Winnipeg Blue Bombers release veteran receiver Drew Wolitarsky

[TecnoGenius]

Augustine likely gone for the same reason, they're making changes, giving younger players the opportunity to step up.

Augustine is secure until there is some NAT Augustine-level as a RB on the team.  Ike or whoever isn't there yet (not even close).  Therefore I doubt we release Johnny.

It'll probably take the signing of the next AH / Brady level player, or massive drop-off in performance by Johnny, before we let him walk.

[TecnoGenius]

You always need players for depth and Specials.  Augustine is one of those.  And I don't think he will be getting upfront money or over $100k for that, so he's worth it.

I think it was back when we were re-signing Johnny & Brady and trying to pressure AH33 that we gave both Johnny & Brady $125k or so?  Going by hazy memories here.

Johnny is not getting under $100k.  He's a legit NAT backup on a team that needs a NAT RB backup.

[TecnoGenius]

Maybe if Pokey comes back they play 4 imports, but if they don't start Clercius this season, they could lose him next year when his ELC expires.  He's the only receiver left who's blocking ability can match Bailey or Woli.

You mean Pokey or Clercius?  I hope you mean Clercius.  Pokey wasn't exactly Darvin Adams on blocking out there...

Clercius has the body for it for sure, but he hasn't mastered it completely yet.  He's still quite green.

[Blue In BC]

Augustine is secure until there is some NAT Augustine-level as a RB on the team.  Ike or whoever isn't there yet (not even close).  Therefore I doubt we release Johnny.

It'll probably take the signing of the next AH / Brady level player, or massive drop-off in performance by Johnny, before we let him walk.

In his best year ( 2022 ) he had 290 yards. He may be the in game replacement but I think we'd flip to an import of Oliveria is injured longer term.

[VictorRomano]

In his best year ( 2022 ) he had 290 yards. He may be the in game replacement but I think we'd flip to an import of Oliveria is injured longer term.

There is a reason we drafted Chris-Ike last year....

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

In his best year ( 2022 ) he had 290 yards. He may be the in game replacement but I think we'd flip to an import of Oliveria is injured longer term.

Can't blame Johnny for never being used, amazed he stuck around so long playing second fiddle.  Just like Tim Flanders, wasted his best years as an athlete waiting for the opportunity to play.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There is a reason we drafted Chris-Ike last year....

Poor showing for his first year of pro, can't recall him ever touching the ball.

[theaardvark]

$80k is nothing to sneeze at for a vet Nat backup.  That's like having a year round $40/hr job.  For playing a game you love.

And starting 8 or 9 Nats means you can have a Int backup at RB, especially if he has other talents.

JA seems fine with his backup/ST role.  And MOS likes consistency.  He's a known quantity at a known price.

[blue_or_die]

Can't blame Johnny for never being used, amazed he stuck around so long playing second fiddle.  Just like Tim Flanders, wasted his best years as an athlete waiting for the opportunity to play.

I wouldn't say he "wasted" his best years. He's making a living playing teams and a backup role in an industry with notoriously short careers for a team that's been the the championship game 5 years in a row. It's not like he would be a starter anywhere else. Before Brady blew up the league there were some that thought Johnny was this incredible player capable of carrying a team as a nat RB, but that's largely been debunked.

That said, love having him around to backup Brady and certainly hope/expect he returns in 2025.

[Pigskin]

Looking at the top 20 draft prospects it looks like there will be a number of WR and DL in this draft. With us drafting 7/16/maybe 18/19, and then 27, we should be able to pickup another gem like Clercius.

[Blue In BC]

$80k is nothing to sneeze at for a vet Nat backup.  That's like having a year round $40/hr job.  For playing a game you love.

And starting 8 or 9 Nats means you can have a Int backup at RB, especially if he has other talents.

JA seems fine with his backup/ST role.  And MOS likes consistency.  He's a known quantity at a known price.

$80K is only about $6K over an ELC. Whether that is what he earned in 2024 or asking for in 2025 we don't know. Regardless it's not just his salary but whether we have the " next " guy in the pipeline.

There may be an equivalent to him that we may choose to target in free agency.

[theaardvark]

$80K is only about $6K over an ELC. Whether that is what he earned in 2024 or asking for in 2025 we don't know. Regardless it's not just his salary but whether we have the " next " guy in the pipeline.

There may be an equivalent to him that we may choose to target in free agency.

Unless there is significant upside, either in price or play, I don't see the WFC pursuing an equivalent when they have a guy that knows the team and likes it here.  Which Augustine obviously does, considering he is still here.

[Blue In BC]

Unless there is significant upside, either in price or play, I don't see the WFC pursuing an equivalent when they have a guy that knows the team and likes it here.  Which Augustine obviously does, considering he is still here.

Equivalent in talent or upside does not necessarily mean at a higher cost. Technically Augustine is here until Feb 11 and is then a free agent. I may be wrong but then question would be why haven't they re-signed him? Essentially he's an ST player and in game substitute at RB.

Obviously for every player the question is cost versus benefit. If he's only asked for $80K he stands a better chance to stick then if he asks for $110K.

Like I said, he's just an example where a deal hasn't been made and perhaps not intended to be made.

For the record I like Augustine but I also liked Woli as well.

[Pete]

it may not be a coincidence that both Woli and Augustine aren't signed for positions that we drafted higher last year i.e. Clercius and Chris-Ike. It may be a good thing that we are finally giving younger players more opportunities to play and improve. In the past we have seemed reluctant to do that when we have a vet in place.

[TecnoGenius]

For the record I like Augustine but I also liked Woli as well.

Difference is I can't remember Johnny ever being hurt.  He gets reps at ST and very limited reps at RB.  That's real easy on a body.  That should help his longevity and maintain his value.

Plus the fact Woli was fairly highly paid for a "2nd tier NAT WR", and Johnny is paid basically what a non-rookie NAT RB backup is worth.