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

[J5V]

The Hamilton Blue Bombers have loaded up.

I'm sure it hasn't been cheap for them and if they've overpaid they may yet regret it. I hope KW has some exciting developments in store for us as he works his magic building the best team possible within the confines of the salary cap. He's a pretty shrewd operator which is exactly what we need him to be.

[Pigskin]

A lot of movement in the CFL right now. I think Edmonton is up to 17 players potential signed so far since the communication window opened.

[Ridermania]

Tre Roberson deal with Ottawa falls through.   

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/07/sources-ottawa-redblacks-deal-with-veteran-db-tre-roberson-falls-through/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

B.C. Lions pay Alexander Hollins $75,000 bonus after CFLPA wins injury grievance.

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/14/b-c-lions-pay-alexander-hollins-75000-bonus-after-cflpa-wins-injury-grievance/

BC Released him while still injured prior to a bonus coming due Jan. 30. I don't believe any other team has picked him up yet.

[dd]

Not sure on the nature or we severity of his injury but he can play when healthy.very decent receiver

[theaardvark]

So, are bonuses that are forced to be paid due to injury shielded from SMS?  I get that bonuses agreed to and paid in advance being subject to $SMS, but if you have the option to cut a player to avoid paying the bonus, but are prevented by injury to do so, wouldn't that be the same as game cheques paid due to injury being shielded?

[dd]

So, are bonuses that are forced to be paid due to injury shielded from SMS?  I get that bonuses agreed to and paid in advance being subject to $SMS, but if you have the option to cut a player to avoid paying the bonus, but are prevented by injury to do so, wouldn't that be the same as game cheques paid due to injury being shielded?

that would make sense.

I find the cutting a player just before his roster bonus is due a greasy move. To me, it should be if he was on your roster the last game of the season, then you pay him his bonus regardless of when it s due to him.

Here's Hollins who's played his heart out for the Lions, got hurt, and then they want to stiff him his bonus cheque. Same goes for Woli. He played his guts out for us, got hurt not once but twice, and pretty bad at that, and our thanks for that effort is to stiff him a measley $10k and cut him so we don't have to pay him his bonus. And its clear he can still play again, as he got immediately snapped up. That's just not ethical in my books. It would be like a player dogging it during the season, then turn it up in the playoffs to warrant his big salary. I don't think players dog it, they live up to their end of the bargain, I think management should too.

[Jesse]

So, are bonuses that are forced to be paid due to injury shielded from SMS?  I get that bonuses agreed to and paid in advance being subject to $SMS, but if you have the option to cut a player to avoid paying the bonus, but are prevented by injury to do so, wouldn't that be the same as game cheques paid due to injury being shielded?

Should not be shielded from SMS, imo.

[Pete]

that would make sense.

I find the cutting a player just before his roster bonus is due a greasy move. To me, it should be if he was on your roster the last game of the season, then you pay him his bonus regardless of when it s due to him.

Here's Hollins who's played his heart out for the Lions, got hurt, and then they want to stiff him his bonus cheque. Same goes for Woli. He played his guts out for us, got hurt not once but twice, and pretty bad at that, and our thanks for that effort is to stiff him a measley $10k and cut him so we don't have to pay him his bonus. And its clear he can still play again, as he got immediately snapped up. That's just not ethical in my books. It would be like a player dogging it during the season, then turn it up in the playoffs to warrant his big salary. I don't think players dog it, they live up to their end of the bargain, I think management should too.

The bonuses are for the upcoming hear not past performance. They are part of the negotiation process. players are well aware of possibility of being cut prior.

[dd]

The bonuses are for the upcoming hear not past performance. They are part of the negotiation process. players are well aware of possibility of being cut prior.

If I was a player, I wouldn't want one as it gives management a reason to cut you. If Woli had been just paid X amount, he'd still be here, the measley $10k bonus, just cost him his job here. Just negotiate a decent salary and play.

[Jesse]

If I was a player, I wouldn't want one as it gives management a reason to cut you. If Woli had been just paid X amount, he'd still be here, the measley $10k bonus, just cost him his job here. Just negotiate a decent salary and play.

The players s' agents put them in so the players will be cut if not in the teams plans.

The worst thing for Woli would be to come to camp and then be cut, after teams have spent all their cap.

The bonus ensures they'll be cut ahead of free agency and have a chance to catch on with another team.

[TecnoGenius]

I find the cutting a player just before his roster bonus is due a greasy move. To me, it should be if he was on your roster the last game of the season, then you pay him his bonus regardless of when it s due to him.

Here's Hollins who's played his heart out for the Lions, got hurt, and then they want to stiff him his bonus cheque. Same goes for Woli.

Ya, I always thought that
a) players were somewhat protected/shielded from just getting dumped while on IR
and
b) WFC specifically was "nicer" than other teams in this regard.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts.  If Hollins won this, what's to keep Woli from doing the same?  How about the other released-from-IR players like Biggie?

Is it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season?  Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

[Blue In BC]

Ya, I always thought that
a) players were somewhat protected/shielded from just getting dumped while on IR
and
b) WFC specifically was "nicer" than other teams in this regard.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts.  If Hollins won this, what's to keep Woli from doing the same?  How about the other released-from-IR players like Biggie?

Is it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season?  Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

Injured versus injury history? Woli signed in Hamilton and if he passes his medical, then your idea goes out the window.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The players s' agents put them in so the players will be cut if not in the teams plans.

The worst thing for Woli would be to come to camp and then be cut, after teams have spent all their cap.

The bonus ensures they'll be cut ahead of free agency and have a chance to catch on with another team.

Worked out well for both parties.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, I always thought that
a) players were somewhat protected/shielded from just getting dumped while on IR
and
b) WFC specifically was "nicer" than other teams in this regard.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts.  If Hollins won this, what's to keep Woli from doing the same?  How about the other released-from-IR players like Biggie?

Is it just me or did we used to give IR players a chance to proven themselves in TC or the first few weeks of reg season?  Leggett comes to mind.

Oh well, more of the business side that doesn't give warm fuzzy feelings.

I think people are overplaying Woli's injury, his second injury last year to the rib area looked to be a reinjury of his first, seems reasonable to assume he's fully recovered by now and will do well in Hamilton.

It would be poor luck for BOLO if he's relegated to backup behind Woli once again.