CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The in season spending is a balancing act, no doubt. However the amount spent is known after the last game. It's what left is a little easier to evaluate once you get into December. If for example they wanted to give Kramdi or Lawson a $50K signing bonus but only had $32K left, then it's an easy decision to over spend $18K.

Obviously we didn't over spend the SMS but the same example could be used for Ottawa that did.

Exactly, it's more likely an accident than intentional.  Clearly the amount Doman exceeded the cap in 2024 was intentional.

[Blue In BC]

Exactly, it's more likely an accident than intentional.  Clearly the amount Doman exceeded the cap in 2024 was intentional.

Yes but you don't often get 2 starting Canadians returning from the NFL including a top salary QB and a DE.

[Blue In BC]

Lions release M. Bridges and J. Parker today. 3 rookies also released.  Bummer for the ex Bombers to be released so soon before TC.

If Parker left because of wanting more money, does this create an opportunity for him to return? If would we be interested? I'm not sure, we don't know the exact reason for allowing him to go to free agency. It could have been money or just the desire to move on by the team.

[Pete]

Parker was released because he wasn't good enough as was Bridges, I was surprised bc signed either one. But doesn't it seem like BC more than any other team will sign players knowing that they are more and likely gonna not keep them as soon as someone that might be better comes along.
Sucks that they waited til now to do so.

[Blueforlife]

Parker was released because he wasn't good enough as was Bridges, I was surprised bc signed either one. But doesn't it seem like BC more than any other team will sign players knowing that they are more and likely gonna not keep them as soon as someone that might be better comes along.
Sucks that they waited til now to do so.

Parker is decent, agree Bridges

Lions release M. Bridges and J. Parker today. 3 rookies also released.  Bummer for the ex Bombers to be released so soon before TC.

If Parker left because of wanting more money, does this create an opportunity for him to return? If would we be interested? I'm not sure, we don't know the exact reason for allowing him to go to free agency. It could have been money or just the desire to move on by the team.

Parker if healthy and cheap is good insurance imo

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Parker is decent, agree BridgesParker if healthy and cheap is good insurance imo

Meh, Parker had multiple opportunities to own a position and failed to do so, they've seen his best and it didn't qualify.

[Tecno]

If Parker left because of wanting more money, does this create an opportunity for him to return? If would we be interested? I'm not sure, we don't know the exact reason for allowing him to go to free agency.

He was so-so for most of the season and then pretty useless in the one playoff game.  I think guys who really blew the playoff got the burn-the-witches treatment.

Plus, I think Parker is ageing out (same for Houston).  DB is a very short-lived and ruthless and underpaid position.  Sucks to be a DB.

Plus Parker was slotted as a FS originally, then we soured on that idea.

Plus, we have Vaval as the spare, so quantity becomes less relevant than quality.

I do like that we gave Parker another chance after he healed up from bad injury.  Can't say we didn't try.

[Blue In BC]

He was so-so for most of the season and then pretty useless in the one playoff game.  I think guys who really blew the playoff got the burn-the-witches treatment.

Plus, I think Parker is ageing out (same for Houston).  DB is a very short-lived and ruthless and underpaid position.  Sucks to be a DB.

Plus Parker was slotted as a FS originally, then we soured on that idea.

Plus, we have Vaval as the spare, so quantity becomes less relevant than quality.

I do like that we gave Parker another chance after he healed up from bad injury.  Can't say we didn't try.

When we cut Bridges we needed another CB so Parker was moved from safety.

Yes Vaval as the spare for in game but a veteran DB is not a bad idea. Using Vaval as a CB doing double duty is a double risk issue. That and he's only played briefly as a CB.

It's another risk analysis since a veteran won't want to sit on the PR and we probably don't have one as a DI.

As you mentioned, most DB's age out quickly often due to a series of injuries and rising SMS.

I think we'd all like to find a rookie sensation CB but we haven't really done that for a few years. Moxey is a great addition but didn't come cheap.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

When we cut Bridges we need another CB so Parker was moved from safety.

Yes Vaval as the spare for in game but a veteran DB is not a bad idea. Using Vaval as a CB doing double duty is a double risk issue. That and he's only played briefly as a CB.

It's another risk analysis since a veteran won't want to sit on the PR and we probably don't have one as a DI.

As you mentioned, most DB's age out quickly often due to a series of injuries and rising SMS.

I think we'd all like to find a rookie sensation CB but we haven't really done that for a few years. Moxey is a great addition but didn't come cheap.

They released Parker 12/23/25 well ahead of FA, that signifies a conscious decision to move on.

[Tecno]

I think we'd all like to find a rookie sensation CB but we haven't really done that for a few years. Moxey is a great addition but didn't come cheap.

We were scoring 1 rookie good-to-great DB every season up until 2025.  Bonds was the find in '24 and he was on track to being more than good enough before his big injury.  He was no D.Alford, but certainly as good as Parker ever was.

We really are spoiled with Holm/Nichols.  If Moxey lives up to expectations, then we'll be spoiled there too (though at a cost...).  I bet we do find a rookie Bonds-level guy in TC, we usually do.

Yes, we don't want to actually start Vaval at CB.  But it's nice to have a dressed backup to save a DI.

Edit: what I want to see this season is that we find & build & gel a good enough DB corps that we don't need to bring in an oldster last minute for the playoffs.  We've done that way too much the last 2-3 seasons and it's kind of an admission of in-season failure...

[Blue In BC]

They released Parker 12/23/25 well ahead of FA, that signifies a conscious decision to move on.

It also indicates that SMS may have been an issue either by him or by us in setting our budget. There was an entire month where discussions may have been had with no resolution. Injury status may have also played into it since he finished the season on the IR.

[Tecno]

It also indicates that SMS may have been an issue either by him or by us in setting our budget. There was an entire month where discussions may have been had with no resolution. Injury status may have also played into it since he finished the season on the IR.

Parker started the ESF at CB.

I'd bet the farm we plain decided to move on vs any sort of "he's too rich for us" issue.  The fact he was released by his "new team" so fast, and the fact I doubt he'll get picked up by anyone else unless they are desperate, kinda says it all.

I'm a fan, and thankful for his service, but it's clear it's time to move on.  (And I'll never forgive the confused lose-the-game 3rd & 3 screwup in the '23 GC.)

[Jesse]

We've brought in a mix of vet and rookie QBs. I think we're covered there.

Parker is certainly no longer in the mix.