2024/2025 CFL (non-Bomber) Off-Season Thread

[JohnnyAbonny]

2 hours ago, wbbfan said:

I think that’ll be the case. Plus with soo much front office turnover, I think we see things run a bit differently now. 
 

Hes sub lawler/schoen but close to the top tier of WRs. That said I think that’s pretty much top dollar for WRs now. I don’t think any one is handing out 285-300k for WRs any time soon. 
 Lawler already came back for less, he’s about to turn 31, hasn’t played 18 games in one season ever, and only eclipsed 1k yards once (by 13 yards). 
 Hes done a lot in limited time, and on any given game day you’d be hard pressed to have a better guy to throw to up here. But I don’t see teams risking big dollars on him now. I think he remains a bomber for a bit over 200k. 
 Schoen the question of when he will be ready and how close to 100 he will be is big. 
 Buck would be the biggest threat to scoop either imo, but they already have a wr to lock up and lots of money spent. 
 

I think the guys that’ll be hard to retain are Dobson, ford, holm and I could see teams trying to drive up the market on Lofton to hurt our cap space. 

I can’t find the article but Holm while not explicitly saying he was leaving the Bombers pretty much implied he was going to at least entertain offers from other teams. 

[bluto]

5 hours ago, wbbfan said:

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/11/cfl-wont-hold-neutral-site-touchdown-series-game-in-2025-report/
 

No td Atlantic type game this year. Which is fine by me. We don’t have a viable market for a 10th team in Atlantic Canada or an owner. 

Thank Flutie for that.

Sick of losing a home game every year 

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

 

 

390 for both years right? No way they gave him 130k a year more than drew desjarlais got from the rbs right? (160k higher than the next highest imp ol) 
 That’s either a great deal or the biggest positional albatross deal that isn’t a qb. 

1 hour ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

I can’t find the article but Holm while not explicitly saying he was leaving the Bombers pretty much implied he was going to at least entertain offers from other teams. 

I believe it. He’s either coming back cheap or getting over paid imo.  Teams don’t usually over value dbs especially ones that play like him. (Not physical, not a ball hawk, not a shut down corner, not an elite box and cover Sam/s)

 what ever you think of his level of play aside, he’s the easiest type of db to replace and the least desirable style. 

[Mike]

I don’t know if I’d be in a hurry to give up our DB’s, could become a trouble spot in our D real quick depending on who the voices in the room bringing all these studs in were

[bigg jay]

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

390 for both years right? No way they gave him 130k a year more than drew desjarlais got from the rbs right? (160k higher than the next highest imp ol) 
 That’s either a great deal or the biggest positional albatross deal that isn’t a qb. 

It's the total for both years. 3DN says $170k in hard money for this coming season & $185k in 2026. 

[wbbfan]

14 hours ago, Mike said:

I don’t know if I’d be in a hurry to give up our DB’s, could become a trouble spot in our D real quick depending on who the voices in the room bringing all these studs in were

I don’t want to lose those guys, that’s just who I think will have the greatest draw in free agency. And I think we will struggle to give them heavy raises. The chances we bring both back is slim imo. That’d be the most expensive secondary in the league with what we pay Kramdi, plus the vets. 
 

It will be interesting to see how our scouting changes. You can see the difference post ringmaiden leaving. Especially on the lines and at lber. 
 
I do think that db is a very deep position, and we have a great system for the right guys to succeed in. Plus tremendous coaching. I think fit in our system and growth mind set are the biggest factors in our db prospects. We don’t need to find stars like Hefney, we need guys who fit and can come up to make plays on the ball/carrier. 
 

With bonds, griffin, nichols and Kramdi we are in a strong spot, at worst needing to replace 1 starter and the dime/nickle.  Then With ba/kelly/cole for we have lots of flexibility and not a great need at S. 

We also have bridges and the lotto ticket that is Parker as experienced guys who can step up and push younger guys in camp. 
 Rogers and dandy are also guys who have one camp under their belt and some pr time.

Considering our modp in ford is a fa, and could be nfl bound or get a massive pay day, and holm our multi year step up guy also a fa it’s as good a position as we can hope to be in.  
 Best case scenario imo, ford comes back and Cole wins the job at S. Griffin takes a starting hb role, then one of Parker bridges dandy rogers and the new rookies steps up for the nickle and one for the dime. 

13 hours ago, bigg jay said:

It's the total for both years. 3DN says $170k in hard money for this coming season & $185k in 2026. 

Thanks. That’s actually really strong value. Very team friendly deal. I feel like his fa market would be over 200. 

Edited Sunday at 04:29 PM by wbbfan

[bigg jay]

25 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Thanks. That’s actually really strong value. Very team friendly deal. I feel like his fa market would be over 200. 

Yep, if Yoshi was able to get $230k last year, at this stage of his career, Ivey probably left money on the table.

[Bigblue204]

What are the chances Alford comes back?

[wbbfan]

28 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

What are the chances Alford comes back?

I would guess about 0.000000000001%
 

Kongbo returns to the cfl, but to Edmonton. Wish it would’ve been here. 
 

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/12/edmonton-elks-sign-refocused-canadian-dl-jonathan-kongbo/

[rebusrankin]

55 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

What are the chances Alford comes back?

I have a better chance of dating Scarlet Johanson.

[Pete]

See that Kongbo has signed with the Elks, were ee too busy with hiring the three new scouts?

[HardCoreBlue]

29 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

I have a better chance of dating Scarlet Johanson.

So you’re saying there’s a chance.

[Goalie]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

See that Kongbo has signed with the Elks, were ee too busy with hiring the three new scouts?

He hadn’t played in 2 years. Kongbo was ok a few years ago but has he played at all in 2 years? This is like teams signing Jonathan Toews in hockey. 

Edited Sunday at 06:30 PM by Goalie

[rebusrankin]

2 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

So you’re saying there’s a chance.

For me and Scarlet? Absolutely.

[Booch]

On 2025-01-11 at 1:09 PM, Mike said:

Honestly, given the scouting additions we just made, I want them to have every opportunity to go out and find the next Orimolade instead of bringing one in on a big price tag.

These are guys that can find impact front 7 guys

Tis true...I have no faith tho that an unknown will get a true shot...and we just lean on broken down and inadequate stuff...we've seen that so g and dance before

There no reason a fresh face can't come in and be impactful..this notion they all need a yr or 2 of seasoning is garbage

I banged the Garbutt drum all 2023 yr he should have been given a shot...never happened...a yr on the inactive roster didn't make him arguably our best all.arpund de this yr...playing did

Same this yr with Person...he is an even better player...actual true impact guy and was a legit NFL rush specialist projection but some teams wanted him to pack on weight and he didn't want to. 

16 hours ago, wbbfan said:

I don’t want to lose those guys, that’s just who I think will have the greatest draw in free agency. And I think we will struggle to give them heavy raises. The chances we bring both back is slim imo. That’d be the most expensive secondary in the league with what we pay Kramdi, plus the vets. 
 

It will be interesting to see how our scouting changes. You can see the difference post ringmaiden leaving. Especially on the lines and at lber. 
 
I do think that db is a very deep position, and we have a great system for the right guys to succeed in. Plus tremendous coaching. I think fit in our system and growth mind set are the biggest factors in our db prospects. We don’t need to find stars like Hefney, we need guys who fit and can come up to make plays on the ball/carrier. 
 

With bonds, griffin, nichols and Kramdi we are in a strong spot, at worst needing to replace 1 starter and the dime/nickle.  Then With ba/kelly/cole for we have lots of flexibility and not a great need at S. 

We also have bridges and the lotto ticket that is Parker as experienced guys who can step up and push younger guys in camp. 
 Rogers and dandy are also guys who have one camp under their belt and some pr time.

Considering our modp in ford is a fa, and could be nfl bound or get a massive pay day, and holm our multi year step up guy also a fa it’s as good a position as we can hope to be in.  
 Best case scenario imo, ford comes back and Cole wins the job at S. Griffin takes a starting hb role, then one of Parker bridges dandy rogers and the new rookies steps up for the nickle and one for the dime. 

Thanks. That’s actually really strong value. Very team friendly deal. I feel like his fa market would be over 200. 

Not worried about db ...Parker resigned tells me he is healthy and is prob our best db not named Nichols anyway...and with him..Griffin..Nichols.. and Bridges that's a darn good 4 to.choose from without even factoring in what the scouts find or free agency

Paying large for a db when we already pay top dollar to Nichol and Kramdi...and Ford if we keep him which I think will be a reach is allocation too much money in a position group that should be one your cheapest sms wise

[Booch]

23 hours ago, Mike said:

I also don’t have a ton of faith, but I’m also of the mindset (and so far, it’s playing out that way) that we may have quite a few open spots this year so O’Shea might not have a choice

Only way we can avoid more of the same is on Walters and if he takes some stuff right out of the equation

[do or die]

We should have open spots, alright

S, LB's, DL C, Backup QB......for starters.......

[HardCoreBlue]

21 hours ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

I can’t find the article but Holm while not explicitly saying he was leaving the Bombers pretty much implied he was going to at least entertain offers from other teams. 

Please ante up for Holm. He’s the total package imo. His style of play and demeanour brings so much to this team. He is not dime a dozen. 

[do or die]

Holm looks like a breadstick with a bowtie......but his ability to make plays on the ball, is very good...

[JohnnyAbonny]

2 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

Please ante up for Holm. He’s the total package imo. His style of play and demeanour brings so much to this team. He is not dime a dozen. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to lose any DBs, I’m just not sure they have the money to keep him and Ford. They’ve got a lot of talent in the secondary under contract already. 

[HardCoreBlue]

5 minutes ago, JohnnyAbonny said:

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to lose any DBs, I’m just not sure they have the money to keep him and Ford. They’ve got a lot of talent in the secondary under contract already. 

No problem, just use BC math.

[Goalie]

What’s Holms value. What’s Fords. What’s the max you go for each cuz Calgary gave Houston a bunch. So there’s a point where you gotta trust your scouts to find a db or 2. 

[wbbfan]

33 minutes ago, Goalie said:

What’s Holms value. What’s Fords. What’s the max you go for each cuz Calgary gave Houston a bunch. So there’s a point where you gotta trust your scouts to find a db or 2. 

Imo 125k max for holm. Pickett was 170, the next top tier was 140-50k. Even that is a push for holm for me. I’d prefer to let him walk unless under 120k. 
 I’d want ford for 150-160k. Might go up to 170k for more than a year. That’s highest paid db range. Cus he’s young and Canadian with tons more upside still. 
I could see some one giving him 200k though. Maybe even more. 

[wbbfan]

7 hours ago, Goalie said:

He hadn’t played in 2 years. Kongbo was ok a few years ago but has he played at all in 2 years? This is like teams signing Jonathan Toews in hockey. 

He played all of 23. He missed one year, and that’s because he took a year to run his start up. 
 He was a lot better than ok, he’s the Best Canadian run Stop and contain end in the league. Hes also excellent on teams, and can rotate at multiple positions playing starters reps. Hes in his prime about to turn 29 with relatively low miles and injury concerns the past few years. 

6 hours ago, Booch said:

Tis true...I have no faith tho that an unknown will get a true shot...and we just lean on broken down and inadequate stuff...we've seen that so g and dance before

There no reason a fresh face can't come in and be impactful..this notion they all need a yr or 2 of seasoning is garbage

I banged the Garbutt drum all 2023 yr he should have been given a shot...never happened...a yr on the inactive roster didn't make him arguably our best all.arpund de this yr...playing did

Same this yr with Person...he is an even better player...actual true impact guy and was a legit NFL rush specialist projection but some teams wanted him to pack on weight and he didn't want to. 

Not worried about db ...Parker resigned tells me he is healthy and is prob our best db not named Nichols anyway...and with him..Griffin..Nichols.. and Bridges that's a darn good 4 to.choose from without even factoring in what the scouts find or free agency

Paying large for a db when we already pay top dollar to Nichol and Kramdi...and Ford if we keep him which I think will be a reach is allocation too much money in a position group that should be one your cheapest sms wise

Yeah agree. My biggest concern with losing ford, aside from his upside is the ratio. We are just re building the ni depth and losing a starting ni would be hard. Probably trigger us to flip ratio at another spot and make our self much worse 

[3rdand1.5]

IMO we have some really high salary guys.... I get it we have had a "core" mostly together for a bit and have been to multiple GC's...that is expensive and guys deserve to get paid, while some may be higher than I would like to pay, if we didn't pay them what we are, a good chance someone else would.

In saying this Zach and Brady take a very big chunk of the cap and Demski isn't exactly cheap either, IF we keep one or both of Lawler and Schoen....and we saw how bad Zach looked without them...now also subtract Ontario.... they will also take big chunks...admit it or not if we don't sign them someone else will near the top of the receiver pay scale, we don't have a cheap O line and Dobson won't come cheap either again either we pay-up or he will get it from someone else......We just saw Willie didn't come cheap, I would imagine unless we pull BC math we don't really have much to play with for a guy like Ford.

I would really like to keep him, but I can't see a situation where another team won't make him the highest paid DB...and as good as he is I just don't believe we have the ability to pay him like that.......We have the "ratio breaker" high ticket guy with the top salary at his position already in Brady I just don't think we can afford the luxury of having a second......