Bomber Free Agents

[Blueforlife]

Well, I disagree.

We're spending more at other positions. We spent much more on two receivers in the same position group.

Their DL is the reason we've had so much trouble against Toronto the past few years. It's lost us two Grey Cups. We'd be fools to ignore that.

The DL didn't lose us two cups.  Way overstated imo.  We need to improve on the DL with a stud and some depth but to claim what you are saying is way over the top imo.  Seen on other person say the same.  The game is won and lost based on how all three phases play and how we are coached.  Last year we laid an egg in all three phases imo.  Willie played a crazy good game last cup.

I believe based on our salary cap issues, the DL is one place to save not over spend.  Doesn't mean I'm right but it's what I would do.  Spend the $ elsewhere as we have a lot of players to sign that would have a huge impact if we could keep the band together.  I think we can sign some of our existing DL talent at a reasonable cost and they would be ok if we can find a couple new faces in camp.

[Pete]

The DL didn't lose us two cups.  Way overstated imo.  We need to improve on the DL with a stud and some depth but to claim what you are saying is way over the top imo.  Seen on other person say the same.  The game is won and lost based on how all three phases play and how we are coached.  Last year we laid an egg in all three phases imo.  Willie played a crazy good game last cup.

I believe based on our salary cap issues, the DL is one place to save not over spend.  Doesn't mean I'm right but it's what I would do.  Spend the $ elsewhere as we have a lot of players to sign that would have a huge impact if we could keep the band together.  I think we can sign some of our existing DL talent at a reasonable cost and they would be ok if we can find a couple new faces in camp.

in the grey cup the argos figured out our d, don't rush the throws because without the dline pressure the qb can wait til receivers come open. We need to upgrade our dline and that costs money. With the high quality dbs, we can save some money at lb. Keeping the band together is partially what has lead to our slow but inevitable decline in our performance. Looks like we are trying to address this somewhat this year though..

[TecnoGenius]

In any case, I guess he wants to check his market value. There may even be a team that will overpay to land a starting OL. Bombers can't control that but that doesn't mean he leaves either.

I don't think Dobson is good enough.  As someone else said, he's not Desjar or Chungh: at least not yet.  I'd put Dobson as more like Speller.

I really think this is a year we can escape without a bad FA loss on the OL.

[TecnoGenius]

Andrew Harris is the Riders (spit) running backs coach...traitor!

Ugh.  That hurts.  Dude needs a good job, though, and that's a pretty good gig for him.

I may have to change my avatar until he moves on!  Can't be supporting green.

The greenie forums had/has a massive hate-on for AH33.  Like major massive.  The guy they hate more than anyone else ever.  Their heads must be exploding now!  Do they abandon their hate and make up excuses why he's a good guy now?  Or do they stick with the hate?  Time to visit the green forum!

[blue_gold_84]

Ugh.  That hurts.  Dude needs a good job, though, and that's a pretty good gig for him.

I may have to change my avatar until he moves on!  Can't be supporting green.

The greenie forums had/has a massive hate-on for AH33.  Like major massive.  The guy they hate more than anyone else ever.  Their heads must be exploding now!  Do they abandon their hate and make up excuses why he's a good guy now?  Or do they stick with the hate?  Time to visit the green forum!

They'll struggle to pick a lane. They always do.

[theaardvark]

If our O scores more points, the DL doesn't need to dominate to win a cup.  Our D was fine, except for being on the field so much.  That's OK if its fast TD's taking you off the fiekd, but horrible if its 2 and outs...

[dd]

The free agent QB's are slim pickings at best. Arbuckle and a 37 year old Masoli leading the rankings.
https://3downnation.com/2025/01/28/2025-cfl-free-agent-rankings-quarterbacks/

I feel like we need, and I mean NEED, a strong 2nd stringer. Not sure where that is coming from. Appears to be Zach or bust again.

Wow, can you imagine being the Grey Cup MVP and then you're a Free Agent?? I wonder what his price tag will be?? He is a proven backup who can obviously step into the big game and win it. We'd be fools not to check into this.

[theaardvark]

Wow, can you imagine being the Grey Cup MVP and then you're a Free Agent?? I wonder what his price tag will be?? He is a proven backup who can obviously step into the big game and win it. We'd be fools not to check into this.

MVP because they won.  There were better players in the game.

Is he comfortable as a #2, or will he want a chance to start? 

Is he a starter (one game does not change a career).

Grey Cup 26/37  252yds 2TD, 2INT, 6.8yd average 36yd longest

Not an MVP game, by any means. 

No injury to Zach, or even if they'd made different personnel moves after the injury, and Willie is MVP. 

Arbuckle is serviceable.  But has proven inconsistent enough to not stick with a team as a starter.  5 team changes in 6 years does not scream starter.

[Pigskin]

Back to the topic. Sunday at noon the free agency tampering window will open for 7 days. With a ton of players out there I would think this will be a very busy time for Mr. Walters. I would like to see him land either Lawler or Schoen, and Dobson before that window opens. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Back to the topic. Sunday at noon the free agency tampering window will open for 7 days. With a ton of players out there I would think this will be a very busy time for Mr. Walters. I would like to see him land either Lawler or Schoen, and Dobson before that window opens. 

I take it Walters is going to let Schoen and Lawler test the open market to see where their price lands, won't know till it happens whether he will match offers on one, both, or neither. I think it unlikely any receiver is going to receive $250k+ offers this FA, a price correction likely in effect.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

MVP because they won.  There were better players in the game.

Is he comfortable as a #2, or will he want a chance to start? 

Is he a starter (one game does not change a career).

Grey Cup 26/37  252yds 2TD, 2INT, 6.8yd average 36yd longest

Not an MVP game, by any means. 

No injury to Zach, or even if they'd made different personnel moves after the injury, and Willie is MVP. 

Arbuckle is serviceable.  But has proven inconsistent enough to not stick with a team as a starter.  5 team changes in 6 years does not scream starter.

Don't think anyone is offering or expecting Arbuckle to land a #1 job, including himself.  He looks to be a competent #2, capable of winning 50% of games coming off the bench. Maybe that's all the Bombers need this season behind Zach? The future lies with Wilson....or some other unknown.

I had no idea Arbuckle was considered a very smart QB until Dinwiddie spoke prior to the GC last year, his problem has always been trying to do too much with limited physical tools.  Enroll him in the LaPo school of ball control.

[theaardvark]

Don't think anyone is offering or expecting Arbuckle to land a #1 job, including himself.  He looks to be a competent #2, capable of winning 50% of games coming off the bench. Maybe that's all the Bombers need this season behind Zach? The future lies with Wilson....or some other unknown.

I had no idea Arbuckle was considered a very smart QB until Dinwiddie spoke prior to the GC last year, his problem has always been trying to do too much with limited physical tools.  Enroll him in the LaPo school of ball control.

So, if its a question of Streveler, Arbuckle or Dolegala as a backup for Zach, with Wilson in development, I guess Arbuckle wouldn't be a bad option, depending the price.

[Blue In BC]

It's probable that some of the potential free agents in Winnipeg are not in their plans.

So why didn't they release them earlier to allow those players longer to seek other opportunities? They did that with Bighill and Woli a little early but why not for some of the others?

[Jesse]

The DL didn't lose us two cups.  Way overstated imo.  We need to improve on the DL with a stud and some depth but to claim what you are saying is way over the top imo.  Seen on other person say the same.  The game is won and lost based on how all three phases play and how we are coached.  Last year we laid an egg in all three phases imo.  Willie played a crazy good game last cup.

I believe based on our salary cap issues, the DL is one place to save not over spend.  Doesn't mean I'm right but it's what I would do.  Spend the $ elsewhere as we have a lot of players to sign that would have a huge impact if we could keep the band together.  I think we can sign some of our existing DL talent at a reasonable cost and they would be ok if we can find a couple new faces in camp.

1. I didn't say that the DL was responsible for losing us the game. I said that the dominance of Toronto's DL is a major reason we've had so much trouble with them over the years.

2. Our salary cap management is changing. We've moved on from previous faces of our franchise. Our OL is a little less effective. Zach is a little less effective. We need to adapt in other areas. Toronto and Montreal have presented us with a blueprint to copy: invest in the DL.

[Jesse]

Back to the topic. Sunday at noon the free agency tampering window will open for 7 days. With a ton of players out there I would think this will be a very busy time for Mr. Walters. I would like to see him land either Lawler or Schoen, and Dobson before that window opens. 

I'd imagine he will have limited offers to both Schoen and Lawler and then shift his focus to one or the other as the market dictates. Still may see both retained.

If Schoen doesn't miss last season, I sign him first without thinking twice. But the question on whether he comes back the same guy throws a wrench into the decision making process.

I think Dobson prices himself out of our budget. He's not a guy I would write a blank cheque for.