2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[SpeedFlex27]

3 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

https://www.bluebombers.com/cyril-penn/

 

Seems like an interesting guy. Was he our only US scout? As that was McManus's role in the past. Goveia was the Canadian scout. 

[bigg jay]

8 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Seems like an interesting guy. Was he our only US scout? As that was McManus's role in the past. Goveia was the Canadian scout. 

McManus is still listed as the director of US scouting so it would seem he was Cyril's boss in that aspect.

[JohnnyAbonny]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

in terms of 2025 roster too....I'd be more than fine moving on from Castillo...great guy and teammate....but getting a Canadian or a Global to do it free's up a key DA position for us where we could have it be so useful to us. Salary as well that could be saved could be the difference of keeping a key piece

If they can find someone beforehand absolutely, just I’d rather not see a bunch of jobbers cycled through like Ali Mourtada or whoever. 

[Booch]

Ted bought the house...not Danny

[sweep the leg]

Prior years have shown we can win with average receivers and a great ol. Our decision makers decided we should start moving money from ol to wr and it hasn’t worked out. I’m a big believer in building from the line out on both sides of the ball.

I really hope we get the best ol money can buy this offseason and ride our run game again.

[SpeedFlex27]

6 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

Prior years have shown we can win with average receivers and a great ol. Our decision makers decided we should start moving money from ol to wr and it hasn’t worked out. I’m a big believer in building from the line out on both sides of the ball.

I really hope we get the best ol money can buy this offseason and ride our run game again.

Depends on our OC if Buck leaves. 

[Booch]

47 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

Prior years have shown we can win with average receivers and a great ol. Our decision makers decided we should start moving money from ol to wr and it hasn’t worked out. I’m a big believer in building from the line out on both sides of the ball.

I really hope we get the best ol money can buy this offseason and ride our run game again.

prior grey cupshave shown us teams can win with average at best QB's if you have a sound roster...smart game plan....ability to adjust, and see the issues....in a nutshell....smart coaching

Edited November 20 by Booch

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I know nothing about Cyril Penn. Can you give us some background & why you like him?

Eventually they will, though. Nothing stays the same. Losing those 3 at thebsame time would not be good.

 

He’s worked his way up here as an American scout. Done a tremendous job finding talent down south. Very keen football mind. 

2 hours ago, Booch said:

Ted bought the house...not Danny

That makes sense. Danny spends his time in warm climes with his wife’s family. He’s only up here for camp and as needed. 
 I love Ted, great guy and under rated as a gm candidate in the league. I’ll be very happy if he stays, but also happy for him if he gets the shot he deserves. Ringmaiden was a harder loss any way. 

[Tracker]

10 hours ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Personally, I wouldn’t pay both Schoen and Lawler again. I’d lean towards Schoen but it sounds like he’ll be the one heading to FA based of his comments. 

Put that money towards the trenches and a MLB in FA. 

From that list I’d keep:

Strev, One of the big WRs 

Bryant, Dobson (not really a fan but you shouldn’t ditch more than one Canadian OL at a time imo)

Willie, Garbutt 

Cole, Parker, Ford, Holm (if not overpaying)

Sergio. 
 

FA priorities should be linemen (both sides) LB. 

If the Bombers clear out the deadwood (over O'Shea's deceased form), there ought to be enough money to upgrade a lot of other positions and keep vital players. I am of the firm opinion that Collaros is not worth the money he is being paid and he is trending is downward, so moving him is definitely an option, maybe even necessity.

Moreover, Brady's comments are indicative of the malaise in the team that other players are feeling. That he spoke so directly means he is very unhappy and the Bombers would be insane to ignore that.

Edited November 21 by Tracker

[JuranBoldenRules]

1 hour ago, sweep the leg said:

Prior years have shown we can win with average receivers and a great ol. Our decision makers decided we should start moving money from ol to wr and it hasn’t worked out. I’m a big believer in building from the line out on both sides of the ball.

I really hope we get the best ol money can buy this offseason and ride our run game again.

Which year did we win with average receivers?

Maybe 2019 when we had about 4 2-3 receivers and Harris near his peak.

2021- Lawler, Bailey, Demski, Wolitarsky, Adams

Our depth at receiver has got worse every year since.  Especially due to injury.

Our OL has also been worse every season through age, attrition and lack of positive development on guys like Dobson.

I think looking at it in terms of money is a little bit silly.  Who could they have paid?  Hardrick?  Would we be a better team with him on the sideline making $260,000 waving a towel to hype everyone up?

 

[sweep the leg]

29 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Which year did we win with average receivers?

Maybe 2019 when we had about 4 2-3 receivers and Harris near his peak.

2021- Lawler, Bailey, Demski, Wolitarsky, Adams

Our depth at receiver has got worse every year since.  Especially due to injury.

 

lol, you ask which year we won with average receivers, then concede 2019 and list a very average receiving corp from 2021. Those two years would be my answer.

 

Edited November 21 by sweep the leg

[Doublezero]

Is there any guaranteed money for Zach Collaros in the 3rd and final year (2025) of his contract? There was no reason for Kyle Walters to give him 3 years back in 2022. Yes, he led the team to 2 consecutive Grey Cups but he was just a hot/cold injury-prone CFL journeyman before landing in Peg. That fat contract ignored the totality of the player's history. Zach should have been offered 1+ deal in 2022 so the club had flexibility to keep players like Janarion Grant on our roster. You could easily argue that Kyle screwed the pooch. If Zach comes back it should be on a re-negotiated Bo Levi Mitchell style contract and no guarantees.

[bigg jay]

6 minutes ago, Doublezero said:

Is there any guaranteed money for Zach Collaros in the 3rd and final year (2025) of his contract? There was no reason for Kyle Walters to give him 3 years back in 2022. Yes, he led the team to 2 consecutive Grey Cups but he was just a hot/cold injury-prone CFL journeyman before landing in Peg. That fat contract ignored the totality of the player's history. Zach should have been offered 1+ deal in 2022 so the club had flexibility to keep players like Janarion Grant on our roster. You could easily argue that Kyle screwed the pooch. If Zach comes back it should be on a re-negotiated Bo Levi Mitchell style contract and no guarantees.

250k guarantee for next season.

[17to85]

1 hour ago, sweep the leg said:

lol, you ask which year we won with average receivers, then concede 2019 and list a very average receiving corp from 2021. Those two years would be my answer.

 

2021 was the year Lawler earned himself a 300k per year pay day...

[Sard]

I've seen a number of people comment about how letting Janarion Grant go was a huge mistake.  It's easy to say that in hindsight now, but with the injuries he had suffered and basically being out for half of the season last year (and possibly the year before as well), the team made the decision that it was time to move on from him, just like they did with Jackson Jeffcoat.  At the time that the decision was made, it made sense to go that way, so griping about it now is just sour grapes.  The fact that they weren't able to find a decent replacement is a totally different issue.

[17to85]

Well did they not find a replacement or were the special teams just not very good blocking for returners ? Cause every guy they put back there looked pretty much the same.

[wbbfan]

9 minutes ago, Sard said:

I've seen a number of people comment about how letting Janarion Grant go was a huge mistake.  It's easy to say that in hindsight now, but with the injuries he had suffered and basically being out for half of the season last year (and possibly the year before as well), the team made the decision that it was time to move on from him, just like they did with Jackson Jeffcoat.  At the time that the decision was made, it made sense to go that way, so griping about it now is just sour grapes.  The fact that they weren't able to find a decent replacement is a totally different issue.

You’re right in that it was an understandable decision in terms of health. I think at 90k though, it would’ve been a fine gamble to take. 
 The real problem is we dumped some young guys, ran through some guys who couldn’t do the job then settled on lucky who was all the down side of grant with none of the upside for probably the same money. 

[sweep the leg]

1 hour ago, 17to85 said:

2021 was the year Lawler earned himself a 300k per year pay day...

He was awesome. Nobody else had a memorable season. Our depth that year was Kelvin McKnight and Charles Nelson. 

[Sard]

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

You’re right in that it was an understandable decision in terms of health. I think at 90k though, it would’ve been a fine gamble to take. 
 The real problem is we dumped some young guys, ran through some guys who couldn’t do the job then settled on lucky who was all the down side of grant with none of the upside for probably the same money. 

True enough, but hindsight tells us that now.  To say that 90K would have made it a worthwhile gamble, if he had been injured again, the same bellyaching would be happening regarding other aging vets that need to be let go so that their replacement can be found.  Are there others who should have been let go at the same time, sure, but that's easier to say now than it was 10-12 months ago.

[JohnnyAbonny]

I’m less irritated at Grant not being re-signed than I am at the fact they didn’t give Chris Smith another shot, guy looked fast and explosive. 

[sweep the leg]

35 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

I’m less irritated at Grant not being re-signed than I am at the fact they didn’t give Chris Smith another shot, guy looked fast and explosive. 

Imo all three guys we used were fairly interchangeable, but I think Kase looked the most natural doing it. It never felt like he was going to break a big one, but I was also never scared he’d cough it up. 

[JuranBoldenRules]

4 hours ago, sweep the leg said:

lol, you ask which year we won with average receivers, then concede 2019 and list a very average receiving corp from 2021. Those two years would be my answer.

 

It’s been downhill since 2021.  2022 we get Schoen but lose Lawler and Adams.  No real threat on outside.  2023 get Lawler back but him and Schoen trade being out, Schoen is out for playoffs.  This year we lose Bailey and don’t really replace him.  Lawler and Schoen both dress for game 1 and that’s it.  No threat from the slot, real low on guys the QB trusts.  Wolitarsky out most of the year.

The more we’ve relied (or had to rely) on Demski to be our best guy out of the slot the more our O has struggled and we’ve lost.

[sweep the leg]

40 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

It’s been downhill since 2021.  2022 we get Schoen but lose Lawler and Adams.  No real threat on outside.  2023 get Lawler back but him and Schoen trade being out, Schoen is out for playoffs.  This year we lose Bailey and don’t really replace him.  Lawler and Schoen both dress for game 1 and that’s it.  No threat from the slot, real low on guys the QB trusts.  Wolitarsky out most of the year.

The more we’ve relied (or had to rely) on Demski to be our best guy out of the slot the more our O has struggled and we’ve lost.

I agree circumstance made our group worse in 2023 & 2024. I’m talking about the plan when building the team. Clearly the plan was to be stacked at rec this year, as we paid our top 4 guys approx 800-900k and relied on guys to step up on the ol. We did this with an immobile qb behind an untested line. Two guys are pushing 40, our young Canadians hadn’t proven anything, and our rt was a journeyman.

I’m  not a fan of that approach. I was hopeful it would work out, but it was a struggle. If we were going to go cheap on the ol, I wish we brought in more Americans throughout the year to challenge for some of those spots. It’s not like we didn’t have the roster flexibility to use them.

[Deiter Fan]

6 hours ago, Sard said:

I've seen a number of people comment about how letting Janarion Grant go was a huge mistake.  It's easy to say that in hindsight now, but with the injuries he had suffered and basically being out for half of the season last year (and possibly the year before as well), the team made the decision that it was time to move on from him, just like they did with Jackson Jeffcoat.  At the time that the decision was made, it made sense to go that way, so griping about it now is just sour grapes.  The fact that they weren't able to find a decent replacement is a totally different issue.

That's certainly one way to look at it.

Toronto saw/knew all the same things we did and went with him and it paid off pretty well.

Another example of coaches/management with better insight/foresight? Dumb luck?

 

Edited November 21 by Deiter Fan

[JuranBoldenRules]

6 hours ago, sweep the leg said:

I agree circumstance made our group worse in 2023 & 2024. I’m talking about the plan when building the team. Clearly the plan was to be stacked at rec this year, as we paid our top 4 guys approx 800-900k and relied on guys to step up on the ol. We did this with an immobile qb behind an untested line. Two guys are pushing 40, our young Canadians hadn’t proven anything, and our rt was a journeyman.

I’m  not a fan of that approach. I was hopeful it would work out, but it was a struggle. If we were going to go cheap on the ol, I wish we brought in more Americans throughout the year to challenge for some of those spots. It’s not like we didn’t have the roster flexibility to use them.

Again though, planning….which OL did you want to spend on?  It’s nice to say that but you need the player available to sign.

Hardrick is beyond cooked.  Gray retired.  There was no impactful free agent the past couple years.  Look at Sask…they’ve signed them all.

I’d say this season really proved that Collaros needs a certain type of receiver to fit the offense he runs.  And for some reason nearly all the guys we brought in this year were not that body type.  We needed a returner too but we had like 20 rookie receivers and like 3 of them were 6’2 or more.

I’d go all in on receivers if you want to win.  If you can’t pass for first downs in this league you can’t win a game.  OL is important too but there’s a lot less of them around.  Bombers likely need to replace 3 this year.

Edited November 21 by JuranBoldenRules