CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I agree it's all about the SMS level. I'd take him as a # 2 QB for the right price. Shiltz just retired didn't he?

Nobody really cares, Shiltz is the perfect example of a QB given multiple opportunities to progress to becoming a starter and failing to do so, couldn't even follow the Fajardo path.

[Horseman]

Ah. That changes the situation for the moment. Regardless of how that works out I don't see Ford as an Elk in 2026. Where he ends up or under what kind of contract is up in the air.

Ultimately he needs a new chance elsewhere. Re-negotiating to stay in Edmonton would leave a bad taste for both sides.

Just my view though.

I wouldn't mind seeing him in Blue as our #2, with a chance to play more if Zach gets injured.

[M.O.A.B.]

Fortran? Of course, I know Fortran and Pascal, C, C++, Basic, and even RPG in a pinch.

The TRS80 was known as my Trash 80.

My first job was on an IBM 360.

Yes sir... I am older than dirt.

RPG here. Started in Y2K. Still working as RPG programmer.

[theaardvark]

RPG here. Started in Y2K. Still working as RPG programmer.

Ahhh... Y2K.

So many systems used that 2 digit year code, especially when using fixed length ASCII data flies.  I did get asked by a few companies to help, thanks to my knowledge of almost extinct languages, to help out with updating the files.

The company I worked for at the time (as a salesman, but who could program circles around the technical staff, they were efficient but had no imagination or concept of how the users actually used the systems) used a 256 byte fixed length ASCII file setup for complete patient data (Name, address, etc) and thought they were smart in using a 6 digit dates for last visit, etc, to conserve data (using 8" floppies in CPM).  They used 8 digit DOB off the start, too many 1890's clients (anyone over 80 back then), so we were fine on that one, but there were a few other dates, with calls from many different subprograms.

Since we now had 20MB hard drives and tape backups, we could splurge for the extra few digits in the data file.

I think I added more new features to the system as a salesman than the development team ever did.  I'd ask for a customizable label routine and they'd say it couldn't be easily done and would mean every site would have to have thier own executables.  I wrote a label printing routine that gave the client 10 different labels formats and printer selections through unique to site external data files in one evening, left them the code and file format printouts on their conference desk like a shoemakers elf.

They should have given me a big raise and put me in charge of the tech group.  Instead, I got recruited away for double the pay a few weeks later, and they got swallowed up by another company.


     

[Tecno]

I'm not talking about salary cap adherence. I mean, we don't know how much marketing money teams spend in total on all their players.

I thought those MMM numbers do come out eventually.  Someone posted (here) all the MMM numbers for WFC players a couple of/few months back.  I'm assuming they didn't just pull those numbers out of their butt?

Besides, BC didn't even hide the MMM number they were giving Rourke and Betts when they returned.

The key is finding that info... it would sure be nice if the CFL could compile it and post it to their site.  Or just leak it every year to 3down.

[Tecno]

I'd have no problem with Ford as a backup QB, he's an extremely talented athlete who has the potential to be great.

So what's Ford's problem then?  I find it very strange.  I think he's smarter than VAJ, and probably/maybe Cody.  Tyrrel was certainly pretty smart -- so too should be his identical twin.

If VAJ can pick up reading a D, why can't Ford?  It's bizarre.  Maybe he just needs top tier coaching?  Didn't he have a year or 2 with Jarious?  Shouldn't that have been "good enough"?

Weird.

[Blue In BC]

So what's Ford's problem then?  I find it very strange.  I think he's smarter than VAJ, and probably/maybe Cody.  Tyrrel was certainly pretty smart -- so too should be his identical twin.

If VAJ can pick up reading a D, why can't Ford?  It's bizarre.  Maybe he just needs top tier coaching?  Didn't he have a year or 2 with Jarious?  Shouldn't that have been "good enough"?

Weird.

It's never that easy a question to answer. The skill of the players on offence and the OC play calling come into play. Their defence improved during 2025 but had problems early and still had flaws.

It seemed they were often in catch up mode when the playbook goes out the window.

I think he'd do better on a better team but will he get that chance in 2026 as a starter? Where?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

So what's Ford's problem then?  I find it very strange.  I think he's smarter than VAJ, and probably/maybe Cody.  Tyrrel was certainly pretty smart -- so too should be his identical twin.

If VAJ can pick up reading a D, why can't Ford?  It's bizarre.  Maybe he just needs top tier coaching?  Didn't he have a year or 2 with Jarious?  Shouldn't that have been "good enough"?

Weird.

Not sure who said it but someone from the previous Elks previous regime commented Ford does not put in the mental work and relies too much on his athletic ability as that's how he's got by in the past.  Could be why he never received a US scholarship or did all that well in USports, who knows?


Come to think of it, maybe it was Jarious Jackson?

[BBRT]

Fortran? Of course, I know Fortran and Pascal, C, C++, Basic, and even RPG in a pinch.

The TRS80 was known as my Trash 80.

My first job was on an IBM 360.

Yes sir... I am older than dirt.

Older than Dirt?? Dude I am looking at Dirt in my rear view mirror 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The Calgary Stampeders rewarded the CFL's reigning rushing king, Dedrick Mills, by making him the highest-paid American running back.

The five-foot-10, 238-pound RB received a $55,000 signing bonus to ink his two-year extension with the Stamps. He has an $85,000 base salary, $15,000 in housing, $15,000 in marketing, and a $3,000 travel allowance to equal $173,000 in hard money. The 29-year-old also has $23,000 available in statistical, all-star and award incentives, which can take his maximum earnings to $196,500 in 2026. That includes:

    $5,000 for 1,000 rushing yards
    $5,000 for 1,750 rushing and receiving yards
    $3,000 for 750 rushing yards
    $2,000 for 1,500 rushing and receiving yards
    $2,000 for being named a CFL all-star
    $2,000 for being named league MOP
    $1,000 for being named a West Division all-star
    $1,000 for being named team MOP
    $1,000 for 500 rushing yards
    $1,000 for 1,250 rushing and receiving yards

Goes to show how tough import RB's have to scrap for their cash, meanwhile Brady has direct deposit and doesn't have to stand in line at the bank.

Last season was the first one in 4 Mills remained healthy for 18 games carrying the ball 250 times for 1409 yds, I won't be surprised if that remains his high-water mark.

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/04/calgary-stampeders-make-dedrick-mills-highest-paid-american-rb-in-cfl/

[Jesse]

Brady about 100k over the highest paid american, same as last year.

[PloenFan]

I was a programmer... Mostly Assembler, Cobol & Rexx. I hacked folks userid's and passwords back in high school in the 70's to get more processing time. So I see it differently. Exploiting what's in a contract that anyone who is smart enough to find is just using what's provided to everyone with a working brain.

Work on old school mainframe stuff (COBOL, SAS, JCL) and newer server stuff (JAMS, Visual Studio). Glad to see there other mainframe programmers on this forum !

[Tecno]

The Calgary Stampeders rewarded the CFL's reigning rushing king, Dedrick Mills, by making him the highest-paid American running back.

Mills laying in bed at night, wondering "why couldn't I have been born in Canada?".

Surely Oullette will have to make a play for similar money...  Strange, but many/most Riderfans want him to walk if he is anything other than budget (read: similar to last deal).

[Tecno]

Ford does not put in the mental work and relies too much on his athletic ability as that's how he's got by in the past.

So it's mental laziness then.  Well, we can 100% rule him out becoming a Bomber then!  MOS hates laziness more than any other thing.

Maybe Ty was the same way?  But as a DB you can wing it a lot more.

[Tecno]

SSK (re-)signs Mariner, the IMP REC who looked ok in OTT for a couple of years.

I think it's a good fit for them.  Perfect for their mostly-cheap REC corps.  Decent hands, and can be a home run hitter or an inside bruiser.

I think this hints they are losing Meyer and/or Robustelli, as those would be the players most like Mariner.

SSK will be keeping the rest of the corps cheap now that Emilus got paid, and I think they still want to make a play for Johnson.  Need to keep saving up that $$ for the real priority: D.