Remaining Blue Bomber Free Agents as of January 9, 2023

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Wild that the second drafted Ford got the first NFL sniff... did either of the Philpot twins get any tryouts?

Not really. The NFL puts very little (zero) stock in where CFL teams draft players. NFL teams just look at his testing numbers (which were crazy good), age, height and weight and decided he was worth a look.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Good question.  The less-injured Philpot certainly showed some great flashes, and over far more games than Ford.

The Philpots did not put down the numbers Ford did in testing, NFL interest is based solely on his measurables, not on CFL game play.

[theaardvark]

The combine numbers that Ford put up were in a Buffalo camp... did his brother, or any other NATs participate in those kinds of camps?

[the paw]

The combine numbers that Ford put up were in a Buffalo camp... did his brother, or any other NATs participate in those kinds of camps?

They attended the U of Buffalo pro day.  6 players were from U of Buffalo, and another 8 were from Buffalo area colleges.  There were 4 Ontario USport players invited: the two Fords, Federico from Queens, and Deionte Knight from Western.

I think the Canadian invites are from geographically close campuses and done as a courtesy to pro scouts, to make their time more efficient.  When you have a blue chipper like Duvernay-Tardif, he has the pull to hold a one man pro day.

[ModAdmin]

There are rumours - repeat rumours - out there that suggest Demski is close to re-upping.

[ModAdmin]

2. Word is there are more free-agent signings in the hopper for the Blue Bombers, but as it currently stands the club still has 16 pending free agents.

https://www.bluebombers.com/?p=465170

[Blue In BC]

Another announcement would be nice. Doesn't seem to be a whole lot of players getting new deals quickly across the CFL. IIRC the potential free agent list was about 250 and of those 50 have been dealt with one way or another.

The list is smaller than last year. I'd expect perhaps 50 of those players to change teams or retire. So there is work to be done by each team. We're in a decent position but have something like 8 starters undecided. Need to sort that out before free agency hits. The team probably knows where they stand on each player.

[DM83]

Demski would fit into a lot of receiving corps down south.  He's just a good football player.
Shoen would be a third down specialist, just not sure he would be as elusive on the smaller field.

[gobombersgo]

Four players have been signed off the list from Jan 9th. Only a few must haves remaining:

Quarterback
Dakota Prukop (A)

Running back
None

Fullback
None

Receiver
Rasheed Bailey (A)
Nic Demski (N)
Greg Ellingson (A)
Janarion Grant (A)

Offensive line
Michael Couture (N)

Defensive line
Keion Adams (A)
Casey Sayles (A)

Linebacker
Jesse Briggs (N)
Les Maruo (G)

Defensive back
Alden Darby (A)
Mercy Maston (A)
Nick Taylor (A)

Kicker
None

Long snapper
None

[bwiser]

Four players have been signed off the list from Jan 9th. Only a few must haves remaining:

Quarterback
Dakota Prukop (A)

Running back
None

Fullback
None

Receiver
Rasheed Bailey (A)
Nic Demski (N)
Greg Ellingson (A)
Janarion Grant (A)

Offensive line
Michael Couture (N)

Defensive line
Keion Adams (A)
Casey Sayles (A)

Linebacker
Jesse Briggs (N)
Les Maruo (G)

Defensive back
Alden Darby (A)
Mercy Maston (A)
Nick Taylor (A)

Kicker
None

Long snapper
None

Of the players remaining to be signed I would say Prukop, Demski and Grant are the biggest priorities. There are others I would like to see signed but may not be room include Bailey, Taylor and Sayles. I have a feeling the Bombers are going to let Couture walk. Matson and Taylor are coming off serious injuries and the Bombers may move on both of them. I don't see Ellingson returning.

[Jesse]

Really want those receivers and Darby back.

Seems like Bailey and Darby are going to walk though.

[TecnoGenius]

Matson and Taylor are coming off serious injuries and the Bombers may move on both of them. I don't see Ellingson returning.

Our D was far weaker without Taylor.  It's his first big injury and I would think we give him another chance, even though he is getting older.  Maston is one of my faves, but he's had 2 big injuries in 2 years, getting older too, and we seem to be much better at finding SAM talent, so we might move on.  It seems unfair to Maston, but we might not have much choice.  Maybe we let him come to TC, and who knows...

Maston was the best of our very recent SAMs though.  In the last 10 years at SAM I'd put #1 Moe Leggett, and #2 Maston, #3 Darby.  Could Maston play another DB position?

Never forget, Taylor and Maston's arrival in 2019 was pivotal in pushing us over the edge into champion caliber.  We owe both a lot.

[Pigskin]

Darby, would be another very nice signing for the Bombers. He is so versatile. And another player that can stay healthy.   

[CrazyCanuck89]

Our D was far weaker without Taylor.  It's his first big injury and I would think we give him another chance, even though he is getting older.  Maston is one of my faves, but he's had 2 big injuries in 2 years, getting older too, and we seem to be much better at finding SAM talent, so we might move on.  It seems unfair to Maston, but we might not have much choice.  Maybe we let him come to TC, and who knows...

Maston was the best of our very recent SAMs though.  In the last 10 years at SAM I'd put #1 Moe Leggett, and #2 Maston, #3 Darby.  Could Maston play another DB position?

Never forget, Taylor and Maston's arrival in 2019 was pivotal in pushing us over the edge into champion caliber.  We owe both a lot.

You guys looked good no matter who played SLB.  Good to see Kramdi get a start.  Was great to see rookie SLBs like Dalke and Makonzo get starts for their teams.

[Blue In BC]

Our D was far weaker without Taylor.  It's his first big injury and I would think we give him another chance, even though he is getting older.  Maston is one of my faves, but he's had 2 big injuries in 2 years, getting older too, and we seem to be much better at finding SAM talent, so we might move on.  It seems unfair to Maston, but we might not have much choice.  Maybe we let him come to TC, and who knows...

Maston was the best of our very recent SAMs though.  In the last 10 years at SAM I'd put #1 Moe Leggett, and #2 Maston, #3 Darby.  Could Maston play another DB position?

Never forget, Taylor and Maston's arrival in 2019 was pivotal in pushing us over the edge into champion caliber.  We owe both a lot.

I really like Taylor but he turns 35 in March. If his injury was an achilles he may not even be ready to participate by TC. I would rule him out but both those issues suggest he isn't re-signed. Lawrence, Parker and Holm are all expected back.