2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[Fatty Liver]

Just now, Goalie said:

Is Tyrell Ford a product of the system ? Cuz Demario Houston looked just as good in his spot. I’m curious if he’s being overrated because Canadian db. But really you should be able to find a rookie to play on a minimum contract and save $$$ for elsewhere. 

Parker and Bond are both corners, no need to put a rookie in the secondary.

[Noeller]

2 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Is Tyrell Ford a product of the system ? Cuz Demario Houston looked just as good in his spot. I’m curious if he’s being overrated because Canadian db. But really you should be able to find a rookie to play on a minimum contract and save $$$ for elsewhere. 

Houston was maybe half as good as Ford. Houston got burned as often as he made picks. Ford was rarely burned. 

[Tracker]

6 hours ago, bluto said:

If I had to guess? 3 things:

-salary pinch is real and we're still likely to see a lot of guys get thanked for their service...

-Jones was getting NFL looks not long ago but wasn't that guy as the year went on

-Isaac Darkangelo 

Concert Hall!

Paul Simon says the word is "tenement hall", dammit.

[17to85]

24 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Tyrell Ford a product of the system ? Cuz Demario Houston looked just as good in his spot.

Wrong... and not just wrong but you should probably feel shame

[kelownabomberfan]

Bombers re-sign team's longest-serving player, Jake Thomas

[ShyGuy]

31 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Is Tyrell Ford a product of the system ? Cuz Demario Houston looked just as good in his spot. I’m curious if he’s being overrated because Canadian db. But really you should be able to find a rookie to play on a minimum contract and save $$$ for elsewhere. 

Houston had lots of picks because he had lots of opportunities to get picks because QBs would throw to him.

Ford had some of the best metrics for DBs, it was just when QBs forgot themselves and decided to throw to his side of the field he was as likely to catch the ball as the offense was.

[wbbfan]

50 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Parker and Bond are both corners, no need to put a rookie in the secondary.

Parker is a Sam, and bonds is the other corner. We will likely be flipping a guy who’s used to playing inside, out. I don’t think we will need to start a rookie  I think we will have plenty of vets with in to promote  

 

51 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Houston was maybe half as good as Ford. Houston got burned as often as he made picks. Ford was rarely burned. 

At very best. Also the D changed substantially. 

[Booch]

3 hours ago, Pete said:

now your anti thomas bias is having you just make up stuff ignoring any facts.

Smeckle had 6 tackles despite getting a number of chances....6 to Thomas's 23! Thomas.  is one of OSheas boys and  Smeckle isn't far off. We need and should want a better alternative.

Not signing Thomas just means wed have to sign another dlineman, wed save maybe 30k. Not even in the ball park of what it would take to sign Ford. No way do we let that stand in the way of signing Ford if it comes down to that.  Also there is always the option if we do need to cut for salary cap reasons to get a player we need we still can. (or if we are able to draft a better option.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we dont need to sign another canadian dlineman tho...we already had 3 under contract...aswell as a global....likely draft one at minimum....and again no need really to have to always have one on the field...so that signing at over 100k easily....prob closer to 120...130....is a big why?

Thomas had more tackles in likely 3x the reps....and a lot of Thomas tackles were basically a play that ran right into him...not from some extraordinary effort or play....Take whatever they pad him...where would that amount be more well served...retaining Dobson....saved for monies to go to Ford....a good portion of say Ceresna/McManus....

52 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Wrong... and not just wrong but you should probably feel shame

Ford plays the easiest position in the secondary in theCFL....Not discounting his play or skill as he has it in spades....but that spot is easily filled....at cheaper if we have to.

For what we pay Nichols....Kramdi which is a real head scratcher...now Holm....and just wasted money on Thomas....we can effectively kiss Ford good bye as we are not gonna invest over 500k in 4 db's....thats just SMS suicide...3 at over 130k right now is a bad allotment....considering we in dire need of an impact linebacker...interior dlineman....still need to sigh Schoen and Lawler....really should be going after an elite olineman.....be it a tackle or a guard who has abilty to slide out

[Brandon]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

Thomas had more tackles in likely 3x the reps....and a lot of Thomas tackles were basically a play that ran right into him...not from some extraordinary effort or play....

Without Willie he would have half the amount of tackles/sacks.   

If Willie had any support from anyone else on the line his numbers would be much higher.   

[WBBFanWest]

6 hours ago, Goalie said:

Ford isn’t even talking CFL contract right now. He’s concentrating on nfl opportunities. Thomas has nothing to do with Ford. 

Having owned one before, I can heartily agree with this statement

[wbbfan]

3 hours ago, Booch said:

we dont need to sign another canadian dlineman tho...we already had 3 under contract...aswell as a global....likely draft one at minimum....and again no need really to have to always have one on the field...so that signing at over 100k easily....prob closer to 120...130....is a big why?

Thomas had more tackles in likely 3x the reps....and a lot of Thomas tackles were basically a play that ran right into him...not from some extraordinary effort or play....Take whatever they pad him...where would that amount be more well served...retaining Dobson....saved for monies to go to Ford....a good portion of say Ceresna/McManus....

Ford plays the easiest position in the secondary in theCFL....Not discounting his play or skill as he has it in spades....but that spot is easily filled....at cheaper if we have to.

For what we pay Nichols....Kramdi which is a real head scratcher...now Holm....and just wasted money on Thomas....we can effectively kiss Ford good bye as we are not gonna invest over 500k in 4 db's....thats just SMS suicide...3 at over 130k right now is a bad allotment....considering we in dire need of an impact linebacker...interior dlineman....still need to sigh Schoen and Lawler....really should be going after an elite olineman.....be it a tackle or a guard who has abilty to slide out

Yep. Ford is high on the list of guys in the secondary I want to retain. But we are in a damn tight spot with soo many expensive dbs already. 
 

When I roughly broke down the league avg salary for the top 10 at each position group, it was clear we had a ton of guys over that amount and were over the average by a lot at some spots. Db and dl is where we’ve been saving money. It won’t likely be the case this year. Gotta cut from some where. 

[Mike]

Bombers not offering Bighill a contract ahead of free agency according to Jeff Hamilton

 

my first daughter was born Monday and this still might be the best news I’ve had all week

[rebusrankin]

So let's mull this over. Last year, we move on from Jeffcoat due to his injury history and price. It seems we are doing the same this year with Bighill. (I am fine with both moves). However Jake Thomas manages to be brought back yet again? What the heck?

 

@Mike congrats.

[HardCoreBlue]

3 hours ago, Mike said:

Bombers not offering Bighill a contract ahead of free agency according to Jeff Hamilton

 

my first daughter was born Monday and this still might be the best news I’ve had all week

Congrats!

[HardCoreBlue]

3 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

So let's mull this over. Last year, we move on from Jeffcoat due to his injury history and price. It seems we are doing the same this year with Bighill. (I am fine with both moves). However Jake Thomas manages to be brought back yet again? What the heck?

 

@Mike congrats.

Oh stop it with your biased anti-Thomas rhetoric said one who is not paying attention to reality.

[Noeller]

5 hours ago, Mike said:

Bombers not offering Bighill a contract ahead of free agency according to Jeff Hamilton

 

my first daughter was born Monday and this still might be the best news I’ve had all week

Happy for you bro... But wild about Biggie. 

[Blue In BC]

Yeah, I thought Bighill might be pushed off the roster. While I think he can still add value, roster size, SMS and younger LB's will make it difficult to find a spot. However, if we lose Ayers and / or choose to not re-sign Cole, that changes the math somewhat.

 

Alexander also falls into this category of thought. Although IMO we do re-sign him but begin the transition to a new starter at safety during the season. Who that player is will be a TBD.

 

[Booch]

18 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Yep. Ford is high on the list of guys in the secondary I want to retain. But we are in a damn tight spot with soo many expensive dbs already. 
 

When I roughly broke down the league avg salary for the top 10 at each position group, it was clear we had a ton of guys over that amount and were over the average by a lot at some spots. Db and dl is where we’ve been saving money. It won’t likely be the case this year. Gotta cut from some where. 

We've now got way too.much money tied into a positional group that should really be your cheapest...add Thomas into that mix and somebody is gonna face the "sorry we can't pay you " talk...which sucks as it's likely Dobson and or Ford...or both

 

10 hours ago, Noeller said:

Happy for you bro... But wild about Biggie. 

Not really...he not even gonna be ready to open season so why allocate anything now...good chance nobody will until spring to see where he at

2 hours ago, Blue In BC said:

Yeah, I thought Bighill might be pushed off the roster. While I think he can still add value, roster size, SMS and younger LB's will make it difficult to find a spot. However, if we lose Ayers and / or choose to not re-sign Cole, that changes the math somewhat.

 

Alexander also falls into this category of thought. Although IMO we do re-sign him but begin the transition to a new starter at safety during the season. Who that player is will be a TBD.

 

Cole will add way more value...versatility...and youth at a nice chunk of change less than Biggie...

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

We've now got way too.much money tied into a positional group that should really be your cheapest...add Thomas into that mix and somebody is gonna face the "sorry we can't pay you " talk...which sucks as it's likely Dobson and or Ford...or both

 

Not really...he not even gonna be ready to open season so why allocate anything now...good chance nobody will until spring to see where he at

Cole will add way more value...versatility...and youth at a nice chunk of change less than Biggie...

My concern is that by over pricing the secondary and Canadians, that we will lose many of Dobson, lawler, schoen, ford etc and have to replace them all with cheaper league vets who are slightly better than replacement level but much more expensive than replacement level players. 
 If biggie is the only hard guy to let go of (and he’s the easiest by far imo) it’s not going to be a great off season.  At that rate we will likely need one or more roty type first year guys. 

[Fatty Liver]

Interview with Dillon Mitchell, interesting fact he scored 42 TD's in his senior year in high school in about 15 games, and that doesn't include the 15 he had called back due to penalties on the play.

It Might be counterintuitive for Lawler to recommend bringing him in when his own job could be in jeopardy, but they did play together with the Elks in 2022.

[Stickem]

31 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Interview with Dillon Mitchell, interesting fact he scored 42 TD's in his senior year in high school in about 15 games, and that doesn't include the 15 he had called back due to penalties on the play.

It Might be counterintuitive for Lawler to recommend bringing him in when his own job could be in jeopardy, but they did play together with the Elks in 2022.

NO way we part with Kenny....so both will look very good on the offence......it's Dalton that might be in trouble....Missing a whole year to injury can do that to a player and Schoen might be on the bubble 

[Wanna-B-Fanboy]

This Bighill news makes me think theyvare eyeing Winton Mcmanis... he would look amazing in Blue and Gold.

[Fatty Liver]

34 minutes ago, Stickem said:

NO way we part with Kenny....so both will look very good on the offence......it's Dalton that might be in trouble....Missing a whole year to injury can do that to a player and Schoen might be on the bubble 

Could be so, but Schoen was the CFL's top receiver in his rookie season and probably would have repeated in his second season if not for injury.  Lawler has yet to match those accomplishments after 5 seasons in the league.  If nothing else Schoen has proven he's extremely efficient and focused on accomplishing his goals. 

[Booch]

1 hour ago, Fatty Liver said:

Interview with Dillon Mitchell, interesting fact he scored 42 TD's in his senior year in high school in about 15 games, and that doesn't include the 15 he had called back due to penalties on the play.

It Might be counterintuitive for Lawler to recommend bringing him in when his own job could be in jeopardy, but they did play together with the Elks in 2022.

Nahhh.....expect Lawler 1 yr deal confirmed somewhere  before Free Agency opens....Mitchell and Lawler will be a nice combo while we allow time for Schoen to rehab fully

 

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

My concern is that by over pricing the secondary and Canadians, that we will lose many of Dobson, lawler, schoen, ford etc and have to replace them all with cheaper league vets who are slightly better than replacement level but much more expensive than replacement level players. 
 If biggie is the only hard guy to let go of (and he’s the easiest by far imo) it’s not going to be a great off season.  At that rate we will likely need one or more roty type first year guys. 

yeah...Non-Priorities like Gauthier and Wilson...and pointless signing of Thomas is gonna screw us in re-signing some of our younger guys with even more upside and yrs of service ahead of them....unless we plan to disregard the salary cap we aregonna have to replace some with likely less upside....probably not as good potentially and for minimal savings

We got a boatload tied up in a minimal amount of guys and have probably now the most expensive secondary now which should be your lower teir price point group and save for Nichols only one real elite guy...thats not good...especially when we havnt solved linebacker and right now only have Gauthie, Jones and Wilson ....2 of whom are really average at best...and who knows what Wilson we get

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Wanna-B-Fanboy said:

This Bighill news makes me think theyvare eyeing Winton Mcmanis... he would look amazing in Blue and Gold.

Dare to dream but with the bodies we have already idk. 
 

19 minutes ago, Booch said:

Nahhh.....expect Lawler 1 yr deal confirmed somewhere  before Free Agency opens....Mitchell and Lawler will be a nice combo while we allow time for Schoen to rehab fully

 

yeah...Non-Priorities like Gauthier and Wilson...and pointless signing of Thomas is gonna screw us in re-signing some of our younger guys with even more upside and yrs of service ahead of them....unless we plan to disregard the salary cap we aregonna have to replace some with likely less upside....probably not as good potentially and for minimal savings

We got a boatload tied up in a minimal amount of guys and have probably now the most expensive secondary now which should be your lower teir price point group and save for Nichols only one real elite guy...thats not good...especially when we havnt solved linebacker and right now only have Gauthie, Jones and Wilson ....2 of whom are really average at best...and who knows what Wilson we get

Imagine if Walter’s whole thing about over spending cus we host the gc this year was for deception lol. Fa starts and we go full bc scooping guys. Man that’s be soo sweet. 
 

ol and dl are what I’d really like to see us spend on. And spend well.