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

Tecno · December 12, 2025, 08:47:50 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on December 12, 2025, 08:10:20 PMLook at who won the Grey Cup. Which non import contract did they "overpay" because it's the cost of business?

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

SSK found the magic formula. It's actually brilliant as it throws CFL orthodoxy on its head. Buy a top-2 OL unit and have an accurate short-game QB, then it doesn't matter who you are throwing it to as you have all day and any mediocre NAT REC can get the job done. And that's what they did: filled their roster with mediocre NAT RECs (and mediocre IMP ones too).

It's brilliant because besides the OL, everyone can be cheap. No need for expensive ratio-busters on D. No need to overpay either NAT or IMP at REC, because anyone can do it. No need to overpay a NAT RB.

The downside is you have to rethink and rejig your whole operation (both sides). I'm not sure other teams are prepared to make such a drastic change. Pretty sure we're not.

Plus, the dink & dunk is vulnerable. Hall figured it out in years past. We just need to figure it out again and we can neutralize their non-splashy O.

As for MTL, same question, different answer: they've been riding on the coattails of great scouting and cheap ELCs. That ride appears to be over for FA26. They now have to "overpay" for NATs too, like the Philpot deal. And let's see what their NAT DL demand in their next FAs...

Tecno · December 12, 2025, 08:50:03 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on December 12, 2025, 06:50:16 PMYou sure field corner is an easy position to play? We went through like four of them this season.

"Dime a dozen" as in "cheap", not as in "easy to find great ones". DBs are grossly underpaid compared to all other units, and are readily sacrificed as soon as they show any hint of aging out or demanding too much $$.

Factor in what you said, and it becomes even more absurd. But it's the truth.

Tecno · December 12, 2025, 08:51:57 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on December 12, 2025, 06:50:16 PMI 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.

I don't think it's blank cheque for Brady, but it's pretty close. I think KW/WM are doing a sort of good cop / bad cop routine on Brady. At least I hope they are, otherwise we're just getting played. KW can put in a firm lowball offer (say $250k), Brady can scream for $300k, then WM can step in and say "just for you Brady I will override KW and you get $275".

That's what I'd be doing.

dd · December 12, 2025, 10:33:33 PM

Quote from: Tecno on December 12, 2025, 08:47:50 PMSSK found the magic formula. It's actually brilliant as it throws CFL orthodoxy on its head. Buy a top-2 OL unit and have an accurate short-game QB, then it doesn't matter who you are throwing it to as you have all day and any mediocre NAT REC can get the job done. And that's what they did: filled their roster with mediocre NAT RECs (and mediocre IMP ones too).

It's brilliant because besides the OL, everyone can be cheap. No need for expensive ratio-busters on D. No need to overpay either NAT or IMP at REC, because anyone can do it. No need to overpay a NAT RB.

The downside is you have to rethink and rejig your whole operation (both sides). I'm not sure other teams are prepared to make such a drastic change. Pretty sure we're not.

Plus, the dink & dunk is vulnerable. Hall figured it out in years past. We just need to figure it out again and we can neutralize their non-splashy O.

As for MTL, same question, different answer: they've been riding on the coattails of great scouting and cheap ELCs. That ride appears to be over for FA26. They now have to "overpay" for NATs too, like the Philpot deal. And let's see what their NAT DL demand in their next FAs...

You really under sell how good the Riders recievers are like Sam Emilius or Meyers, they aren't just any regular Joe's out there, we have those on our roster. Sterns couldn't make the Riders roster, and he was one of our most reliable and productive reciever this year.

I think what Saskatchewan does though, is uncover good young talent and get them on ELC's, and hats off to their scouting staff for that. Heck, lost in all of this, is they had Justin McInnes before he left for more $$ and BC--can you imagine their recieving corps with McInnes added to it?!?!? I expect when ELC's expire, the same will follow in Sask. Heck, its exactly what happened to us with Dobson and Ford. It's the nature of the business, but it isn't easy, the unsung heros in all of this is the scouting staff getting the talent

peg_city · December 13, 2025, 01:09:50 AM

Quote from: Jesse on December 12, 2025, 07:27:34 PMNeufeld is definitely coming back.

This might be Walter's last year, if this is what happens.

Throw Long Bannatyne · December 13, 2025, 02:02:19 AM

Quote from: peg_city on December 13, 2025, 01:09:50 AMThis might be Walter's last year, if this is what happens.

People going to flip when they re-sign Mighty Jake.

dd · December 13, 2025, 02:48:07 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 13, 2025, 02:02:19 AMPeople going to flip when they re-sign Mighty Jake.

Dear god no...

Tecno · December 13, 2025, 05:33:18 PM

Quote from: dd on December 12, 2025, 10:33:33 PMYou really under sell how good the Riders recievers are like Sam Emilius or Meyers, they aren't just any regular Joe's out there, we have those on our roster.

But they are not. And I can prove it: No one will be offering their FA RECs any big Kenny money. SSK will get to retain whoever they want, and all at reasonable prices. Any that shake free will be commanding "leftovers" money like Sterns got.

Their only future semi-star REC is K.Johnson. That dude has hands, and seems to not have peaked yet.

Emilus is decent, but is Demski level at best -- made more valuable because he's a NAT.

The rest are really a dime a dozen. They are all solid (well, almost all) but nothing special. They are like Bailey or Woli were. Every REC on that team looks better than they are because of the scheme and OL. And I maintain their system is vulnerable, and our D better be planning on how to beat it.

Tecno · December 13, 2025, 05:35:34 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 13, 2025, 02:02:19 AMPeople going to flip when they re-sign Mighty Jake.

I think the long extension of Lawson hints that Fatboi is out. I guess you could keep him around on PR as backup or even dress as backup, but seriously, why bother? I'm Fatboi's biggest fan, and I think we should give him a coaching/advisor role if his knowledge is so important.

Throw Long Bannatyne · December 13, 2025, 06:10:28 PM

Quote from: Tecno on December 13, 2025, 05:35:34 PMI think the long extension of Lawson hints that Fatboi is out. I guess you could keep him around on PR as backup or even dress as backup, but seriously, why bother? I'm Fatboi's biggest fan, and I think we should give him a coaching/advisor role if his knowledge is so important.

Depends what they decide to do with Schmeckel and the ratio, Adams is gone and Woods is leftover, I don't know if Jenkins or Jaworski are DT's or DE's, they seem to be somewhere in the middle, so maybe a different look is at hand. If not Jake is probably back.