Bomber Free Agents

[Pete]

Will wallace addition make us stronger?
We've been playing keep the status quo for a while, I would like to see us add 2 players that actually.improve the team.

[Pigskin]

I will say that the Bombers will try and sign Lofton at a reasonable price. If not they have Randolph or Vanterpool. Bryant and Neufled will be back for there final year. Dobson may go out and shop himself around as he was an all-star. Is Wallace ready to take the next step? Then there is Vlahogiannis who went back to school and had a pretty good year. We will draft an OL but I don't think at #7.

There are lots of DBs and DLs in the top 20 prospects. DB/WR Jackson Findlay. 6'3" 203lbs. 4.59/40, would be a nice pickup at #7. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I will say that the Bombers will try and sign Lofton at a reasonable price. If not they have Randolph or Vanterpool. Bryant and Neufled will be back for there final year. Dobson may go out and shop himself around as he was an all-star. Is Wallace ready to take the next step? Then there is Vlahogiannis who went back to school and had a pretty good year. We will draft an OL but I don't think at #7.

There are lots of DBs and DLs in the top 20 prospects. DB/WR Jackson Findlay. 6'3" 203lbs. 4.59/40, would be a nice pickup at #7. 

I'd like to see them move on from Dobson, his mobility as a run blocker was a huge downgrade from what Geoff Gray brought. Don't know how well Wallace would do as a replacement, haven't seen him pass block enough to know yet but he's great moving the pile. 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I'd like to see them move on from Dobson, his mobility as a run blocker was a huge downgrade from what Geoff Gray brought. Don't know how well Wallace would do as a replacement, haven't seen him pass block enough to know yet but he's great moving the pile. 

In week 23, Liam Dobson was the best ranked run blocking offensive lineman...of all four teams in the divisional finals.

[Blue In BC]

I will say that the Bombers will try and sign Lofton at a reasonable price. If not they have Randolph or Vanterpool. Bryant and Neufled will be back for there final year. Dobson may go out and shop himself around as he was an all-star. Is Wallace ready to take the next step? Then there is Vlahogiannis who went back to school and had a pretty good year. We will draft an OL but I don't think at #7.

There are lots of DBs and DLs in the top 20 prospects. DB/WR Jackson Findlay. 6'3" 203lbs. 4.59/40, would be a nice pickup at #7. 

It's all guess work with potential free agents. Without knowing who explores free agency or at what cost, doesn't help.

That will go into the draft decision since that is post the free agency rush. We may retain or acquire players at any number of positions. The 2023 draft choice will be back to compete etc.

Also mentioned is that our ratio allows us to move towards 3 import OL. I'm not suggesting that be we held onto the 2 extra import OL to end the season.

That may be curtains for Lofton or at least lower his ask.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It's all guess work with potential free agents. Without knowing who explores free agency or at what cost, doesn't help.

That will go into the draft decision since that is post the free agency rush. We may retain or acquire players at any number of positions. The 2023 draft choice will be back to compete etc.

Also mentioned is that our ratio allows us to move towards 3 import OL. I'm not suggesting that be we held onto the 2 extra import OL to end the season.

That may be curtains for Lofton or at least lower his ask.

Randolph proved himself in game so they'll likely keep him, don't think they need another import OL unless they're willing to sit on the PR waiting for their turn.

[Blue In BC]

Randolph proved himself in game so they'll likely keep him, don't think they need another import OL unless they're willing to sit on the PR waiting for their turn.

Randolph and Vanterpool are both bigger and younger than Lofton. Both are on ELC's while Lofton was above ELC and may be looking for more money. How big a financial swing and talent swing the team will need to decide.

I don't know how the team graded each of those players. The rookies may not be prepared to spend next season mostly on the PR.

Of the 3 import OL, we may only keep 2 and which starts is a TBD by the team I guess.  There are always a bunch of rookie OL in TC to spread the TC workload and see what upgrades might be available.  An interesting TC battle for sure.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Randolph and Vanterpool are both bigger and younger than Lofton. Both are on ELC's while Lofton was above ELC and may be looking for more money. How big a financial swing and talent swing the team will need to decide.

I don't know how the team graded each of those players. The rookies may not be prepared to spend next season mostly on the PR.

Of the 3 import OL, we may only keep 2 and which starts is a TBD by the team I guess.  There are always a bunch of rookie OL in TC to spread the TC workload and see what upgrades might be available.  An interesting TC battle for sure.

Sorry I was referring to the inside 3 positions, I don't think they'll make any changes on the outside 2 as long as Bryant is coming back.  Lofton did alright, maybe not an all-star but adequate, and at journeyman wages that's par for the course.

[Jesse]

Randolph proved himself in game so they'll likely keep him, don't think they need another import OL unless they're willing to sit on the PR waiting for their turn.

I'd like to see Wallace and Randolph in for Dobson and Lofton respectively.

[Blue In BC]

Sorry I was referring to the inside 3 positions, I don't think they'll make any changes on the outside 2 as long as Bryant is coming back.  Lofton did alright, maybe not an all-star but adequate, and at journeyman wages that's par for the course.

4 of our starting OL are potential free agents. We have 3 OL rookies ( 2 imports and 1 Canadian ) returning for their 2nd year + the draft choice that returned to college.

Our ratio does allow the thought of a 3rd import OL although that isn't the preference.

I always like to retain all the Canadians but I see the chance that might not happen. In 2024 we ended up with 2 starters gone.

2025 might result in change is all I'm saying.

[Blue In BC]

I'd like to see Wallace and Randolph in for Dobson and Lofton respectively.

Both are bigger, younger, on ELC's and still under contract. I have no idea how all this will work out but I'd like to see open competition in TC if they all return.

We don't always have a choice in free agency.

[theaardvark]

The main issue with Imp Oline is a yard off the ball.  How quick they adapt (if they do at all) to changing the whole way they are wired to react to a snap makes a huge difference between them and a Nat Olineman.  Even with playing with one yard advantage all their lives, Nat Oline still can take years to become CFL starters.

Having a guy like hut HUT Wylie moulding them into shape makes a big difference.  Figuring out who is going to learn the nuances of CFL blocking is a scouting key.  And a coaching necessity. 

Olinemen being bigger or younger isn't always a bonus.  It true that you can't coach size, but it takes more than size to be a good olineman, you need quick feet and hands, and great technique. 

The big difference between Imp and Nat Oline is quantity.  There are a lot more to choose from in the Imp ranks, for sure.  So, while we hold onto NAT Olinemen we draft while they develop, its a lot easier to cycle through Imp Oline on the PR.

[Blue In BC]

The main issue with Imp Oline is a yard off the ball.  How quick they adapt (if they do at all) to changing the whole way they are wired to react to a snap makes a huge difference between them and a Nat Olineman.  Even with playing with one yard advantage all their lives, Nat Oline still can take years to become CFL starters.

Having a guy like hut HUT Wylie moulding them into shape makes a big difference.  Figuring out who is going to learn the nuances of CFL blocking is a scouting key.  And a coaching necessity. 

Olinemen being bigger or younger isn't always a bonus.  It true that you can't coach size, but it takes more than size to be a good olineman, you need quick feet and hands, and great technique. 

The big difference between Imp and Nat Oline is quantity.  There are a lot more to choose from in the Imp ranks, for sure.  So, while we hold onto NAT Olinemen we draft while they develop, its a lot easier to cycle through Imp Oline on the PR.

No argument with the points you made. Some adjust more quickly than others and some never adjust. Bigger, faster, younger and cheaper are just starting points when OL earn so much.

I'd like Desjarlais back ( as an example ) if he's a free agent and wants to return. However he'll want big bucks. Just wishful thinking.

We will need to be giving some players more money than in 2024. That means others will need to get less. No surprised in that and every team will have the same issues.

I'm not counting on too many players taking a cut from 2024 salaries.  Obviously this is going to result in some vets not returning.

At the moment there is only a list of players that may not return in order to squeeze the rest into the SMS.

[Blue In BC]

A short list of players that might be SMS issues.

1. Ford. I have heard he has some new NFL tryouts. So that might be beyond our control.
2. Holm. He might be the next Houston where other teams offer more that we can compete with realistically.
3. Dobson. Re-signing good Canadians early in their careers is not always easy.
4. Lawler. Can we fit him into the SMS? Does he want more than in 2024?
5. Schoen. Same question as Lawler except he won't looking for a raise.

I think the rest of the potential free agents that we want to retain will be back. The question is how does the re-negotiating go for those in the list. In theory we were close to SMS cap, so there is not a lot of room to spend cumulatively more without something giving.

That's where the need to part ways with some older more expensive vets comes into play.

[Pete]

the 3 down article about the stampeders decline https://3downnation.com/2024/11/23/literally-a-d-minus-former-calgary-stampeders-offer-scathing-assessment-of-franchise-in-decline/
is interesting One remark by Ormolade made that I felt has relevancy to the bombers is "In Toronto, even though we went 16-2 last year, we didn't win. They were like 'Oh, let's go get Jake Ceresna,'" Orimolade pointed out. "(The Stampeders) don't do stuff like that. You're going to have the constant decline of talent."
 If we want to remain on top we need to continuously try to improve especially with players that are near expiry date.