Kyle Walters

[ModAdmin]

We talk a lot about players, coaches, team records, Free Agency and the draft and rightly so.  When I look at the number of free agents we initially had in 2023 I am amazed at what has been accomplished in re-signing our core players (several to 2 and 3 year contracts) and bringing in one of the most sought-after players in the league.

It seems to me that we sometimes overlook the person who is probably the key to making this all this come together - that is Kyle Walters.

Just want to recognize him in all that is happening now and will happen during the CFL draft and player recruitment prior to training camp.  He has done a truly outstanding job in retaining key players, bringing in one of the stars of the league and giving this team a reasonable shot at competing for another Grey Cup appearance this season.

Still a long ways to go but well done Mr. Walters.

[pjrocksmb]

Key cog in the building of our dynasty

[Jesse]

Can't wait for the statue of MOS, Walters, and Miller.

[blue_or_die]

Yes, KW is the most important individual in our organization.

Fight me

[TBURGESS]

Walters is more important to our success than MOS & I'm tired of pretending otherwise.

[blue_gold_84]

Best GM in the league and it's not even close.

[the paw]

the think I like about Walters is the completeness of his GM game.  He drafts well, not only in the early rounds, but gets value in later rounds by picking dedicated special teamers rather than long shots.  His scouting team has done an excellent job in unearthing talent for the secondary. 

He is really solid at scrap-heapin' , or more delicately phrased, repurposing players.  Guys like Nick Taylor, Maston, Rose, Kolankowski, Miller have all extended their careers and hit their highest and best use here.  He has no reservations about going to free agency for key acquisitions, which we have seen over and over again:  Chris Randle, Bighill, Bryant, Lawler, Demski etc.

And lastly, he has shown the ability to make timely trades, and isn't scared to pull the trigger to make the deal.  Nichols and Collaros being two shining examples. 

[KINGCHARLES]

Walters is more important to our success than MOS & I'm tired of pretending otherwise.

IMO the entire Canadian Mafia is equally as important to one another... we have an amazing group of management and coaching and i wouldnt single out any specific person as mort important than the others.
Miller keeping Walters in charge is just as important as Walters and Miller keeping O'Shea as our Head Coach.
Walters and his assistant GM, scouts and operations staff has been doing a phenomenal job of always improving our roster and always finding new hidden gems.
O'Shea is an ultimate "players/team" coach. He will never throw any specific person under the bus, he will even put the blame on himself before blaming others and that helps with the team/family mentality the also helps recruit and retain players.
its very unfortunate that Ambroise put a coaches salary cap in place. Financially successful teams could dominate further on the field with high quality coaching staffs to keep continuity in place. (this is why teams like Edm and Calgary have Head Coaches with dual roles as GM's, because it helps pay them less as Head coach and helps give more money to assitant coaches)

[theaardvark]

Hand and glove.  Walters, no doubt, has been the most effective GM for a while.  But dismissing MOS's contributions is shortsighted.  Walters finds the diamonds in teh rough, and MOS polished them up and puts the edges on them.  Walters knows what MOS needs, and goes out and gets it.  They are a dynamic duo, but more like two Batmans than a Batman and a Robin.

The input side of the GM job is what everyone seems to focus on, and that is a big part, but guys like Buono and Huff have long been applauded for something KW seems to do very well, and that is not make mistakes with veteran players.  He seems to sign when he needs (and they are still capable), and allows them to leave if the price is too high, or the return might be in question.  But, every time he lets a player leave, e always seems to have a back up plan, many times with an even better player, at a very good price.

All facets of Mr. Walters game are on point.  And he does not seem to be influenced by whether his decision is popular, like with AH33.  He makes the decision that is in the best interest of the team.

So glad he didn't take the Guelph job yet.  It probably would have been a cushy job, but I don't think he's done with the CFL any time soon...  

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Walters is more important to our success than MOS & I'm tired of pretending otherwise.

I don't think you've ever pretended.

[GOLDMEMBER]

I don't think you've ever pretended.

No No he never has. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

All true, Walters is the best GM in the league by a country mile, so good Huff up and quit!

[ModAdmin]

IMO the entire Canadian Mafia is equally as important to one another... we have an amazing group of management and coaching and i wouldnt single out any specific person as mort important than the others.
Miller keeping Walters in charge is just as important as Walters and Miller keeping O'Shea as our Head Coach.
Walters and his assistant GM, scouts and operations staff has been doing a phenomenal job of always improving our roster and always finding new hidden gems.
O'Shea is an ultimate "players/team" coach. He will never throw any specific person under the bus, he will even put the blame on himself before blaming others and that helps with the team/family mentality the also helps recruit and retain players.
its very unfortunate that Ambroise put a coaches salary cap in place. Financially successful teams could dominate further on the field with high quality coaching staffs to keep continuity in place. (this is why teams like Edm and Calgary have Head Coaches with dual roles as GM's, because it helps pay them less as Head coach and helps give more money to assitant coaches)

You are correct the entire Blue Bomber team (coaches, GM, scouts, President, etc.) are all important and key pieces in bringing the team to where it is now.

The point I was making is that Walters is the person dealing with players and their agents to fit players under the cap and still pay them in a manner that keeps them with the team.  IMHO he did an admirable job in doing that this year and still be able to acquire a player like KL89.

[TecnoGenius]

He is really solid at scrap-heapin' , or more delicately phrased, repurposing players.  Guys like Nick Taylor, Maston, Rose, Kolankowski, Miller have all extended their careers and hit their highest and best use here.  He has no reservations about going to free agency for key acquisitions, which we have seen over and over again:  Chris Randle, Bighill, Bryant, Lawler, Demski etc.

And lastly, he has shown the ability to make timely trades, and isn't scared to pull the trigger to make the deal.  Nichols and Collaros being two shining examples. 

This.  "Scrap-heapin".  I've never seen a GM better at taking the "dregs" discarded by other teams, or sneakily trading for a potential all-star with an unsuspecting team thinking they are shedding hot garbage.

I guarantee you the whole Mafia (esp MOS, KW and McManus) have little notebooks they jot down lesser-known player names on other teams all season that stand out to them.  I'm positive that's how we got Maston, Taylor, etc.  Everyone can see that Willie J is a desirable player, but how many spotted Taylor?

[TecnoGenius]

All facets of Mr. Walters game are on point.  And he does not seem to be influenced by whether his decision is popular, like with AH33.  He makes the decision that is in the best interest of the team.

Yes, another strong trait.  The social pressure and "am I doing the right thing" doubt with the AH move must have been enormous.  I bet he lost a lot of sleep over it.  I remember that off-season he looked haggard in the pressers.  That took a lot of strength.

[TecnoGenius]

The point I was making is that Walters is the person dealing with players and their agents to fit players under the cap and still pay them in a manner that keeps them with the team.  IMHO he did an admirable job in doing that this year and still be able to acquire a player like KL89.

Admirable?  He did an inhuman job this year.  I have no idea how he's fitting it all in.

And now we find out that late last season he tried to get Kenny?  Wow, that's insanely astute of him, as Kenny probably would have pushed us over the edge for the GC win.

[KINGCHARLES]

Admirable?  He did an inhuman job this year.  I have no idea how he's fitting it all in.

And now we find out that late last season he tried to get Kenny?  Wow, that's insanely astute of him, as Kenny probably would have pushed us over the edge for the GC win.

Thing about "fitting people in" during the season is when players are placed on the 6 game IR they have 6 games worth of salary that doesn't count towards the cap....if you have 3-4+ starters that are all on the 6 game IR it makes it a lot easier to acquire a big name player near the trade deadline.

[TecnoGenius]

Now I'm curious why the Lawler trade didn't go through... I get we offered some decent-level DP(s) and Jones wanted someone like Neufeld instead.

Too bad for Jones: he could have had a decent DP for "free".  Lawler really didn't do squat for EDM down the stretch.

[Jesse]

Now I'm curious why the Lawler trade didn't go through... I get we offered some decent-level DP(s) and Jones wanted someone like Neufeld instead.

Too bad for Jones: he could have had a decent DP for "free".  Lawler really didn't do squat for EDM down the stretch.

Because he got injured.

[blue_gold_84]

Because he got injured.

I don't know how anyone could've missed this back in October. Lawler's season came to end due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

It was reported by Naylor in considerable detail. IIRC, it was around the same time the Bombers made the trade for Darby.

EDIT: https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/blue-bombers-deadline-move-for-kenny-lawler-scuttled-by-injury

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Admirable?  He did an inhuman job this year.  I have no idea how he's fitting it all in.

And now we find out that late last season he tried to get Kenny?  Wow, that's insanely astute of him, as Kenny probably would have pushed us over the edge for the GC win.

Two things I'll say about this:

1) Walters probably made the wrong call on letting Lawler leave to begin with. Last year $300,000 for top end receivers was too steep, this year it's the norm and Walters re-signing Lawler for that amount proves he was more or less wrong in his evaluation last off-season -- both in terms of market value and his contribution to the team.

2) I don't think that trying to trade for a player you let go in the off-season and then realized you needed is "insanely astute". It is more of a mea cupla, if anything.

Don't freak out, Walters is a great GM but the Lawler saga is actually one he got wrong in 2022 which he corrected in 2023. There's really no other way to slice that.

[Pigskin]

Two things I'll say about this:

1) Walters probably made the wrong call on letting Lawler leave to begin with. Last year $300,000 for top end receivers was too steep, this year it's the norm and Walters re-signing Lawler for that amount proves he was more or less wrong in his evaluation last off-season -- both in terms of market value and his contribution to the team.

2) I don't think that trying to trade for a player you let go in the off-season and then realized you needed is "insanely astute". It is more of a mea cupla, if anything.

Don't freak out, Walters is a great GM but the Lawler saga is actually one he got wrong in 2022 which he corrected in 2023. There's really no other way to slice that.

No, Walter's made the right decision to let him go.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Two things I'll say about this:

1) Walters probably made the wrong call on letting Lawler leave to begin with. Last year $300,000 for top end receivers was too steep, this year it's the norm and Walters re-signing Lawler for that amount proves he was more or less wrong in his evaluation last off-season -- both in terms of market value and his contribution to the team.

2) I don't think that trying to trade for a player you let go in the off-season and then realized you needed is "insanely astute". It is more of a mea cupla, if anything.

Don't freak out, Walters is a great GM but the Lawler saga is actually one he got wrong in 2022 which he corrected in 2023. There's really no other way to slice that.

$300K+ is not sustainable for top end receivers, it sets the bar too high for one individual working in a group dynamic.  What happens if Schoen has another fantastic year and leads the league in receiving, do they pay him $300K+ and cut Lawler, or do they let Schoen find his $300K+ contract elsewhere?  It would not be possible to pay both what you think they should earn without causing irreparable damage elsewhere.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

No, Walter's made the right decision to let him go.

Walters let him go instead of paying him $300,000. Then he tried to trade for him (because he's so effective in our offense) and would have given up assets to do so, had he not been hurt. Then he resigned him for very close to the same money he wouldn't pay a year ago and equal to that in 2024.

Again, Walters is a great GM but on Lawler he blundered a bit. Certainly you shouldn't suggest it was brilliant GMing. It wasn't.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

$300K+ is not sustainable for top end receivers, it sets the bar too high for one individual working in a group dynamic.  What happens if Schoen has another fantastic year and leads the league in receiving, do they pay him $300K+ and cut Lawler, or do they let Schoen find his $300K+ contract elsewhere?  It would not be possible to pay both what you think they should earn without causing irreparable damage elsewhere.

Well, Walters signed him for $300,000 for the 2024 season so...

[blue_gold_84]

Well, Walters signed him for $300,000 for the 2024 season so...

That doesn't really matter in 2023, though.

[Pete]

It's a totally different landscape this year. Last year  he was able to find a decent reciever for under$170k, this year a number recieved 200 k plus. Signing Lawler at 265 this year and 300 next is a good move.

[Pigskin]

Well, Walters signed him for $300,000 for the 2024 season so...

$260-$265K in 2023.  

[Jesse]

Walters let him go instead of paying him $300,000. Then he tried to trade for him (because he's so effective in our offense) and would have given up assets to do so, had he not been hurt. Then he resigned him for very close to the same money he wouldn't pay a year ago and equal to that in 2024.

Again, Walters is a great GM but on Lawler he blundered a bit. Certainly you shouldn't suggest it was brilliant GMing. It wasn't.

It's possible that there wasn't cap space last year to sign Lawler.

We had a ton of people on the 6-game in 2022, which enabled Walters to do some cap shenanigans at the end of the year to take stress off of some 2023 deals.

[theaardvark]

Two things I'll say about this:

1) Walters probably made the wrong call on letting Lawler leave to begin with. Last year $300,000 for top end receivers was too steep, this year it's the norm and Walters re-signing Lawler for that amount proves he was more or less wrong in his evaluation last off-season -- both in terms of market value and his contribution to the team.

2) I don't think that trying to trade for a player you let go in the off-season and then realized you needed is "insanely astute". It is more of a mea cupla, if anything.

Don't freak out, Walters is a great GM but the Lawler saga is actually one he got wrong in 2022 which he corrected in 2023. There's really no other way to slice that.

Walters signed him this year for 15% less than his last contract, with an option for next year at almost as much as he got last year.  With no guarantees, so if need be, we can walk from next year...

Great value signing...

Especially with the Lewis contract out there now...

[blue_gold_84]

It's possible that there wasn't cap space last year to sign Lawler.

We had a ton of people on the 6-game in 2022, which enabled Walters to do some cap shenanigans at the end of the year to take stress off of some 2023 deals.

This.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

It's definitely not a "value signing", Aardvark. Lawler is likely the number 2 paid receiver in the league. There is always "cap space" to sign players, Jesse. Cap allocation is a choice. We could have had Lawler last year and done without someone else. I think it's interesting that people thought $300,000 was crazy last year and pat Walters on the back for not signing him for that, but are incredibly happy we signed him for $265,000 and $300,000 in 2023 and 2024. If he is worth $300,000 as a 30-year-old in 2024, he was worth $300,000 as a 28-year-old in 2022.

Again, it was a miss. Walters isn't perfect nor does anyone expect him to be. We wouldn't have tried to trade for him if it wasn't.

[blue_or_die]

It's definitely not a "value signing", Aardvark. Lawler is likely the number 2 paid receiver in the league. There is always "cap space" to sign players, Jesse. Cap allocation is a choice. We could have had Lawler last year and done without someone else. I think it's interesting that people thought $300,000 was crazy last year and pat Walters on the back for not signing him for that, but are incredibly happy we signed him for $265,000 and $300,000 in 2023 and 2024. If he is worth $300,000 as a 30-year-old in 2024, he was worth $300,000 as a 28-year-old in 2022.

Again, it was a miss. Walters isn't perfect nor does anyone expect him to be. We wouldn't have tried to trade for him if it wasn't.

Two counterpoints:

1) It is possible for 300k to be above market value one year and 300k to be market value the next.

2) Going after a player you let walk at FA right before a cup run is not the same as admitting you were wrong about that player. It's just that: gearing up for a run and stacking talent when possible with what resources you've found yourself with at that time of year.

But to be fair, yeah, neither of those are examples of brilliant GMing...but they are competent moves, for sure.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Two counterpoints:

1) It is possible for 300k to be above market value one year and 300k to be market value the next.

2) Going after a player you let walk at FA right before a cup run is not the same as admitting you were wrong about that player. It's just that: gearing up for a run and stacking talent when possible with what resources you've found yourself with at that time of year.

But to be fair, yeah, neither of those are examples of brilliant GMing...but they are competent moves, for sure.

I agree with your points expect for your bolded point. Gearing up for a cup run is one thing, even though rentals aren't exactly common in football like other sports. But not only did he try and trade for him, he also signed him the following off season for pretty much the same money as he didn't sign him for last off season. That is pretty much the definition of admitting you were wrong about the player, the market and his value to the team.

Again, I'm not trying to make Walters out to be a bad GM. He's fantastic in virtually every measurement. But there's a lot of people here praising him and pointing out how great he was at handling this one, and in my books it can only be a miscalculation. Nothing catastrophic, but far from good and hilariously far from "insanely astute".

[Pigskin]

I agree with your points expect for your bolded point. Gearing up for a cup run is one thing, even though rentals aren't exactly common in football like other sports. But not only did he try and trade for him, he also signed him the following off season for pretty much the same money as he didn't sign him for last off season. That is pretty much the definition of admitting you were wrong about the player, the market and his value to the team.

Again, I'm not trying to make Walters out to be a bad GM. He's fantastic in virtually every measurement. But there's a lot of people here praising him and pointing out how great he was at handling this one, and in my books it can only be a miscalculation. Nothing catastrophic, but far from good and hilariously far from "insanely astute".

So far, it looks like your on an island by yourself. So far, most members believe $305K was to much for the Bombers last season.

[dd]

So far, it looks like your on an island by yourself. So far, most members believe $305K was to much for the Bombers last season.

2 things come to mind....I remember Lawler making 2 insane diving highlight reel catches in one game last year on long bomb passes that looked uncatchable, and then I think about the long pass Schoen dropped in the GC game. $305 was not too much to spend last year, as we would have had another GC with him in our lineup.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

So far, it looks like your on an island by yourself. So far, most members believe $305K was to much for the Bombers last season.

Why did you delete my post? Didn't like the logic or couldn't handle the grammar check? Abuse of power, no?

[Jesse]

It's definitely not a "value signing", Aardvark. Lawler is likely the number 2 paid receiver in the league. There is always "cap space" to sign players, Jesse. Cap allocation is a choice. We could have had Lawler last year and done without someone else. I think it's interesting that people thought $300,000 was crazy last year and pat Walters on the back for not signing him for that, but are incredibly happy we signed him for $265,000 and $300,000 in 2023 and 2024. If he is worth $300,000 as a 30-year-old in 2024, he was worth $300,000 as a 28-year-old in 2022.

Again, it was a miss. Walters isn't perfect nor does anyone expect him to be. We wouldn't have tried to trade for him if it wasn't.

I agree with you that saying Lawler is a "value" is ridiculous. That's just re-writing history and it is very common among fans right now.

I don't agree that there's "always cap space". We allocated our resources the way we did last year and it did not include Lawler - then we had multiple players added to the 6-game injured list which created space that would not have existed had those players stayed healthy. It is under these circumstances that we tried to trade for Lawler and signed him this year (at 265).

In order to keep Lawler in 2024 (at 300+), something will have to change. Either more injuries that create cap room, or higher salaries removed elsewhere on the roster.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I agree with you that saying Lawler is a "value" is ridiculous. That's just re-writing history and it is very common among fans right now.

I don't agree that there's "always cap space". We allocated our resources the way we did last year and it did not include Lawler - then we had multiple players added to the 6-game injured list which created space that would not have existed had those players stayed healthy. It is under these circumstances that we tried to trade for Lawler and signed him this year (at 265).

In order to keep Lawler in 2024 (at 300+), something will have to change. Either more injuries that create cap room, or higher salaries removed elsewhere on the roster.

Totally agree with you that something will have to change in 2024. Most likely the Bombers are planning for one or more of their big contract vets to retire (Bryant, etc.) which would free up the difference needed for Lawler. However, I think it's pretty obvious that in a league of one year (mostly non-guaranteed) contracts there is always cap space available, should it be deemed necessary. That is to say, it was a choice not to resign him in 2022 and also a choice to find room for him, however it was done, in 2023 (and 2024, presumably).

[blue_or_die]

I agree with your points expect for your bolded point. Gearing up for a cup run is one thing, even though rentals aren't exactly common in football like other sports. But not only did he try and trade for him, he also signed him the following off season for pretty much the same money as he didn't sign him for last off season. That is pretty much the definition of admitting you were wrong about the player, the market and his value to the team.

Again, I'm not trying to make Walters out to be a bad GM. He's fantastic in virtually every measurement. But there's a lot of people here praising him and pointing out how great he was at handling this one, and in my books it can only be a miscalculation. Nothing catastrophic, but far from good and hilariously far from "insanely astute".

Yeah but I'd go back to my first point in my prev post and say that (one of) the reasons we did that is because the market value of the elite class of receivers has crept over the course of the year. I think that's evident in the price overall this FA. Also, I believe there's talk of a new TV deal that GMs are expecting to bolster the cap and support these spending habits that even responsible guys like KW are finding themselves with

[theaardvark]

It's definitely not a "value signing", Aardvark. Lawler is likely the number 2 paid receiver in the league. There is always "cap space" to sign players, Jesse. Cap allocation is a choice. We could have had Lawler last year and done without someone else. I think it's interesting that people thought $300,000 was crazy last year and pat Walters on the back for not signing him for that, but are incredibly happy we signed him for $265,000 and $300,000 in 2023 and 2024. If he is worth $300,000 as a 30-year-old in 2024, he was worth $300,000 as a 28-year-old in 2022.

Again, it was a miss. Walters isn't perfect nor does anyone expect him to be. We wouldn't have tried to trade for him if it wasn't.

The reason to trade for him was injuries... and having cap space.

Signing him for $265 this year is a bargain, he could have gotten more elsewhere, and Lewis getting $325 is proof of that. 

So, yeah, Walters gets a backpat for signing a player for well under his value. 

[Pete]

The reason to trade for him was injuries... and having cap space.

Signing him for $265 this year is a bargain, he could have gotten more elsewhere, and Lewis getting $325 is proof of that. 

So, yeah, Walters gets a backpat for signing a player for well under his value. 

And kudos to lawler for signing for less to be with the team that really gave him the chance to be in the upper echelon of cfl recievers

[TecnoGenius]

I don't know how anyone could've missed this back in October. Lawler's season came to end due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

It was reported by Naylor in considerable detail. IIRC, it was around the same time the Bombers made the trade for Darby.

EDIT: https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/blue-bombers-deadline-move-for-kenny-lawler-scuttled-by-injury

Weird I don't recall any chatter here at the time, nor a posting of that article link.  Either I was just asleep, or no one put it here.  I only read here... if it's not here, it doesn't exist for me!  (For better or for worse)

And, my memory is getting hazy but didn't Lawler get injured mid-season and there was talk of him coming back for the last couple of games?  It sounded to me like this trade talk was after Lawler's injury in hopes he'd be better for playoffs?  I guessed wrong.

[TecnoGenius]

1) Walters probably made the wrong call on letting Lawler leave to begin with. Last year $300,000 for top end receivers was too steep, this year it's the norm and Walters re-signing Lawler for that amount proves he was more or less wrong in his evaluation last off-season -- both in terms of market value and his contribution to the team.

2) I don't think that trying to trade for a player you let go in the off-season and then realized you needed is "insanely astute". It is more of a mea cupla, if anything.

Ok, my only response to that is: what was your take on this forum in the '22 FA when Lawler left for sick money in EDM?  Because I don't recall anyone here saying we should have paid him that.  Not a single soul.  Which is rare for this forum.

Were you saying at that moment in '22 FA we should have paid Lawler a matching $$ to keep him here?  If not, then aren't you just engaging in hindsight?

And if we want to just go by hindsight, NOT signing Lawler was the right thing to do because he was going to tub a whack of the games (and postseason?).  It's just like NOT signing Stove, Nevis and AH33 was the right move because they all tubbed it heavily after leaving.  It's easy for us to say now they were good moves, but no one could have known (for most of them).

Re: mea culpa / insanely astute: it takes an insanely astute GM to do a mea culpa and admit they were wrong and try to rectify it.  KW knew at whatever point he tried to get Lawler that our WR/SB corps wasn't going to cut it going into the GC.  And he was right, they let us down.

[TecnoGenius]

I think it's interesting that people thought $300,000 was crazy last year and pat Walters on the back for not signing him for that, but are incredibly happy we signed him for $265,000 and $300,000 in 2023 and 2024. If he is worth $300,000 as a 30-year-old in 2024, he was worth $300,000 as a 28-year-old in 2022.

I'm sure some are in my boat: one of complete shock we picked up Lawler, and are paying 265/300 for him.  It's not WFC M.O. at all, and is a bold move and a bit of a gamble.

However, it could be The Mafia thought the WR/SB were good enough to roll with in '22 and then realized by the end of the season (or certainly after the GC) that it was the wrong move.  They may be uniform in thinking that to win it all in '23 we need a top-3 SB (rookies excluded).  They may not be wrong...

Look at the teams that usually win the GCs over the last decade... '22 GC was a big aberration in that neither team had a top-3 vet IMP SB (rookie Schoen doesn't count).  I'm thinking Green, Owens, Cahoon, Dressler, Simon; in their respective teams when they won it (homework: add to that list).

So I accept the Lawler overspend as a probably-necessary move.  That's why I was vocal about being so much more thrilled with the Demski re-sign.  That was much more a typical WFC $$ move.

[TecnoGenius]

2 things come to mind....I remember Lawler making 2 insane diving highlight reel catches in one game last year on long bomb passes that looked uncatchable, and then I think about the long pass Schoen dropped in the GC game. $305 was not too much to spend last year, as we would have had another GC with him in our lineup.

Don't make me cry.  Lawler truly became elite in '22.  What he was doing with that garbage team in EDM was incredible.  Gumby took it to the next level.  And yes, if Lawler was in WPG and in the GC, he makes that Schoen catch, no matter what kind of flyin' or contortin' was required.  I'm still bitter Schoen didn't lay out for it.  It set the tone that we were losers that night.  We had no mojo.  He makes that catch and TOR would have deflated into jello before the half.  It's the type of catch you have to make in a GC.   

[DM83]

or maybe he can placekick? 

[blue_gold_84]

Lawler truly became elite in '21. 

FTFY

His sophomore season put him in the elite category.

[theaardvark]

FTFY

His sophomore season put him in the elite category.

+1

You don't sign for the league high at a position unless you have established elite status.

He had a great year, aside from the injury.  No reason he could not have re-signed in Edm for $300k+, or almost any other team.  Landing him for $265 for this year is pretty awesome.

We let him walk for $300k because no WR had signed a deal like that in the SMS era.  Its not that we didn't want/need him, or thought that we were set with the squad we had (no one could have predicted Schoen's success, sorry).  And trying to add him late in the season is, again, great GMing.  Addressing the loss of Ellingson by actually improving at the position.

I guess one upside to the injury/non-trade is that we get him this year at $265k... not sure that deal gets made if we are re-signing him after a full season played.

 

[DM83]

Just an aside,....maybe Kyle should announce his own signing!!!

[Cool Spot]

1) Walters probably made the wrong call on letting Lawler leave to begin with. Last year $300,000 for top end receivers was too steep, this year it's the norm and Walters re-signing Lawler for that amount proves he was more or less wrong in his evaluation last off-season -- both in terms of market value and his contribution to the team.

I thought picking up Ellingson to make up for the loss of Lawler was a good move; in the first 6 games of the year, Ellingson performed very well. However, he got hurt and upon his return, he wasn't as productive as he had been originally (perhaps because of the rise of Schoen and Demski). So, maybe it was tough to lose Lawler but I don't think it mattered that much in the short run.

[TecnoGenius]

I thought picking up Ellingson to make up for the loss of Lawler was a good move; in the first 6 games of the year, Ellingson performed very well. However, he got hurt and upon his return, he wasn't as productive as he had been originally (perhaps because of the rise of Schoen and Demski). So, maybe it was tough to lose Lawler but I don't think it mattered that much in the short run.

The Ellingson pick-up in '22 was a brilliant move that was better than anyone could have imagined.  I rewatched the 1st 4 games and he was hoooooottt.  Zach instantly picked him as his #1, it was clear, and he stayed that way until injury.

But yes, after his injury he really was useless.  Something must have still been wrong.  Maybe he wasn't as quick?  He wasn't getting open at all.  Stunk in the GC, except for that one monster superb awesome 2nd down clutch sideline grab.  Should have used that play more: it can't be defended.

Goes to show you a washed-up vet stinking in a garbage team can still look like a #1 with a great team and QB.  The key, then, for the old fogies is can they stay out of the tub... If Ellingson gets released mid-year and we're short a SB for whatever reason, pull a Denmark and get him on the phone...