Unofficial Free Agent List

[Fan Boy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I would like to see Messam instead of Fitzgerald as FB.

Why is it that when Messam changes uni's he looks great for awhile then disappears. I think we'd be better off sticking with Fitzgerald and bring him along.

 

 

Fitzgerald is another wasted pick from Mack. Even his LS'ing is not good when the Bombers need replacement when Wild was injured. We need someone that D will respect when he has the ball. Messam might not be as explosive during his first year but how many times did he burn our D this year?

 

Agreed. Fitzgerald is not a rookie and has not been for some time. He needs to come to training camp with the expectation that he will either show more than he has or be gone. He has shown a few flashes of promise,but after awhile that is not enough.

 

How is he supposed to show more when the offense barely uses the TE/FBs on the roster? 

 

 

It might have something to do with the OC's and the QB's confidence in him too.

 

Or how about the fact that offences in the CFL these days runs mostly a 1 back set and the FB/TE is only a situation position and used sparingly as a tendency breaker and nothing more. 

 

This is the answer I vote for. There's been sparse backfields in the CFL for years. FB has  just a been position name you give for special teams specialists for a long time too.

[Blueandgold]

 

 

 

 

Foley will not be a FA this year. He signed an extension about a month ago, it just hasn't been officially announced yet. I am not sure why because everyone knows about it already....except Lawless, I guess.

 

Interesting. I'm willing to bet  he got a decent raise from his previous deal.

[gbill2004]

@ArashMadani: With the #CFL salary cap going to $5 million, cost of Canadian free agents will skyrocket. Some believe Ben Heenan may get $250-275k. Unreal

[holoman]

 

 

 

If we offer Ben Heenan 250K or so I'm not sure that he's as unrealistic as a target as some people may think. 

 

How much is Picard earning right now?

 

I believe some of their big earners are pending FAs too ... like Foley.

 

The Riders actually apparently got Foley on a very reasonable deal. He'll be do for a raise if they bring him back. They'll have a lot of tough decisions to make this off season,it'll be very interesting to see what happens in Riderville.

 

 

Foley will not be a FA this year. He signed an extension about a month ago, it just hasn't been officially announced yet. I am not sure why because everyone knows about it already....except Lawless, I guess.

 

With Foley, You never know.  Ask the B.C Lions.

[M.O.A.B.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I would like to see Messam instead of Fitzgerald as FB.

Why is it that when Messam changes uni's he looks great for awhile then disappears. I think we'd be better off sticking with Fitzgerald and bring him along.

 

 

Fitzgerald is another wasted pick from Mack. Even his LS'ing is not good when the Bombers need replacement when Wild was injured. We need someone that D will respect when he has the ball. Messam might not be as explosive during his first year but how many times did he burn our D this year?

 

Agreed. Fitzgerald is not a rookie and has not been for some time. He needs to come to training camp with the expectation that he will either show more than he has or be gone. He has shown a few flashes of promise,but after awhile that is not enough.

 

How is he supposed to show more when the offense barely uses the TE/FBs on the roster? 

 

 

It might have something to do with the OC's and the QB's confidence in him too.

 

Or how about the fact that offences in the CFL these days runs mostly a 1 back set and the FB/TE is only a situation position and used sparingly as a tendency breaker and nothing more. 

 

This is the answer I vote for. There's been sparse backfields in the CFL for years. FB has  just a been position name you give for special teams specialists for a long time too.

 

 

Still you want a greater talent regardless of position and between Messam and Fitzgerald, the edge is on Messam and it's not even close.

[Stickem]

Messam has been around longer than Fitzgerald, and has shifted around from team to team. Apparently his attitude isn't that great. I don't think he fits the mold of an O'Shea team and after purging ourselves of some bad attitude do we really want to go down that road again. No thanx, pass on Messam. If Fitzgerald doesn't bring it this coming tc. go in another direction.

[mbrg]

Messam is used primarily as a running back.  Fitzgerald is used sparingly as a tight end.

 

Comparing them statistically because they are both incorrectly listed as fullbacks on depth charts is comparing apples to lugnuts.  Did Fitzgerald run the ball a single time this year? (curious, I go check)  No, not once in any year.

 

Without watching all 18 games I have no way of knowing, but I suspect he never even lined up in the backfield this year.

 

 

Pontbriand is used as a fullback.

[Brandon Blue&Gold]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I would like to see Messam instead of Fitzgerald as FB.

Why is it that when Messam changes uni's he looks great for awhile then disappears. I think we'd be better off sticking with Fitzgerald and bring him along.

 

 

Fitzgerald is another wasted pick from Mack. Even his LS'ing is not good when the Bombers need replacement when Wild was injured. We need someone that D will respect when he has the ball. Messam might not be as explosive during his first year but how many times did he burn our D this year?

 

Agreed. Fitzgerald is not a rookie and has not been for some time. He needs to come to training camp with the expectation that he will either show more than he has or be gone. He has shown a few flashes of promise,but after awhile that is not enough.

 

How is he supposed to show more when the offense barely uses the TE/FBs on the roster? 

 

 

It might have something to do with the OC's and the QB's confidence in him too.

 

Or how about the fact that offences in the CFL these days runs mostly a 1 back set and the FB/TE is only a situation position and used sparingly as a tendency breaker and nothing more. 

 

This is the answer I vote for. There's been sparse backfields in the CFL for years. FB has  just a been position name you give for special teams specialists for a long time too.

 

 

Still you want a greater talent regardless of position and between Messam and Fitzgerald, the edge is on Messam and it's not even close.

 

Aside from when he played us, how much rushing yardage did Messam get this season?  Answer, 160 yards.  When he played us in 3 games he ran for 222 yards.  This doesn't speak to how good Messam is, rather how he is only good against our shoddy run D.  Along with this and the questionable attitude his only advantage is his passport, and I would wager Carl Volny could put up better numbers if we wanted to go National for our rb.  Fitzgerald is more TE than FB.  I'd like to see us use him more like that next season.  That one time in the BC game when they actually threw to him led to a very nice play.  And then they never did it again for whatever reason.  Not Fitzgerald's fault if the plays are designed without an option to the FB/TE.  I do agree that if he is the backup LS he could do a better job of being ready if needed.

[bearpants]

Messam is used primarily as a running back.  Fitzgerald is used sparingly as a tight end.

 

Comparing them statistically because they are both incorrectly listed as fullbacks on depth charts is comparing apples to lugnuts.  Did Fitzgerald run the ball a single time this year? (curious, I go check)  No, not once in any year.

 

Without watching all 18 games I have no way of knowing, but I suspect he never even lined up in the backfield this year.

 

 

Pontbriand is used as a fullback.

 

I gotta say, as far as signing a Canadian fullback off the streets, already in his mid-twenties... Pontbriand was a pretty nice find by Mack...

[mbrg]

 

Messam is used primarily as a running back.  Fitzgerald is used sparingly as a tight end.

 

Comparing them statistically because they are both incorrectly listed as fullbacks on depth charts is comparing apples to lugnuts.  Did Fitzgerald run the ball a single time this year? (curious, I go check)  No, not once in any year.

 

Without watching all 18 games I have no way of knowing, but I suspect he never even lined up in the backfield this year.

 

 

Pontbriand is used as a fullback.

 

I gotta say, as far as signing a Canadian fullback off the streets, already in his mid-twenties... Pontbriand was a pretty nice find by Mack...

 

 

I agree, but saying something positive about Mack derails any thread.  Best to not bother.

[M.O.A.B.]

Btw, Bombers Free-Agent Tryouts in US rolling already...

 

 

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club will be hosting a tryout in Las Vegas, NV on December 7th. The tryout will be held at the UNLV practice field with registration starting at 9:30 am

[Goalie]

Realistically, I see them going after one of the OL guys (Canadian) so Holmes or Heenan, I could see them throwing some big money at one or both of these guys

 

Westerman is another guy i think they go hard after, Just get the feeling that they wanted him pretty bad a few years ago, so now that he might be available, i could see them throwing some cash at him too.

 

Maybe some foot soldiers also, not necessarily the biggest names but the guys that might get you the best bang for your buck, Sam Hurl, James Green,Jason Arakgi, One of the Long-Snapper type of guys. 

 

As for the internationals, Ernest Jackson and Willy have a history together, I could see them going after him, but i'm not sure they really need too. It shouldn't be that hard to find one or 2 international receivers. 

 

Also need to remember that a few other Internationals might shake loose, Perhaps even by giving up a late round pick, a guy like Xavier Fulton comes to mind, buried on that Sask depth chart but a pretty damn good tackle. 

 

Free Agency, seems to me that it's a way to upgrade the teams national depth, so i think if there is a national player that will help the team, they will go after him and hard.

 

Internationals? I'm not sure exactly, i don't think i'd be throwing piles of money at the International free agents, reality is you should be able to find a few through scouting and that stuff, Don't get me wrong tho, Jacson and Bear Woods are interesting names but i wouldn't break the bank to get them. 

 

Go after the Nationals here, that's our biggest issue. National depth and theres a few guys there that will certainly help us out. 

[Brandon Blue&Gold]

Realistically, I see them going after one of the OL guys (Canadian) so Holmes or Heenan, I could see them throwing some big money at one or both of these guys

 

Westerman is another guy i think they go hard after, Just get the feeling that they wanted him pretty bad a few years ago, so now that he might be available, i could see them throwing some cash at him too.

 

Maybe some foot soldiers also, not necessarily the biggest names but the guys that might get you the best bang for your buck, Sam Hurl, James Green,Jason Arakgi, One of the Long-Snapper type of guys. 

 

As for the internationals, Ernest Jackson and Willy have a history together, I could see them going after him, but i'm not sure they really need too. It shouldn't be that hard to find one or 2 international receivers. 

 

Also need to remember that a few other Internationals might shake loose, Perhaps even by giving up a late round pick, a guy like Xavier Fulton comes to mind, buried on that Sask depth chart but a pretty damn good tackle. 

 

Free Agency, seems to me that it's a way to upgrade the teams national depth, so i think if there is a national player that will help the team, they will go after him and hard.

 

Internationals? I'm not sure exactly, i don't think i'd be throwing piles of money at the International free agents, reality is you should be able to find a few through scouting and that stuff, Don't get me wrong tho, Jacson and Bear Woods are interesting names but i wouldn't break the bank to get them. 

 

Go after the Nationals here, that's our biggest issue. National depth and theres a few guys there that will certainly help us out. 

I thought Fulton was their starting left tackle?  At least that's what the Rider depth charts all say.  Don't get me wrong I agree with you that if we could land Fulton it would be a definite upgrade to our internatonal OLiners.  Just not sure Sask would give him up for a late round pick.

[Jpan85]

#BCLions have extended contracts of DT Jabar Westerman, Kito Poblah and Winnipeg native Mike Benson. #CFL

— Kirk Penton (@PentonKirk)

November 24, 2014

[sweep the leg]

That sucks. He was very close to the top of my FA wishlist.

 

Poblah I mean, not Westerman.

[Blueandgold]

Too bad Westerman re-signed.

[M.O.A.B.]

the firing of Benevides could have changed Westerman's mind.

 

 

Im hoping we can get DonnyO back in Blue & Gold.

[TBieber]

 

Realistically, I see them going after one of the OL guys (Canadian) so Holmes or Heenan, I could see them throwing some big money at one or both of these guys

 

Westerman is another guy i think they go hard after, Just get the feeling that they wanted him pretty bad a few years ago, so now that he might be available, i could see them throwing some cash at him too.

 

Maybe some foot soldiers also, not necessarily the biggest names but the guys that might get you the best bang for your buck, Sam Hurl, James Green,Jason Arakgi, One of the Long-Snapper type of guys. 

 

As for the internationals, Ernest Jackson and Willy have a history together, I could see them going after him, but i'm not sure they really need too. It shouldn't be that hard to find one or 2 international receivers. 

 

Also need to remember that a few other Internationals might shake loose, Perhaps even by giving up a late round pick, a guy like Xavier Fulton comes to mind, buried on that Sask depth chart but a pretty damn good tackle. 

 

Free Agency, seems to me that it's a way to upgrade the teams national depth, so i think if there is a national player that will help the team, they will go after him and hard.

 

Internationals? I'm not sure exactly, i don't think i'd be throwing piles of money at the International free agents, reality is you should be able to find a few through scouting and that stuff, Don't get me wrong tho, Jacson and Bear Woods are interesting names but i wouldn't break the bank to get them. 

 

Go after the Nationals here, that's our biggest issue. National depth and theres a few guys there that will certainly help us out. 

I thought Fulton was their starting left tackle?  At least that's what the Rider depth charts all say.  Don't get me wrong I agree with you that if we could land Fulton it would be a definite upgrade to our internatonal OLiners.  Just not sure Sask would give him up for a late round pick.

 

He was benched a couple times this year, had a very poor season. Probably their worst offensive lineman. Has been trending downward the past couple years. Don't think he'll be there much longer.

[M.O.A.B.]

I believe LS/WR Rempel was cut by the Riders.

[BigBlue]

Too bad Westerman re-signed.

 

 Wally is a real arm-twister ... it may be what he is best at ... intimidation .... possible reason for not so great  team chemistry ... ask Andrew Harris

[Mark H.]

Considering some of our International receivers this past year...going after a guy like Ernest Jackson has merit...

[johnzo]

I love to think of S.J. Green or C.J. Tasker or even E.B. Jackson playing for the Bombers, but my head says that if we're going to throw stupid money at free agents, it's gotta be on the OL.

Willy's the most valuable asset the team has and we will ruin him / lose him for good if we don't protect him right. And he made plenty of chicken salad with the underwhelming receiving crew we put on the field this year.

[iso_55]

Trouble is, we need more than just one FA player on that OL. We need three at least that can play & play well. We can afford one with the big bucks but not two I don't believe. Still though, signing one impact OL is better than none. This is going to be a huge off season for the Miller/Walters/MOS regime. If they don't come through with a playoff berth next year they'll feel the heat. 

[Blueandgold]

We already have two good import receivers in Nick Moore and Denmark. As much as I'd love to have a guy like SJ Green, I'm not sure breaking the bank for him would be the wisest use of money. I would hope that Walters would be able to recruit one young import receiver who deserves to be in the starting lineup this off season.

[TBURGESS]

I think we should save our FA money for O lineman and NI's.  I'd hope we can bring in competitive imports where we need upgrades without having to 'overpay' them.