2025 Free Agency (Blue Bomber Signings/News)

[Blue In BC]

Now you're making a different point than in the post I commented on.

We lost two Canadian starters but they can be replaced my imports without affecting our ratio.

If you want to make the point that our depth took a hit sure, but we also added so much depth through FA. It was Walters' entire focus so far.

It's not just the depth we've lost but the talent of our Canadian starters is diminished. Yes Walters added some depth but aside from Makonzo, none of those Canadians have been starters or much more than ST players.


Cobb, Hagerty, Gowonluck ( sp ). We don't know that we have imports that will be as good as the Canadian starters we lost.

Plugging in an import is not a slam dunk and as I said it impacts the rotational ability when you only start the minimum number of Canadians.

[Pete]

In terms of depth, we got some in the receiver and linebacker areas, but we took a step backwards in Oline, defensive backs, and defensive ends. I get that Walters doesn't want to overpay the big names but now we have to count on getting rookie talent.
  The draft doesn't look to be particularly strong so there's that.
We are going to have to count heavily on our scouting dept for db (which has been successful) and the DE (which hasn't been) to shore those up.  I have no idea why we didn't sign Garbutt back. The oline depth is a concern on a cdn level cause that is hard to find.
We've been so focused on Lawler's replacement(s) that we may have kept our eyes off the prize.

[Jesse]

In terms of depth, we got some in the receiver and linebacker areas, but we took a step backwards in Oline, defensive backs, and defensive ends. I get that Walters doesn't want to overpay the big names but now we have to count on getting rookie talent.
  The draft doesn't look to be particularly strong so there's that.
We are going to have to count heavily on our scouting dept for db (which has been successful) and the DE (which hasn't been) to shore those up.  I have no idea why we didn't sign Garbutt back. The oline depth is a concern on a cdn level cause that is hard to find.
We've been so focused on Lawler's replacement(s) that we may have kept our eyes off the prize.

It's the opposite.

We had to depend on rookie talent last year because of overpaying at certain spots. Now we have depth throughout with CFL experience. The only rookies should be imports who have won positions over existing players.

[Pete]

If Kelly moves to safety who do we have to adequately backup?
At de we have Vaughters but little else. And we lost dobson so down a cdn lineman

[theaardvark]

Clercius steps up to replace Woli

Wallace replaces Dobson.

One of a bunch of Nats can step up to replace BA, which replaces Ford's NAT spot.

And we still have last years DP's and this years.

Manu, Kalra, Vlahogiannis, Gassama.  Manu still with the Lions as their 3rd string LT...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If Kelly moves to safety who do we have to adequately backup?
At de we have Vaughters but little else. And we lost dobson so down a cdn lineman

I'm hoping Josh Hagerty can compete at Safety, like his size 6'-3" 200 lbs. He was the tall guy with long hair, I remember he had good closing speed.

[Blueforlife]

We need quality guys. WE ALL KNOW THAT.
Dobson was a turnstile. Alexander appeared to lose a step
Ford wants to lose games.
Life goes on.

I think Randolph will be the front runner at guard.
Ford was awesome, but we won a couple Grey Cups with a multitude of DB Danny brought in. They are a dime a dozen. Lawler was good. Never regained his form of the first season, and ultimately was overpaid.

Biggie was hurt, same as Strev Time will tell. Biggie still wants to play.  So do I. But at age 68 I feel that ship has sailed. lol!

The Canadian Mafia have done an outstanding job for the last ...what's it been 8 years? Going to a Bomber game is a lot of fun.

I need some hype regarding Bomber life.  We need a TV show on the team, the Coach Cal show.  Use AI to bring him back...or have Lapo do a remote as a Bomber coach.

Dobson was a good asset to the club, will be missed and will have a good and long career imo
Agree Alexandre but might have one year left? 50/50
Ford- some of your comments about him about as out there as I have ever seen, Ford is a generational talent, massive loss.  Not a dime a dozen in any way, shape or form imo.
Agree regarding Lawler but I think he earned his keep last year, came on strong, yes injuries a big factor, love every minute he was on the field though
Heavy agree on your comment on the Mafia and how great of a run / how great it's been to watch

If Kelly moves to safety who do we have to adequately backup?
At de we have Vaughters but little else. And we lost dobson so down a cdn lineman

Cdn depth behind Kelly isn't great, depth in general at safety a concern yet but with returning young guys stepping up, finding new faces at camp and by the vets doing their thing, I believe it will work out.  My biggest worry is a drop off from Ford, he was lights out.  Make good points, my biggest worry is the OL.  Yes need more at DL.  Sounds like we on the same page, DBs my final but least worry.

[CrazyCanuck89]

2 receiver, 2 OL, RB, DT, LB.

We don't need to start more than the minimum. We can start anyone at safety we want to.

Real Canadians want to see more Canadians playing.

[Blueforlife]

Real Canadians want to see more Canadians playing.

It's was amazing to see more starting last year, many dumped on the idea, a luxury we won't have as much going forward

[Jesse]

Real Canadians want to see more Canadians playing.

Never said otherwise. We're just not handicapped by the ratio the way some are claiming. We got it covered even if we start 3 import OL. We're starting above the minimum if Wallace wins the LG spot. We also have Canadian depth in the secondary that could step up.

So many options.

[Waffler]

turns out Lawler may actually make more than 300k if the stars line up. He is the highest paid non-qb it says.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/16/hamilton-tiger-cats-make-kenny-lawler-cfls-highest-paid-non-quarterback/

[Jesse]

turns out Lawler may actually make more than 300k if the stars line up. He is the highest paid non-qb it says.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/16/hamilton-tiger-cats-make-kenny-lawler-cfls-highest-paid-non-quarterback/

With Bo chucking it up, he'll probably have his best season of his career.

I'd bet Bombers still finish ahead of Hamilton in the standings.

[Blueforlife]

Lawler was overpaid but that's what star power does.  If he plays all the games he will earn it.

[dd]

Ridiculous amount. Lewis was a steal at $235!!

[TecnoGenius]

Plugging in an import is not a slam dunk and as I said it impacts the rotational ability when you only start the minimum number of Canadians.

Ha, like every other team in the league?  I think only 1 other team regularly started >7 NATs on purpose.

And most teams made use of the FAKENAT DNS/DNA 35-snaps rule.  Maybe we should finally do the same.

Starter quality NATs, especially the better ones, are always more expensive than the same talent of IMP.  Therefore the only way you can regularly start more NATs than your opponents is to always be finding and starting ELC / near-ELC NATs.  As soon as the other teams spot your special NAT guy, their next FA $ gets too high (Ford, Dobson).

You can stretch it a little bit with talented but "just not good enough to draw FA attention" workhorses like Fatboi, Kramdi, Woli (now Clercius).

Starting 8, 9, 10 NATs regularly last season may have been an aberration we can no longer afford.