Colin Unger

In the Canadian game its a bit more important. You need a strong arm to go the ball to the far side of the field. Arm strength is not all about the long ball.

I would expect the xfl to be the final nail in this leagues coffin. I wouldn’t expect the talent to get better next season. They will likely lose some of the top talent to the nfl and if I’m looking for a football job at that time of year I’m going to sign in the league that was has deeper pockets and where there are zero incumbents to beat out. Plus the xfl will be paying qbs considerably more than the aaf.

It really seems like the Riders want to emulate the bombers. Micah Johnson may also have been brought in because he was such a bomber killer last season. More of a run stopper than a pass rusher though. Not sure how much he helps them vs Calgary, Edmonton and B.C. for my money I’d rather have Jefferson.

I've heard talk that in the CFL right now defensive backs aren't getting paid as much as they used to. With all the new rules making it harder on defensive backs it is believed that the best way to repel a passing attack is with the pass rush. So you're seeing guys like Jefferson and Micah Johnson getting paid a lot of money and defensive backs are moreso being viewed as replacement level players. Not sure that this was the main reason he left it could have to do with the CBA negotiations preventing him from being paid a bonus. It's possible that for some players they really rely on money this time of year and he had to take the chance of instant cash. I don't imagine that he wouldn't have made more in the CFL especially since he will have missed out on at least 20% of this year's AAF money. However, the money he gets paid from the AAF will be paid over the course of the next couple months. BTW. Does anyone know what happens with a AAF player who leaves for the NFL and gets cut? Is he still obligated to the AAF for the remainder of his contract at that point?

Come to think of it he might have to hit the Roh'd if we find a younger cheaper replacement

Why does a guy like that sign with the bombers? I he's up against Roh, Jefferson, and Jeffcoat. I guess he can possibly make the dev roster and become a cheaper replacement type guy in year two.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/02/19/bombers-add-three-roster-5/ The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced today the club has signed international defensive end Alex McCalister, international receiver Tim Wilson and international defensive back Joe Este. Do any of these names stand out to you guys?

Maybe Winnipeg can find the receiver they need in the aaf dispersal draft.

Im not saying Ottawa can compete in the West but against Toronto and Montreal I'd take them in a heart beat.

Yeah and who's to say they aren't doing it again with Jennings like they did with Harris? I just have more faith in that organization than the argos or Als at this point. There's still a lot of talent available and I think some teams will have to release quality players to fit all the players they signed under the cap. For example if they brought back Chris Williams and signed The Manny show it wouldn't be a bad looking receiving core.

They will be fine with Holley, RJ Harris, and Sinopoli. They are the type of organization that can find replacements. The problem in BC was that they had a horrible offensive line and lacked top tier offensive coaching.

Yep. Coming in without having training camp and being thrown right in there i think he did just fine. We could use him.

Both please

Ottawa is a very well run organization and with good coaching. Jennings isn't that bad. I just see Toronto as a gong show at this point. Ottawa has a history now of replacing the previous QB and continuing to win. They still have a lot of talent. Good receivers and a good offensive line. If Toronto couldn't get it done with Trestman as their coach how is hiring Chamblin going to improve their offense?

I still think playoffs easier in the West for the bombers than playoffs in the east for Toronto.. Hamilton and Ottawa are locks and after that it will be a crossover again.

Sask wants Roosevelt back but i honestly think he's the kind of guy who may want to switch teams to try and re-ignite his career.

I agree. Obviously the fact that Toronto is a gong show and Franklin hasn’t performed as a starter would factor in. I imagine that Toronto is offering the most money and the only reason he’s considering it.

The best way to soften that blow is to have good replacements for them. Time will tell on how good the replacements are but I do know that a good organization will replace players as they leave and not notice much of a difference. I remember a couple years back Calgary lost a lot of offensive lineman due to injury and they were still able to keep it together pretty good. Much more difficult of a situation than losing two interior offensive linemen in the offseason. I view Winnipeg as an organization that is basically at the Stampeders level now. In the past, you lose Nichols in training camp and Durant retires right before the season it would have been a gong show. They devised a gameplan that was successful in giving the team a chance to win until Nichols got back. Winnipeg definitely needs to add at least one proven receiver. Obviously, it doesn't have to be Walker. There's also something to be said for waiting to see how much of an improvement we get from young players like Wolitarsky, Simonise, Petermann, Nelson, Washington, or Thompkins. The CFL is a different beast than other pro football leagues. You can lose an allstar like TJ Heath and find a cheap replacement in Marcus Sayles who arguably ends up being a better player.

Vaughters as well.

I think you’re basing this on an emotional reaction. Winnipeg already did throw big money at Bighill and Jefferson. Each team is working with the same cap. Edmonton signed some guys sure but they also downgraded at quarterback and receiver. BC threw around some big money but they also have a long list a veterans who were there last year and who won’t be back. They have to make decisions based on what’s realistic. Nobody besides BC was going to sign Reilly and nobody besides Calgary was going to sign Bo. That much is evident. There are still a lot of good players out there and we will see what Winnipeg ends up adding to the roster. Calgary lost more talent than Winnipeg and I don’t see them going on a bender at the Casino over it.

Holley has upside and a lot younger than Grant. All Rider receivers were affected by the qb play behind them. He’s a low risk high potential reward guy.

I’d like to see us sign one key proven receiver and then a couple of promising unproven guys like Rhymes and maybe Holley.

That one depends on what they plan to do with Canadians. He may be the odd man out if they are keeping their option open to starting a Canadian on the offensive line. Bryant younger and cheaper for the import spot.

Spooner has signed with the eskimos. He just never went from being a project to a player. Was still behind Speller and Couture by a country mile.

If you want to suggest the organization is poorly run I’m all ears for any points that stand up to logical scrutiny. It’s just that some people are never happy or just make red herring arguments like a pre-existing Grey Cup drought.