Lucky Whitehead

[Blue In BC]

Just some observations about his season: While he has not had a spectacular season he has made key plays in at least 3 games resulting in victories for the Bombers.

In one of his 1st games he scored an important TD. In another game he managed an important 1st down which resulted in Bombers being able to manage a winning FG.

Yesterday was the most obvious with his impressive return which swung momentum in our favour and allowed us to score a TD to close the gap. I have no doubt without that return we would have lost.

I don't think he's earning that much but I'd say his play has been consistent and he's made a difference when he needed to.

I'm not sure he'll be back in 2025 but he has a chance to get to and win a Grey Cup. Kudos to his effort in 2024.

[Waffler]

I'd agree. His arrival coincided with us winning. His attitude and optimism is infectious and I can't help thinking he made a difference to the locker room.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Just some observations about his season: While he has not had a spectacular season he has made key plays in at least 3 games resulting in victories for the Bombers.

In one of his 1st games he scored an important TD. In another game he managed an important 1st down which resulted in Bombers being able to manage a winning FG.

Yesterday was the most obvious with his impressive return which swung momentum in our favour and allowed us to score a TD to close the gap. I have no doubt without that return we would have lost.

I don't think he's earning that much but I'd say his play has been consistent and he's made a difference when he needed to.

I'm not sure he'll be back in 2025 but he has a chance to get to and win a Grey Cup. Kudos to his effort in 2024.

Agree, not likely Lucky will be back next year, too bad he could not have helped out more as a receiver when he had the chance, maybe in the playoffs.  With Schoen and Woli healthy next season a few of the receivers that played yesterday will be relegated to backups once again, most likely Clercius and Wheatfall.

[Blue In BC]

Agree, not likely Lucky will be back next year, too bad he could not have helped out more as a receiver when he had the chance, maybe in the playoffs.  With Schoen and Woli healthy next season a few of the receivers that played yesterday will be relegated to backups once again, most likely Clercius and Wheatfall.

I'm not sure that Schoen will ever be the same player. It's also uncertain when he might even be available. His injury could extend beyond TC and he only signed a 1 year deal didn't he?

Woli had hip issues late in 2023 and then twice in 2024. He missed some time early and then again. I have no idea if he might still be ready for the play offs or whether this will be a career ending issue. It reminds me somewhat of the injury Ellington had in Winnipeg.

We can hope for the best, but it's all a TBD. Management will have a better idea but we aren't going to hear their view until we see what happens going into TC 2025.

[BBRT]

I'm not sure that Schoen will ever be the same player. It's also uncertain when he might even be available. His injury could extend beyond TC and he only signed a 1 year deal didn't he?

Woli had hip issues late in 2023 and then twice in 2024. He missed some time early and then again. I have no idea if he might still be ready for the play offs or whether this will be a career ending issue. It reminds me somewhat of the injury Ellington had in Winnipeg.

We can hope for the best, but it's all a TBD. Management will have a better idea but we aren't going to hear their view until we see what happens going into TC 2025.

I agree - I think Woli might be back but really not sure on Schoen. Might be time to move on with Schoen as he is a big ticket item when compared to Woli

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I agree - I think Woli might be back but really not sure on Schoen. Might be time to move on with Schoen as he is a big ticket item when compared to Woli

I think Schoen has earned the right to win his job back after the 2 season he put up on his ELC.

[Blueforlife]

Whitehead came as advertised, a vetern presence that while has slowed helped us especially considering our injuries.  Proud of him.

[Blue In BC]

I think Schoen has earned the right to win his job back after the 2 season he put up on his ELC.

Earned the right. Sure not problem with that. It's a question of health and what his injury did to his ability to play at the same level. A contract that doesn't include a major advance payment without medical confirmation. That could lean towards games played and performance awards.

If he can play like he did previously we should sign him early before free agency. Team medical team will know more about that than us.

[Jesse]

I think Schoen has earned the right to win his job back after the 2 season he put up on his ELC.

He's not going to "earn" a job anywhere. Assuming health, a team is going to have to offer him a very lucrative contract to sign him to their team.

[TecnoGenius]

I'm not sure that Schoen will ever be the same player. It's also uncertain when he might even be available. His injury could extend beyond TC and he only signed a 1 year deal didn't he?

I'm not worried about Schoen's ability.  He was never very fast.  So one would think he'd have a better chance of regaining his middling speed.  And it was never his speed that made him deadly anyhow.

The question on Schoen is can we possibly afford his SMS in '25?  One could argue that putting all that huge money into the OL and DL would win us more games.  However, maybe if Schoen had been in all year the OL problems would have been less painful?  It's hard to say.

What might be nice is Schoen may take a bit of a discount to stay... maybe?  He did cost us a lot with zero benefit this year.  And now he might be marked as "injury prone", who knows.  That said, I'm not sure Schoen feels a massive brotherhood with Winnipeg (yet) like some of the other guys.  He may still be in the "mercenary" stage of his career.  I'm not sure it's worth chasing him if he wants Kenny money again.

[blue_gold_84]

Whitehead understands FIFO as he's been here before. He's been a strong asset this season and I'd love to see him stick around for 2025 if it's feasible.

[Blue In BC]

I'm not worried about Schoen's ability.  He was never very fast.  So one would think he'd have a better chance of regaining his middling speed.  And it was never his speed that made him deadly anyhow.

The question on Schoen is can we possibly afford his SMS in '25?  One could argue that putting all that huge money into the OL and DL would win us more games.  However, maybe if Schoen had been in all year the OL problems would have been less painful?  It's hard to say.

What might be nice is Schoen may take a bit of a discount to stay... maybe?  He did cost us a lot with zero benefit this year.  And now he might be marked as "injury prone", who knows.  That said, I'm not sure Schoen feels a massive brotherhood with Winnipeg (yet) like some of the other guys.  He may still be in the "mercenary" stage of his career.  I'm not sure it's worth chasing him if he wants Kenny money again.

It wasn't about potentially losing any speed. It's about whether the integrity of the knee going to be limiting at all. Not every player regains complete form and confidence.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'm not worried about Schoen's ability.  He was never very fast.  So one would think he'd have a better chance of regaining his middling speed.  And it was never his speed that made him deadly anyhow.

The question on Schoen is can we possibly afford his SMS in '25?  One could argue that putting all that huge money into the OL and DL would win us more games.  However, maybe if Schoen had been in all year the OL problems would have been less painful?  It's hard to say.

What might be nice is Schoen may take a bit of a discount to stay... maybe?  He did cost us a lot with zero benefit this year.  And now he might be marked as "injury prone", who knows.  That said, I'm not sure Schoen feels a massive brotherhood with Winnipeg (yet) like some of the other guys.  He may still be in the "mercenary" stage of his career.  I'm not sure it's worth chasing him if he wants Kenny money again.

Schoen bent over backwards to re-sign with Wpg. and was overjoyed to do so, he accepted less than Lawler even after putting up better receiving numbers for 2 seasons. It doesn't mean Walters won't make a financial decision and move on as he did with multiple players last season, but it's unlikely to be Schoen's initiative to leave unless he gets handballed by a low offer.

2) Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $285,000
Maximum value: $285,000

The two-time West Division all-star renegotiated his contract early this off-season to lower his cap hit from $310,000 to $285,000, collecting a $150,000 signing bonus in the process. He will also earn a $115,000 base salary, $13,800 in housing money, and $7,200 in travel money this season in Bomberland.

3) Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $230,000
Maximum value: $230,000

The two-time CFL all-star received a $105,000 signing bonus to remain in Winnipeg this season after garnering a lot of attention from around the league in free agency. Schoen will also make $76,200 in salary, $35,000 in non-football-related services to the team, and $13,800 in housing money.

[theaardvark]

I don't think affording Schoen or signing Schoen will be an issue.  The key to how long and how much will be his health and his recovery. 

I do not think we will have an issue confirming the exact state of his health, I do not think he will pull an AH33 and demand a contract without a full medical assessment.

If he is 100%, he gets a new deal, on his terms.  I think Kenny comes down a bit to make some room for others.  We still have Wilson for another ELC year.  I do think Biggie comes off the books, maybe Jefferson too, although a home GC makes those decisions harder on both sides.  I guess a lot depends on the next 2 games.

[ichabod_crane]

I could swear Shoen signed a 2 year deal after no nfl team picked him up. I think some guaranteed money is involved too, but that may be year one and not year 2.

If he is smart he takes a dip
In salary next season just to prove he is fine and then clean up the year after in free agency. Right now he has NO leverage as a washed out season.