2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[wbbfan]

7 hours ago, WinnipegGordo said:

and the Riders signed Kerfalla Exumé.

Still a solid teams guy for them. Good move. 

 

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

I wonder why nobody thought he was worth bringing in for a look last year?  Even Faith Ekakitie was picked up (also by Montreal oddly enough) shortly after we cut him loose.

Hey was with Montreal in 24 after we cut him, then he was under contract in 25. I believe he was cut and or injured in camp with them last year and sat out after that. 

1 hour ago, Bigblue204 said:

I'm interested to see if he's improved any. Doubtful, but you never know.

Think he's turning 29 this year. As much as any one I think he's TCF. 

[bigg jay]

Recap & salary details of the Bombers FA's. 

Vaughters - $160k

Mitchell - $148k (with a 8k bonus if he ever hits his 2000 yards receiving goal! 😂)

Jones - $120.5k

Logan - $107.5k

Patterson - $88k

White - $85k

Sterns - $90k

Cobb, Gowanlock, Hagerty & Makonzo - between $80-85k each.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

 

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Hey was with Montreal in 24 after we cut him, then he was under contract in 25. I believe he was cut and or injured in camp with them last year and sat out after that. 

Not according to the CFL site:

https://www.cfl.ca/players/anthony-bennett/167925/

2024-05-12	WPG	DEL	Free Agent
2025-02-18	MTL	ADD	Active Roster

[sweep the leg]

Deleted

 

Edited Wednesday at 03:22 PM by sweep the leg

[wbbfan]

26 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Recap & salary details of the Bombers FA's. 

Vaughters - $160k

Mitchell - $148k (with a 8k bonus if he ever hits his 2000 yards receiving goal! 😂)

Jones - $120.5k

Logan - $107.5k

Patterson - $88k

White - $85k

Sterns - $90k

Cobb, Gowanlock, Hagerty & Makonzo - between $80-85k each.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

 

Not according to the CFL site:

https://www.cfl.ca/players/anthony-bennett/167925/

2024-05-12	WPG	DEL	Free Agent
2025-02-18	MTL	ADD	Active Roster

That is more for vaughters than I expected. Other wise pretty fair deals.

You're right, I thought he was on their pr in 24 but doesn't look like he was.  

[Goalie]

I also thought Montreal signed bennet to the PR last year but maybe I’m thinking of another former bust.  But yeah apparently he wasn’t at all. 
 

After remaining unsigned for the 2024 season, it was announced on February 18, 2025, that Bennett had signed with the Montreal Alouettes to a one-year contract.^[16]

Edited Wednesday at 03:30 PM by Goalie

[Booch]

1 hour ago, bigg jay said:

I wonder why nobody thought he was worth bringing in for a look last year?  Even Faith Ekakitie was picked up (also by Montreal oddly enough) shortly after we cut him loose.

well...he was utterly useless here...and pushing 30 now isnt he?....

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

That is more for vaughters than I expected. Other wise pretty fair deals.

You're right, I thought he was on their pr in 24 but doesn't look like he was.  

so with those relatively ceap deals....and good thing as none really are elite....where is our money allocated where we struck out on any legit big ticket guys?....ZC and 3 high DB salaries dont help..Demski and BO also are hefty...other than that...who's sucking up all the SMS?...

[GCn20]

33 minutes ago, Booch said:

well...he was utterly useless here...and pushing 30 now isnt he?....

so with those relatively ceap deals....and good thing as none really are elite....where is our money allocated where we struck out on any legit big ticket guys?....ZC and 3 high DB salaries dont help..Demski and BO also are hefty...other than that...who's sucking up all the SMS?...

One would think we should have a ton of cap still even under the old SMS numbers.

[Booch]

4 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

One would think we should have a ton of cap still even under the old SMS numbers.

you woud think....question now is...why we sitting on it...and for whom?....and do we have some money because guys we targeted...if we even targeted any...choose to go elsewhere...seems odd to me all around...especially when Kyle said we would be players in FA this yr....guys we got were not big targets across the league by any stretch

[Fatty Liver]

3 hours ago, bigg jay said:

I wonder why nobody thought he was worth bringing in for a look last year?  Even Faith Ekakitie was picked up (also by Montreal oddly enough) shortly after we cut him loose.

Bennett went down with a season ending injury in Bomber TC last season and spent the year rehabbing.  O'Shea said he would welcome him back once recovered but it looks like he changed his mind.

[Booch]

Just now, Fatty Liver said:

Bennett went down with a season ending injury in Bomber TC last season and spent the year rehabbing.  O'Shea said he would welcome him back once recovered but it looks like he changed his mind.

opted for 2 other bad canadians..Schmeck and Thomas...and cost more too hahahah

But good riddance to Bennett...was never gonna amount to spit

[rebusrankin]

Its disappointing that we seem to be underspending in a year that we're hosting the Cup.

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

you woud think....question now is...why we sitting on it...and for whom?....and do we have some money because guys we targeted...if we even targeted any...choose to go elsewhere...seems odd to me all around...especially when Kyle said we would be players in FA this yr....guys we got were not big targets across the league by any stretch

I'm not sure. I do know that Lawler would have stayed if we offered him the same as Hammy so it can't be a player(s) not wanting to be here necessarily because that's one big fish we could have easily kept. Just can't get a feel for what Walters is doing right now. Maybe his pipeline is telling him that a couple NFL guys are just TCF and he's waiting on that?

Edited Wednesday at 06:39 PM by GCn20

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, Booch said:

well...he was utterly useless here...and pushing 30 now isnt he?....

so with those relatively ceap deals....and good thing as none really are elite....where is our money allocated where we struck out on any legit big ticket guys?....ZC and 3 high DB salaries dont help..Demski and BO also are hefty...other than that...who's sucking up all the SMS?...

That’s a good question. I think we will add one or two more league FAs who will be depth / fringe starters. Likely at db and ol. 
 
Then I think we will spend more on rookies coming up, dangle some extra cash to get guys up early, and probably pay the pr guys full dollar. 
 

While maintaining room for nfl cut cfl players like Wilson. 
If we manage to get 2 more fringe starters/starters, and maybe another depth Canadian that’ll be fairly good off season work, leaving us room to be first with a bullet on any nfl cuts we want. 
 

If we miss on nfl cuts again, fail to see some one step up into an all star, or another rash of injuries to our top talent, this off season will sink our gc ups in hurry. 

1 hour ago, Booch said:

opted for 2 other bad canadians..Schmeck and Thomas...and cost more too hahahah

But good riddance to Bennett...was never gonna amount to spit

Yeah I’d take Hubert, Kongbo, etc. I even prefer gowanlock who has some situational uses. I don’t see Bennett every becoming much of any thing. 

[17to85]

Bennett was the invisible man. Never did anything noticeable on the field 

[Fatty Liver]

2 hours ago, GCn20 said:

I'm not sure. I do know that Lawler would have stayed if we offered him the same as Hammy so it can't be a player(s) not wanting to be here necessarily because that's one big fish we could have easily kept. Just can't get a feel for what Walters is doing right now. Maybe his pipeline is telling him that a couple NFL guys are just TCF and he's waiting on that?

In the interview below Kenny says he planned to stay in Wpg, but suggests the Bombers came late to the party with their bid.  Not that they were ever going to match the figure Goveia offered him, but they continuously come away from these contract negotiations looking unmotivated or disorganized. 

I think it's time for a refresh of the support staff below the 3 Amigos, they're falling behind in a number of categories and are beginning to take on the yellowish tinge of Eaton's  bargain basement.  For those too young to remember, imagine a table heaped high with unpackaged men's underwear in a jumble, 99 cents a piece!

 

Edited Wednesday at 08:52 PM by Fatty Liver

[Booch]

9 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

In the interview below Kenny says he planned to stay in Wpg, but suggests the Bombers came late to the party with their bid.  Not that they were ever going to match with the figure Goveia offered him, but they continuously come away from these contract negotiations looking unmotivated or disorganized. 

I think it's time for a refresh of the support staff below the 3 Amigos, they're falling behind in a number of categories and are beginning to take on the yellowish tinge of Eaton's  bargain basement.  For those too young to remember, imagine a table heaped high with unpackaged men's underwear in a jumble, 99 cents a piece!

 

I think part of it is we prioritize the wrong guys first.....we at times asleep at the wheel thinking guys will give us a bit of a discount....not any more....and again...still resting on past success as the key ingredient and lingering too long with certain assets

We are probably the most financially rich team...there was some real difference makers available to be had...and we either struck out or didnt try cause we figured we good.....doesnt cut it man

Jones...Logan....they are legit scores.....Mitchell too if he is dialed in...and used effectively...the rest...a collection of "hope they regain form" and "change of scenery may be good" "Hope injury issue ...isnt still an issue"

That includes both Schoen and Strev....Wilson too to an extent

We have a new scouting group...seen a few nice pieces added and we have a couple coming back that didnt get a shot last yr as well.....Will they get to play and grow, and not be in a rep/shre program stunting them....or not enabling us to even see if they worth keeping....Thats the big issue as we seen the track record here...We brought back Case and Mitchell from last yr as well...2 guys who showed nothing and couldn't crack the roster last yr....and as it sits now are a looooong shot to supplant anyone again...whats the point....you know them and if u in a pinch later in yr...I bet both would be available and at worst sitting on Hammies PR...

For most part I have seen no semblance of any real plan...so not sure what plan even is....Camp better be a barn burner where jobs are earned/won tis yr...regardless of yrs in league....nationality and definately not due to yrs being here

[GCn20]

18 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

In the interview below Kenny says he planned to stay in Wpg, but suggests the Bombers came late to the party with their bid.  Not that they were ever going to match with the figure Goveia offered him, but they continuously come away from these contract negotiations looking unmotivated or disorganized. 

I think it's time for a refresh of the support staff below the 3 Amigos, they're falling behind in a number of categories and are beginning to take on the yellowish tinge of Eaton's  bargain basement.  For those too young to remember, imagine a table heaped high with unpackaged men's underwear in a jumble, 99 cents a piece!

 

Yea...it really feels like Walters did not come into this offseason well prepared at all. We can speculate as to whether other players may have opted not to come here, but we KNOW for certain Kenny wanted to stay. That is Walters dropping the ball right there. I know Hammy made him an offer he couldn't refuse, but we should have locked him down before that.

[Booch]

Just now, GCn20 said:

Yea...it really feels like Walters did not come into this offseason well prepared at all. We can speculate as to whether other players may have opted not to come here, but we KNOW for certain Kenny wanted to stay. That is Walters dropping the ball right there. I know Hammy made him an offer he couldn't refuse, but we should have locked him down before that.

 

Just now, GCn20 said:

Yea...it really feels like Walters did not come into this offseason well prepared at all. We can speculate as to whether other players may have opted not to come here, but we KNOW for certain Kenny wanted to stay. That is Walters dropping the ball right there. I know Hammy made him an offer he couldn't refuse, but we should have locked him down before that.

didnt help too when Osh was off mentoring or being mentored in a key part of off-season when tampering and "dea;s" are discussed when they arent allowed yet before the actual tampering...

[GCn20]

5 minutes ago, Booch said:

I think part of it is we prioritize the wrong guys first.....we at times asleep at the wheel thinking guys will give us a bit of a discount....not any more....and again...still resting on past success as the key ingredient and lingering too long with certain assets

We are probably the most financially rich team...there was some real difference makers available to be had...and we either struck out or didnt try cause we figured we good.....doesnt cut it man

Jones...Logan....they are legit scores.....Mitchell too if he is dialed in...and used effectively...the rest...a collection of "hope they regain form" and "change of scenery may be good" "Hope injury issue ...isnt still an issue"

That includes both Schoen and Strev....Wilson too to an extent

We have a new scouting group...seen a few nice pieces added and we have a couple coming back that didnt get a shot last yr as well.....Will they get to play and grow, and not be in a rep/shre program stunting them....or not enabling us to even see if they worth keeping....Thats the big issue as we seen the track record here...We brought back Case and Mitchell from last yr as well...2 guys who showed nothing and couldn't crack the roster last yr....and as it sits now are a looooong shot to supplant anyone again...whats the point....you know them and if u in a pinch later in yr...I bet both would be available and at worst sitting on Hammies PR...

For most part I have seen no semblance of any real plan...so not sure what plan even is....Camp better be a barn burner where jobs are earned/won tis yr...regardless of yrs in league....nationality and definately not due to yrs being here

You are not alone in failing to see any sort of plan either. I don't think we took a "we good" approach, but I think we were sleeping at the wheel on at least one, and maybe more, players. 

3 minutes ago, Booch said:

 

didnt help too when Osh was off mentoring or being mentored in a key part of off-season when tampering and "dea;s" are discussed when they arent allowed yet before the actual tampering...

OShea doesn't negotiate contracts Walters does. All O'Shea needs to have is his phone and the ability to answer it. Walters SHOULD HAVE had a priority list of our own FA's already done, and a target list of other teams FA's. That discussion should have been done by January with Walters on the clock to get it done. Not like we needed to pivot because we were tapped out of SMS. We lost out on players we could have kept and didn't add anyone of significance, That's poor GMing unless Walters has a couple aces up his sleeve.

Edited Wednesday at 08:21 PM by GCn20

[wbbfan]

3 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Yea...it really feels like Walters did not come into this offseason well prepared at all. We can speculate as to whether other players may have opted not to come here, but we KNOW for certain Kenny wanted to stay. That is Walters dropping the ball right there. I know Hammy made him an offer he couldn't refuse, but we should have locked him down before that.

Just my 2c, but I think we became reliant on the team approach from the front office. Having soo many guys tied up in discussions with other teams on positions kinda exposed this weakness. And to be fair, previously I think it was our strength. This is why we've produced soo many front-office guys league-wide. But at the end of the day we need better from the top half. 

1 hour ago, 17to85 said:

Bennett was the invisible man. Never did anything noticeable on the field 

Very much so. Even Schmekel showed incredible motor, effort, and ability to maintain that play through all his snaps. He lacks the raw physical attributes to dominate, But he has the big ones that make him a guy worth keeping around. I still think he should be moving to OL, and filling the role gowanlock was signed to play. but you can make a career as a Canadian in the CFL with a blood n guts, lunch pail attitude and work ethic. Especially if you have decent football IQ. Also like Hubert showed. 

 If bennett had an once of what those guys have he wouldn't have been a 10 game in 4 years under achiever with Florida Atlantic. 

[Booch]

4 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

You are not alone in failing to see any sort of plan either. I don't think we took a "we good" approach, but I think we were sleeping at the wheel on at least one, and maybe more, players. 

OShea doesn't negotiate contracts Walters does. All O'Shea needs to have is his phone and the ability to answer it. Walters SHOULD HAVE had a priority list of our own FA's already done, and a target list of other teams FA's. That discussion should have been done by January with Walters on the clock to get it done.

yes and no...he should tho have a big hand in it to an extent..showing a lil love and some constant persistent communication...many a player here has even said they dont here boo from anyone...a lot of times until its too late

Thats my reasons on saying we good as we seem to think we have no urgency at times and things will just fall into place...speaking from experience here...negotiations and influencing comes in many forms and in many avenues...we aint doing it like we should

[17to85]

12 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

but we KNOW for certain Kenny wanted to stay. That is Walters dropping the ball right there.

Do we know if Walters had any interest in paying him that much though? Lawler says one thing, but I can just as easily see Kyle Walters feeling Lawler didn't bring enough to justify the money. 

[Fatty Liver]

14 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Do we know if Walters had any interest in paying him that much though? Lawler says one thing, but I can just as easily see Kyle Walters feeling Lawler didn't bring enough to justify the money. 

Numerous players that left have indicated the Bombers failed to touch base with them, communication is key to negotiations, keeping channels open never hurts.

[Pete]

1 minute ago, Fatty Liver said:

Numerous players that left have indicated the Bombers failed to touch base with them, communication is key to negotiations, keeping channels open never hurts.

Lawler left cause he wanted the money and we couldn't afford both him and Shoen so we kept the one thats the best value

Of course llLawler wanted to stay ...  At 275k

[blue85gold]

20 minutes ago, Pete said:

Lawler left cause he wanted the money and we couldn't afford both him and Shoen so we kept the one thats the best value

Of course llLawler wanted to stay ...  At 275k

They made him the highest paid non-QB of course he's going to say how great the Ti-Cat organization is.