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Bighill signing here after coming back from the NFL was nothing short of HUGE! He's been nothing but an amazing leader on and off the field. His involvement in amateur football makes waves with kids everytime he's around. I can't thank that guy enough for his play. And his influence off the field will be felt for a long long time. Whether he realizes it or not. "That's Adam Bighill" heard weekly at U of W by children being introduced to the sport. The guy is a legend.

And the biggest selling point to get A LOT of guys up here initially is that they can get some film and go back. Those are guys who get cut in their first camp here and guys who play up here for 15 years. The league has played around with rookie contracts, NFL window or not. Always comes back to this reality for the American players and an increasing number of Canadian players too. Guys will chase spots in NFL camps or play in spring leagues over the CFL if the window isn't there. And yet in a given off-season the league loses like 1 out of 100 players. It's not a problem at all.

Bighill was a great player for us.

Lol no kidding, crying about this just shows a massive lack of understanding. The NFL would be capable of crippling the CFL if they didn’t like our request for compensation. As simple as them saying they will honour CFL contracts and won’t sign a player who has signed a CFL contract until it has been fulfilled.

Why would the NFL compensate the CFL? Honestly....why would they?

If that's what highly skilled football people with minimal bias say then so be it I'm off the mark truly but to my untrained technical football eye, even when he's fresh off a rotation, it still feels we are playing with 11 players on the field, getting washed out consistently, no push with the odd tackle/pressure made but no consistency of play we expect with his reps. I think that's a reasonable request. It feels like playing sports where you had to hide that one player in the starting roster with the goal of minimal negative impact. E.g., like shoving the worst player to right field in baseball but the good teams would still take advantage of it.

Qft. Tremendous ambassador for the team, league and sport. Getting him was huge for us. Last hole on the D filled by the best guy possible.

League wide how many guys do we send to the nfl? 10 maybe into tc total on average maybe? How many of their guys do we get into our camp? 250-300? Both cases guys out of contract that either league could sign if they wanted. The nfl could do the nfle in the us, or expand their developmental /pr system 10 more spots per team again and crush us.

Interesting. Pay your QB 600K, then you can win while starting several injured receivers.

For those of you who are suggesting that Bombers could have handled things better, remember where your information is coming from. Friesen loves to stir the pot and Bighill is disappointed. So the reality may lie somewhere in the middle.

I never said or implied any of that - that's your hyperbole. I just don't think the CFL can expect any kind of compensation from the NFL - it's not realistic.

Time: Sunday 1700, TSN3 Stats: 23-16-7 @ 33-14-3 Streaks: W2 @ W2 Notes: 7th annual WASAC night Injury Report: Lowry week to week with likely return after 4 Nations FWIW: After 50 games 2024/25 33-14-3 = 69pts 🥇 2023/24 31-14-5 = 67pts 2022/23 31-18-1 = 63pts 2018/19 32-16-2 = 66pts 2017/18 29-13-8 = 65pts

He was hurt in 2023...literally to the point he couldn't throw as he couldn't plant and throw effective Like I have said..our "great" coaching...or should I better clarify...HC failed us bigtime...in multiple aspects and his babbling after the fact shows he doesn't take ownership or accept it...as he has said he would do same again...so be prepped for more disappointment after apparent "sucessful" seasons...which mean dickall when u camt tale it all the way home

Bighill was told in December that he's free to talk to other teams.

Those 2 things are connected.

For those screaming and crying about unfair practices ("...***** ***** *****...") Here's the timeline from Our Man Tait: "And just to be clear as to how this unfolded from a club perspective, head coach Mike O’Shea told Bighill in early December he would not be receiving a new contract offer from the club. Bighill represents himself and GM Kyle Walters said they spoke not long after the player’s meeting with O’Shea to confirm the news."

I don't know, man. I see where you're coming from and I say this with all due respect. I'd say the NFL to the CFL is like the U.S. is to Canada. They are the big elephant next door, and we can't help but be affected by every twitch and grunt. If the CFL draws a line in the sand, the NFL will be the ocean that washes it away.

We move on from Biggie but give Jake Thomas a new contract. Go figure.

I ******* hate Calgary sports franchises so very very much.... LFG Jets!!!

Totally agree with this. Yes it's a loss to the team, but time marches on and it's caught up with him. CFL HOF is awaiting his arrival, and I hope it's in blue & gold.

The team just didn't seem well prepared at all for the last 2 games. It did not feel or seem like a team that HAS been to the cup and has played in the big games, so many rookie mistakes and decisions and game planning. Super disappointing.

The best ability is availability

Per season, yes.

that’s all true. I don’t think we did any thing wrong by any means. You can always do better though, and I think you we’ve missed opportunities to make these kinds of moves better in the past. For the team, the player and the fans. I don’t expect any thing to change, but this whole thing smacks of would’ve happened no matter what.

This can’t be understated. By the sounds of things Bighill was told basically in the exit interviews he wouldn’t be back. It’s February in a week. I don’t like fishing with Paul cuz I prefer picking a spot and he likes trolling.

He doesn't have one at end of 2024 season...so no need

Seth Jarvis is my argument.

He's 23 years old for Christ's sake.... He's just a baby. Give him time...

Yep Bighill was a HUGE part of this team getting over the hump... but now he's over the hill and everyone needs to move on. Father time is undefeated.

His exit interview...discussion on rehab and when he be ready...which won't be to start yr...he knew he was not in plans...and I sure other teams knew as well... Much ado about nothing tho...that's how she goes He served us well while he was prime and healthy..and was a big paer of the suceas...and was a positive influence in room and to the young guys...and we thank him for that. But the beat goes on and it happens to every player...next up

He was released in December... That's plenty early to me. The only thing you could POSSIBLY say against the Bombers here is that they didn't do a big public hurrah in December... But maybe Bighill didn't want that? Who's to say... But they talked to him shortly after the season ended and told him he wouldn't be back.

Maybe he'd rather have Ed Hervey at a podium telling everyone why he sucks and isn't worth his game cheque. There's no real way to handle these situations and I'm not sure why a professional would expect or want a team to close a door on them. Maybe the Bombers have a couple free agent targets on D and if they don't sign them they'd circle back on Bighill. They have no obligation to publicize their off-season strategy to make Bighill feel comfy.

I don't have much interest in pro hockey, but last night we took in a junior game (Steelers vs. Terriers) for the first time in many years. Tons of hitting, lots of chippy play, some guys with decent skills. The refs let too much go in the first period then clamped down, which led to players mouthing off - interesting drama. It was a good night. 3-2 Terriers, in OT

pretty easy to stay injury free when you arent involved in much of the action...and cant run to pul any muscles and are just kind of....i dunno how to even phrase it....just "out there" we have 3 other canadian DT'S...all younger....all with upside....we dont need a 4rh who really offers nothing other than this excessive depth

I think there is an argument, that a player like Biggie should get a little better treatment on the way out. But in all honesty, isn’t this the job of and why these players have agents? Why isn’t his agent on the phone to Walter’s to advocate for his client and push the issue. Or does he self represent, in which case he needs to play that job.

That would be Darren Cameron's job not Kyle Walters, you know the Senior Director of Public & Player Relations who hates being the bearer of bad news. To quote action hero the Tick, "the man is incapable".

Nah. This is how it goes. It’s not like we are losing guys under contract mid season. We went from one year plus an option that allowed guys to go to the nfl to this. Independent pro baseball has the same windows in the off season. With in the league it self the window of guys staying or going is almost never that quick unless the team decides it to be. We have no leverage, and this isn’t the nfl deal. This is the rule with our own PA contracts first and foremost. Then we have a contract with the nfl for option windows. From when they gave us a no interest loan that saved us from folding after us expansion. If teams have locked up multi year base rookie contracts that nfl teams need to buy out, this will cease to be a pro league. We don’t get another guy with hope of nfl play again. As it is we can’t even compete with the Canadian kids in our own draft. This would be the death knell for our league. Those aren’t the reasons we lost the young demographic. This is just the life and reality of a 2nd tier league. Team engagement is where it starts. Look at the rum hut and RBs home games. Some teams do it well, other teams don’t have a fan base. By some I mean it’s getting close to half the league. Yes the league needs to change stuff, but the familiar comfort of a sure thing has lulled the teams into accepting what we have.

Yeah idk if he does either. But we are married to him, and we aren’t going to instantly have a team that can win a gc with him chucking bombs down field on 2nd and short or when ever else he wants. (Which is a lot) He isn’t gonna become Ricky ray, but he’s gotta quell the chucking in the worst situations into triple cover. Thats true, but we’ve seen more miraculous late career changes Damon Allen being the biggest up here. this. No way he didn’t know what was coming with his and season interview. Probably didn’t want to believe it.

I don’t love JT as a front line contributor but I think people dismissing him as reliable depth are off the mark. It needs to be that role for him, though.

Here’s the difference with bighill and Thomas. Bighill has been injured 2 years in a row, Thomas has not been hurt in 7 seasons. Theres the difference. Do I think Thomas should be back? No I don’t. But the one thing he is, is healthy. Bighill is not. I’m assuming also but wouldn’t shock me if Thomas took a pay cut and Bighill was unwilling to do that. Based on the quotes I’d sounds like Bighill is unwilling to accept reality. 2 years in a row he got hurt.

Let’s just be honest here - do the Bombers handle everything perfectly? No, definitely not. When the players all consistently talk about how well they’re treated and how well their families are treated and how much they want to stay, do I think a few (all past their prime, which is a huge point in all of this) players who say their feelings got hurt has more to do with their unwillingness to accept reality than it does with the Bombers holding their hand gently through the process? Yes, yes I do

I pretty sure Biggie knew the gig was up at end of season...and it can be tough for a player to accept that playing days are done...some know...even during their last yr...some just have to much fire in them to quit...I'll give Biggie that, and he may get a bottom barrel deal somewhere but not to be "the guy" That being said...I would have taken him over Jake as a ST guy and emergency backup/role guy and player coach role...as he would offer value there...Jake offers none whatsoever

Relax, man. You’re officially hitting the “I am gonna whine about everything” point in your off-season arc

“I realized when I got hurt it’s a real possibility that a club who’s already looking at ways to probably redo their roster, with heavy veterans, this is an easy one for them,” he said. “Whether I think or whether other people think it’s a right decision or not. It’s an easy one to point at and say, ‘It’s probably time.’ “So I understand that from a business stance. I prepared myself for it.” From the winnipeg sun. Doesn't sound like there's hard feelings. Phones do work both ways and bighill got his answer. He also comes across as one of those guys completely unwilling to accept that his time has passed.

Un comparable, considering 15 years ago the nfl didn’t want mobile QBs, didn’t think spread or option was viable, small tweeners or a lot receivers. Now they do. But we didn’t see true pro rookies performing at such high levels at db wr or qb like we do now. So I don’t think it was as close to as good now. Just easier to get more optimal fits and lots of guys with out nfl interest. 30 years ago, they tried us expansion too. 30 years ago Canadian college kids almost never got nfl tc invites. Little on deals bonuses and drafted. Fans love player mobility. Most popular time of the year in sports worlds are trade dead lines, drafts, and free agency day. Leagues problem is trying to cater to the wrong people, and not focusing on innovation.

I wonder if being short handed played a part in it. We have to remember, buck and hall were in consideration for other teams positions and when that happens aren’t involved for obvious reasons, plus 3 front office people. It was basically mos and Walters doing all the work for a long time. He talked about it in the year ending presser. I also don’t buy he didn’t know the writing was on the wall here. Especially after we re upped jones and then kyrie. Far as Im concerned we gave biggie multiple victory laps including a top end pay day far past his prime. Love biggie, hope he coaches. Glad he isn’t playing here. Can’t be the only vet we move on from though. Think he will get one? I really don’t know.

Only friesen can be that obtuse.

Now that he’s gone, I’m looking forward to speaking of Bighill as one of the best, without talking about his diminished play. B.A. is sweating

Ajou clearly got this opportunity based on physical traits... and good for him... why wouldn't he take the opportunity given to him... he'll be back in the CFL by June.

Famous Dave's BBQ sauce is drink worthy(Sweet & Zesty and Rich & Sassy). The restaurant itself has gone down hill and is pretty awful now which is a shame. They do sell the sauces at the restaurant but its crazy expensive. Always stock up when we go to the U.S.