CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[GOLDMEMBER]

McManis released by Toronto. Yikes. Didn't see that coming. Hamilton looking to sign him.

Wow, only there very best player! He'd look great here, lol

[Blue In BC]

Wow, only there very best player! He'd look great here, lol

I guess contract negotiations came to a standstill. Bombers don't have a particular need to upgrade at LB but he's a top tier LB.

I think we may still have some SMS left but the potential free agent is down to 90 and not many players I see we might want.

[Jesse]

Well, I didn't think we'd go out and get a LT, but the best one in the league was available.

I don't think we need another LB but...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I guess contract negotiations came to a standstill. Bombers don't have a particular need to upgrade at LB but he's a top tier LB.

I think we may still have some SMS left but the potential free agent is down to 90 and not many players I see we might want.

A lot of teams are discovering they don't have to spend a lot to sign decent LB's, there is more supply than demand.

[Stats Junkie]

PavCo announced a new lease proposal for the Vancouver Whitecaps. It would see PavCo profits flow back to the team, estimated at $1.5 million.

Although not mentioned in this article, Ravi Kahlon mentioned that a similar deal would be available for the BC Lions as well.


https://globalnews.ca/news/11650990/bc-government-deal-vancouver-whitecaps/

[Tecno]

I guess contract negotiations came to a standstill. Bombers don't have a particular need to upgrade at LB but he's a top tier LB.

I think we may still have some SMS left but the potential free agent is down to 90 and not many players I see we might want.

I have no idea how we could have any SMS left at all, once you factor in all the ELCs we still need to fill / re-sign / draft.  I think we blew the wad and are probably going to be over (absent creative MMM).

As for McManis... we could make the scheme work if he becomes MLB and Jones to WILL, with Jones/McManis/Wilson all rotating.

Our run D would go up 3X if we had that brick house in the middle...

[Blue In BC]

I have no idea how we could have any SMS left at all, once you factor in all the ELCs we still need to fill / re-sign / draft.  I think we blew the wad and are probably going to be over (absent creative MMM).

As for McManis... we could make the scheme work if he becomes MLB and Jones to WILL, with Jones/McManis/Wilson all rotating.

Our run D would go up 3X if we had that brick house in the middle...

It's been pointed out that many feel we used a bunch of 2025 SMS to pay many of our extensions.

I was against re-signing K. Wilson and possibly shifting away from Ayers. I think there is a way to sign McManis and fit into the SMS but I don't think he'll be on our radar.

For that matter I think he's a better choice that T. Jones but I don't know how many would agree.

Teams don't plan to spend all their SMS before TC. They budget with the expectation of not going over the SMS each year.  2024 was a bit of an exception with what happened with the Lions. Bombers only went over by $30K more or less and that was due to activating a bunch of PR players for the last game.

Every team is still re-signing or signing players from other teams today. I won't be surprised if we add a couple more during free agency etc.

[VictorRomano]

For that matter I think he's a better choice that T. Jones but I don't know how many would agree.

Tony Jones was literally the second-best tackler in the league in 2025.  The only guy better than him was Micah Awe.  Although he was injured, McManis was 22nd on the list.

https://www.cfl.ca/stats?stat_category=defence&filter[season][eq]=2025&group_by=player

[Jesse]

Tony Jones was literally the second-best tackler in the league in 2025.  The only guy better than him was Micah Awe.  Although he was injured, McManis was 22nd on the list.

https://www.cfl.ca/stats?stat_category=defence&filter[season][eq]=2025&group_by=player

A tackle made after a one yard gain counts the same on the stat sheet as a tackle made after a 15 yard gain.

But it doesn't mean the same thing.

[VictorRomano]

A tackle made after a one yard gain counts the same on the stat sheet as a tackle made after a 15 yard gain.

But it doesn't mean the same thing.

That argument doesn't really hold water when you look at the team defensive stats in conjunction with individual stats. Winnipeg's D was ranked #3 against the rush, giving up 1694yds (an average of 5.01/rush) and allowing 13 rushing TDs against and only giving up 94.1yds/game, and Toronto's D was ranked second-last against the rush, giving up 1903 yds (5.21/rush) and 105.7yds/game, allowing 19 rushing TDs....

Winnipeg's rush D was better, because our LBs were better.  We all know our D line or DBs weren't responsible for those numbers last year....

[Jesse]

That argument doesn't really hold water when you look at the team defensive stats in conjunction with individual stats. Winnipeg's D was ranked #3 against the rush, giving up 1694yds (an average of 5.01/rush) and allowing 13 rushing TDs against and only giving up 94.1yds/game, and Toronto's D was ranked second-last against the rush, giving up 1903 yds (5.21/rush) and 105.7yds/game, allowing 19 rushing TDs....

Winnipeg's rush D was better, because our LBs were better.  We all know our D line or DBs weren't responsible for those numbers last year....

Not really arguing with you, just pointing out that the # of tackles isn't a great indicator of talent.

[Blue In BC]

That argument doesn't really hold water when you look at the team defensive stats in conjunction with individual stats. Winnipeg's D was ranked #3 against the rush, giving up 1694yds (an average of 5.01/rush) and allowing 13 rushing TDs against and only giving up 94.1yds/game, and Toronto's D was ranked second-last against the rush, giving up 1903 yds (5.21/rush) and 105.7yds/game, allowing 19 rushing TDs....

Winnipeg's rush D was better, because our LBs were better.  We all know our D line or DBs weren't responsible for those numbers last year....

Part of that was due to QB's having a long time to throw and having success passing. It's an evasive stat. It's been mentioned that Jones is not great in pass coverage. It's also a reflection of how well or badly our front 4 played.

Regardless IMO McManis is a better player and more expensive. We have other areas in greater need of upgrading.

McManis was paid $231K ( highest in CFL ) in 2025. Jones was paid $126K. Take it for what it's worth and the fact we don't know how much either will earn in 2026.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It's been pointed out that many feel we used a bunch of 2025 SMS to pay many of our extensions.

I was against re-signing K. Wilson and possibly shifting away from Ayers. I think there is a way to sign McManis and fit into the SMS but I don't think he'll be on our radar.

For that matter I think he's a better choice that T. Jones but I don't know how many would agree.

Teams don't plan to spend all their SMS before TC. They budget with the expectation of not going over the SMS each year.  2024 was a bit of an exception with what happened with the Lions. Bombers only went over by $30K more or less and that was due to activating a bunch of PR players for the last game.

Every team is still re-signing or signing players from other teams today. I won't be surprised if we add a couple more during free agency etc.

It will be interesting to see if they continue to use the 1 game to stash players as much as they did last season, without an increase in roster size it seems like a reasonable tool to protect and retain players they don't want to send to the PR.

[Blue In BC]

It will be interesting to see if they continue to use the 1 game to stash players as much as they did last season, without an increase in roster size it seems like a reasonable tool to protect and retain players they don't want to send to the PR.
[/quote

It will be interesting to see if they continue to use the 1 game to stash players as much as they did last season, without an increase in roster size it seems like a reasonable tool to protect and retain players they don't want to send to the PR.

I'd say no. If there is an argument that we're already tight against the cap it would be self destructive. We probably hide a few players short term on the 1 game IR but nothing like in 2025.

It's likely we have more rookies on the overall rosters compared to last year. The players we signed recently will be starters and not parked like Logan or Mitchell last year. At worst they experience some actual injuries requiring short or long stay on IR.

No chance we park Broxton for someone like Randolph if he's not actually nursing an injury, as an example.

[jayrock]

I agree.  They could have a hard time this season in making the playoffs.

Riders are fine, it is a hard year. Lots of starters that were hurt and replaced by back ups are back, so what do you do, good starter's with good back ups the got you to the cup. Can not keep them all. Neild got his chance because of injury, and he stood out, so good for him to sign and get some more money most likely with the bombers.