Blue Bombers sign Sergio Castillo, Jamieson Sheahan to contract extensions

[Pete]

I mean, he's re-signing players we already had (many at very top end salaries). He hasn't earned his salary until he does something that improves the team.

Not to say he won't do that come FA time, but so far we're just paying significantly more for the same players.

true enough there has also been a few free agents released from other teams that i would have liked to see him taken a run at ie Sayles and Hendrix, there arent a lot of defensive tackles available

[Blueforlife]

Kyle has done a great job for a long time.  Patience, there is more coming.  While we struggled last year, that doesn't mean resigning our studs doesn't make us good.  We will find a few gems before camp and likely will do the same during.  Trust the mafia.  They know what they are doing.

[Blue In BC]

Kyle has done a great job for a long time.  Patience, there is more coming.  While we struggled last year, that doesn't mean resigning our studs doesn't make us good.  We will find a few gems before camp and likely will do the same during.  Trust the mafia.  They know what they are doing.

You know the quote " what have you done for me lately "? In the last 4 seasons we've lost 3 Grey Cups and didn't make it to the game last year.

You might be able to argue that was still a successful run for the most part. OTOH, there was a clear decline season to season in that time frame. Our roster has aged and we're waiting to see what changes are made in free agency.

I don't think too many of the posters will be taking an optimistic approach until we see what the changes bring to the roster.

[Pete]

Kyle has done a great job for a long time.  Patience, there is more coming.  While we struggled last year, that doesn't mean resigning our studs doesn't make us good.  We will find a few gems before camp and likely will do the same during.  Trust the mafia.  They know what they are doing.

Last year free agent results or lack of might make an argument that his effectiveness isnt what it was. This free agency might determine that

[theaardvark]

You know the quote " what have you done for me lately "? In the last 4 seasons we've lost 3 Grey Cups and didn't make it to the game last year.

You might be able to argue that was still a successful run for the most part. OTOH, there was a clear decline season to season in that time frame. Our roster has aged and we're waiting to see what changes are made in free agency.

I don't think too many of the posters will be taking an optimistic approach until we see what the changes bring to the roster.

Winning 2 GC's, making it to the GC 5 out of 6 years, it's been an OK run...

Tough crowd.

[Blue In BC]

Winning 2 GC's, making it to the GC 5 out of 6 years, it's been an OK run...

Tough crowd.

Which part of lately did you miss?

[blue_gold_84]

Winning 2 GC's, making it to the GC 5 out of 6 years, it's been an OK run...

Tough crowd.

That's just sports fandom. And recency bias plays a role, IMO.

Since 2019: 72 wins, 32 losses, 5 division championships, 2 Grey Cup championships (effectively erasing 29 years of failure and disappointment). I can't think of another team in this league that's done better.
We've got witness immense success as fans of this franchise under the current regime but also numerous players put their names in the history books of the WFC. It's been a run for the ages.

With that said, however, I think most would agree that last season's failure stings much more than 2022, 2023, and 2024 simply due to the fact that the WFC hosted the GC and didn't really do enough to get there. A strong start was quickly erased and they never had the horses to push for that sixth GC appearance on home field.

"What have you done for me lately?" becomes pretty glaring due to that most recent failure. And now those in charge have to do whatever they can in their power to get this team back on track and hopefully rid us of the bitter aftertaste of 2025's failure.

[Jesse]

That's just sports fandom. And recency bias plays a role, IMO.

Since 2019: 72 wins, 32 losses, 5 division championships, 2 Grey Cup championships (effectively erasing 29 years of failure and disappointment). I can't think of another team in this league that's done better.
We've got witness immense success as fans of this franchise under the current regime but also numerous players put their names in the history books of the WFC. It's been a run for the ages.

With that said, however, I think most would agree that last season's failure stings much more than 2022, 2023, and 2024 simply due to the fact that the WFC hosted the GC and didn't really do enough to get there. A strong start was quickly erased and they never had the horses to push for that sixth GC appearance on home field.

"What have you done for me lately?" becomes pretty glaring due to that most recent failure. And now those in charge have to do whatever they can in their power to get this team back on track and hopefully rid us of the bitter aftertaste of 2025's failure.

Context also comes into play. We're in the period of the off season approaching free agency. We're discussing what moves to make to make our team better in 2026. And while we loved all those Grey Cup appearances, it's just not relevant to the conversation in this moment.

[theaardvark]

Which part of lately did you miss?

Sure, lately.  One year of struggle after unexpectedly losing some key contributors, and others struggling.

It wasn't for lack of effort on Walters part that the team didn't get the expected cup at home.  Which was my point.

And as for results, we still had a winning season and made the playoffs, and had a chance to get into the Eastern Final.

So, while compared to the previous 5 years, disappointing.  Compared to the 10 years+ previous to that, quite happy.

[Blue In BC]

Sure, lately.  One year of struggle after unexpectedly losing some key contributors, and others struggling.

It wasn't for lack of effort on Walters part that the team didn't get the expected cup at home.  Which was my point.

And as for results, we still had a winning season and made the playoffs, and had a chance to get into the Eastern Final.

So, while compared to the previous 5 years, disappointing.  Compared to the 10 years+ previous to that, quite happy.

I mentioned the problems over the last 4 years. Last year was just reaching the bottom of the glass. The problems were the continuation of known issues.

The previous 10 years are not relevant. It's about where we are now and why.

[Blueforlife]

The past does matter imo.  The reason why we have been great is from our continuity in management, coaches, culture and vets.  I'm with Ards and BG84 on this one.  Before we had our mini dynasty run we struggled for many reasons, one of which was the revolving door with management and coaches.  The stability this club has brought us over a decade has been amazing.  We took our lumps last year and we need to rebound from that.  Kyle has been good more often than not and I expect that to continue.  It's all about improving our OL and DL this year.  Do that and the rest will fall into place imo.  Free agency working out better and finding gems in camp is key this year.  I believe we will be an above average team this year and slightly better than last.  Our OL will take time to gel and if we find the right people our vets could see this through.  I think our D will be great and O will be average with ups and down (early).  ST will shine.  Coaches will be good.  Our new OC will take a few lumps but be better than last.  I believe our kickers will continue to bring us much consistency and will be 100% reliable.

[Pete]

Sure, lately.  One year of struggle after unexpectedly losing some key contributors, and others struggling.

It wasn't for lack of effort on Walters part that the team didn't get the expected cup at home.  Which was my point.

And as for results, we still had a winning season and made the playoffs, and had a chance to get into the Eastern Final.

So, while compared to the previous 5 years, disappointing.  Compared to the 10 years+ previous to that, quite happy.

my issue is that while Walters/O'Shea seem content to field a strong team, in recent years I haven't seen enough of that Attitude of what will it take to bring the Grey cup back home.
That hunger is evident in Saskatchewan and BC  and I believe Hamilton will be a big player in free agency, but I just don't see it here lately.
we have gotten into that we need to maintain . If we think that our dline is an issue then who do we go after even if its an overpay. Do what it takes!

[Blue In BC]

The past does matter imo.  The reason why we have been great is from our continuity in management, coaches, culture and vets.  I'm with Ards and BG84 on this one.  Before we had our mini dynasty run we struggled for many reasons, one of which was the revolving door with management and coaches.  The stability this club has brought us over a decade has been amazing.  We took our lumps last year and we need to rebound from that.  Kyle has been good more often than not and I expect that to continue.  It's all about improving our OL and DL this year.  Do that and the rest will fall into place imo.  Free agency working out better and finding gems in camp is key this year.  I believe we will be an above average team this year and slightly better than last.  Our OL will take time to gel and if we find the right people our vets could see this through.  I think our D will be great and O will be average with ups and down (early).  ST will shine.  Coaches will be good.  Our new OC will take a few lumps but be better than last.  I believe our kickers will continue to bring us much consistency and will be 100% reliable.

The past matters in a weighted scale over time. At the moment we have 5 starters on defence not re-signed. Two starters on defence were released.

You can be as optimistic as you want but there is no way to know one way or the other what our 2026 roster will look like. I'd call that blind faith.

Free agency will be telling. What it is telling us will be a TBD.

[Blue In BC]

my issue is that while Walters/O'Shea seem content to field a strong team, in recent years I haven't seen enough of that Attitude of what will it take to bring the Grey cup back home.
That hunger is evident in Saskatchewan and BC  and I believe Hamilton will be a big player in free agency, but I just don't see it here lately.
we have gotten into that we need to maintain . If we think that our dline is an issue then who do we go after even if its an overpay. Do what it takes!

Yes, the other teams in the west seem to have improved. We need to catch and pass them which is possible.

[Blueforlife]

The past matters in a weighted scale over time. At the moment we have 5 starters on defence not re-signed. Two starters on defence were released.

You can be as optimistic as you want but there is no way to know one way or the other what our 2026 roster will look like. I'd call that blind faith.

Free agency will be telling. What it is telling us will be a TBD.

Nothing I have posted is about blind faith.  There is no reason to bring that up imo.  Might want to read what I posted again.  Nobody knows what this season will look like, we come on here to voice our opinions and make educated guesses.  I am cautiously optimistic and that is allowed.

I liked the part about the weighted scale.

my issue is that while Walters/O'Shea seem content to field a strong team, in recent years I haven't seen enough of that Attitude of what will it take to bring the Grey cup back home.
That hunger is evident in Saskatchewan and BC  and I believe Hamilton will be a big player in free agency, but I just don't see it here lately.
we have gotten into that we need to maintain . If we think that our dline is an issue then who do we go after even if its an overpay. Do what it takes!

Improve the OL and DL yes, overpaying, hard no imo.