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Wolitarsky signing a one-day contract to retire as a Bomber. Winnipeg Blue BombersDrew Wolitarsky Retires as a Blue Bomber - Winnipeg Blue...The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the signing of Drew Wolitarsky to a one-day contract so he can officially retire as a member of the football club. Wolitarsky, 30, spent seven of his eight Can.

To me it looked like Walters got passive and did not challenge O'Shea on his player utilization, likely because O'Shea had accumulated an aura of infallibility, or maybe Walters just trusted him and gave him carte blanche. In his recent presser, Walters had a completely different tone to his statements than in previous pressers, and maybe he had a fireside chat with Miller. Its difficult to understand Walters' thinking in not going all-out for a Grey Cup game at home. Many fans and players will not have a second chance to see their team win The Game at home. It would have been legendary.

I talked to Neufeld, Sheahan and Cadwallader at Festival du Voyageur this weekend. Neufeld had an interesting comment--said the team looks a lot better than last year. He mentioned playing against Ceresna and lobbying hard to get him here.

It's funny to be the NFL got so upset at the NFLPA for their member body grading the teams, but the NFL doesn't have any issue trotting out independent people grading players performance on a play by play basis (PFF) and having their broadcast partners blast it all over their coverage. I don't think its reasonable to expect anyone to be able to parlay a career in the CFL to 7 or 8 million dollars... once he is off his ELC he'd be 27... so it would take 10 years @ 700K AAV to get him to 7 million... and that is if one of a million different things that could go wrong to derail a career doesn't go wrong. To project someone who spent 4 years in CIS ball and had one half decent NFL preseason game to end up the highest paid CFL player ever post US-Expansion seems... pie in the sky at best.

Congrats and THANK YOU to the great Dom Wooganowski.... We're lucky to have had him during our era of greatness.

It's hard to even know if money is a factor for Elgersma. Really if he signs here he'll be standing on the sideline, getting a few reps in practice (teams are prepping to win games, not develop rookies in practice) maybe running short yardage although they've brought in guys that seem to be better prospects for that. If his goal is to make the NFL more than anything else he needs to go somewhere he will get reps....which is NFL preseason or UFL. But he's really wasting time now because the path from CFL to NFL is to play up here for 2-3 years, take the reins and dominate, then go NFL. The longer he waits by the time he gets up here he's basically cooked for NFL opportunities. And if he signs after training camp up here there's really no point in terms of his development. That's when he's going to get the most reps and get settled.

Got two tickets to Touchdown Kelowna on June 27th which is my birthday. A friend of mine is a Stamps STH & since he was going with his 2 young sons, he got two tickets for my wife & I. That should be a fun weekend. We haven't been to Kelowna since 2017 when my son was an Asst Coach with the Okanagan Sun. Be interesting to attend one of these CFL niche games. More power to Lions owner Amar Doman for trying to grow the game in BC. Unlike that trash ownership in Toronto who do virtually nothing for the Argos in Southern Ontario.

None because this isn’t even what was reported. It was reported that Clercius made some mistakes and was criticized by Collaros for those mistakes. No where has it been reported that Clercius criticized Collaros.

clercius is 26, and started for a bit over a year and a half. Stoddard was in the league 9 years and broke 500 yards twice. Clercius last year was better than 5 of stoddards 9 years in the league and on the heels of his 6th best year. its a terrible comparison, if any thing corcoran is a poor man’s stoddard in a far better era for ni wrs.

I could care less about a Canadian QB and the incessant push for it...and why it even matters...there are elite Canadians all over the CFL who should get the promoting..and if not for NFL politics could play on an NFL roster over most teams back half roster..but never gonna happen The CFL media and fans should focus on best possible players period for Canadians and not push this stupid QB thing...cause in all honesty for every Rourke..which is historically rare and always will be...there's dozens of Shittier than Boltus Canadian QB's...and couldn't hold his jock. Media needs to let that one go He has raw skills...but at this point its all he has..and needs to develop it to see if he has any chance of being even moderately successful...doing the dance he is won't get that for him..and if he lands on a PR...even that won't...but on a roster here...getting some reps be it short yardage...special packages..whatever...gets you film..and eyes...look at Ford here...one game as a starter essentially got him a look...it wasn't his ST work as there are literally a 1000 Fords in the U.S with same or better skillset who can be teams guys...he showed something in his start and that alone was the bump he needed to get a shot...game film...Elgersma has none...and won't get any

Yeah, and I can’t see zach being that fragile. hes also a guy who has always tossed it up and hoped for the best. his touch hasn’t been the same for a couple years either clercius doesn’t seem to fit that either. this is a guy who stayed at his college despite them moving on to younger guys because he was way off their time line to be good. he accepted a role blocking playing teams and helping develop young guys. I don’t see him suddenly being all ego and speaking out against his qb

Rumoured fight? Is this from the Trust Me Bro source?

Good for him going out on his own terms. Respect.

So which game is Woli doing the half time at this year?

I'd prefer we go only 2 national receivers....The drop off from the 3rd Canadian spot and depth behind all 3 to a import receiver is far greater and makes us a weaker offense as a whole when you consider Corcoran or possibly some Rookie is having to take reps White..Pokey and whomever...with Demski and Neild/Clercius/Cobb is by far better than White...Pokey...Demski...Neild...Clercius/Cobb/Corcoran or some other rookie draft pick....and not even a debate about it really...And with the 3 Canadian starters...you have zipp for depth...at least with just Demski and one of Clercius/Neild u still have Cobb and the other of Clercius and Neild We could still go 3 import Oline guys if we choose and meet ratio as Eli/Neuf/BO/Demski/Neild or Clercius gives us 5 on offence, and any combo of 2 of Lawson/Kramdi/Bailey/Shay/Smith/ allows us to hit ratio...and here's a thought...actually use a Nationalized American on defence for 29 snaps as well and only have to have 1 true Canadian take a snap....far better option overall so hope Osh doesn't get this gotta have 3 Canadian receivers' going, cause we all know if he allowed to he will over use marginal Canadian over a more talented option ....ZC needs the best options available to him and guys who can make an impact and garner attention....We didn't land a Gittens...Brisset...Philpot to actually make that legit There are several import guys still out there who would make us way more dynamic, and a grimy guy like Rhymes too would give our group some edge and attitude...as from what I see right now...we dont have that...We flourished when we had an Adams...a Bailey...guys who got under the skin of teams and played with edge

Tonight

Gotta say, I listened to the Collaros presser and I think Hodge took a partial quote and turned it into way more than it was. Collaros was asked if he ever thinks about retirement and he said he does. He was asked "so you think there's a chance this might be your last season?" And he said "sure there's a chance" but he also said that he feels great and that as long as he feels he can perform and help the team win, he's going to keep playing. He also said he likes the 1 year deals and just playing it by ear. So I wouldn't get too hung up on any potential ZC8 retirement announcements...

Our biggest problem last year IMO was that we lost both lines of scrimmage. And it was especially bad on offense because we had virtually zero game breaking receivers. How that came to be can be debated. But, I am glad they spent on both lines this off-season.

Honestly I think the root cause was hanging onto expensive guys too long and not moving on sooner. Helps balance how your cap is allocated and increase the overall competition. Just my opinion anyway.

Also big struggle with US scouting. Let Hardrick walk and replace him with a C player. Let Lawler walk and replace him with Wheatfall. Too many of our replacements haven’t been good players let alone impactful ones.

Nfl tc money is not the same as pr though. Last year, players with less than 1 year service got 1850 a week. this year that goes up to 2k. For a full camp, plus the pre season games, guys with less than a year service get around 11-15k. Which is in the range of 15-20k canadian, before taxes. It only takes a couple weeks on a pr to out earn a cfl deal, but elgersma isn’t in that position. He as of yet hasn’t gotten a futures contract or camp invite even. To get that, he will now have to beat out an entire new rookie crop. This based off a preseason appearance, and a cis resume. He isn’t rourke, and rourke has basically no leverage and got barely a shot. I understand chasing nfl pr money, but he isn’t making some easy, economically sound decision. He’s gambling for more money with a pretty small chance of wining. The time to get a look now is counting down his nfl widow days after a cfl deal as well. If he kicks around for another year then comes up, he puts him self in a tight spot. He turns 25 next month, it’s going to be 2 years before he would get nfl consideration if he fast tracks to success. At that point he’s 28 for the next nfl camp, right at the end of his nfl window. I get it, but it’s long term, short odds gambling. At this point, I’d be happy if we traded his rights and sold high on him.

There isn't any explanation, other than failure to recognize the player(s) is incompetent....What measurables used by Osh to make his decisions are tough to pin point....The 2 players you mention were obviously not good enough ....one due to 'best before date' long expired, and the other was out of his depth at the position or as some have put it 'just plain crap' ...I don't know why they were not treated the same as Clercius and benched....only Osh can answer that...It certainly smacks of favoritism and if you allow that to permeate your club ....one day it will all catch up....Seeing as both players are no longer on our roster maybe the coach has had a revelation...One can only hope ....I won't hold my breath

Late comeback sends the men to the Gold Medal game. First team in Olympic history to come from behind in both the quarterfinal & semifinal games & advance to the finals.

And Rourke was able to weasel out of the pathetic rookie deal setup too after his failed attempt...Elgersma's camp should be talking to them That being said he also has proven absolutely nothing...at this point is all hype and assumptions and only way to get away from that is realistically get to Canada where he will be given every chance possible...get some film and show that yeah..he's legit

Very nice article in the Free Press on Woli today.

I have a feeling he is thinking it’s something it isn’t. I can’t think of any qbs who served as the camp arm to get signed out of that for camp, little on make a team. I could be wrong but it’s a pretty big hail mary. It’s a strange move for him. It’s not bad by any means, I expect him to be ufl bound.

Rhymes would fit the need for sure. ZC could use a big guy to go get jump balls on the outside.

Id be very happy to have him here. So true. Thats what I would think. He isnt a top tier guy, but hes among the best of the 2nd tier guys. And his fit here would be extremely good. lol the DBs would LOVE him in camp. Imagine if we have 2 NI wrs down in one game? Yikes.

Gotta be $. Although, and I know this isn't a popular opinion, I think he is pretty over rated.

Not sure if that's how they want to go ratiowise but Rhymes would be a nice add to our group, bigger guy who can push off, I mean go up and get contested passes.

It would have been real enjoyable to be around here if his answer was ‘Oh no I feel real good, I was chatting with Jake Thomas and I’m thinking I have a good five or so quality years left in me’.

That's not what Booch is saying... He is saying he doesn't know how to maximize the talent he already has. That he's played favourites with guys for many years who had no business being on the roster anymore. Like Koala & Thomas to name a few.

Part of what FIFO was here...was being key was a bog solid group of guys in prime...setting the tone and walking the walk and new guys coming in seen it...and fell in line...Premium guys kicking butt cause they earned it from play Then it slowly eroded away....positions were given due to past history, and being a favorite...even if not warranted and guys busting their asses also seen it, and never got a chance and yes...it caused rifts and frustrated attitudes...and why wouldn't it? Our younger up and coming guys who could have kept the dominance going walked for opp's elsewhere, or we wouldn't pay and cheaped out in order to keep far too long declining guys, and guys not good enough just because they were here from before and the HC liked them...all the while ignoring our actual true depth (having guts on roster isnt depth if you dont use them, or have faith they are good enough) eroded into league worst The holdover's got complacent and too comfortable knowing that thy just had to show up and keep the narrative here and they were safe....and the coaching staff did jack all to advance and evolve as well...What have we seen from osh with a unique decision...gutsy or ballsy call to take a game over...Pulling a player mid game....or parking a vet for poor performance?...We havnt...but we saw a lor of deflection...smug attitude and a lot of perplexed almost lost looks on the sidelines when things were spiralling down hill and weren't working no more, and no ability to pull out of it...Just the old "we will watch the film...guys will figure out what went wrong and fix it"...and it never happened Thats the condensed in a nutshell look at 2022 to now

thing is...he can sign with caveat he can request his release if a team kicks, or wants to kick the tires all the while getting his rookie salary and developing and getting pro exposure....There are bird dogs in stadiums up here all yr...at all times (practice and games) so would prob lend to more attention than sitting at home...making nothing Dude has a good arm....not elite...and NFL QB height, tho even that stereotypical thing in this age isn't was it was He had success in Canadian College ball...that is it...think about that...80 percent of rosters he played against at best are not even comparable to Prep School talent in the U.S let alone NCAA div 2 or 3 talent....so that success is pretty limited, and it has shown in that after his on flier h got from GB that he hasnt landed anywhere else...even with the big QB talent issues in the NFL after teams starters for most part.....he looked okay in the one pre-season but also was playing against guys who will never see another NFL camp again....Rourke has sucess against guys who are and where part of active rosters....and look what that got him....dickall...but he got wise and turned that into a big CFL deal dealing him if he for whatever reason doesnt wanna be here...which I dont think is the case wont land a pile of talent or picks in return, as why would it?...he is all hype and hope and thats about it right now....He just getting bad guidance right now and reason he not up here actually bettering himself for another possible camp

no he doesn’t. watch him run routes, watch him run with the ball in his hands. Hes done a great job of putting up yac too. he only gets looks when cover is busted or completely off him. he can’t get open vs any cfl defender. People are soo quick to forget that clercius has caught 72 of 97 targets in his career. with 10.6 yards per catch, vs under 9 yards per for corcoran. Which is brutal. Take a look at how many wrs had under 9 ypc, and how many of them had good seasons. Over 50 guys, and one good season. Because it’s easy to catch em all, when you’re underneath the coverage and barely off the los.

time to begin the thawing of Jamie Stoddard!!

Corcoran had 4 catches for 49 yards in 2 pre season games, hardly lighting it up or making play after play. Myron Mitchell was the guy getting hype all camp and he was cut. Wheatfall with 8 for 116 and 2 TDs was the most productive receiver in pre season. My point, if we go 3 NI starting at WR, one beter not be Joey. I'd also prefer we find better depth than him.

Walters & Osh should have both been let go when their contracts were up at the end of last season. They got a reprieve from Miller. Probably told to smarten up & actually do their jobs. Walters certainly took that to heart. Now, we'll see if Osh can get back to where he was in 2019.

I think that is a big part of it. I also think we kept sitting on money for flexibility. Glad that is over and we are back to competing in free agency.

thats where u have to see past the present and realize/decide when to walk away from certain vets and starters and have already put time and into the successor's and not look backwards and pay mightily for declining older talent who command a bigger pay cheque....we failed in that regard in a huge way....we also failed in our rigidity in how we used ratio and missed out on a lot of ralent we could have went after, rather than just clinging to pieces that were on the wrong side of their best before date, but still commanded bigger bucks the inferior player should regardless of their tenure here....or their nationality...or if it's one of Osh's love affairs...and if it's a saw off....the one who is younger and may have more upside within them...not the one who only has downside not necessarily....our draft strategy was nit the best approach either.

Walters and Osh got too hung up on these draft guys who were ST demons in college, but didn't project to anything more than that, and didnt see past that and were too reliant on the belief that our starters were all top grade like in 2019....and didnt see where we may need coverage. Any player basically can play ST's but not every player can contribute with reps on offence or defence....so draft the best projected player(s)overall who can push a starter, and actually succeed one or take reps....not the other way around Case in point as just one example..Hallet can kill it on ST's and has made huge plays....but he kills us on defence and seeing him always in chase as guys rape him on the field is just sickening...I can not recall a single defensive impact play he has made...but recall a ton of bad ones...The fact we would put him in as the 7th...8th db in some our schemes when we didnt need to for ratio, and had better guys on the sidelines was just baffling...like why?

No arguments there. Yet, like the coaches & admin cap, the league doesn't see the rookie cap as a problem. Yet the size of the field is. The priorities of the CFL are crazy.

he is. who ever reps him in the us is not doing him a service

What it says to me is that FIFO was way overrated with Osh. You can't expect players to fitin if certain players are coaches favourites. If a player should be benched & demoted then that is what should happen. Not given special chances or more opportunities to **** up. We saw that with a number of players over the years. You build a culture as a Head Coach then you have to make sure that it never changes. I think that's what happened to the Bombers. It went from FIFO in 2019 to Old Boyz Club in 2023-25. Younger guys saw & experienced that & wanted out. Needed a reset.

pretty bad dynamics that a HC would succeed to another players bitching....and that sure doesnt sound FIFO 'sh to me of ZC....Maybe some players should have berated his crap play/errors and got him parked on bench...should go both ways ....no?....sad state that apparently is

Any actual proof?

They tried pretty hard to make that work later in 24 and earlier last season when the injuries started to hit. Can't win enough routes to bring value. The home game against Calgary was basically the end of that experiment. Hard to put guys inside that aren't a threat. He's been ok on the outside when he gets forgotten where he doesn't really have to win with leverage. Clercius might get a shot to be more of a vertical threat with Condell because IMO we don't really have anyone but Wilson who is in the current group. Kinda pissed we didn't grab Daniel Wiebe in the late rounds last season instead of drafting a DL who clearly wasn't invested in being a pro player. Will be great depth for Sask especially at Y/R slot spots, throw him out at Z if you need. Too bad Rohan Jones likely won't ever play up here. He's an actual tight end/H back type who is also a big threat from any receiver spot or the backfield.

Thanks for mentioning the source. I withdraw my earlier comment.

Clercius isn't slow. 4.5 speed, one of the fastest few in his draft year. Almost the same speed as Mital. He plays the spot he does because he's also outlier strong with great size and tremendous blocking skill.

Something. Anything. For crissakes. These pandemic financial decisions should have ebbn gone 3 years ago. Sure, let's pay some random Canadian Guard $300000 a year who no one ever heard of. Yet, we can't offer Elgersma the money to make him want to sign here. The stupidity at the league level continues. Well done, Johnson & the Board of Dinosaurs.