Blue Bombers roster - 2022-2023

[Blue In BC]

Out of all new comers who could be the new Dee Alford or Dalton Schoen? Could the scouts go 3 for 3 for finding true diamonds in the rough as a rookie American? Always exciting.

No real idea who it will be. However I think it will be on the defensive side of the roster. Team looks very good on offence. It's not that the defence looks bad but depth is a little thinner and starters are a little older. So we may find a player that starts as a DI and moves towards becoming more prominent as the season progresses.

[Blue In BC]

Looks like we still will have about 30 more players to sign based on Walters earlier comments. Should start seeing waves of those soon with rookie camp only 3 weeks away.

Roster may not be totally accurate yet, however:

1. DB's 27
2. DL 10
3. LB's 11
4. OL 13
5. WR's 15

Total number of players about 84 of which 29 are Canadians. In theory we'll draft 9 Canadians and 3 global players. That leaves possibly 12 - 18 import rookies that might yet be added?

I expect to see another dozen or so receivers added. 2-4 more OL and possibly a similar number of DL.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Bighill receives some well earned admiration.

"How was he not starting in the NFL??: Nathan Rourke, Luke Willson bond over Adam Bighill's "dominance"

https://3downnation.com/2023/04/13/how-was-he-not-starting-in-the-nfl-nathan-rourke-luke-willson-bond-over-adam-bighills-dominance/

[Blue In BC]

Article on CFL.CA shows 2023 salaries for top QB's. In the case of Collaros, half of his was paid from 2022 SMS. That was a great benefit to the 2023 SMS re-signings.

[pjrocksmb]

Article on CFL.CA shows 2023 salaries for top QB's. In the case of Collaros, half of his was paid from 2022 SMS. That was a great benefit to the 2023 SMS re-signings.

Interesting

[TecnoGenius]

Article on CFL.CA shows 2023 salaries for top QB's. In the case of Collaros, half of his was paid from 2022 SMS. That was a great benefit to the 2023 SMS re-signings.

Link or title?  Can't find it on cursory search of cfl.ca home page.

If Collaros 2023 was half paid from 2022 then KW is a genius; and we may have extra space this year to grab any surprise drops or returning NFLers.

[ModAdmin]

Transactions - cfl.ca

2023-04-17   WPG   OROZCO, Marc       K   A   Grambling State   Add To   Active Roster
2023-04-17   WPG   IVY, Christopher   OL   A   Tulsa   Add To   Active Roster

https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/3140526/marc-orozco

https://tulsahurricane.com/sports/football/roster/chris-ivy-jr-/8018

[Blue In BC]

Link or title?  Can't find it on cursory search of cfl.ca home page.

If Collaros 2023 was half paid from 2022 then KW is a genius; and we may have extra space this year to grab any surprise drops or returning NFLers.

Actually it was on 3rd down but I thought it was on CFL.CA  I interpret the signing bonus in October 2022 as paid from the 2022 SMS. I suppose I could be incorrect that signing and bonus could be at different times. However it could explain how we had cash to re-sign nearly all our vets.

It's normal for teams to use up remaining SMS to re-sign players prior to free agency. The amount for Collaros is unusual but not against the rules when using remaining SMS.

https://3downnation.com/2023/04/17/the-cfls-15-highest-paid-quarterbacks-for-2023-season/

[gobombersgo]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign OL Christopher Ivy and K Marc Orozco

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed former Tulsa offensive lineman Christopher Ivy and former Grambling State kicker Marc Orozco on Monday.

Christopher Ivy is six foot three and weighs 296 pounds. The 26-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, played two games for the Tulsa Oilers of the Indoor Football League. Collegiately, Ivy played three seasons at Tulsa (2016-18). He played 36 games for the Golden Hurricanes. His first two seasons were on special teams before playing the 2018 season at left tackle in his senior season.

Before Tulsa, Ivy was a two-year letter winner and starter at Wichita Heights High School. Ivy started two years at left tackle, helping Wichita advance to the state quarterfinals twice, all while earning a spot on the Kansas Football Coaches Association (KFCA) All-State team.

In addition, he earned an honorable mention for All-City merits during his junior season and was First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-City as a senior.

Marc Orozco is five foot nine and weighs 170 pounds. The 27-year-old from Denton, Texas, played one game for the Empire with three duces. Orozco played two seasons with the Albany Empire of the National Arena League.

In 2022, Orozco won three special teams' Player of the Week awards. He attempted two field goals and made ten duces for the Empire.

Collegiately, Orozco played four seasons at Grambling State (2014-18) making 55 of 70 field goals (78.6%) with 184 of 190 extra points made (96.8%) for 349 points, and 12 punts for 523 yards. Orozco was named All-SWAC First Team, BOXTOROW All-American, and earned STATS FC All-American in 2017.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2023/04/17/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-ol-christopher-ivy-and-k-marc-orozco/

[gobombersgo]

The CFL's 15 highest-paid quarterbacks for the 2023 season
By Justin Dunk - April 17, 2023

1) Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $600,000
Maximum value: $600,000

The CFL's two-time reigning Most Outstanding Player will be the league's highest-paid player again in 2023, earning the full value of his contract in hard money. Collaros had a $300,000 signing bonus allocated for this year to sign a three-year extension with Winnipeg in October 2022.

2) Bo Levi Mitchell, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $502,000
Maximum value: $520,000

3) Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $500,000
Maximum value: $500,000

4) Jeremiah Masoli, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $425,000
Maximum value: $433,000

5) Jake Maier, Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $405,000
Maximum value: $447,000

6) Taylor Cornelius, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $392,000
Maximum value: $432,000

7) Cody Fajardo, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $371,000
Maximum value: $425,000

8 ) Vernon Adams Jr., B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $285,000
Maximum value: $350,000

9) Nick Arbuckle, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $130,000
Maximum value: $229,000

10) Matthew Shiltz, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $125,000
Maximum value: $205,000

11) Dane Evans, B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $94,000
Maximum value: $151,000

12) Caleb Evans, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $90,000
Maximum value: $364,700

13) Dominique Davis, B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $90,000
Maximum value: $143,000

14) Chad Kelly, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $87,000
Maximum value: $248,000

15) Dru Brown, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $82,000
Maximum value: $97,000

The Oklahoma State product has a $75,000 base salary with $7,000 in housing money and will collect $500 each time he plays more than 51 percent of Winnipeg's offensive plays in a game.

https://3downnation.com/2023/04/17/the-cfls-15-highest-paid-quarterbacks-for-2023-season/

[gobombersgo]

The CFL's 15 highest-paid running backs and fullbacks for the 2023 season
By John Hodge - April 18, 2023

Running backs
1) William Stanback, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $160,000
Maximum value: $170,000

2) Andrew Harris, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $145,000
Maximum value: $160,000

3) Ka'Deem Carey, Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $137,000
Maximum value: $145,500

4) James Butler, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $116,000
Maximum value: $133,000

5) Kevin Brown, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $113,000
Maximum value: $121,000

6) A.J. Ouellette, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $111,000
Maximum value: $123,000

7) Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $114,000

The Winnipeg native is coming off his first career 1,000-yard season and entering the second year of the contract extension he signed last year. Now that the 25-year-old has established himself as an every-game starter, he should be due for a raise following the upcoming season.

8 ) Jamal Morrow, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $99,000
Maximum value: $110,000

9) Jeshrun Antwi, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $95,000
Maximum money: $117,000

10) Sean Thomas-Erlington, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)

Hard money: $94,000
Maximum value: $118,000

11) Jackson Bennett, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $123,000

12) Walter Fletcher, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $99,000

13) Johnny Augustine, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

Hard money: $91,000
Maximum value: $120,000

The Guelph product will earn an $8,000 bonus the first time he makes the active roster this season and an additional $750 each time he plays more than 51 percent of Winnipeg's offensive snaps in a game. He will also earn $1,000 if he eclipses the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2023.

14) Ante Milanovic-Litre, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $89,000
Maximum value: $112,000

15) Kienan LaFrance, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Hard money: $89,000
Maximum value: $102,000

Fullbacks
1) David Mackie, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $109,000
Maximum value: $128,000

2) Marco Dubois, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $119,000

3) Alexandre Gagne, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $95,000
Maximum value: $116,000

4) Mike Miller, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

Hard money: $95,000
Maximum value: $95,000

The CFL's all-time leader in special teams tackles got a $6,200 signing bonus to return to Winnipeg for a sixth season with the team. The rest of his deal will be paid out in the form of a salary, housing money, and travel allowance.

5) James Tuck, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $96,000

https://3downnation.com/2023/04/18/the-cfls-15-highest-paid-running-back-and-fullbacks-for-the-2023-season/

[NewBlue]

How is Montreal paying 600K to 3 RB's & 2 FB's?  Depth is great, but hat seems like some wasted $$

[gobombersgo]

The CFL's 20 highest-paid receivers for the 2023 season
By John Hodge - April 19, 2023

1) Eugene Lewis, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $320,000
Maximum value: $320,000

2) Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $250,000
Maximum value: $258,000

The 28-year-old received a $125,000 signing bonus to return to Winnipeg in free agency after being named a CFL all-star as a member of the team in 2021. Lawler made $305,000 as a member of the Edmonton Elks this past season, catching 58 passes for 894 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.

3) Steven Dunbar Jr., Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $200,000
Maximum value: $206,000

4) Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $200,000
Maximum value: $200,000

5) Tim White, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $187,000
Maximum value: $220,000

6) DaVaris Daniels, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $180,000
Maximum value: $180,000

7) Reggie Begelton, Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $175,000
Maximum value: $181,000

8 ) Duke Williams, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $175,000
Maximum value: $180,000

9) Nic Demski, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (N)

Hard money: $175,000
Maximum value: $175,000

The 29-year-old received a $35,000 signing bonus to ink a three-year extension with his hometown team through 2025 with the value of the deal rising in each respective year. The rest of his earnings for 2023 will be paid in the form of a $140,000 salary.

10) Dominique Rhymes, B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $173,000
Maximum value: $193,000

11) Kaion Julien-Grant, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $165,000
Maximum value: $171,000

12) Lucky Whitehead, B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $159,000
Maximum value: $174,000

13) Brayden Lenius, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Hard money: $152,000
Maximum value: $152,000

14) Greg Ellingson, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $149,000
Maximum value: $155,000

15) Jake Wieneke, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $146,000
Maximum value: $162,000

16) Bralon Addison, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $145,000
Maximum value: $151,000

17) Dillon Mitchell, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $143,000
Maximum value: $150,000

18) Malik Henry, Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $141,000
Maximum value: $182,000

19) Jaelon Acklin, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $196,000

20) Nate Behar, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $137,000
Maximum value: $157,000

https://3downnation.com/2023/04/19/the-cfls-20-highest-paid-receivers-for-the-2023-season/

[TecnoGenius]

11) Kaion Julien-Grant, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $165,000
Maximum value: $171,000

This is insane.  Complete nutters-ville.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

This is insane.  Complete nutters-ville.

I don't think so, he's going to be a good one and he's still on his upside, many higher paid receivers are past their prime and are on their downside.  Best deal Malik Henry, worst Eugene Lewis.