VAJ to Calgary.
The Calgary Stampeders have acquired American quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. in a trade with the BC Lions.
The Lions are receiving second- and fourth-round picks in this year's draft from Calgary as well as the Stampeders' second-round pick in 2026. B.C. also sent their 2025 fourth-round pick and 2026 third-rounder to the Stampeders in the deal.
https://3downnation.com/2024/11/26/b-c-lions-trade-qb-vernon-adams-jr-to-calgary-stampeders/
Well, that didn't take long.
Solid move by the Stampeders.
I didn't think it would take very long to make a trade. This will make Calgary a better team than in 2024.
Maier may end up somewhere as a # 2 QB but will need to take a cut. I suppose that might even mean remaining in Calgary but I suspect he'll move on.
Stamps have 4 QB's as potential free agents, probably several of them will end up elsewhere. Which one stays I wonder?
Now that this has been decided, the other teams like Edmonton and Hamilton will need to re-evaluate the direction going forward.
BC - Rourke
EDM -
CGY - Adams
SSK -
WPG - Collaros
HAM - Bo Levi
TOR - Kelly
OTT - Brown
MTL - Fajardo
This leaves, Tre Ford, MBT, Trevor Harris, Jake Maier, Masoli, Streveller & Alexander for back-up & starting roles.
MBT and Harris will take the starting roles, The others are back-ups?
I personally, hope we part-ways with Streveler. Wilson was able to take Streveler's stop. We just need a back-up.
Quote from: peg_city on November 26, 2024, 05:58:58 PMBC - Rourke
EDM -
CGY - Adams
SSK -
WPG - Collaros
HAM - Bo Levi
TOR - Kelly
OTT - Brown
MTL - Fajardo
This leaves, Tre Ford, MBT, Trevor Harris, Jake Maier, Masoli, Streveller & Alexander for back-up & starting roles.
MBT and Harris will take the starting roles, The others are back-ups?
Reports out of Montreal is that Fajardo will be odd man out. Alexander will be their priority.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2024, 05:55:22 PMI didn't think it would take very long to make a trade. This will make Calgary a better team than in 2024.
Maier may end up somewhere as a # 2 QB but will need to take a cut. I suppose that might even mean remaining in Calgary but I suspect he'll move on.
Stamps have 4 QB's as potential free agents, probably several of them will end up elsewhere. Which one stays I wonder?
Now that this has been decided, the other teams like Edmonton and Hamilton will need to re-evaluate the direction going forward.
Maier would be a solid back up with decent potential on almost any team, he'd fit well behind Rourke.
There was a quite negative article at 3down nation about the Stampeders.
https://3downnation.com/2024/11/23/literally-a-d-minus-former-calgary-stampeders-offer-scathing-assessment-of-franchise-in-decline/
"Adeyemi-Berglund found himself shocked by the difference in strength and conditioning coaching he received after signing in Montreal.
"When I came in there and worked with (Pierre-Olivier Breault) in the off-season, it was massive differences," he remarked. "Supplements always available, always making sure you're getting protein shakes after workouts or even pre-workout drinks. It's bar none."
Even the most basic elements of players' day-to-day lives appear to lag behind with the Stampeders. Both Carey and Adeyemi-Berglund pointed to the food situation at their new East Division clubs as being a dramatic improvement from what they experienced in Calgary, where sustenance fell far below the standards expected by professional athletes."
Maier might become good if he had the right coach.... Jason Maas seems to be able to help quarterbacks.
Maier to Als, back up to Alexander!
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2024, 06:01:58 PMReports out of Montreal is that Fajardo will be odd man out. Alexander will be their priority.
I heard Maier to SSK. Hard to think that's true with how good of year Harris had.
Quote from: peg_city on November 26, 2024, 07:17:11 PMI heard Maier to SSK. Hard to think that's true with how good of year Harris had.
I'm guessing it'd be insurance. Harris will be 39 prior to the start of the 2025 season and he hasn't even managed to play an entire season over the last two seasons combined. Time is not on his side.
Surprised they couldn't get a first round pick which seemed to be price for a starting qb of Adams caliber.
Calgary did well
Quote from: Pete on November 26, 2024, 08:05:35 PMSurprised they couldn't get a first round pick which seemed to be price for a starting qb of Adams caliber.
Calgary did well
The Lions get the 9th pick overall so it's their # 1st round pick. Some team must have given up a 1st round pick in the supplemental draft?
Or it was stated incorrectly in the article?
Edmonton used their pick in supplemental, it will be interesting if they have to give up a pick due to overspending cap
Quote from: Pete on November 26, 2024, 08:16:43 PMEdmonton used their pick in supplemental, it will be interesting if they have to give up a pick due to overspending cap
Most likely, smart of them to load up on draft picks.
Good for Stamps.
Quote from: Ridermania on November 26, 2024, 05:33:30 PMThe Lions are receiving second- and fourth-round picks in this year's draft from Calgary as well as the Stampeders' second-round pick in 2026. B.C. also sent their 2025 fourth-round pick and 2026 third-rounder to the Stampeders in the deal.
Uh, they traded a '25 4RDP for a '25 4RDP? I guess the difference is a few picks up in the round? Not sure I've ever seen that before.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2024, 06:01:58 PMReports out of Montreal is that Fajardo will be odd man out. Alexander will be their priority.
Cody back to SSK would be hilarious! Even better he goes back and is the same as before! Oh how I'd love to see the green heads explode.
Quote from: Pete on November 26, 2024, 08:05:35 PMSurprised they couldn't get a first round pick which seemed to be price for a starting qb of Adams caliber.
Calgary did well
Yes, that's the shocker. BC had banked on getting a 1RDP for their surplus QB in order to offset the almost certain loss of 1RDP from being $350k over SMS.
In that regard this trade seems like a fail for BC, and a huge win for CGY. I bet BC tried to get 1RDP and no one bit at the high cost. VAJ is a known (flawed) quantity with high, but not limitless, value.
It's perfect for CGY because now they have a win-games and get-to-playoffs caliber QB. That will help tickets and show "improvement" in 2025, which is really all they have to do. No one will expect them to get to the cup.
If they take 2 years to improve to hosting WSFs for making WDFs, they can then ditch ageing/flaky VAJ for someone else hot (and younger) in FA.
It's the best play for CGY at this moment. Doing a Dru or Alexander style QB may have required patience and time, two things Dickenson The Shoulder-Looker doesn't have.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 26, 2024, 11:43:35 PMYes, that's the shocker. BC had banked on getting a 1RDP for their surplus QB in order to offset the almost certain loss of 1RDP from being $350k over SMS.
In that regard this trade seems like a fail for BC, and a huge win for CGY. I bet BC tried to get 1RDP and no one bit at the high cost. VAJ is a known (flawed) quantity with high, but not limitless, value.
VA is owed a bonus of $200k Jan. 1st, no teams in the East interested and only 2-3 in the West, Stamps probably the only team prepared to make BC a decent offer, so they took what they could get.
I would be surprised Fajardo gets bounced out of Montreal given his history with Maas and the Grey Cup he won for them, but whatever, if he comes west, he could land in Edmonton, doubt Saskatchewan given how things ended for him there. I can see Maier going to Riderville to get a fresh start as #2 behind Harris. Wouldn't mind if he landed here as our #2, but thinking we're staying with Wilson and bringing someone else in to compete.
Sounds like Dickenson is pretty excited about this trade: https://www.tsn.ca/talent/cfl/salim-valji-dickenson-believes-adams-can-make-major-difference-for-stamps-1.2210593
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2024, 01:08:47 PMSounds like Dickenson is pretty excited about this trade: https://www.tsn.ca/talent/cfl/salim-valji-dickenson-believes-adams-can-make-major-difference-for-stamps-1.2210593
Maybe he can call more than four yard hooks now.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2024, 01:08:47 PMSounds like Dickenson is pretty excited about this trade: https://www.tsn.ca/talent/cfl/salim-valji-dickenson-believes-adams-can-make-major-difference-for-stamps-1.2210593
Almost brings back the golly gee to old Dickie, don't know how well they'll rebound behind VA, they need to surround him with better players. The Stamps seem to be victims of chronic underfunding, I wish someone could dig deep enough into their organization to expose the story. Edmonton retains some sense of pride in their organization, Calgary seems to have none of that.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 27, 2024, 05:46:24 PMAlmost brings back the golly gee to old Dickie, don't know how well they'll rebound behind VA, they need to surround him with better players. The Stamps seem to be victims of chronic underfunding, I wish someone could dig deep enough into their organization to expose the story. Edmonton retains some sense of pride in their organization, Calgary seems to have none of that.
I'd put the blame squarely on ownership. Calgary Sports and Entertainment doesn't seem to care much about the Stampeders in any capacity despite the franchise's storied history.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2024, 06:16:52 PMI'd put the blame squarely on ownership. Calgary Sports and Entertainment doesn't seem to care much about the Stampeders in any capacity despite the franchise's storied history.
They host the Cup in 2 years, they better start caring.
Quote from: tlf on November 28, 2024, 12:14:27 AMThey host the Cup in 2 years, they better start caring.
Who knows, maybe the owner wants to cash in cause he thinks it's his turn to do so. They'll either put effort into creating a good event or fall flat on their faces failing with all of Canada looking on.
Quote from: tlf on November 28, 2024, 12:14:27 AMThey host the Cup in 2 years, they better start caring.
They hosted in 2019, too. Nothing has changed save for the team itself regressing in the four seasons since.
I took a look at Stampeders owners.... oil billionaires. How much control does John Huffnagel have?
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2024, 06:16:52 PMI'd put the blame squarely on ownership. Calgary Sports and Entertainment doesn't seem to care much about the Stampeders in any capacity despite the franchise's storied history.
That shows that private ownership is not the band aid over community ownership some have suggested in the past.