Our Free Agent's Signings Are in Limbo Until Brady & Dalton Make Their Moves

[Pigskin]

To be honest, and I know this will be unpopular, but I'd rather have Oulette at $170k (gius ask from Toronto) than Brady at $250k.

I would agree. We have had some pretty amazing American RBs. Love BO20, but there is a max price for every player.

[Jesse]

To be honest, and I know this will be unpopular, but I'd rather have Oulette at $170k (gius ask from Toronto) than Brady at $250k.

I don't think anyone is going to give Brady anywhere near that, so it's a moot point, imo.

[ModAdmin]

Ed Tait has reported that Alden Darby Jr. will not be returning to the Bombers in 2024.

[Jesse]

Ed Tait has reported that Alden Darby Jr. will not be returning to the Bombers in 2024.

I think we've known that since about mid-season last year.

[Blue In BC]

I think we've known that since about mid-season last year.

It appeared he was released quietly earlier. Not sure why that happened exactly but I think we knew he wouldn't be back. Just a guess but I think he's finished with football for some sort of personal reason we don't need to know.

[Pigskin]

He was injured for a couple of months and lost his job to Kramdi.

[Blue In BC]

Ok, we're down to about 2 weeks before free agency and a week before the tampering allowed period.

Time for the rubber to hit the road. I'm expecting some of our free agents to be signed this week.

[Horseman]

I would say we should sign Oulette from the Argos if Brady is holding out, the guy is every much a smash mouth back like Brady and would have the same success here. This would allow us to make a decision or offer for Shoen and or Rasheed.

[LXTSN]

Wouldn't the Argos just sign Oulette if he's going for that?
I think they are similar talent levels but different type of RB's.
What other team do we suspect has the most interest in Olivera? I could see BC or Hamilton making a push for him.

[theaardvark]

Oulette would have much more success behind out Oline than he did in Toronto.  Wonder how many stories Harris has told him, good or bad, about Winnipeg...

I don't doubt that Brady will sign here, though.  He will go to tampering week, get a barometer of what he can get on the open market, and then sign here for a little less on the home town discount.  I don't think the NFL is going to factor in at all now. 

Otherwise, we have 10 picks in the draft, we have a good scouting staff, and 8 less teams competing in the "spring" leagues.

Finding a replacement shouldn't be difficult, if someone goes full Jones on him.  I'm fine with up to $200k for him, as long as he is in shape and healthy (not questioning him, just saying we've made that mistake in the past...)

[theaardvark]

On another tack, are we a team chasing players, or are we a team players are chasing?

Are there players out there in FA that are looking to the tampering period to try to get an offer to come here?

We have built this dynamic operation, this culture that is praised all over the league, and a facility that rivals any in football, does this make us a preferred destination?

We all know that Walters will choose an incumbent over a new signee, unless there is a marked improvement in play or value.  But might we get some interesting options presenting during the tampering period as our FA's shop around?

How quick do you pull the trigger?  We have obviously given our offers to all our players, if a comparable or better player comes knocking and is willing to take less, do we commit?

I can't see Walters as a guy that would use that to lowball a current player, I'd think he'd go with the one setting the price over the one matching the price, if you know what I mean.

On the other side, if a current player gets a blockbuster offer, I'm not sure how much extra over the original offer Walters will come up with.  Unless he's over the barrel, and has no other options, I can't see him overpaying for anyone, even a player coming off an MOP type season.

[Pete]

The only time destination seems to be a big factor is if a player is returning to his home area or returning to the team he played for.
Have we signed any player because the want to play in the coldest cfl city in Canada?
It all comes down to dollars, unfortunately.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

On another tack, are we a team chasing players, or are we a team players are chasing?

Are there players out there in FA that are looking to the tampering period to try to get an offer to come here?

We have built this dynamic operation, this culture that is praised all over the league, and a facility that rivals any in football, does this make us a preferred destination?

We all know that Walters will choose an incumbent over a new signee, unless there is a marked improvement in play or value.  But might we get some interesting options presenting during the tampering period as our FA's shop around?

How quick do you pull the trigger?  We have obviously given our offers to all our players, if a comparable or better player comes knocking and is willing to take less, do we commit?

I can't see Walters as a guy that would use that to lowball a current player, I'd think he'd go with the one setting the price over the one matching the price, if you know what I mean.

On the other side, if a current player gets a blockbuster offer, I'm not sure how much extra over the original offer Walters will come up with.  Unless he's over the barrel, and has no other options, I can't see him overpaying for anyone, even a player coming off an MOP type season.

I'd be pretty surprised in Walters went shopping in FA, since signing the last Collaros contract and adding Lawler's, he's maxed out his CC.

[theaardvark]

The only time destination seems to be a big factor is if a player is returning to his home area or returning to the team he played for.
Have we signed any player because the want to play in the coldest cfl city in Canada?
It all comes down to dollars, unfortunately.

Culture and post season dollars do play a small factor.  An "all things being almost equal".  And at ELC level, cost of living here vs. Toronto or Vancouver should make a huge difference.

I'd be pretty surprised in Walters went shopping in FA, since signing the last Collaros contract and adding Lawler's, he's maxed out his CC.

You do realize that almost half the spots for this team are presently unsigned, and some of those will sign elsewhere, right?

Walters BETTER be shopping the FA market to make sure we don't end up missing the boat on players we need that might no re-sign here.

[ModAdmin]

Word out there is that JJ94 is going to explore free agency.