2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[Colin Unger]

Was really disappointing from a cap perspective when Wilson signed in the NFL. He would have provided a lot of surplus cap value coming back on his rookie deal. Maybe Woli is still on the team if we got this kind of cap value from Wilson rather than from a rookie Canadian receiver we end up drafting. Probably looking at about 40k in cap savings by dressing a player we draft in the 2nd or 3rd round instead of Woli. Does anyone know if we qualify for another compensation pick due to ranking in the top 2 of Nationals snaps per team?

Looks like the team has a desire to change your cap allocation. They're trying to take advantage of value (Clercius, Mitchell, ect)  at receiver in order to redistribute that wealth somewhere else.  I noticed also that our right tackle Loften is currently unsigned. I hope that they move on from him with the cheaper and probably better Randolph penciled in as the starter.  Should be plenty of cap savings here to re-sign Dobsen and add to the defense. 

[Mike]

1 minute ago, Colin Unger said:

Was really disappointing from a cap perspective when Wilson signed in the NFL. He would have provided a lot of surplus cap value coming back on his rookie deal. Maybe Woli is still on the team if we got this kind of cap value from Wilson rather than from a rookie Canadian receiver we end up drafting. Probably looking at about 40k in cap savings by dressing a player we draft in the 2nd or 3rd round instead of Woli. Does anyone know if we qualify for another compensation pick due to ranking in the top 2 of Nationals snaps per team?

Looks like the team has a desire to change your cap allocation. They're trying to take advantage of value (Clercius, Mitchell, ect)  at receiver in order to redistribute that wealth somewhere else.  I noticed also that our right tackle Loften is currently unsigned. I hope that they move on from him with the cheaper and probably better Randolph penciled in as the starter.  Should be plenty of cap savings here to re-sign Dobsen and add to the defense. 

Mitchell didn’t come cheap, so I’m not sure any of this has much to it

[Goalie]

Sounds like Dobson wants to be the highest paid guard in the league or around there. I’m not sure he’s worth it. 

[Colin Unger]

Just now, Mike said:

Mitchell didn’t come cheap, so I’m not sure any of this has much to it

That's sort of my point. At the end of the day im expecting us to replace Woli, Wilson, Lawler and Scheon with Clercius, Mitchell, one of Lewis, Schoen, or Lawler at lower salary then they were being paid last year. It will end up being a net gain in cap space. Had Wilson come back maybe we don't sign Mitchell and maybe we don't cut Wolitarsky. 

[rebusrankin]

I feel like somebody needs to go to Walters and ask him to explain how we move on from Biggie and Woli but not Jake. Ie explain it to me like I'm 5.

[Colin Unger]

1 minute ago, rebusrankin said:

I feel like somebody needs to go to Walters and ask him to explain how we move on from Biggie and Woli but not Jake. Ie explain it to me like I'm 5.

Jake played 36 games the last two years would likely be where he would start the conversation. 

[HardCoreBlue]

3 hours ago, Colin Unger said:

Jake played 36 games the last two years would likely be where he would start the conversation. 

My response: Simply physically being at work doesn't mean you're working.

Edited Monday at 07:28 PM by HardCoreBlue
your versus you're strikes me yet again

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

man....all i gotta say...Jake...vs Woli...who would you rather have?...and prob similar price points......we better have some insane Free Agency agenda as to me this off-season so far hasnt been overly positive with players...coaching...management

It’s not like we are deep at ni wr either. We’ve been starting two ni WRs, with basically 1 back up. 
 

Big Kev can do it very thing woli was doing on O, and has a ton of up side. But Demski isn’t a spring chicken either. Confounding move to say the least. 
 

only things I can think is 1) they want to flip the ratio and go 1 ni wr, 2) penny pinching like others have said. 
 110k isn’t peanuts, but with a 70k ish base rookie salary it isn’t tremendous savings either. This has got to spell doom for a guy like Augustine. 
 

We needed to move on from long in the tooth over priced vets but a huge list of guys should’ve come before woli. I love Demski, hes had his two highest production years back to back with good health. But if we need to save cash his 225k+ could be better served else where. He isn’t the jet sweep guy any more, or the guy blocking down field he used to be. No fault of his own, it’s his usage and wear n tear catching up. 
 We’ve seen that with guys like lawler and schoen out, Demski doesn’t become a no1 wr. Hes a damn good no3 ni wr. But we are paying him no1 money. 
 

Expecting to see more of this now though. We are clearly cutting space to add big in free agency. Don’t think we were 40k away from what we needed. More will come im sure.

Also certain with this move that we aren’t gonna spend like the B.C. lions against the cap this year. 

16 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Sounds like Dobson wants to be the highest paid guard in the league or around there. I’m not sure he’s worth it. 

I’m the biggest Dobson booster here. He isn’t. He isn’t even close to worth that kind of money. 
 I’m a big believer in what he can turn into and how good he will be this year. Last year was his first season starting and our ol was in shambles. But he isn’t desjarlais or in that tier. He’s not in the tier below drew either. 
 
Drew made 260k. Big Stan made like 176k. Chung got 202k, which is a bit of an over pay. I wouldn’t give Dobson 200k. 150-180k with some incentives on a multi year deal, I’d take that gamble. North of 200k he should kick rocks. 

[bluto]

53 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Dom Wooganowski.... Not getting to play in the home GC. That's definitely a surprise. I remember a quote from him saying that if he's not playing in Winnipeg, he doesn't want to play at all. We'll see if that holds true. Also agree that no Woogie likely means no Strev. 

Congrats on winning the 2025 West Final.

[Booch]

15 minutes ago, Colin Unger said:

Jake played 36 games the last two years would likely be where he would start the conversation. 

36 games of insequantial productivity or impact all the while stunting the development of younger guys...Import and National as well as offering no value on teams....start with this

 

12 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

My response: Simply physically being at work doesn't mean your working.

I could suit up again and play 18 games....make the odd play and avoid injury by rarely being involved in the fraccass too...or being a missile bee-lining to the play...not just being in a spot where the play basically runs into after yards are gained

5 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

It’s not like we are deep at ni wr either. We’ve been starting two ni WRs, with basically 1 back up. 
 

Big Kev can do it very thing woli was doing on O, and has a ton of up side. But Demski isn’t a spring chicken either. Confounding move to say the least. 
 

only things I can think is 1) they want to flip the ratio and go 1 ni wr, 2) penny pinching like others have said. 
 110k isn’t peanuts, but with a 70k ish base rookie salary it isn’t tremendous savings either. This has got to spell doom for a guy like Augustine. 
 

We needed to move on from long in the tooth over priced vets but a huge list of guys should’ve come before woli. I love Demski, hes had his two highest production years back to back with good health. But if we need to save cash his 225k+ could be better served else where. He isn’t the jet sweep guy any more, or the guy blocking down field he used to be. No fault of his own, it’s his usage and wear n tear catching up. 
 We’ve seen that with guys like lawler and schoen out, Demski doesn’t become a no1 wr. Hes a damn good no3 ni wr. But we are paying him no1 money. 
 

Expecting to see more of this now though. We are clearly cutting space to add big in free agency. Don’t think we were 40k away from what we needed. More will come im sure.

Also certain with this move that we aren’t gonna spend like the B.C. lions against the cap this year. 

we have 2 guys right now...And Demski isnt a guy who avoids injury either

My fear with Ratio flip is we will see moocho Thomas and Schmeck.....alongside Lawson (who deserves reps) and minimal Adams..Woods..Fox...or another import....and If god forbid Lawson gets hurt...all Thomas and Schmeck.....makes a guy wanna puke

That would be the worst interior dline bar none across the league...even an interior with Jake,,Schmeck....and pic one import and Lawson as the main guys...is worst in league inside

Just now, bluto said:

Congrats on winning the 2025 West Final.

if we do...may be an away gane at this rate

[SpeedFlex27]

32 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

My response: Simply physically being at work doesn't mean your working.

Thomas is not physical, either. He constantly gets stood up on pass rush, blown back on run support at the 0, 1, 2 & 2i technique depending upon where he lines up in a 3 or 4 man front & gets washed away on sweeps. 

Edited Monday at 04:14 PM by SpeedFlex27

[Mike]

38 minutes ago, Colin Unger said:

That's sort of my point. At the end of the day im expecting us to replace Woli, Wilson, Lawler and Scheon with Clercius, Mitchell, one of Lewis, Schoen, or Lawler at lower salary then they were being paid last year. It will end up being a net gain in cap space. Had Wilson come back maybe we don't sign Mitchell and maybe we don't cut Wolitarsky. 

What? I can’t follow any of this. Your first post said Mitchell provides value. We’re paying him almost 150k. I don’t get what you’re saying here at all.

[Goalie]

Isn’t it likely Wilson is back. I mean he’s lucky if he makes it to the jets main camp. 

[SpeedFlex27]

48 minutes ago, Colin Unger said:

Was really disappointing from a cap perspective when Wilson signed in the NFL. He would have provided a lot of surplus cap value coming back on his rookie deal. Maybe Woli is still on the team if we got this kind of cap value from Wilson rather than from a rookie Canadian receiver we end up drafting. Probably looking at about 40k in cap savings by dressing a player we draft in the 2nd or 3rd round instead of Woli. Does anyone know if we qualify for another compensation pick due to ranking in the top 2 of Nationals snaps per team?

Looks like the team has a desire to change your cap allocation. They're trying to take advantage of value (Clercius, Mitchell, ect)  at receiver in order to redistribute that wealth somewhere else.  I noticed also that our right tackle Loften is currently unsigned. I hope that they move on from him with the cheaper and probably better Randolph penciled in as the starter.  Should be plenty of cap savings here to re-sign Dobsen and add to the defense. 

You're not supposed to be disappointed. You're supposed to he HAPPPPY!!

[Booch]

For a QB who relies heavily on trusted vets...and almost under performs without them...and has said himself that Woli is "that guy" for him in many situations...pooching him seems like a bad decision...he would have been perfect also to.mentor Clercius along as well...we saw huge drop off when Woli was missing  with Zc performance 

We saw nothing but better play when Thomas sat out plays...

Edited Monday at 04:24 PM by Booch

[SpeedFlex27]

4 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Isn’t it likely Wilson is back. I mean he’s lucky if he makes it to the jets main camp. 

Nobody can really say. It all depends.

[JuranBoldenRules]

2 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Isn’t it likely Wilson is back. I mean he’s lucky if he makes it to the jets main camp. 

There's no timeline forcing him to return.  If he spends 4 weeks on a NFL practice roster he's netted more money than he'd make on his CFL deal.  If he has any hope of latching on anywhere I could see a scenario, like with Ford, where he hangs out all year hoping for the call.

In the old option year deal the CFL had with the NFL, before the CFL opted out of it, players had 10 days to sign another NFL deal before they had to return to their CFL club during the CFL season.

All this to say that if I'm a CFL GM I'm not counting on having a guy in Wilson's situation back this year.

[SpeedFlex27]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

For a QB who relies heavily on trusted vets...and almost under performs without them...and has said himself that Woli is "that guy" for him in many situations...poaching him seems like a bad decision...he would have been perfect also to.mentot Clercius along as well...we saw huge drop off when Woli was missing  with Zc performance 

We saw nothing but better play when Thomas sat out plays...

Guess they want to sign Schoen AND Lawler. 

[Goalie]

Jake was signed so ppl can have something to complain about. That’s obvious by now. What’s he being paid? Bet he took a cut.  As for woli and O guys, outside of Brady, our O sucked. I have no issue with trying different guys on O. All this cash spent on the O and we put up under 20 points most games. Changes on the O side were inevitable. Why ppl pretending our O was any good?  I’ll bet there’s more change there. 

Edited Monday at 04:39 PM by Goalie

[Arnold_Palmer]

I’m willing to give Walters the benefit of the doubt, we don’t have the finished product yet. If we’re going to be players in free agency something has to give. Glad we’re trimming the fat a little bit. I’ll reserve judgment on Thomas and Wilson because I don’t know the salary implications. And that’s with me believing we should have moved on from both, but if they were willing to take a cut because they know there future is limited then I can live with that. As long as there’s a plan to trust our scouting and be a player in free agency I’ll trust Walters plan. 

[do or die]

35 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Thomas is not physical, either. He constantly gets stood up on pass rush, blown back on run support at the 0, 1, 2 & 2i technique depending upon where he lines up in a 3 or 4 man front & gets washed away on sweeps. 

He makes up for it with his range.....

[bearpants]

1 hour ago, HardCoreBlue said:

My response: Simply physically being at work doesn't mean your working.

I feel personally attacked right now!

[rebusrankin]

Jake making any salary is an overpay. We cut the guy 6 years ago and nobody else wanted him.

[Goalie]

8 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Jake making any salary is an overpay. We cut the guy 6 years ago and nobody else wanted him.

There is the possibility that he is released also. I mean lots can happen between now and June really. Is every signing or release they make is gonna be ya but Jake? Cuz I don’t see the relation at all. I wouldn’t have signed him but they did so you move on cuz there’s nothing we can do about it really. Can hope he is let go closer to June. 
 

the team wasn’t great last year. I expected some turn over this off season and it seems that’s what we getting.  Outside of kyrie it seems they moving on from guys who are coming off back to back injuries. The kyrie signing is the only one that I’m not a fan of since he’s never healthy. Jake hasn’t been hurt in 7 years so you can understand the logic a bit. 

Edited Monday at 05:10 PM by Goalie

[3rdand1.5]

Wish Woli the best....he was the kinda player fans just liked, seemed like an awesome spirit he did....

 

I am unsure on the Jake and Kyrie re-ups, but believe we made the correct decision on Biggie

 

I am really curious to see what our receivers and o-line will look like...and what the market is on some of these guys...it seems receiver is trending down pretty drastically...but all it takes is one overpay to re-skew it