Bomber Free Agents

Started by TBURGESS, November 19, 2024, 05:40:30 PM

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Jesse

Quote from: blue_gold_84 on February 06, 2025, 05:05:33 PMAnd Lawler loves money. More than his former HC and QB, apparently.

That said, who are we spending the money on?
My wife is amazing!

Pete

#691
Quote from: Jesse on February 06, 2025, 05:08:59 PMThat said, who are we spending the money on?
My choice would be OL Mcewen or Couture (sask just signed Gagnon who may have been a good fit, and Ottawa signed Godber which gives them 7 nat oline men while we are down to 4 not including LS)
Cox would be a good choice on dl or Adeleke or Amos in dbs
BTW I agree Lawler talks a good game, but he's all about the money . He's always gone to whoever pays him in the top two receivers in the league. And based on the conversations reported we've heard its done as far as leaving

Blue In BC

If it was up to me ( and it's not ). I would increase the ELC minimum by $2K. Most teams might add 12 or so rookies between imports and draft choices. It could be argued that even $5K increase is reasonable.

More money at the bottom won't bring better players to the CFL or retain them with a given team. It will be a step to take due to inflation. Obviously that impacts the higher paid players too but it's more significant at the bottom of the roster.

The 2nd thing I would do would be to add 1 more Canadian to roster, going back to when we had 46 on the AR. I'd probably argue adding 2 Canadians makes more sense for development. Adding 1 Canadian and 1 more import would be better IMO, but I'll stand with the pro ratio argument by agreeing to adding only Canadians.

If these kinds of steps aren't taken than when free agency hits again, we'll see more and more money going to top players due to more cash available. Teams will just try to outbid each other. That isn't really a win win situation.

Even though revenues are higher, some teams are probably still losing money. Regardless, in order to be competitive teams will spend their full SMS to the best of their ability.
One game at a time.

Pete

Quote from: Waffler on February 06, 2025, 04:58:47 PMMOS loves Lawler. Colloras loves Lawler. I think there is a CHANCE, I would not be willing to guess the odds, but a chance that we match.

"I'd hope so," Collaros said. "That'd be a no-brainer to me."
Maybe if Zac renegotiated his contract as 3/4 of the rest of the leagues qbs have done.

Blue In BC

Quote from: Jesse on February 06, 2025, 05:08:59 PMThat said, who are we spending the money on?

Good question. Whatever they decide they better do it soon. Free agents down to less than 120 and some new ones dropped off the list this morning.

I'd take a run at a Canadian OL. Regardless of what they think of Wallace, a veteran known talent is not a bad plan.
One game at a time.

dd

#695
I would use the increase in cap money to upgrade the interior of our DL,as well as get us a competent #2 Qb, as well, Couture would look good again in Blue and Gold and be an instant upgrade to our OL

theaardvark

Quote from: Waffler on February 06, 2025, 04:58:47 PMMOS loves Lawler. Colloras loves Lawler. I think there is a CHANCE, I would not be willing to guess the odds, but a chance that we match.

"I'd hope so," Collaros said. "That'd be a no-brainer to me."

There isn't a team that wouldn't want Lawler, which is why so many were in the mix.

But once we signed White, I'm thinking the Lawler window closed, even if we have the scratch to match.  And while we have 2 days to convince players who committed elsewhere, does that mean they can't get a new offer from the team they committed to?  Or do we have the last "take it or leave it" option?

Even if we have the option to make Lawler a last offer, after signed White, is there room?
Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

Jesse

Quote from: theaardvark on February 06, 2025, 05:57:36 PMThere isn't a team that wouldn't want Lawler, which is why so many were in the mix.

But once we signed White, I'm thinking the Lawler window closed, even if we have the scratch to match.  And while we have 2 days to convince players who committed elsewhere, does that mean they can't get a new offer from the team they committed to?  Or do we have the last "take it or leave it" option?

Even if we have the option to make Lawler a last offer, after signed White, is there room?

As someone who is pretty indifferent to signing Lawler or not, even I will say that White absolutely zero impact one way or the other. He's a dart throw.

Quote from: Blue In BC on February 06, 2025, 05:28:24 PMIf it was up to me ( and it's not ). I would increase the ELC minimum by $2K. Most teams might add 12 or so rookies between imports and draft choices. It could be argued that even $5K increase is reasonable.

More money at the bottom won't bring better players to the CFL or retain them with a given team. It will be a step to take due to inflation. Obviously that impacts the higher paid players too but it's more significant at the bottom of the roster.

The 2nd thing I would do would be to add 1 more Canadian to roster, going back to when we had 46 on the AR. I'd probably argue adding 2 Canadians makes more sense for development. Adding 1 Canadian and 1 more import would be better IMO, but I'll stand with the pro ratio argument by agreeing to adding only Canadians.

If these kinds of steps aren't taken than when free agency hits again, we'll see more and more money going to top players due to more cash available. Teams will just try to outbid each other. That isn't really a win win situation.

Even though revenues are higher, some teams are probably still losing money. Regardless, in order to be competitive teams will spend their full SMS to the best of their ability.

These are all CBA issues, I believe. Nothing can change there until it's up for negotiation again.
My wife is amazing!

Blue In BC

Quote from: Jesse on February 06, 2025, 06:15:43 PMAs someone who is pretty indifferent to signing Lawler or not, even I will say that White absolutely zero impact one way or the other. He's a dart throw.

These are all CBA issues, I believe. Nothing can change there until it's up for negotiation again.

I know these are CBA issues but I can't imagine them having difficulty in increasing ELC level salaries. The intent of the annual increases and those from increased revenue was to be " for " the players.

There is nothing they would be asked to give back, so this is a 10 minute conversation and ammendment.
One game at a time.

Pigskin

I think with the Sterns signing, Bomber may circle back on Dobson. However Chungh is still an FA, that would be a instant upgrade to our OL.
Don't go through life looking in the rearview mirror.

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: dd on February 06, 2025, 05:34:54 PMI would use the increase in cap money to upgrade the interior of our DL,as well as get us a competent #2 Qb, as well, Couture would look good again in Blue and Gold and be an instant upgrade to our OL

Money could be well spent to upgrade the QB position (Dolegala) although there's not much left to choose from now, Shiltz, Cameron Dukes, Masoli, Shea Patterson.  If they would have signed MBT and been willing to use him strategically when needed, I have no doubt they'd get back to the GC this season.

Pigskin

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 06, 2025, 06:56:20 PMMoney could be well spent to upgrade the QB position (Dolegala) although there's not much left to choose from now, Shiltz, Cameron Dukes, Masoli, Shea Patterson.  If they would have signed MBT and been willing to use him strategically when needed, I have no doubt they'd get back to the GC this season.

I think Shiltz accepted an offer from Ottawa.
Don't go through life looking in the rearview mirror.

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: Pigskin on February 06, 2025, 07:08:45 PMI think Shiltz accepted an offer from Ottawa.

Don't think so, they re-signed Crum and still have Tyrie Adams in reserve.

TBURGESS

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 06, 2025, 06:56:20 PMMoney could be well spent to upgrade the QB position (Dolegala) although there's not much left to choose from now, Shiltz, Cameron Dukes, Masoli, Shea Patterson.  If they would have signed MBT and been willing to use him strategically when needed, I have no doubt they'd get back to the GC this season.
I'd take Dukes out of that list. 
Winnipeg Blue Bombers - 2019 Grey Cup Champs.

blue_or_die

Quote from: TBURGESS on February 06, 2025, 07:51:04 PMI'd take Dukes out of that list.

Ditto.

I wouldn't mind Masoli either for all that experience for a backup role. Get a ring before he retires.
#Ride?