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

[theaardvark]

We've waited until most of the obvious choices have been scooped up. He may have the next choices in mind, but we're in wait and see mode. The same goes for re-signing potential free agents. Bombers have signed 3 and the Als have signed about a dozen.

I guess it doesn't matter if we get back the ones we wanted to get back. To some degree other teams are spending their SMS and may not have money to attract too many free agents when free agency hits?

Guessing there are deals done just not announced that use up the balance of the 2024 cap, Walters seems to use that method.  Not sure if the league has to announce any contracts that are filed, or if other teams (that leak) are notified...

We were over $SMS budget early on, but got lots of relief on the 6 game.  Not sure how much we actually got in injury relief because I'd bet there was guaranteed money in those injured deals.

Either way, we should start weeing some of the role players who like it here start signing, and then its off to the tampering period for the real action to start.

[Blue In BC]

Guessing there are deals done just not announced that use up the balance of the 2024 cap, Walters seems to use that method.  Not sure if the league has to announce any contracts that are filed, or if other teams (that leak) are notified...

We were over $SMS budget early on, but got lots of relief on the 6 game.  Not sure how much we actually got in injury relief because I'd bet there was guaranteed money in those injured deals.

Either way, we should start weeing some of the role players who like it here start signing, and then its off to the tampering period for the real action to start.

I disagree that we were over the SMS early. It has never been our mode to over commit when there has to be a budget allowance to cover 1 game IR costs and potential trades or NFL acquisitions. Teams don't spend the entire SMS on day 1.

As it turns out we had very few players on 1 game IR for any length of time. In that regard I'd say we were under any budget provision.

Players that went on 6 game IR went on very early for the most part and were replaced by ELC players. The advance money may have bit us somewhat but IMO we gained ground in ELC replacements.

Example: Not sure what Schoen was scheduled to earn. Lets just say $260K and 1/2 was early money. That still means most of the $130K was protected on 6 game IR and with an ELC player. Note that Whitehead may have been more than an ELC but he also played less games than Schoen missed.

Schoen only played 3 games and Whitehead played 10. Whitehead also served a dual role as the primary returner. That would suggest we gained SMS in that transaction.

Lawson was lost for the entire year and replaced by an ELC choice.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Buck taking an HC position and wearing 2 hats with OC duties as well.  Not sure this is wise.  Maybe Kevin gets the "Asst OC role"... guess teh Bombers didn't offer him OC after all.

Now that coached contracts have expired, no need to ask permission, we can go out and raid anyone not under contract...

Still want Lapo as our OC, sure he can fill out the coaches pretty easy.

I think LaPo declared early on he wasn't interested in returning to coaching this season, but you never know, O-Shea may have had him lined up just in case Buck left. The only two in-house options left, are Marty Costello and Jason Hogan, Brady's favourite RB coach.

Here's a bit of his background.

A Montréal product, Hogan brings a wealth of experience to the Blue Bombers coaching staff, having most recently served as the assistant offensive coordinator, running backs and wide receiver coach with the Université de Montréal Carabins after originally joining the staff in 2018 as quarterbacks coach.

Previous to his days with the Carabins, Hogan spent two years with the Montréal Alouettes, beginning as an offensive quality control coach and then serving as defensive assistant/receivers coach.

Hogan was also the program coordinator of the junior varsity and varsity teams at École secondaire Curé-Antoine-Labelle Loups as well as offensive coordinator for the varsity team.

Hogan also previously worked for the Alouettes as a youth football program coordinator, where he helped organize the Anthony Calvillo Leadership Academy for Quarterbacks as well as serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at College André-Grasset.

Hogan was a member of the Université de Laval Rouge et Or's Vanier Cup win in 2006.

[theaardvark]

I disagree that we were over the SMS early. It has never been our mode to over commit when there has to be a budget allowance to cover 1 game IR costs and potential trades or NFL acquisitions. Teams don't spend the entire SMS on day 1.

As it turns out we had very few players on 1 game IR for any length of time. In that regard I'd say we were under any budget provision.

Players that went on 6 game IR went on very early for the most part and were replaced by ELC players. The advance money may have bit us somewhat but IMO we gained ground in ELC replacements.

Example: Not sure what Schoen was scheduled to earn. Lets just say $260K and 1/2 was early money. That still means most of the $130K was protected on 6 game IR and with an ELC player. Note that Whitehead may have been more than an ELC but he also played less games than Schoen missed.

Schoen only played 3 games and Whitehead played 10. Whitehead also served a dual role as the primary returner. That would suggest we gained SMS in that transaction.

Lawson was lost for the entire year and replaced by an ELC choice.

My point was, if we had 2024 $SMS left to use, we would have signed players with it in 2024.  It is now 2025, that cap money is gone.  Maybe we gave it to Sergio and/or Stanley in signing bonuses.   

Players "Added to game roster", ie. signed, since the GC...  not sure how many have any guaranteed moeny / signing bonuses

2024-12-27   WPG   PIERRE, Marvin   LB   A   Kent State   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-10   WPG   BRYANT, Stanley   OL   A   East Carolina   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-06   WPG   KORNELSON, Collin   DL   N   Manitoba   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-05   WPG   HALL, Jaylen   WR   A   Western Kentucky   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-04   WPG   JONES, Tony   LB   A   Texas Tech   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-04   WPG   Walker, Chris   OL   A   Montana   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-02   WPG   Rogers, Patrick   DB   A   Central Washington   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-02   WPG   Dandy, Russell   DB   A   Eastern Illinois   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-26   WPG   Leroux, Ian   LS   N   Laval   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-26   WPG   Gassama, Abdul-Karim   WR   N   Manitoba   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   Ogbevoen, Lucky   DL   G   Tirol Raiders (ELF)   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   HARRIS, Keilahn   WR   A   Oklahoma Baptist   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-21   WPG   CASTILLO, Sergio   K   A   West Texas A&M   ADD   Game Roster

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

My point was, if we had 2024 $SMS left to use, we would have signed players with it in 2024.  It is now 2025, that cap money is gone.  Maybe we gave it to Sergio and/or Stanley in signing bonuses.   

Players "Added to game roster", ie. signed, since the GC...  not sure how many have any guaranteed moeny / signing bonuses

2024-12-27   WPG   PIERRE, Marvin   LB   A   Kent State   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-10   WPG   BRYANT, Stanley   OL   A   East Carolina   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-06   WPG   KORNELSON, Collin   DL   N   Manitoba   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-05   WPG   HALL, Jaylen   WR   A   Western Kentucky   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-04   WPG   JONES, Tony   LB   A   Texas Tech   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-04   WPG   Walker, Chris   OL   A   Montana   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-02   WPG   Rogers, Patrick   DB   A   Central Washington   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-02   WPG   Dandy, Russell   DB   A   Eastern Illinois   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-26   WPG   Leroux, Ian   LS   N   Laval   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-26   WPG   Gassama, Abdul-Karim   WR   N   Manitoba   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   Ogbevoen, Lucky   DL   G   Tirol Raiders (ELF)   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   HARRIS, Keilahn   WR   A   Oklahoma Baptist   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-21   WPG   CASTILLO, Sergio   K   A   West Texas A&M   ADD   Game Roster

Interesting they let Hubert walk and bring back Kornelson for another try.

[Waffler]

Hogan brings a wealth of experience

That's a wealth? Sure, he is an up and comer but a wealth? Not at the CFL level. 

Maybe it doesn't bother others but the deafening quiet coming out of Bomberland is pretty concerning to me. Hoping they announce something of quality soon.

[Blue In BC]

My point was, if we had 2024 $SMS left to use, we would have signed players with it in 2024.  It is now 2025, that cap money is gone.  Maybe we gave it to Sergio and/or Stanley in signing bonuses.   

Players "Added to game roster", ie. signed, since the GC...  not sure how many have any guaranteed moeny / signing bonuses

2024-12-27   WPG   PIERRE, Marvin   LB   A   Kent State   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-10   WPG   BRYANT, Stanley   OL   A   East Carolina   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-06   WPG   KORNELSON, Collin   DL   N   Manitoba   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-05   WPG   HALL, Jaylen   WR   A   Western Kentucky   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-04   WPG   JONES, Tony   LB   A   Texas Tech   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-04   WPG   Walker, Chris   OL   A   Montana   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-02   WPG   Rogers, Patrick   DB   A   Central Washington   ADD   Game Roster
2024-12-02   WPG   Dandy, Russell   DB   A   Eastern Illinois   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-26   WPG   Leroux, Ian   LS   N   Laval   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-26   WPG   Gassama, Abdul-Karim   WR   N   Manitoba   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   Ogbevoen, Lucky   DL   G   Tirol Raiders (ELF)   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-22   WPG   HARRIS, Keilahn   WR   A   Oklahoma Baptist   ADD   Game Roster
2024-11-21   WPG   CASTILLO, Sergio   K   A   West Texas A&M   ADD   Game Roster

I get your point but disagree based on my comment earlier. Jones would have got an increase. I'm not so sure that Bryant and Castillo would have gotten more. The others were all PR or 2024 draft choices and ELC players. I

As mentioned we may have signed other players but not yet announced them. It would only take 1 or 2 like Holm or Dobson to be signed getting bonus money to use some excess 2024 SMS that could have been available.

If you are correct that we had little SMS left, then I would suggest that was a horribly planned budget going into the season.

We'll see if we get some quick re-signing that might also indicate some bonus money that came out of 2024 SMS.

And we'll see if we went over the SMS when all the calculations are done and fines issued.

[TrueBlue4]

I'm with Waffler on this - the lack of signings by the Bombers doesn't instill alot of confidence going forward for me.

[theaardvark]

I get your point but disagree based on my comment earlier. Jones would have got an increase. I'm not so sure that Bryant and Castillo would have gotten more. The others were all PR or 2024 draft choices and ELC players. I

As mentioned we may have signed other players but not yet announced them. It would only take 1 or 2 like Holm or Dobson to be signed getting bonus money to use some excess 2024 SMS that could have been available.

If you are correct that we had little SMS left, then I would suggest that was a horribly planned budget going into the season.

We'll see if we get some quick re-signing that might also indicate some bonus money that came out of 2024 SMS.

And we'll see if we went over the SMS when all the calculations are done and fines issued.

Doesn't matter is Sergio or Stanley (or even Jones) got raises, and any 2024 $SMS given to them in bonus is money we don't have to spend out of the 2025 $SMS.  They could all have gotten big raises, and we would still have more 2025 $SMS to spend than we did 2024 $SMS

No more signings with 2024 $SMS, though, that's done...

We didn't go over, but did we spend it all? 

[theaardvark]

No more signings with 2024 $SMS...

We didn't go over, but did we spend it all?

[Jesse]

Doesn't matter is Sergio or Stanley (or even Jones) got raises, and any 2024 $SMS given to them in bonus is money we don't have to spend out of the 2025 $SMS.  They could all have gotten big raises, and we would still have more 2025 $SMS to spend than we did 2024 $SMS

No more signings with 2024 $SMS, though, that's done...

We didn't go over, but did we spend it all? 

I really can't understand why people are worried about the lack of signings. We signed three players to likely use up any 2024 budget and then it was Christmas.

Work starts now.

[Blue In BC]

Doesn't matter is Sergio or Stanley (or even Jones) got raises, and any 2024 $SMS given to them in bonus is money we don't have to spend out of the 2025 $SMS.  They could all have gotten big raises, and we would still have more 2025 $SMS to spend than we did 2024 $SMS

No more signings with 2024 $SMS, though, that's done...

We didn't go over, but did we spend it all? 

It is true that even without raises for Bryant and Castillo, they could have used excess 2024 SMS as bonus money to reduce their hit in 2025 SMS.

That could have actually reduced their total salary due to the tax advantage for a win win situation. Neither player is a high risk to miss games.

The argument was whether we did or didn't have 2024 SMS left. The re-signings of those 3 players isn't really conclusive that we did or didn't use 2024 SMS or how much was available. You felt we didn't have much and I disagreed.

[Blue In BC]

I really can't understand why people are worried about the lack of signings. We signed three players to likely use up any 2024 budget and then it was Christmas.

Work starts now.

Tell that to the Als that have re-signed about a dozen of their potential free agents. Work starts the day after the Grey Cup.

Would you rather see our list today at 24 or 12? Players could have been re-signed with bonus money due in January etc.

Ultimately as long as the players we want get their names on new deals it will all be good. I'd point out we lost some players in 2024 I thought we wanted: Hardrick, Grant, Bailey, Gray, Walker and Jeffcoat for example.

Did we start to late or was it just time to move on with younger players? Hindsight is always 100%. You can't always get players to agree.

[markf]

I think It's going to be an interesting season.

I wonder what coaches and players going to Vancouver do for housing, it is pretty expensive there.

I imagine young single guys can share accommodations, but someone with a family.... Probably not.

[Jesse]

Tell that to the Als that have re-signed about a dozen of their potential free agents. Work starts the day after the Grey Cup.

Would you rather see our list today at 24 or 12? Players could have been re-signed with bonus money due in January etc.

Ultimately as long as the players we want get their names on new deals it will all be good. I'd point out we lost some players in 2024 I thought we wanted: Hardrick, Grant, Bailey, Gray, Walker and Jeffcoat for example.

Did we start to late or was it just time to move on with younger players? Hindsight is always 100%. You can't always get players to agree.

Perhaps the Als had more space available?