bigg jay

So did he! https://3downnation.com/2023/05/19/second-year-elks-receiver-dillon-mitchell-sets-goal-of-2000-yards-in-2023/

Yeah OC is what I'm most interested to hear about but I'm also happy about the new scouting group. We know the old crew could find DB's but were less successful in other areas so I wonder if we'll have more luck in those areas (DL & LB for me) with a new set of eyes?

Jauch joins the Blue Bombers after spending the last three years with the B.C. Lions as their Director of U.S. Scouting. Jauch is the son of former Blue Bombers player and head coach Ray Jauch (1978-82 as head coach) and played five years in the CFL with Calgary (1989), Edmonton (1990-91) and Hamilton (1992-93) where he also played with his brother Joey. After his playing days Jauch became a college scout with the San Diego Chargers in 1994, joining the Cleveland Browns in 2006, where he was then promoted to Associate Director of College and Pro Scouting, a position he held until 2010. Jauch returned to the Chargers and worked with them from 2010-14 before joining the New York Jets as a National Scout until 2018. He then returned to Canada to become the Director of Pro Scouting with the Toronto Argonauts before heading to B.C. https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/10/blue-bombers-add-trio-to-scouting-staff/

The Bombers article specifically mentions that the new guys will be working with McManus so it looks like he's staying put.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/10/blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-back-jamal-parker-jr

Yep, he even went as far as to name some of Campbells assistants when he took over the L's. He had Sherrit as the DC (correct but for the wrong HC) and Killam as STC (partial points for getting the team right but the role wrong). TBF, he wasn't alone. Some Edmonton media guys were convinced the Campbell history there, made Rick as HC a no-brainer.

Looks like Arash nailed it again! 😂

Was living in a seniors complex, hosting poetry readings as of a year ago.

Riders lose their starting left tackle to the NFL. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/07/saskatchewan-roughriders-release-ol-trevor-reid-to-pursue-nfl-opportunity/

How many teams lose 3 straight championship games? The Buffalo Bills fired Bill Polian (former Bomber personnel director) as GM after 3 straight Superbowl losses so there is precedent for making changes on a successful team if you can't win the one that matters.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/07/toronto-argos-receiver-makai-polk-signs-with-atlanta-falcons/

Willie has taken less to stay here before, but he also had an interesting tweet after the season ended where he said "Last years price ain't the same price!!!!". Obviously, that's open for interpretation but it might mean he's looking for a bigger payday that I'm not sure his play this season has earned (aside from GC where he was great). Last years Willie ain't the same Willie so what do you pay for next year?

I wonder why the official announcement took so long when the news broke almost a month ago? https://3downnation.com/2024/12/15/ottawa-redblacks-hire-william-fields-as-new-defensive-coordinator/

Nope, scheduled to make $210k in 2025 according to 3DN. He's from Cali so maybe he asked to be closer to home?

Wonder where they got this idea from? 😂 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/06/winnipeg-blue-bombers-head-coach-mike-oshea-invited-on-mentors-trip-with-toronto-maple-leafs/

Based on the way Kyle phrased it during his post-season presser, it didn't sound like they had a whole lot of room in the 2024 cap left. He said they were going to check down the penny how much they had & use it on a signing bonus for somebody (singular). Stanley got a signing bonus as part of his deal so they may have spent it all right there. Walters himself said it affects who they may want to bring back or go after in FA. He was asked about next years roster and he said they need to know who the OC will be before they can really start looking at that.

Fight thread ≠ Flight thread

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/24/new-york-jets-work-out-two-members-of-winnipeg-blue-bombers/

I don't disagree but the flip side is they are paying a third of Rourke's salary in marketing money. That's a lot of money to go around telling kids that the CFL is just an unfortunate detour.

I could see that (McInnis to Calgary). Yesterday, BC picked Lenius up off the scrap heap so maybe they're hoping he can stay healthy enough to be his replacement? He will be much cheaper than what McInnis is going to make.

Which means they now have the highest paid players on both sides of the ball. Interesting that Betts is all salary and no marketing money.

Yep, he had a major stroke in late winter/early spring IIRC. Didn't know him personally but always enjoyed his food when I went to Lovey's.

Yes, all PR salaries count against the cap. I would guess it doesn't happen often because of the cap but you'd have to think a guy like Drew Richmond was making more than the minimum (why else would you sit on the PR for 3 years at that minimum rate?).

Also that the PR is a minimum of $750 a week - clubs can pay them more if they choose but it all comes out of the cap just the same.

Rob has (and continues to) looked for place in Winnipeg so I'm sure it'll happen eventually. He actually kicked tires on the spot that turned into Belle's so it looks like that place was destined for BBQ one way or the other.