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

[HardCoreBlue]

9 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Lawler is a great player but he just vibes as its all about Kenny. Would have liked some loyalty after we paid him so well and put up with his stupidity (DUI, not getting his immigration status sorted).

Good luck to him (except against us). BLM better work on his arm strength.

The way I look at it, we now have one less streaky player on our starting roster. 

[GCn20]

13 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Lawler is a great player but he just vibes as its all about Kenny. Would have liked some loyalty after we paid him so well and put up with his stupidity (DUI, not getting his immigration status sorted).

I am not blaming Kenny entirely for taking the money. In all honesty, he probably got a contract offer from us that reflected the fact that he has been unreliable.

Edited 18 hours ago by GCn20

[blue85gold]

Just now, GCn20 said:

I am not blaming Kenny entirely for taking the money. In all honesty, he probably got a contract offer from us that reflected the fact that is has been unreliable.

Freep reported that we offered $220K which seems fair. $300K is wild.

[Booch]

Just now, Goalie said:

Rhymes the push off artist. I dunno. I think I’d rather they find one receiver. Shouldn’t be difficult to find one. 

ZC tho needs vets...and a guy he will trust...Rhymes would be that....and he has a knack for pulling in shittty balls...albeit at times on the cusp of OPI....But if he doing it for us...I'm fine with that....And ZC does throw a lot of shitttty balls in bad spots

I think we should just Sign him...Bring back BOLO and be done on the reciever search....rely on scouting and the inevitable return of Wilson...he not gonna stick down south...

That group would give us a nice big physical group with a lot of versatility....also have to assume we will see a lot of Logan...Especially with Lapo here...and If it Jackson...he will utilize the hell out of a explosive dude like that

[Stickem]

Guys leaving left right and centre......Don't like what I'm seeing....Is the penthouse view really fading and is that the outhouse I'm getting a glimmer of....AND this is a Cup year in our digs.......Call me getting a little jaded with some nervousness attached....Rhymes a replacement for Kenny??....maybe the money was wrong for us with Lawler, but don't make me laugh...That's a downgrade

[wbbfan]

Rest of the league trying to get wr deals back in line with other premium skill positions and Hamilton screws it up. 
 

I love the talent of lawler and Dobson but they aren’t with that. 

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I am not blaming Kenny entirely for taking the money. In all honesty, he probably got a contract offer from us that reflected the fact that he has been unreliable.

 

2 minutes ago, blue85gold said:

Freep reported that we offered $220K which seems fair. $300K is wild.

My understanding was we had yes....a 2 yr deal for him at that price, but both parties were gonna wait to see his market price....and as it played out we prob would have bumped up to 240 but at this juncture in his career being prob his last lucrative deal he went for the financial benefit...and cant fault him for that...onward and upward

[GCn20]

13 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

Almost $300k for Lawler apparently. I think you guys are smart for not paying that price.

Per Hodge, Liam Dobson is also going to Hamilton.

Goveia is bringing all his buddies…

Honestly, I felt that Dobson was the most over rated OL in the CFL last year and I don't really feel all that bad about him leaving. This isn't sour grapes either, I have openly questioned his abilities consistently over the past year. Watched him consistently get beaten badly like a rented mule every time he went up against an elite DT. The apologists here blamed it on Kolo, and they were partially right but WAAAAAY too many times he just got straight up manhandled one on one and you can't blame that on the centre. Good riddance.

[Booch]

1 minute ago, wbbfan said:

Rest of the league trying to get wr deals back in line with other premium skill positions and Hamilton screws it up. 
 

I love the talent of lawler and Dobson but they aren’t with that. 

yup...one nutjob has to mess it up....that being said....doesnt mean other will follow suit now with whats left

[GCn20]

3 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Rest of the league trying to get wr deals back in line with other premium skill positions and Hamilton screws it up. 
 

I love the talent of lawler and Dobson but they aren’t with that. 

Lawler is a big loss, Dobson....I honestly think this will work out well for us. Rather spend on a new centre and let Wallace or Randolph start.

Edited 18 hours ago by GCn20

[WinnipegGordo]

For those wanting Nield......

 

Also, are the Riders going go with just vets at QB?

 

 

 

[sweep the leg]

3 minutes ago, Stickem said:

Rhymes a replacement for Kenny??....maybe the money was wrong for us with Lawler, but don't make me laugh...That's a downgrade

Did anybody say he’s a better player?

[Booch]

1 minute ago, GCn20 said:

Honestly, I felt that Dobson was the most over rated OL in the CFL last year and I don't really feel all that bad about him leaving. This isn't sour grapes either, I have openly questioned his abilities consistently over the past year. Watched him consistently get beaten badly like a rented mule every time he went up against an elite DT. The apologists here blamed it on Kolo, and they were partially right but WAAAAAY too many times he just got straight up manhandled one on one and you can't blame that on the centre. Good riddance.

yup...needs more seasoning to see if he can achieve upper teir...he not there yet...and a lot of times he definately was fumbling and bumbling around out there when he was opposite legit defenders....almost looked lost...and having Kolo beside him just amplified it

[greenrider55]

Just now, WinnipegGordo said:

For those wanting Nield......

 

Also, are the Riders going go with just vets at QB?

 

 

 

Stevens, in my opinion, was a must for the Riders. Short yardage has been an issue for a long while now, and Stevens is more or less automatic at it. I was curious if we’d bring in he or Streveler.

[GCn20]

Just now, Booch said:

yup...needs more seasoning to see if he can achieve upper teir...he not there yet...and a lot of times he definately was fumbling and bumbling around out there when he was opposite legit defenders....almost looked lost...and having Kolo beside him just amplified it

Dobson had ample time in development. He's as good as he is going to be, which isn't very good.

[greenrider55]

Just now, Booch said:

yup...needs more seasoning to see if he can achieve upper teir...he not there yet...and a lot of times he definately was fumbling and bumbling around out there when he was opposite legit defenders....almost looked lost...and having Kolo beside him just amplified it

Yea it’s definitely not a stretch to say that the majority of you weren’t huge on Dobson last season. As the 6th OL he seemed like a brawler with a whole lot of nasty to him, I thought he’d be more effective as a starter.

[wbbfan]

Looks like we have 1 db, 1 wr, and 1g spot to fill. Db I think we will promote and fill the dime from with in. Wr I think we will replace with a rookie and maybe bring in a low risk high reward vet to fight for the spot, then I think we will have Wallace at guard unless we take another fringe starter free agent into camp at that spot. 
 

I think the rest of our free agency is gonna be kicking the tires on dbs, WRs, ol and teams/depth nis. 

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, greenrider55 said:

Stevens, in my opinion, was a must for the Riders. Short yardage has been an issue for a long while now, and Stevens is more or less automatic at it. I was curious if we’d bring in he or Streveler.

Stevens is a one trick pony. Great at his one trick....but not really a QB per se. 

[Booch]

Just now, sweep the leg said:

Did anybody say he’s a better player?

he's a different player...more of a Sheed but better big play ability

Hopefully Mitchell takes that step up now in the Lawleresque type role...he definately has the skills....better speed....His head wasnt in it in 2023....kinda turned the corner again last yr....if his head isnt into here....then he wont last into 2026

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, greenrider55 said:

Yea it’s definitely not a stretch to say that the majority of you weren’t huge on Dobson last season. As the 6th OL he seemed like a brawler with a whole lot of nasty to him, I thought he’d be more effective as a starter.

Great short yardage guy, or good 6th OL. We kind of let him **** or get off the pot last year and he didn't pass the test.

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

Stevens, in my opinion, was a must for the Riders. Short yardage has been an issue for a long while now, and Stevens is more or less automatic at it. I was curious if we’d bring in he or Streveler.

yeah...good signing for u as your short yardage blew....Can't expect much more than that from him tho, but really thats all that specialist needs to do anyway

[bigg jay]

Just now, WinnipegGordo said:

Also, are the Riders going go with just vets at QB?

Stevens might be considered a vet running back but that's about it.  He's thrown all of 20 passes in 3 years compared to 160 carries.

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, Booch said:

he's a different player...more of a Sheed but better big play ability

Hopefully Mitchell takes that step up now in the Lawleresque type role...he definately has the skills....better speed....His head wasnt in it in 2023....kinda turned the corner again last yr....if his head isnt into here....then he wont last into 2026

Mitchell was badly effected by the Esks musical chair QB situation and the fact their defence could never get off the field.

[greenrider55]

Just now, Booch said:

yeah...good signing for u as your short yardage blew....Can't expect much more than that from him tho, but really thats all that specialist needs to do anyway

Unless we legalize the tush push! 
 

That would mean more playing time for Jake Thomas, Booch 🤣

[wbbfan]

5 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Honestly, I felt that Dobson was the most over rated OL in the CFL last year and I don't really feel all that bad about him leaving. This isn't sour grapes either, I have openly questioned his abilities consistently over the past year. Watched him consistently get beaten badly like a rented mule every time he went up against an elite DT. The apologists here blamed it on Kolo, and they were partially right but WAAAAAY too many times he just got straight up manhandled one on one and you can't blame that on the centre. Good riddance.

He wasn’t and I’ve firmly been in the other boat and I’m still not broken up about losing him for a premium pay day. You just can’t go around paying Canadians elite money on potential from a partial good season. 
 

2 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Dobson had ample time in development. He's as good as he is going to be, which isn't very good.

Simply not the case. 
 

5 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Lawler is a big loss, Dobson....I honestly think this will work out well for us. Rather spend on a new centre and let Wallace or Randolph start.

Lawler is a big loss for the 4-6 strong games a year he puts up, not for the 1-3 invisible games and the half season un able to play.  Love the talent, not much else.