2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[SpeedFlex27]

7 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

I'm aware but he actually caught less than that.  He was only targeted 21 times when he did play (about twice a game).  When healthy, he was not a primary target in their offense.

He never was but when called upon he was a reliable & tough receiver. I thought that when they moved the hash marks closr that we may see him break out  but nevr happened.

[WinnipegGordo]

Bombers signings;

Latavious Brini LB/DB Arkansas - was with Argos and Als last season.

Isaiah Avery DB Portland State - went to 49ers rookie camp last year.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, M.O.A.B. said:

Bombers signed LB Latavious Brini and DB Isaiah Avery

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/10055063-latavious-brini-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-for-arkansas-s.amp.html
 

sounds like a good candidate for a wil 

[Colin Unger]

2 hours ago, WinnipegGordo said:

Bombers signings;

Latavious Brini LB/DB Arkansas - was with Argos and Als last season.

Isaiah Avery DB Portland State - went to 49ers rookie camp last year.

I wonder how much the ticats will pay these guys to leave us in 2 years?

[WinnipegGordo]

Zach hopes the Bombers will still re-sign Lawler.

Bombers’ QB Zach Collaros calls timing of CFL salary cap increase ‘absolutely ridiculous’

Players cannot officially sign with their new teams until February 11, which could allow some to be swayed by a final offer utilizing the league’s newfound windfall. Collaros hopes the Bombers use the opportunity to try and win back a few of their departing stars, namely receiver Kenny Lawler who is currently set to join the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“I’d hope so. That’d be a no-brainer to me,” he said.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/06/bombers-qb-zach-collaros-calls-timing-of-cfl-salary-cap-increase-absolutely-ridiculous/

 

[Colin Unger]

Its still based on Paul Friesen mainly.  Zach seems to be talking off the cuff and not with any inside information. 

[Goalie]

If the bombers weren’t gonna offer lawler 276k before, why would they now? He’s a ticat. Time to move on. I say 276 cuz we all know Kenny would have Taken the 276 over the 275. Bombers weren’t willing to pay him that. Who cares what Zach thinks. Oh look Kyle an extra 400k. Let’s give it all to Kenny eventho a week ago we didn’t wanna overpay him but hey now we do. I don’t think so. Bombers signings indicate lawler is a goner. 

Edited February 7 by Goalie

[Arnold_Palmer]

7 minutes ago, Goalie said:

If the bombers weren’t gonna offer lawler 276k before, why would they now? He’s a ticat. Time to move on. I say 276 cuz we all know Kenny would have Taken the 276 over the 275. Bombers weren’t willing to pay him that. Who cares what Zach thinks. Oh look Kyle an extra 400k. Let’s give it all to Kenny eventho a week ago we didn’t wanna overpay him but hey now we do. I don’t think so. Bombers signings indicate lawler is a goner. 

Yeah he’s not coming back after the Bombers picked up three free agent receivers this off season lol 

[17to85]

Collaros wants his crutch back... no ****.

[Brandon]

2 hours ago, Goalie said:

If the bombers weren’t gonna offer lawler 276k before, why would they now? He’s a ticat. Time to move on. I say 276 cuz we all know Kenny would have Taken the 276 over the 275. Bombers weren’t willing to pay him that. Who cares what Zach thinks. Oh look Kyle an extra 400k. Let’s give it all to Kenny eventho a week ago we didn’t wanna overpay him but hey now we do. I don’t think so. Bombers signings indicate lawler is a goner. 

I don't understand how 225 000 + 400 000 =  276 000 ,  your math doesn't make sense.

If the team has $400 000 extra play money that they didn't expect then maybe they are willing to spend an extra $50 000 to keep him around.   I wouldn't be opposed to it since Lawler is a guy who is a game breaker.     It's almost like the moment he said he was going to Hamilton people forgot the insane catches he made and how he would make plays while being double/triple teamed.      

I'm not sure who is left in free agency that would be considered a game breaker or elite,  but if their is no one else on the table then why not bring him back?    I'm assuming Zach is on his last year of his contract , so won't that free up lots of money for next season?  

[Goalie]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

I don't understand how 225 000 + 400 000 =  276 000 ,  your math doesn't make sense.

If the team has $400 000 extra play money that they didn't expect then maybe they are willing to spend an extra $50 000 to keep him around.   I wouldn't be opposed to it since Lawler is a guy who is a game breaker.     It's almost like the moment he said he was going to Hamilton people forgot the insane catches he made and how he would make plays while being double/triple teamed.      

I'm not sure who is left in free agency that would be considered a game breaker or elite,  but if their is no one else on the table then why not bring him back?    I'm assuming Zach is on his last year of his contract , so won't that free up lots of money for next season?  

If they were willing to spend 275 he’d be a bomber. They aren’t willing to spend that on 1 receiver. It changes nothing. 

[Brandon]

4 minutes ago, Goalie said:

If they were willing to spend 275 he’d be a bomber. They aren’t willing to spend that on 1 receiver. It changes nothing. 

So you are suggesting that Walters won't adjust what he will spend now that he has an increased budget?  Usually when you have a higher budget,  you spend more money.    I'd be very surprised if now that he has an extra 400 k that he will just ignore that extra money and stick to the smaller budget.   

 

[GCn20]

7 hours ago, Brandon said:

So you are suggesting that Walters won't adjust what he will spend now that he has an increased budget?  Usually when you have a higher budget,  you spend more money.    I'd be very surprised if now that he has an extra 400 k that he will just ignore that extra money and stick to the smaller budget.   

 

For sure. You spend what you have. 2 days ago that was not much, now that's half a million.

11 hours ago, Goalie said:

If the bombers weren’t gonna offer lawler 276k before, why would they now? He’s a ticat. Time to move on. I say 276 cuz we all know Kenny would have Taken the 276 over the 275. Bombers weren’t willing to pay him that. Who cares what Zach thinks. Oh look Kyle an extra 400k. Let’s give it all to Kenny eventho a week ago we didn’t wanna overpay him but hey now we do. I don’t think so. Bombers signings indicate lawler is a goner. 

Lawler loves Winnipeg, who is to say that he doesn't meet us in the middle at 260 or something. 

[bigg jay]

29 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

For sure. You spend what you have. 2 days ago that was not much, now that's half a million.

Lawler loves Winnipeg, who is to say that he doesn't meet us in the middle at 260 or something. 

Winnipeg isn't the only team to come into new money though.  The other teams also have this extra money so why wouldn't they be willing to up their offers also?  

[MOBomberFan]

Either we get him back with money we didn't have a week ago, or drive his price tag up even further forcing someone else to spend even more of their found money. Win win win

[Mike]

I don’t think this new money is affecting anything in the way we think it is

You would’ve seen a report that SOMEONE was considering not signing the deal they agreed to, but you haven’t

The agents don’t want to touch this one, the general managers aren’t going to either … and quite honestly, it makes sense. The CFL is a small league and if you use this money to screw over another team, it won’t be long before it comes back around

[Booch]

12 hours ago, Goalie said:

If the bombers weren’t gonna offer lawler 276k before, why would they now? He’s a ticat. Time to move on. I say 276 cuz we all know Kenny would have Taken the 276 over the 275. Bombers weren’t willing to pay him that. Who cares what Zach thinks. Oh look Kyle an extra 400k. Let’s give it all to Kenny eventho a week ago we didn’t wanna overpay him but hey now we do. I don’t think so. Bombers signings indicate lawler is a goner. 

maybe the 50lk higher they didnt wanna match without that extra 400k was gonna prevent them doing something else they targeted?...now....it may be irrelevant...and really...we are a better team with him than not

 

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

For sure. You spend what you have. 2 days ago that was not much, now that's half a million.

Lawler loves Winnipeg, who is to say that he doesn't meet us in the middle at 260 or something. 

yup....he really enjoys it here....and we know ZC loves having him...You would think a GM and coach would try to appease him if it's doable now

 

30 minutes ago, MOBomberFan said:

Either we get him back with money we didn't have a week ago, or drive his price tag up even further forcing someone else to spend even more of their found money. Win win win

yup...

10 minutes ago, Mike said:

I don’t think this new money is affecting anything in the way we think it is

You would’ve seen a report that SOMEONE was considering not signing the deal they agreed to, but you haven’t

The agents don’t want to touch this one, the general managers aren’t going to either … and quite honestly, it makes sense. The CFL is a small league and if you use this money to screw over another team, it won’t be long before it comes back around

well...we do have our 48 hour window now...so if we had said 225k before...and now we say say 260...275....he can sign here and the Ticat offer sheet becomes null and void...thats how that supposed to work...and from what I understand the Cat's...or whatever team filed the offer sheet cant counter.....Now with this "extra" amount available...would they be allowed?....who knows....but they also may have been banking on a couple Hundie K raise in cap...as all teams knew it was coming...just not the amount and already cooked it into their offer...or maybe not...guess we will see how many guys end up back with their original team in that window

[Colin Unger]

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/06/sources-hamilton-tiger-cats-agree-to-terms-with-american-lb-brian-cole-ii/

45 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Winnipeg isn't the only team to come into new money though.  The other teams also have this extra money so why wouldn't they be willing to up their offers also?  

The idea is that Hamilton and Edmonton risked it and already spent the cap rise whereas most other teams didnt risk it.

[Mike]

8 minutes ago, Booch said:

well...we do have our 48 hour window now...so if we had said 225k before...and now we say say 260...275....he can sign here and the Ticat offer sheet becomes null and void...thats how that supposed to work...and from what I understand the Cat's...or whatever team filed the offer sheet cant counter.....Now with this "extra" amount available...would they be allowed?....who knows....but they also may have been banking on a couple Hundie K raise in cap...as all teams knew it was coming...just not the amount and already cooked it into their offer...or maybe not...guess we will see how many guys end up back with their original team in that window

I think we need to cut the illusion that there’s any kind of exclusive negotiating period. There’s like three agents that cover all these guys, *if* Winnipeg says hey Kenny we’re gonna offer you more, Hamilton would know right away and say ok Kenny, wait until free agency and WE can offer more too.

There’s also just the ripple effect. If we offer Kenny more, does Schoen now say hey wait a minute here. Do we now have to cut Reggie or Sterns? Give them less of a fair shot in camp? That’s not good business either. 

[Noeller]

22 minutes ago, Mike said:

I don’t think this new money is affecting anything in the way we think it is

You would’ve seen a report that SOMEONE was considering not signing the deal they agreed to, but you haven’t

The agents don’t want to touch this one, the general managers aren’t going to either … and quite honestly, it makes sense. The CFL is a small league and if you use this money to screw over another team, it won’t be long before it comes back around

The thing you posted from Dunk the other day saying the general consensus is to just give eveeyon a raise... That makes sense. I don't even think someone as crazy/desperate as Hervey is going to start playing silly buggers with this extra money...

Edited February 7 by Noeller

[Colin Unger]

Just now, Mike said:

I think we need to cut the illusion that there’s any kind of exclusive negotiating period. There’s like three agents that cover all these guys, *if* Winnipeg says hey Kenny we’re gonna offer you more, Hamilton would know right away and say ok Kenny, wait until free agency and WE can offer more too.

There’s also just the ripple effect. If we offer Kenny more, does Schoen now say hey wait a minute here. Do we now have to cut Reggie or Sterns? Give them less of a fair shot in camp? That’s not good business either. 

Couldn't the bombers threaten to pull their offer which would end up sealing Kenny's 2year deal at 275k.  He'd have to take Hamilton's word for it that they would re-negotiate.

[Booch]

1 minute ago, Mike said:

I think we need to cut the illusion that there’s any kind of exclusive negotiating period. There’s like three agents that cover all these guys, *if* Winnipeg says hey Kenny we’re gonna offer you more, Hamilton would know right away and say ok Kenny, wait until free agency and WE can offer more too.

There’s also just the ripple effect. If we offer Kenny more, does Schoen now say hey wait a minute here. Do we now have to cut Reggie or Sterns? Give them less of a fair shot in camp? That’s not good business either. 

obviously...guys even talk during the season to be honest about the next...But as per the mandate of the Tampering/Exclusivity part....that 2 days the former team can put forth their final...or revamped offer and the offer sheet team cant rebut it...so if the player in question didnt wanna leave...but was only gonna due to money...and you can now match...or beat...wouldnt logic say he would accept?....

3 minutes ago, Noeller said:

The thing you posted from Dunk the other day saying the general consensus is to just give eveeyon a raise... That makes sense. I don't even think someone as crazy/desperate as Hervey is going to start playing silly buggers with this extra money...

dont have to play silly buggers...but instances where it was 15.20...30k difference...thats totally doable

[Booch]

and if yu signed other guys...then you get a guy back unexpectedly....perfect....allows yhou tohave a true legit TC where guys are competing to stay....what could be better than that.....and the guys who arent good enough get cut...oroffered a PR spot...if anything gives you a better ...deeper roster.....thats what camp should be for anyway...Used to be when I played...you brought in the best....didn't bring guys in and say "if we can get 4 to 6 good reps outta him" as part of your plan....you brought in guys who figured could be a starter...and then depth piece if they got beat out....then PR.....

You also continually brought in better players  throughout the yr if one fell in your lap....and the PR was generally in a state of flux for a good 3rd of it...we basically choose or PR ...and thats that

Edited February 7 by Booch

[Super Duper Negatron]

Just raise the minimum salary. The top guys get enough already.

[GCn20]

24 minutes ago, Colin Unger said:

Couldn't the bombers threaten to pull their offer which would end up sealing Kenny's 2year deal at 275k.  He'd have to take Hamilton's word for it that they would re-negotiate.

Kenny doesn't have to accept any deal offered right now. If Walters is to make a play for Kenny he will need to sign on the dotted line right now but even if he doesn't he can still opt out of the Hammy deal and hit FA. He is not obligated to any offer this week.