Former Bombers in NFL (and spring leagues) news

[Tracker]

3 minutes ago, Pepper_Brooks said:

I doubt Ford will make a return this year; there's little incentive. He's on a low-cost rookie Canadian deal, offering no financial motivation. It's wiser for his career to consider another NFL signing, with more potential earnings and a better chance of sticking around. As Juran mentioned, the NFL sees hundreds of injury replacement signings each week.

You may well be right, but perhaps a slice of bread instead of a whole loaf may be better than nothing.

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I get it. If he was in the final year or his contract we would likely see him back so he could get some FA contract interest. The 85k max we can give him next year is not really all that tempting I suppose.

But it's better than nothing ..because that's what he gets now...and if he even gets a few workouts or looks...still no pay...only pay he would get is if he is actually on a PR on game day...and yeah there's lots of injuries...and tons of guys with NFL and NCAA experience...aka...american football that will get a look before a 25 yr old Canadian with none...

[GCn20]

2 minutes ago, Tracker said:

You may well be right, but perhaps a slice of bread instead of a whole loaf may be better than nothing.

He may not want to come back, but it's possible things like rent and food start to wear down his NFL resolve a bit. Making no money at all isn't a great way to live.

[Stickem]

IF I'm Ford I want to be employed ...pronto....You can;t waste valuable time affecting your career....Waiting for an injury to happen with a million other Americans lined up for work is foolish.....BUT ..his call

[Booch]

Just now, Stickem said:

IF I'm Ford I want to be employed ...pronto....You can;t waste valuable time affecting your career....Waiting for an injury to happen with a million other Americans lined up for work is foolish.....BUT ..his call

Agreed...he won't be first on any GM's speed dial...

[Pepper_Brooks]

51 minutes ago, Stickem said:

IF I'm Ford I want to be employed ...pronto....You can;t waste valuable time affecting your career....Waiting for an injury to happen with a million other Americans lined up for work is foolish.....BUT ..his call

Ice cold take, completely disconnected from reality of the situation. Going back to the CFL would squander a valuable career opportunity, possibly permanently. He narrowly missed making the final roster, and he's currently on the practice squad's fringe. Returning to the CFL means he'd start anew next offseason, a year older. If you calculate it, the chances of making an NFL roster or PR this season multiplied by potential NFL earnings, far surpass what the CFL can provide. Committing to the CFL for the season would be unwise. Without family depending on him, the cost of sitting out isn't significant when considering the bigger picture.

Edited September 5, 2023 by Pepper_Brooks

[Blue In BC]

4 minutes ago, Pepper_Brooks said:

Ice cold take, completely disconnected from reality of the situation. Going back to the CFL would squander a valuable career opportunity, possibly permanently. He narrowly missed making the final roster, and he's currently on the practice squad's fringe. Returning to the CFL means he'd start anew next offseason, a year older. If you calculate it, the chances of making an NFL roster or PR this season multiplied by potential NFL earnings, far surpass what the CFL can provide. Committing to the CFL for the season would be unwise. Without family depending on him, the cost of sitting out isn't significant when considering the bigger picture.

He could return for the last part of the CFL season and still be eligible for an NFL option deal going into 2024.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

But it's better than nothing ..because that's what he gets now...and if he even gets a few workouts or looks...still no pay...only pay he would get is if he is actually on a PR on game day...and yeah there's lots of injuries...and tons of guys with NFL and NCAA experience...aka...american football that will get a look before a 25 yr old Canadian with none...

Has an db ever gone from the cis to the nfl on an active roster or pr with out playing against a wr in the us? I can’t think of any.          
Other than qb that is probably the hardest spot for a Canadian to go from cis to nfl. 

 The difference between lining up against cis WRs and D1 WRs is gigantic. He barely played in the cfl and while our calibre of wr is really good up here, they aren’t the massive guys down south. 

[wbbfan]

17 minutes ago, Pepper_Brooks said:

Ice cold take, completely disconnected from reality of the situation. Going back to the CFL would squander a valuable career opportunity, possibly permanently. He narrowly missed making the final roster, and he's currently on the practice squad's fringe. Returning to the CFL means he'd start anew next offseason, a year older. If you calculate it, the chances of making an NFL roster or PR this season multiplied by potential NFL earnings, far surpass what the CFL can provide. Committing to the CFL for the season would be unwise. Without family depending on him, the cost of sitting out isn't significant when considering the bigger picture.

We can’t say how close he was to making a roster. Each team went from 90 to 53 guys. That’s over 1000 cuts league wide. 512 of those go to the pr. That means he wasn’t in the top half of the cuts from his camp. 
 
very few guys sit the entire time on an nfl pr. Guys are cut and swapped all the time. Getting one or two checks does not make him more likely to get a regular roster spot and another check. And that doesn’t make him more likely to stay. Lots of guys get looks then cut. Drew desjarlais didn’t get a single pr check, as a much more talented and experienced player at a much higher position of need in the nfl. 
 

The bombers could give him 80 prorated or a bonus that brings him up to 100k with play off money. Which would be over 8 weeks of pr money. 
Not many guys fail to make the pr and then make a game day roster in the same year. 

[Pepper_Brooks]

18 minutes ago, Blue In BC said:

He could return for the last part of the CFL season and still be eligible for an NFL option deal going into 2024.

However, giving up so much just to receive a mere one-third of a rookie Canadian player's salary doesn't seem wise. If he waits until the next offseason, he'll be a year older, starting from scratch in terms of building rapport with NFL coaches, and competing against a fresh crop of NFL draftees. His optimal moment to seize this opportunity is now, and I don't believe $20,000 Canadian is worth sacrificing it.

5 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

We can’t say how close he was to making a roster. Each team went from 90 to 53 guys. That’s over 1000 cuts league wide. 512 of those go to the pr. That means he wasn’t in the top half of the cuts from his camp. 
 
very few guys sit the entire time on an nfl pr. Guys are cut and swapped all the time. Getting one or two checks does not make him more likely to get a regular roster spot and another check. And that doesn’t make him more likely to stay. Lots of guys get looks then cut. Drew desjarlais didn’t get a single pr check, as a much more talented and experienced player at a much higher position of need in the nfl. 
 

The bombers could give him 80 prorated or a bonus that brings him up to 100k with play off money. Which would be over 8 weeks of pr money. 
Not many guys fail to make the pr and then make a game day roster in the same year. 

Per the CBA he's required to return on his previous contract, not sure the Bombers can offer him additional new incentives to return beyond the gamble of playoff money.

[Booch]

11 minutes ago, Pepper_Brooks said:

However, giving up so much just to receive a mere one-third of a rookie Canadian player's salary doesn't seem wise. If he waits until the next offseason, he'll be a year older, starting from scratch in terms of building rapport with NFL coaches, and competing against a fresh crop of NFL draftees. His optimal moment to seize this opportunity is now, and I don't believe $20,000 Canadian is worth sacrificing it.

Per the CBA he's required to return on his previous contract, not sure the Bombers can offer him additional new incentives to return beyond the gamble of playoff money.

He ain't giving up anything tho...zero...and if he managed to get a "look" to see if they may PR him...it's also not paid and his dime.

He's earning nothing...he wasn't a last cut...he got no TC mentions whatsoever...and he could come back...ala Kongbo...and at seasons conclusion get released again with more film

CIS db's are wayyyyyy behind the curve...and an NFL team will PR a guy who isn't merely a project well before him...he's also gonna be 26 already going into the next NFL season...not a prime development prospect either...as his skillset is abundant down there...if he was extremely exceptional he may get a sniff...but he's not...and he won't...he basically throwing away about 4600 bucks a game that he could be playing right now...essentially with possible playoff money about 40k min for 3 months work...foolish when u can have the agreement to be released if u get a call after the season here ends...as Bombers are well known to accomodate that...

[wbbfan]

5 minutes ago, Pepper_Brooks said:

However, giving up so much just to receive a mere one-third of a rookie Canadian player's salary doesn't seem wise. If he waits until the next offseason, he'll be a year older, starting from scratch in terms of building rapport with NFL coaches, and competing against a fresh crop of NFL draftees. His optimal moment to seize this opportunity is now, and I don't believe $20,000 Canadian is worth sacrificing it.

Per the CBA he's required to return on his previous contract, not sure the Bombers can offer him additional new incentives to return beyond the gamble of playoff money.

152 dbs cut in the nfl on the same day as him.  Including a former first round pick. He doesn’t have less guys to compete against next year, just different guys. He is competing against guys cut last year and the year before. Guys with out pr time, and guys on the fringe with other teams. 
 He isn’t on the call list with other teams you can believe that. 
 The packers cut 6 other dbs. They have 3 cbs on the pr, one on the pup list and 4 on ar. Stokes on the pup list will go back to the ar in 4 weeks. 
His phone isn’t gonna ring. 
 

You can be paid more if the bombers choose. You can’t demand a higher rate deal. 

[Booch]

1 minute ago, wbbfan said:

152 dbs cut in the nfl on the same day as him.  Including a former first round pick. He doesn’t have less guys to compete against next year, just different guys. He is competing against guys cut last year and the year before. Guys with out pr time, and guys on the fringe with other teams. 
 He isn’t on the call list with other teams you can believe that. 
 The packers cut 6 other dbs. They have 3 cbs on the pr, one on the pup list and 4 on ar. Stokes on the pup list will go back to the ar in 4 weeks. 
His phone isn’t gonna ring. 
 

You can be paid more if the bombers choose. You can’t demand a higher rate deal. 

This along with what I said...he as well next yr will be even harder pressed to make a pr...his best bet is to get back playing...ball out...maybe get one last kick...which I doubt will happen and cement himself with a good chance to be a ratio breaking starter...he could easily be a starting HB or corner...and have zero learning curve

[wbbfan]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

He ain't giving up anything tho...zero...and if he managed to get a "look" to see if they may PR him...it's also not paid and his dime.

He's earning nothing...he wasn't a last cut...he got no TC mentions whatsoever...and he could come back...ala Kongbo...and at seasons conclusion get released again with more film

CIS db's are wayyyyyy behind the curve...and an NFL team will PR a guy who isn't merely a project well before him...he's also gonna be 26 already going into the next NFL season...not a prime development prospect either...as his skillset is abundant down there...if he was extremely exceptional he may get a sniff...but he's not...and he won't...he basically throwing away about 4600 bucks a game that he could be playing right now...essentially with possible playoff money about 40k min for 3 months work...foolish when u can have the agreement to be released if u get a call after the season here ends...as Bombers are well known to accomodate that...

Plus it’s not just that fraction of this years pay. If he came back then he would be off his rookie deal and eligible for free agency in the cfl next year. Wouldn’t be hard for him to get 100k from some one pro rated should the nfl not call him back. 
 If he stays down south doesn’t get any money then comes back here early next season he plays the whole next year at this rate maybe with a long term extension that officially closes his window as we have no reason to give him more for the year. 
 

Coming back now and getting off the option, getting more film and qualifying him self for a fa cfl deal plus keeping his nfl window open for next year is clearly the winning decision. 

Just now, Booch said:

This along with what I said...he as well next yr will be even harder pressed to make a pr...his best bet is to get back playing...ball out...maybe get one last kick...which I doubt will happen and cement himself with a good chance to be a ratio breaking starter...he could easily be a starting HB or corner...and have zero learning curve

Plus given our injury status if he comes back and returns kicks till grant is healthy he could open a whole other venue of getting into the nfl for him self. 

[Booch]

7 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Plus it’s not just that fraction of this years pay. If he came back then he would be off his rookie deal and eligible for free agency in the cfl next year. Wouldn’t be hard for him to get 100k from some one pro rated should the nfl not call him back. 
 If he stays down south doesn’t get any money then comes back here early next season he plays the whole next year at this rate maybe with a long term extension that officially closes his window as we have no reason to give him more for the year. 
 

Coming back now and getting off the option, getting more film and qualifying him self for a fa cfl deal plus keeping his nfl window open for next year is clearly the winning decision. 

Plus given our injury status if he comes back and returns kicks till grant is healthy he could open a whole other venue of getting into the nfl for him self. 

Exactly...as he is a legit return guy

[Tracker]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

Exactly...as he is a legit return guy

Bombers should be cooing in his ear every day.

[Booch]

Just now, Tracker said:

Bombers should be cooing in his ear every day.

Would hope they are...assume they are too...even if we got him...I have doubts Osh would even put him in when u have stars like Kramdi...Bennett...Thomas...eating up roster space

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

Would hope they are...assume they are too...even if we got him...I have doubts Osh would even put him in when u have stars like Kramdi...Bennett...Thomas...eating up roster space

Not to mention Schmekel on the pr. Ford is a fantastic add for us. Between he and Hansen we could have the perfect depth boost combined with fixing our das even with out using the nat ni. 

[Booch]

25 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Not to mention Schmekel on the pr. Ford is a fantastic add for us. Between he and Hansen we could have the perfect depth boost combined with fixing our das even with out using the nat ni. 

Another head shaker...nothing about schmeckle says or shows legit pro potential..but there he sits on the PR

 

[JuranBoldenRules]

5 hours ago, wbbfan said:

We can’t say how close he was to making a roster. Each team went from 90 to 53 guys. That’s over 1000 cuts league wide. 512 of those go to the pr. That means he wasn’t in the top half of the cuts from his camp. 
 
very few guys sit the entire time on an nfl pr. Guys are cut and swapped all the time. Getting one or two checks does not make him more likely to get a regular roster spot and another check. And that doesn’t make him more likely to stay. Lots of guys get looks then cut. Drew desjarlais didn’t get a single pr check, as a much more talented and experienced player at a much higher position of need in the nfl. 
 

The bombers could give him 80 prorated or a bonus that brings him up to 100k with play off money. Which would be over 8 weeks of pr money. 
Not many guys fail to make the pr and then make a game day roster in the same year. 

Desjarlais was on New Orleans PR for first 2 weeks and last 9, so 11 total.  So that's a minimum $132,000 USD he made last year.  Obviously as a CFL free agent he comes back and makes about as much as he would as a guy on a NFL PR for a whole season.  Ford is year 2 of rookie deal in CFL.  He gets half a NFL season on PR that's a lot more.  He's active for a few weeks, quite a bit more.

6 game checks left in Bombers season, so about $25,000 CAD plus playoffs.  Take self out of this NFL season completely.  CFL should let players out once season ends.  Then there'd be a chance for more guys to come back.  3 weeks on a NFL PR is more money than he'd get for 6 games plus playoffs in CFL.

5 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Plus it’s not just that fraction of this years pay. If he came back then he would be off his rookie deal and eligible for free agency in the cfl next year. Wouldn’t be hard for him to get 100k from some one pro rated should the nfl not call him back. 
 If he stays down south doesn’t get any money then comes back here early next season he plays the whole next year at this rate maybe with a long term extension that officially closes his window as we have no reason to give him more for the year. 
 

Coming back now and getting off the option, getting more film and qualifying him self for a fa cfl deal plus keeping his nfl window open for next year is clearly the winning decision. 

Plus given our injury status if he comes back and returns kicks till grant is healthy he could open a whole other venue of getting into the nfl for him self. 

Ford isn't a CFL free agent until after 2024 season, February 2025.

[Pepper_Brooks]

Well, it's a rather elementary economic equation, isn't it? The financial reward of Ford's entry-level deal up north pales in comparison to the immense opportunities the NFL season offers today and into the future. When you consider the mere 5% chance of $A against the undeniable 100% chance of $b, one can't help but wonder why anyone would even entertain the latter.

And let's not forget the natural twin rivalry with his brother Tre, which adds an extra layer of motivation to succeed in the NFL.

One should also factor in the element of luck, a wildcard that can significantly influence a superstitious athletes decisions and, of course, the outcome.

[Booch]

You need to be actually on a PR on game days to get that money....and traveling around doing workouts hoping to land on one isnt getting u paid either...

[JohnnyAbonny]

Ford needs more film at the Pro level anyhow. Not going to be getting into many, if any games down there on a PR. Exhibition’s over. 

Coming back here is his best option imo, albeit the dumb rule not allowing him out after the CFL season ends 

[Booch]

1 minute ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Ford needs more film at the Pro level anyhow. Not going to be getting into many, if any games down there on a PR. Exhibition’s over. 

Coming back here is his best option imo, albeit the dumb rule not allowing him out after the CFL season ends 

Team can just release him...which we have done with others if they get interest

[JohnnyAbonny]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

Team can just release him...which we have done with others if they get interest

Exactly. I don’t recall anyone other than Kongbo going to another CFL team in that scenario and they’ve done it with quite a few players.