Mike

Interesting to see how they handle this, considering the Nyquist suspension is still pending and it really sends the wrong kind of message if 1/100th of the violence is given a stiffer punishment just because it's against a zebra.

They also gave Owens a raise and a "sizeable" signing bonus.

lol why? That's a horrible signing. They don't even have room for him. Carter, Roosevelt, Holley, Edwards, Collins and now Owens? With the need to play a Canadian? Not a smart move.

Why would you doubt that? There's zero chance he got the same deal as before.

We just signed him to a new deal, he was a free agent. Not sure why you're not talking about now, what do old contracts based off old expectations mean?

The benefit is that he's great on special teams. Not saying this is your perception, but it seems like there are a lot of people who have this idea that just about anyone can play special teams at a high level as if the positions are not as important as the positions on offense or defense. There is value in having guys who are responsible with their assignments, can play multiple teams and can do it at a high level. That's why guys like Hurl and Boulay make six figures. They've earned it with the high level of play they bring on teams, and they're competent enough as backups in a pinch as well. The salary cap is what, $5.15 million? A guy making 100k makes 1.94% of that so quite frankly, I'm not all that worried about it.

uhhh when? We're talking about his new deal with us.

I'm not a big Hurl guy either, but do the research ... Canadians on their third deals make six figures. Even Nic Boulay just got 100k+

As we become a better team, people will need to keep in mind we're never going to be better on paper in February than we were at the end of the previous season. If we're filling holes with recruits, how can we do that in February?

Things didn't go his way, so he's losing his mind. They've made a decision to go to a more traditional middle linebacker instead of two WIL specialists, so Bass is gone. He's a great player, not a good fit for what they're trying to do. I respect their decision to go in a different direction and the reality is, it's going to give us some savings as well. Burnett is solid, he should be a great player but he also reminds me of a guy like Alex Hoffman-Ellis in the sense that he's a great teams guy with potential to fit into a starting job - still has to get there and he wasn't going to get it here. Those are the two big losses. Now you look at what we added and the big one for me is Drake Nevis. I've been a huge fan of this guy ever since he started terrorizing offensive lines last year. Just so that there's no accusations of that "he's a Bomber now so you think he's great" bias coming from any Rider fans, here's what I said about Nevis last July: And I believe it. He's got the ability to be an elite defensive tackle in the CFL. If you had asked me prior to free agency who I'd want between Micah Johnson and Drake Nevis, it's Nevis all day every day and we got him for 35k less than Micah Johnson. Hodge thinks we overpaid? On what basis? Nevis' impact on our D can't be overstated. Cummings, while a very good player, was not an every down defensive tackle for us. Nevis will play a heavy majority of the snaps. He's a dominant run stopper and for a defensive tackle, he's got some serious pass rushing abilities. There was a club move he laid on Chungh last year that was one of the most dominant snaps from a DT I saw all year. And he'll do that all game. We're going to be a much tougher team in the trenches. High energy, high motor, wear-you-down kind of guy. Exactly what we needed. Then there's Okpalaugo. Solid, solid rush end. If he can come back without skipping a beat, he's going to be exactly what we need on the other side opposite Westerman, because now all of a sudden, you can't just scheme away from our strength. 25 sacks in two seasons tells you all you need to know, this guy is going to get after the quarterback. --- I'm happy with what we've done so far.

Milton isn't a RB, he's a FB. At least he has been in the past. But yeah, pretty clear LaFrance is going to be in the running for the starting job.

Montreal, yeah Ottawa? Not sure I see it. They traded Jackson + Williams for Shaw + Spencer, Kanneh for Jefferson and ... added some Canadian depth pieces? I don't love our day either. But meh.

Jacory Harris, I'm assuming.

So we only needed Hurl OR Briggs, no need for both, but you then mention a guy who plays the exact same position as both of them? That's very Floyd of you.

It's February.

I don't necessarily agree. He rotated with big money last year and we all thought it was no big deal. JT is a great player, but he's not an every down kind of guy. Butcher is not going to fill that role, if anything, Butcher is the kind of guy who comes in for Nevis. He's a nose tackle. We need a guy in that role. If it's Westerman, great. If not, we still have a question there.

Do they really go after Westerman then? Shologan, Klassen AND Westerman? Can't see it making sense.

Good grief guys, special teams Canadians have value too you know. He's still going to be making around $100k. Even Lochard made somewhere in that range last year. That's what Canadians get paid. Better get used to it.

I'm waiting to see the $ before I have an opinion.

He'd be a very good signing for us once Westerman is no longer available

Westerman close to signing with Alouettes Hurl close to signing with the WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS! lol fan base gonna lose it.

Ottawa LOVES receivers. I don't get it though. They have Juron Criner who could really use an elevated role in this offense and they still go out and get Shaw/Spencer to replace Williams/Jackson? So weird.

How? There's literally no cap savings to be had there.

Dennis to Saskatchewan

Toronto and Saskatchewan I'm guessing Saskatchewan I'm hoping Toronto