Bomber Free Agents

[TecnoGenius]

Less than 40% chance Strev. saves the day I think.  Thing is, even if Strev. was healthy I doubt they would have taken Zach out

Maybe.  But 10% chance Zach saves the day with no finger.  5% chance Wilson saves the day.  4% chance Dolegala saves the day.

So the 40% chance Strev saves that GC would have been a stellar option in comparison.

I have no doubt in my mind that had they put Zach back in with Strev available, they would have pulled him for good after his first duck INT.

[TecnoGenius]

Even when Strev was healthy he didn't pound any team  ly , let alone the argos who arguably had the best dline ly.

Strev didn't pound any team with Buck at the helm because we didn't need/want him to (thanks Buck).  But if he's thrown in the '24 GC, he'd have no other option than to smack some pads.

Keep in mind a team will often prep for a specific QB or QB style.  TOR was prepped to beat a pure pocket passer (Zach).  What would happen if suddenly faced with a pounder?  Think '19 WDF (maybe).

In fact, I wish we had had Wilson pound it a bit, mix things up.  Kind of like when Kelly came in for MBT in the '23 GC.  The worst thing you can do is have the backup unknown guy come in in an emergency and try to just pretend to be the other QB.

[Blue In BC]

Strev didn't pound any team with Buck at the helm because we didn't need/want him to (thanks Buck).  But if he's thrown in the '24 GC, he'd have no other option than to smack some pads.

Keep in mind a team will often prep for a specific QB or QB style.  TOR was prepped to beat a pure pocket passer (Zach).  What would happen if suddenly faced with a pounder?  Think '19 WDF (maybe).

In fact, I wish we had had Wilson pound it a bit, mix things up.  Kind of like when Kelly came in for MBT in the '23 GC.  The worst thing you can do is have the backup unknown guy come in in an emergency and try to just pretend to be the other QB.

Hindsight is always optimistic. We'll never know if Streveler would have changed the outcome. Regardless I don't think many see him as a good # 2 QB going into 2025.

OTOH, I don't think we're comfortable with Dolegala as the # 2 either. He's certainly not going to be short yardage QB.

So where does that leave us? Wilson may be a good QB in the future. Too early to tell. I think another year as # 3 would be useful but that takes us back to the question of who is # 2?

The only option that might be a decent add is MBT if he doesn't re-negotiate in Montreal and / or is affordable. Neither seems probable.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Hindsight is always optimistic. We'll never know if Streveler would have changed the outcome. Regardless I don't think many see him as a good # 2 QB going into 2025.

OTOH, I don't think we're comfortable with Dolegala as the # 2 either. He's certainly not going to be short yardage QB.

So where does that leave us? Wilson may be a good QB in the future. Too early to tell. I think another year as # 3 would be useful but that takes us back to the question of who is # 2?

The only option that might be a decent add is MBT if he doesn't re-negotiate in Montreal and / or is affordable. Neither seems probable.

Like MBT There are a few other vet QB's that may be left dangling in the wind this year,

Hindsight is always optimistic. We'll never know if Streveler would have changed the outcome. Regardless I don't think many see him as a good # 2 QB going into 2025.

OTOH, I don't think we're comfortable with Dolegala as the # 2 either. He's certainly not going to be short yardage QB.

So where does that leave us? Wilson may be a good QB in the future. Too early to tell. I think another year as # 3 would be useful but that takes us back to the question of who is # 2?

The only option that might be a decent add is MBT if he doesn't re-negotiate in Montreal and / or is affordable. Neither seems probable.

There are a few other vet. QB's that may be left unprotected this year, Arbuckle, Shiltz, Crum, Masoli, Cameron Dukes, although I think it unlikely the Argos let Dukes go. Each provides a temporary level of backup security, but not much hope they will become #1 once Zach is gone.

Of this group Crum would interest me the most as a fairly efficient replacement for Strev's role, while Terry Wilson continues to develop as #2.

[theaardvark]

BO20 got zero TD's until Steveler got injured.  That's his spot, his forte.

40% chance for Steveler, 5% chance for Wilson?  Really?  Without more game tape on Wilson, not sure how you pick that number out of the air.  And the fact that they kept him over other QB prospects says they don't agree with you.

Running Streveler with a broken foot, and Zach with a severed fingertip, we know the MO of the MOS/Buck team.  If you can play, you play. 

Wilson should have had 2 series minimum, and BO20 should have had 75% of the touches and if he didn't work, Dolegala.  Otherwise, why have backups?  Zach could not grip the ball, and had to wear a glove just to play. 

[Blue In BC]

Well MBT has negotiated a new deal to stay in Montreal so that takes him off any potential choice list.

[VictorRomano]

If Strev can't go, or we can't get him signed to a cap-friendly deal, I'd be looking at Tommy Stevens from Calgary as a "short-yardage-but-can't-pass-and-we-won't-ask-him-to" short yardage QB option.  Dude is a load, and as big as some DL.  If he can't put his head down on 3rd and 1 and get a yard behind our OL, I don't think anyone can.

[Blue In BC]

If Strev can't go, or we can't get him signed to a cap-friendly deal, I'd be looking at Tommy Stevens from Calgary as a "short-yardage-but-can't-pass-and-we-won't-ask-him-to" short yardage QB option.  Dude is a load, and as big as some DL.  If he can't put his head down on 3rd and 1 and get a yard behind our OL, I don't think anyone can.

Stevens has only complete 11 passes for 82 yards in 52 games. He'd be a good short yardage QB but that's where we want a #3 development QB.

[dd]

I don't know why the Stamps didn't try and develop Stevens more, from what I remember, whenver he was in he did alright. When they started those other Qb's this past season, who were gawd awful, I didn't know why Stevens didn't get the start as he surely would have faired better that those guys (I can't even recall their names, but they were baaaad)

I'd love it if we signed Stevens, absolute beast of a running Qb, never missed a game from injury, and let's see what he can do

[TecnoGenius]

If Strev can't go, or we can't get him signed to a cap-friendly deal, I'd be looking at Tommy Stevens from Calgary as a "short-yardage-but-can't-pass-and-we-won't-ask-him-to" short yardage QB option.  Dude is a load, and as big as some DL.  If he can't put his head down on 3rd and 1 and get a yard behind our OL, I don't think anyone can.

Strev's '24 salary was the most cap-friendly thing I've ever seen for what he brings.  Not gonna get much more friendly than that.

As for Stevens: CGY didn't keep him?  Are they insane?  He could be the best SY QB in the whole league.  He's basically Strev jacked up 3 sizes, in terms of SY and run threat.  Maybe the better analogy is Prukop jacked up 4 sizes.

My gut says if Strev can still play and wants to play, the job is his.  He's still a fan favorite and probably a butts-in-seats draw.  But if no Strev, make a play for Stevens!  However, I think Stevens can name his price pretty much as most teams need a good SY... *if* they value SY like WFC does.

[TecnoGenius]

40% chance for Steveler, 5% chance for Wilson?  Really?  Without more game tape on Wilson, not sure how you pick that number out of the air.  And the fact that they kept him over other QB prospects says they don't agree with you.

I didn't come up with the 40% Strev number, but it sounded plausible.  And if Strev is 40, ya, I'd put Wilson at 5%.  Mostly because he's a big question mark (as you said).

The proof is in the pudding.  Wilson had his chance late-ish in the game to come in and blow up the game exactly like Kelly did in '22.  Did he?  Nope.  He failed on 2 TD attempts (yes, not all his fault, see my posts from a month ago).  His successful TD drive was really mostly a function of a friendly DPI.

Wilson should have had 2 series minimum, and BO20 should have had 75% of the touches and if he didn't work, Dolegala.  Otherwise, why have backups?  Zach could not grip the ball, and had to wear a glove just to play.

He kind of did have 2 series.  Failed TDs and then successful TD.

But hey, I agree with you, Wilson should have been thrown in as soon as Zach tossed the first sliced-finger INT.  And if Wilson stinks it up just as bad, throw Dolegala in.  "The guys are here in the building for a reason" is the mantra... so give them their shot and hope one is the next Kelly, or the confusion of a switched-up play style puts TOR D off their game.

[Blue In BC]

Bombers re-sign K. Wilson and S. Gauthier. Both add value to the roster and I doubt they are expensive to retain. OTOH, I'm at least slightly surprised and wonder if this means we expect to lose Ayers and Cole?

K. Wilson can still be a productive player as the starter at WIL. All he has to do is stay healthy. The question will be whether he transitions during the course of the season to the rotation player as a DI.

Gauthier has already followed the step towards a lesser role on defence but is still very good on ST's.

[VictorRomano]

K. Wilson can still be a productive player as the starter at WIL. All he has to do is stay healthy. The question will be whether he transitions during the course of the season to the rotation player as a DI.

Personally, I'd be looking to move on from Wilson.  Guy is a decent talent, but he's always hurt.  He's only played 51 games over 7 seasons with the Bombers - that's 7.x games per year.  Can't make the club from the tub.  At 32 he's on the back end of his career now anyway, and we need guys we can count on to play 15+ games every year.

[blue_gold_84]

Can't hurt to add roster depth in mid-January. Two experienced LBs who can be utilized in a system they're familiar with and understand.

[markf]

On short yardage...

Why don't they hand the ball to a running back?

There is negligible pass threat. No stats to support, but Teams almost never pass on short
Yardage.

Why give not give it to a player whose job is running the ball?

Or,if not,pass it now and then.

One of those CFL football things that makes no sense to me.