M.Silverback

Ha! So true with Streveler. If you asked a random NFL football fan who didn't know the Bombers if 1400 yards and 9:14 TD-INT ratio is good or bad for a QB, they'd reply it's terrible! Yet, we (me included) love Streveler, and want to re-sign him. A bit illogical. Potential I guess? I will say my caveat is I would sign him relatively "cheap". If he or his agent start getting stars in their eyes, I would point to his stats, and be prepared to let another team overpay him.

That to me is key - setting a QB budget in that range for all QB's. I'd be really wary of paying the $750 K plus for a starting elite QB. Reilly and BLM are by far the best QB's, but, really impacts your roster elsewhere, and in reality didn't win a Grey Cup for either BC or Calgary. There's absolutely no other QB's in the CFL I would pay that kind of money for. I'd shoot for Streveler, McGuire and veteran CFL TBD for $750K or less.

I'm surprised that Andrew Seinet-Spaulding, DT from McGill is not on the top 20 scouting list. JP Metras winner for outstanding lineman. I watched most of the McGill games, and saw him in person twice. Led the RSEQ in sacks from DT, being doubled teamed constantly. He's a CFL talent. I'm sure Kyle Walters is aware of him.

Totally agree. Willie is an NFL talent, but, that doesn't mean he makes an NFL roster, for the reasons you outlined. My gut says he returns to the Bombers. Kongbo is gone I'd say. He'll make an NFL practice roster for sure based on age, potential and SEC resume.

Well deserved. Grey Cup winning OC. Wonder if he’ll call the offensive plays? Needs a QB. Probably doesn’t bode well for Sinopoli putting up huge numbers. Check down city baby!

Any pictures of Suits crammed against the stage, screaming and crying during Keith Urban's performance? If not, can someone with Photoshop skills please do one? Thanks.

What you're saying makes sense. The CFL draft is definitely the toughest amateur draft. I was saying it's best not to fall into Joe Mack syndrome - choosing BPA even if everyone knows they're a legitimate NFL prospect. Hubbard is a Heisman trophy candidate; Gallimore is a 300 lb athletic freak projected to go first or second round in the NFL draft. A CFL GM is a fool taking either one of those players as high as the first round in the CFL draft. 5th, 6th round ... sure, take a chance. But anything else is a wasted pick. Try whenever possible to pick players that are available to play right away and hopefully contribute. Walters has been excellent at that.

Agree. With the caveat BPA who actually has a chance of playing in the CFL. If Chuba Hubbard or Neville Gallimore are available at number 9, fuggetaboutit. They're never coming to the CFL.

Agree. I would add that while shoulder, knee, etc. injuries are easier to recover from given treatment and surgery options, you have to consider type of injury and position. ACL surgery for a QB isn't as bad as it is for a RB or WR. It does limit mobility, but, a QB really just needs to escape pressure and have a quick release. Tom Brady has has multiple knee surgeries. Recovery from dominant arm shoulder surgery for a QB - now you've got me worried. Especially an older QB (Nichols). Versus shoulder surgery recovery for a WR which isn't really a big concern.

You might be right. And if he gets an NFL shot, great for him. I'm always rooting for any CFL player to make an NFL roster when they get a shot. It's a dangerous, short career in football, if you can maximize your earnings, do it. I'm just not sure Steveler gets an NFL look this off season. If he puts up okay CFL numbers, then I think he'd get a future look. But as of now, he'd have to be a complete position-less player, and I think there are way too many RB's, WR's, TE's ahead of him in the cue. No way he's being considered as an NFL QB. Tim Tebow was every bit as good of an athlete as Strevler, and a better QB, and he couldn't stick. But, maybe times have changed ...

You're right that teams will try to replicate what the Ravens have done. But, Lamar Jackson is really, really good, and always was. It was ridiculous and insulting that some NFL teams wanted him to change positions out Louisville. Lots of other reasons for that. But, smart football people knew he was a true talent. If Streveler could become a CFL version of Jackson-lite we'd all be thrilled.

He's an amazing athlete. And if he was willing to basically become a RB or slot receiver, then maybe he gets a look. But still, there are so many practice roster RB's and WR's, plus a bunch more coming every draft. I just can't see Streveler getting a look at an alternate position ahead of players who actually play those positions. NFL teams still view CFL talent lower on the pecking order than one of their own college draft picks for the most part. And, he's no where near ready to be an NFL QB, even third string. He's not quite ready for be a CFL starter at QB. Pretty sure he re-signs with Winnipeg. If he ever put up decent QB numbers in the CFL, he may get a look down the road with the NFL.

A lot of fake tough guys on the Ti-Cats.

That's my guess too. I'd prefer Collaros over Nichols, but, I think Collaros will be in the east. I think Walters will do short, incentive laden contracts for both Nichols and Streveler, because there are concerns around both (Nichols - recovery from throwing shoulder surgery; Streveler - cool dude, tough competitor, but will he be a top tier CFL QB ever?). McGuire is a wildcard. Throws a great ball; athletic enough - he could ultimately be the best of the three.

That's the key point. I trust Walters when it comes to free agency. He's mostly been on point, doesn't overpay and when he hasn't (like Chris Matthews, Adarius Bowman) he moves on quickly. Winning the Grey Cup actually puts the Bombers in an even better position from a free agent perspective. We have options, depth, and now current players will likely want to stay even more. Other free agents may want to join the current Grey Cup champs. Sure seemed like Willie Jefferson wants to stay based on his comments at the parade. We're in a position of strength.

Watching the parade online! Love it. Streveler wins the day again with the comment "all I know right now is I'm lit"! Gotta love him. Nichols really loves Winnipeg and this team. Collaros may not return, but, he is a Bomber legend.

The real question is when (positive energy, not "if") Collaros wins the Grey Cup for us on Sunday, is it worthwhile investing in a Collaros number 8 Bomber jersey? He may only be a Bomber for three games, but he'd be a damn legend if (when) he wins us a Grey Cup.

First rounder is tough to give up. But, it will be pick 8 or 9 of the first round and not a fantastic draft year. Looks like the top end of the draft this year will get serious NFL looks, meaning we'll likely never see them in the CFL. The players projected from around 6 - 20 seem pretty equal in talent. Walters is also a very good drafter. So, if we had to give up a first rounder for a Grey Cup winning QB (positive thinking), this would be the year.

Yeah, as much as I appreciate Kirk Penton with the only CFL coverage on The Athletic, and find his "insiders" comments interesting, you have to take them with a huge pile of salt. Even Penton knows this, hence why he often puts contradictory quotes in there. So many questions. Who are the insiders? Are their comments influenced by biases they have against certain teams? (spoiler alert: almost always) Do they actually know what they are talking about? Sometimes yes. Often no - like the early season fawning over BC, and how "insiders" blamed everything on the O-line coach and the Canadians on the O-line. Kinda missed that one insiders.

I agree that Streveler is not going to get any NFL interest at QB. There are so many QB's coming out of college every year who get drafted or picked up as UDFA's. Streveler didn't get signed as an UDFA coming out of college, and has not really done anything to enhance his NFL interest at QB in the CFL. Let's remember, the best QB in the CFL was offered a back up role only with the Vikings and perhaps a couple of other teams. Not even a guarantee of second string. I'm not 100% sure Sean Mannion wouldn't have beat out BLM. I love Streveler as a competitor and a football player, but, he's not close to being NFL caliber as a QB. And this talk about him getting a look at RB, TE ... again, there are so many RB's and TE's drafted, on practice rosters, back ups. Do you think he jumps the queue over any of them? Doubt it. He'll be back as a Bomber. Not as a starting QB.

Legitimate question. But, I don't think any starters lasted 18 games this season. You definitely need a capable back up QB whoever you sign as a starter. And if we're strictly comparing Collaros to Nichols in a bubble, I'd have as many concerns health wise for Nichols. Maybe more - throwing shoulder surgery - yikes. And Nichols going down has proven pretty clearly that Streveler is not ready to be an average to above average starting QB in the CFL. Heart bigger than the Grinch's when it grew, helluva football player, but not a top tier starting QB.

Might be. There are so many moving parts in the off season in terms of free agents and QB's in particular. Collaros has pretty strong ties to the Toronto area, so I'm not sure playing in Winnipeg is an option for him regardless of the outcome of the Grey Cup. I'm just going to enjoy the ride. His QB play has been better than any other Bomber QB's this season. His vision, pocket awareness and arm have been very good. I like our chances going into the Grey Cup!

How about a screen pass to Harris?

Enough Steveler today. Go with the hot QB Collaros