Lawler to the slot

[dd]

It will be interesting to see who the Bombers keep during the off-season, Lawler or Schoen. Probably can't afford both.

That?s an eeeeeasy one- you keep Dalton schoen , and you replace the inconsistent and somewhat unproductive lawler with someone for 1/2 the salary we re paying now. Boom, let?s move onto something more difficult to discuss

[TecnoGenius]

That?s an eeeeeasy one- you keep Dalton schoen , and you replace the inconsistent and somewhat unproductive lawler with someone for 1/2 the salary we re paying now. Boom, let?s move onto something more difficult to discuss

Yup.  DS83 is maybe $200k in FA, Kenny over $300k.  DS producing all year, Kenny not so much.  DS is most $$ fantasy pick $13.5k all year.  Kenny is bargain basement at $9.5k since coming back.

If you can only keep 1, as of this moment you keep DS83.

If Kenny ups his game and is the difference maker in the post-season and GC, then you find a way to keep both.

I think Kenny will be more loyal to WPG than DS83, though.  We gave DS his big break and made him a star, but the young'n's who've never poked around FA are always keen to see what's out there.  Kenny has already seen the grass isn't greener, even if the bleachers are.

[TecnoGenius]

How will we possibly manage!!! 

I think it is critical that we get to the GC again.  We may not have to win it, but we need to show the FA players that we will always get them big playoff cheques and a shot at the title, and that we're still a dominant team.

If we are one and done in the WDF, or <gasp> the WSF, then retention will be harder.

Get to that cup and players will stay with WPG for a bit less $$ in FA.  Winning feels good.  Feeling good is worth 10-20% of your salary vs feeling like an Elks player.  Ask Kenny.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We have many key pieces who's contracts are up this year, and many are going to be looking for raises based on the increasing cost of living:

- The entire starting OL:  Hardrick, Bryant, Neufeld, Gray, and Kolankowski are all pending FAs  Can't see us keeping this whole group together, and JH and SB are getting pretty long in the tooth.
- Oliveria, Augustine and McCrae are all up.  Brady will certainly be looking for a raise, don't know if JA will stick around to be second fiddle forever.
- Shoen, Grant, Woli, Agudosi, Bailey, and BOO are all up.  I don't think we can keep all these guys.
- Jefferson, Jeffcoat, Thomas and Walker are all up.
- all of our starting DB's are pending FAs.  Again, not gonna be able to keep them all.
- Dru Brown is an FA at the end of the season.  Seems like a guaranteed keeper if we can afford him and he doesn't want to try for a bigger payday and maybe a starting shot before ZC retires at the end of 2024 (can't see him playing too much longer)
- It seems the only place we have some guaranteed stability is the LB's, with Biggie and Wilson signed through 2024, but Clements and everyone else are FAs.

Jiminy Crickets that's a frightening scenario!  Even more so if Walters walks away.  This may be the last hurrah, if they can't retain most of those players they'll have difficulty remaining in the top tier.

Here's my breakdown.

Hardrick-one more year maybe 2, no need for a bump as he's already one of the highest paid OT's.

Bryant-It's been a blast, but time to call it a day.

Neufeld-Couple more years left, may need a small bump for his final contract.

Gray-Bump, could get another 5 years out of him and he's versatile.

Kolankowski-Let him go earn the money he deserves back home, we have backups in waiting.


Oliveria-Big bump needed, maybe an extra $50k as RB's are rarely paid that much, no matter how good.

Augustine-Keep and make better use of his talent, no bump necessary.

McCrae-Bye!

Schoen-High priority, huge bump needed.

Grant-Missed much of the season, maybe small bump needed but again returners never earn big bucks.

Woli-Small bump, but everyone knows he's not going anywhere.

Agudosi-Depends what they do with Lawler, but likely moves on in FA towards a better opportunity to start.

Bailey-Small bump, he's appreciated but low man on the totem pole.

BOO-See Agudosi, adequate backup but Murphy's stock is rising.

Lawler-May have to sacrifice his large salary to pay some of his teammates, but doubt they get rid of him.




Jefferson-Already well paid and settled in Wpg. don't think it will take much to convince him to come back.

Jeffcoat-Possible surprise retirement depending on his health, paid fairly for always missing a few games.

Thomas-Time to hang em up Jake.

Lawson-Must retain to take over from Jake.

Walker-Reasonable bump needed if they want to retain him.

DB's-Dime a dozen, would like to hang onto all of them but they already have backups lined up ready to go.  Priority, BA, Holm, Nichols, maybe Rose.

Dru Brown-Will do what's best for his career, up to him to decide but the Bombers will not be able to match any lucrative offers.  I believe Zach is signed till the end of 2025, so that's a long time to wait.

[Blueforlife]

Anyone see the article in the free press about Lawler and more legal trouble?

I can't read it, wondering if someone could report back

[Pete]

he's basically being sued for the damages to the vehicle he was driving at the time of his impaired accident , it was a jeep he was leased at for no charge for the cfl season on the condition it be returned in good condition. The dealership (now defunct) is sueing him

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The headline and lead in is kind of stupid, for lack of a better word:

More off-the-field problems for Bomber receiver

Winnipeg Blue Bombers star wide receiver Kenny Lawler has caught more legal trouble

Technically, I suppose, but it's just the financial fallout from the same single incident in 2021. Gotta get those clicks, Free Press.

[blue_gold_84]

Embarrassing clickbait. Poor form from the WFP.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

he's basically being sued for the damages to the vehicle he was driving at the time of his impaired accident , it was a jeep he was leased at for no charge for the cfl season on the condition it be returned in good condition. The dealership (now defunct) is sueing him

Interesting, which Jeep dealership went defunct?

[Blueforlife]

Interesting, which Jeep dealership went defunct?

Winnipeg Dodge Chrysler Ltd

Thanks for the info all

[J5V]

Kenny has already seen the grass isn't greener, even if the bleachers are.

I saw what you did there. :-)

[TecnoGenius]

he's basically being sued for the damages to the vehicle he was driving at the time of his impaired accident

Ah, then a nothingburger.  Civil cases have nothing to do with his immigration status or CFL eligibility.  Worst case is throw them the few grand they are asking for.  Hint for Kenny: pay them now, or pay the lawyers and them later.  These are almost never worth fighting, as only the lawyers win.

Since every vehicle in MB is under MPI, at worst they are looking for the damages on top of what MPI paid for.  Even after MPI fixes up a crash, the vehicle will be worth much less than an accident-free car.  That would be a legit gripe.

I saw what you did there. :-)

  I'm here all night, enjoy the veal. 

[Blueforlife]

https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/bombers-and-collaros-chase-first-place-while-car-dealer-chases-lawler

[wpg#1]

https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/bombers-and-collaros-chase-first-place-while-car-dealer-chases-lawler

I'd rather poke my eyes out than read anything Friesen writes

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ah, then a nothingburger.  Civil cases have nothing to do with his immigration status or CFL eligibility.  Worst case is throw them the few grand they are asking for.  Hint for Kenny: pay them now, or pay the lawyers and them later.  These are almost never worth fighting, as only the lawyers win.

Since every vehicle in MB is under MPI, at worst they are looking for the damages on top of what MPI paid for.  Even after MPI fixes up a crash, the vehicle will be worth much less than an accident-free car.  That would be a legit gripe.

Is it possible MPI refuses to cover the insurance payout based on his impairment?  I believe that could void their coverage.  The lawsuit also alleges Lawler did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the crash. Oy vey.