Blue Bombers re-sign veteran offensive lineman Pat Neufeld

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers re-sign veteran offensive lineman Pat Neufeld

WINNIPEG, MB., January 5, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran right guard Pat Neufeld. Neufeld was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Neufeld (6-6, 311, University of Saskatchewan; born: December 26, 1988, in Regina, Sask.) returns in 2025 for his 11th season with the Blue Bombers and 14th in the Canadian Football League, including his days with Saskatchewan (2011-13).

A three-time CFL All-Star (2021-23), Neufeld appeared in 14 games in 2024, all starts, and played a pivotal role in helping Brady Oliveira win his second-straight league rushing title while quarterback Zach Collaros established a career-high in passing yards.

Originally drafted by the Roughriders in 2010, Neufeld was acquired by Winnipeg in a trade in 2013 and has become a fixture at the right guard spot. He has played in 168 CFL games, including 131 with the Blue Bombers, and now calls Winnipeg home.

Neufeld has been active in the community, honoured as the 2023 recipient of the Ed Kotowich 'Good Guy Award' for 'excellent football ability, being a leader in the locker room and showing outstanding effort in the community' and in 2021, was the winner of the club's Cal Murphy 'Heart of a Legend Award' presented annually to the player who has shown 'outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to the Canadian Football League and the community.'

[Blueforlife]

Keg cog on our line, some suggested we move on, I knew we would keep him

[Blue In BC]

At best, a very good and reliable RG. At worst he'd be a solid 6th OL if either Eli or Wallace move towards his eventual replacement during the course of 2025.

Good to have him back. Now we need to get Dobson back as well.

[kkc60]

All these losses and this is the first thing the Bombers announce? If this loses us Dobson, Walters will need to give his head a shake

[theaardvark]

Pat is a good guy on the team, a good player, versatile, can play OT in a pinch and a good mentor. 

I don't think this was a case of overpaying to retain a vet, but the first piece of getting everyone back.

[Blue In BC]

All these losses and this is the first thing the Bombers announce? If this loses us Dobson, Walters will need to give his head a shake

There is no reason to think this was an either or situation. Both were starters in 2024. Neufeld is on the downside of his playing days but still a valuable player. It's probable his contract is very team friendly.

However, Dobson is from Ottawa and that is a factor at times. We don't know whether he's had an offer put forward yet or whether it's close to his ask.

It's reasonable to think the Bombers are working towards retaining him.

[Blueforlife]

All these losses and this is the first thing the Bombers announce? If this loses us Dobson, Walters will need to give his head a shake

Patience grasshopper

[TecnoGenius]

I guess this answers the question of whether Neufeld was the main problem when the OL was struggling... surely MOS/KW would have let him walk if that was true.

He's often described as the voice/leader of the OL, and has copious intangibles off-field.  His loss would hit us like AH or Yoshi.

By the GC he was playing superb ball and certainly, like most of the "originals", deserves a shot to win the cup at home.

Hopefully we got a $ friendly "win that cup at home with the strongest team we can field" contract.

[TBURGESS]

Neufeld was one of the old guys I hoped they'd move on from. 

[theaardvark]

Neufeld was one of the old guys I hoped they'd move on from.

I can't see there being a lot of guaranteed money in the deal, so the "move on from" is still possible, IF he doesn't come to camp in top shape and producing well. 

Not sure what his off season gig is, but it seems like he's made Winnipeg his home, which could be why he's re-signed.

[Pigskin]

I can't see there being a lot of guaranteed money in the deal, so the "move on from" is still possible, IF he doesn't come to camp in top shape and producing well. 

Not sure what his off season gig is, but it seems like he's made Winnipeg his home, which could be why he's re-signed.

It has been reported that he is a youth councilor in Sask. in the off season. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It has been reported that he is a youth councilor in Sask. in the off season. 

Really?  I thought he lived in Wpg. year round, which makes the most sense if his wife has any kind of career.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I can't see there being a lot of guaranteed money in the deal, so the "move on from" is still possible, IF he doesn't come to camp in top shape and producing well. 

Not sure what his off season gig is, but it seems like he's made Winnipeg his home, which could be why he's re-signed.

I think only a few top level QB's + Taylor Cornelius have received "guaranteed money", which is not the same as a "signing bonus", which if cut, player does not receive.

[TBURGESS]

I think only a few top level QB's + Taylor Cornelius have received "guaranteed money", which is not the same as a "signing bonus", which if cut, player does not receive.

Players get signing bonuses when they sign regardless of being cut. 

[theaardvark]

I think only a few top level QB's + Taylor Cornelius have received "guaranteed money", which is not the same as a "signing bonus", which if cut, player does not receive.

"Guaranteed money" and "signing bonus" are both paid to a player even if cut.

"Roster bonus" has a date associated with it, and if the player is cut prior to that date, he does not receive that money.

Current CBA allows for guaranteed money for subsequent years of multi year deals for players re-signing with thier teams, giving teams an advantage in retaining players they think are going to be viable throguh their entire contracts.

In discussing Neufeld, who signed a one year extension, "guaranteed money" should have been called "signing bonus", my bad.

[ModAdmin]

Interview with Paddy Neufeld...

[TecnoGenius]

For those who don't watch:

- He got roughly the same $ as usual for the new contract

- His early/mid-year poor performance (my wording) was due to a knee injury (his words), it sounds like he was dealing with for a while and not just when he didn't start for a few weeks

I'd say it's all good news and this interview makes me happier with his re-signing.

[Blue In BC]

I'm not sure what the thought about Dobson will be for managment. In theory it would be good to get him back. OTOH, it depends on what the team sees going forward. We have Eli and Wallace + I'd expect we might see a 2024 draft choice and a 2024 draft choice in TC.

Originally I would have thought Dobson would be a higher priority due to age and upside. OTOH, that equates to a higher SMS and we don't know where that line might be.

Yes good to get Neufeld back and I'd prefer to see Dobson back as well. That said, who knows whether they are close to an agreement.

[dd]

I'm not sure what the thought about Dobson will be for managment. In theory it would be good to get him back. OTOH, it depends on what the team sees going forward. We have Eli and Wallace + I'd expect we might see a 2024 draft choice and a 2024 draft choice in TC.

Originally I would have thought Dobson would be a higher priority due to age and upside. OTOH, that equates to a higher SMS and we don't know where that line might be.

Yes good to get Neufeld back and I'd prefer to see Dobson back as well. That said, who knows whether they are close to an agreement.

Dobson quietly had a very good year, but our club is not big on spending big $$ on interior lineman and we've lost alot better players over the years Sung, couture, dejarlais etc. if he wants big $$, chances are he lands in his hometown Ottawa and will spend the rest of his career losing but getting paid well.

[Blue In BC]

Dobson quietly had a very good year, but our club is not big on spending big $$ on interior lineman and we've lost alot better players over the years Sung, couture, dejarlais etc. if he wants big $$, chances are he lands in his hometown Ottawa and will spend the rest of his career losing but getting paid well.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Obviously getting him back would be a good thing. But if he wants $200K+ it's an issue potentially. To some degree it depends on how he graded out compared to Eli and Wallace. Wallace is still on an ELC but Eli got extended in 2023 to a 3 year deal. I doubt it was for a big raise but might have an annual escalation.

Either way, if he re-signs great, it not we move forward and use the SMS elsewhere.

You can't always control what players will do.

[TecnoGenius]

I'm not sure what the thought about Dobson will be for managment. In theory it would be good to get him back. OTOH, it depends on what the team sees going forward. We have Eli and Wallace + I'd expect we might see a 2024 draft choice and a 2024 draft choice in TC.

My thought is you have to keep Dobson, or sign a super high DP start-week-1 OL, or snipe a Lofton-level affordable FA.

Eli is too small and has skills suited to a 6th, not a starting OG.  Wallace is still too green IMHO, and still a big question mark.  Of course I said both about Dobson, lol... but I feel even stronger on these about Eli/Wallace.

Since we're unlikely to score a high enough DP, that leaves giving Dobson decent $, or "settling" for a Lofton level.

Why is it we draft these guys, get 1-2 years of dev and then just 1-ish years of playing out of them and then they all walk?  We're doing all the work, the other teams reap the reward.  Sigh.  It kind of strikes me as a bad system.  Should draftee first contracts be 3 years, maybe with guaranteed small bumps if they start?

[Blue In BC]

My thought is you have to keep Dobson, or sign a super high DP start-week-1 OL, or snipe a Lofton-level affordable FA.

Eli is too small and has skills suited to a 6th, not a starting OG.  Wallace is still too green IMHO, and still a big question mark.  Of course I said both about Dobson, lol... but I feel even stronger on these about Eli/Wallace.

Since we're unlikely to score a high enough DP, that leaves giving Dobson decent $, or "settling" for a Lofton level.

Why is it we draft these guys, get 1-2 years of dev and then just 1-ish years of playing out of them and then they all walk?  We're doing all the work, the other teams reap the reward.  Sigh.  It kind of strikes me as a bad system.  Should draftee first contracts be 3 years, maybe with guaranteed small bumps if they start?

I think we have the 7th pick in the 1st round of the 2025 draft. I have no idea what the talent level of OL in this years draft looks like. A decent chance we draft an OL with that pick if we keep it. That happens long after free agency so signing Dobson makes sense regardless of our draft decisions. It could even mean we trade one of our back up OL to move up in the early rounds. IIRC we have an OL from 2024 that will be back in TC fighting for a role. Can't keep everyone.

IIRC 1st round draft picks do sign for 3 years and most take a year or more to approach being able to start. A starting Canadian OL is the basis of how most teams find 3 starting Canadians in the ratio mandate.

However we're seeing more good Canadians in other spots starting across the league. To some degree that reduces needing to pay so much SMS so soon across the spectrum.

I'm not sure that money will be the primary issue in re-signing him. He may want to go back east.

[Ridermania]

CFL has issue's with young players finishing there mandatory 3 years with drafted team, then moving closer to home to play.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I think we have the 7th pick in the 1st round of the 2025 draft. I have no idea what the talent level of OL in this years draft looks like. A decent chance we draft an OL with that pick if we keep it. That happens long after free agency so signing Dobson makes sense regardless of our draft decisions. It could even mean we trade one of our back up OL to move up in the early rounds. IIRC we have an OL from 2024 that will be back in TC fighting for a role. Can't keep everyone.

IIRC 1st round draft picks do sign for 3 years and most take a year or more to approach being able to start. A starting Canadian OL is the basis of how most teams find 3 starting Canadians in the ratio mandate.

However we're seeing more good Canadians in other spots starting across the league. To some degree that reduces needing to pay so much SMS so soon across the spectrum.

I'm not sure that money will be the primary issue in re-signing him. He may want to go back east.

The vast majority of draft picks (including first round selections) don't/shouldn't/can't start in year one. Not saying you're suggesting that's the plan but that shouldn't be the plan. Even if there is someone on the OL that could maybe start in this draft, he won't be around by pick 7 and that's 100% certain.

[Blue In BC]

The vast majority of draft picks (including first round selections) don't/shouldn't/can't start in year one. Not saying you're suggesting that's the plan but that shouldn't be the plan. Even if there is someone on the OL that could maybe start in this draft, he won't be around by pick 7 and that's 100% certain.

No, I wasn't suggesting that. I was suggesting that our pick MIGHT be better in the long term than either Eli or Wallace. I don't have any insight into how well those two graded and whether either are long term or short term plans.

For that matter the same applies to Dobson. He's the current solution if we re-sign him. In that sense, it's possible that we might trade depth to move up. Neither were high draft picks but might have some trade value as part of a package.

It's also possible that our depth inside our OL might be an import starts before either Eli or Wallace except as for an in game injury. Our ratio would allow that in 2025. I'm not suggesting that per se, just speculating where everyone stands up to and including the SMS spend.  Injuries are not predictable.

Lots of moving parts starting with does Dobson re-sign.

Bombers traded their 1st pick down last year for what turned out to be an OL. Then we picked Wallace in the 2nd round. This year's draft rankings don't show very many OL at the top, so pickings could be slim. Lots of DL and DB's in the top 20.

Currently we have 8 Canadians as potential free agents. It's debatable how many we want back and how many we get back. Overall we might be a bigger player in free agency than in previous seasons.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

No, I wasn't suggesting that. I was suggesting that our pick MIGHT be better in the long term than either Eli or Wallace. I don't have any insight into how well those two graded and whether either are long term or short term plans.

For that matter the same applies to Dobson. He's the current solution if we re-sign him. In that sense, it's possible that we might trade depth to move up. Neither were high draft picks but might have some trade value as part of a package.

It's also possible that our depth inside our OL might be an import starts before either Eli or Wallace except as for an in game injury. Our ratio would allow that in 2025. I'm not suggesting that per se, just speculating where everyone stands up to and including the SMS spend.  Injuries are not predictable.

Lots of moving parts starting with does Dobson re-sign.

Bombers traded their 1st pick down last year for what turned out to be an OL. Then we picked Wallace in the 2nd round. This year's draft rankings don't show very many OL at the top, so pickings could be slim. Lots of DL and DB's in the top 20.

Currently we have 8 Canadians as potential free agents. It's debatable how many we want back and how many we get back. Overall we might be a bigger player in free agency than in previous seasons.

Can't say status quo was good enough last year, the O-line was not as dominant as they have been in years past, so some level of change probably needs to occur.

Not sold on Dobson as a starter and still think he was a major downgrade from Jeff Gray in both size and mobility, if they can find better I hope they do, same goes for Kolankowski at C.  Two Imports to watch if they want to adjust the ratio, are semi-proven Kendall Randolph and Chris Walker a big body out of Montana.  Hope they can re-sign Lofton to reduce change along the line, he was steady if not spectacular and has established chemistry playing alongside Neufeld. 

[Blue In BC]

Can't say status quo was good enough last year, the O-line was not as dominant as they have been in years past, so some level of change probably needs to occur.

Not sold on Dobson as a starter and still think he was a major downgrade from Jeff Gray in both size and mobility, if they can find better I hope they do, same goes for Kolankowski at C.  Two Imports to watch if they want to adjust the ratio, are semi-proven Kendall Randolph and Chris Walker a big body out of Montana.  Hope they can re-sign Lofton to reduce change along the line, he was steady if not spectacular and has established chemistry playing alongside Neufeld. 

I agree and those are my same concerns. However Dobson might still have some upside and whether we currently have a better option is a question, including the imports. Free agency, trades and possible draft choices are all in the mix.

I think we are more likely to see a change at RG by one or our PR imports but I also don't want to see 2 changes at the same time!!>

Maybe they are working on getting Gray to return after 1 year off.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I agree and those are my same concerns. However Dobson might still have some upside and whether we currently have a better option is a question, including the imports. Free agency, trades and possible draft choices are all in the mix.

I think we are more likely to see a change at RG by one or our PR imports but I also don't want to see 2 changes at the same time!!>

Maybe they are working on getting Gray to return after 1 year off.

Nope, he's moved on with his engineering career.

[blue_gold_84]

Nope, he's moved on with his engineering career.

That and he'll be 31 this year. I think that ship has sailed.

[Pigskin]

We also still have Vlahogiannis 6'4" 308, who returned to McGill last season.  And, Ethan Kalra  6'3" 320 , who was said to be CFL ready, returned to Waterloo last season.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We also still have Vlahogiannis 6'4" 308, who returned to McGill last season.  And, Ethan Kalra  6'3" 320 , who was said to be CFL ready, returned to Waterloo last season.

I vaguely remember them from preseason, but forgot about them.

I would like to see a list of draft choices that returned to school added to the roster list in it's own category, maybe below the suspended player list so we know which players are coming down the pipe.

[Blue In BC]

I vaguely remember them from preseason, but forgot about them.

I would like to see a list of draft choices that returned to school added to the roster list in it's own category, maybe below the suspended player list so we know which players are coming down the pipe.

That would be useful. It's never certain if the team plans to bring them back the following year. Neither were high draft picks but that might have been due to their plans to return to school.

[theaardvark]

OL never seems to be an issue in recruitment/development. 

Players returning to school, and then having good years bodes well for TC.

I think Eli has graded out well as 6th man, and potential C replacement.  Wallace impressed as well, his road grader skills are pretty amazing.  Still surprised the GC didn't end with both of them on the field in a BO20 runfest.

[dd]

Wallace is a monster out there and I hope he takes the next step and starts for us this year, same for Eli at center.

[TecnoGenius]

I agree and those are my same concerns. However Dobson might still have some upside and whether we currently have a better option is a question, including the imports. Free agency, trades and possible draft choices are all in the mix.

I was Dobson-skeptical to start '24, but by the end "they" were grading him very high league-wide, especially in the run game.  I'm still not sure I saw it with my own eyes, however I can't argue with the playoff performance of the entire unit.

Dobson vs Gray is interesting.  Neither is great (yet?), and what they are good at vs bad at are different.  Gray had leveled out.  Dobson may still improve.

In the end the biggest problem with our OL for most of '24 was Neufeld's injury-nursing, probably.  That plus too many off-season changes.

As such you want/need to keep Dobson this FA, as long as he's not asking Desjar money (which he shouldn't).  Our week 1 OL will have a big advantage if we can get away with no off-season changes.

Plus... that Dobson mustache!  Make free stash wax a contract performance bonus!

[TecnoGenius]

Hope they can re-sign Lofton to reduce change along the line, he was steady if not spectacular and has established chemistry playing alongside Neufeld.

Lofton wasn't on a 2-year?  I see zero competition for Lofton, and he was ticking pretty good by the end.  And very SMS friendly!  What's not to love?  He may not be the best, but he's solid enough.

KW was right.  Again.  We got solid Lofton, SSK got to eat all the Yoshi signing bonus with near zero to show for it.

[Blue In BC]

Lofton wasn't on a 2-year?  I see zero competition for Lofton, and he was ticking pretty good by the end.  And very SMS friendly!  What's not to love?  He may not be the best, but he's solid enough.

KW was right.  Again.  We got solid Lofton, SSK got to eat all the Yoshi signing bonus with near zero to show for it.

We have 2 import OL that were on the PR for most of the season and / or got on the AR briefly ( Randolph ). Vanterpool was with the team since TC.  We added another import that was part of the expanded PR in the wall.

So have have some early competition coming to TC. Whether any of them stick or are better than Lofton is a TBD.

I think Lofton gets re-signed and won't be that expensive. However he might just as easily get beat out.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We have 2 import OL that were on the PR for most of the season and / or got on the AR briefly ( Randolph ). Vanterpool was with the team since TC.  We added another import that was part of the expanded PR in the wall.

So have have some early competition coming to TC. Whether any of them stick or are better than Lofton is a TBD.

I think Lofton gets re-signed and won't be that expensive. However he might just as easily get beat out.

Yep that could happen, I'm sure they'd like to hang onto to Randolph and may have to make some hard decisions if he refuses to go back on the PR another year.

[Blueforlife]

If we can gel early as a oline, it's key out our success, will be an interesting offseason and camp

[TecnoGenius]

Yep that could happen, I'm sure they'd like to hang onto to Randolph and may have to make some hard decisions if he refuses to go back on the PR another year.

I thought Randolph was on his 1st year of ELC here?  Randolph is a keeper as a backup OG, especially if Eli/Wallace aren't viable injury replacements.

I don't think Randolph will be our starting OT except in emergencies.  No idea on Vanterpol... have we ever seen him start??  The plan is probably the same as usual, if 1 OT goes down Neuf rolls out.

I watched Lofton a lot in-stadium and on-screen after plays, sidelines, etc, and he seems like a really genuine good guy, and good team-first rah rah guy.  And he seemed to really improve.  I see no reason to ditch him at the price he commands.  The only downside is I don't think he's anywhere near Yoshi-level on run blocking.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I thought Randolph was on his 1st year of ELC here?  Randolph is a keeper as a backup OG, especially if Eli/Wallace aren't viable injury replacements.

I don't think Randolph will be our starting OT except in emergencies.  No idea on Vanterpol... have we ever seen him start??  The plan is probably the same as usual, if 1 OT goes down Neuf rolls out.

I watched Lofton a lot in-stadium and on-screen after plays, sidelines, etc, and he seems like a really genuine good guy, and good team-first rah rah guy.  And he seemed to really improve.  I see no reason to ditch him at the price he commands.  The only downside is I don't think he's anywhere near Yoshi-level on run blocking.

Randolph is under contract for this year, question is if they want to stash him on the PR waiting for an injury to happen, will he accept the role with lousy pay? I don't think there's any way to keep him on the active roster with Eli and Wallace as the #6 and #7 men. That all changes if Dobson leaves.

[Blue In BC]

Randolph is under contract for this year, question is if they want to stash him on the PR waiting for an injury to happen, will he accept the role with lousy pay? I don't think there's any way to keep him on the active roster with Eli and Wallace as the #6 and #7 men. That all changes if Dobson leaves.

Exactly. But does he have an opportunity to play RT and / or do we re-sign Lofton?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Randolph is under contract for this year, question is if they want to stash him on the PR waiting for an injury to happen, will he accept the role with lousy pay? I don't think there's any way to keep him on the active roster with Eli and Wallace as the #6 and #7 men. That all changes if Dobson leaves.

The simple answer is you just pay him whatever he needs to be on the PR considering he's on an ELC anyway. There's a minimum, not a maximum.

[Blue In BC]

The simple answer is you just pay him whatever he needs to be on the PR considering he's on an ELC anyway. There's a minimum, not a maximum.

If you're going to pay him that you may as well just put him on the 1 game IR. He can practice and he's protected from being poached.

The PR is also a restricted number of spots while the 1 game IR is not.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

If you're going to pay him that you may as well just put him on the 1 game IR. He can practice and he's protected from being poached.

The PR is also a restricted number of spots while the 1 game IR is not.

Sure. I think the idea is you're not going to let him go for the difference between an ELC and practice roster money.

[Jesse]

I hope Randolph is competing for a starting spot and is on the active roster.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I hope Randolph is competing for a starting spot and is on the active roster.

Where?

[Jesse]

Where?

Competing for guard or RT or being the first guy off the bench in case of injury.

[TecnoGenius]

Competing for guard or RT or being the first guy off the bench in case of injury.

We never saw Randolph at RT.  Only LT.  He stunk rocks, but of course had limited 1st team reps, so who knows.

He was stellar at RG.  This could be Neufeld's final year... I would love to just go IMP (Randolph) at RG in '26.  Assuming we keep our ratio-overage ways.

Randolph has never really been used as jumbo 6th/7th... so I don't really see him being used in that role.  As such he'd be a pure inter-game IR backup in '25, not a intra-game speller/TE.

Yes, that makes him basically impossible to AR in '25, barring injury or FA loss.

P.S. Yes, I know, the odds of Mafia going 3 IMP OL is slim to none...

[theaardvark]

We never saw Randolph at RT.  Only LT.  He stunk rocks, but of course had limited 1st team reps, so who knows.

He was stellar at RG.  This could be Neufeld's final year... I would love to just go IMP (Randolph) at RG in '26.  Assuming we keep our ratio-overage ways.

Randolph has never really been used as jumbo 6th/7th... so I don't really see him being used in that role.  As such he'd be a pure inter-game IR backup in '25, not a intra-game speller/TE.

Yes, that makes him basically impossible to AR in '25, barring injury or FA loss.

P.S. Yes, I know, the odds of Mafia going 3 IMP OL is slim to none...

Using Randolph at G if we lose Dobson would make sense if ratio isn't a concern elsewhere, would really save some $SMS over paying Dobson what he's worth on the open market ($200kish) (losing Ford hurts ratio as well)

The key to our Oline is finding a RT and a Bryant replacement for the future.  C and G we have covered, as well as 6th and 7th man for Jumbo...

[VictorRomano]

If we lose Dobson, I can see Wallace slotting in to take that spot - a Canadian replacing a Canadian.  I really liked Randolph at guard, and I can see him taking Neuf's spot shen he hangs them up, but that might cause ratio issues, and we have Eli (a National via his mom) signed for another 2 years.  We also have the draft coming up, so there will likely be at least 1, possibly 2 more OL coming in from that.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If we lose Dobson, I can see Wallace slotting in to take that spot - a Canadian replacing a Canadian.  I really liked Randolph at guard, and I can see him taking Neuf's spot shen he hangs them up, but that might cause ratio issues, and we have Eli (a National via his mom) signed for another 2 years.  We also have the draft coming up, so there will likely be at least 1, possibly 2 more OL coming in from that.

Could be a long wait, Neuf.indicated he has no plans to retire anytime soon.  As long as he's healthy he can play.

[Blue In BC]

Could be a long wait, Neuf.indicated he has no plans to retire anytime soon.  As long as he's healthy he can play.

The catch is that if an import doesn't make the AR in his 2nd season, how much longer is he willing to sit on the PR?

I'm not suggesting he take over for Neufeld. Whether the team is considering a 3 import OL ( if we lose Dobson ) is not apparent and obviously impacts the ratio.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The catch is that if an import doesn't make the AR in his 2nd season, how much longer is he willing to sit on the PR?

I'm not suggesting he take over for Neufeld. Whether the team is considering a 3 import OL ( if we lose Dobson ) is not apparent and obviously impacts the ratio.

I agree and brought up the same point earlier in the thread but if Randolph is to claim a spot this season it will be at LG or RT. Who knows, maybe they'll get lucky and find his patience matches Manase Foketi who sat on the PR for 3 full years waiting for Stanley or Yoshi to quit.