CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

Throw Long Bannatyne · April 12, 2026, 04:20:40 PM

Quote from: Jesse on April 12, 2026, 04:12:09 PMWell, I've never heard that name before, but good for him!

D-line, played with the Riders a few years, Italian but played all his football in the US.

Pete · April 12, 2026, 07:23:48 PM

Losing both Baldanado and Carney will impact Riders more than most people think. Add in the loss of Micah Johnson and they have a lot of work to do

Tecno · April 13, 2026, 06:41:36 AM

Quote from: Jesse on April 12, 2026, 04:12:09 PMWell, I've never heard that name before, but good for him!

Baldonado definitely made a name for himself. Legit pass-rusher, probably had as an effective a season as Willie, maybe more. Certainly better than all the no-name IMP pass rushers we used last year.

And as a GLOB he's a free dress! Really can't go wrong with a GLOB "ratio buster". I guess that's why he got the huge bucks. I wouldn't have paid it, but I can understand why they did.

Blue In BC · April 13, 2026, 01:17:16 PM

Quote from: Tecno on April 13, 2026, 06:41:36 AMBaldonado definitely made a name for himself. Legit pass-rusher, probably had as an effective a season as Willie, maybe more. Certainly better than all the no-name IMP pass rushers we used last year.

And as a GLOB he's a free dress! Really can't go wrong with a GLOB "ratio buster". I guess that's why he got the huge bucks. I wouldn't have paid it, but I can understand why they did.

That isn't exactly true about being a ratio buster. On the roster he replaces a Canadian. He doesn't qualify as a Canadian starter.

Tecno · April 14, 2026, 02:42:02 AM

Quote from: Blue In BC on April 13, 2026, 01:17:16 PMThat isn't exactly true about being a ratio buster.

But it is, in a way. Assuming they didn't already have 1 great GLOB they dressed already, this fills in the GLOB "placeholder" spot with a legit player who is basically as good as any IMP.

It's no different than being able to start a Demski over a Hurl.

Ya, he can't sub in for a NAT, and ya, the GLOB doesn't have to start. So it's not apples to apples. But it still solves a ratio problem (the "GLOB AR ratio") in the best way possible. Most everyone else is hiding their GLOB at P (cough cough, though I do like Sheahan).

If it wasn't valuable enough a ratio issue, then why on earth did they spend $185k?? If he was just another IMP, he'd have gotten more around Hansen money at best.

Blue In BC · April 14, 2026, 01:24:44 PM

Quote from: Tecno on April 14, 2026, 02:42:02 AMBut it is, in a way. Assuming they didn't already have 1 great GLOB they dressed already, this fills in the GLOB "placeholder" spot with a legit player who is basically as good as any IMP.

It's no different than being able to start a Demski over a Hurl.

Ya, he can't sub in for a NAT, and ya, the GLOB doesn't have to start. So it's not apples to apples. But it still solves a ratio problem (the "GLOB AR ratio") in the best way possible. Most everyone else is hiding their GLOB at P (cough cough, though I do like Sheahan).

If it wasn't valuable enough a ratio issue, then why on earth did they spend $185k?? If he was just another IMP, he'd have gotten more around Hansen money at best.

Globals are essentially just non Canadian players. He's Italian and played in the US. He plays as well as many top American DE and therefore gets to earn similar money to a top American DE .

Ratio has nothing to do with those facts. If he had an American parent he'd probably qualify as a normal import. His parents are Romanian and Chinese as it turns out.

I suppose you could argue he creates an advantage with rotational depth on the DL or on defence somewhere. He'll play a spot almost always played by an import. If he's starting, it won't change how many Canadians are starting. It will create a spot for an import that might not be starting and isn't a DI that is a back up.

jayrock · April 16, 2026, 04:45:22 PM

https://www.riderville.com/2026/04/16/saskatchewan-roughriders-release-receiver-ajou-ajou/

Ridermania · April 16, 2026, 04:50:28 PM

Glad the Riders acted quickly and properly with his release.

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/16/cfl-suspends-saskatchewan-roughriders-ajou-ajou-for-violating-gender-based-violence-and-harassment-policy/

Throw Long Bannatyne · April 16, 2026, 05:31:27 PM

Quote from: Ridermania on April 16, 2026, 04:50:28 PMGlad the Riders acted quickly and properly with his release.

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/16/cfl-suspends-saskatchewan-roughriders-ajou-ajou-for-violating-gender-based-violence-and-harassment-policy/

Ajou is a fairly young guy, wonder if he'll ever be let back into the league, has been the end of the line for many careers, Jerome Messam, Teague Sherman, Shawn Oakman to name a few, but not Chad Kelly!

Throw Long Bannatyne · April 16, 2026, 06:05:17 PM

CFL.ca Team
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OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced on Thursday that the team has released National kicker Lewis Ward.

Ward saw action in 117 games over his seven seasons with the REDBLACKS (2018-25), converting 300 of 347 field goal attempts (86.5 per cent) with a career long of 56 yards while also registering 140 of 151 convert attempts (92.7 per cent)

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/04/16/redblacks-release-national-kicker-lewis-ward/

Blue In BC · April 16, 2026, 07:16:23 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 16, 2026, 06:05:17 PMCFL.ca Team
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OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced on Thursday that the team has released National kicker Lewis Ward.

Ward saw action in 117 games over his seven seasons with the REDBLACKS (2018-25), converting 300 of 347 field goal attempts (86.5 per cent) with a career long of 56 yards while also registering 140 of 151 convert attempts (92.7 per cent)

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/04/16/redblacks-release-national-kicker-lewis-ward/

He had a bad year but is he able to turn it around? Is he willing to play elsewhere and at what cost? I'm happy with Castillo and have no idea what his SMS is worth.

He has the advantage of being a non import so he probably draws some interest.

EDIT:

Lions sign DB, Coldon after his release from Ottawa earlier today. A bit of surprise after signing ex Bombers Bridges and Parker among others.

blue_or_die · April 16, 2026, 09:05:52 PM

Quote from: jayrock on April 16, 2026, 04:45:22 PMhttps://www.riderville.com/2026/04/16/saskatchewan-roughriders-release-receiver-ajou-ajou/

He will be a pivotal component of the Argos this season, catching many passes from Chad Kelly as he looks to secure his very deserved spot as an NFL qb1 #torontothings

I'll give credit to the Riders here for doing the right thing and right away without controversy.

Ridermania · April 16, 2026, 10:19:54 PM

Redblacks sign Cdn kicker Brett Lauther.

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/16/ottawa-redblacks-sign-former-saskatchewan-roughriders-kicker-brett-lauther-sources/

Tecno · Reply #658 - Re: CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

Haha, Ward for Lauther. Good luck with that.

Stick a fork in Ward. His mojo has left the building. Lauther will be Lauther.

Tecno · Reply #659 - Re: CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

Ajou... doh. LOL. He's wondering what he did wrong, he merely asked someone to "Show Him Their Regina". ( /s for the /s impaired )

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/experience-regina-brand-relaunch-1.6784321

I wonder who will take a flyer on him down the road after serving his penance. Is Chris Jones still in the league?

SSK thought he was part of the future. Methinks strong REC just moved up the SSK selection board in the upcoming draft! I agree that maybe this makes SSK open to tradebait... if we didn't want Clercius anymore, he would be a good fit in SSK, and I'd think getting a 2RDP for him would be a huge coup. That said, this is the CFL, not the MLB, and trades almost never happen.