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

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Good biographical article on Randy Ambrosie.

https://news.umanitoba.ca/a-bison-at-the-centre-of-canadian-football/

[Ridermania]

Riders extend OL Logan Ferland for two years.

https://www.cfl.ca/2025/03/31/riders-sign-ol-logan-ferland-to-two-year-extension/

[TecnoGenius]

Riders extend OL Logan Ferland for two years.

Weird timing.  Was his ask too high?  Isn't he middle of the pack?  If SSK got him cheap, it's a smart move.

[Ridermania]

Ferland was named to the 2024 All-CFL Team.

Ferland was also the West Division's nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

[Blue In BC]

Weird timing.  Was his ask too high?  Isn't he middle of the pack?  If SSK got him cheap, it's a smart move.

He was already under contract for 2025 so this was just an extension. I don't know how much more he was given to do that. However that makes the timing less of a surprise and may have been a 1st step in recognizing the SMS is increasing in 2026 and beyond. It's not clear what is happening with that in 2025.

We may see teams locking up top players with extensions earlier than the usual end of season free agency period.

[theaardvark]

Extensions can include guaranteed money, so there is that incentive for the player.

For the team, it locks in a vital part of the Oline before the draft.  Which could change drafting priorities, knowing he's tied up for 3 more years.

Nothing weird about the timing.

[Blue In BC]

Weird timing.  Was his ask too high?  Isn't he middle of the pack?  If SSK got him cheap, it's a smart move.

According to 3rd Down he's now one of the highest paid non QB's. I'm not disputing his value. I'm just wondering if this is at least partially a result of the new higher SMS coming into effect.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

According to 3rd Down he's now one of the highest paid non QB's. I'm not disputing his value. I'm just wondering if this is at least partially a result of the new higher SMS coming into effect.

I'm confused, we're still talking about Logan Ferland?  Wow.

[Blue In BC]

I'm confused, we're still talking about Logan Ferland?  Wow.

Yes.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/02/saskatchewan-roughriders-make-ol-logan-ferland-one-of-cfls-highest-paid-non-quarterbacks/

[theaardvark]

Heckuva price to pay for what is arguably the least important Oline spot.

Wonder if Hardrick is back this year...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Heckuva price to pay for what is arguably the least important Oline spot.

Wonder if Hardrick is back this year...

Pretty sure he intends to as long as they'll have him, these are his hay makin' years.

[theaardvark]

Pretty sure he intends to as long as they'll have him, these are his hay makin' years.

He signed 2 years, but not sure about his re-hab, or if there was a roster bonus due that might change their thinking...

[Blue In BC]

For what it's worth I was just looking at the number of import rookies on our current roster by position. Note that I counted a few that were on our PR for part of the season but didn't get any game action.

DB: 10
LB: 4
OL: 2
WR: 11

This is just approximate and neither good or bad, just an observation.

I'd expect to see some DL signed before TC. We have lots of Canadian DT's but not much new as far as imports go from a numbers point of view.

[TecnoGenius]

Nothing weird about the timing.

I thought he was a FA, which would make the timing weird.  Thanks to all for clearing up that he was not a FA.

[TecnoGenius]

According to 3rd Down he's now one of the highest paid non QB's.

Oh, isn't Ferland the one that can basically play every OL position and was bouncing around to nearly all of them in SSK's '24 injury-laden season?

The fans are very high on him.  One of the only OL they weren't constantly moaning about on the green forum?

Ya, I could see them backing up the truck and locking him down.  Their Yoshi spend didn't pay any dividends (yet?), so make sure you have at least 1 solid guy.  Remember, they have to protect Faberge Egg T.Harris.