Aaannnddd..... Walters goes from bum who can't find import receivers to draft genius - love the CFL...

I'll go for the right word right off the bat....PHENOMINAL ….a huge talent for the O line...Don't know who he pushes out but with the talent and size this guy possesses we have to get him on board somehow...Couture may be the odd man out but that's not a certainty...Have to trust Walters has the plan man

I think Gray's going to fit right in:

Quote

“I am very excited to be joining the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” said Gray. “I look forward to being able to play at home in front of family and friends. It is rare to be able to play professional football where you grew up, and in the same stadium with many fond memories from university football.”

 

 

Meet ole Gray beard

This is awesome.

Interesting that he goes from Bob Wylie to a Bob Wylie groomed coach in Marty Costello. I am sure a lot of he teaches is similar.

This will help come this year of Free Agency...  I assume we lose Chungh ....  I can't see Hardrick leaving...  the guy loves it here and shouldn't command that much of a big salary.

Why would you assume we lose Chungh... he is likely the Bombers’ top priority. 

8 minutes ago, AKAChip said:

Why would you assume we lose Chungh... he is likely the Bombers’ top priority. 

I only see is losing Chung if he tries the NFL.  

Chung is a must.  Drafted him, developed him.

Just now, Colin Unger said:

I only see is losing Chung if he tries the NFL.  

Chungh will be 27 in March. I'm pretty sure the NFL ship never even set sail for him.

I could see BC throwing a lot of money at Chung. But I hope Walters locks him up!

39 minutes ago, Brandon said:

This will help come this year of Free Agency...  I assume we lose Chungh ....  I can't see Hardrick leaving...  the guy loves it here and shouldn't command that much of a big salary.

We can find ways to shed salary if we need to ante up for Chung.  He’s going to be right up there with Adam Bighill.  Teams generally don’t let good young Canadian lineman make it to free agency. Even if we need to move on from Bryant and Neufeld it would be worth it.

1 minute ago, JCon said:

I could see BC throwing a lot of money at Chung. But I hope Walters locks him up!

The key is not letting it get to that point.

Just now, Colin Unger said:

The key is not letting it get to that point.

But he may be interested in listening to what BC has to say. Not sure about his personal life but I would imagine going "home" is appealing. He must look at players like Harris and Demski who are enjoying home cooking. 

Just now, JCon said:

But he may be interested in listening to what BC has to say. Not sure about his personal life but I would imagine going "home" is appealing. He must look at players like Harris and Demski who are enjoying home cooking. 

It’s hard to say without knowing his personal situation. Coaching is also a factor.  Players like to play for coach O’Shea. Harris has his daughter in Winnipeg.  In the case of Demski I think it had as much to do with the role he would have in Winnipeg’s offence than anything. 

Chungh is easily a bigger priority than Bighill. It’s not even close. 

I think this Gray signing could make Neufeld expendable looking ahead to 2019. He's under contract next season, IIRC. Trade bait?

Edited October 15, 20187 yr by blue_gold_84
correction

Chung could have gone home if he wanted to but re-upped to stay put... no reason to think he wouldn't do so again.  The CBA expiring will be a bigger factor in re-signing him (and others), more so than the appeal of playing at home.

Edited October 15, 20187 yr by bigg jay
Terrible grammar

12 minutes ago, AKAChip said:

Chungh is easily a bigger priority than Bighill. It’s not even close. 

Normally I'd agree with you with an NI VS Import but Bighill has been that damn good of a player for us. He makes a difference every play and makes everyone around him better. So when you say it's not even close, I don't think that's true. In fact, Chungh and Bighill will likely get similar salary. And if that's not a gauge of importance to the team, I'm not sure what is

Gotta think they are two of our top free agents. We must sign both

Edited October 15, 20187 yr by BBlink

1 minute ago, BBlink said:

Normally I'd agree with you with an NI VS Import but Bighill has been that damn good of a player for us. He makes a difference every play and makes everyone around him better. So when you say it's not even close, I don't think that's true. In fact, Chungh and Bighill will likely get similar salary. And if that's not a gauge of importance to the team, I'm not sure what is

Gotta think they are two of our top free agents. We must sign both

Bighill is also 30 and despite our struggles to find them in the past, import MLBs are easier to find than high end Canadian linemen. 

28 minutes ago, AKAChip said:

Chungh is easily a bigger priority than Bighill. It’s not even close. 

I could see this yesterday. But with Gray in the mix now, I'd make Bighill the bigger priority. Chungh is a close #2 though.

Adam, with his leadership, work ethic and conditioning.....could certainly give us another 2 years of Bigtime

Edited October 15, 20187 yr by do or die

1 minute ago, Bigblue204 said:

I could see this yesterday. But with Gray in the mix now, I'd make Bighill the bigger priority. Chungh is a close #2 though.

This is crazy and I disagree completely. 

1 minute ago, AKAChip said:

This is crazy and I disagree completely. 

What is a bigger hit. Gray stepping in for Chungh (or couture/spooner etc) Or Wilson stepping in for Bighill. It's not an ideal situation on either side. But, I've seen how the defence plays without Bighill, and I've seen how the O plays with 1 new OL.