Off Season Player Signings - Teams Other than the Bombers

[Sir Blue and Gold]

His body of work and highlight reel from last year will get him serious looks. 

As to the DUI, he was upfront, contrite and his team accepted him back without question.  In a league with players like Antonio Brown, a DUI will hardly stop a player being signed.

I really think we will see him in the NFL next year, and for a couple years.  He has the size and skills, and has developed before our eyes these last 2 years into the best in the league.  There is no reason he can't get a gig and stick in the NFL.  He's not the player he was 2 years ago...

Sucks, really... but I think we are going to lose 3 or 4 to the NFL this year... when was the last time that happened to a team, let alone the entire league.

We'll see but I doubt it. Antonio was an established NFL superstar with a friend in Tom Brady. Kenny Lawler is none of those things.

[3rdand1.5]

Hard to keep up, so sorry if this is not correct....but Reilly is not signed..rumoured to be retiring, BO re-signed in the 400ish mark so the big ticket guys have seen a big value reduction. With Dane re-upping in the 300's Adams at low 400's, Arbuckle in the mid 200's, Ott if they stick with Matty one would assume his deal would be low (200's maybe 300's with heavy play bonuses), if they go with Massoli his value should be par with Dane I would assume...if he decided to get vaxxed... That really takes out the most most experienced guys, would BC stick with Rourke, if so he would be on a low contract, who would T.O go with, but probably a lesser "star" so chances are also a lower contract. If true that Fajardo is due to be over 500 for 2022 then Sask. is overpaying based on everyone else...but the real question is what is Zach worth? 450 with bonuses that could take him over 500?

Biggie and Simoni are the top LB's in the league, I believe Simoni is at around 150, so what is Biggie worth 165-175?

[Blue In BC]

Hard to keep up, so sorry if this is not correct....but Reilly is not signed..rumoured to be retiring, BO re-signed in the 400ish mark so the big ticket guys have seen a big value reduction. With Dane re-upping in the 300's Adams at low 400's, Arbuckle in the mid 200's, Ott if they stick with Matty one would assume his deal would be low (200's maybe 300's with heavy play bonuses), if they go with Massoli his value should be par with Dane I would assume...if he decided to get vaxxed... That really takes out the most most experienced guys, would BC stick with Rourke, if so he would be on a low contract, who would T.O go with, but probably a lesser "star" so chances are also a lower contract. If true that Fajardo is due to be over 500 for 2022 then Sask. is overpaying based on everyone else...but the real question is what is Zach worth? 450 with bonuses that could take him over 500?

Biggie and Simoni are the top LB's in the league, I believe Simoni is at around 150, so what is Biggie worth 165-175?

Reilly doesn't show on the free agent list but word in Vancouver is a belief he may retire. Nothing is written in stone except perhaps his current contract being an issue going forward.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Biggie and Simoni are the top LB's in the league, I believe Simoni is at around 150, so what is Biggie worth 165-175?

I heard in an interview Bighill is hoping to play 4 more years, possible I suppose but at age 33 a bit of a stretch.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ti-Cats choose Dane Evans.

Tiger-Cats extend Dane Evans through 2023

https://www.tsn.ca/1.1744924.1642039458

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Dave Naylor
@TSNDaveNaylor
No specifics on Dane Evans deal with the @Ticats but I?m led to believe it?s in the high-300k/low-400k range plus playtime incentive bonuses. So not elite CFL QB $, but just below. The Cats can?t pay Jeremiah Masoli as well. #CFL #Ticats
6:21 PM ? Jan 12, 2022

[Jesse]

Reilly doesn't show on the free agent list but word in Vancouver is a belief he may retire. Nothing is written in stone except perhaps his current contract being an issue going forward.

Reilly is not a Free Agent, but I've read that the Lions probably don't want to keep him at his current salary - even after restructuring.

Can't imagine it's going to sit well with Reilly to re-do his contract again.

[ichabod_crane]

Reilly doesn't show on the free agent list but word in Vancouver is a belief he may retire. Nothing is written in stone except perhaps his current contract being an issue going forward.

Bo renegotiated the last year of his contract. He did not re-sign on an expiring contract. Same goes for Reilly. He has one year left on his bloated contract. So either he re-negotiates down like Bo did, retire or risk being let go.

Again like so many QB's before him, you mess up your throwing arm your career end is in the mirror sooner that you hoped. He can be the warrior all he wants (similar to how Buck Pierce was), but if you are getting clobbered with a poor offensive line and constantly knicked up, you can't play at the top level you once were and not earning your contract. 

Is Masoli unvaxxed due to personal choice or other health issues (if this is even true)? If the latter he can get an exemption. IF the former, then he has to decide if he still wants a CFL career or not as these COVID restrictions I doubt are going away anytime soon, at least for the upcoming CFL season most likely the way it looks. Many teams already stating the won't sign any players not vaxxed unless you have a special exemption.

Masoli will maybe have more than Ottawa to bid on him. If Reilly is gonzo, BC certainly in the mix. Chris Jones maybe does not like his two QB's as they were brought in by the former regime. Toronto may move on from Bethel-Thompson too. Lots of cards on the table to play still. I am pretty sure Collaros will get re-signed by the Bombers, but if something unforeseen happens they could be looking at Masoli too.

Trevor Harris is somewhat like Kevin Glenn at the end of his career. A journeyman. I don't see any team banking on him as a starter (unless desperate) at his age despite what he states he can play for another 5 years yet. Think he has to accept being a 1B or backup QB at this stage.

Nichols....is he washed up? Can he even be a decent backup anymore?

Eli in the same boat. Don't think he has an exemption as otherwise he would have been able to be on the roster for the Grey Cup game. Masoli was lucky in that he did not have to travel out of Ontario come December.

[ichabod_crane]

Reilly is not a Free Agent, but I've read that the Lions probably don't want to keep him at his current salary - even after restructuring.

Can't imagine it's going to sit well with Reilly to re-do his contract again.

What does he expect? Sucks for 3 years straight and expects to still make his original money? Very suspect health condition now too. His arm may be shot for good.  If BC was smart try to trade him if anyone else would be foolish to take on that contract or cut him already unless he accepts retirement. How else to pay Lucky and field a decent team under the cap? Something has to give.

[blue_gold_84]

I think Lawler landing an NFL spot is a bit of a longshot. It could happen I suppose. He's got the height but he's 27, was already looked at once (drafted in the 7th round) and has a recent DUI which the NFL won't like one bit. There are a ton of good receivers available down there and that's a position that is notoriously hard for CFL players to crack.

I'm inclined to agree. I think the odds are against him when you consider his age and position. However, I'd love to see him beat the odds, just to be clear. It'd be a nice story.

We'll see but I doubt it. Antonio was an established NFL superstar with a friend in Tom Brady. Kenny Lawler is none of those things.

This. Imagine comparing Antonio Brown and Kenny Lawler...

[Jesse]

Collaros has been well protected behind our Oline, and with our OC's play calling.  As long as we sign most of our Oline to keep him safe and comfortable, and Buck can assure him to continue to playcall to keep him safer, I can't see us not getting Collaros back at a reasonable salary.  It might be the highest in the league, and he would deserve it.  Having won MOP last year, kinda says he's the best in the league... and deserving of the pay along with the accolades.  But, I think, he also wants assurances he is going to be protected, so unless a team comes up with some stellar Oline signings, if Bryant extends, I think Collaros is right behind...

The wild card is Ott.  Lapo has big "Hut HUT" Bob Wylie there, who light attracts and train up a good oline... although Lapo / Wylie's crew gave up 53 sacks last year vs. our 16... how much of that was Oline and how much was QB, hard to tell.  Regardless, Zach needs to be protected, and he won't find better protection than here, especially if Stanley signs soon...

Wylie actually isn't on their staff anymore.

Paul Charbonneau is taking over.

[GCn19]

What does he expect? Sucks for 3 years straight and expects to still make his original money? Very suspect health condition now too. His arm may be shot for good.  If BC was smart try to trade him if anyone else would be foolish to take on that contract or cut him already unless he accepts retirement. How else to pay Lucky and field a decent team under the cap? Something has to give.

I really think Reilly will retire. His body language last year just screamed I'm done and I think I know it. He looked to me like a guy who had just come to the realization that I can't do what I used to be able to do.

[theaardvark]

I'm inclined to agree. I think the odds are against him when you consider his age and position. However, I'd love to see him beat the odds, just to be clear. It'd be a nice story.

This. Imagine comparing Antonio Brown and Kenny Lawler...

Not comparing them talent wise, but commenting that the NFL has a passion against domestic abuse, but doesn't seem to be too concerned with minor charges like a DUI where no one was hurt...

[theaardvark]

Wylie actually isn't on their staff anymore.

Paul Charbonneau is taking over.

Slow with their website updates...

https://www.ottawaredblacks.com/coaching-staff/

Coaching Staff

Paul LaPolice
Head Coach

Mike Benevides
Defensive Coordinator

Patrick Bourgon
Linebackers Coach

Bob Dyce
Special Teams Coordinator

Carey Bailey
Carey Bailey
Defensive Line Coach

Bob Wylie
Offensive Line Coach

Alex Suber
Receivers Coach

Greg Knox
Defensive Backs Coach

Steve Walsh
Quarterbacks Coach


Charboneau was his understudy here, too... so, sort of a Mini Hut HUT...

[blue_gold_84]

Not comparing them talent wise, but commenting that the NFL has a passion against domestic abuse, but doesn't seem to be too concerned with minor charges like a DUI where no one was hurt...

Why compare them at all?