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

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Calgary Stampeders unveil branding for inaugural 'Stampede Bowl' the bombers will be the opponent.

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/14/calgary-stampeders-unveil-branding-for-inaugural-stampede-bowl/



Cool logo but not sure what kind of crowd they expect to draw for their first home game on a Thursday night.  Looks like they're trying to tie it into the Stampede, which starts the same weekend.

[J5V]

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.

Achilles injuries are usually career enders. From what I hear it's one of the hardest tendon injuries to recover from due to such poor blood flow. Many athletes have never recovered from this type of injury. Leggett was such a beauty too. I felt awful for him.

These guys are human beings but you're right, it's a business, and from that perspective they are considered players and damaged players have limited value. Hard truth in pro sports.

[theaardvark]

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.

Umm, sure.  The reason you WANT one is that if you have performed well and EARNED your spot on the club, they will have no reason not to give you a nice bonus, even if you don't end up making the club after TC.

It is rare that a player who should be on the roster gets cut before a bonus.  Woli is a rare exception, in that his replacement was on the roster, cheaper and with more upside. 

Hollins is another reason why you want that roster bonus.  Even though he got cut, he's getting paid because of his injury status.  Knowing you are going to get a bonus even if you are injured is a plus.  And it doesn't cost you anything.  If anything, it gets you released to look for a new team. like in Woli's case, he got a better deal and a more likely starting spot.  If there was no signing bonus, Bombers could have kept him until the end of camp for no charge, and decided then whether to cut him.

[TecnoGenius]

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

My criteria for this is "on the IR as of the last game of the year".  Woli (and Biggie) ended the season and post-season on the IR and thus fit the criteria.

It doesn't matter that they healed up in Dec or Jan.  The last transaction on the roster transactions list is "moved to IR".  If the subsequent transaction is "moved to FA", then to me that counts as "cut while injured".  And that's something people used to care about avoiding.

And isn't that what Hollins' whole argument (and case-winning one at that!) is about?

[TecnoGenius]

Calgary Stampeders unveil branding for inaugural 'Stampede Bowl' the bombers will be the opponent.

I think it's a great idea.  There is basically zero cost and zero downside.  The worst case is some will think it's cheesy.  But no one will stay home because of fancy branding.  And maybe they start the next "Banjo Bowl" mania that lasts 20 years like ours!

And great 3D logo.  Bring it on, CGY!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think it's a great idea.  There is basically zero cost and zero downside.  The worst case is some will think it's cheesy.  But no one will stay home because of fancy branding.  And maybe they start the next "Banjo Bowl" mania that lasts 20 years like ours!

And great 3D logo.  Bring it on, CGY!

Could be a real party if they give away enough tickets and booze to get the tradition started. The branding might have worked better for LDC or the return game they play the following week with the Elks.  Can't recall if they rotate the LDC or not, but between the two Alberta teams they need to come up with a BB gimmick for the rematch, there's too much apathy between provincial rivals.

[dd]

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.

That makes perfect sense,

[Blue In BC]

My criteria for this is "on the IR as of the last game of the year".  Woli (and Biggie) ended the season and post-season on the IR and thus fit the criteria.

It doesn't matter that they healed up in Dec or Jan.  The last transaction on the roster transactions list is "moved to IR".  If the subsequent transaction is "moved to FA", then to me that counts as "cut while injured".  And that's something people used to care about avoiding.

And isn't that what Hollins' whole argument (and case-winning one at that!) is about?

It depends whether the player missed 1 game or more than one game, past the time that allowed being put on the 6 game IR. Also the extent of the injury regardless of the when it happened.

Did a player suffer a broken leg or just a boo boo?

IIRC, Hollins missed quite a bit of time as did Woli, but Woli was moved to 1 game IR from the 6 game IR. That suggests a recovery and ability to practice. I don't believe that was the case in regard to Hollins.

[Stats Junkie]

Could be a real party if they give away enough tickets and booze to get the tradition started. The branding might have worked better for LDC or the return game they play the following week with the Elks.  Can't recall if they rotate the LDC or not, but between the two Alberta teams they need to come up with a BB gimmick for the rematch, there's too much apathy between provincial rivals.

For years (possibly decades) the Calgary Stampeders have avoided direct competition with the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders usually play road games &/or have a bye slotted into their schedule during the Stampede. This year, the Calgary Stampeders are embracing the opportunity for a cross over of fans by playing a home game one day before the start of the Calgary Stampede and calling it the Stampede Bowl.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

For years (possibly decades) the Calgary Stampeders have avoided direct competition with the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders usually play road games &/or have a bye slotted into their schedule during the Stampede. This year, the Calgary Stampeders are embracing the opportunity for a cross over of fans by playing a home game one day before the start of the Calgary Stampede and calling it the Stampede Bowl.

Good they're trying something new, their attendance has become embarrassing.

[blue_gold_84]

This is a good marketing strategy for them. They need more support.

[Stats Junkie]

@DTonOB.bsky.social‬
Redblacks moved WR Jeremy Murphy to the Retired list. He was the Bombers 3rd-round pick in 2023 and played 3 games for the Bombers in two seasons.

https://bsky.app/profile/dtonob.bsky.social/post/3llemkzxqy22m

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

CFL salary cap increase not set in stone, CFLPA still 'working through' revenue share allocation.

"The CFL and CFLPA caught teams — and fans — off-guard when they announced the second-largest salary cap increase in CFL history with a pair of statements on February 5. According to the press releases, the salary cap ceiling would rise to $6,062,365 in 2025, representing a $537,365 increase from 2024 and a bump of $412,365 from the previous cap projection.

However, all nine franchises have been slow to utilize the supposed windfall, with teams sticking to their previously agreed-upon budgets through free agency and staying cautious in the weeks since. Several general managers, notably Kyle Walters in Winnipeg and Ted Goveia in Hamilton, have since expressed skepticism that the increase is official, citing language in the collective bargaining agreement that allows the CFLPA to apply their share of league revenue to areas other than the salary cap.

Those concerns were acknowledged to be real for the first time on Thursday, as the CFLPA provided no official deadline on when teams would know how much they'll be allowed to spend."

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/27/cfl-salary-cap-increase-not-set-in-stone-cflpa-still-working-through-revenue-share-allocation/

This is total incompetence, they've had months to work this out, some teams have spent the extra money and others have not, how is that a fair baseline to start a season? 

[Blue In BC]

Salary cap violations. Lions over by $347K and lose 1st and 1nd round picks. Their fine is $644K and resulted in a 3rd place finish.

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/28/b-c-lions-exceed-cfl-salary-cap-by-almost-350000-lose-first-and-second-round-picks/

[blue_gold_84]

Big swing and a miss for the Lions organization.

Argos, Lions, RedBlacks also over the cap: https://www.cfl.ca/2025/03/28/bc-toronto-saskatchewan-ottawa-exceed-2024-salary-expenditure-cap/