State of the roster

Blue In BC · February 22, 2025, 05:41:59 PM

Lions released their rookie sensation LB, Eley. I know we have some good talent at the position but should we sign him to a contract and let things sort out in TC. He was on an ELC so SMS is not an issue if he makes the roster.

The only question is who he might push off the roster. I say this is a no risk idea.

Jesse · February 22, 2025, 06:03:43 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on February 22, 2025, 05:41:59 PMLions released their rookie sensation LB, Eley. I know we have some good talent at the position but should we sign him to a contract and let things sort out in TC. He was on an ELC so SMS is not an issue if he makes the roster.

The only question is who he might push off the roster. I say this is a no risk idea.

Agreed.

Especially with Younger who plays around with his schemes.

Sir Blue and Gold · February 23, 2025, 12:23:19 AM

Quote from: Blue In BC on February 22, 2025, 05:41:59 PMLions released their rookie sensation LB, Eley. I know we have some good talent at the position but should we sign him to a contract and let things sort out in TC. He was on an ELC so SMS is not an issue if he makes the roster.

The only question is who he might push off the roster. I say this is a no risk idea.

Why would they release a "rookie sensation" on an ELC?

Blue In BC · February 23, 2025, 01:54:27 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on February 23, 2025, 12:23:19 AMWhy would they release a "rookie sensation" on an ELC?

Good question but nothing has been mentioned on Lionbackers. The Lions did sign M.Awe during the tampering period and a few others at the position.

It could have been a numbers issue or a personality problem. I'm not suggesting that was the case but it is an odd decision on their part. He may have even asked for his release to get more playing time / income in the USFL, with a promise to return before TC.

Bombers could ask Pierce for a reference. We'll see if he signs elsewhere.

Jesse · February 23, 2025, 03:45:11 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on February 23, 2025, 01:54:27 PMGood question but nothing has been mentioned on Lionbackers. The Lions did sign M.Awe during the tampering period and a few others at the position.

It could have been a numbers issue or a personality problem. I'm not suggesting that was the case but it is an odd decision on their part. He may have even asked for his release to get more playing time / income in the USFL, with a promise to return before TC.

Bombers could ask Pierce for a reference. We'll see if he signs elsewhere.

Already signed with Ottawa, I believe.

Blue In BC · February 23, 2025, 04:02:33 PM

Quote from: Jesse on February 23, 2025, 03:45:11 PMAlready signed with Ottawa, I believe.

I see that was commented on Good Morning Big Blue as well. Oh well.

dd · February 23, 2025, 08:50:18 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on February 23, 2025, 12:23:19 AMWhy would they release a "rookie sensation" on an ELC?

Especially in SMS strapped BC. There's more to this than meets the eye, as there was no downside for them to keep a good performing player at the minimum contract

TecnoGenius · February 23, 2025, 10:33:31 PM

Quote from: DM83 on February 22, 2025, 05:17:47 PMReceivers? - Schoenberg had one good year, then has basically either been overweight from his NFL sojourn, and then last years injury. All other guys brought in are middle of the road.

Schoen had 2 great years, basically leading the league. '24 was his only injury year.

We're betting he'll be solid for years to come, whereas Kenny is always iffy year to year. Schoen could be the long-term franchise guy. If he stays healthy it could be a good bet.

Kenny was often hit & miss and may be on his career downtrend. He's missed so many games, and even when on field he hasn't been putting up big numbers (1, maybe 2, (very) good games in '24). Didn't help us at all in the GC, and that's basically why we paid him huge $$ to return. NAT Brissett did more than him.

Kenny will often make the circus play that makes everyone gasp and applaud, but he also whiffs on a ton, and is not terribly reliable from an availability standpoint. His rate of mental errors is increasing, too.

I still would have signed Kenny for big $$, but it's not a sure thing anymore. Lewis is probably a more dependable signing (sigh) on the high end. Schoen's workhorse style could work out better for us if it was a "can only choose one" scenario.

DM83 · February 27, 2025, 06:11:22 AM

No way! Kenny was awesome! Hence the big contract, amd being overpaid. That was great his agent got him that contract from Edmonton. Also the contract from the bombers, and then Hamilton.

theaardvark · February 27, 2025, 03:37:25 PM

Quote from: DM83 on February 27, 2025, 06:11:22 AMNo way! Kenny was awesome! Hence the big contract, amd being overpaid. That was great his agent got him that contract from Edmonton. Also the contract from the bombers, and then Hamilton.

Kenny got PAID in Edm, came home to Winnipeg for considerably less saying what a mistake it was signing for just for the money, and then got PAID by Ham, saying he's going (I'm paraphrasing here) "to bring them the cup, because he can mentally make that happen". A team that hasn't won the cup this century, has the longest drought, and missed the playoffs last year.

Yeah...

Jesse · February 27, 2025, 04:43:13 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on February 27, 2025, 03:37:25 PMKenny got PAID in Edm, came home to Winnipeg for considerably less saying what a mistake it was signing for just for the money, and then got PAID by Ham, saying he's going (I'm paraphrasing here) "to bring them the cup, because he can mentally make that happen". A team that hasn't won the cup this century, has the longest drought, and missed the playoffs last year.

Yeah...

What do you consider considerably less? We paid him 275. And now got paid the same by Hamilton.

dd · February 27, 2025, 10:44:25 PM

Quote from: Jesse on February 27, 2025, 04:43:13 PMWhat do you consider considerably less? We paid him 275. And now got paid the same by Hamilton.

He got $285k from us last year, and signed with Hamilton for $277.2 hard money and a chance to make $303, so he has a chance to make marginally more money. That said, he ain't winning them no cup, I doubt they make the playoffs

DM83 · March 07, 2025, 07:02:15 PM

Why do you guys feel we over paid him? He broke his arm trying to gain extra yards. I thought our players all played to the best of their abilities. Life as a football player doesn't last long. Strike while the iron is hot. Didn't a lot of Bombers walk for higher contracts.

Stats Junkie · March 09, 2025, 03:35:38 PM

This article from Ed Tait looks like it belongs in this thread.

1st & 10: Who's in/who's out and what it all means

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/03/07/1st-10-whos-in-whos-out-and-what-it-all-means/

TecnoGenius · March 10, 2025, 08:04:48 AM

Quote from: DM83 on March 07, 2025, 07:02:15 PMWhy do you guys feel we over paid him? He broke his arm trying to gain extra yards. I thought our players all played to the best of their abilities.

Kenny is a slight guy. Like Nick Moore. And Nick was hurt all the time later in his career.

Kenny should be taking a page out of Willie's book: avoid the obvious risky things. Play to be available.

Kenny said in an interview he'd do the exact same thing again (bull into a DB and break his arm for 2 more yards). To me that's not the mindset you want your highest-paid REC to exhibit. Ya, we want them to play tough, but then the team is screwed and the W column suffers when they are out.

Our record wasn't great when Kenny was out, and even the W's were won with substandard O performance.

Kenny was overpaid based on what he gave us in '24 (maybe 2 great games). A better GC performance would have helped, but it was not to be. However, I would have kept him on as he's a fan fave and still draws the most D attention. I wouldn't have paid him what he got, but I would have come close enough to have him stay (with the "hometown" discount).