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

[greenrider55]

I’m not sure how many of you remember last year, but the same source who told me Schoen was staying in Winnipeg just told me Lawler is going to Hamilton. 

[wbbfan]

51 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

Kenny Lawler reportedly offered $250k by Calgary.

Did he not leave in 2022 only to immediately say the grass isn’t greener and he shouldn’t have chased the bag?

I’m all about guys getting paid but it would be hard to pity him if he hates it in Calgary.

 

49 minutes ago, Booch said:

Cant see how we couldn't fit that into our SMS

HE made more last yr..as did Schoen...

The fact we are hearing he’s been offered that and not accepted it speaks volumes.  Calgary’s offer doesn’t change what I think we should be in the market to pay. If lawler have come off an 18 game season where he played at the level we expect from him, then sure. But he isn’t. 
 

I don’t think lawler will chase that money to Calgary. 
 

41 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

Nothing yet, but the OL signings as a whole have been pretty quiet so far.

Ryan Hunter re-upped with Toronto today, possible that’ll get the market moving.

which is pretty interesting. A lot of money being thrown around, usually ol command the premium. Might not be the pay day some guys are expecting left. 
 I’d happily take him back, for well under 200k. 

[Mike]

17 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

I’m not sure how many of you remember last year, but the same source who told me Schoen was staying in Winnipeg just told me Lawler is going to Hamilton. 

Yeah, I heard the same thing earlier today. Not surprising, but it hurts a bit. I do hope we pivot to Hatcher or Geno.

[greenrider55]

2 minutes ago, Mike said:

Yeah, I heard the same thing earlier today. Not surprising, but it hurts a bit. I do hope we pivot to Hatcher or Geno.

Hatcher is an interesting case, all the talent in the world, just has the Achilles injury now kind of looming. He’d be a great signing imo.

[Mike]

2 minutes ago, greenrider55 said:

Hatcher is an interesting case, all the talent in the world, just has the Achilles injury now kind of looming. He’d be a great signing imo.

Recovered fine last year, I thought 

[bluto]

Looks like Metchié is going to be an Elk.

 

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/sources-edmonton-elks-agree-to-terms-with-canadian-db-royce-metchie/

[Goalie]

Elks signing OL McKellar also. The Toronto Elks. 

[wbbfan]

45 minutes ago, Mike said:

Yeah, I heard the same thing earlier today. Not surprising, but it hurts a bit. I do hope we pivot to Hatcher or Geno.

I'd be fine with either of those. 

 

24 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Elks signing OL McKellar also. The Toronto Elks. 

The elk continue their expansion draft in free agency. 

hatcher goes back to BC right after being cut to avoid paying him an off season bonus. Like going back to a bad ex here.'

I kind of wish the league/pa would step in on this one. Teams shouldn't be able to avoid bonuses this way and bring the guys back, especially right away. Just dirty. 

[Mike]

Hatcher back to BC

Feels like we’re going to be the odd man out in the receiver bidding, Geno will go to Calgary after they lose out on Lawler and we’ll end up with Rhymes or Acklin 

[rebusrankin]

So is Ed Hervey shooting for another rule invoked because of him? Guy is spending like a drunken sailor.

[Mike]

Just now, rebusrankin said:

So is Ed Hervey shooting for another rule invoked because of him? Guy is spending like a drunken sailor.

I mean, it makes sense … who was making money on that team before? Korte and Geno Lewis? 
 

they have a ton of mid pay level guys they’re moving on from … Steward, Oakman, Mayala, Kyran, Leonard, Purifoy, Moncrief, Foucault … it’s no wonder they are spending money, they had a ton of space 

[M.O.A.B.]

6 minutes ago, Mike said:

Hatcher back to BC

Feels like we’re going to be the odd man out in the receiver bidding, Geno will go to Calgary after they lose out on Lawler and we’ll end up with Rhymes or Acklin 

or Dunbar 

[Fatty Liver]

54 minutes ago, Mike said:

Yeah, I heard the same thing earlier today. Not surprising, but it hurts a bit. I do hope we pivot to Hatcher or Geno.

2022, the year Lawler played for the Elks the Bombers did well, Schoen was an unknown rookie plus they had Demski, Woli, Bailey and Ellingson for half the season.  Now they have Schoen, Demski, Mitchell, Clercius and Wheatfall with the fair chance Pokey shows up within a couple of months.  Don't think they have reason to spend big dollar on a receiver if his name is not Lawler, for sure Zach would be very happy to have him back along with Schoen.

[Pete Catan's Ghost]

Not a lot of movement coming out of Montreal  

 

[rebusrankin]

13 minutes ago, Mike said:

I mean, it makes sense … who was making money on that team before? Korte and Geno Lewis? 
 

they have a ton of mid pay level guys they’re moving on from … Steward, Oakman, Mayala, Kyran, Leonard, Purifoy, Moncrief, Foucault … it’s no wonder they are spending money, they had a ton of space 

This is fair. I may have to be reasonable and recind my earlier comment.

[Brandon]

5 hours ago, Booch said:

for a place where we are the supposed desired destination...we sure miss out on an lot of talented guys

 We can't sign every single free agent in the league can we?  

Did each of the other teams in the league complain that they can't attract free agents after we signed all of our star players over the last many years?  

[Pete]

44 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 We can't sign every single free agent in the league can we?  

Did each of the other teams in the league complain that they can't attract free agents after we signed all of our star players over the last many years?  

Most free agent players go the dollars lead them period. otherwise many wouldnt be free agents. Culture etc may help in retention but not in attracting new players.

[Arnold_Palmer]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

So is Ed Hervey shooting for another rule invoked because of him? Guy is spending like a drunken sailor.

Elks say we don’t need no stinking scouts. There’s CFL ready players available in free agency. 

[Mike]

I forgot Hollins is out there … JBR was right, he definitely is a Wilson type. Not super high on him, but it fits the mold of what we might be looking for.

[greenrider55]

1 minute ago, Arnold_Palmer said:

Elks say we don’t need no stinking scouts. There’s CFL ready players available in free agency. 

Building through free agency rarely seems to work, however.

Like many have said here, you’re really holding out hope that Tre Ford is legit if you’re an Elks fan.

[wbbfan]

54 minutes ago, Brandon said:

 We can't sign every single free agent in the league can we?  

Did each of the other teams in the league complain that they can't attract free agents after we signed all of our star players over the last many years?  

We certainly can’t when Edmonton is signing half of em lol. 

Honestly with our record with free agent WRs, I’d be ok if we just brought in some nfl cast offs and college beasts. Spend the money elsewhere. 

 

[Booch]

2 hours ago, Mike said:

Yeah, I heard the same thing earlier today. Not surprising, but it hurts a bit. I do hope we pivot to Hatcher or Geno.

Geno would be just as good or better for us...I'd be all for that.

 

1 hour ago, Mike said:

Hatcher back to BC

Feels like we’re going to be the odd man out in the receiver bidding, Geno will go to Calgary after they lose out on Lawler and we’ll end up with Rhymes or Acklin 

Acklins hanging them up

 

[Pete]

hope tsn isn't planning a big day in free agency coverage on the 11th, at this rate they are gonna have to spend the time talking about ac leonard 

[blue85gold]

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/hamilton-tiger-cats-sign-former-blue-bombers-receiver-josh-johnson/
 

Kenny will have some competition in Hamilton