Winnipeg Blue Bombers release veteran receiver Drew Wolitarsky

[TecnoGenius]

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.

If Brady goes down mid-game week 1, I feel very comfortable rolling with Johnny the rest of the game.  I would not have that same feeling with Ike.  He's still exceptionally green and a complete unknown at RB.  He's also a completely different body style compared to Johnny.

[Blue In BC]

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.

That's the point. If he was earning $110K then that is not what a non rookie Canadian is earning to play mostly ST.

Woli was a starting receiver and very productive on offence for several seasons. For the same money he was a far better option when healthy.  Nearly 3,000 yards provided on 227 receptions.

[Blue In BC]

If Brady goes down mid-game week 1, I feel very comfortable rolling with Johnny the rest of the game.  I would not have that same feeling with Ike.  He's still exceptionally green and a complete unknown at RB.  He's also a completely different body style compared to Johnny.

If Oliveria goes down during a game, we probably move more towards the passing game. Augustine would get the running plays but IMO the defence would essentially shut down the run game.

It's not a matter of who gets the in game plays due to injury. It's who becomes the starting RB in event Oliveria is lost for 1 or more games.

IMO we'll have an import on the PR or as a returner that might be that guy.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If Oliveria goes down during a game, we probably move more towards the passing game. Augustine would get the running plays but IMO the defence would essentially shut down the run game.

It's not a matter of who gets the in game plays due to injury. It's who becomes the starting RB in event Oliveria is lost for 1 or more games.

IMO we'll have an import on the PR or as a returner that might be that guy.

People tend to downplay Augustine's ability but every time he's gone into a game he's done very well, going back to the days he replaced Harris for a couple of games  during his suspension. He's probably the most gifted shake and bake RB on the roster and came out of college already fully developed. Still recall his performance at the CFL Combine in Regina where he blew away all other RB's and receivers in drills and scrimmages, he looked like a man competing against boys. 

MCI might be better at FB, he has some RB skills but he's mostly a bruiser, I think he's 3 grades below what Johnny can do as far as quickness and agility when running the ball.

[Pigskin]

JA27 is very reliable, and can also play on teams. He hasn't missed a game in the last three years. He also has a lifetime rush avg. of 5.7 yards. Were Chris-Ike was injured for 9 games last season and has no O stats in the CFL. Chris  Ike has the size and excellent speed 4.51/40, but can he stay health.

[Blue In BC]

JA27 is very reliable, and can also play on teams. He hasn't missed a game in the last three years. He also has a lifetime rush avg. of 5.7 yards. Were Chris-Ike was injured for 9 games last season and has no O stats in the CFL. Chris  Ike has the size and excellent speed 4.51/40, but can he stay health.

Lots of players spent time on the IR that were not necessarily injured. Chris-Ike may have been healthy but to get him or any player on the AR requires taking another player off.

In 2024 Augustine had the least amount of carries ( 27 ), for the least amount of yards ( 135 ) and the lowest yardage per carry of his career. Don't you have any thoughts about why he's used to infrequently to aid keeping Oliveria healthy?

He'll be 32 by early July. 6 seasons and 222 carries in total. 67 games played. Will he be re-signed? IDK but a case could be made for either result.

[Pete]

JA is getting up there at 32 esp for running back.
We likely need to look at other options:
Chris Ike - we really dont know what he can bring, JA was always the option ly.
Do we get a kickoff returner that can also be rb? ie Stefan Logan
We likely have a import rb on practice roster if BO gets injured

[Blue In BC]

Back to Woli. I haven't heard anything definitive about his rehab or availability for TC. I wouldn't be surprised if he's getting calls from other teams to find out and possible SMS.

Once the bulk of transactions happen after the 1st week of free agency, we'll see if gets another chance. I'm not sure he wants to play elsewhere but things can change.

[Pigskin]

Lots of players spent time on the IR that were not necessarily injured. Chris-Ike may have been healthy but to get him or any player on the AR requires taking another player off.

In 2024 Augustine had the least amount of carries ( 27 ), for the least amount of yards ( 135 ) and the lowest yardage per carry of his career. Don't you have any thoughts about why he's used to infrequently to aid keeping Oliveria healthy?

He'll be 32 by early July. 6 seasons and 222 carries in total. 67 games played.

I question a lot of thing the Bombers do with there backup players. Especially at the RB and QB position. JA27 is a reliable experienced backup RB that can play a lot of roles on this team. Excellent insurance policy for Oliveira.   

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Back to Woli. I haven't heard anything definitive about his rehab or availability for TC. I wouldn't be surprised if he's getting calls from other teams to find out and possible SMS.

Once the bulk of transactions happen after the 1st week of free agency, we'll see if gets another chance. I'm not sure he wants to play elsewhere but things can change.

Woli has a family now so his perspective may have changed from earlier in his career, he should be able to play 3-4 more years if he wants to. I think he'll be picked up as he likely has big fans in Buck in BC and Dru Brown in Ottawa.

[Pete]

I wonder if there's a chance BC picks up both Streveler and Woli. With Adams gone there's an opportunity and if Mcinnis ends up going to Calgary even more so, I wouldn't want to play BC with those two augmenting their offense.

[Blue In BC]

I wonder if there's a chance BC picks up both Streveler and Woli. With Adams gone there's an opportunity and if Mcinnis ends up going to Calgary even more so, I wouldn't want to play BC with those two augmenting their offense.

Interesting and reasonable thought. However, losing McInnis would be a big blow. His output towers over what Woli did in any season.

Stev might be a better # 3 QB for the Lions but his SMS would be more than their current back ups fighting for # 3.

Lions are still trying to shed SMS cost and still re-sign their potential free agents.

I think I agree that Ottawa might be a fit for both. OTOH, Redblacks have some athletic back up QB's. It might take them trading someone.

[TecnoGenius]

Do we get a kickoff returner that can also be rb? ie Stefan Logan
We likely have a import rb on practice roster if BO gets injured

Having one of your main (and important) starters also doing returns always scares the heck out of me.  Returners get injured all the time.

It would be especially bad if your #1 starting RB was your returner as there is usually no on-par backup available.  You might be able to make it work if he's a DB or WR, as then you have plenty of guys dressed who can fill in.  However, again, you don't want it to be your #1 best WR.

Just look at how often Logan got creamed.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Could definitely be your in-game running back backup but you'd still want someone on the PR you have some confidence in if it's a long term thing. For us though, Michael Chris-Ike definitely has the inside track in that role this year.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I wonder if there's a chance BC picks up both Streveler and Woli. With Adams gone there's an opportunity and if Mcinnis ends up going to Calgary even more so, I wouldn't want to play BC with those two augmenting their offense.

The Lions also have Natl. Jevon Cottoy 6'5" 230 lbs to go along with 6'-5" 210 lb. McInnis, makes it pretty hard for Woli. to come in as anything other than a backup.  Sure wish the Bombers could draft Natl. receivers of that size.