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

[Jesse]

So, Pokey is like the only returning American receiver we have at this point, eh?

[Blue In BC]

So, Pokey is like the only returning American receiver we have at this point, eh?

Yes at the moment. Starting the season with Wilson back is an advantage over 2025. Not having a healthy Schoen is a disadvantage.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

So, Pokey is like the only returning American receiver we have at this point, eh?

That could be an indication they're offering unsigned incumbents low ball salaries and intend to go after an established receiver or two in FA.  See no reason Stearns or Wheatfall shouldn't be invited back to TC to compete for their jobs as they did as well as could be expected with the targets they received. Wouldn't mind seeing Robustelli brought in to compete for Schoen's job at a moderate cost and maybe Tommy Nield as an upgrade over Clercius..

[markf]

Does anyone think as I do, that the defence has lacked for aggressive clean hits?

I'm Not sure if that's the players we have, or the style of team, or if it even matters much.


Hamilton Katsantonis ,sask has a couple of guys. Montreal D lineman and no. 24.

[bunker]

That could be an indication they're offering unsigned incumbents low ball salaries and intend to go after an established receiver or two in FA.  See no reason Stearns or Wheatfall shouldn't be invited back to TC to compete for their jobs as they did as well as could be expected with the targets they received. Wouldn't mind seeing Robustelli brought in to compete for Schoen's job at a moderate cost and maybe Tommy Nield as an upgrade over Clercius..

I think you are correct.

I wouldn't pay either Stearns or Wheatfall much over ELC. They were both adequate as receivers but nothing special. Happy to sign them to come to camp and compete for a job. Would  be nice if we could find some receivers who could block. I think we need an upgrade over just Demski and Wilson as impact receivers if our offense is going to be successful. Stearns or Wheatfall could slot in as a number 4, depending on whether the opening ends up being at slot or wide out. Clercius appeared to fall out of favour at the end of the season. An upgrade there would be nice, and I don't think we have that guy in house.

[Tecno]

I wouldn't pay either Stearns or Wheatfall much over ELC. They were both adequate as receivers but nothing special.

I think we have higher hopes for Wheatie.  He seems to improve every season and the team seems to like him.  Could he become like a Denmark?  That said, with home-run Pokey, do you also need a home-run style Wheatie?

As such I think Wheatie ranks more $ than known-quantity Sterns.  I don't think Sterns is going to get much better, but I do like him for his shorter-pass usefulness.

But neither is going to get big $ offers.  Both fell short in our O last year, in terms of helping the team get wins.

[blue_gold_84]

Bombers re-sign LB Wilson

[peg_city]

Have we received word on Shoen, Houston or Bonds?

[Blue In BC]

Have we received word on Shoen, Houston or Bonds?

Nothing yet but Houston is the only one that is not coming off a serious injury. I expected him to be re-signed. However if Bonds is healthy that could change the decision. Since he hasn't been re-signed then IMO he is not going to be healthy when TC starts.

I'd sign Schoen is an instant if he could clear the medical question. Eliminate the up front money and create a contract with playing time incentives.

[dd]

Montrea1 just moved on from often/a1ways injured Austin Mack, I m thinking Schoen is in the same boat, he just can't stay hea1thy. I am hoping we get some serious upgrade at reciever in FA as I dont think Schoen is coming back, and if he does, he'11 be hurt again

[Tecno]

Nothing yet but Houston is the only one that is not coming off a serious injury. I expected him to be re-signed. However if Bonds is healthy that could change the decision. Since he hasn't been re-signed then IMO he is not going to be healthy when TC starts.

I'd sign Schoen is an instant if he could clear the medical question. Eliminate the up front money and create a contract with playing time incentives.

I see no problem with signing Bonds and Schoen if they agree to no bonus and can start the season on 6G.  There is zero risk and don't waste a roster spot.  Then they come back healthy early/mid season maybe after someone else gets injured.

I think Mafia invested a lot in Bonds and were happy with his progression, and he'll be cheap.

Houston is the question mark.  If Bonds looks like he'll be healthy mid-season we may not need Houston, especially since chances are we find the next Bonds in TC.  Houston may have just been a post-season rental like Taylor was in '24.

Schoen is a fan favorite and if you can take him cheap with no risk and park on 6G, why the heck wouldn't you?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I see no problem with signing Bonds and Schoen if they agree to no bonus and can start the season on 6G.  There is zero risk and don't waste a roster spot.  Then they come back healthy early/mid season maybe after someone else gets injured.

I think Mafia invested a lot in Bonds and were happy with his progression, and he'll be cheap.

Houston is the question mark.  If Bonds looks like he'll be healthy mid-season we may not need Houston, especially since chances are we find the next Bonds in TC.  Houston may have just been a post-season rental like Taylor was in '24.

Schoen is a fan favorite and if you can take him cheap with no risk and park on 6G, why the heck wouldn't you?

It would be nice to see the team treat Schoen with respect considering all that he did for them for 2 seasons on his ELC contract.  I don't think he will ever be what he was, but if he can morph into a short reception receiver like Dressler that finds the soft spot he can still become a valuable asset.

[Blue In BC]

I see no problem with signing Bonds and Schoen if they agree to no bonus and can start the season on 6G.  There is zero risk and don't waste a roster spot.  Then they come back healthy early/mid season maybe after someone else gets injured.

I think Mafia invested a lot in Bonds and were happy with his progression, and he'll be cheap.

Houston is the question mark.  If Bonds looks like he'll be healthy mid-season we may not need Houston, especially since chances are we find the next Bonds in TC.  Houston may have just been a post-season rental like Taylor was in '24.

Schoen is a fan favorite and if you can take him cheap with no risk and park on 6G, why the heck wouldn't you?

I disagree with the concept of signing any player with the expectation of starting the season on the 6 game IR. Football is business not a social club.

Houston is much younger than the Taylor example and coming off a high $$ contract. Bonds was getting beat deep / long too often and I don't know he'd have not been replaced if not for the injury. Bridges was the comparative. He may have upside but he may not be the same for all of 2026.

You can't expect him to replace Houston ( for example ) mid season. Houston would be subject to veteran cut down dates.

I don't know why you are so fixated into using the 6 game IR in this manner.

The team has had time to re-sign those players as you have suggested and haven't done so. That could change but why would they wait until free agency?

[theaardvark]

I disagree with the concept of signing any player with the expectation of starting the season on the 6 game IR. Football is business not a social club.

Houston is much younger than the Taylor example and coming off a high $$ contract. Bonds was getting beat deep / long too often and I don't know he'd have not been replaced if not for the injury. Bridges was the comparative. He may have upside but he may not be the same for all of 2026.

You can't expect him to replace Houston ( for example ) mid season. Houston would be subject to veteran cut down dates.

I don't know why you are so fixated into using the 6 game IR in this manner.

The team has had time to re-sign those players as you have suggested and haven't done so. That could change but why would they wait until free agency?

If the player is on course for a full recovery, and was worth signing before the injury, starting them on the 6 game is not an issue for a team with cash.  Keeping them in the room while they rehab, bringing them up to speed and keeping current with what the team is doing is well worth simple dollars.  And if they don't rehab well, or fit in after the 6 game, releasing them has zero $SMS cost.

Its not a social club, the player is doing work, and if its the right player, can be contributing as another set of eyes on practice and even assisting the coaches on drills and sets.  So they will earn their keep.

If you are tight on cash, no, spending on a maybe is not an effective use of capital.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I disagree with the concept of signing any player with the expectation of starting the season on the 6 game IR. Football is business not a social club.

Houston is much younger than the Taylor example and coming off a high $$ contract. Bonds was getting beat deep / long too often and I don't know he'd have not been replaced if not for the injury. Bridges was the comparative. He may have upside but he may not be the same for all of 2026.

You can't expect him to replace Houston ( for example ) mid season. Houston would be subject to veteran cut down dates.

I don't know why you are so fixated into using the 6 game IR in this manner.

The team has had time to re-sign those players as you have suggested and haven't done so. That could change but why would they wait until free agency?

What he is suggesting breaks the rules, can't put an uninjured player on the 6 game to coach or to hide. The example of Mike Miller is false, he had/has a serious neck condition that team doctors would not approve game participation.  O'Shea's only options were cutting him or adopting him.