2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[GCn20]

2 minutes ago, Pete said:

Walters/bombers are at a big disadvantage with the anchor that is Collaros contract. The majority of teams have at least 175k extra to compete for free agents. If more than one team is competing for a free agent ie Stubblefield we will not get them. 

 Have to wonder if the Lawler situation is handcuffing him as well

Collaros contract effects how much we can spend on backup more than anything else. 

[Fatty Liver]

42 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I think that Walters meticulously plans each offseason as well as he can. There are so many variables, moving parts, and things beyond his control that to not have multiple plans for the offseason would guarantee he would have lost his job in very short order. Are you suggesting that he take a fly by the seat of his pants approach?

It looks like Walters is returning to his positional balanced budget this off-season, especially if he doesn't bid high on Lawler again.  Last year he threw fiscal responsibility out the window when he blew his wad on 3 offensive players and let other useful players slip away due to lack of funds.  The balanced approach gives him the financial ability to participate in FA once again even if he can't be one of the big spenders, as long as he's prepared to make the hard cuts rationally when and where they need to be made.

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, Fatty Liver said:

It looks like Walters is returning to his positional balanced budget this off-season, especially if he doesn't bid high on Lawler again.  Last year he threw fiscal responsibility out the window when he blew his wad on 3 offensive players and let other useful players slip away due to lack of funds.  The balanced approach gives him the financial ability to participate in FA once again even if he can't be one of the big spenders, as long as he's prepared to make the hard cuts rationally when and where they need to be made.

Last year he only blew the wad on O after a couple guys turned us down. I can't see how we wouldn't have the funds to go big or go home this offseason. Lots of space was cleared. Just a matter of finding the guys that want to be here, and that make our team better. No use letting a Lawler walk but giving the same money to Lewis. I do agree that Walters probably wants to balance out a little disparity he had going because receiver $ were off script.

Edited 6 hours ago by GCn20

[Booch]

10 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

You can argue about how you think a GM carves up his SMS pie, and I will listen to what that GM has actually explained as to how he does it. If you actually listened to Walters speak he explains very fully why we do so, and why we are not the first out of the gate on high price FAs unless we are specifically targeting them. Last year we signed Lawler/Schoen/BO but only after we had whiffed on other attempts. Walters pivots only when it is clear that salary in one area allows him to do so. It's a smart strategy, that makes sure we are not just throwing cash into the wind like the Riders do.

if you do due diligence on a player, be t film...talking to players...coaches ....college coach and determine him a target then shouldnt be throwing cash into the wind...thats being exceptional in your recruitment....I agree tho on how the Riders....B.C...Hamilton seem to go about it...not a good approach

I saw Walter's theory, but also have seen and been involved with other G.m's and how they do it too...like they say...more than 1 way to skin a cat...and any approach iant necessarilythe right...or wrong....it's okay to deviate if it makes you better...it really is....honest 

[Colin Unger]

Why break the bank for Lawler when he’s always hurt or got something going on and there’s such a glut of available receivers on the market. 

[Booch]

8 minutes ago, Pete said:

Walters/bombers are at a big disadvantage with the anchor that is Collaros contract. The majority of teams have at least 175k extra to compete for free agents. If more than one team is competing for a free agent ie Stubblefield we will not get them. 

 Have to wonder if the Lawler situation is handcuffing him as well

Lawler is looking to see what market is so Walters knows the range, and likely will stay if its a reasonable and fair offer if it's a bit less...A low ball tho and he be gone...and dont blame him....or anyone for that matter

[GCn20]

Just now, Booch said:

if you do due diligence on a player, be t film...talking to players...coaches ....college coach and determine him a target then shouldnt be throwing cash into the wind...thats being exceptional in your recruitment....I agree tho on how the Riders....B.C...Hamilton seem to go about it...not a good approach

I saw Walter's theory, but also have seen and been involved with other G.m's and how they do it too...like they say...more than 1 way to skin a cat...and any approach iant necessarilythe right...or wrong....it's okay to deviate if it makes you better...it really is....honest 

I'm not suggesting that Walters won't deviate just that he won't do so until something in his plan has not worked out. He will try to balance the money first. If there are still dollars left that is when Walters will go for it. He's not typically a day one guy unless we have a huge hole to fill from a superstar leaving the fold and we are targeting another star player in his stead.

[Fatty Liver]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Last year he only blew the wad on O after a couple guys turned us down.

Who was that?  I don't remember him making offers to other team's FA's, he was handcuffed trying to re-sign his own.

 

Amazingly stupid, Rourke earns $200k more than Zach but now costs the Lions less in SMS!

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, Fatty Liver said:

Who was that?  I don't remember him making offers to other team's FA's, he was handcuffed trying to re-sign his own.

 

Amazingly stupid, Rourke earns $200k more than Zach but now costs the Lions less in SMS!

Not sure, but Walters did say that the cash for both Lawler/Schoen only opened up last minute and that it was not plan A.

Edited 6 hours ago by GCn20

[Fatty Liver]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Not sure, but Walters did say that the cash for both Lawler/Schoen only opened up last minute and that it was not plan A.

I think it was Wade giving him permission to go off script.

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I'm not suggesting that Walters won't deviate just that he won't do so until something in his plan has not worked out. He will try to balance the money first. If there are still dollars left that is when Walters will go for it. He's not typically a day one guy unless we have a huge hole to fill from a superstar leaving the fold and we are targeting another star player in his stead.

Id say a legit MLB....NOSE/DT and DE are pretty huge holes here

[GCn20]

2 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

I think it was Wade giving him permission to go off script.

Nah...he has his sms structure and it's his job to build the roster. He's got the SMS to spend how he sees fit. Doesn't need Wad's permission on who to sign.

2 minutes ago, Booch said:

Id say a legit MLB....NOSE/DT and DE are pretty huge holes here

I'd argue MLB. I think Jones did a fine job there. DE and NOSE...agreed....that's why we are letting meh talent go and are more than likely going to see something on both those fronts as well. It's day 2 of the tampering period. A ton of really good players out there.

Edited 6 hours ago by GCn20

[Booch]

1 minute ago, GCn20 said:

Nah...he has his sms structure and it's his job to build the roster. He's got the SMS to spend how he sees fit. Doesn't need Wad's permission on who to sign.

I'd argue MLB. I think Jones did a fine job there. DE and NOSE...agreed....that's why we are letting meh talent go and are more than likely going to see something on both those fronts as well.

Jones has holes in his game....big ones....he's the perfect 4th guy tho to rotate in at wil and MAC and depth...and start if need be...he's not a legit impact MLB by any stretch....or a difference maker teams scheme for

Could have traded for Flo...Obviously was on market...Ceresna went to Edm....did we even make an offer that was competitive?...Hendrix was available...as well as a few others...Throw a couple pails at Toothpickguy to make him consider, or atthe least drive up price for T.O....all would have been huge upgrades....not sure who we targeting now thats an upgrade

[Fatty Liver]

Just now, GCn20 said:

Nah...he has his sms structure and it's his job to build the roster. He's got the SMS to spend how he sees fit. Doesn't need Wad's permission on who to sign.

Before he made Brady the highest paid RB in CFL history by a large margin, he probably checked in with his 2 co-pilots to see if they were onboard with the proposition.  Logically he would have thought not to pay him because it far exceeded his RB budget, and most on here would have agreed with that decision.  Wade may have seen it differently, considering his main objective is to fill the stands with butts and sell booze.

[sweep the leg]

Gavin Cobb is coming back to MB

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/winnipeg-blue-bombers-agree-to-terms-with-manitoba-product-gavin-cobb-sources/

[bigg jay]

38 minutes ago, Goalie said:

I’ll bet Hamilton was willing to pay more or give STUBBLEFIELD an extra year. 3 year deal there. That’s likely what it comes down to. 3 years. More $$$. 

Unless it's a guaranteed contract, the extra year doesn't mean a whole lot.  These teams that go hard in FA are the same ones that cut guys early to avoid paying out the bonuses they agreed to.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Nolby said:

Lapo or Jackson, gotta be.

Lapo round 4 book it. We should have a poll and place bets lol. 

[Mike]

I like that Cobb signing. Good depth piece.

[wbbfan]

10 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

Gavin Cobb is coming back to MB

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/winnipeg-blue-bombers-agree-to-terms-with-manitoba-product-gavin-cobb-sources/

Like this move. Nice bolster to our ni wr depth. 
Ted continues to go after pieces and takes Garbutt. Argos scoop haba lol. 
 The amount of time we wasted on both is depressing. Especially since Garbutt finally started to show well in the back portion of the season. 

[Piggy 1]

13 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Lapo round 4 book it. We should have a poll and place bets lol. 

Lord ,I hope not..........

[Fatty Liver]

37 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

Gavin Cobb is coming back to MB

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/winnipeg-blue-bombers-agree-to-terms-with-manitoba-product-gavin-cobb-sources/

Fantastic!  He's a good punt returner and could turn into a decent receiver if he could mimic Dressler.

Edited 5 hours ago by Fatty Liver

[HardCoreBlue]

17 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Lapo round 4 book it. We should have a poll and place bets lol. 

Lapo has so much potential to carve out a great long career in the broadcast booth. He is no where near reaching his full potential in this industry. He just needs some polishing and continued uninterrupted experience.

The CFL needs him much more than the Winnipeg Blue Bombers do.

[Pete]

4 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

Fantastic!  He's a good punt returner and could turn into a decent receiver in if he could mimic Dressler.

I'm not sure that Cobb moves the needle at all, he's at best a back up punt returner, as a receiver he's not the type of receiver that Zac likes to throw to. 

I know Walters said we would be more active in free agency, but Id hoped it was for some impact players

[Mike]

1 minute ago, Pete said:

I'm not sure that Cobb moves the needle at all, he's at best a back up punt returner, as a receiver he's not the type of receiver that Zac likes to throw to. 

I know Walters said we would be more active in free agency, but Id hoped it was for some impact players

I’m not sure why people are even remotely worried about our work in free agency … Dillon Mitchell and Jonathan Jones are both real big pieces in my eyes, Schoen brought back is a huge win, almost every valuable OL is still out there for now and we’re doing a decent job of picking up some depth where we need it.

[rebusrankin]

32 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Lapo round 4 book it. We should have a poll and place bets lol. 

Paul LaPolice Chapter Four: Coming to the CFL in the spring of 2025.