2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Fatty Liver said:

It's never too late, I'm convinced you could almost pick up a future all-star team of talent by focusing on other competitive team's TC cuts, there's always younger high potential/performing players that slip through the cracks because "right place, wrong time", and after being cut they come willingly at a low price.  No sane GM is going to bank on this strategy, but it's still a good way to pick up a few valuable pieces. 

In-league scouting is poor right now. Mostly it's PR guys that will float around mid-season and into Tcs. Teams seldom look at other teams PR cuts other wise any more. 

[GCn20]

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

I think they had a vision, but it is a divisive approach. I get what they were going for, and I think it might even work. But it is risky, and not a good look for a team coming off the GC loses and hosting the cup at home. People don't want to see us fill up our middle back roster, especially when we've lost some of the high-paid guys in FA. 

I honestly think sometimes addition by subtraction can't be discounted. We lost some star power but I think we are deeper this year and some guys we moved on from were good moves. I hope we have a signing or two that moves the needle before or during the season as well.

[Fatty Liver]

The CFL Combine is underway in Regina now thru this weekend, although you'd never know it by the lack of media coverage and league promotion.  Pity, what used to be CFL Week is now just a blip on the media landscape.

https://www.cfl.ca/category/cfl-combine/ 

[17to85]

3 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

The CFL Combine is underway in Regina now thru this weekend, although you'd never know it by the lack of media coverage and league promotion.  Pity, what used to be CFL Week is now just a blip on the media landscape.

https://www.cfl.ca/category/cfl-combine/ 

You see where the confusion lies...

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

I honestly think sometimes addition by subtraction can't be discounted. We lost some star power but I think we are deeper this year and some guys we moved on from were good moves. I hope we have a signing or two that moves the needle before or during the season as well.

Totally agree, great point. Moving on from guys like BA, Biggie, and maybe Kyrie unless he's somehow back to peak form, and limiting Jakes snaps is huge on D. Consistency on the OL, and a new offensive coaching staff will be big. 

[HardCoreBlue]

20 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

You see where the confusion lies...

There's also a farming joke in here somewhere, combine, Regina something something.

[Booch]

19 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Totally agree, great point. Moving on from guys like BA, Biggie, and maybe Kyrie unless he's somehow back to peak form, and ELIMINATIING Jakes snaps is huge on D. Consistency on the OL, and a new offensive coaching staff will be big. 

Corrected something for ya....not to beat a dead horse but he has no purpose for rostering.....no upside...and basically no value other than vet experience...which we have enough of

Moving on from some gys is definately a progressive move...but only if we have a true camp of competition...and then...and this is the big IF part of it but if Osh actually rosters guys based on merit and skill and not his personal preference we should be okay...I have zero faith he will tho across the board...and really why should I....Or anyone on the forum or as a fan?....no reason to think thats how it will be...as it hasnt happened here across the board in his 10 yrs here

We also need to scrap this template we use that this position...that position....is a Canadian...or a Vet...Or for an import and just figure out the best guys for the spots...then work it into your ratio

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

Corrected something for ya....not to beat a dead horse but he has no purpose for rostering.....no upside...and basically no value other than vet experience...which we have enough of

Moving on from some gys is definately a progressive move...but only if we have a true camp of competition...and then...and this is the big IF part of it but if Osh actually rosters guys based on merit and skill and not his personal preference we should be okay...I have zero faith he will tho across the board...and really why should I....Or anyone on the forum or as a fan?....no reason to think thats how it will be...as it hasnt happened here across the board in his 10 yrs here

We also need to scrap this template we use that this position...that position....is a Canadian...or a Vet...Or for an import and just figure out the best guys for the spots...then work it into your ratio

Man, dare to dream. If we eliminate Jakes snaps this year, we likely have a D that can challenge the 21 unit and certainly be the best one since then. 

Yeah, I feel some positions are already set in stone. If Vaughters stays healthy I don't think any performance in camp or PS takes his job. 

Good point, Especially in today's CFL. Ratio breakers are on every team now. The league has really good Canadian starters at basically every position these days. We need to be championship-oriented to the point that flipping a spot like G to Imp isn't a concern. No hesitation. I think we have the guys who can take up a starters role in multiple areas, we don't need to force guys onto the field. 

 

 

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/21/blue-bombers-have-not-had-contract-extension-discussions-with-franchise-qb-zach-collaros/

 

In other news, water is wet and fire is hot!

[SpeedFlex27]

5 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

It's never too late, I'm convinced you could almost pick up a future all-star team of talent by focusing on other competitive team's TC cuts, there's always younger high potential/performing players that slip through the cracks because "right place, wrong time", and after being cut they come willingly at a low price.  No sane GM is going to bank on this strategy, but it's still a good way to pick up a few valuable pieces. 

Yeah, could happen as some guys do pan out later in their careers. I'm not counting on it. 

11 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

. 

 

 

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/21/blue-bombers-have-not-had-contract-extension-discussions-with-franchise-qb-zach-collaros/

 

In other news, water is wet and fire is hot!

WTH, JC Abbott?? A little early for the Bombers to open negotiations. At his age (35 going on 36), I think the Bombers are waiting to see what kind of season he puts together first. I just hope Plan B is ready if Zach gets hurt. 

Edited Friday at 09:17 PM by SpeedFlex27

[wbbfan]

38 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Yeah, could happen as some guys do pan out later in their careers. I'm not counting on it. 

WTH, JC Abbott?? A little early for the Bombers to open negotiations. At his age (35 going on 36), I think the Bombers are waiting to see what kind of season he puts together first. I just hope Plan B is ready if Zach gets hurt. 

Year to year for Zach and I’d say a very strong chance this is his last. 

[WinnipegGordo]

3 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

There's also a farming joke in here somewhere, combine, Regina something something.

The Riders don't miss any opportunity to put their logo on something.

 

[rebusrankin]

Better than Saskachewan: We Know About Dating Cousins

[wbbfan]

37 minutes ago, WinnipegGordo said:

The Riders don't miss any opportunity to put their logo on something.

 

The bombers and macdon, who are a long long time corporate sponsor, should team up for a better version of this shirt.  

[Noeller]

1 hour ago, WinnipegGordo said:

The Riders don't miss any opportunity to put their logo on something.

 

What a bunch of ******* hillbillies...

[Pete]

20 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Overall, a pretty disappointing off season... I don't feel that Walters & Osh had a shared focus on what they wanted to do when free agency started

i'd have to agree, we lost three allstars, and picked up a number of middle of the pack players. What puts teams over the top is those make a difference type players and Walters is paying so much attention to the last year cap we've once again failed to attract those players

[GCn20]

20 minutes ago, Pete said:

i'd have to agree, we lost three allstars, and picked up a number of middle of the pack players. What puts teams over the top is those make a difference type players and Walters is paying so much attention to the last year cap we've once again failed to attract those players

We can still add some really good players once the NFL starts weeding out their futures and PR guys

[Tracker]

On 2025-03-19 at 9:21 PM, bb1 said:

https://3downnation.com/2025/03/19/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-former-third-round-nfl-draft-pick-rashaan-gaulden/

I will reserve judgement but he sounds meh.

[SpeedFlex27]

Do you agree with Ed Hervey that the CFL has no supertars?

[wbbfan]

9 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Do you agree with Ed Hervey that the CFL has no supertars?

Hervey is already back pedalling on that statement. Brady has been a star on the field and viral off it for great reasons, plus he’s a home grown guy. Rourke didn’t live up to his return but he’s got major attention and expectations. Couple of the wrs too imo. 
 In general sports stars aren’t what they used to be and football players have short careers. It’s never going to be the 90s and prior again. The world is very different now. 
 

 

[wbbfan]

Eric cumberbatch defensive half from the gee gees looks really intriguing. 
 

 6’2 202 4.51 40 39” vert 7.12 3 cone 4.31 ss 11’2” broad jump. 26 games 83 tackles 4 tfl 15 pkd 3 picks 1 fumble recovery. Real outlier in terms of athleticism and frame. Long tall strong guy kind of similar to clercius. 
 Missed a bit of play time last year. Not sure if he sticks at half and doesn’t have an extensive background excelling on teams. But he’s got tremendous up side as a pass cover wil, S etc. 

Testing numbers and build likely push him up the draft board, but he could be incredible value in the 3rd plus or minus a bit. 

[Tracker]

8 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Eric cumberbatch defensive half from the gee gees looks really intriguing. 
 

 6’2 202 4.51 40 39” vert 7.12 3 cone 4.31 ss 11’2” broad jump. 26 games 83 tackles 4 tfl 15 pkd 3 picks 1 fumble recovery. Real outlier in terms of athleticism and frame. Long tall strong guy kind of similar to clercius. 
 Missed a bit of play time last year. Not sure if he sticks at half and doesn’t have an extensive background excelling on teams. But he’s got tremendous up side as a pass cover wil, S etc. 

Testing numbers and build likely push him up the draft board, but he could be incredible value in the 3rd plus or minus a bit. 

Any relation to Benedict? (You had to know that was coming)

[SpeedFlex27]

10 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Hervey is already back pedalling on that statement. Brady has been a star on the field and viral off it for great reasons, plus he’s a home grown guy. Rourke didn’t live up to his return but he’s got major attention and expectations. Couple of the wrs too imo. 
 In general sports stars aren’t what they used to be and football players have short careers. It’s never going to be the 90s and prior again. The world is very different now. 
 

 

My take is that every pro league has their stars or "superstars". The CFL s no different. You mentioned BO & Rourke & I agree. There are players who excel in the CFL. Fans knows who the great players are just like they know who aren't. Fans, especially ones that lean towards liking the NFL keep saying no one in the CFL can play in the NFL. Meaning we have no stars to sell the game which is totally ridiculous. The CFL have players I want to watch that play for the Bombers or with other teams. The league doesn't do any marketing of its players. They don't get the exposure they deserve in the media. It doesn't mean we don't have superstars. 

[bigg jay]

8 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

My take is that every pro league has their stars or "superstars". The CFL s no different. You mentioned BO & Rourke & I agree. There are players who excel in the CFL. Fans knows who the great players are just like they know who aren't. Fans, especially ones that lean towards liking the NFL keep saying no one in the CFL can play in the NFL. Meaning we have no stars to sell the game which is totally ridiculous. The CFL have players I want to watch that play for the Bombers or with other teams. The league doesn't do any marketing of its players. They don't get the exposure they deserve in the media. It doesn't mean we don't have superstars. 

This.  Sideshow Ed is now claiming he meant there's no Michael Jordan level superstars.  That's true but there are very few people in any sport that have achieved that level of fame - that's beyond a superstar to me and is more like a cultural icon.  The CFL absolutely has it's own superstars, even if they aren't known world wide.

[rebusrankin]

The league could do a better job of promoting guys like Brady.

[wbbfan]

10 hours ago, Tracker said:

Any relation to Benedict? (You had to know that was coming)

You mean the guy who played sherlock? Binglestink Combhisback? Could be...

 

8 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

My take is that every pro league has their stars or "superstars". The CFL s no different. You mentioned BO & Rourke & I agree. There are players who excel in the CFL. Fans knows who the great players are just like they know who aren't. Fans, especially ones that lean towards liking the NFL keep saying no one in the CFL can play in the NFL. Meaning we have no stars to sell the game which is totally ridiculous. The CFL have players I want to watch that play for the Bombers or with other teams. The league doesn't do any marketing of its players. They don't get the exposure they deserve in the media. It doesn't mean we don't have superstars. 

Yep. Stars who transcend sports are pretty rare these days. The world is soo compartmentalized that we just don't see guys who are world stars because of north American sports any more. 

 

27 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

This.  Sideshow Ed is now claiming he meant there's no Michael Jordan level superstars.  That's true but there are very few people in any sport that have achieved that level of fame - that's beyond a superstar to me and is more like a cultural icon.  The CFL absolutely has it's own superstars, even if they aren't known world wide.

Yuup. And honestly out side of lebron, I don't think any other NBA player has that kind of fame today. And I don't think we will see another one like that for a long time. I don't think the NFL or MLB have one guy like that either. 

 

22 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

The league could do a better job of promoting guys like Brady.

QFT. Especially the Canadian guys, but the real stars of the league should be more prominent in marketing. By that, I don't mean their face on a graphic showing the up coming weeks games for 9 seconds. 

 What BLM did in the past bunch of years working the GC broadcast is a great example of a guy creating a brand for him self. And it crushes all the leagues attempts to brand stars over the past 20 years.