2024/2025 Blue Bombers Off-Season Thread

[bigg jay]

13 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

It’ll be interesting to see how far over they are. Most overages have been dollar for dollar in the first two tiers so far. They might get a heavy bill or even a draft pick taken away. 

Yeah I thought it was interesting when they admitted they'll be over the cap but they don't even know how badly - to me it sounds like they went way over and now have to scramble to get guys to restructure/take cuts before the end of the year.  If their players had gotten bonuses for making it to/winning Grey Cup, it probably would have gone a long way to making that kind of thing happen but they got bounced early.  It'll be interesting to see what their final number is.

[Booch]

Positive note...I thought Jake was signed to 2 yrs.....so there is hope....

[wbbfan]

11 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Yeah I thought it was interesting when they admitted they'll be over the cap but they don't even know how badly - to me it sounds like they went way over and now have to scramble to get guys to restructure/take cuts before the end of the year.  If their players had gotten bonuses for making it to/winning Grey Cup, it probably would have gone a long way to making that kind of thing happen but they got bounced early.  It'll be interesting to see what their final number is.

Yep. I’m sure they are who Randy was alluding to in terms of abusing the appearance money as well.

4 minutes ago, Booch said:

Positive note...I thought Jake was signed to 2 yrs.....so there is hope....

Christmas Day, Jake kola the punter and biggie sign extensions with considerable raises. 🤢

I think we will hear some kind of change by Christmas actually. Retirement, firing (buck), release no intentions to resign etc. 

[WinnipegGordo]

The free agent lists from Tait and Hodge vary slightly.

Hodge has Jake Dolegala and Nick Hallett listed as pending free agents.

Tait said Dolegala wasn't on the list provided by the Bombers, not sure if that was an oversight.

It was announced at the end of January that Nick extended for 2 years so he shouldn't be on the list.

Tait lists Nick Taylor but Hodge doesnt so maybe John got his Nicks mixed up.

 

 

Edited November 19 by WinnipegGordo

[WinnipegGordo]

Edited November 19 by WinnipegGordo

[Brandon]

Please keep the young guys... Holm + Ford are a must.   Schoen and Lawler would also be priorities.  

I'm assuming Willie and Bryant stay. 

Many of those other guys can take off...  they are either old and not worth an upgraded contract.  Or they are very mediocre and were invisible for long stretches of the season and were not trending upwards. 

I really want an upgrade on the front 7 for our D.     I remember as a kid guys like KD Williams would just wreck havok and take over games and make big plays on a frequent basis.   It felt like none of our front 7 ever created turnovers or came up with sacks when they were needed. All of those guys on the d-line that they swapped through last season would make a play once in blue moon ,  none of those guys played better then a broken Jackson Jeffcoat,  none of the linebackers stood out or even were solid like a guy like Jovon Santos-Knox that we used to have, and need I say anything about Jake Thomas?   

Out of all our free agency years recently... this one is actually one of our best.   We have lots of dead weight to clear out and just maybe they'll make a splash and sign young quality players to fill in.   I'm more then willing to have a year with young guys going through growing pains then for us to trot out broken old guys who just can't get the job done anymore.  

If we end up keeping Bighill and Thomas next season then I officially will give up before the first game is even played.  I will be extremely disappointed.   

[JohnnyAbonny]

Personally, I wouldn’t pay both Schoen and Lawler again. I’d lean towards Schoen but it sounds like he’ll be the one heading to FA based of his comments. 

Put that money towards the trenches and a MLB in FA. 

From that list I’d keep:

Strev, One of the big WRs 

Bryant, Dobson (not really a fan but you shouldn’t ditch more than one Canadian OL at a time imo)

Willie, Garbutt 

Cole, Parker, Ford, Holm (if not overpaying)

Sergio. 
 

FA priorities should be linemen (both sides) LB. 

[bigg jay]

Ford apparently has a number of NFL workouts coming up in December so there's a good chance he won't be back (or at least back for the start of the season).  I hope Walters can hold some money back for him but not if it means missing out on a FA who would fill a greater need - I'm not too concerned about our ability to find DB's (Ford's passport is harder to replace imo).

[JohnnyAbonny]

3 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Ford apparently has a number of NFL workouts coming up in December so there's a good chance he won't be back (or at least back for the start of the season).  I hope Walters can hold some money back for him but not if it means missing out on a FA who would fill a greater need - I'm not too concerned about our ability to find DB's (Ford's passport is harder to replace imo).

Good for him if he does make the NFL. 

I’m not worried about Walters holding money back. **** it, go over the cap. 
 

Honestly if they don’t win the home GC, it’ll be a full on rebuild anyway. This is the year to throw money around like crazy, 2013 riders style. 

[sweep the leg]

 

[Goalie]

14 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

 

Then see ya in my opinion. 

[Super Duper Negatron]

16 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

 

Sweet he is offering to sign at a discount!

He was great in the Grey Cup, but we can pay Agudosi to stand still with his arms up if that's all Younger is going to use him for.

[JohnnyAbonny]

3 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Then see ya in my opinion. 

Meh, what else is he going to say? “I’ll be back cheap guys!” 
 

I’d be really surprised if Willie signed elsewhere, if anything I could see him retiring like Jeffcoat did if he can’t get the deal he wants here. 

[bigg jay]

Just now, Super Duper Negatron said:

Sweet he is offering to sign at a discount!

He was great in the Grey Cup, but we can pay Agudosi to stand still with his arms up if that's all Younger is going to use him for.

The way he played in GC got me wondering if his periodic disappearing acts during the season wasn't by design.  He showed (at least for one game) that he could still be a difference maker - we just rarely saw that this year.  

[Booch]

all I can say is cracks....and fractured.....Mr Osh ain't the be all end all....Players finally speaking up....and its been building a while....changes needed pronto

And just an FYI....as good or better coaches have been fired before too....nature of the beast

[bigg jay]

1 minute ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Meh, what else is he going to say? “I’ll be back cheap guys!” 
 

I’d be really surprised if Willie signed elsewhere, if anything I could see him retiring like Jeffcoat did if he can’t get the deal he wants here. 

Yeah I wouldn't read too much into that tweet.  He also said he's never asked for anything crazy and expects it to be the same this year/

Quote

“I’ve been in this league for a while, I’ve been on this team for a while and they’ve always given me what I wanted,” Jefferson said. “I’ve never, necessarily, like, tried to go above and beyond and things like that. So, it’s going to be the same way.”

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/11/19/rooting-for-a-returning-roster

[Booch]

1 minute ago, bigg jay said:

The way he played in GC got me wondering if his periodic disappearing acts during the season wasn't by design.  He showed (at least for one game) that he could still be a difference maker - we just rarely saw that this year.  

when u run a bad scheme....and roster deficient players....well....some guys no matter how good....how much a leader...and "how good the room" is just say....wtf

I seen this already last yr....people like to deny it and say ya but......but ya but means squat....players are not happy and not just cause they lost....but how and why they have 3 yrs running.....you can only bite yhour tongue for so long...careers are short

Sadly some key pieces that we need to retain won't be back next yr...and it wont be due to SMS...Ratio or declining play....they are gonna wanna leave this in their rear view

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Yeah I wouldn't read too much into that tweet.  He also said he's never asked for anything crazy and expects it to be the same this year/

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2024/11/19/rooting-for-a-returning-roster

I also wouldnt read too much into that either...upset much like Neuf..Stan..BO...and others an that isnt necesarily a comment on salary...can be a number of things

[JuranBoldenRules]

10 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Meh, what else is he going to say? “I’ll be back cheap guys!” 
 

I’d be really surprised if Willie signed elsewhere, if anything I could see him retiring like Jeffcoat did if he can’t get the deal he wants here. 

How about say nothing?

He'll be playing somewhere.  Issue with him is he's a great player when he plays 2/3 of snaps and a pretty mediocre one as an every down player.  Sure the capability is there for spectacular plays like that, but down after down he's just getting ground into a pulp.

[JohnnyAbonny]

Gotta remember too, Willie’s a wrestling fan, and he kind of has his persona/gimmick which includes the showmanship on social media too.
 

Remember the Hamilton tour he took? 

I doubt the guy wants move his family again. 
 

If he’s back they need to let him loose again though. To hell with the PKD, this ain’t basketball. Kill the quarterback. 

[Booch]

1 minute ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

How about say nothing?

He'll be playing somewhere.  Issue with him is he's a great player when he plays 2/3 of snaps and a pretty mediocre one as an every down player.  Sure the capability is there for spectacular plays like that, but down after down he's just getting ground into a pulp.

maybe coaches should realize that...and roster guys accordingly to accommodate that....there's a thought....everything that is an issue...or causes a let down...deficiency....leads right back to the same place.....In this instance you mention....and I agree with....it's roster....and who he chooses to roster...I assume you all know who  "he" is

1 minute ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Gotta remember too, Willie’s a wrestling fan, and he kind of has his persona/gimmick which includes the showmanship on social media too.
 

Remember the Hamilton tour he took? 

I doubt the guy wants move his family again. 
 

If he’s back they need to let him loose again though. To hell with the PKD, this ain’t basketball. Kill the quarterback. 

couldn't agree more

[Noeller]

He can do whatever he wants to do... Stay or go.... Ehhhhh. 

[JohnnyAbonny]

Common denominator in the 3 GC losses is getting outplayed on the lines, both sides. 
 

The teams that beat the Bombers were built from the lines out.

Past 2 offseasons we’ve been building from the skill players in, just like the early 2000s Bombers. We’re headed for a big letdown if Walters doesn’t prioritize line talent in FA. 
 

They should have enough of a quality DL rotation to make Willie a 2nd and 5+ pass rush specialist. 

[wbbfan]

41 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

How about say nothing?

He'll be playing somewhere.  Issue with him is he's a great player when he plays 2/3 of snaps and a pretty mediocre one as an every down player.  Sure the capability is there for spectacular plays like that, but down after down he's just getting ground into a pulp.

Tbh he’s only a 2/3 snap guy against teams that won’t run or read option off him. He gets completely exposed by every team that goes at him with a read play and refuses to play contain on any one in the back field. 

15 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Common denominator in the 3 GC losses is getting outplayed on the lines, both sides. 
 

The teams that beat the Bombers were built from the lines out.

Past 2 offseasons we’ve been building from the skill players in, just like the early 2000s Bombers. We’re headed for a big letdown if Walters doesn’t prioritize line talent in FA. 
 

They should have enough of a quality DL rotation to make Willie a 2nd and 5+ pass rush specialist. 

The ol played well vs Toronto this time and the dl was good enough pretty easily. I do agree with losing on the lines in the previous two cups though. 

[wbbfan]

I’d bring wj back but only at a steep discount. From 200k down to 140-150 range. 
 Too many guys at end and dt that are better younger cheaper and more valuable to us. 
 

It also doesn’t make sense to give that much to a de who isn’t a two way monster modp candidate these days because ols get away with absolute muggings. Sacks are way down because of it and I think it will continue. 

[HardCoreBlue]

1 hour ago, sweep the leg said:

 

I'm wondering if anyone has countered this with a few videos displaying other aspects of his game.

I'm with JBR, it's best to say nothing and chat about this behind closed doors but thank you internet for all you do.