2024 CFL Player Awards

ModAdmin · November 15, 2024, 04:09:25 AM

Congrats to Adam Bighill (Tom Pate Award winner) and Brady Oliviera (Most Outstanding Player Award AND Most Outstanding Canadian Award winner).

More details on our Blue Bomber and other player winners here...

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/brady-oliveira-s-big-night-highlights-2024-cfl-awards-1.2205483

TecnoGenius · November 15, 2024, 04:17:14 AM

Congrats Brady! By no means was that a done deal. I wouldn't have bet on this turning out for him.

But once again we have the issue of "once you win MOP, MOC is a forgone conclusion" that irks me. Oh well, I'm super happy to see Brady get it. I think the WDF sealed the deal in terms of earned/deserved it, even if it wasn't included before the voting.

Pigskin · November 15, 2024, 04:30:33 AM

Very nice night topped off by 2 bombers winning 3 awards.

Jesse · November 15, 2024, 10:17:30 AM

Congrats Brady!!

Wasn't about to stay up and watch the awards how, but great news to wake up to.

Should be his second consecutive MOP, but I guess we'll take one and another Grey Cup berth instead.

markf · November 15, 2024, 12:40:46 PM

congratulations to both..... well earned.

Waffler · November 15, 2024, 01:15:37 PM

Congrats to all the winners but especially our Bombers. Fills me with pride to cheer for this franchise.

GOLDMEMBER · November 15, 2024, 01:25:23 PM

Quote from: Jesse on November 15, 2024, 10:17:30 AMCongrats Brady!!

Wasn't about to stay up and watch the awards how, but great news to wake up to.

Should be his second consecutive MOP, but I guess we'll take one and another Grey Cup berth instead.

Yup same here. Great news for a great man and amaze player. Let's finish it off right Sunday!

TecnoGenius · November 15, 2024, 08:17:17 PM

So Grant wins MOSTer.

The 3down article says Grant only got $90k this season, and they say that's less than he got in WPG.

KW reiterates "comms issues" though Grant says "no".

Not having Grant this season for $90-$120kish because there were comms issues (or whatever) is maybe the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

If we have such a hard time communicating with players we need to assign some junior helpers to bug & track down flaky players like Grant. This isn't the first time we've heard this.

I understand KW not wanting to waste his time, and the disrespect that it shows towards our organization by these flaky players... but sometimes you need to chase the talent. You suck up your pride and do it. If you can't be bothered then assign interns and gophers to do it.

theaardvark · November 15, 2024, 08:40:32 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 15, 2024, 08:17:17 PMSo Grant wins MOSTer.

The 3down article says Grant only got $90k this season, and they say that's less than he got in WPG.

KW reiterates "comms issues" though Grant says "no".

Not having Grant this season for $90-$120kish because there were comms issues (or whatever) is maybe the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

If we have such a hard time communicating with players we need to assign some junior helpers to bug & track down flaky players like Grant. This isn't the first time we've heard this.

I understand KW not wanting to waste his time, and the disrespect that it shows towards our organization by these flaky players... but sometimes you need to chase the talent. You suck up your pride and do it. If you can't be bothered then assign interns and gophers to do it.

Yeah, you have to chase down talent.

But if that talent doesn't want to play? When do you "cut bait"? Its not like this was the first time Grant did this.

And its not like Grant is some sort of "generational talent". Sure, he's pretty darned good, no doubt about that. But he's not the first returner ever recruited, and won't be the last, or even the best.

If he actually took less than what the Bombers had offered and ended up in Toronto because he missed the window of opportunity to sign here, kinda karmic, really.

And it sends a message going forward, when we say the window is open for this long, then the window is open for this long. We aren't waiting on you forever. A COMPLETELY reasonable position for a GM.

Would I have preferred that Grant signed a deal before the end of the year, or during the window Walters had set? Of course, anyone who says they didn't want Grant back is an idiot. But you don't get to 5 GC's in a row by letting players make decisions for you.

dd · November 15, 2024, 08:50:47 PM

I agree and support KW on his decision to not resign grant, 110%. Our clubhouse is based upon having respect and integrity, grant showed neither. If you don't have the time to negotiate a contract, I don't expect us to kiss anyone's butt or chase people down, you either want to play here or you don't. It's a very cut and dry issue. And it was clear he didn't want to be here. He will regret that come Sunday

If you choose to hire extra staff to chase down these headcases, that's a slippery slope and what you do for one you do for everyone and before you know it, the inmates are running the asylum—that's the Saskatchewan model for how to run a football team. This team requires you to be responsible, respect those around you and return a simple phone call when asked. If not see ya, and you can join Terrell Owens, chad Johnson, and a list of very talented headcases who were,great football players but never won a championship because it was all about them and not about being part of a good team.

As coach Mike singletary once said when he sent his star receiver Vernon Davis to the locker room—I d rather play one man short than play with someone who isn't all about the team, can't win with them, can't coach them, won't do it, I want winners. He too was totally right

We ll bury grant on Sunday

TecnoGenius · November 16, 2024, 01:22:44 AM

Quote from: theaardvark on November 15, 2024, 08:40:32 PMAnd its not like Grant is some sort of "generational talent". Sure, he's pretty darned good, no doubt about that. But he's not the first returner ever recruited, and won't be the last, or even the best.

Uh, have you seen the TSN stats on Janarion? He has all the all-time returners beat in shortest time to X stat and TDs per game played, etc. He is literally not just a generational talent but maybe the best ever, especially if he keeps doing it for years to come.

He got a TD in like every other game this season. In our 2-6 season start period, Grant could have busted TDs in 4 of those games. That puts us over the hump into the W column for maybe 2 or 3 more games, giving us a record like MTL's by season end. Something to ponder.

He busted one in the EDF when TOR wasn't doing too hot. That was the difference.

Heaven forbid he busts one in the GC... that will prove we should have eaten our pride and sicced the "minders" on him in FA. If we keep him contained, then I'll feel better about the debacle.

P.S. You can chase guys down with interns and nobody has to know about it. It can be a secret. Doubt Grant would bother bragging to everyone he's a flake and needs babysitting. It shouldn't affect the management of other players at all. Pinball swallowed his pride to chase Grant down... his org is looking pretty darn good right now!

Jesse · November 16, 2024, 04:19:05 AM

Not sure what happened with Walters and Grant. But Grant should still be a Bomber and it was a mistake letting him go. He's absolutely a generational talent. The best we've ever had in Blue and Gold and he never should have been allowed to wear another uniform.

Throw Long Bannatyne · November 16, 2024, 03:44:31 PM

Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 15, 2024, 08:17:17 PMSo Grant wins MOSTer.

The 3down article says Grant only got $90k this season, and they say that's less than he got in WPG.

KW reiterates "comms issues" though Grant says "no".

Not having Grant this season for $90-$120kish because there were comms issues (or whatever) is maybe the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

If we have such a hard time communicating with players we need to assign some junior helpers to bug & track down flaky players like Grant. This isn't the first time we've heard this.

I understand KW not wanting to waste his time, and the disrespect that it shows towards our organization by these flaky players... but sometimes you need to chase the talent. You suck up your pride and do it. If you can't be bothered then assign interns and gophers to do it.

I read that Grant uses an "uncertified player agent", that could be a friend or a brother, who knows, but I believe the root of the problem could be that he puts his trust in an unprofessional and possibly unorganized acquaintance operating from a cell phone base.

From his awards speech it appears he probably let his passport expire and had to delay his return to Canada by having to re-apply for one. You know, "it is what it is". He's a super talented individual I wish they would have done everything to retain, but I've heard this story too many times before. I wonder who he trusts to manage his money???

TecnoGenius · November 16, 2024, 06:22:15 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 16, 2024, 03:44:31 PMI read that Grant uses an "uncertified player agent", that could be a friend or a brother, who knows, but I believe the root of the problem could be that he puts his trust in an unprofessional and possibly unorganized acquaintance operating from a cell phone base.

I say you gotta do what you gotta do for the best-in-league guys. If Chad Kelly needs a babysitter to not grope the staff, then Janarion can get an intern calling his cell every day or flying out to wherever he lives.

I'm just praying our ST coverage can shut Grant down tomorrow.

dd · November 17, 2024, 12:35:38 AM

On our punts, I d just punt it away from him, even if it means punting it out of bounds and take the 10 yard penalty, so be it.

The only way Toronto stays in this game, is if the defense or ST gets some TD's for them, their offense isn't scoring beans tomorrow.

TecnoGenius · November 17, 2024, 03:33:25 AM

Quote from: dd on November 17, 2024, 12:35:38 AMOn our punts, I d just punt it away from him, even if it means punting it out of bounds and take the 10 yard penalty, so be it.

Gotta be careful playing to keep it away from Grant... MTL tried that by kicking it short to the TOR blockers and TOR burned them with a special ploy to still get it to Grant.

Knowing MOS, we just hoof it like we always do. He doesn't play scared. We've contained Grant in our 2 meetings this season. I bet we can again. Our guys will be motivated. Might even get a dread trophy.