Mike

Did Tunde Adeleke sign with the Argos? Farhan says he did but he said it so casually that it seemed like a mistake because I haven’t read about it anywhere else

I’m pretty sure we’ll be bringing Castillo back. There isn’t really another team who needs a kicker.

I’ve met a lot on both sides of the argument. Some care plenty. Some look at it as paid overtime they didn’t volunteer to work.

Boy do I have some news for you. Most players don’t care anywhere near as much as you or I do.

What’re you going to tell me next? You probably think every player cares a bunch about whether they win a Grey Cup or not too right?

Yeah. Pretty much. If someone pipes up and says “hey so and so gets a bonus if they win that this year”, you best believe anyone who hears that is gonna vote for the guy. Obviously I’m not suggesting they’re going to vote a guy like Shayne Gauthier, but these guys aren’t hitting the film room to break down the film before they decide between Adam Bighill and Cam Judge, as an example. You want more evidence it’s just a reputation, “you’ve earned it with your longevity” type vote? Go look who WASN’T a CFLPA all star in 2022.

Yeah. That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. Do you really think they care? Lol These guys basically play opponents once or twice a season, they watch film throughout the week and that’s about as much CFL as the majority of them consume. Do you think these guys take their ballots home and think it over with a nice glass of whiskey? It’s all locker room talk. It’s a reputation award. Ask any player. I would bet less than 10% take it seriously. Two years ago, I remember talking to a current Bomber and it came up that he had filled out his ballot that afternoon. Hockey locker room talk. Somebody asked him who he voted for. “I forget”

The Biggie apologists are wild. He’s barely passable as a starting linebacker at this point. The biggest thing he brings to the table at this point is his ability to read things pre-snap and get himself into the right spots but he’s probably the slowest linebacker in the league and is nowhere near the sure tackler he used to be. CFLPA all star aka the reputation award. Doesn’t mean anything for actual on-field performance, we all know that and just pretend we don’t when it’s convenient. Bighill has been awesome and he definitely had a bit of a resurgence at the beginning of 2024 but his play fell off a cliff in the second half of the year.

You pay a guard that much money because he’s beyond elite and you can pay your import tackles far, far less

I don’t expect much activity whatsoever, to be honest. Looking through what’s left out there, I bet we have some room to add but it’s not going to be anything notable. I see very little out there that I’d be interested in. Jamal Davis, Shawn Oakman (who I sense is going back to the XOXOFL or whatever the hell they’re calling it these days) and I suppose maybe a guy like Christmas or a depth DI type like a Shaq Richardson would be the only players I have much excitement for beyond our own.

Always loved Briggs. Underrated player for sure, was far more of a contributor in key areas fans never really notice.

Looks like Jesse Briggs retired

That’s a tough one, but Canadian passport might get the nod. I think BOLO is gone though, he’s going to get 120-130ish from somebody.

Honestly, moving on from Hardrick, Rose, Darby, Houston and maybe TBD a few others has me pretty happy with the turnover

There’s a window for players with non-expiring contracts. Betts had an off-season bonus in his contract, he’s not eligible for that window so until his contract expires, he’s in a holding pattern. There’s a bit more to it than that, with the restrictions of “futures” contracts and stuff, but it’s all a complicated mess

Betts could be intriguing as a situational edge rusher who plays passing downs only and I guess if that’s a role a team has a spot for, could be some interest.

His contract?

Devils advocate: he’s not eligible for the NFL window the same way Holm, etc would be so the negotiation window would likely be the first you’d ever hear of any interest

Maybe he’s not as overrated as you think

Shame on you for assuming. Maybe they want to pay the wrong price.

No question Jeffcoat feels disrespected, but he talked about this last offseason too. Retirements been on his mind for a while and the club has to lock down the guys who are all in before they start on the flip floppers.

Stupid ass article from Friesen, what else is new. Love me some Jeffcoat, but is he really that startled at the thought that his team might have other priorities when he’s the one who openly expresses how much he’s been debating retirement?

It’s a ridiculous concept. If we have to be benching a guy for a third of the season to be able to afford him and maintain him, it’s not worth having him.

Not necessarily but I checked, he’s not. Either way, an Iowa defender is high on my list of types I like to see in camp

Is this guy Garrett’s brother?