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

[LXTSN]

I wonder how they feel about Vibert as a prospect. He got activated for one game, but didn't see him after that. Either way we need to add at least one more in the first 4 rounds for a little added depth and potential.

I might be in minority, but I like what we've seen from Vanterpool at LT in limited action. I see him as the long term replacement for Stanley.
Randolph was put in almost every spot on the OL. If he is set to start a full season at RT I think he'd be better prepared and polished to do a more specific job.

The biggest hole on our OL in my opinion is Paddy. Great run blocker but he was a pilon against the pass rush this season. He's one of those guys that you want to reward but we need to get back into the business of competing for Grey Cups! Wallace to RG and Eli at LG or we use a higher draft pick.

Again... Paddy will be back, that's just how the Bombers operate. But it's fun to dream!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Good that we have two "ratio breakers" signed already.

Not saying American aren't important to the success of the club, but that pool is much deeper and easier to fish.

We are going to see a few FA's test the waters, and during the tampering period, we will also be executing backup plans. 

I have trust in Walters that he's going to upgrade the team in surprising ways.  The fact we are so heavy on Oline this camp is going to be really interesting.  I don't think anyone nailed the RT spot, and Big Stan might not be back, so there is going to be a feeding frenzy at OT. 

We do need Oline for the pipe in the draft, I'm not sure that we want to go after any potential OT's though.  Sticking with the interior 3 for ratio makes too much sense, with the depth we have in "ratio breakers".  So getting the best possible interior prospects is huge.

I am interested in if Eli can make the move to full time C.  I think it is time for him to.  And then we bring up new guys for the roster for Jumbo.  Hate taking one of our best % receivers off the SY team, but you make sacrifices to play every down.

Eli is now listed as 287 lbs and maybe too light to hold down a starting position on the O-line, I know when he first arrived his belly was hanging over his belt so he's slimmed down a lot since 2019. Kola is listed at 307 lbs and have heard him say he needs to eat 10 times a day to maintain that weight in a position were size really matters.

[bunker]

I don't understand the enthusiasm for Eli. He's been trying to beat out Kolankowski, the worst starting centre in the league for a number of years, and has not succeeded. He's been even worse when played at guard. If you want to keep him around as a 6th O-lineman who can play centre in a pinch, fine, although I'd rather find and roster some younger Nat O-lineman with more upside.

[Tecno]

I don't understand the enthusiasm for Eli.

You guys nailed it.  Eli will never be starting C unless our desired C goes on 6G.  Eli is a good backup C, very good jumbo TE, happy with his position, a NAT, and inexpensive.  He's ideal in the role he has.

Too small, and just not that great when he gets C or OG snaps.  However, someone said in a presser Neuf got injured in ESF and Eli played the remainder of the game?  I was at the game I didn't notice any drop-off, so maybe he has improved slightly.  (I need to rewatch that game soon!)  And I say all of this as a big Eli fan.

I see Eli keeping his current job basically until we can find another C who is fine being a backup/jumbo -- which may never happen.

[Tecno]

Loyalty got us J. Thomas long after he should have been replaced.

The loyalty "problem" as it pertains to Fatboi has nothing to do with the loyalty "problem" with Schoen.  Schoen is a top-3 NAT REC if fully healthy, worth gobs of money -- who is always hurt.  Fatboi is a mediocre NAT DT who is never hurt.

Yes, both get helped by "loyalty", but it's in different ways.  If we're loyal to Schoen and give him another shot, it's because we hope he'll be 2023 Schoen again.  There's no hope Fatboi will ever be more than Fatboi (and that's ok).

[Tecno]

I don't understand the enthusiasm for Eli. He's been trying to beat out Kolankowski, the worst starting centre in the league for a number of years, and has not succeeded.

I don't know if I'd go that far!  I'd say Ko-man is more middle / lower-middle of the pack.  His pass-pro isn't great, but run block is ok.  On the plus side he's a superb snapper, and rarely puts one over Zach's head.

Contrast with that clown costing BLM games chucking balls everywhere but BLM's hands in HAM at the end of the season... I don't care how well he pass-pros, if he can't get the ball to the QB.