2025 Free Agency (other CFL teams Signings/News)

[theaardvark]

But Woli stated he was shocked he was let go by WFC.  I think he was fully prepared to re-sign here for around the same $ as last year.

Again, he was under contract already for 2025, he was not a pending free agent.  The timing of his release was because he was about to get a roster bonus ($10k of his 2025 $112k contract).

He had been replaced on the roster by Clercius, and was coming off an substantial injury.  We could have gifted him the $10k and then brought him to camp, but the chances he makes the roster are slim outside of injury or Clercius' complete collapse.  If anything, he's have ended up being a late cut, which is not a great look for him or the team after his contributions over the years.

Better to make a clean break and let Goveia give him an actual raise and a guaranteed roster spot. 

[Blue In BC]

Again, he was under contract already for 2025, he was not a pending free agent.  The timing of his release was because he was about to get a roster bonus ($10k of his 2025 $112k contract).

He had been replaced on the roster by Clercius, and was coming off an substantial injury.  We could have gifted him the $10k and then brought him to camp, but the chances he makes the roster are slim outside of injury or Clercius' complete collapse.  If anything, he's have ended up being a late cut, which is not a great look for him or the team after his contributions over the years.

Better to make a clean break and let Goveia give him an actual raise and a guaranteed roster spot. 

That's speculative to say the least. Our Canadian depth at receiver is questionable. Perhaps we draft one in the up coming draft but that's a TBD. I don't think anyone is questioning Clercius is the starter.

It's a question of cost versus productivity and yes $110K - $125K is too much for that role. It was the same argument I had about Augustine.

Good players in back up roles. However, you have to make room on the roster for the newbies drafted and you have to make SMS decisions.

It's a business and this is just part of it. I would have been happy to have Woli back at $90K-$100K but that would have been unfair for him.

Good for him getting a good deal in Hamilton and I hope he has a successful season.

[theaardvark]

That's speculative to say the least. Our Canadian depth at receiver is questionable. Perhaps we draft one in the up coming draft but that's a TBD. I don't think anyone is questioning Clercius is the starter.

It's a question of cost versus productivity and yes $110K - $125K is too much for that role. It was the same argument I had about Augustine.

Good players in back up roles. However, you have to make room on the roster for the newbies drafted and you have to make SMS decisions.

It's a business and this is just part of it. I would have been happy to have Woli back at $90K-$100K but that would have been unfair for him.

Good for him getting a good deal in Hamilton and I hope he has a successful season.

The decision was keeping him at $112k (with $10k of that about to be paid), or parting ways.  We could have renegotiated his deal to less, but I don't think it is optimal having a guy in the lockerroom providing what Woli brings (he is a fun, glue guy) having cut his pay. 

What surprised me was Streveler re-signing after Woli was cut. 

[Blue In BC]

The decision was keeping him at $112k (with $10k of that about to be paid), or parting ways.  We could have renegotiated his deal to less, but I don't think it is optimal having a guy in the lockerroom providing what Woli brings (he is a fun, glue guy) having cut his pay. 

What surprised me was Streveler re-signing after Woli was cut. 

I don't disagree. Just saying that even paying out the bonus would not have been the worst idea. It's a risk management decision and I understand it. We find out the Cobb is a good depth player that solves the problem for less money and / or we also draft a receiver in the 1st couple of rounds.

The reality is that Woli versus Cobb probably only saves $20K more or less. It all adds up.

As far as Streveler I don't imagine he had much interest elsewhere. He's not going to be considered as the # 2 QB elsewhere and would only be the SY QB on other rosters. He's not a high cost back up and has a role he can be productive.

It depends on how our new OC changes his role though.

[DM83]

Ards, I agree with you.  Woli I would take back-a minute, if he is healed (same with Schoen and my favourite Bomber, Chris Strevler.)

It really pisses me off.
We did get a great couple of years from the boys.
But "is that all there is?" ( ok we were two plays away from winning the last two grey cups)

[Blue In BC]

Falcons not offering Dee Alford a new deal. He may be looking for work elsewhere.  Hard to say if he gets additional NFL offers with the up coming draft. There are always lots of younger DB's available on ELC's.

It may be a time when he considers returning to the CFL if he wants to continue playing. The catch is whether any team has SMS left to pay a high ( for the CFL ) salary. Perhaps the $400K cap increase comes into play if the league and CFLPA come to sort of agreement on how to spend it.

All that said, he may not return to Winnipeg even if he does return to the CFL. Will have to watch and see how this works out for him.

He did earn $2.7M usd over 3 years with the Falcons. Giving up trying to continue with that pay scale versus the CFL?  He may just wait for an injury need during the season that gets him back on a roster.  Even half a season is big money compared to the CFL.

[Blueforlife]

Woli was very good for us, I would have brought him back but can't keep everyone and asking prices did increase.  We will miss him.

Nice we have a replacement in the making though, which made the decision easier.  Hope that works out.

[theaardvark]

Woli was very good for us, I would have brought him back but can't keep everyone and asking prices did increase.  We will miss him.

Nice we have a replacement in the making though, which made the decision easier.  Hope that works out.

Woli was in place, at an affordable price.  He's been a good soldier and a solid participant since joining the club, and Mr 2nd down lot of the time. 

But Clercius is more than a replacement, he has shown to be an upgrade and only trending better.  So I can't see missing Woli's declining production.  We will miss his lighthearted guitar playing lockerroom presence, but on the field, I think Clercius cemented his spot after Woli's injury.

[Blueforlife]

Woli was in place, at an affordable price.  He's been a good soldier and a solid participant since joining the club, and Mr 2nd down lot of the time. 

But Clercius is more than a replacement, he has shown to be an upgrade and only trending better.  So I can't see missing Woli's declining production.  We will miss his lighthearted guitar playing lockerroom presence, but on the field, I think Clercius cemented his spot after Woli's injury.

Can't argue with that these glue guys that can play are gold.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Woli was in place, at an affordable price.  He's been a good soldier and a solid participant since joining the club, and Mr 2nd down lot of the time. 

But Clercius is more than a replacement, he has shown to be an upgrade and only trending better.  So I can't see missing Woli's declining production.  We will miss his lighthearted guitar playing lockerroom presence, but on the field, I think Clercius cemented his spot after Woli's injury.

Meh, Clercius hasn't shown much yet, he seems to be a reliable target and has good size for blocking, but haven't seen him make a spectacular catch or run yet nor demonstrate the ability to break off a play when needed and put himself in position to help Zach out. This season will be his big chance to show his worth, right now he's trending towards Cory Watson, a solid if not spectacular support receiver.

[TecnoGenius]

What surprised me was Streveler re-signing after Woli was cut.

Wasn't the timing that Strev signed first then it slipped out no deal for Woli?  Both were almost certainly expecting a Woli re-sign.

I could be wrong on the timing.  As someone else said, Strevy probably has no value outside WFC.

[TecnoGenius]

Falcons not offering Dee Alford a new deal.

Personally I'd be all over Alford at Nichols/Holm money (maybe a bit more).  But not at Ford money.

However, I know KW doesn't like to tie up that much $ at DB, which is a "dime a dozen" spot.  However however, our DB corps would be devastating to O's if we had our current roster + Alford.

We haven't won a cup since Alford left.

[TecnoGenius]

Meh, Clercius hasn't shown much yet, he seems to be a reliable target and has good size for blocking, but haven't seen him make a spectacular catch or run yet nor demonstrate the ability to break off a play when needed and put himself in position to help Zach out. This season will be his big chance to show his worth, right now he's trending towards Cory Watson, a solid if not spectacular support receiver.

Or JFG!  Saying Woli was just another NAT WR is completely wrong.  Besides Demski, who is more like an IMP-level, Woli is the best wide-out, hiding-the-NAT-REC we've had in forever.

The only reason you let Woli walk this season is if you think he's going to be tub-bound most of it.  Mafia could be "sensing the end" of his career.

If Woli is 100% then he's worth at least what we paid him last year.  Clercius hasn't done half of what Woli showed.  Woli could make circus catches, to a degree.  Woli would lay out for them.  Woli was a legit EZ threat.  Woli could catch the rail go route that JFG *never* caught in WPG.  Woli could play inside and take the 2nd down beatings to move the sticks.

The only thing Clercius has shown to date is he's big, decent blocker, decent-to-good hands.  Compared to Woli he hasn't shown squat.  He's just way younger and cheaper.  It's a gamble.  We hope it pays off.

[theaardvark]

Or JFG!  Saying Woli was just another NAT WR is completely wrong.  Besides Demski, who is more like an IMP-level, Woli is the best wide-out, hiding-the-NAT-REC we've had in forever.

The only reason you let Woli walk this season is if you think he's going to be tub-bound most of it.  Mafia could be "sensing the end" of his career.

If Woli is 100% then he's worth at least what we paid him last year.  Clercius hasn't done half of what Woli showed.  Woli could make circus catches, to a degree.  Woli would lay out for them.  Woli was a legit EZ threat.  Woli could catch the rail go route that JFG *never* caught in WPG.  Woli could play inside and take the 2nd down beatings to move the sticks.

The only thing Clercius has shown to date is he's big, decent blocker, decent-to-good hands.  Compared to Woli he hasn't shown squat.  He's just way younger and cheaper.  It's a gamble.  We hope it pays off.

Clercius was 32 of 40, with 11 yd average and 1 td.  Woli was 33 of 47 with a 12.2 avg and 1 td.

Clercius had 10 games where he did not drop a ball that was thrown at him.

As a rookie.

Decent hands?  I'd hate to see what someone would have to do to be considered as having good or great hands.

Yes, he needs time to learn the scramble rules and have them become as second nature as the Woli/Zac duo had after 5 years.  The Mafia obviously thinks he can do that.

Anxious to see what he can do after a full year under his belt.  With a FT role on the O, will he still play teams?

[blue_gold_84]

Comparing a rookie to a seasoned veteran on equal terms is illogical.