1st & 10 | The Blue Bombers Pending Free Agent List

[Blue In BC]

We've been told he is going to Free Agency. He's going to hear all his options and play us against each other before making a decision.

That potential 300k could be part of the delay in other negotiations.

Everybody will know during the allowed tampering period what his offers will be. If he doesn't get a big offer, does he risk needing to take a cut? It's a two way street or should be at the very least.

[Jesse]

Everybody will know during the allowed tampering period what his offers will be. If he doesn't get a big offer, does he risk needing to take a cut? It's a two way street or should be at the very least.

It should be a two-way street. But I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think he won't get high offers.

[Blue In BC]

It should be a two-way street. But I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think he won't get high offers.

We'll see. Not every team will be willing to spend $$$$$$ on a RB or will need help with their ratio. As I pointed out, several teams are pass oriented like the Lions, Als and Stamps. There are only 9 teams and not every team will have significant interest IMO. There are a lot of other talented potential free agents besides RB's to consider for each team both on their rosters and that might reach free agency.

I understand every player wanting to maximize their earnings. He's said he wants to play with a championship team. I understand that as well. Which concept rules in his mind, money or chance of " winning ".

Football is a business. I'm ok if he chooses to leave for more money. I'm not in favour of paying $300K for any player except a QB. I've pointed out that he was very well paid and that no other team came close to paying their RB better.

We'll see how things go in the tampering week but I'm not in favour of upping our offer to match elsewhere. Decide what our offer will be and if chooses to leave, so be it.

I'd go so far as suggesting our offer drops by $25K if he doesn't sign before tampering week. Yes it's a risk but it's a risk for both sides. Like I said, it's business and the team has to be ready to " attract " other choices in that week where tampering is allowed. Those offers are guaranteed so you snooze and you lose while waiting for commitments. Tampering offers are locked in and you need to know what SMS is available to make those offers.

Otherwise you're being held hostage in that sense. Players may turn down more or even accept less for a particular situation.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We'll see. Not every team will be willing to spend $$$$$$ on a RB or will need help with their ratio. As I pointed out, several teams are pass oriented like the Lions, Als and Stamps. There are only 9 teams and not every team will have significant interest IMO. There are a lot of other talented potential free agents besides RB's to consider for each team both on their rosters and that might reach free agency.

I understand every player wanting to maximize their earnings. He's said he wants to play with a championship team. I understand that as well. Which concept rules in his mind, money or chance of " winning ".

Football is a business. I'm ok if he chooses to leave for more money. I'm not in favour of paying $300K for any player except a QB. I've pointed out that he was very well paid and that no other team came close to paying their RB better.

We'll see how things go in the tampering week but I'm not in favour of upping our offer to match elsewhere. Decide what our offer will be and if chooses to leave, so be it.

I'd go so far as suggesting our offer drops by $25K if he doesn't sign before tampering week. Yes it's a risk but it's a risk for both sides. Like I said, it's business and the team has to be ready to " attract " other choices in that week where tampering is allowed. Those offers are guaranteed so you snooze and you lose while waiting for commitments. Tampering offers are locked in and you need to know what SMS is available to make those offers.

Otherwise you're being held hostage in that sense. Players may turn down more or even accept less for a particular situation.

Jumping ship trying to land on a championship team is a huge gamble, chances are he chooses wrong and ends up on a team that misses the playoffs.  Realistically his best chance is with the club that took him to the GC 5 times.

[Blue In BC]

Jumping ship trying to land on a championship team is a huge gamble, chances are he chooses wrong and ends up on a team that misses the playoffs.  Realistically his best chance is with the club that took him to the GC 5 times.

Sure. I think if he leaves he leaves for money and I'm fine with that. Losing top players for money is the nature of sport. Teams always have to make tough decisions across the roster in SMS spending.

There may be some other top Canadian players available on OL or receiver for example. We may decide to make an offer in the tampering window. That's more difficult to do if you are " holding back " SMS for another player that may choose to leave.

It's not like any team can make 1 or 2 offers @ $275K-$300K while in limbo on their own free agents.  A team must essentially know what money is available to make bigger bids in that time frame.

[Jesse]

Sure. I think if he leaves he leaves for money and I'm fine with that. Losing top players for money is the nature of sport. Teams always have to make tough decisions across the roster in SMS spending.

There may be some other top Canadian players available on OL or receiver for example. We may decide to make an offer in the tampering window. That's more difficult to do if you are " holding back " SMS for another player that may choose to leave.

It's not like any team can make 1 or 2 offers @ $275K-$300K while in limbo on their own free agents.  A team must essentially know what money is available to make bigger bids in that time frame.

That is literally the definition of free agency. Teams competing for the top players available. All teams will make large offers on priority players while in limbo with their own free agents.

Yes it is risky. Kind of the name of the game.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sure. I think if he leaves he leaves for money and I'm fine with that. Losing top players for money is the nature of sport. Teams always have to make tough decisions across the roster in SMS spending.

There may be some other top Canadian players available on OL or receiver for example. We may decide to make an offer in the tampering window. That's more difficult to do if you are " holding back " SMS for another player that may choose to leave.

It's not like any team can make 1 or 2 offers @ $275K-$300K while in limbo on their own free agents.  A team must essentially know what money is available to make bigger bids in that time frame.

This off-season should be simpler than the past few, I think Brady is the only high ticket player they have to budget for, if Walters sets aside $300k he's in the ballpark and can get to work re-signing other contracts with little delay. Whatever's left over allows him to pursue FA's on the open market, but fair to say they won't be offering any one else $300k.

[dd]

Its no secret that BO wasn't happy with the play calling this year. I think if there isn't a change at OC on our club, his decision will be made for him already and he'll move onto greener pastures somewhere else that will make using him and his skill sets to the fullest.

[Blue In BC]

That is literally the definition of free agency. Teams competing for the top players available. All teams will make large offers on priority players while in limbo with their own free agents.

Yes it is risky. Kind of the name of the game.

Competing for top players but not while their offers to their own big name players are in limbo. Look at the Als or Lions that have already re-signed top expensive players.

You can't go into free agency with that hanging over your head and SMS money held back too long. You can't keep $275K-$300K in your back pocket and then find out you lost other opportunities.

Big name players don't last past 24 hours for the most part.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Competing for top players but not while their offers to their own big name players are in limbo. Look at the Als or Lions that have already re-signed top expensive players.

You can't go into free agency with that hanging over your head and SMS money held back too long. You can't keep $275K-$300K in your back pocket and then find out you lost other opportunities.

Big name players don't last past 24 hours for the most part.

Yah, but don't know if they'll have much luck signing Brady before FA, he likes to stir things up and play both sides.

[Pete]

Yah, but don't know if they'll have much luck signing Brady before FA, he likes to stir things up and play both sides.

More likely its how his agent likes to negotiate to maximize the offers