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

[Blue In BC]

We've been told he is going to Free Agency. He's going to hear all his options and play us against each other before making a decision.

That potential 300k could be part of the delay in other negotiations.

Everybody will know during the allowed tampering period what his offers will be. If he doesn't get a big offer, does he risk needing to take a cut? It's a two way street or should be at the very least.

[Jesse]

Everybody will know during the allowed tampering period what his offers will be. If he doesn't get a big offer, does he risk needing to take a cut? It's a two way street or should be at the very least.

It should be a two-way street. But I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think he won't get high offers.

[Blue In BC]

It should be a two-way street. But I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think he won't get high offers.

We'll see. Not every team will be willing to spend $$$$$$ on a RB or will need help with their ratio. As I pointed out, several teams are pass oriented like the Lions, Als and Stamps. There are only 9 teams and not every team will have significant interest IMO. There are a lot of other talented potential free agents besides RB's to consider for each team both on their rosters and that might reach free agency.

I understand every player wanting to maximize their earnings. He's said he wants to play with a championship team. I understand that as well. Which concept rules in his mind, money or chance of " winning ".

Football is a business. I'm ok if he chooses to leave for more money. I'm not in favour of paying $300K for any player except a QB. I've pointed out that he was very well paid and that no other team came close to paying their RB better.

We'll see how things go in the tampering week but I'm not in favour of upping our offer to match elsewhere. Decide what our offer will be and if chooses to leave, so be it.

I'd go so far as suggesting our offer drops by $25K if he doesn't sign before tampering week. Yes it's a risk but it's a risk for both sides. Like I said, it's business and the team has to be ready to " attract " other choices in that week where tampering is allowed. Those offers are guaranteed so you snooze and you lose while waiting for commitments. Tampering offers are locked in and you need to know what SMS is available to make those offers.

Otherwise you're being held hostage in that sense. Players may turn down more or even accept less for a particular situation.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We'll see. Not every team will be willing to spend $$$$$$ on a RB or will need help with their ratio. As I pointed out, several teams are pass oriented like the Lions, Als and Stamps. There are only 9 teams and not every team will have significant interest IMO. There are a lot of other talented potential free agents besides RB's to consider for each team both on their rosters and that might reach free agency.

I understand every player wanting to maximize their earnings. He's said he wants to play with a championship team. I understand that as well. Which concept rules in his mind, money or chance of " winning ".

Football is a business. I'm ok if he chooses to leave for more money. I'm not in favour of paying $300K for any player except a QB. I've pointed out that he was very well paid and that no other team came close to paying their RB better.

We'll see how things go in the tampering week but I'm not in favour of upping our offer to match elsewhere. Decide what our offer will be and if chooses to leave, so be it.

I'd go so far as suggesting our offer drops by $25K if he doesn't sign before tampering week. Yes it's a risk but it's a risk for both sides. Like I said, it's business and the team has to be ready to " attract " other choices in that week where tampering is allowed. Those offers are guaranteed so you snooze and you lose while waiting for commitments. Tampering offers are locked in and you need to know what SMS is available to make those offers.

Otherwise you're being held hostage in that sense. Players may turn down more or even accept less for a particular situation.

Jumping ship trying to land on a championship team is a huge gamble, chances are he chooses wrong and ends up on a team that misses the playoffs.  Realistically his best chance is with the club that took him to the GC 5 times.

[Blue In BC]

Jumping ship trying to land on a championship team is a huge gamble, chances are he chooses wrong and ends up on a team that misses the playoffs.  Realistically his best chance is with the club that took him to the GC 5 times.

Sure. I think if he leaves he leaves for money and I'm fine with that. Losing top players for money is the nature of sport. Teams always have to make tough decisions across the roster in SMS spending.

There may be some other top Canadian players available on OL or receiver for example. We may decide to make an offer in the tampering window. That's more difficult to do if you are " holding back " SMS for another player that may choose to leave.

It's not like any team can make 1 or 2 offers @ $275K-$300K while in limbo on their own free agents.  A team must essentially know what money is available to make bigger bids in that time frame.