Bomber Free Agents

[theaardvark]

How so?

Lawler missed games all had $SMS savings, and were more or less known and able to be planned for.

Jeffcoat's missed games, IIRC, were mostly 1 game, so cost us $SMS, and were game time decisions, hard to make adjustments for.

[Blue In BC]

It isn't looking like we're going to re-sign any of our potential free agents until the tampering window opens.

For several players I can understand why this is happening. For others, less so. It's been an interesting pre free agency period where we've signed some good players released by other teams.

While we don't know if the team wanted some of our specific players back or whether they declined our offers to test free agency.

Perhaps some should take note that there is always a Plan B.

[theaardvark]

It isn't looking like we're going to re-sign any of our potential free agents until the tampering window opens.

For several players I can understand why this is happening. For others, less so. It's been an interesting pre free agency period where we've signed some good players released by other teams.

While we don't know if the team wanted some of our specific players back or whether they declined our offers to test free agency.

Perhaps some should take note that there is always a Plan B.

I think the whiteboards at PAS have plans B through H on them

Landing a top FA Rec and DE before the tampering window is huge, we are having one of the best offseasons in the CFL this year.

We've moved on from Biggie and Woli, sure, but we haven't had to release/renegotiate top players the way some team have so far.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think the whiteboards at PAS have plans B through H on them

Landing a top FA Rec and DE before the tampering window is huge, we are having one of the best offseasons in the CFL this year.

We've moved on from Biggie and Woli, sure, but we haven't had to release/renegotiate top players the way some team have so far.

I suspect they intend to bring B.A. back, reasonable to conclude if they were not interested in doing so they would have extended him the courtesy of setting him free early like they did Bighill and Woli.  As an esteemed vet. leader this may be a way to bring him back in a secondary role, ie. not starting, more coaching.  At his age pretty certain no other team will be interested.

[theaardvark]

I suspect they intend to bring B.A. back, reasonable to conclude if they were not interested in doing so they would have extended him the courtesy of setting him free early like they did Bighill and Woli.  As an esteemed vet. leader this may be a way to bring him back in a secondary role, ie. not starting, more coaching.  At his age pretty certain no other team will be interested.

Wolitarsky is the only Bomber released, because he wan not a FA and had a roster payment due.

No free agent has had the "courtesy" of a release.  Other than Biggie, we don't know how many pending FA's have been told they will not be offered a contract.  And we don't know if any have asked for a release either. 

Biggie was told he could shop for a deal, but by the rules, he can't, until they release him.  Which doesn't make sense if he wants to play in 2025. You think he'd ask for the release, and make a deal pre-FA.

We have no idea if BA has been offered a deal, or has not.  I can see many players on the list that may have got "qualifying offers" with an invitation to explore the tampering period and then counter or accept the offer.  Those qualifying offers probably expire once tampering opens, because we might find someone we want at a price we love during tampering, and that might eliminate the need for that player.

There are also some that may have been told, like Biggie, that they won't be getting an offer.  I'm sure that if they wanted to be released, Walters would cut them free.

[Jesse]

Lawler missed games all had $SMS savings, and were more or less known and able to be planned for.

Jeffcoat's missed games, IIRC, were mostly 1 game, so cost us $SMS, and were game time decisions, hard to make adjustments for.

Lawler's contract had a $150k signing bonus. The SMS savings were incredible minimal.

[J5V]

What really stings is the Argos signing Janarion Grant, again. I still struggle to think he isn't a Bomber.

[dd]

What really stings is the Argos signing Janarion Grant, again. I still struggle to think he isn't a Bomber.

Ya, they didn't seem to have any problem getting something worked out with him, yet we couldn't get him to return a phone call...something happened there and we'll never know what the real reason was why he blew us off.

[J5V]

Winnipeg isn't Toronto, never will be. That being said, seeing Grant go to and stay in Toronto puzzles me. Oh well, c'est la vie. What the Bombers have to attract players is their culture and that starts with Wade Miller, Kyle Walters, and Mike O'Shea. We might not have the most talented athlete at every position. What we always do seem to have is a very good team. I'm always going to prefer that over assembling the best group of free agents.

[dd]

Winnipeg isn't Toronto, never will be. That being said, seeing Grant go to and stay in Toronto puzzles me. Oh well, c'est la vie. What the Bombers have to attract players is their culture and that starts with Wade Miller, Kyle Walters, and Mike O'Shea. We might not have the most talented athlete at every position. What we always do seem to have is a very good team. I'm always going to prefer that over assembling the best group of free agents.

Agreed. His not returning our calls speaks poorly of his character not ours.

[Blue In BC]

The rubber will be hitting the road tomorrow as potential free agents field offers from around the CFL.

Dobson, Schoen, Lawler and Ford are in that group. I'm not sure if any of the others will see activity. Maybe Haba, Fox or Garbutt but those are longer shots IMO.

Where does that leave the other 10 or so players? In particular will we see Alexander and Augustine returning? I expect 8 - 10 on the list as not returning to Winnipeg and possibly out of the CFL all together.

In any case we'll be deciding on some in the 1st group based on what happens in the tampering period. SMS decisions will come into play significantly on both sides.

[Jesse]

The rubber will be hitting the road tomorrow as potential free agents field offers from around the CFL.

Dobson, Schoen, Lawler and Ford are in that group. I'm not sure if any of the others will see activity. Maybe Haba, Fox or Garbutt but those are longer shots IMO.

Where does that leave the other 10 or so players? In particular will we see Alexander and Augustine returning? I expect 8 - 10 on the list as not returning to Winnipeg and possibly out of the CFL all together.

In any case we'll be deciding on some in the 1st group based on what happens in the tampering period. SMS decisions will come into play significantly on both sides.

Not Schoen

[Blue In BC]

Not Schoen

That's good news. It's possible that his deal was finalized awhile ago or just today. Not that it matters per se. I do wonder why players sign the day before the tampering period and choose to not explore other offers? There have already been some last minute deals around the league.

Either way I'm glad to get him back and take this to mean he's recovered from his 2024 injury.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

That's good news. It's possible that his deal was finalized awhile ago or just today. Not that it matters per se. I do wonder why players sign the day before the tampering period and choose to not explore other offers? There have already been some last minute deals around the league.

Either way I'm glad to get him back and take this to mean he's recovered from his 2024 injury.

Could be strategic, announce a big signing the day before FA opens to distract from not having any big signings during the first week. It's been years since the Bombers made a big splash early in FA, more prone to pick up bargains in week 2,3 and 4.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Could be strategic, announce a big signing the day before FA opens to distract from not having any big signings during the first week. It's been years since the Bombers made a big splash early in FA, more prone to pick up bargains in week 2,3 and 4.

Walters says we're going to be more active and we've definitely got some money to spend. I'd expect a bit more action.