Dalton Shoen

[towelie]

Schoen as previously mentioned is a different type of receiver. And with his knack for the end zone I'd be very hesistant to let him go. It might cost us one of Lawler/Wheatfall/Wilson but our recruiting has been solid enough i don't think that should worry anyone.

[Blue In BC]

Schoen as previously mentioned is a different type of receiver. And with his knack for the end zone I'd be very hesistant to let him go. It might cost us one of Lawler/Wheatfall/Wilson but our recruiting has been solid enough i don't think that should worry anyone.

Wilson and Wheatfall will be on an ELC and on the 2nd year of their contracts. So there won't be any issue in retaining them.

Schoen is the only receiver that is on a 1 year deal. What that will mean for a new deal is a TBD. I don't think coming off a season ending injury makes him a high profile target in free agency. OTOH Bombers will know exactly what his re-hab was / is and will have a greater interest in retaining him IMO.

[dd]

Haha, the predominant feeling in FA / week 1 was Schoen was the keeper over Kenny!  Major recency bias on display right now!

My take is Kenny is probably better, but Schoen is younger.  They are different types of receiver.  Here's the problem: Wheatfall and Pokey are all Kenny-like Rs -- so now we have too many tall/fast/lanky types, when we really only need 1 or 2.

If we let Schoen walk, who is the beefier Schoen/Bailey clutch guy?  So R mix needs would dictate you keep Schoen and let Kenny (or Pokey or Wheatfall) walk.

His name is Nik Demski, who's made more than his share of great plays this year.

I was one in the Schoen over Lawler camp, but you can only go on what's happened and move on. Kenny is back, producing like 10 men out there, so go with Kenny, Nik and the newbies and spend the $$ on a stud DE to help Jefferson and our pass rush out.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

His name is Nik Demski, who's made more than his share of great plays this year.

I was one in the Schoen over Lawler camp, but you can only go on what's happened and move on. Kenny is back, producing like 10 men out there, so go with Kenny, Nik and the newbies and spend the $$ on a stud DE to help Jefferson and our pass rush out.

I believe we have just witnessed the best game of Lawler's career, he may play another 4-5 years but I suspect he'll never again reach the excellence he touched last game.

[Blue In BC]

His name is Nik Demski, who's made more than his share of great plays this year.

I was one in the Schoen over Lawler camp, but you can only go on what's happened and move on. Kenny is back, producing like 10 men out there, so go with Kenny, Nik and the newbies and spend the $$ on a stud DE to help Jefferson and our pass rush out.

It's not the worst idea. That said who ends up being available in free agency? It might be a DT or a MLB that interests the Bombers.

I like what we're seeing from Jones and Ayers but Jones might be a potential free agent. I'm guessing we're able to re-sign him if that's the case, but nothing is ever 100% certain in free agency.

DE / DT might be the area we might find an upgrade and choose to re-allocate SMS.

[bunker]

I think the bombers will as usual give priority to retaining their existing players, and then see who's available once they know how much, if any, money they have to work with. Ford will need a raise, as will Dobson. I think Holm's contract is up this year also? I think they will try to resign Schoen, but will play it like they did with Hardrick, there will be a limit beyond which they will not go. I think Lawler is Zach's favourite receiver, and that could play into the decision as well.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It's not the worst idea. That said who ends up being available in free agency? It might be a DT or a MLB that interests the Bombers.

I like what we're seeing from Jones and Ayers but Jones might be a potential free agent. I'm guessing we're able to re-sign him if that's the case, but nothing is ever 100% certain in free agency.

DE / DT might be the area we might find an upgrade and choose to re-allocate SMS.

Potentially, but Jones won't be highly sought, so it should be an easy re-sign for the Bombers at a reasonable price and with Bighill on the tailend of his career, Jones should be happy to stay.

[Blue In BC]

Potentially, but Jones won't be highly sought, so it should be an easy re-sign for the Bombers at a reasonable price and with Bighill on the tailend of his career, Jones should be happy to stay.

That's true but money is not always the only consideration for any player. My thought is that if Bighill returns he'd be a DI and rotation player getting significant but less reps. I don't think he'll be the starter if Jones re-signs. I like Jones and he's been playing well. I'd probably prefer Sankey or Santos-Knox but Jones may continue to improve.

Essentially just saying it might be an area we look at in free agency if necessary.

[Blueforlife]

I believe we have just witnessed the best game of Lawler's career, he may play another 4-5 years but I suspect he'll never again reach the excellence he touched last game.

Overstated on the negative imo. Lawler has always been awesome and that's all that will continue.  His play has no ceiling at the moment.  Most games makes circus catches.

We will sign Shoen, generational talent in the making.  Worth every penny.

We will sign Jones, pass on Sankey or Santos-Knox.  Would be too expensive (but yes elite players).  Gotta sign Holm.

Our team culture keep developing great new options.  Over pay for the stars and fill in with next man up.  Has worked like a dream for a long time.

[Blue In BC]

Overstated on the negative imo. Lawler has always been awesome and that's all that will continue.  His play has no ceiling at the moment.  Most games makes circus catches.

We will sign Shoen, generational talent in the making.  Worth every penny.

We will sign Jones, pass on Sankey or Santos-Knox.  Would be too expensive (but yes elite players).  Gotta sign Holm.

Our team culture keep developing great new options.  Over pay for the stars and fill in with next man up.  Has worked like a dream for a long time.

You do realize we over paid Lawler to get him back in 2023. He is a generational receiver. So over paid is only a point of view.  I don't know that either Santos-Knox or Sankey would cost any more than Bighill. I'm just saying they should be consider if they reach free agency after we assess what develops going into 2025.

Bighill might not accept a lesser role and / or reduced contract, he may choose to retire.

Free agency is a fluid situation. Who is available and an up grade is a moment by moment analysis with a big influence from SMS spend etc.

Overall LB's are not usually the best paid players on defence. However that's for Walters to determine whether we want to acquire a player or not.

Given another example: would we be interested in seeing Grant return in 2025?

[DM83]

On going dilema

I love the Schoen of two years ago. I do believe he has an unorthodox running style, which opens him up to injury. 

Last game, the Bombers killed a "thrown in the towel " Elks team. But the receivers showed what they can do, with some experience.

Bighill could retire, and then he loves the game.  The current linebackers filled in nicely. However the d line is below average.  I love Thomas and Willie.  But both star at something's and are just average at others. This is nit unlike many other teams this year.  Grant back in blue would be a great need, if we are going to " go for a home field Grey cup win.

Money shouldn't be an issue if Schoen and Bighill retire.

Is our secondary getting burned (Holm) because there is no pass rush and receivers are eating Holm up.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

That's true but money is not always the only consideration for any player. My thought is that if Bighill returns he'd be a DI and rotation player getting significant but less reps. I don't think he'll be the starter if Jones re-signs. I like Jones and he's been playing well. I'd probably prefer Sankey or Santos-Knox but Jones may continue to improve.

Essentially just saying it might be an area we look at in free agency if necessary.

I don't think we can be using a DI spot on a 36 year old rotational MLB. He either wins the job outright or we go in another direction I would say.

[Blue In BC]

I don't think we can be using a DI spot on a 36 year old rotational MLB. He either wins the job outright or we go in another direction I would say.

That's the practical answer and it might come to that. However that was what the Designated American rule was supposed to do by extending the career of older veterans.

I never quite understood how that was going to fit inside the ratio or the SMS. It almost sounded as though those players would be exempt from the ratio similar to the global player issue ( as an addition ). A new classification, one on either side of the ball.

Regardless. Injuries, age and SMS all come into play. The play of the up and coming players as well. At this point we aren't entirely certain of his injury or whether he'll be ready for TC 2025.

OTOH, he could be back next week. Or if we win the Grey Cup he may retire. Lots of possibilities.

Anyway. Back to Schoen. I'm in the re-sign him group. He has a unique skill set.

[bunker]

That's the practical answer and it might come to that. However that was what the Designated American rule was supposed to do by extending the career of older veterans.

I never quite understood how that was going to fit inside the ratio or the SMS. It almost sounded as though those players would be exempt from the ratio similar to the global player issue ( as an addition ). A new classification, one on either side of the ball.

Regardless. Injuries, age and SMS all come into play. The play of the up and coming players as well. At this point we aren't entirely certain of his injury or whether he'll be ready for TC 2025.

OTOH, he could be back next week. Or if we win the Grey Cup he may retire. Lots of possibilities.

Anyway. Back to Schoen. I'm in the re-sign him group. He has a unique skill set.

I love Schoen and what he brings, but to play devil's advocate, I think it depends on his price. He suffered a serious injury (?ACL) . I'll assume he comes back 100% but thats not a given. If he is asking for Lawler/Lewis money (285-300,000), I would rather just role the dice on Wilson, Wheatfall and Lawler as our 3 import receivers. That would save us over 200,000, since the 2 W's are on rookie contracts. We are only going to play 3 import receivers, and I'm not convinced the fall off from Schoen to the 2 W's is large enough to warrant spending this much money. Lawler, Wheatfall, Wilson, Demski, Wolitarksi, and Sclercius is a pretty good group.

On the other hand, if he ends up missing part of the 2025 season this will lower his cost to us I guess. Plus he may sign for a more reasonable number, especially coming off injury. And they may decide to go all in for the home Grey Cup, salary cap be damned.

[TecnoGenius]

Speaking of body types, hurts to realize BOO was 6'-3" 227 lbs., sad he never got a fair chance to play in Wpg. because he has the bigger body size with speed they could use more of.

BOO was hit & miss when here, and he was just hit & miss for HAM the other night.  He dropped 2 important balls early in the game, but had a critical catch at the end, and drew a critical DPI too.

He has to really up his game if he wants to remain in the league with the crop of promising NAT Rs coming up every year.  Clercius already seems more reliable in his 1st year compared to BOO's first year.