2024 Free Agency Signings/Transactions (Blue Bombers)

[ModAdmin]

Sounds like Bailey may be gone.

[theaardvark]

There is still some other key free agents that are still unsigned like Grant, Castilio, Walker and Bailey. Its been a tough off season for the Bombers. Hopefully we can find some good replacements.

When you've been to 4 straight cups, your roster must be a little top heavy with talent, and re-signing them all is impossible.  The best teams are going to lose players.  The fact that there were two top FA's on ou team that we re-signed is amazing.

Toronto lost:

Bede
Bladek
Leake
Oulette
Peters
Pickett

Pretty big pieces to lose...

[Pigskin]

Sounds like Bailey may be gone.

You had to think once, they signed Schoen, there was no money to sign Bailey.

[theaardvark]

I can't see Bailey not getting signed elsewhere for a decent wage, more than we can afford.  We could pay an ELC level contract, but he deserves much more.  But who knows, if he doesn't get any offers elsewhere, he could be back... 

[J5V]

I can't see Bailey not getting signed elsewhere for a decent wage, more than we can afford.  We could pay an ELC level contract, but he deserves much more.  But who knows, if he doesn't get any offers elsewhere, he could be back... 

I would really be sad to see Bailey playing elsewhere. The guy bled blue and gold.

[Waffler]

Walters said he doesn't expect to sign any CFL free agents in the coming days. In fact, the club released 31-year-old fullback Damian Jackson on Wednesday, in what could be the first of more to come in order to create some much-needed cap room.

"We just don't have any money," he said. "The spots that are available are going to be for training-camp battles for young players, for first-year players. If somebody wants to come in on a minimum contract, we might kick the tires on that."

 - Free Press, Jeff Hamilton

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Walters said he doesn't expect to sign any CFL free agents in the coming days. In fact, the club released 31-year-old fullback Damian Jackson on Wednesday, in what could be the first of more to come in order to create some much-needed cap room.

"We just don't have any money," he said. "The spots that are available are going to be for training-camp battles for young players, for first-year players. If somebody wants to come in on a minimum contract, we might kick the tires on that."

 - Free Press, Jeff Hamilton

Don't like this one bit, too many holes to fill.  The cost of stacking the offence and letting the D whither.

[dd]

Its too bad about no money to sign Bailey, and hopefully he catches on with another team, as he is a solid player. But really, there's only 1 ball to go around, and who do you take it away from Lawler?? Schoen?? Olivera?? who are all big $$$ signings, and then there's also Demski and Woli...that's 5 legit options for ZC. ya gotta give something up and I guess this is it

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Its too bad about no money to sign Bailey, and hopefully he catches on with another team, as he is a solid player. But really, there's only 1 ball to go around, and who do you take it away from Lawler?? Schoen?? Olivera?? who are all big $$$ signings, and then there's also Demski and Woli...that's 5 legit options for ZC. ya gotta give something up and I guess this is it

Receiver isn't really the problem, but maybe no Grant or Castillo...that's a problem.

[theaardvark]

Receiver isn't really the problem, but maybe no Grant or Castillo...that's a problem.

It sounds like both of those are still in the works, and in the budget...

Sad to see Damian Jackson go, he was a heart guy, even if he wasn't the most talented, there was no doubting his desire.

[Blueforlife]

It sounds like both of those are still in the works, and in the budget...

Sad to see Damian Jackson go, he was a heart guy, even if he wasn't the most talented, there was no doubting his desire.

Unfortunate

Losing Clements hurts and I am sad if Bailey is gone

[Blue In BC]

It sounds like both of those are still in the works, and in the budget...

Sad to see Damian Jackson go, he was a heart guy, even if he wasn't the most talented, there was no doubting his desire.

If true I'm good with Jackson being let go. It couldn't have been about money since he'd have been on an ELC. Wasting a DI spot on an import FB was just a bad idea for our ratio.

That said it's no guarantee we don't add another import FB in 2024. Hopefully that's NOT what we do.

Interesting that this decision was made so early before TC. Releasing 1 player from an ELC in order to add another does squat for cap room. It just gives an opportunity to improve.

[ModAdmin]

Derek Taylor🏈
@DTonOB
·
10h
Bombers GM Kyle Walters reveals that DB Tyrell Ford will be back with the Bombers this season. He's under contract through the end of this year after a year in the NFL.
#CFL
Dave Naylor reposted
Derek Taylor🏈
@DTonOB
Walters says guys they've moved on from CB Winston Rose, WR Rasheed Bailey and LG Geoff Gray.
Expects that Ford & Tyrique McGhee will be in the mix at corner this season.

[TecnoGenius]

I think, with the $SMS and the success of our scouting/coaching, FA season is always going to be a heartbreak for us. 

Yup, you guys sussed out what is going on here.  We've been subject to it for every season since our '19 GC win.  When you're the best, you spend all the effort and money to maintain the status quo as much as possible.  After all, they won you a cup, they can win you another.

You hope you can keep enough of them so that everything can keep on ticking along.  Any holes you pray you gets some scouting finds / DPs.

KW usually finds just enough $$ to maybe make 1 FA "splash", often an aging vet.  Very rarely is it a key piece we are missing though.

In contrast, for the "have not" teams, FA is an exciting time because you are throwing away half your roster and making FA splashes left and right.  When you're garbage, the only possible direction to go is up.  See OTT, EDM, SSK.

And it all makes sense and repeats and rhymes for every team, and no one holds onto the title of "best" or "garbage" for very long.  I still remember when we were the dumpster fire team and every FA announcement was great news!  That's only around 8-13 years ago!

On the bright side, TOR and MTL are now in the same boat we are trying to maintain their roster and no money leftover.

[TecnoGenius]

Not Sure about the basis for all this criticism aimed at Kolankowski

Ya, Ko-man wasn't the cause of big problems.  You mostly didn't notice he was there.  The worst I can say about him is he isn't as good as Couture or Goosen (yet?).  But he's good enough.