Rourke released, Signed by Atlanta...and released again AND SIGNS WITH BC

[Blue In BC]

Don't the Lions have some secondary players injured?

Should help the Bombers offence.

Yes they did have a couple of players injured. It wasn't clear whether they can play this week. Will have to see if the participate in practice this week.

Hard to say if Betts has any real chance of sticking even on a PR at the moment. Even if he is released, he's going to want a big salary. Any team will have a hard time fitting him into their SMS.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They give him a big check for signing autographs and showing up at some nominal meet and greet. His picture will adorn bus and advertising promos.

I have no issue with players getting money for that but $200K is absurd.  Is there a limit to marketing money?

When the Bombers send Jake Thomas and Tanner Cadwallader to Churchill to read books, that is also an example of using marketing money.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think Rourke starting this game is a clear sign of Amar Doman exerting his will directly on the lineup, it's his money and he's going to get what he wants every single time. Rick Campbell has no choice but to go along even if that isn't the ideal way to handle the situation.

I'd be surprised if Doman hasn't signed Rourke to a personal services contract which requires him to commit to the Lions for 3 years, even if that doesn't meet the requirements of  the CBA. Unlikely he allows Rourke the option of going back to the NFL after shelling out such a big investment in him.

[markf]

Maybe Why T.J. Lee looked a bit tentative last game

https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/tj-lee-ready-to-suit-up-for-the-bc-lions

July 20.

Achilles last season.

"Neither player was expected to return before the end of August, with 10-12 months out being the expected timeline, but both are back to full practice and looking as sharp as they did when they left. Lee was lobbying defensive coordinator Ryan Phillips to put him in the lineup two weeks ago, yelling at him, "I'd die for this s–t!" as Phillips tried to conduct a post-practice media availability."

He Did not look like 100 % the other day.

[Blue In BC]

I think Rourke starting this game is a clear sign of Amar Doman exerting his will directly on the lineup, it's his money and he's going to get what he wants every single time. Rick Campbell has no choice but to go along even if that isn't the ideal way to handle the situation.

I'd be surprised if Doman hasn't signed Rourke to a personal services contract which requires him to commit to the Lions for 3 years, even if that doesn't meet the requirements of  the CBA. Unlikely he allows Rourke the option of going back to the NFL after shelling out such a big investment in him.

I doubt there is anything that disallows Rourke from exploring his NFL option in 2025. He may choose not to but IMO he will still have that option.

[Jesse]

I think Rourke starting this game is a clear sign of Amar Doman exerting his will directly on the lineup, it's his money and he's going to get what he wants every single time. Rick Campbell has no choice but to go along even if that isn't the ideal way to handle the situation.

I'd be surprised if Doman hasn't signed Rourke to a personal services contract which requires him to commit to the Lions for 3 years, even if that doesn't meet the requirements of  the CBA. Unlikely he allows Rourke the option of going back to the NFL after shelling out such a big investment in him.

Wow. First of all, if I'm the head coach and I have to choose between starting Rourke or Dolegala, I don't need any pressure from my owner to put Rourke in.

Secondly, the first thing reported was that the NFL was still a priority for Rourke. He will absolutely be given the opportunity to explore his options after the CFL season. Couldn't stop him if they tried.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Wow. First of all, if I'm the head coach and I have to choose between starting Rourke or Dolegala, I don't need any pressure from my owner to put Rourke in.

Secondly, the first thing reported was that the NFL was still a priority for Rourke. He will absolutely be given the opportunity to explore his options after the CFL season. Couldn't stop him if they tried.

You might have a point with the first one, but I honestly don't think the second is valid.  No way Rourke goes to the NFL for another look see and comes back to the Lions in late Aug. or Sept. especially if V.A. is gone in the offseason. Doman is going to want a return on his investment and he won't be getting it if the Lions start next season off with a no-name QB.

[Jesse]

You might have a point with the first one, but I honestly don't think the second is valid.  No way Rourke goes to the NFL for another look see and comes back to the Lions in late Aug. or Sept. especially if V.A. is gone in the offseason. Doman is going to want a return on his investment and he won't be getting it if the Lions start next season off with a no-name QB.

He'll still have the NFL window like any other player. Maybe he gets a contract offer that he shots his shot for, maybe it's one of those try out deals with no signing bonus that he turns down. But he'll have the option of trying. There no way around it.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

He'd go back in a second if he gets a real offer. I assume he's very frustrated with the Falcons bringing him in a couple days before the game, trotting him out there in the fourth and then cutting him a few hours later. That's not a scenario anyone could succeed in probably.

[Pete]

Only way rourke goes is if he gets an actual contract offer, hes do
ne the merry go round already

[The Zipp]

According to the CBA anything over 110k counts towards the cap.

[blue_or_die]

I think Rourke starting this game is a clear sign of Amar Doman exerting his will directly on the lineup, it's his money and he's going to get what he wants every single time. Rick Campbell has no choice but to go along even if that isn't the ideal way to handle the situation.

I'd be surprised if Doman hasn't signed Rourke to a personal services contract which requires him to commit to the Lions for 3 years, even if that doesn't meet the requirements of  the CBA. Unlikely he allows Rourke the option of going back to the NFL after shelling out such a big investment in him.

This put a pleasant image in my head of Rourke sweating balls cutting Doman's (I imagine) very large lawn while he smokes a cigar on his porch.

[Tecno]

How much, in your wildest unrealistic dreams, are you planning to offer Rourke et al?

"$749,200 in hard money in 2025 and $809,000 in hard money in 2026"

That's how much!  LOL.

And thus proves my entire premise that if we could squeeze just a bit more into the SMS we could actually lure perennial-PR NFL prospects up here to actually play and earn the same (or better!) money.

That said, BC is (kinda) doing it the wrong way because the total SMS has not increased by the required $0.5M-$1.0M we postulated, but instead is "pulling a Claybrooks" and hamstringing the team with an overpaid QB.  Well... or not, because it turns out $200k of that is fake money not on the SMS.  Doh.

BC found the "cheat codes".

[Tecno]

The only evidence we have of Rourke in the CFL is says he's pretty **** good. There's no evidence yet to suggest otherwise.

'22 WDF.  There's your evidence he may not be God.  Stunk up the joint and was last seen crying as he slinks off to the NFL PR squad.

And '22 was with Burnham, who by himself was worth at least 2 of the superstar Rs they have now.  Best hands in the CFL in an entire decade.

Don't get me wrong, I think he'll light up this league if he stays in; but you asked for any evidence he can stink.  So I provided it.

[Tecno]

What it might suggest is that Adams may be bounced to the 6 game IR. He isn't starting this week so his injury and the acquisition of Rourke may change his current status. It would also improve the SMS impact if he was added to 6 game IR.

VAJ should have been on the 6GIR the day after our last game.  Not doing so was moronic and added no value.  If they put him on now, do they lose 1 or 2 weeks of not being on the 6G?  That SMS is desperately needed to shoehorn in Rourke's salary.  What team has $250k SMS just laying around come Aug 13??