2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[Goalie]

I mean. Zach. Brady. Lawler likely. Demski. Mitchell. Clercius. Woli. Wheatfall. Wilson *** Schoen ****.

i don’t think they going after free agents on the O side of things unless oline.  Didn’t stop Mitchell from signing with us. Prob not a huge deal to players. The 5 cup finals prob means more and $$$$$$$$$ 

Edited yesterday at 04:19 AM by Goalie

[Mark H.]

2 minutes ago, Goalie said:

 The 5 cup finals prob means more and $$$$$$$$$ 

A guy on an entry level contract makes an additional 20K in playoff money - that's huge.

[Goalie]

1 minute ago, Mark H. said:

A guy on an entry level contract makes an additional 20K in playoff money - that's huge.

It’s almost guaranteed here at this point. Yuge 

[SpeedFlex27]

6 hours ago, Mark H. said:

A guy on an entry level contract makes an additional 20K in playoff money - that's huge.

There are 3 or 4 other teams who have as good a chance as us or even better chance to win a GC (Argos, Als, Riders & maybe the Lions) so it's no guarantee players all want to come here. In other words, we'll have to stand in line to sign free agents just like any other team. Players don't necessarily want to come here first. Not having an OC in place doesn't help. 

Edited 22 hours ago by SpeedFlex27

[Mark H.]

The Riders?? The Lions?? Based on what - last year's playoff performance? 

[rebusrankin]

7 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

There are 3 or 4 other teams who have as good a chance as us or even better chance to win a GC (Argos, Als, Riders & maybe the Lions) so it's no guarantee players all want to come here. In other words, we'll have to stand in line to sign free agents just like any other team. Players don't necessarily want to come here first. Not having an OC in place doesn't help. 

I'll give you the first two but the Riders? Nah Bra

[SpeedFlex27]

13 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

I'll give you the first two but the Riders? Nah Bra

The point is that we aren't the CFL mecca some here would like to think. Some star players will never sign here even if they could. Other teams may be more aggressive paying free agents. I can almost guarantee that other team's coaching staffs have a more realistic view of their personnel than we do. Wynton McManus will come here if we make him the highest paid LBer in the CFL. That's the only way. He won't come here because Osh is supposed to be a player coach. He also wants to win & wants to get paid. We could be 0-2 when it comes to his belief in those things. Same with a lot of players. 

[MOBomberFan]

I imagine McManus goes to whomever makes him the biggest guaranteed offer regardless of their playoff chances, money talks

[SpeedFlex27]

3 minutes ago, MOBomberFan said:

I imagine McManus goes to whomever makes him the biggest guaranteed offer regardless of their playoff chances, money talks

He won't sign with an also ran. \why would he? Then he can also make playoff money. Think Calgary or Edmonton give him that chance? Why sign there when he has a chance to make the same or more somewhere else.

[GCn20]

19 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

The point is that we aren't the CFL mecca some here would like to think. Some star players will never sign here even if they could. Other teams may be more aggressive paying free agents. I can almost guarantee that other team's coaching staffs have a more realistic view of their personnel than we do. Wynton McManus will come here if we make him the highest paid LBer in the CFL. That's the only way. He won't come here because Osh is supposed to be a player coach. He also wants to win & wants to get paid. We could be 0-2 when it comes to his belief in those things. Same with a lot of players. 

Over the past several years we have had absolutely no problem attracting high profile players here and have done an outstanding job of retaining our own. I have no reason to believe that any players do not view us a desirable destination. The ONLY one...nope....but certainly agents and players listen when we call and that is irrefutable.

[SpeedFlex27]

44 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Over the past several years we have had absolutely no problem attracting high profile players here and have done an outstanding job of retaining our own. I have no reason to believe that any players do not view us a desirable destination. The ONLY one...nope....but certainly agents and players listen when we call and that is irrefutable.

That's my point, we aren't the only destination for free agents. We didn't get as high a grade from the CFLPA as I thought we would, Players want to know what kind of team they'll be playing for before they sign. There's no reason to take this long to sign an OC. After 11 seasons as a HC, if O'Shea needs this much time to find the right OC something's wrong.

[GCn20]

34 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

That's my point, we aren't the only destination for free agents. We didn't get as high a grade from the CFLPA as I thought we would, Players want to know what kind of team they'll be playing for before they sign. There's no reason to take this long to sign an OC. After 11 seasons as a HC, if O'Shea needs this much time to find the right OC something's wrong.

It's January 20th, relax. For all we know he's got his guy already and it just isn't announced yet. As for the CFLPA gradings, I think we did pretty good. No red flags there. Where we scored high on them are in the areas of importance, and where we scored lower was on the nit-picky issues. You got your poop tied in a knot about OC, but it could very well be that our new guy has asked for time first before the announcement. CFL staffs do not regularly report for work until the end of February. I understand the trepidation about not knowing who will command our offence as a fan, but realistically we don't need to rush this process.

Edited 18 hours ago by GCn20

[Bigblue204]

30 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

It's January 20th, relax. For all we know he's got his guy already and it just isn't announced yet. As for the CFLPA gradings, I think we did pretty good. No red flags there. Where we scored high on them are in the areas of importance, and where we scored lower was on the nit-picky issues. You got your poop tied in a knot about OC, but it could very well be that our new guy has asked for time first before the announcement. CFL staffs do not regularly report for work until the end of February. I understand the trepidation about not knowing who will command our offence as a fan, but realistically we don't need to rush this process.

100%. Not something that should be ignored for too long. But I'm doubtful players are looking at those and deciding they don't want to go to wpg because the plane they use to travel isn't great.

[Goalie]

Money goes further in Winnipeg than Toronto Montreal Calgary Vancouver. 
 

im not sure how that isn’t a factor for an American sending $$ back home. 

[Booch]

3 hours ago, Mark H. said:

The Riders?? The Lions?? Based on what - last year's playoff performance? 

yeah....based on our last playoff performance...why should we be a lock....esoecially if we end up brnging back most of the gang who have failed in 3 straight....and we know if Biggie wasnt injured and not gonna be ready...he's been signed before xmas

This yr the west in my opinion gonna be wide open....and if we start the season the same way...same mentality and with the leisure suit and sensible shoes style of camp we put forth last yr...I dont see us hosting a playoff game

2 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Over the past several years we have had absolutely no problem attracting high profile players here and have done an outstanding job of retaining our own. I have no reason to believe that any players do not view us a desirable destination. The ONLY one...nope....but certainly agents and players listen when we call and that is irrefutable.

which also was part of our failure

 

[Mark H.]

9 minutes ago, Booch said:

yeah....based on our last playoff performance...why should we be a lock....esoecially if we end up brnging back most of the gang who have failed in 3 straight....and we know if Biggie wasnt injured and not gonna be ready...he's been signed before xmas

Neither of those two teams was going to beat us in the playoffs last year. They have not done much separate themselves.

That's all I'm saying.

[Booch]

Just now, Mark H. said:

Neither of those two teams was going to beat us in the playoffs last year. They have not done much separate themselves.

That's all I'm saying.

oh I agree....but we beat a weeak and poorly coached weak sister...then got schooled by a really well coached team....and this yr looked really bad in doing so.....we aint no lock without some serious tweaks and changes...and especially if Osh continues Oshin'....reg seson wins mean jack....so they yeah buts about the record before the game that matters most is moot...and doesnt need to be mentioned....as it meant diddly 3 yrs running

we have seen first hand a good team...put in a positio to win with top players who arent over the hill can win a cup without hosting a Final...and even not even hosting a game

[GCn20]

24 minutes ago, Booch said:

yeah....based on our last playoff performance...why should we be a lock....esoecially if we end up brnging back most of the gang who have failed in 3 straight....and we know if Biggie wasnt injured and not gonna be ready...he's been signed before xmas

This yr the west in my opinion gonna be wide open....and if we start the season the same way...same mentality and with the leisure suit and sensible shoes style of camp we put forth last yr...I dont see us hosting a playoff game

which also was part of our failure

 

Retaining Stan Bryant, Adam Bighill in his prime, Andrew Harris in his prime, BO in his prime, Schoen and Lawler last year, etc. etc. etc. were part of our failure? I get that you don't like how long we hang onto some guys. but my point is that we have attracted a lot of stud players, and retained almost all the studs we developed. To suggest we are some also-ran in the FA game is a gross exaggeration. We are a team that is able to attract FA's if we decide to go that route. This year, we should go that route. No doubt about it. Walters has said we will be active, I expect we will be. Is Walters crying poor right now? Yep...as is every other GM because they are all trying to get the best deals on retaining their own pending FAs. I think Walters makes some big splashes in the pool this year. We haven't done it in a few years, but over his tenure he has made some big moves when we needed it. Not sure if McManis is a guy they are targeting, but if he is, I think we will definitely be in the mix.

Edited 17 hours ago by GCn20

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Retaining Stan Bryant, Adam Bighill in his prime, Andrew Harris in his prime, BO in his prime, Schoen and Lawler last year, etc. etc. etc. were part of our failure? I get that you don't like how long we hang onto some guys. but my point is that we have attracted a lot of stud players, and retained almost all the studs we developed. To suggest we are some also-ran in the FA game is a gross exaggeration. We are a team that is able to attract FA's if we decide to go that route. This year, we should go that route.

Bighill hasnt been prime for 2.5 yrs and I agree we can attract giys...and find them for that matter

Issue is being out coached and out classed...and not playing the better player in key spots

 

 

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

Bighill hasnt been prime for 2.5 yrs and I agree we can attract giys...and find them for that matter

Issue is being out coached and out classed...and not playing the better player in key spots

 

 

In some spots I agree. Out classed? That;s ridiculous. Out coached...for sure...at times. That being said all signs point to the Bombers recognizing the need for some roster makeover, so let's see what happens.

Edited 17 hours ago by GCn20

[Booch]

6 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

In some spots I agree. Out classed? That;s ridiculous. Out coached...for sure...at times. That being said all signs point to the Bombers recognizing the need for some roster makeover, so let's see what happens.

outclassed coaching wise....not player/characterwise....you cant deny it...Mass and Dimwittie outcoached Osh 3 straight yrs

 

[greenrider55]

16 hours ago, WinnipegGordo said:

Bombers signed DB Quandre Mosely.

6 foot 1, played at University of Kentucky, bounced around the NFL for a couple of seasons. 

The guy seems to be pretty fast.

 

 

He’s a stud, I remember watching him in college.

Inevitable Bombers DB signing who winds up being an all star.

[MOBomberFan]

3 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

He won't sign with an also ran. \why would he? Then he can also make playoff money. Think Calgary or Edmonton give him that chance? Why sign there when he has a chance to make the same or more somewhere else.

What if an also-ran offered more than a contender even after playoff bonuses? Like I say, money talks, if he can make more $ losing I bet he would/will time will tell and soon

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

outclassed coaching wise....not player/characterwise....you cant deny it...Mass and Dimwittie outcoached Osh 3 straight yrs

 

No denying that. Thanks for the clarification. Although, I would say our coordinators were the ones outclassed. 

Edited 15 hours ago by GCn20

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

No denying that. Thanks for the clarification. Although, I would say our coordinators were the ones outclassed. 

No pron...after reading the post I seen how it could be looked at like player wise....which it wasnt....good players...for most part but were not coached to put them in best positin to win those games.....and they can't go rogue so....

it all runs thru HC tho.....and it's also up to HC to make a change if things go off rails and the co-ordinator is not adjusting....HC also makes the roster

I bet if Younger got carte blanche with roster for defense it would look a lot different