Bomber Free Agents

[Jesse]

No, there were suggestions were about intentionally going over the SMS by $100K+. IIRC someone mentioned by as much as just under $300K  The rest all falls into contingency planning that every team does. Going all in throwing caution to the wind in a Grey Cup year at home.

It's not often a player that wants $750K per season is returning mid season.  When have we seen a Bomber returning from the NFL. Ford returned but he was still under contract and it for at TC not during the season.

Discussions by people who don't understand how it works.

[Blue In BC]

Ok, lets get on with getting some ink to paper on a few of our players.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ok, lets get on with getting some ink to paper on a few of our players.

As Walters indicated not much likely to happen until they have their coaching staff finalized.

[blue_gold_84]

2025 Blue Bombers Free Agent Tracker

[Blue In BC]

As Walters indicated not much likely to happen until they have their coaching staff finalized.

Every player was probably rated after every game this season but the cumulative effort of the coaches. I doubt there is much secret about who they want to retain.

At the moment we haven't lost any staff, in particular Younger. There is a significant list of defensive players on our list.

Regardless, we should be speaking with some of the high profile players to get an indication if a new contract is possible.

In many cases, it's a matter of money and whether a given player intends to explore free agency.

We could sign Ford tomorrow if a financial deal could be agreed to by both parties. You could say re-signing him doesn't need further approval from any possible coaching changes. It's just an SMS issue and agreement from him to stay.

Similarly the same holds true to others like Bryant, Holm etc etc.

I'd go further to suggest that some decisions may have already been made about not re-signing a few players. Those won't necessarily fall into SMS issues per se but the desire to move forward with some of the younger players.

[dd]

I'd be kicking the tires on Betts, he'd help our D line like right now. He probably wants big bucks, but I'd still see if he could fit within our SMS, but BC's doing it with Couture, Chung, Rourke etc.etc.

[Jesse]

Apparently Tyrell Ford made a comment to Jeff Hamilton saying he wanted to be paid more than his brother.

I'm expecting his agent to try and reset the market the way Kenny did for receivers when he signed with Edmonton. He's going to be one of those guys that's almost impossible to sign and has people asking if it's worth it even if we do.

[markf]

Who , when, was the last big name player from another team signed?

free agent or trade.

Collaros?

Don't seem to operate that way lately.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Apparently Tyrell Ford made a comment to Jeff Hamilton saying he wanted to be paid more than his brother.

I'm expecting his agent to try and reset the market the way Kenny did for receivers when he signed with Edmonton. He's going to be one of those guys that's almost impossible to sign and has people asking if it's worth it even if we do.

Thing is most GM's did not follow suite, I believe Walters is the only other GM that has paid a receivers more than $250k.  Ford may get $150k from somebody but nobody in the CFL is likely to pay a DB $200k.

[dd]

Who , when, was the last big name player from another team signed?

free agent or trade.

Collaros?

Don't seem to operate that way lately.

We got the core of our talent pool from other teams either by trade or FA signing-Collaros, bighill, Jefferson, Demski and Lawler. Some are nearing the end of 5eir careers ie bighill and Collaros, and when they do retire, we ll be dipping back into the FA pool again, maybe not for bighill but definitely for a #1 Qb. I m hoping zach stays with us for another year or 2 at least.

[markf]

We got the core of our talent pool from other teams either by trade or FA signing-Collaros, bighill, Jefferson, Demski and Lawler. Some are nearing the end of 5eir careers ie bighill and Collaros, and when they do retire, we ll be dipping back into the FA pool again, maybe not for bighill but definitely for a #1 Qb. I m hoping zach stays with us for another year or 2 at least.

good list, and good point,  but don't forget Harris!

I just meant that they have been happy with the players they have for the last few years, Since signing the players you mentioned.

I don't think they will change much this off season. (watch them make a big move tomorrow lol.)

[dd]

Yes, management has definitely recruited very well, both in FA, down south and in the draft. They recruit players of good character and being a good teammate and  everything else looks after itself. Guys who are all about themselves ,move on goodbye Mr Grant. And head cases never see the light of day. I had a coach once who said in training camp when addressing the team Day 1 that if you aren't all about being a good teammate and the team, then we are both wasting eachothers time. He said that during recruiting you but him saying it to the greater group solidified its all about the team, and our team  wasn't the most talented, but definitely punched well above our weight and over achieved and it is no mystery why.

[Pete]

Ly top non qb salaries on bombers (excluding Brady)
Lawler 285
Schoen  225
Demski 225
Willie 200
Bryant 170
Neufeld 145 (guess)
Total 1,250,000

If you could redistribute salaries who would you go for?
My choices (max I'd pay)
LaWler  230 (if not then Schoen 200k)
Demski  190
Bryant  170
Willie   200
Ceresna  240
Williams 195 (replaces neufeld)

Total 1,225,000k

W

[Blue In BC]

Ly top non qb salaries on bombers (excluding Brady)
Lawler 285
Schoen  225
Demski 225
Willie 200
Bryant 170
Neufeld 145 (guess)
Total 1,250,000

If you could redistribute salaries who would you go for?
My choices (max I'd pay)
LaWler  230 (if not then Schoen 200k)
Demski  190
Bryant  170
Willie   200
Ceresna  240
Williams 195 (replaces neufeld)

Total 1,225,000k

W

I don't think I'd pay Jefferson $200K any longer. He disappears for long stretches during the season. Also don't think Ceresna is worth $240K although he'll  probably get somewhere close.

Too many players being paid excess amounts in SMS's across the CFL.

[DM83]

Kind of a bunch of sheep posting in the forum.
Mind you all reasonable prognostications.  Too many based on the past.
Some one come to your senses.

The d line and the d coordinator are not winners. That is it. A three man line, ***** coverage by DBs and no clue line backers coupled with deer in the headlites d coordinator.   Collaros has also sucked the last three grey cups. Plus zero back experience.  Does not look good for the future.

Schoen better be healed and come back in shape, not the extra 30 pounds he had after failing on the NFL. Collaros better get in shape. Can he even throw a corner pattern anymore?  Did we see any this past season?