Bomber Free Agents

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

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.

Shiltz and Cameron Duke also available, so the Bombers have a multitude of options they could investigate.

[Blue In BC]

Shiltz and Cameron Judge also available, so the Bombers have a multitude of options they could investigate.

Judge is a LB. Why did you list him in the convo about QB's.

Regardless, the ultimate question is about whether we're looking for a better # 2 or a SY QB. Obviously a " better " # 2 wouldn't hurt but how much more does it cost us and how much better is he that who we have?

[Pigskin]

Judge is a LB. Why did you list him in the convo about QB's.

Regardless, the ultimate question is about whether we're looking for a better # 2 or a SY QB. Obviously a " better " # 2 wouldn't hurt but how much more does it cost us and how much better is he that who we have?

I think he's talking about Cameron Dukes.

[Blue In BC]

I think he's talking about Cameron Dukes.

Ah, that would make sense.

[theaardvark]

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?

Guessing that if a player asked, they'd probably say sure. 

But why telegraph to everyone what you are looking for, and giving those you don't release a bargaining chip knowing that the club Wants them back.  FA period comes soon enough.

And, there may be players you aren't interested in resigning today, at the current ask price, but might be after FA starts, and your other options you were looking at have signed elsewhere, and the asking price for your player has dropped.

There is no advantage to the team to release anyone early.  Woli had a roster bonus due, and Biggie, well, he is still on the roster until FA starts.  I'm sure they'd grant his release if he found a new contract somewhere, but officially, he's a Bomber for a couple weeks.

[theaardvark]

Judge is a LB. Why did you list him in the convo about QB's.

Regardless, the ultimate question is about whether we're looking for a better # 2 or a SY QB. Obviously a " better " # 2 wouldn't hurt but how much more does it cost us and how much better is he that who we have?

Wilson is a development QB, but is he the #2 as well?  Or does he drop to #3 if we bring in a Dukes or Arbuckle?

I'd like to see us move away from SY QB, and see if Chris-Ike fits the job better, or even Clercius.  Then we can have 3 QB's on the roster ready to win a game.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Wilson is a development QB, but is he the #2 as well?  Or does he drop to #3 if we bring in a Dukes or Arbuckle?

I'd like to see us move away from SY QB, and see if Chris-Ike fits the job better, or even Clercius.  Then we can have 3 QB's on the roster ready to win a game.

They could even bring Prukop back for SY and go with the same setup they had with Dru Brown.

[Blue In BC]

Guessing that if a player asked, they'd probably say sure. 

But why telegraph to everyone what you are looking for, and giving those you don't release a bargaining chip knowing that the club Wants them back.  FA period comes soon enough.

And, there may be players you aren't interested in resigning today, at the current ask price, but might be after FA starts, and your other options you were looking at have signed elsewhere, and the asking price for your player has dropped.

There is no advantage to the team to release anyone early.  Woli had a roster bonus due, and Biggie, well, he is still on the roster until FA starts.  I'm sure they'd grant his release if he found a new contract somewhere, but officially, he's a Bomber for a couple weeks.

Every team will have players they have zero intent in bringing back in 2025. Those players were not free to consider seeing what other teams might have interest in them before free agency.

Not every early release has anything to do with a bonus payment coming due. Many bonus payments are made as scheduled.

Do you seriously think Woli was released just because of a $12K bonus due this weekend?

I'd say there is no disadvantage to releasing some players if a team has decided not to bring them back.

For those the team does want back, there is no guarantee the team re-signs them for a higher amount later. They may test free agency tampering period. Money on the table today isn't automatically on the table on Feb 12.

IMO organizations makes offers to players they want back so there aren't any secrets. That player may choose to test the tampering period but that line may not change. A team may be forced to make an offer elsewhere if they don't know that player is returning.

Things happen very quickly the moment free agency begins.

[Blue In BC]

They could even bring Prukop back for SY and go with the same setup they had with Dru Brown.

Hard no. Dolegala has more upside than Prukop even if he's never going to be # 2. We also don't have Dru Brown on the roster.

Wilson looks like he can handle the SY but we don't know if he can quickly progress to # 2.  Ultimately the question at # 2 is the important one. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Hard no. Dolegala has more upside than Prukop even if he's never going to be # 2. We also don't have Dru Brown on the roster.

Wilson looks like he can handle the SY but we don't know if he can quickly progress to # 2.  Ultimately the question at # 2 is the important one. 

You misunderstood my post, Prukop would take over short yardage duties again, just as he did when Dru Brown was #2, this time Wilson would be #2, the real backup option. Prukop is cheap, efficient at what he does and knows his role, what more could you want from a SY QB?

Dolegala can't do SY and he isn't skilled enough to become the future replacement for Zach that fans will demand, so not sure why he's still here. I hope they send him down the highway at the very first opportunity on a high speed bus.

[Blueforlife]

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.

I stand corrected but disagree that the Toronto DL is the reason we lost those cups.  I think we can continue to develop our DL and find some studs in camp.

You misunderstood my post, Prukop would take over short yardage duties again, just as he did when Dru Brown was #2, this time Wilson would be #2, the real backup option. Prukop is cheap, efficient at what he does and knows his role, what more could you want from a SY QB?

Dolegala can't do SY and he isn't skilled enough to become the future replacement for Zach that fans will demand, so not sure why he's still here. I hope they send him down the highway at the very first opportunity on a high speed bus.

Disagree all but yes Wilson at #2 is ok imo

[Blue In BC]

You misunderstood my post, Prukop would take over short yardage duties again, just as he did when Dru Brown was #2, this time Wilson would be #2, the real backup option. Prukop is cheap, efficient at what he does and knows his role, what more could you want from a SY QB?

Dolegala can't do SY and he isn't skilled enough to become the future replacement for Zach that fans will demand, so not sure why he's still here. I hope they send him down the highway at the very first opportunity on a high speed bus.

Wilson might be the next Dru Brown or the 1st QB out of town. I have no idea to make any real assessment. I hope he's the next Dru Brown.

Dolegala has more experience but I'm not convinced he'll have a long CFL career.

If the team feels Wilson will be the # 2 QB then I would consider replacing Dolegala as the SY QB.

[Pigskin]

14 days since we signed one of our pending FAs. 3 days left till the communication window opens. 

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers transactions - January 30, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., January 30, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has transferred American quarterback Darren Grainger to the retired list.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

14 days since we signed one of our pending FAs. 3 days left till the communication window opens. 

It seems they're taking a wait and see approach to a lot of their FA's which is a pretty passive approach, they're rolling the dice by setting them free and seeing if they come back home again. Could be the players initiative to test the market on mass?


ALEXANDER Brandon   A   DB   Central Florida   
AUGUSTINE Johnny   N   RB   Guelph   
BENSON Mike   N   LS   Acadia   
BIGHILL Adam   A   LB   Central Washington   
COLE II Brian   A   LB   Mississippi State   
DOBSON Liam   N   OL   Maine   
FELTMATE Bailey   N   LB   Acadia   
FORD Tyrell   N   DB   Waterloo   
FOX Miles   A   DL   Wake Forest   
GARBUTT TyJuan   A   DL   Virginia Tech   
HABA Celestin   A   DL   Texas A&M Commerce   
HALLETT Noah   N   DB   McMaster   
LAWLER Kenny   A   WR   California   
LOFTON Eric   A   OL   Temple   
SCHOEN Dalton   A   WR   Kansas State   
STREVELER Chris   A   QB   South Dakota   
TAYLOR Nicholas   A   DB   Florida International   
WHITEHEAD Lucky   A   WR   Florida Atlantic