2024-2025 CFL (non-Bomber) off-season discussion

[theaardvark]

Disagree, stick with Buck and our system and Zach another year.  Improve what we got is how I would approach it.

We have struggled at times with Buck but also have found exceptional success.  Will be interesting to see what they do.

What have you done for me lately.

Sorry, the Buck boat has left the bay.  The successes we've had have been defensve, ST and run game. 

Love Buck, was happy he was here to take over when Lapo went, but he has abandoned the Lapo system that he has success with, and started the Buck system, which tragically, has been a disaster.

Other than BO20 in a jumbo package, or the occasional broken coverage for Wilson or 50/50 steal by Lawler, our O has been offensive.

Get Lapo back.  Offer him good money and a winter media job. 

[blue_gold_84]

Complacency is the killer of progress. This team hasn't progressed beyond "Grey Cup finalist and loser" for three years in a row now.

Something has to change.

[Blueforlife]

What have you done for me lately.

Sorry, the Buck boat has left the bay.  The successes we've had have been defensve, ST and run game. 

Love Buck, was happy he was here to take over when Lapo went, but he has abandoned the Lapo system that he has success with, and started the Buck system, which tragically, has been a disaster.

Other than BO20 in a jumbo package, or the occasional broken coverage for Wilson or 50/50 steal by Lawler, our O has been offensive.

Get Lapo back.  Offer him good money and a winter media job. 

I like Lapo but don't see it happening.  I would like Buck to remain for one more year with Zach.  With any new OC their would be growing pains.  Less with Lapo as he has the pedigree.  Change is needed.  I would prefer a consultant over Lapo.  We shall see, a good debate.

[theaardvark]

I think the league would be better with Buck as HC in BC.  I think he'd do a good job as HC.  Players love him, and will pay for him.  But X's and O's are not his forte.

If Campbell does go to Edm, does he keep Jarious as OC, or take Maksymic?  Either of those might be a good candidate should Lapo not want the job.  Could Jarious bring Ford?  Or is there friction there from not starting him?  Was that Jones that caused the problem or Jarious?

[Pete]

I see both Ceresna and Mcmanus are free agents, Anyone else think its time we went big game hunting to sign one of them?
 Its how we originally got  back in the game with signing Jefferson,Bighill and Bryant. Maybe its time for a reset

[blue_gold_84]

Ceresna would be a huge addition.

[Blue In BC]

I see both Ceresna and Mcmanus are free agents, Anyone else think its time we went big game hunting to sign one of them?
 Its how we originally got  back in the game with signing Jefferson,Bighill and Bryant. Maybe its time for a reset

Options should be considered but after we determine what it costs us to retain our players that we want to retain. Then we have to determine who reaches free agency that we can possibly attract.

Teams are already extending players before they reach free agency. We'll be doing the same thing shortly.

I did read that Ford does have some NFL workouts planned. I'm surprised he's still looking but that creates a two fold issue for us. If we can't re-sign him early we may have to decide on a different plan in the secondary while there are other options possibly. We can't wait for him to return late in the season and he won't be under contract.

McMannis would be a great addition but I'm not expecting him to move to another team.

[theaardvark]

We will be hard pressed to sign all the FA's we want to keep.  Poaching a big name FA from another team can only happen if we are replacing one that we lost.

Love all the talk about what a difference make "Player x" would be on our team, but we need to keep our own guys first.  And other teams are in the same boat.  The only players changing teams will be ones their own team deems them not worth the contract or ones offer insane contracts.  Neither situation is one I want to be on the signing end of.

[Blue In BC]

We will be hard pressed to sign all the FA's we want to keep.  Poaching a big name FA from another team can only happen if we are replacing one that we lost.

Love all the talk about what a difference make "Player x" would be on our team, but we need to keep our own guys first.  And other teams are in the same boat.  The only players changing teams will be ones their own team deems them not worth the contract or ones offer insane contracts.  Neither situation is one I want to be on the signing end of.

All true. The team will be making decisions on who they don't want to retain as the 1st step. Then they will see how probable they can re-sign the others. After that it's an analysis of what we need and who we might attract.

Lots of work to be done before free agency.

[Blue In BC]

Lions just fired Campbell so Buck might be moving anyway if rumours were true.

[gobombersgo]

Lions fire head coach Campbell after early playoff exit

The BC Lions have parted ways with head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell after failing to advance in the CFL playoffs this season.

TSN's Farhan Lalji expects that Campbell, who had one year left on his contract with the Lions, will now be a front runner for the vacant head coach position with the Edmonton Elks.

The Lions promoted Ryan Rigmaiden to general manager and Neil McEvoy to VP of football operations on Wednesday.

"We thank Rick Campbell for playing a major role in bringing our franchise back to respectability and contention while navigating us through some very tough waters upon his arrival. He's a great coach and a great friend," said president Duane Vienneau.

"We're proud to have Neil and Ryan in their new roles with the preparation for 2025 already underway. Our goal remains the same: to be in Grey Cup contention every year."

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-fire-head-coach-rick-campbell-after-early-playoff-exit-1.2207652

[theaardvark]

Rigmaiden has worked with Buck, and knows his abilities.  Buck was also a fan favourite back in the day in BC. I don't doubt that he will get consideration, after the GC loss, its a tougher sell, but HC is different than OC.  Buck might be the reverse Lapo, good HC but terrible with X's and O's...

Does cutting Buck loose now increase or decrease his chances of a BC gig?  Does Kyle call his old buddy Ryan and say, "Hey, you want to talk to Buck, be my guest".

[blue_gold_84]

I sure hope Pierce doesn't get the Claybrooks treatment should he get hired as HC of the Lions.

[Blue In BC]

Rigmaiden has worked with Buck, and knows his abilities.  Buck was also a fan favourite back in the day in BC. I don't doubt that he will get consideration, after the GC loss, its a tougher sell, but HC is different than OC.  Buck might be the reverse Lapo, good HC but terrible with X's and O's...

Does cutting Buck loose now increase or decrease his chances of a BC gig?  Does Kyle call his old buddy Ryan and say, "Hey, you want to talk to Buck, be my guest".

Do we know whether Pierce is under contract for 2025? I don't think they'd deny him an opportunity if the Lions ask to speak with him.

[theaardvark]

Lions fire head coach Campbell after early playoff exit

The BC Lions have parted ways with head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell after failing to advance in the CFL playoffs this season.

TSN's Farhan Lalji expects that Campbell, who had one year left on his contract with the Lions, will now be a front runner for the vacant head coach position with the Edmonton Elks.

The Lions promoted Ryan Rigmaiden to general manager and Neil McEvoy to VP of football operations on Wednesday.

"We thank Rick Campbell for playing a major role in bringing our franchise back to respectability and contention while navigating us through some very tough waters upon his arrival. He's a great coach and a great friend," said president Duane Vienneau.

"We're proud to have Neil and Ryan in their new roles with the preparation for 2025 already underway. Our goal remains the same: to be in Grey Cup contention every year."

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-fire-head-coach-rick-campbell-after-early-playoff-exit-1.2207652

I guess we now know which of the co-GM's decided on Rourke... that's a move you just can't survive.

Question becomes, who does BC stick with at QB?  Does Rourke get the year to figure things out, with VA getting traded? How much guarantee do either of the QB's have, and can they actually afford to cut one if they can't find a dance partner? 

If Campbell ends up in EDM, can Hervey swing a deal for VA?  Does VA want to play for Campbell after his treatment in BC? Does Campbell want another NAT QB if he ends up in Edm, or does Ford move on?

This is going to be an interesting few weeks... IIRC, coaches contracts are for the calendar year, right?  And I don't think there is a non HC coach that has a multiyear deal... so Jan 1, everyone is available who hasn't already been cut loose.