest we avoid that outcome at all costs because it won't matter if we had Dion Sanders back there if we don't get better.

I also think the Bombers know this because if they had a blank cheque for Brady they would have announced his signing, and not Cam Lawson or Pokey's.

[Jesse]

You sure field corner is an easy position to play? We went through like four of them this season. We can afford to spend on a couple of Canadian spots for sure and it's possible that one is Oliveria. It is still an choice that will have an impact on what else we can do with our SMS. I would be less concerned but it's been awhile since we've scouted our way to a couple stellar offensive lineman so we may need to try and buy them in Free Agency or resign us to another season of offensive line regression from age and ability. Suggest we avoid that outcome at all costs because it won't matter if we had Dion Sanders back there if we don't get better.

I also think the Bombers know this because if they had a blank cheque for Brady they would have announced his signing, and not Cam Lawson or Pokey's.

Ford is exactly th same as Brady. He was paid 70k+ more than anyone else at the postion. Because the Elks weren't paying for top DB, (around 140k last season), they were paying for a top NI (236k last season).

Almost identical to the disparity between Ouellette and Brady. With salary cap increases, we're seeing top NI money approach 300k now. It's just the cost of business unless you want them to walk. And successive seasons of watching our top offensive talent leave (Kenny and then Brady), doesn't make our team better, no matter how much cap room you're left with.

[VictorRomano]

So where do we get SMS room to improve the roster? That's my question.  What are we willing to give up?

We give up on Logan, Mitchell, Schoen - that's a half-million right there.  Neufeld and Streveller is another 350k.  You need more?  I can find more.....

[Jesse]

We give up on Logan, Mitchell, Schoen - that's a half-million right there.  Neufeld and Streveller is another 350k.  You need more?  I can find more.....

Neufeld is definitely coming back.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Ford is exactly th same as Brady. He was paid 70k+ more than anyone else at the postion. Because the Elks weren't paying for top DB, (around 140k last season), they were paying for a top NI (236k last season).

Almost identical to the disparity between Ouellette and Brady. With salary cap increases, we're seeing top NI money approach 300k now. It's just the cost of business unless you want them to walk. And successive seasons of watching our top offensive talent leave (Kenny and then Brady), doesn't make our team better, no matter how much cap room you're left with.

Look at who won the Grey Cup. Which non import contract did they "overpay" because it's the cost of business?

They made substantial investment along both offensive and defensive lines through free agency (over two years).  If they overpaid, it was there with Hardrick and along the defensive line.

They controlled costs at receiver, QB and running back and had a mid tier secondary (from a cost perspective).

You cannot say that top Canadians now cost 300,000 across the board so Oliveira is a slam dunk at that price. That's a huge stretch. Where they play and how easily that production can be replaced is a big part of the consideration.

[Blue In BC]

Can't see Demski or Kramdi getting sizeable raises, Demski has aged out and was well paid in his prime at $225k unless he goes to FA and gets a better offer. I can't see him leaving Wpg. and don't see him getting paid more at this point in his career. 

Kramdi doesn't have LB size and he isn't a weight room guy so he's not putting on muscle like Mo Leggett of BA did to transform themselves.  With better dime backs in Griffin and Woodbey available I don't see him fitting in other than at Safety and he isn't fast enough to play corner.

Demski has aged out?  lol How can you argue Demski was well paid but Oliveria at $240K deserves a raise?

[Blue In BC]

The idea would hopefully be to have more success in FA. We spent money on Logan, Mitchell, Jones that resulted in little to no production.

There aren't too many guys who are earning big raises. Obviously Walters is working under a salary cap and can't sign every FA he wants, but there's room to make moves. Spending up a little on Brady (which might be covered with marketing money) isn't going to hamstring the team at all, imo.

I think Logan and Mitchell will be released. J. Jones was released earlier. That's not enough SMS to add top difference makers to the roster. At best that SMS is used to beef up depth players. It certainly doesn't add top receiver for example.

[blue_gold_84]

Demski has aged out?

Absolutely not. He'll be 32 in two days. He has plenty left in the tank, IMO.

I'd have to expect he'll get a raise, even if only slightly.

[Blue In BC]

Ford is exactly th same as Brady. He was paid 70k+ more than anyone else at the postion. Because the Elks weren't paying for top DB, (around 140k last season), they were paying for a top NI (236k last season).

Almost identical to the disparity between Ouellette and Brady. With salary cap increases, we're seeing top NI money approach 300k now. It's just the cost of business unless you want them to walk. And successive seasons of watching our top offensive talent leave (Kenny and then Brady), doesn't make our team better, no matter how much cap room you're left with.

Brady was already paid more than $80K than the next highest paid RB.

The Elks were a bottom feeding team and needed a Canadian starter. It was good PR to add the brother aspect to the roster.

[Blue In BC]

We give up on Logan, Mitchell, Schoen - that's a half-million right there.  Neufeld and Streveller is another 350k.  You need more?  I can find more.....

I think you're dreaming.  We might be able to add a good receiver with Schoen's money but his SMS was largely saved on 6 game IR even if he had a significant signing bonus.

Streveler had a team friendly contract for a # 2 QB.  We may save some money if we go with Wilson and rookies but that's not locked in stone.

[Blue In BC]

Absolutely not. He'll be 32 in two days. He has plenty left in the tank, IMO.

I'd have to expect he'll get a raise, even if only slightly.

The thing is what impact a potential big raise to Oliveria does to other players expectations. Their 2025 salaries were only about $20K apart.

[Tecno]

Demski has aged out?  lol How can you argue Demski was well paid but Oliveria at $240K deserves a raise?

It's worse than that: Demski AND Brady deserve raises.  Well, Demski for sure deserves it, and Brady will get it anyhow because he's the prima donna.

Demski could probably be eyeing near $275k if he were to test FA.  Luckily I think we keep him with a small bump and hometown discount.  He's BFL.

[Tecno]

You cannot say that top Canadians now cost 300,000 across the board so Oliveira is a slam dunk at that price.

$250-$300k, yes.  Easily.  The top-5 will get it.  Maybe top-7.  Why?  Because there aren't enough top "as good as INTs" starting NATs to go around to all 9 teams.

We've already seen it.  There are easily 7 NATs across the league making that in this upcoming season, especially if you include OL.