Re-signed Kolankowski

theaardvark · January 29, 2024, 04:28:22 PM

Two year deal, through the Grey Cup.

Dru Brown must be sad... this would have been a great pick up for Ott.

With Kolankowski and Eli under wraps, we're good up the middle. Now, if only MS55 could get healthy... oh wait...

New_Earth_Mud · January 29, 2024, 04:30:13 PM

I like this

Blueforlife · January 29, 2024, 04:31:37 PM

Great news you beat me to punch by a minute, I deleted my thread

Game is won in the trenches and ours continue to shine

ModAdmin · January 29, 2024, 04:41:45 PM

Blue Bombers re-sign centre Chris Kolankowski

WINNIPEG, MB., January 29, 2024 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with centre Chris Kolankowski. He was scheduled to become a free agent on February 13th.

Kolankowski (6-1, 309; York; born: February 7, 1992, in Etobicoke, Ont.) returns in 2024 for his seventh CFL season and fourth with the Blue Bombers.

Originally selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the sixth round, 49th overall, of the 2016 CFL Draft, Kolankowski dressed for 22 games during his days with the Argos before joining the Blue Bombers in February of 2020.

Kolankowski stepped in for an injured Michael Couture at centre in 2022 and started 15 games that season. Last year he became the Blue Bombers starting centre while starting all 18 regular-season games, plus the Western Final and Grey Cup. He was at the heart of a dominant offensive line that helped the offence finish first in scoring and saw Zach Collaros lead the league in passing.

Kolankowski spent five years at York, winning the Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award in 2015 and the Tom Arnott Award for Hard Work and Character in 2013

Pete · January 29, 2024, 04:45:00 PM

This is a very good signing, Kolankowski was one of the top rated centers ly. The oline has always been a key to success for us

Jesse · January 29, 2024, 04:45:07 PM

To be honest, I was kind of hoping Eli would beat him out for the starting spot.

theaardvark · January 29, 2024, 05:05:45 PM

Quote from: Jesse on January 29, 2024, 04:45:07 PMTo be honest, I was kind of hoping Eli would beat him out for the starting spot.

Well, unless we re-signed Kolankowski, Eli can't compete with him, so... this signing was necessary for your conjecture.

blue_gold_84 · January 29, 2024, 05:18:11 PM

Good signing. Keeping the trenches intact is crucial.

Noeller · January 29, 2024, 05:18:56 PM

Oooof... Can't remember when Kyle had a move this bad. Koala is maybe the 7th or 8th OL on this roster. Eli SHOULD BE the Day 1 C out of camp. Dobson at LG. Gray as the 6th OL. Unless someone isn't coming back this year, this move makes no sense. Apparently got a massive raise too. I don't get this at all unless we're losing multiple pieces from the line.

blue_or_die · January 29, 2024, 05:47:41 PM

Quote from: Noeller on January 29, 2024, 05:18:56 PMOooof... Can't remember when Kyle had a move this bad. Koala is maybe the 7th or 8th OL on this roster. Eli SHOULD BE the Day 1 C out of camp. Dobson at LG. Gray as the 6th OL. Unless someone isn't coming back this year, this move makes no sense. Apparently got a massive raise too. I don't get this at all unless we're losing multiple pieces from the line.

Not sure if joking?

I like Eli just fine but if he was the better player, he would have started last year.

Pete · January 29, 2024, 05:49:58 PM

Quote from: Noeller on January 29, 2024, 05:18:56 PMOooof... Can't remember when Kyle had a move this bad. Koala is maybe the 7th or 8th OL on this roster. Eli SHOULD BE the Day 1 C out of camp. Dobson at LG. Gray as the 6th OL. Unless someone isn't coming back this year, this move makes no sense. Apparently got a massive raise too. I don't get this at all unless we're losing multiple pieces from the line.

Not sure what games you watched but Kolankowski was consistantly one of the top rated centers week to week
You dont have a rb run for1500 yds with a weak center
Looks like we have another poster trying to create a stir

theaardvark · January 29, 2024, 06:08:54 PM

Doesn't look like there will be a lot of movement between teams for Oline this year, most teams have thier hoggies under contract. We still have Hardick and Gray unsigned, might be as much of a whether to play decision as a where to play decision for Hardrick... and for Gray, possibly just a matter of when he signs being a local boy...

Blueforlife · January 29, 2024, 07:06:05 PM

Quote from: Noeller on January 29, 2024, 05:18:56 PMOooof... Can't remember when Kyle had a move this bad. Koala is maybe the 7th or 8th OL on this roster. Eli SHOULD BE the Day 1 C out of camp. Dobson at LG. Gray as the 6th OL. Unless someone isn't coming back this year, this move makes no sense. Apparently got a massive raise too. I don't get this at all unless we're losing multiple pieces from the line.

Sorry but imo you are a wee bit off base here. Key member of our club and a proven vet. While competition is great, you need depth and experience on the lines and this is a core, key signing. If he got a raise he earned every penny.

Jesse · January 29, 2024, 07:28:48 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on January 29, 2024, 05:05:45 PMWell, unless we re-signed Kolankowski, Eli can't compete with him, so... this signing was necessary for your conjecture.

Fair enough, but when we signed Eli to the 3-year deal, I was hoping he'd come in and just blow the competition out of the water. It obviously didn't happen. Re-signing Chris means he's the starter.

Now Gray remains unsigned, so we may be seeing a comp at LG still.

GOLDMEMBER · January 29, 2024, 09:59:50 PM

Awesome signing. Great to have him return.