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

[GCn20]

12 hours ago, wbbfan said:

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. 

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 

My biggest worry on losing Ford is losing an allstar calibre NAT. At any position you just can't let those walk.

[rebusrankin]

I feel like Ford is going to spend at least part of this season in an NFL camp or pursuing such an opportunity.

[Bigblue204]

20 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

My biggest worry on losing Ford is losing an allstar calibre NAT. At any position you just can't let those walk.

generally i'd agree. But I think the 1 position you can let them walk is CB. Especially Field side. He's not at all irreplaceable as an athlete and without him in the lineup even last year our ratio is just fine. 

[GCn20]

18 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

generally i'd agree. But I think the 1 position you can let them walk is CB. Especially Field side. He's not at all irreplaceable as an athlete and without him in the lineup even last year our ratio is just fine. 

Allstar NAT talent is not easily replaceable at any position. I realize we have a head scratching use of the ratio, but that just speaks to our ability to recruit and RETAIN NAT talent. However, of every one we let walk we lose a ton of flex. Ford is young, improving, and was arguably a top 3 DB in the entire league last year. We gotta do our best to retain him.

37 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

I feel like Ford is going to spend at least part of this season in an NFL camp or pursuing such an opportunity.

Yea...he has those kind of skills for sure. Sucks for us if we lose him.

[bigg jay]

Just now, rebusrankin said:

I feel like Ford is going to spend at least part of this season in an NFL camp or pursuing such an opportunity.

Yep, I'd love to see him back but Ford won't be a Day 1 FA signing up here so we're better off allocating money elsewhere right now.  If/when he does come back up here, we may not be in a position where it makes sense to pay him the kind of money he'll be looking for.

[Bigblue204]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

Allstar NAT talent is not easily replaceable at any position. I realize we have a head scratching use of the ratio, but that just speaks to our ability to recruit and RETAIN NAT talent. However, of every one we let walk we lose a ton of flex. Ford is young, improving, and was arguably a top 3 DB in the entire league last year. We gotta do our best to retain him.

Yea...he has those kind of skills for sure. Sucks for us if we lose him.

If you're looking at it like you HAVE to replace an Allstar NAT, sure you don't let him walk. But I don't see the need to replace an allstar nat at that specific position. The cost compared to a replacement vs the realistic production just doesn't make sense imo. Spending a lot of cap space on a position like that would be a huge mistake. specifically because finding a field side corner has never really been an issue with this management. I don't expect it to start being one now.

Keeping in mind that if he never started a single game last year our ratio remains fine...I just don't see the need unless his $$ makes sense.

Edited Monday at 04:35 PM by Bigblue204

[Fatty Liver]

1 hour ago, Bigblue204 said:

If you're looking at it like you HAVE to replace an Allstar NAT, sure you don't let him walk. But I don't see the need to replace an allstar nat at that specific position. The cost compared to a replacement vs the realistic production just doesn't make sense imo. Spending a lot of cap space on a position like that would be a huge mistake. specifically because finding a field side corner has never really been an issue with this management. I don't expect it to start being one now.

Keeping in mind that if he never started a single game last year our ratio remains fine...I just don't see the need unless his $$ makes sense.

I'd rather they pay Holm decently and convince him to stay long-term along with Nichols to maintain core consistency in the secondary, rather than spend on a high-flyer like Ford who will eventually leave to play elsewhere.

[wbbfan]

5 hours ago, GCn20 said:

My biggest worry on losing Ford is losing an allstar calibre NAT. At any position you just can't let those walk.

Yep same. And that he could be more than an all star db, he could be a dynamic game changer as a ball hawk. 
 

5 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

generally i'd agree. But I think the 1 position you can let them walk is CB. Especially Field side. He's not at all irreplaceable as an athlete and without him in the lineup even last year our ratio is just fine. 

Db is certainly one of the more replaceable spots in general but even more so for us. 
 

It’s a tough spot for Walters n co. 

[GCn20]

8 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Yep same. And that he could be more than an all star db, he could be a dynamic game changer as a ball hawk. 
 

Db is certainly one of the more replaceable spots in general but even more so for us. 
 

It’s a tough spot for Walters n co. 

Yea....I think Ford was one of the top 5 defensive players overall in our conference. Add NAT to that and his loss would be huge. 

[Goalie]

Ford is a little old for the nfl isn’t he? I mean when there’s 22 23 year old ncaa prospects coming in is someone gonna give a shot to a guy who couldn’t stick around anywhere when he did try? Is it ford or was it the spot he played. Demario Houston played the same spot with us and cashed in after with Calgary. Is it the player or the spot really. Couldn’t you find an American on a rookie contract and spend the cash elsewhere like LB or DL or even receiver. 

Edited Monday at 08:16 PM by Goalie

[GCn20]

3 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Ford is a little old for the nfl isn’t he? I mean when there’s 22 23 year old ncaa prospects coming in is someone gonna give a shot to a guy who couldn’t stick around anywhere when he did try? Is it ford or was it the spot he played. Demario Houston played the same spot with us and cashed in after with Calgary. Is it the player or the spot really. 

He has many prime years left. Not too old at all. Granted for every year older they want to see some refinement in your game, but if he shows he can play he is certainly not too old by NFL standards.

Edited Monday at 08:17 PM by GCn20

[Goalie]

Milligan was better. 

[GCn20]

1 minute ago, Goalie said:

Milligan was better. 

Debatable, although Milligan was very good.

[Booch]

5 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

generally i'd agree. But I think the 1 position you can let them walk is CB. Especially Field side. He's not at all irreplaceable as an athlete and without him in the lineup even last year our ratio is just fine. 

exacly....you can just as good or better withan import at half the price tag...we dont need that spot as Canadian....we play moe than we need to anyway....and in doing so, if they are qualityenough to be a starter...then they aint cheap....double edged sword

We have big money tied into BO...Biggish in Demski....Neufeld is likely par for the course for a vet canadian....We start one of Eli or Kolo (just puked i my mouth) and neither is breaking bank....Wallace should be given every opp to grab that left Guard spot on an entry level deal and a combo of Clercicus and Woli wont be breaking the bank as another Canadian starter....there's 6 guys there that if anything will cost you about as much...maybe a lil less than any other team really when you think about it

We need 1.....make that clear 1 Canadian on defence...thats it.....We use a Canadian SAM....Like to force feed a Canadian DTackle/interior guy tho this yr with Lawson back that should be a bonus....and we used a Canadian at corner...one who will cost us a premium....and we already pay a obscene premium for Kramdi....which to me is poor allocation when any number of imports can offer u the same and likely more at again half the price basically....

We have a knack for scouting db's....we have Parker..Griffin..Nichols...Bridges already here for bargain price save for Nichols...Bonds is on entry....I see no need to pay large for Holm...Ford...Canadian or not as he isn't essential for us ratio wise...so we really need to find one...maybe 2 legit db talents to augment and have on PR

Lose Holm....Ford...Thomas...Wilson...Biggie...and youb have about 600k to play with to fill those roles....and all can be filled easily with at least 175/200k to spare if your scouting is legit

We have the ways and means to build a solid...actually deeper roster if we have the sense and sensibility to cut ties with big ticket...easily replaceable salaries/play

I don't care where our all-stars come from....irrelevant....and all-stars dont always equate to championships....A team of 46 soldiers...all above avaerage and put in the position to succeed with 1...or 2 "all-stars"  within them will 9 times outta 10 beat a team with 5..6..7...but garbage all around them

7 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

He has many prime years left. Not too old at all. Granted for every year older they want to see some refinement in your game, but if he shows he can play he is certainly not too old by NFL standards.

hes gonna be 27 as the season starts...and at best viewd as a project down there....thats old for a guy in his position...from a school in canada....undrafted....un already unsuccesful....

[greenrider55]

I didn’t know Ford was already 27, that definitely hurts his chances. 

[Booch]

3 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

I didn’t know Ford was already 27, that definitely hurts his chances. 

undrafted...canadian....canadian college....unsuccessful already....he has the primo meat grinder anti bias all over him....he will be back in no time if not for camp with someone

[rebusrankin]

28 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Milligan was better. 

You forgot the McBain Meme where he says that's a joke.

[greenrider55]

7 minutes ago, Booch said:

undrafted...canadian....canadian college....unsuccessful already....he has the primo meat grinder anti bias all over him....he will be back in no time if not for camp with someone

I feel like someone is going to pay him to be their boundary corner.

[Booch]

7 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

I feel like someone is going to pay him to be their boundary corner.

oh for sure...he is a great talent for the CFL....and will get paid for it....But will also have to fit a teams SMS structure too one would think...

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, greenrider55 said:

I didn’t know Ford was already 27, that definitely hurts his chances. 

already had a year in the nfl and here before last year. Time adds up fast for guys going back n forth. 
 

1 hour ago, Booch said:

undrafted...canadian....canadian college....unsuccessful already....he has the primo meat grinder anti bias all over him....he will be back in no time if not for camp with someone

Plus our system. Unless a team is playing fangio 6 a lot, (Vic fangio doesn’t even use it as base) he probably isn’t a fit as a cb. Very niche play style. Big calling card for us is he’s an elite athlete as a Canadian. For an imp db he’s above average to very good but not a crazy athlete by nfl standards. 27 and he’s not had a ton of experience. 
 

That said, he’s a guy I’d take a shot on. The flashes of dominance in making plays on the ball is really hard to come by. Leaves me torn on what to hope for tbh. I want him back. I don’t want to see us pay him some 200k deal. If he wasn’t a db he would be a 200k player as an ni in the cfl. 

[Stickem]

On Ford.....we waited for him last year until he gave up (temporarily) on his nfl dream and he returned here....Can see the same thing happening this year....He likes it in the Peg and quite frankly I don't see another club backing up the truck for him....I could be wrong but I say Ford is back in BlueNgold in 25'

[TBURGESS]

I'm already resigned to the idea that we'll lose Ford to the highest bidder, which won't be us. 

[Mark H.]

It seems Tre Ford is this off season's Brady Olivera around here.

You know, the guy who can be 'easily' replaced with a cheaper American

Oh well...I guess we have to chew the fat about something

 

[Noeller]

7 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

It seems Tre Ford is this off season's Brady Olivera around here.

You know, the guy who can be 'easily' replaced with a cheaper American

Oh well...I guess we have to chew the fat about something

 

Tyrel... But yes.

We absolutely can find a cheap American to play that spot (Walters regime is littered with quality DBs) but it's all about how you want to use your roster. Based on how this team finds DBs, I'm not sure that breaking the bank for a NI one is that important.... Certainly not as important as re-signing a local kid who is the best in the league at his position, regardless of nationality. 

Edited Monday at 11:36 PM by Noeller

[Mark H.]

8 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Tyrel... But yes.

We absolutely can find a cheap American to play that spot (Walters regime is littered with quality DBs) but it's all about how you want to use your roster. Based on how this team finds DBs, I'm not sure that breaking the bank for a NI one is that important.... Certainly not as important as re-signing a local kid who is the best in the league at his position, regardless of nationality. 

I agree, he's the best. But the same 'easily replaced, don't break the bank' narrative was spun about him last season.