Blue Bombers add offensive lineman to roster
WINNIPEG, MB., February 11, 2024 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive lineman Chris Ivy.
Ivy (6-2, 286; Tulsa; born: June 26, 1997, in Wichita, KS) returns to the Blue Bombers after spending part of last season on the club's practice roster. He initially signed with the team in May of 2023, and was released in August.
Ivy started 35 games over three years (2017-19) with the Golden Hurricanes before suiting up for three games with the Tulsa Oilers of the Indoor Football League in 2023.
Anyone see him practice last year?
I see some chatter on him in the OL thread
he didn't last long, don't think he's the answer. He on the slower side but they obviously saw something to bring him back.
Quote from: Pete on February 11, 2024, 05:48:04 PMhe didn't last long, don't think he's the answer. He on the slower side but they obviously saw something to bring him back.
Or desperation is setting in!
(So it
was "Ivy" (no "e").)
I thought Ivy was still under contract. Him waiting until now to sign probably got him $20k more than if we signed him before we lost Yoshi. Assuming his agent is competent.
We let Richmond retire, didn't like Ivy before but want him back now... not great looks for our OL challenges.
Thinking back to the signing of Yoshi & Stanley in FA: did we go crazy & overpay? Or did we get them for reasonable $ because only we spotted the potential? My hazy memory on it says Big Stan was big $, but Yoshi was a bit of a steal?
My point being: maybe there's a good (or will-be-good) 2-4 year IMP OL OT for reasonable money in FA?
How did we let McGloster walk instead of Richmond X years ago? Handed a freebie to MTL.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on February 11, 2024, 08:38:48 PMOr desperation is setting in!
Thinking back to the signing of Yoshi & Stanley in FA: did we go crazy & overpay? Or did we get them for reasonable $ because only we spotted the potential? My hazy memory on it says Big Stan was big $, but Yoshi was a bit of a steal?
OK, not desperate. We're bringing back guys who were in town during the "expanded PR" period. That's what every team does at every position. They get a feel for things and then can come back and compete the following year. There's no way he's making over the rookie min, tho. At this point, he's just another body.
We signed Bryant away from Calgary and likely made him the highest paid OL to do it.
Yoshi, we just picked up off the scrap heap.
The Bombers have draft picks #8,17,and 20 in the first two rounds. There are a 10 OLs in the top 20 this year. I would think two of these picks would be OLs.
Quote from: Jesse on February 12, 2024, 02:16:16 PMWe signed Bryant away from Calgary and likely made him the highest paid OL to do it.
Yoshi, we just picked up off the scrap heap.
Then that's precisely what we need to repeat in the next couple of months! Who's the next trash heap guy that really is a MO-OL? Anyone can do a big FA spend, it takes the real genius to find those hidden gems.
Hey, which reminds me, how did we get Bond? Was he a scout find we dev'd or a FA bargain? We struck gold with him and he was pivotal in turning around our OL in the Nichols years. Funny to think back to how we used to be so desperate at OL we needed to start 3 IMPs. Now we're in the opposite boat of maybe wanting to start 4 NATs!!
Quote from: Pigskin on February 12, 2024, 08:07:12 PMThe Bombers have draft picks #8,17,and 20 in the first two rounds. There are a 10 OLs in the top 20 this year. I would think two of these picks would be OLs.
But is any an OT... that is the tricky question. If there was a good one, chances are they go before #8.
Losing Hardrick due to SMS I understand. Losing Richmond may have been an issue since he's been in the system for several years. Not sure if we want or can get Gray back as another SMS question.
That said, we really only have Bailey, Grant, Gray and Castillo has higher roster needs. BOLO would be a good addition but perhaps a 2nd level choice.
So. Where can or will we spend SMS in the next couple of days?