2025 Free Agency (Blue Bomber Signings/News)

[theaardvark]

Starting quality NATs are a luxury, for sure, but drafting so many quality players makes it much easier.  It seems every year we lose a NAT starter or two, and next man up. 

I don't think a 3 INT Oline is in the plans except as an emergency.  We have 2 very good prospects coming to camp, and have Wallace with a year under his belt.  We heave a plethora of NAT DT's, so you inow one will start. We don't know if FS is going NAT this year, it could easily.  And we still have NAT RB, SB and WR's the same as last year. 

3 OL
1 SAM
1 DL
1 RB
1 SB
1 WR

That's 8, plus a possible FS for 9

And we have all our picks, plus I assume we have the extra 2nd rounder for not using any fake nat reps.

NAT depth will always be a strength of a Walters helmed team.  Even losing starters won't affect that, but had it been an issue, we had the money to keep Dobson if we didn't have options.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Starting quality NATs are a luxury, for sure, but drafting so many quality players makes it much easier.  It seems every year we lose a NAT starter or two, and next man up. 

I don't think a 3 INT Oline is in the plans except as an emergency.  We have 2 very good prospects coming to camp, and have Wallace with a year under his belt.  We heave a plethora of NAT DT's, so you inow one will start. We don't know if FS is going NAT this year, it could easily.  And we still have NAT RB, SB and WR's the same as last year. 

3 OL
1 SAM
1 DL
1 RB
1 SB
1 WR

That's 8, plus a possible FS for 9

And we have all our picks, plus I assume we have the extra 2nd rounder for not using any fake nat reps.

NAT depth will always be a strength of a Walters helmed team.  Even losing starters won't affect that, but had it been an issue, we had the money to keep Dobson if we didn't have options.

The more Natls. they have capable of starting the better, if they have 8 good chance 2 or 3 could be wiped out by injuries at some point, then they're forced to start someone like Gauthier and lose ability. They'll never have a full compliment of healthy Natls. for an entire season, someone always gets injured and plans have to be adjusted.

[theaardvark]

The more Natls. they have capable of starting the better, if they have 8 good chance 2 or 3 could be wiped out by injuries at some point, then they're forced to start someone like Gauthier and lose ability. They'll never have a full compliment of healthy Natls. for an entire season, someone always gets injured and plans have to be adjusted.

Exactly, having 8 or 9 means you can have an injury or two without a drop off in play... finding and plugging in an INT for an injured NAT is a lot easier than finding another equal quality NAT.  Having excess starting quality NATs is not a luxury, it is a huge benefit.

[Jesse]

I don't think a 3 INT Oline is in the plans except as an emergency.  We have 2 very good prospects coming to camp, and have Wallace with a year under his belt.  We heave a plethora of NAT DT's, so you inow one will start. We don't know if FS is going NAT this year, it could easily.  And we still have NAT RB, SB and WR's the same as last year. 

According to Walters, it is.

[dd]

I am thinking Randolf slots in for Dobson, but Wallace may surprise at TC, would be nice to have some flex in our ratio

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

According to Walters, it is.

I think he said it was a possibility, but he did not define which direction they would go.

[Jesse]

I think he said it was a possibility, but he did not define which direction they would go.

That's what I said, that's it's a possibility.

For all our sakes, I hope they don't make the decision until they see the guys on the field.

[theaardvark]

"Except as an emergency"

So, yes, it will be considered.  But it would take a complete crapping of the bed by both Wallace and Eli, no new OG stepping up, and/or and injury/aging out of Neufeld (KMan injury slots Eli in). 

Hence, emergency.  I do not think there is any way that we start a 3 INT Oline with our present roster otherwise.

Will we toy with it again in preseason like we did last year?  No doubt.

But opening day roster I will give 5-1 odds will be 3 NATS.

[Jesse]

"Except as an emergency"

So, yes, it will be considered.  But it would take a complete crapping of the bed by both Wallace and Eli, no new OG stepping up, and/or and injury/aging out of Neufeld (KMan injury slots Eli in). 

Hence, emergency.  I do not think there is any way that we start a 3 INT Oline with our present roster otherwise.

Will we toy with it again in preseason like we did last year?  No doubt.

But opening day roster I will give 5-1 odds will be 3 NATS.

When we needed a guard last year, it was Randolph going in, not Wallace. I don't think it's a total long shot to think he could win the spot next year, especially with Walters bringing it up as an option.

I just hope that staff is going to let players decide and not make the determinations in February like you seem to be doing.

[Blue In BC]

When we needed a guard last year, it was Randolph going in, not Wallace. I don't think it's a total long shot to think he could win the spot next year, especially with Walters bringing it up as an option.

I just hope that staff is going to let players decide and not make the determinations in February like you seem to be doing.

Last year we were starting 9 - 10 Canadians. At the moment we've lost two Canadian starters. So there is more of a ratio issue than we would have had in 2024.

It may come down to whether we have a better choice to start a Canadian at safety or at OG. If we feel we NEED to start an import at safety then starting a Canadian at OG becomes more of an issue. It would still be possible but not as preferable ratio wise IMO.

[theaardvark]

When we needed a guard last year, it was Randolph going in, not Wallace. I don't think it's a total long shot to think he could win the spot next year, especially with Walters bringing it up as an option.

I just hope that staff is going to let players decide and not make the determinations in February like you seem to be doing.

Last year, Wallace was a raw rookie.  This year, he has a year of pro play under his belt. 

Randolph had a year more pro exposure, TC with Seattle last year, and the product of Alabama Crimson tide, where he started at G, T and TE.   

We were starting 9 NAT's, so could slot the more experienced Randolph in.  But I think we want Randolph more as a future replacement for Bryant and possibly a DI for ingame replacement of Lofton or Bryant.

Wallace should be our LG out of camp, Randolph either beats out Lofton for RT or is a DI.  Eli is 6th man.  That is how I see the Oline going this year.  With Vanterpool and the other recruits and draft picks being wildcards.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Last year, Wallace was a raw rookie.  This year, he has a year of pro play under his belt. 

Randolph had a year more pro exposure, TC with Seattle last year, and the product of Alabama Crimson tide, where he started at G, T and TE.   

We were starting 9 NAT's, so could slot the more experienced Randolph in.  But I think we want Randolph more as a future replacement for Bryant and possibly a DI for ingame replacement of Lofton or Bryant.

Wallace should be our LG out of camp, Randolph either beats out Lofton for RT or is a DI.  Eli is 6th man.  That is how I see the Oline going this year.  With Vanterpool and the other recruits and draft picks being wildcards.

Another consideration is if a team does not provide a Natl. O-lineman with a chance to start within his first few years, he might look for a team that will give him a better opportunity when FA rolls around, especially if from originally from another region. Not many would be content to watch the years tick by like Eli has. One advantage being a limited quantity Natl. asset has over an easier to find and replace Import.

[Blueforlife]

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

[Waffler]

Lucky has retired.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/14/former-all-star-cfl-receiver-lucky-whitehead-retires-from-pro-football/

Lucky has embarked upon a coaching career, receivers and special teams. He'll do great at this.

https://x.com/Luck2fastt/status/1892618481616470054

[Bluehawk]

Curious question for the those on here that follow this alot closer than I do....who is left in free agency that
the Bombers may want or need to pursue?

Thanks
Hawk