bigg jay

I don't disagree but the flip side is they are paying a third of Rourke's salary in marketing money. That's a lot of money to go around telling kids that the CFL is just an unfortunate detour.

I could see that (McInnis to Calgary). Yesterday, BC picked Lenius up off the scrap heap so maybe they're hoping he can stay healthy enough to be his replacement? He will be much cheaper than what McInnis is going to make.

Which means they now have the highest paid players on both sides of the ball. Interesting that Betts is all salary and no marketing money.

Yep, he had a major stroke in late winter/early spring IIRC. Didn't know him personally but always enjoyed his food when I went to Lovey's.

Yes, all PR salaries count against the cap. I would guess it doesn't happen often because of the cap but you'd have to think a guy like Drew Richmond was making more than the minimum (why else would you sit on the PR for 3 years at that minimum rate?).

Also that the PR is a minimum of $750 a week - clubs can pay them more if they choose but it all comes out of the cap just the same.

Rob has (and continues to) looked for place in Winnipeg so I'm sure it'll happen eventually. He actually kicked tires on the spot that turned into Belle's so it looks like that place was destined for BBQ one way or the other.

A recent review of Belle's (like a few hours old recent) on Reddit does not sound promising. The one thing you need to nail is the food and they don't seem to be doing that. I'll be sticking to Bigg Smoak in Steinbach.

I think timing also plays a part in the grade. Things might look a bit rosier in Sask (at the moment) with Mace there vs the end of Dickie's run so they'll get a good grade. I would have thought the Bombers would have scored bit higher on the management side since we never seem to sign guys to crazy deals an then force them to renegotiate it or be released. They may have to let guys walk if they can't fit them under the cap but at least they seem to be more upfront about it than some. other teams. I also wouldn't necessarily say we're frugal either (maybe more selective on where we spend or less willing to overpay in FA) since we are at or over the cap most years so the money is being shelled out. The 3DN article does a good job of including what went into each category but not necessarily why teams got the grades they got. https://3downnation.com/2024/12/17/cflpa-unveils-inaugural-cfl-team-report-card-results/

Doman - Oh you want you want tickets for your family? The Box Office is that way! 50 Cent isn't playing for free you know!

Full comparison from 3DN: Have to laugh at the football ops & management grades the Riders got. They let the players get to do whatever the f**k they want and have for years now so it doesn't surprise me that they got good scores in that regard.

I thought it was terrible (the whole second half of season 5 really, since Costner left). It felt very rushed and a lot of it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

100%, I love those shows. I just finished re-watching Breaking Bad with my wife, who hadn't watched before, so I'm looking forward to watching BCS again

Except it's an actual quote from Walters - you can hear it directly from him. https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/11/26/kyle-walters-november-26/ (just after the 20:20 mark).

He also said they haven't discussed it but that MOS & Wade would probably be fine with going over. https://3downnation.com/2024/11/27/kyle-walters-blue-bombers-havent-discussed-but-would-probably-be-all-for-violating-salary-cap-in-grey-cup-host-year/

It's interesting (but not unexpected) that this list is QB heavy, compared to past neg list releases. Some of these guys have been on the radar for a while and were listed on the fall list (Artopoeus) or on the 2023 lists (Book, Gronkowski). I find it interesting to look back at previous years to see how guys have turned out - last year we had Ontaria & Ayers listed (amongst others who did not make the same impact like Kody Case). I wonder who it will be from this year, if anyone, that makes an impact for us in 2025.

If it's all the same to you, I'll pass on losing the WSF in Regina! 😂

I'd like that but he's not a pending FA this off-season. BLM might be the present starter in Hamilton but not the future so I imagine the ticats will try to extend Powell before 2026.

Yep, it's a bit early to be panicking. At this time of year, you'll get a few key guys signed (which we have already) and some TCF signed (which we have also done) but most of the signings come in January & February Compare what we did last year at this time to what we have done so far, it's a very normal start to the off-season. I'd actually say we're ahead of schedule by having 2 key guys (Castillo & Bryant), and another important guy (Jones) already locked up - last year we only really had Willie signed by this point. 2023 signings after GC: Nov 27 2023: Collin Kornelson, Max Charbonneau, Breton Macdougall, Jonathan Rosery Dec 7, 2023: Ronnie Blackmon Dec 11, 2023: Willie Jefferson Dec 19, 2023: Pat Neufeld Dec 20: 2023: Tanner Cadwallader, Redha Kramdi Dec 21: 2023: Deatrick Nichols, Anthony Blue Dec 22: 2023: Cam Lawson

Losing Goveia & Pierce was just a matter of time. As far as McManus goes, if Goveia wants to bring him along to Hamilton, he'd have to get permission from the Bombers. Given the loss of the other two from football ops, I could see the club declining that request this time.

History says different. The last two years Willie re-signed in November while Stan re-upped in January. Previous to that they both signed new deals in January (Willie was first one year and Stan was first the other).

Article says no sex offender list but yes he'll have conditions to abide by. Still seems to be an extremely lenient sentence. "Christophe Normand will, however, be able to serve his three-month prison sentence intermittently, i.e. during weekend. He will then be subject to three years of probation, with several conditions to be met, including two years of monitoring for any sexual issues. His name will not be entered in the Sex Offender Registry."

He was charged in August 2022 and found guilty in April 2024 so just over 2 years which seems about right for our system. He had been out on bail so credit for time served doesn't apply.

Should be years but it's only months.

Welcome him back to where? Hamilton?