Jaxon

No one is downplaying it, just saying it may not be the end of the world because Kyle Walters stocked the cupboards well at the position knowing how important it is. 

In my real life, I've negotiated many union contracts on behalf of my company.   Some have been here in Winnipeg, and some out in B.C.   Some negotiations dragged on for months, and some got settled quite quickly.    Generally speaking, if both sides come in with reasonable positions, and listen to each other's concerns, solutions can be found quickly.   At the end of the day, both parties have more in common than have in opposition to each other.    The difficulties lie when someone's ego takes over, or they dig in their heals to "win" the argument regardless of the long term result.   So long as they stay focused on the big picture of growing the game, attracting fans, and putting a quality product on the field, while remaining fiscally prudent, they will get it done.    If it boggs down into "More for me and less for you", then their will be problems.
Some of the best results, for both sides, have been reached in contracts that we've settled in 1-2 days.   It is folly to think that longer negotiations really achieve more in the long run.   That being said, each negotiation is unique, and I fully appreciate that there can be sticky issues that need to be resolved.

In my real life, I've negotiated many union contracts on behalf of my company.   Some have been here in Winnipeg, and some out in B.C.   Some negotiations dragged on for months, and some got settled quite quickly.    Generally speaking, if both sides come in with reasonable positions, and listen to each other's concerns, solutions can be found quickly.   At the end of the day, both parties have more in common than have in opposition to each other.    The difficulties lie when someone's ego takes over, or they dig in their heals to "win" the argument regardless of the long term result.   So long as they stay focused on the big picture of growing the game, attracting fans, and putting a quality product on the field, while remaining fiscally prudent, they will get it done.    If it boggs down into "More for me and less for you", then their will be problems.
Some of the best results, for both sides, have been reached in contracts that we've settled in 1-2 days.   It is folly to think that longer negotiations really achieve more in the long run.   That being said, each negotiation is unique, and I fully appreciate that there can be sticky issues that need to be resolved.

In my real life, I've negotiated many union contracts on behalf of my company.   Some have been here in Winnipeg, and some out in B.C.   Some negotiations dragged on for months, and some got settled quite quickly.    Generally speaking, if both sides come in with reasonable positions, and listen to each other's concerns, solutions can be found quickly.   At the end of the day, both parties have more in common than have in opposition to each other.    The difficulties lie when someone's ego takes over, or they dig in their heals to "win" the argument regardless of the long term result.   So long as they stay focused on the big picture of growing the game, attracting fans, and putting a quality product on the field, while remaining fiscally prudent, they will get it done.    If it boggs down into "More for me and less for you", then their will be problems.
Some of the best results, for both sides, have been reached in contracts that we've settled in 1-2 days.   It is folly to think that longer negotiations really achieve more in the long run.   That being said, each negotiation is unique, and I fully appreciate that there can be sticky issues that need to be resolved.

I'd like to make a distinction between 'letting a guy walk' and a guy 'wanting to test the market'. Letting a guy walk is when a team doesn't bother making a reasonable offer to keep a guy around. I bet we have. A guy testing the market is when that same guy thinks he's worth more than a reasonable offer. I bet that's happening right now.

In my real life, I've negotiated many union contracts on behalf of my company.   Some have been here in Winnipeg, and some out in B.C.   Some negotiations dragged on for months, and some got settled quite quickly.    Generally speaking, if both sides come in with reasonable positions, and listen to each other's concerns, solutions can be found quickly.   At the end of the day, both parties have more in common than have in opposition to each other.    The difficulties lie when someone's ego takes over, or they dig in their heals to "win" the argument regardless of the long term result.   So long as they stay focused on the big picture of growing the game, attracting fans, and putting a quality product on the field, while remaining fiscally prudent, they will get it done.    If it boggs down into "More for me and less for you", then their will be problems.
Some of the best results, for both sides, have been reached in contracts that we've settled in 1-2 days.   It is folly to think that longer negotiations really achieve more in the long run.   That being said, each negotiation is unique, and I fully appreciate that there can be sticky issues that need to be resolved.

Interesting rebranding for the Als ... But their team is still a mess.  I like the unique approach with the logo on the helmet.
https://alsternative.com/2019/02/02/an-alsternative-look-at-the-new-montreals-identity/
Wonder what the switch to New Era might mean for other teams (particularly the Blue and Gold).

Randles post/thank you to MOS really drives home the relationship aspect that takes place between MOS and the players. How many times have you seen a player discuss a HC like that AFTER they were cut? I don't think I've ever seen it before. 

https://t.co/FSAcKP3qNm
WINNIPEG, MB., January 28, 2019 –  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has re-signed national linebacker Thomas Miles to a one-year extension. Miles was set to become a free agent next month.   Miles has spent the past two seasons in Winnipeg after signing as a free agent prior to the 2017 season. He has recorded 26 special teams tackle and nine defensive tackles in 36 games over that span. Prior to signing in Winnipeg, Miles spent three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts after being selected 33rd overall in the 2014 CFL Draft.   Through his five CFL seasons, Miles has recorded 67 defensive tackles, 42 special teams tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in 76 career games.

I know I’d rather him part ways amicably (he handled this professionally), and that this is a better move for him in the long term (especially if he’s fallen out of love with the game), but darn, this was a second overall pick who just hit his prime.
this is pretty awful news from a team perspective.

Salary cap goes up and that money has to come from somewhere. Perhaps a TV deal or sponsorships, but I think we'd see it in ticket prices in some part.

I mean ... really? You think this is salary cap related? He's most certainly taking a pay cut to do this. He's just planning for a career that has a longer term outlook than football and props to him for it.

Good luck to the Goose in his retirement....Class guy all the way and by the sounds of it is going to miss us  and the game....

Speller's a centre too, I think.

well...we should have no reason making Chungh an offer he can't refuse now you would think...A line with Bryant and Hardrick with a combo of Chungh..Neuf..Gray and Couture is still pretty damn good

Going out on his terms. 

Good God in his high chair, Goossen retires.......................
https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/01/29/matthias-goossen-announces-retirement/

MOS has a job for life, as far as I'm concerned. The winning will come...he's doing all the right things so far. Really hope they lock him up long term.

Do Mexican coaches count against the football operations cap?

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/.../CFL-ESPN.aspx     Startup football properties, like Charlie Ebersols AAF and Vince McMahons XFL, have been getting plenty of ink these days as they prepare to launch spring leagues over the next year.

In the midst of those well publicized launches, the 60-year-old Canadian Football League also has been making moves to grow and modernize. The league, known for only having three downs and much wider fields than the NFL, will announce a multiyear renewal of its media rights deal in the U.S. with ESPN this week.

Im always mindful of whats going on in the world around me, CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said of the spring football upstarts. But its more important to us that we execute our plan.

Financial terms for the multiyear deal were not disclosed though Ambrosie said the new deal represented an improvement in economics for us reflective of last seasons ratings.

ESPN2 coverage of CFL games averaged 163,000 viewers last season, a 19 percent increase from the previous year.   The new deal calls for at least 20 games per season on one of ESPNs linear television networks, usually ESPN or ESPN2. That includes at least one division final and the Grey Cup championship game. It will place at least 65 CFL games on the direct-to-consumer service, ESPN+. The CFL says every game will be available.

I feel like we have the right partnership with ESPN, Ambrosie said. We have big, bold, new plans to expand our league and grow our business.

This is part of what Ambrosie has referred to as CFL 2.0, which means expanding globally. This week, the CFL is holding its first scouting combine in Mexico City. It is looking into partnering with American football leagues in other countries and scouting players outside of the U.S. and Canada.

The multiyear deal with ESPN gives the CFL a consistent outlet in the United States. ESPN has carried CFL games since 2014. Prior to that, the league bounced around from NFL Network to NBC Sports Network.

Ambrosie led the negotiations for the CFL. Linear programming executive Gregg Morriss and direct-to-consumer programming executive John Lasker led negotiations for ESPN.

The CFL season runs from June through November

Buddy Tinsley (left) & Hamilton's Steve Oneschuk shake hands just prior to kickoff of the 1957 Grey Cup at Varsity Stadium in Toronto.  The Head Referee is Paul Dojack. Just look at Tinsley's pants. Very interesting. 

IIRC the previous "franchise" player situation was called the "Marquee" player.   It was a bust that drove up costs for clubs without any real overall benefit.   The difficulty was that every team felt that they needed to designate one guy as their marquee player, otherwise their fan base would assume that their club wasn't competing.   
I'd rather see them bump up the minimum so that the journeymen players get better rewards for their pain and efforts.   
Personally, I'm not overly worried about the XFL and the AAFL.    I've seen too many various attempts south of the border, and they've all gone bust.  I just don't see them attracting crowds at the gate nor significant TV following.

The Jets moving back is a significant factor.    Prior to Jets 2.0, I tried to be a Moose fan, but got thrown off by the call-ups to the NHL.   Seemed like it was a forgone conclusion that you would lose your top scorer, best defenceman, and your goalie to the parent club.     I had no allegiance to the Vancouver Canucks, so it was like you were losing your top talent as the playoffs approached.    Now I see  it differently, as I'm a Jets fan, so my perspective is different.     Back then I was one of the people who wanted a WHL club instead of the   IHL-AHL team.    Now I see the Moose as an affordable way to watch the future Jets.

The Jets moving back is a significant factor.    Prior to Jets 2.0, I tried to be a Moose fan, but got thrown off by the call-ups to the NHL.   Seemed like it was a forgone conclusion that you would lose your top scorer, best defenceman, and your goalie to the parent club.     I had no allegiance to the Vancouver Canucks, so it was like you were losing your top talent as the playoffs approached.    Now I see  it differently, as I'm a Jets fan, so my perspective is different.     Back then I was one of the people who wanted a WHL club instead of the   IHL-AHL team.    Now I see the Moose as an affordable way to watch the future Jets.