Bombers sign QB Payton Thorne, release Parker & Echols

[Blue In BC]

Rehab is covered by the team, but not living expenses or salary, until the injury has been rehabbed, or I believe a certain time period, maybe 2 years?  I think we had an issue with that with Jovan Johnson, didn't we?

So, if a player want to rehab, and wants the costs of that rehab covered, its probably in their best interest to stay local. 

Signing a team friendly deal that puts you on the IR to start the season costs the team no $SMS, and is good PR.  And, after the rehab is complete, if the player has not gotten up to game speed or recovered to the point of competitive play, but is healed, there is no reason they can't release the player without ever costing the team a single $SMS dollar.

Veteran cut down dates applies. So if a player takes 9 games to be healthy and ready to play then yes there is a cost.  Schoen for example.  Business is business.

You think cutting Parker created good PR? He's more proven than Bonds and was not currently injured.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Veteran cut down dates applies. So if a player takes 9 games to be healthy and ready to play then yes there is a cost.  Schoen for example.  Business is business.

You think cutting Parker created good PR? He's more proven than Bonds and was not currently injured.

They must have seen something in somebody new to cut Parker loose,

Newcomer Micahel Dixon has great DB size at 6'-2" 210 lbs as does Alljah McGhee 6'-2" 195 lbs.  They also had late season looks at Ridge Texada and Major Williams another taller than average prospect at 6"-1" 190 lbs.

[theaardvark]

Veteran cut down dates applies. So if a player takes 9 games to be healthy and ready to play then yes there is a cost.  Schoen for example.  Business is business.

You think cutting Parker created good PR? He's more proven than Bonds and was not currently injured.

Cutting Parker now is good PR.

If he's not in the mix for next year, this gives him a chance to catch on elsewhere, and it was probably granted at his request.

Bad PR is holding on to his rights until camp, run him through camp and then cut him before he gets a paycheck.

[Blue In BC]

Cutting Parker now is good PR.

If he's not in the mix for next year, this gives him a chance to catch on elsewhere, and it was probably granted at his request.

Bad PR is holding on to his rights until camp, run him through camp and then cut him before he gets a paycheck.

Yes and no. I've often suggested that players not in the mix for the following season should be released earlier. In that we agree.

OTOH, cutting a veteran is never easy or always popular. He may have asked to be released early if he was advised that no contract would be offered.

[Blue In BC]

They must have seen something in somebody new to cut Parker loose,

Newcomer Micahel Dixon has great DB size at 6'-2" 210 lbs as does Alljah McGhee 6'-2" 195 lbs.  They also had late season looks at Ridge Texada and Major Williams another taller than average prospect at 6"-1" 190 lbs.

Sure all of those may be true. Injury history and SMS expectations may have come into play. Even age and bigger size may have been factors.  I'm neither surprised or disappointed. It's the business nature of the sport.

That said, on my list I have 13 players which I don't think are part of 2026 that could / should be released early. However there is a domino effect where one decision impacts another. Let's use Streveler as the example. He's not under contract, coming off a season ending injury. Probably not going to play again IMO. Is it better to at leave give him the same chance as Parker of just left him become a free agent?

The same question applies to the other veterans on my list. There is no reason to list them but as potential free agents, injury history, SMS hit and succession plans are in play.

A few vets have already been released early. Sankey who nearly immediately signed in Vancouver. Woods released but not yet signed elsewhere. 

Every off season I keep tabs to see how accurate my guesstimates were about those I didn't expect to return for various reasons.