Free Agency - February 8th, 2022 - Blue Bomber Discusssion/Signings

[Blue In BC]

Seems to becoming more and more the case. Maybe he has some Attitude problem?

It does make you wonder. OTOH if he becomes available I'd be interested to see the Bombers inquire what's the deal. SMS hit could be too high but if he's going to be released / traded that could be part of the new negotiation.

From a skill point of view he'd be preferable to Prukop or Brown in theory.

[theaardvark]

Looks like Jones might just have to cut Arbuckle... sounds like Jones has had some feelers out to Kaeperninck and there might be interest in a one year deal to prove he's still got it.

Would be interesting for sure...

[Pete]

I could see BC making a deal for Arbuckle, its a good story having 2 canadian qbs but i think Arbuckle would give them a better chance.

[TecnoGenius]

Currently the Bombers have signed 5 rookie import receivers. I'd expect another 8 or so by TC since we lost : Adams, Lawler, Nelson and Grant.

Where is Grant??  FA Tracker says --crickets--.  I can't imagine we aren't signing him and no one else wants him??

Are we really going to ditch him, what, just because he has fumblitis once in a while still?  Ok, so maybe he's been disappointing as a receiver / ball carrier as well.  But many teams have a returner-only DI, it's a feasible option.

But if we ditched Nelson too, we're back to "no returner" limbo again, like we've been so many times in the past.  Or do we still have Cooper, who doesn't inspire gobs of confidence.

[Blue In BC]

Where is Grant??  FA Tracker says --crickets--.  I can't imagine we aren't signing him and no one else wants him??

Are we really going to ditch him, what, just because he has fumblitis once in a while still?  Ok, so maybe he's been disappointing as a receiver / ball carrier as well.  But many teams have a returner-only DI, it's a feasible option.

But if we ditched Nelson too, we're back to "no returner" limbo again, like we've been so many times in the past.  Or do we still have Cooper, who doesn't inspire gobs of confidence.

I don't think Grant had ball control issues. I only remember about 3 in 2 seasons. I don't think we ditched him. Ball was in his court? He may be holding out for an NFL opportunity and that might be clarified after the NFL draft etc. He may return to the CFL although it may not be with the Bombers. How big a raise does he want if he returns.

I also wouldn't say he was a disappointment as a receiver or ball carrier. Small sample size and teams tend to let their returner just focus on that very important role. Losing receivers this year I would have expected him to be looked at more as a receiver. That assumes we could replace him as well as a returner in order to do that. Last thing we needed would be to have Cooper or McKnight as the best option as returners while Grant became a starting receiver.

Cooper is no longer with the team. Signed in Vancouver I believe.

Nelson would have been a safe bet to return as a contingency Plan B but no doubt he got a bit of a bump in salary moving elsewhere.

[TecnoGenius]

I don't think Grant had ball control issues. I only remember about 3 in 2 seasons. I don't think we ditched him. Ball was in his court? He may be holding out for an NFL opportunity and that might be clarified after the NFL draft etc. He may return to the CFL although it may not be with the Bombers. How big a raise does he want if he returns.

I also wouldn't say he was a disappointment as a receiver or ball carrier. Small sample size and teams tend to let their returner just focus on that very important role. Losing receivers this year I would have expected him to be looked at more as a receiver. That assumes we could replace him as well as a returner in order to do that. Last thing we needed would be to have Cooper or McKnight as the best option as returners while Grant became a starting receiver.

Cooper is no longer with the team. Signed in Vancouver I believe.

Nelson would have been a safe bet to return as a contingency Plan B but no doubt he got a bit of a bump in salary moving elsewhere.

Grant was well-known in the NFL as a fumbler, that's why he came up north.  It may have only been 3-4 fumbles in WPG, but he picks the very worst times, like fumbling in the '21 GC in Q1.  If we aren't making him an offer he likes, this is likely the cause.  You see how MOS told Grant to just run for the sideline on every return after that?  BLM even noted it.  MOS not happy.  Point is, he hasn't fixed the problem yet.

Receiver/carrier "small sample size" is precisely because he disappointed.  We tried him on sweeps a few times and maybe 1-2 passes down the rail and they all resulted in nothing, from my memory.  He also fumbled that initial sweep in the '19 GC (luckily we kept the ball) and that had MOS keep him off the O for the entire rest of game.

I think Nelson blew his make or break year and we're not interested unless we get into desperation mode.

I say all this as both a Grant & Nelson fan.  I think Grant is worth the odd fumble.  But not for massive money.  I'd let Nelson walk: I'm not sure he gets signed anywhere.  If Cooper's gone then we are back to hoping a rookie returner shines.

[Blue In BC]

Grant was well-known in the NFL as a fumbler, that's why he came up north.  It may have only been 3-4 fumbles in WPG, but he picks the very worst times, like fumbling in the '21 GC in Q1.  If we aren't making him an offer he likes, this is likely the cause.  You see how MOS told Grant to just run for the sideline on every return after that?  BLM even noted it.  MOS not happy.  Point is, he hasn't fixed the problem yet.

Receiver/carrier "small sample size" is precisely because he disappointed.  We tried him on sweeps a few times and maybe 1-2 passes down the rail and they all resulted in nothing, from my memory.  He also fumbled that initial sweep in the '19 GC (luckily we kept the ball) and that had MOS keep him off the O for the entire rest of game.

I think Nelson blew his make or break year and we're not interested unless we get into desperation mode.

I say all this as both a Grant & Nelson fan.  I think Grant is worth the odd fumble.  But not for massive money.  I'd let Nelson walk: I'm not sure he gets signed anywhere.  If Cooper's gone then we are back to hoping a rookie returner shines.

When is a fumble ever at a good time?

You have no idea whether the Bombers offered him a contract or not. Neither do I.  Nobody suggested he should be offered massive money.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Funny thing is we had Whitehead, who was definitely a fan favourite who could play the receivers role and return kicks and we let him walk.    He then became one of BC's primary receivers.    Nelson never really impressed me and Grant albeit a legitimate threat to score, has a problem holding on to the ball.   

Going into the new season without proven kickers or returners puts a BIG question mark on our special teams status.    Without Castillo or Medlock we don't win either of those last two Cups so we'd better hope our scouting comes up big for us in both categories.   I'm not banking on either Mourtada or Legghio to come through but then again one of them just might prove me wrong..