Blue Bombers Forum

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 10:29:32 PMUmmm...why?

Quote from: The Zipp on June 23, 2026, 10:35:07 PMhopefully it doesn't mean Zach is hurt.

Quote from: Pete on June 23, 2026, 10:32:00 PMGives us some real depth at qb, nearly every team ly needed the backup for a number of games. Given our history lately with 1st round picks its not too high a price

Quote from: Pete on June 23, 2026, 10:46:14 PMthe risk is that Brown is on a ne year contract so if hes in our succession plan we need to extend him

Quote from: Jesse on June 23, 2026, 10:42:08 PMDRUSKI!

I don't know how they fit him on the roster - or what this means for Elgersma.

Quote from: VictorRomano on June 23, 2026, 10:50:43 PMI suspect Perkins best be looking over his shoulder.

Quote from: Pete on June 23, 2026, 10:46:14 PMthe risk is that Brown is on a one year contract so if hes in our succession plan we need to extend him

Quote from: towelie on June 23, 2026, 10:45:11 PMLots of possibilities here i guess.

Collaros might be playing through something the team is a little concerned about and want a more proven/ready backup if he can't go.

They want to contend this year and want to give Elgersma more time to learn the ropes and not throw him in if Zac gets hurt.

Maybe they're having some doubts about the overall ceiling of Elgersma and this move not only gives us depth this year but locks down a good qb that can take over as starter next season (assuming ZC retires).

Quote from: Jesse on June 23, 2026, 10:42:08 PMDRUSKI!

I don't know how they fit him on the roster - or what this means for Elgersma. But ultimately, you bring good players in and let them figure it out on the field.

Quote from: 3rdand1.5 on June 23, 2026, 10:49:56 PMone more thing Ott must be looking around maybe at Arbuckle?? They can't role with Mair can they??

Quote from: Jesse on June 23, 2026, 10:52:23 PMHe's the short yardage guy. He's not going anywhere. I bet Elgersma is on the reserve roster.

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:02:25 PMunnecessary and bad trade. succession plan, sure. but a 1st? with few quality canadians already? on a one year deal?? man I wish I had KW ego

Quote from: pdirks67 on June 23, 2026, 11:06:56 PMI'd be surprised if they wouldn't just hand the SY role to Elgersma.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 10:29:32 PMUmmm...why?

Quote from: pdirks67 on June 23, 2026, 11:06:56 PMI'd be surprised if they wouldn't just hand the SY role to Elgersma.

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 23, 2026, 11:11:14 PMand why not?

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 23, 2026, 11:13:07 PMHe's 7 ft tall and not very sneaky, Perkins has been perfect.

Quote from: 3rdand1.5 on June 23, 2026, 10:49:56 PMone more thing Ott must be looking around maybe at Arbuckle?? They can't role with Mair can they??

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 23, 2026, 11:08:41 PMNow I have heard it all

Necessary for succession planning
Necessary for insurance
Necessary to give our young stud at QB time
Necessary for long term organizational stability at QB
Good trade
Yes we will loose a good Canadian player 100%
But we just got a good American vet
We can sign him cheap 1 yr deal non issue handled internally

Maybe trade for a draft pick as assets allow or sign a guy pluck a cdn off pr lots ways to shore up cdns which is always a concern

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:30:27 PMso then why did we spend a 2nd round pick on Elgersma? You're assuming Brown is cool with signing a one year deal, and assuming Elgersma is cool not having a shot to be the starter. He didn't even want to come here over the UFL for that exact reason.

Sure, it is nice having the depth and it very well could be a very big trade that pays off. But I think it's also a huge risk and replacing the potential impact of a first round pick with a "PR player" or trading another draft pick for a canadian (which seldom happens, and when it does it's for depth players mostly) is downplaying the cost

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 23, 2026, 11:36:53 PMSo why not keep both
1. Godfather Zach
2. Father Dru
3. Son Elgersma

Qb solidified for 15 years in dream scenario

That's organizational long term planning

That's vision

That's good biz

That's keeping butts in stands

Sorry this is a good news as there is

LETS GO BOMBERS!!!!

Management just hit an in the park HR

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:37:57 PMcool you missed all my points. yay management!!

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:35:23 PMIt's a bit weird. How are we going to fit another $320,000 on the roster? What is happening to Perkins and Elgersma and the roster now? Is Zach okay? Why now instead of the off-season? The cost is less than I first thought. We gave up a first, but got our own second rounder back. That's not terrible. Wonder what the Bombers know that we don't. Elgersma happy? Not happy? What's the condition on the other 2028 pick? If he re-signs?

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:30:27 PMso then why did we spend a 2nd round pick on Elgersma? You're assuming Brown is cool with signing a one year deal, and assuming Elgersma is cool not having a shot to be the starter. He didn't even want to come here over the UFL for that exact reason.

Sure, it is nice having the depth and it very well could be a very big trade that pays off. But I think it's also a huge risk and replacing the potential impact of a first round pick with a "PR player" or trading another draft pick for a canadian (which seldom happens, and when it does it's for depth players mostly) is downplaying the cost

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:35:23 PMIt's a bit weird. How are we going to fit another $320,000 on the roster? What is happening to Perkins and Elgersma and the roster now?

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:35:23 PMWhy now instead of the off-season?

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:37:57 PMcool you missed all my points. yay management!!

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:35:23 PMIt's a bit weird. How are we going to fit another $320,000 on the roster? What is happening to Perkins and Elgersma and the roster now? Is Zach okay? Why now instead of the off-season? The cost is less than I first thought. We gave up a first, but got our own second rounder back. That's not terrible. Wonder what the Bombers know that we don't. Elgersma happy? Not happy? What's the condition on the other 2028 pick? If he re-signs?

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:30:27 PMso then why did we spend a 2nd round pick on Elgersma? You're assuming Brown is cool with signing a one year deal, and assuming Elgersma is cool not having a shot to be the starter. He didn't even want to come here over the UFL for that exact reason.

Sure, it is nice having the depth and it very well could be a very big trade that pays off. But I think it's also a huge risk and replacing the potential impact of a first round pick with a "PR player" or trading another draft pick for a canadian (which seldom happens, and when it does it's for depth players mostly) is downplaying the cost

Quote from: TBURGESS on June 23, 2026, 11:32:57 PMSeems strange to me. Ottawa lost it's backup QB for a couple of draft picks? We added a big salary 2nd string QB on a 1 year contract. How is that future planning?

Quote from: bunker on June 23, 2026, 11:48:53 PMMy understanding is that Brown already received 150,000 signing bonus in January to restructure his contract so the hit is more like 171,000. He also had an additional 54,000 in playtime incentives, but likley won't collect much of that, unless Zach is out for a lot of games, in which case we could 6 game Zach to recoup the money. Plus he's already played 2 games, which takes another 20,000 off the cost of his salary. Small price to pay for what we got in terms of salary IMO.

Quote from: Tecno on June 23, 2026, 11:49:33 PMYa, the MBT signing means we got r***d on this deal.  OTT would have been willing to accept FAR less for Dru because their only goal was shedding him to make way for a QB they actually wanted.  Heck, they may have just outright cut Dru had no team taken the bait.

OTT didn't want/need assets for Dru, they just wanted to shed the SMS!

KW will be kicking himself that he gave away a 1RDP when OTT would have probably taken a 3RDP, because their alternative was taking NOTHING.  Only if another team out there was desperate for an iffy/unproven backup would we have been outbid.

As usual, Mafia is not cut-throat, greedy, or nasty enough.  We play it so boy scout, and the vultures out there take advantage.

Quote from: Tecno on June 23, 2026, 11:49:33 PMYa, the MBT signing means we got r***d on this deal.  OTT would have been willing to accept FAR less for Dru because their only goal was shedding him to make way for a QB they actually wanted.  Heck, they may have just outright cut Dru had no team taken the bait.

OTT didn't want/need assets for Dru, they just wanted to shed the SMS!

KW will be kicking himself that he gave away a 1RDP when OTT would have probably taken a 3RDP, because their alternative was taking NOTHING.  Only if another team out there was desperate for an iffy/unproven backup would we have been outbid.

As usual, Mafia is not cut-throat, greedy, or nasty enough.  We play it so boy scout, and the vultures out there take advantage.

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 23, 2026, 11:53:02 PMIt's easy to say that when now you know they signed MBT.

Quote from: tlf on June 23, 2026, 11:43:05 PMDo we have ANY guarantee Elgersma won't get hurt or like it here or be any good?  He sure took his time getting here, and since I work in HR heck I'd have a backup plan to him too.

Quote from: bunker on June 23, 2026, 11:48:53 PMMy understanding is that Brown already received 150,000 signing bonus in January to restructure his contract so the hit is more like 171,000.

Quote from: Tecno on June 23, 2026, 11:56:08 PMIf we're under $200k SMS hit for Dru then I'm MUCH happier about things.  Even though we got the 1RDP stolen from us on this "trade", I can live with that, as many here say, our 1RDPs are mostly mediocre picks anyway.

Quote from: Jesse on June 23, 2026, 11:52:07 PMThis may be as low as 116k

9) Dru Brown, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $321,000
Maximum value: $387,000

Browns's 2026 compensation comes from a $150,000 signing bonus, $131,000 base salary, $15,000 in marketing money, $15,000 in housing, and a $10,000 travel allowance. He has an additional $66,000 available in playtime, statistical, all-star and award incentives.

https://3downnation.com/2026/05/04/highest-paid-quarterbacks-for-2026-canadian-football-league-season/

Quote from: Jesse on June 23, 2026, 11:52:07 PM$15,000 in marketing money

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:57:03 PMI guess it's not a bad swing. Trust the Bombers know the QB room better than we do and I suppose the very early read is we could go into next year with Brown, Elgersma and Perkins. That's a better hand than Elgersma, Perkins, someone new but it's still a bit interesting and it's definitely a gamble given that Dinwiddie knows QBs as well as anyone and Brown hasn't been able to stay healthy or do much since he's been gone.

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 23, 2026, 11:58:43 PMVery little gambled here
More like doubled down on insurance

Nice to see your tune changed lol

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 23, 2026, 11:48:57 PMDinwiddie was not the RedBlack's GM when we drafted Elgersma (2025). Dru (probably) was not available for trade at that time.

Quote from: Tecno on June 23, 2026, 11:49:33 PMYa, the MBT signing means we got r***d on this deal.  OTT would have been willing to accept FAR less for Dru because their only goal was shedding him to make way for a QB they actually wanted.  Heck, they may have just outright cut Dru had no team taken the bait.

OTT didn't want/need assets for Dru, they just wanted to shed the SMS!

KW will be kicking himself that he gave away a 1RDP when OTT would have probably taken a 3RDP, because their alternative was taking NOTHING.  Only if another team out there was desperate for an iffy/unproven backup would we have been outbid.

As usual, Mafia is not cut-throat, greedy, or nasty enough.  We play it so boy scout, and the vultures out there take advantage.

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 23, 2026, 11:53:02 PMIt's easy to say that when now you know they signed MBT. Hindsight is 20/20.

IF they did not signed MBT, I don't think you will say the same.

Quote from: Tecno on June 23, 2026, 11:57:54 PMOh noes!  We're going to have to fake the MMM like every other team does!  Mafia moral compass going haywire right about now.

::)  ::)  8)

I wonder if the league has a way to just convert promised MMM into hard salary.  Bet we take that out.

Quote from: Tecno on June 23, 2026, 11:54:18 PMWell, we all knew going into the season that it was Zach or bust.  Perkins and Elgersma wouldn't be winning any games as starter, because they are both too green.

Elgersma is like an Alexander project: give them 2-3 years to develop properly.  If he's the next Rourke then the reins are his.

Dru is the "we have a fighting chance" QB we needed now IF Zach were to get hurt.  And I think we got the better deal vs signing MBT.  If you believe we will need a backup for more than half a game this season, Dru is our best option.  Myself, I would have thrown the dice at just keeping Zach in the game.  But I'm a gambler... KW is not.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 24, 2026, 12:01:16 AMLet's see what it costs us first, hey? And what Brown actually does when he gets here before we fall over ourselves and say it's the best deal ever.  It's going to have roster implications, the current QB room is going to change, and even if Brown is mostly paid out he's still more expensive than either of our current backups so there's a delta of some kind.

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 23, 2026, 11:56:37 PMLol. Stolen.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:03:21 AMBut OTT calls you up sniffing for an unexpected trade.  Offers you their supposed #1 QB.  Ya, you start smelling that miasma wafting your way from our nation's capital.

Your Bad-Tradar starts tingling.  You hang up and brainstorm with your braintrust.  You ask yourself, why is OTT doing this?  Who could be on their radar?  What are they trying to accomplish?  Are they trying to do WFC a solid because they are Nice Folk?

I'd say most smart people suss it out.  And to be honest, I bet we did... it's just that we don't care.  We're so straight laced and play everything "fair".  We're like "ya, we know you're desperate and will take 3RDP, but Dru is a great add for us right now so here, we'll give you a fair 1RDP".  OTT is dog river.  WPG is Woolerton.

Whatever, it's ok.  There is more to life than wringing every last ounce of blood out of an opponent.  However, the blood-wringers are the teams that seem to be winning the GC lately...

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:03:21 AMBut OTT calls you up sniffing for an unexpected trade.  Offers you their supposed #1 QB.  Ya, you start smelling that miasma wafting your way from our nation's capital.

Your Bad-Tradar starts tingling.  You hang up and brainstorm with your braintrust.  You ask yourself, why is OTT doing this?  Who could be on their radar?  What are they trying to accomplish?  Are they trying to do WFC a solid because they are Nice Folk?

I'd say most smart people suss it out.  And to be honest, I bet we did... it's just that we don't care.  We're so straight laced and play everything "fair".  We're like "ya, we know you're desperate and will take 3RDP, but Dru is a great add for us right now so here, we'll give you a fair 1RDP".  OTT is dog river.  WPG is Woolerton.

Whatever, it's ok.  There is more to life than wringing every last ounce of blood out of an opponent.  However, the blood-wringers are the teams that seem to be winning the GC lately...

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:03:21 AMBut OTT calls you up sniffing for an unexpected trade.  Offers you their supposed #1 QB.  Ya, you start smelling that miasma wafting your way from our nation's capital.

Your Bad-Tradar starts tingling.  You hang up and brainstorm with your braintrust.  You ask yourself, why is OTT doing this?  Who could be on their radar?  What are they trying to accomplish?  Are they trying to do WFC a solid because they are Nice Folk?

I'd say most smart people suss it out.  And to be honest, I bet we did... it's just that we don't care.  We're so straight laced and play everything "fair".  We're like "ya, we know you're desperate and will take 3RDP, but Dru is a great add for us right now so here, we'll give you a fair 1RDP".  OTT is dog river.  WPG is Woolerton.

Whatever, it's ok.  There is more to life than wringing every last ounce of blood out of an opponent.  However, the blood-wringers are the teams that seem to be winning the GC lately...

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 24, 2026, 12:08:24 AMYou make your decision based on what makes your team better. Not based on what other teams will do.

Quote from: bunker on June 24, 2026, 12:08:43 AMYou have no idea what led up to our offer. Off the top of my head, neither Sask nor Calgary have much backing up their #1 QB, and VAJ is injury prone, and Harris is 40. I doubt Dinwiddie just called up Walters without checking out other team's interest, and the first round pick may have been what was necessary to obtain Drew.

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 24, 2026, 12:09:28 AMFacts
Facts 2.0

Great insight both of you

Quote from: tlf on June 24, 2026, 12:10:55 AMMind your own business... just get business done.  Period.

Quote from: Jesse on June 24, 2026, 12:03:33 AMWhat are going on about now, every contract we have access to shows marketing money. Brady, White, Demski, Broxton, Holm, Nichols, etc.

Quote from: M.O.A.B. on June 24, 2026, 12:08:24 AMYou make your decision based on what makes your team better. Not based on what other teams will do.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:12:55 AMI thought it was less people than that.  I know Zach & Brady, that's it.  And when we get the number it's always like $10k (maybe $20 for superstars).  I seriously doubt Holm/Nichols are getting more than $5k MMM, if not outright $0.

And you can easily make a case for our top superstars getting MMM.  How do you make a case for our backup QB?  Is any backup QB (who wasn't anointed starter previously) getting MMM?  I can't think of any.  I'm sure Elgersma & Perkins aren't getting any, and neither did Wilson last season.

My main point still stands, we use MMM less than any other team, especially the MMM-"abusers" like BC.  And you're missing my tongue-in-cheek -- I think we should be paying everyone league-max MMM.  It's a SMS cheat code that we're too boy scout to abuse like the teams that serious about winning.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:57:03 PMgiven that Dinwiddie knows QBs as well as anyone and Brown hasn't been able to stay healthy or do much since he's been gone.

Quote from: bunker on June 24, 2026, 12:08:43 AMYou have no idea what led up to our offer. Off the top of my head, neither Sask nor Calgary have much backing up their #1 QB, and VAJ is injury prone, and Harris is 40. I doubt Dinwiddie just called up Walters without checking out other team's interest, and the first round pick may have been what was necessary to obtain Drew.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:12:55 AMI thought it was less people than that.  I know Zach & Brady, that's it.  And when we get the number it's always like $10k (maybe $20 for superstars).  I seriously doubt Holm/Nichols are getting more than $5k MMM, if not outright $0.

And you can easily make a case for our top superstars getting MMM.  How do you make a case for our backup QB?  Is any backup QB (who wasn't anointed starter previously) getting MMM?  I can't think of any.  I'm sure Elgersma & Perkins aren't getting any, and neither did Wilson last season.

My main point still stands, we use MMM less than any other team, especially the MMM-"abusers" like BC.  And you're missing my tongue-in-cheek -- I think we should be paying everyone league-max MMM.  It's a SMS cheat code that we're too boy scout to abuse like the teams that serious about winning.

Quote from: bunker on June 24, 2026, 12:08:43 AMYou have no idea what led up to our offer. Off the top of my head, neither Sask nor Calgary have much backing up their #1 QB, and VAJ is injury prone, and Harris is 40. I doubt Dinwiddie just called up Walters without checking out other team's interest, and the first round pick may have been what was necessary to obtain Drew.

Quote from: bunker on June 24, 2026, 12:08:43 AMYou have no idea what led up to our offer. Off the top of my head, neither Sask nor Calgary have much backing up their #1 QB, and VAJ is injury prone, and Harris is 40. I doubt Dinwiddie just called up Walters without checking out other team's interest, and the first round pick may have been what was necessary to obtain Drew.

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on June 23, 2026, 11:57:03 PMBrown hasn't been able to stay healthy or do much since he's been gone.

Quote from: Jesse on June 24, 2026, 12:23:36 AMOnly Rourke and Kelly have MM for over 100k. Virtually every other player on every other team is between 5-25k.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:27:42 AMI recall Dru having 1, maybe 2 good games since leaving.  He really hasn't done anything as a starter, and as you said, is always hurt.

Yes, it is disturbing Dinwiddie gave him the thumbs down.  However, it could be a personality mismatch.  Dru is like the anti-Dinwiddie.  Dinwiddie is a hot-head firebrand.  Dru is like the most chill guy ever.

For F1 fans, Dru is Kimi Raikonen.  No emotion at all.  Wins?  Ok great.  Loses?  Ok great.  Big TD, ok great.  INT, ok great.

Zach isn't terribly emotive on the field, but man, Zach seems like a bundle of emotional energy compared to Dru!!  At least Zach will give himself a little YES on a good TD.

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 24, 2026, 12:34:59 AMKinda like when we got Zach

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:37:29 AMIt would be so hilarious if Dru takes us to the cup this year and becomes the next Zach-level superstar for the next 5+ seasons.  LOL, just like 2019.  Other teams' fans would go mental.  (I won't put money on it, though!)

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 24, 2026, 12:36:58 AMMore good games that that

Couple decent years more like lol

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:38:53 AMOTT record W/L 10-13-1

Strevie had a better record... and he couldn't throw.

Quote from: Jesse on June 24, 2026, 12:33:29 AMNah, that makes too much sense.

We were fleeced without any negotiation whatsoever. Because we're too nice.

Quote from: Blueforlife on June 24, 2026, 12:40:43 AMThat record be opposite on most teams

Ottawa can't play lol

Strev would have had minus wins with ott

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:41:51 AMName one time we reamed another team on a trade.  Now think about all the times we were sitting there breathing in noisily shaking our head at the steep price we paid for someone.

The Zach trade doesn't count.  EVERYONE thought his brain was scrambled and he would never last 1 game again in his life.

Other than that, no one ever looks at Mafia trades and says "oh ya, WPG got away with one that time!".  But it's fine.  I'm not even that much against it.  I just think we might do better overall if we were more cut-throat.  Certainly might be worth a try?

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:46:01 AMWell, was it Dru or was it OTT?  We'll never know.  Ya, we can be 99% sure, but hey, you never know.

On the flipside, we could also don't know if Dru was ever good.  Keep in mind he was lighting it up here during our peak dynasty years.  Remember Jennings in BC, Franklin in EDM(?), Arbuckle in CGY.  All looked like the next Ricky Ray.  All fizzled out.  We have to accept Dru might be one of those... in fact it seems the most likely.  And that might be ok as all we need is a good backup.

P.S. I love Strevie too, and I never cared he "couldn't throw"... but the fact remains.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 24, 2026, 12:57:47 AMIt's been awhile since the Bombers made deals with anyone other than Hamilton.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:33:07 AMOh, I guarantee OTT shopped Dru around.  They probably called everyone.  Because you want a bidding war.

The thing is, clearly, no other team was willing to give up a 1RDP for him.  Heck, we don't even know if another team was willing to give up a 2RDP, though that does seem possible.

We may even find out.  Maybe.  KW could have a conference and defend his high price by saying there was no other option on the table because of a bidding war.  However, OTT could have just been playing us & lying.  And like I said, if he thought it was fair, I can't see KW dickering on price.

As for SSK/CGY, ya, possible suitors.  I think Dickenson The Greater would be a good fit.  But I can't see Dru being popular in SSK and meshing with Mace.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 24, 2026, 12:57:47 AMIt's been awhile since the Bombers made deals with anyone other than Hamilton.

Quote from: Jesse on June 23, 2026, 10:47:51 PMThat probably isn't the main reason he's here. We don't have a back-up plan and the FA QBs were garbage so we kinda had to put Elgersma in that role which he completely isn't ready for.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 12:41:51 AMName one time we reamed another team on a trade.  Now think about all the times we were sitting there breathing in noisily shaking our head at the steep price we paid for someone.

The Zach trade doesn't count.  EVERYONE thought his brain was scrambled and he would never last 1 game again in his life.

Other than that, no one ever looks at Mafia trades and says "oh ya, WPG got away with one that time!".  But it's fine.  I'm not even that much against it.  I just think we might do better overall if we were more cut-throat.  Certainly might be worth a try?

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on June 24, 2026, 01:21:39 AMBased on what is Elgersma not ready?  He can make all the throws, read a 12 man defense, is accurate.

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on June 24, 2026, 01:21:39 AMBased on what is Elgersma not ready?  He can make all the throws, read a 12 man defense, is accurate.

Quote from: bunker on June 24, 2026, 01:24:55 AMWe got Matt Nichols for a conditional 7th round pick

Quote from: theaardvark on June 24, 2026, 02:51:12 AMI'm not sure what this does to that dynamic.  Are we relegating one to the PR (probably get scooped)?  Does one accept a stint on the IR?  Do we release one?

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on June 24, 2026, 01:21:39 AMBased on what is Elgersma not ready?  He can make all the throws, read a 12 man defense, is accurate.

Quote from: Pete on June 24, 2026, 03:32:02 AMwhats interesting as well. Brown signed a 321000 contract (388 with playtime incentives)
but 150000 of that was in bonus money... so we will only be on the hook for 171000 less two game so  133-140k. Not bad for a qb of his caliber

Quote from: Pete on June 24, 2026, 03:32:02 AMwhats interesting as well. Brown signed a 321000 contract (388 with playtime incentives)
but 150000 of that was in bonus money... so we will only be on the hook for 171000 less two game so  133-140k. Not bad for a qb of his caliber

Quote from: kkc60 on June 23, 2026, 11:02:25 PMunnecessary and bad trade. succession plan, sure. but a 1st? with few quality canadians already? on a one year deal?? man I wish I had KW ego. Although I didn't realize at first the second is conditional. I guess we will see but at first glance, this pick looks closer to 2nd overall than 9th

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 02:55:42 AMElgersma can sit on RR: still practice, develop, get paid.  PR would be fine too, as the mythical dreaded "scoop" never happens in real life.  But since we have used 0 or 1 RR spot each week (like many teams!), it's sitting right there screaming to be utilized.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 24, 2026, 01:27:14 AMNot experienced CFL player. He could be great or take significant time to be ready.

Quote from: Pigskin on June 24, 2026, 04:28:49 AMBrown left Winnipeg to be a starting QB. He might be okay backing Zach up this season, but next year mite be a different story. Maybe the Bombers know ZC8 is playing his last season and are just being proactive?

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on June 24, 2026, 01:06:43 PMWho cares?  Other teams have gone with rookie backups in the past.

Quote from: jdrattops on June 24, 2026, 12:43:28 PMOttawa will be last this season and have the 10th pick (1st of round 2).  The Bombers get that pick but lose their first (which could be anywhere from say 9th - 5th).  Not that big of a deal dropping a few spots.

Quote from: jdrattops on June 24, 2026, 12:43:28 PMOttawa will be last this season and have the 10th pick (1st of round 2).  The Bombers get that pick but lose their first (which could be anywhere from say 9th - 5th).  Not that big of a deal dropping a few spots.

Quote from: jdrattops on June 24, 2026, 12:43:28 PMOttawa will be last this season and have the 10th pick (1st of round 2).  The Bombers get that pick but lose their first (which could be anywhere from say 9th - 5th).  Not that big of a deal dropping a few spots.

Quote from: Tecno on June 24, 2026, 10:01:50 AMFor those that didn't watch every game, nor read my commentary on OTT game thread :

There was a strange point in the OTT game where it was hopeless and dinwiddie pulled maier. So dru was coming on, right? He was charted as #2.

Nope, dinwiddie put in some noname rookie.

That could be the moment it all fell apart. Dru might have reacted poorly. He looked pretty nonplussed on the sidelines. Tsn made sure to get some good shots of him being dissed.

Maybe dru asked for his release. Or maybe this was dinwiddie setting dru up to be happy with being traded into an environment where he's guaranteed to be just a backup this year. What transpired with this trade may have been put in motion at that moment.

Quote from: bunker on June 24, 2026, 02:05:11 PMI thought that was odd also. Suggests Dru was not in Ottawa's future plans at that point. Maybe trade talks were already ongoing and Ottawa didn't want a Brown injury ruining it all.

Quote from: bomb squad on June 24, 2026, 06:34:05 AMBrown had some strong games with Winnipeg and with Ottawa. Enough that he looked like starter material. He had a tough year injury-wise in Ottawa, but you would've thought Ottawa would stick with him as a starter again this year. They certainly don't have anybody better. A bit of a head scratcher how it all kind of went downhill for him in Ottawa. I don't think it was all Dinwiddie either. Perhaps the players and/or the organization had an issue with his leadership. I don't know, but it had to be something we didn't see from the outside.

Whatever. Brown does add lot of needed depth at the most important position. No doubt about that. Green or not though, Elgersma and Perkins are for sure going to be disappointed and maybe feel a little betrayed as well. Especially Elgersma. It did look like the Bombers were committed to going in his direction in the not to distant future. That must have played a significant role in him signing here. This move now casts doubt on that. Them trading for a vet qb was not on his radar screen. Obviously, he has all the tools to be a very successful CFL quarterback. Sometimes an organization just has to stick with a plan when it comes to finding it's next franchise quarterback. Was this maybe the time to do that? I'm not saying they shouldn't have done this, but yeah maybe I'm not as silly giddy as some others, because I'm a little concerned about how this move might upset the harmony of the team. 

Considering all that, it does appear to be a good trade for the Bombers, for this year anyway. But a bold and maybe risky one for the future as well. We'll see how it all unfolds.

Quote from: TBURGESS on June 24, 2026, 03:12:22 PMI'm happy to have Brown as our #2 QB, but let's not make him into something he isn't. He was the worst starting QB in the league last year and lost his job to Jake Maier this year. He's like a lot of backups who, when they get their chance, don't live up to the hype.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 24, 2026, 02:52:01 PMWell...anyone think Zach is capable of winning a GC this season?  Will he get better next season?  If not what's the point of sticking with him for another year as his skills deteriorate? 

As for Elgersma, at some point in the next 2-3 seasons he has to demonstrate he's a better option than Dru Brown if he wants the starting QB job, hopefully O'Shea comprehends the days of Zach will soon be over and and provides him with the opportunity to play, which is questionable he would unless injury intervenes. Elgersma either accepts the challenge with patience or he goes back to the NFL to stand in line forever or discovers the joy of finding a job in the real world, he has little choice.

Quote from: TBURGESS on June 24, 2026, 03:12:22 PMI'm happy to have Brown as our #2 QB, but let's not make him into something he isn't. He was the worst starting QB in the league last year and lost his job to Jake Maier this year. He's like a lot of backups who, when they get their chance, don't live up to the hype.

Quote from: TBURGESS on June 24, 2026, 03:12:22 PMI'm happy to have Brown as our #2 QB, but let's not make him into something he isn't. He was the worst starting QB in the league last year and lost his job to Jake Maier this year. He's like a lot of backups who, when they get their chance, don't live up to the hype.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 24, 2026, 05:09:15 PMHe may have been "the worst" QB in the league, but was his team/coaching better than anyone in the league?

This is an enigma for me, Perkins vs. Brown.  Elgersma is here to stay, QB3 until he moves up.  But QB2... Perkins has more "pedigree" but far less 3 down experience.  Does he accept a PR spot?  We have no idea Perkins upside.  He's done all that he has been asked to.  Will that continue?

I'm not unhappy with the QB room of Zach, Dru and Taylor.  Perkins probably came here thinking he could fight for Zach's job. If released, he would probably get picked up elsewhere and be able to fight for a spot, but with no where near the chance of getting a starters job that would have been ahead of him when he originally signed here.  Having Taylor inserted into the room, and now Dru, his prospects have unfortunately really dropped.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 24, 2026, 02:52:01 PMWell...anyone think Zach is capable of winning a GC this season?  Will he get better next season?  If not what's the point of sticking with him for another year as his skills deteriorate? 

Quote from: Waffler on June 24, 2026, 02:27:24 PMPerkins is odd man out. 3rd down is easiest to replace by far.

Quote from: CrazyCanuck89 on June 24, 2026, 01:06:43 PMWho cares?  Other teams have gone with rookie backups in the past.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 24, 2026, 12:54:14 PMTeams must have had some sort of budget to add 2 players to the RR but few seem to be using it yet. That " budget " will come into play now.

Quote from: Tecno on June 25, 2026, 03:07:50 AMI don't get that impression.  The fact half the teams are using 0 or 1 RR spot only means that it's just added SMS baggage that draws away from the money you can actually put on the field.

If there was a separate league-mandated RR "budget" or "minimum" we probably would have heard about it.

Now, I think the league should mandate both RR spots be filled.  Otherwise, what's the point??  I had thought when I first heard about it that the RR was going to be mandated to be full -- because otherwise it's just a glorified 1GIR.  League could easily say: 2 RR spots must be filled and minimum spend for each spot is ELC.  After all, we all do want the CFL to have bigger rosters.

Now, because 1GIR's do tend to be filled more towards mid/late season, maybe we'll finally see them getting used that way.

Why there isn't a mandate to fill the RR is strange to say the least.

Maybe someone can do a quick survey of the RR usage to see if it's mostly being used right now for nicked guys (in place of 1G) or if it's truly for guys who are just that 1 step away from making the AR.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 25, 2026, 03:12:47 AMYou can't potentially add 2 more players to the roster ( full pay ) without some accommodation in the budget planning.

Quote from: Tecno on June 25, 2026, 03:36:20 AMUh, they've upped SMS by like $600k over the last 2-ish seasons (total)... there's your accommodation.

Quote from: Tecno on June 25, 2026, 03:36:20 AMUh, they've upped SMS by like $600k over the last 2-ish seasons (total)... there's your accommodation.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 25, 2026, 02:24:05 PMI was trying to find out what Maier's winnig percentage was off the hop, I kinda remembered he went something like 10 wins without a loss or some such stat, but I can't find that...

But his Wiki page showed something I didn't know....

"Calgary Stampeders
Dan Hawkins, Maier's head coach at UC Davis, mentioned to Maier that he could potentially flourish in the Canadian Football League. Following Maier's 2017 season at UC Davis, Hawkins reached out to Ryan Dinwiddie,[3] who had played quarterback for Hawkins at Boise State University from 2001 to 2003, and had been on Hawkins' coaching staff with the Montreal Alouettes in 2013.[4] Hawkins told Dinwiddie, who was coaching quarterbacks with the Calgary Stampeders at the time, "you'd better put this kid on your [negotiation] list cause he's legit. He's got the 'it' factor. He has what I call the 'rage to master.'"[3] The Stampeders added Maier to their negotiation list in 2018.[3]

On May 5, 2020, after completing his college career, Maier signed with the Calgary Stampeders.[5] However, he did not play that year due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season."

So there's the link, plain as day.

As for Dru coming to WPG, sounds like Zach had a lot to do with it, he said Dru is his best friend.

One of Elgersma or Perkins ends up with the short stick, one of them has some trade value.  I'm not saying either are going to be starters in this league tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised if either gets there.

Both are under contract next year at least, and I have no doubt that this will be Zach's last year on the field (might take a move upstairs).  Dru, Taylor, Bryce is not a bad QB room for 2027.

Quote from: Pete on June 25, 2026, 02:02:45 PMIt appears than short of Kelly, Rourke and Davis, Dinwiddie prefers a contol, game manager type of qb. Brown isn't that he fits more in The gunslinger mode. mode which is more suited to Condell

Quote from: Pete on June 25, 2026, 02:02:45 PMIt appears than short of Kelly, Rourke and Davis, Dinwiddie prefers a contol, game manager type of qb. Brown isn't that he fits more in The gunslinger mode. mode which is more suited to Condell

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 25, 2026, 04:22:17 PMI think that was Arbuckle in Calgary, he set high expectations.

Quote from: Pete on June 25, 2026, 02:02:45 PMIt appears than short of Kelly, Rourke and Davis, Dinwiddie prefers a contol, game manager type of qb. Brown isn't that he fits more in The gunslinger mode. mode which is more suited to Condell

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 25, 2026, 01:24:02 PMYou can't possibly think that teams won't have some sort of plan on how they will use that reserve.

Quote from: Tecno on June 26, 2026, 07:34:49 AMYa.  Maier never lit anything up.  And never looked good anywhere.  He's like early-years Cody, had Cody never "got better".  Maier is more like Dom Davis: he won a few here and there, and looked like he could maybe have a future.  But then splat.

Quote from: Tecno on June 26, 2026, 07:37:57 AMWasn't the RR foisted on teams pretty late in FA?  It may be like the '25 $400k fiasco: teams didn't have enough time to factor it in properly.

I think RR was purely reactionary to combat the fake 1GIR overusage by everyone in '25.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 26, 2026, 05:22:15 PMIf memory serves, Maier looked good enough to move on from Mitchell...

Quote from: theaardvark on June 26, 2026, 05:22:15 PMIf memory serves, Maier looked good enough to move on from Mitchell...

Quote from: theaardvark on June 26, 2026, 06:41:36 PMOr, does TE13 have trade value?

Quote from: Tecno on June 27, 2026, 06:38:37 AMCrazy talk. Until we find out we have a clinker, elgersma's the heir apparent. Though it might take 1 to 3 seasons of dev.

Dru is here to help us survive if Zach gets hurt. Right now. Who knows what the idea is for next season. But if Zach retires and we can't get a superstar in fa then dru becomes a decent number 1.

I think ideally we keep the same lineup, all 4, for 2027. Don't know dru's contact situation though, and he left because he didn't want to backup. Maybe we can tell him sweet lies about being number 1...

Then when the time comes if elgersma is Rourke he becomes number 1. If not, dru takes it over and we wait on elgersma or go to fa.

Either way I think we're in a good qb position for the next 2 to 3 seasons.

Quote from: theaardvark on June 27, 2026, 02:29:55 PMDru is signed through this year, Byrce and Taylor through at least 2027 barring NFL looks.

We'd have to sign Dru to keep the QB room the same.  Unless another team is desperate, if Zach wants to play in 27, I think he will bring Dru back into the room with the anticipation of Dru taking over in 28.

Now, if either Perkins or Elgersma makes some amazing strides forward, they could displace Dru.  I don't think we end up with DB3, BP9 and TE13 as a QB room in 29, though...

Quote from: theaardvark on June 26, 2026, 06:41:36 PMOK, where has the debate settled on the QB room?

QB1 - ZC8, of course

QB2 - DB3

QB3 - BP9 (for short yardage)

RR - TE13

Does that sound right?  Sending TE13 to the PR null and voids his contract, which means we lose all control on him going forward, so he has to either be RR or IR.  And its not like he's breaking the bank.

Makes the transition to next year and ZC8 retiring easier for all involved, he can feel good about leaving the Bombers in the hands of his best friend, BP9 and TE13 are under contract at reasonable rates.  Dru can then be signed to low side of starting salary, with incentives.

If ZC8 wants to play one more year, DB3 could be signed to a similar deal he has now, with a bump for 2028 to starters pay, and we do another year with 4 QBs.

Does that sound about right?

Or, does TE13 have trade value?

Quote from: theaardvark on June 27, 2026, 02:29:55 PMDru is signed through this year, Byrce and Taylor through at least 2027 barring NFL looks.

We'd have to sign Dru to keep the QB room the same.

Quote from: Doublezero on June 27, 2026, 02:56:24 PMHow could Elgersma make any progress as fourth string QB? He will never see the field if that is his status.

Quote from: Waffler on June 27, 2026, 03:17:53 PMThe ONLY thing that makes sense is Perkins as odd man out.  I see Perkins as having no chance of ever starting. He is clearly #3 in practices.  No one is going to pick him up. When we have an injury then he comes back. If we play games with Elgersma we will lose him and he is never coming back.

Quote from: Tecno on June 28, 2026, 07:28:07 AMThat changes things a bit.  We won't tie up big $ on a stacked QB room with "2 #1's" -- it's not the Mafia way.

So we have two different views of the situation going on:

Mafia perspective:
1. Dru is a cheap rest-of-season rental and maybe the best insurance that was a realistic possibility. 
2. Dru is in-house should Zach get injured or retire before '27.  That means we have our foot in the door for a bid on him starting in '27 -- should we want that because Elgersma isn't ready.

Dru perspective:
A. Says he will only play where he wants to start.  There is no starting job anywhere right now.  So he accepts the backup role, why?  Because he has to.
B. He knows Zach has 50/50 chance of missing 2-4 games and Dru will be the starter.
C. He knows if he lights it up in relief and Zach retires then he's probably the starter.  Even if he never sees the field in '26 he's a strong contender to be starter in '27 because there may literally be no one else for WPG in FA.
D. He'll feel far more valued and respected in WPG.

It's win-win for everyone in 2026 (except our 2 1RDP cost).  The issues start in FA27.  Only if no one else wants Dru to start will he be available as a backup.  And as a backup he'll probably be the most expensive one in the league.  We won't pay a backup more than $175-ish.  Other teams value backups more and will outbid us -- unless we start him.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 28, 2026, 06:24:35 PMMiss the playoffs and big changes will be made, if Zach comes back at all in 2027 it should be at half his contract value, which would be enough to pay for Dru Brown.  A purge of the remaining old timers would likely take place

Quote from: Waffler on June 29, 2026, 02:45:39 PMI just don't see 4 QB's here. Not enough reps for #4. Even 3 barely gets any as it is.

Quote from: Jesse on June 29, 2026, 02:56:36 PMThere are always 4 QBs. 3 on the AR and 1 on the PR.

Most "reps" in practice are in drills where all the QBs get equal reps and time. Same thing in film review.

If you're talking about scrimmage reps. Elgersma was extremely fortunate to get all the #2 reps in TC and preseason as a rookie, but now it's time for him to take the mental reps and fight his way up the depth chart, imo.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 29, 2026, 03:30:44 PMDon't always have a 4th QB on the PR.

I wonder whether Brown is our # 3 QB this week or remains on the RR? It's almost moot because it's too early for him to have a good read on the playbook if Collaros gets injured and Perkins is doing well on short yardage.

As far as SMS it costs us the same since I don't expect us to release Perkins.

We don't practice today but I am waiting to see if we have a small airlift of 1 -3 players for the PR. To some degree that will clarify whether we have new injuries headed to IR.

I'm still of the opinion we should be considering Teuhema to bring onto the PR or even activated if Ceresna can't play.

Quote from: Tecno on June 29, 2026, 12:46:39 PMChanges, true.  But "oldster purge" might not be what you expect/want.  "Mafia way" is to keep the smartest vets around well into the best-before date to teach up the noobs and direct traffic.  Well, on D and OL at least (REC, not so much).

I would expect at any given moment Mafia will keep at least 2 uber-vets on D.  I can't imagine they'd do a blanket purge of, say, "everyone over 32" on D.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 29, 2026, 03:30:44 PMI'm still of the opinion we should be considering Teuhema to bring onto the PR or even activated if Ceresna can't play.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 29, 2026, 03:30:44 PMWe don't practice today but I am waiting to see if we have a small airlift of 1 -3 players for the PR. To some degree that will clarify whether we have new injuries headed to IR.

Quote from: Tecno on June 30, 2026, 02:30:39 AMWhat does that even mean?  It's shameful, really.  The team is awful.  We may not even beat OTT, given what they showed vs MTL.  And so it's sitting on the dock with margaritas again??

I don't care about CFLPA/league rules, everyone should be in the barn practicing, lifting, and film-studying.  No one is going to get better sitting on their duff.

Every unit should be taking it upon themselves to meet in private, on their "own time", figuring out how to get better.  Is no one taking things seriously??

P.S. The official practice rules in the CFL are a joke now.  Even MOS is pseudo-scoffing at them in pressers.  Paraphrasing: "no one can get better because there's almost zero padded practice allowed, and no tackling allowed, and practices are so short & limited".

Quote from: Jesse on June 30, 2026, 02:34:05 AMYeah, I don't think not practicing today has anything to do with league rules. It's the team giving the players an extra day of rest. Which they often do.

Quote from: Jesse on June 29, 2026, 02:56:36 PMThere are always 4 QBs. 3 on the AR and 1 on the PR.

Most "reps" in practice are in drills where all the QBs get equal reps and time. Same thing in film review.

If you're talking about scrimmage reps. Elgersma was extremely fortunate to get all the #2 reps in TC and preseason as a rookie, but now it's time for him to take the mental reps and fight his way up the depth chart, imo.

Quote from: Tecno on June 30, 2026, 02:45:01 AMAnd that very well may be the problem.

I never hear about other teams giving the players extra rest and days off when rules say they can practice.

In fact, the last HC that made a big deal of this is Dickenson The Lesser who, instead of practicing when SSK stunk, took the boys bowling.  It became a running joke on the Riders forum.  It really miffed fans, so much so that that is when many cancelled their ST, never to return.

Quote from: Jesse on June 30, 2026, 11:23:03 AMThere's always an ongoing debate between rest vs. practice. I don't think there's a right or a wrong answer, it's a coaches job to understand what the majority of his team needs. During the bye week, they took the bare minimum amount of days off, but after the game, they clearly got an extra day. Most likely because injuries were starting to pile up.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 29, 2026, 05:30:20 PMWith so many players in injury limbo I don't see them bringing in extra bodies for the PR unless there's a dire shortage, just makes it more difficult to sort out when players return to health and it's too early for new tryouts.  It actually might be the case at DT as none of the new guys have the bulk to play that role.  Saw Jenkins trying to hold the line on a goal line stand and he got bulldozed, he probably shouldn't be on the field in that situation. Ottawa found a beauty in Ageli, 6'-0" 300 lbs, he looks wider than he is tall.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 30, 2026, 02:30:40 PMInjury limbo. That's the catch. We don't know if or when any of the injured players will return.  Schmekel is the only DT on the IR with some weight.

Dixon is a DE and injured. Jenkins is a DE and playing. Nobody else is available on our PR besides Kornelson, another Canadian DT.

Just for the record, IMO it doesn't take a lot of time for a rookie DT to get up to speed compared to most other positions.

Someone mentioned that we didn't want to give Teuhema a negotiating advantage by disclosing an injury to Ceresna. We don't know Ceresna will miss time but if we contact Teuhema, wouldn't he be aware of that situation. Generally I don't think a free agent has much negotiating room in any case.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 30, 2026, 01:01:25 PMThere is a league restriction on the number of practices during the week. Bombers play again Sunday, so I think we see a Tue, Wed and Thurs practice this week.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 30, 2026, 04:00:30 PMI doubt these guys work 40 hour weeks, I guess it depends what is considered practice time, but meeting in a class room every day for 3-4 hours to watch film shouldn't increase their injury risk.  Receiving mandated days off from work every week must be nice so they can catch up on their nap time. I'd like to join that union!

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 30, 2026, 03:51:44 PMI believe Kornelson is healthy, if Ceresna can't play he's the obvious choice, we'll find out soon enough.  That would be an option that allows them to further experiment with the ratio on defence, say at 2nd Safety, although healthy bodies all around seem to be lacking to do so.  At least when they used the 6 game as prescribed we had a clue as to who they thought was seriously damaged.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 30, 2026, 02:30:40 PMSomeone mentioned that we didn't want to give Teuhema a negotiating advantage by disclosing an injury to Ceresna. We don't know Ceresna will miss time but if we contact Teuhema, wouldn't he be aware of that situation. Generally I don't think a free agent has much negotiating room in any case.

Quote from: Blue In BC on June 30, 2026, 01:01:25 PMThere is a league restriction on the number of practices during the week.

Quote from: Tecno on July 01, 2026, 04:48:12 AMThey do when they are quality!  Teuhema isn't the best, but he is quality.  Look at when Lemon (and Sankey?) was team shopping.  You just wait for injuries to pile up, knowing most teams are short at many positions and starting a rookie isn't necessarily going to help you win.  Then you name your price (pro-rated of course).

If I was a quality couch-sitter, that's what I'd do!  And you get to sit on the couch until you get that call!  What's not to love.

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 01, 2026, 01:10:29 PMAnd yet he hasn't been signed by any team yet.

Quote from: Tecno on July 01, 2026, 01:12:44 PMWhich proves my point, not yours. He's telling suitors the price is steep.

No one is desperate enough yet. But they will be.

Quote from: theaardvark on July 01, 2026, 08:22:43 PMMOS mentioned that last week they had a "day off" yet everyone was in the film room... 

As to Dru's relationships, it is no doubt about Dinwiddie.  Dru was the starter, and Dinwiddie brought in Maier (his "discovery" in CGY) and anointed him the starter.  If that doesn't strain a relationship, you aren't human.

Dru and Zach are best friends, and he'd much rather back up Zach than Maier.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 01, 2026, 09:45:16 PMHonestly not a good look on Dru's part telling Dinwiddie he wanted to be released, how many vet QB's have been demoted, traded or cut and taken their lumps as part of the job?  Nearly every one except Rourke and Alexander.  Don't think Dinwiddie saw that response coming as he had no intention of cutting Brown after paying him a pre-season bonus. As GM he dodged a bullet when Walters offered him draft picks to take him off his hands.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 01, 2026, 09:45:16 PMHonestly not a good look on Dru's part telling Dinwiddie he wanted to be released, how many vet QB's have been demoted, traded or cut and taken their lumps as part of the job?  Nearly every one except Rourke and Alexander.  Don't think Dinwiddie saw that response coming as he had no intention of cutting Brown after paying him a pre-season bonus. As GM he dodged a bullet when Walters offered him draft picks to take him off his hands.

Quote from: theaardvark on July 02, 2026, 12:22:53 AMWanting to be released when you are clearly the better QB, especially in the department Dinwiddie calls you out on, is not a bad sign in my book.  It shows he doesn't stand for being disrespected, which Dinwiddie did.

This was not a case of being demoted over his quality of play, or acquiring a much better QB, and "taking his lumps" is in no way what taking the demotion would be.

He is a fighter, and no doubt he thought he'd have a chance to fight for his spot in OTT.  But it quickly became apparent that he had no chance of winning the spot, regardless his or Maier's play.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 01, 2026, 09:45:16 PMHonestly not a good look on Dru's part telling Dinwiddie he wanted to be released, how many vet QB's have been demoted, traded or cut and taken their lumps as part of the job?  Nearly every one except Rourke and Alexander.  Don't think Dinwiddie saw that response coming as he had no intention of cutting Brown after paying him a pre-season bonus. As GM he dodged a bullet when Walters offered him draft picks to take him off his hands.

Quote from: dd on July 01, 2026, 10:18:00 PMAgree. MOS said in his interview that Brown had a high emotional intelligence...really?? He pouted like a punk when he got demoted, something someone with a low emotional intelligence would do. VAJ didn't do that when they brought in Rourke, Fajardo didn't do that when he was demoted first in Sask and then Montreal. This was not a good look for Dru Brown. The way he played in 2025 he deserved to be benched, but anyone with an ounce of brains knows Maier is going to crap out in Ottawa, so wait your turn--your opportunity to start was better in Ottawa than it is in Winnipeg, but somehow he's happy he's here. We're a marginally better team than Ottawa, still the bottom half of the league and unless there's an injury, you ain't seeing the field. We'll see how long Maier last in Ottawa, MBT will be in after the next 2 or 3 more losses. You can't go 0-7 and still stay with the same guy at Qb

Quote from: Blueforlife on July 02, 2026, 01:04:56 AMDinwiddie telling lies to save his job.  Saying Maiers arm is > Dru on deep ball was laughable.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 02, 2026, 12:59:01 AMDinwiddie's words came after the fact, he was just filling the air with plausible reasons to explain what transpired, none of them are necessarily true

Quote from: dd on July 01, 2026, 10:18:00 PMAgree. MOS said in his interview that Brown had a high emotional intelligence...really?? He pouted like a punk when he got demoted, something someone with a low emotional intelligence would do.

Quote from: dd on July 01, 2026, 10:18:00 PMso wait your turn--your opportunity to start was better in Ottawa than it is in Winnipeg

Quote from: theaardvark on July 01, 2026, 08:22:43 PMMOS mentioned that last week they had a "day off" yet everyone was in the film room... 

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 01, 2026, 09:45:16 PMHonestly not a good look on Dru's part telling Dinwiddie he wanted to be released

Quote from: TBURGESS on July 01, 2026, 01:46:26 PMTechno... I don't think you know what the word "proof" means. You use it when you mean "example" and when you mean a point in favour of your conjecture.

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 01, 2026, 01:37:38 PMI don't think it does and neither does a comparison between Lemon and Sankey who were top performers.

How do you know he's telling suitors the price is steep and who are the suitors if no one is desperate?

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 01, 2026, 01:37:38 PMMost teams have other DL on their PR. Bombers seemed to drop the ball for TC after signing Ceresna without finding depth behind him. Same problem at DE.

Quote from: markf on July 02, 2026, 03:37:31 PMMy impression of Dinwiddie is that he can be pretty crusty.

With the Argos, he publicly said things about his active players, that were just insulting. Whether or not the comments were accurate, why do that in public? What's gained? *** covering maybe.

Successful so far, but He seems pretty unpleasant... the interview I saw in which he attempted to justify trading Dru,was quite awkward.

I'm going with Dru on whatever differences there may be.

Quote from: Tecno on July 02, 2026, 05:28:22 AMHe specifically said arm strength.  I won't argue that Maier can put a lot of heat on short balls -- he probably does have more zip.  But Dru has a far prettier deep ball, kind of lack Zach.  Real beautiful passes & touch.  If it's up to pure distance, I bet Dru out-throws Maier.

That said, this season is being won (so far) by the QBs that can zip in heaters on short passes in tight zone windows.  Maier might be better suited to that.

Quote from: Pete on July 02, 2026, 04:44:14 AMIm glad to see Dru here. The negativity is all based on only one guys narrative.. Dinwiddie.
The same guy whose inventing things to justify his decisions.
Pretty classless to put down the guy you traded when all he had to say was Dru wasn't a good fit for the schemes he wants to run

Quote from: dd on July 02, 2026, 02:45:49 AMBrown turned the ball over way too much last year and dinwiddie decided to go in another direction. It's not a good look when a player quits on a team, shows no integrity

Quote from: Tecno on July 02, 2026, 05:55:09 AMBecause many teams are starting IMPs who are way less experienced and talented than Teuhema.  Why would you do that when you can have a solid middling guy available like Teuhema?  Cost.  So if Teuhema was ELC (say), he'd be hired.  He's not hired, so he's asking "too much".

If they say tomorrow Ceresna is season-ended with ACL or something... what are the odds we sign a couch vet, maybe Teuhema?  Basically 99%.  Other teams, depth or not, may be in that boat if their superstar gets season-ended.  And there's also the window Lemon got signed in -- the "stacking your team for playoff run" time of year.

Quote from: Tecno on July 02, 2026, 05:42:52 AMNo, he took the demotion perfectly well, and tried to befriend and help out Maier.  The "pouting" only happened when it was garbage time and Dinwiddie put in Mr. No-name rookie instead of his expensive #2 -- Dru.

That might be the worst sign of disrespect for a backup QB, especially who used to start.  That's Dinwiddie saying "we don't want you here, you have no role".

It was probably on purpose.  a) Force Dru to ask for his release to more easily get him out of there, b) to clear up the SMS, c) for the QB you really want (MBT), and... a big one maybe no one thought of...

What if he put Dru in for a couple of series in garbage time and Dru lights it up.  That would be disaster for Dinwiddie!  That would have fans/press/pundits clamoring for Dru to be starting.  "Why isn't Dru who is clearly better not starting", "Dinwiddie is destroying this team, making the wrong decisions".  Dinwiddie cares about his rep and his choices and his future control of and direction for the team more than winning right now.

Nope.  Zach goes down for multiple quarters and 1-5 games every season -- especially lately.  Dru is basically guaranteed to start this season.  Not be "the starter", but still start.

Maier is a mule that never misses a game, never gets hurt, because he never runs (maybe 2 runs in 3 years, including the one in the last game?), and he never waits to pass when a hit is coming in.  So Dru is not starting due to Maier injury.  And Dinwiddie was never going to switch from Maier to Dru, because once he made that inane choice, he was stuck with Maier -- to save face.  The team wouldn't respect him if he said in 5 games "I was wrong, Dru is our starter".  And Dinwiddie is all about team respect and control.

Nope, pretty clear Dinwiddie decided in the off-season Dru wasn't going to play and planned the best way to get rid of him.  And he pulled it off masterfully, stealing 1-2 1RDPs from us to get what he wanted all along: MBT.  Now he'll work on getting Kelly.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 02, 2026, 05:48:34 PMGood point about Maier's durability, Brown has struggled to stay healthy the last few seasons and seems rather injury prone, it could be Dinwiddie saw him as a more reliable backup rather than a starter, which he may have deduced from his time as a Bomber. We don't know what criteria was used to make the decision, but we do know Brown would have gotten his chance to play sooner or later if Maier under performed and continued to lose games.  I watched the RB's lose to the Als on the weekend as expected, I wouldn't point the finger at Maier as the cause of that loss.

It's not likely it was a long devious plan to get rid of Brown after they agreed to pay him a bonus a few months earlier, the opportunity to delete him was readily available on that day. After Brown asked for his release Dinwiddie stated they weren't about to accommodate his request, the only way out was to suspend him or trade him away.

Quote from: markf on July 02, 2026, 08:31:39 PMHere's a video of the helmet to helmet that caused one of Dru's injuries.

Max penalty and fine to the guy that hit him in the face with the crown of his helmet.

I think he was injured one other time while in Ottawa.

https://youtube.com/shorts/rpxlHnUYT3M?is=mMAF3tuf7odEIX4X

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 02, 2026, 05:48:34 PMI watched the RB's lose to the Als on the weekend as expected, I wouldn't point the finger at Maier as the cause of that loss.

It's not likely it was a long devious plan to get rid of Brown after they agreed to pay him a bonus a few months earlier, the opportunity to delete him was readily available on that day. After Brown asked for his release Dinwiddie stated they weren't about to accommodate his request, the only way out was to suspend him or trade him away.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 02, 2026, 08:43:47 PMYah, that's really bad, a 25 yd. penalty as punishment is a joke. I think it was last year a Bomber defender was also penalized for hitting him in the helmet, but I can't recall who it was.

Quote from: Tecno on July 02, 2026, 11:43:22 PMSure, Maier didn't "lose" the game... but ask yourself, if Kelly was their QB, might they have won?  Dynamic QBs change the entire team.  Look at TOR with Arbuckle last year vs them with Kelly this year.

And yes, they could have already known they weren't starting Dru when paying his bonus... thinking they could trade him away.  Think about it this way: TOR essentially just bought 1-2 1RDPs for about $175k.  Most teams would take that deal in a heartbeat!  Especially if it's a throwaway "rebuild" season.

Or, just as likely, they hadn't decided on who their guy was and had a competitive camp.  Only after camp they decided Dru wasn't good.  And again, they sold his rights for 1-2 1RDPs.

There's really no way Dinwiddie loses here.

Quote from: Tecno on July 02, 2026, 11:45:29 PMRight, Aards.  And if Maier sucks and he switches to MBT, he can say he wanted MBT all along but couldn't until he shed Dru.

Quote from: theaardvark on July 04, 2026, 04:59:10 PMMBT was available when he signed Maier, so that kinda invalidates this concept...

He could have cut Dru and signed both Maier and MBT and not spent the $150 roster bonus, effectively paying for MBT for free.

Quote from: Tecno on July 05, 2026, 12:07:59 AMThat's easy: he didn't know Dru was useless (in his eyes) until he worked with him through a TC.  Dinwiddie had never worked with Dru before.  Maybe on TV Dru looks like someone he can work with, but when you actually get on the field with him you find out you can't.

And the point isn't whether he's right or lying or whatever, the point is Dinwiddie can get away with that narrative -- he won't lose face, or lose the respect of his team or fans.

If I had to guess, I'd say he sees that Dru can be effective on the field and is fairly smart, but what he didn't know until he did TC was that Dru is like Kimi Raikonen: he's an even keel with zero fire.  He'll hype up the guys even less than Zach does.

Quote from: theaardvark on July 05, 2026, 12:57:11 AMHow many games did Dinwiddie coach AGAINST Dru?  How much time did he have in the film room.  Its not like he was an unknown before TC.

Quote from: Tecno on July 05, 2026, 01:05:50 AMAnd yet there remains the sticky problem of there being no other explanation for why he paid the $150k bonus rather than cutting the QB he never wanted...

He's not stupid.  So what could another explanation be?  Was it WPG wasn't interested in the trade until we saw Elgersma wasn't starting this year??  And Dinwiddie was playing the long game betting we'd be calling in-season and willing to give up our 1RDP's for the foreseeable future?

I give Dinwiddie a lot of credit as a highbrain... but that might be a bridge too far.

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 05, 2026, 01:57:29 AMHave you ever played competitive sports?  Nobody involved in football or hockey is what you would call high-brained, they're blood spitting knuckle draggers of low intellect.  LaPo is as close as you'd get to being a brain scientist.

Quote from: Tecno on July 05, 2026, 07:44:15 AMNo comment on the premise... I don't want to get in trouble, not do I want to upset all the jocks here.  :o

But there are varying levels of intelligence in the CFL; yes, probably with Lapo and Condell types at the top.  But you don't have to be Einstein to be "highbrained" enough to think up winning football.  You just have to be better than the opponent.

As for Dinwiddie: he's an ex-QB, and those are most often the smartest guys on the field.  That's why they are QB.  After seeing what Dinwiddie did to us in the GC with a masterful plan & prep with useless Arbuckle, I have no doubt he's a highbrain.

Quote from: Blueforlife on July 07, 2026, 02:37:33 AMThose that said we should have waited to pay a lower price for Dru got the micro on turbo defrost.  We are looking like geniuses now.

Quote from: Tecno on July 07, 2026, 02:42:07 AMStill not a sure thing.  The main thing we've accomplished, serendipitously, is we've kept HAM from acquiring Dru.  Assuming they aren't happy with the somewhat expensive Ford/Dolegala room as it is.

If we can actually use Dru (now or next year) then it's a good move, or if we ream HAM for more DPs than we had to pay in a trade, then it's a great move!

Quote from: Pete on July 07, 2026, 02:50:47 AMIm more confident in Dru doing that than our other qbs.

Quote from: Tecno on July 07, 2026, 02:55:03 AMTotally.  But what if Zach's IR stints are all front-loaded this year and in 5 weeks when Dru is "ready" with the book Zach goes on an injury-free streak the rest of the season?  It's possible.  Good insurance to have, but it's like dying with new life insurance during the probationary/no-payout period.

And I cite the "5 weeks" number because I think it was 5-6 weeks from the Zach trade to him starting our last reg season game.  No reason why this wouldn't be similar.

Quote from: bunker on July 07, 2026, 03:03:37 AMIt was 19 days. And Zach had never worked with LaPolice before as an OC.