Okay, so the off season officially begins now that the Grey Cup is over. Lots of topics for discussion in the months to come with the Bombers & the League. A new CBA needs to be negotiated sooner rather than later.  Will there be an eventual agreement or a lockout? How much will the salary cap go up? Randy Ambrosie is on record that wants the cap to significantly go up so that is a positive.  Will Bo Levi Mitchell sign with an NFL or perhaps another CFL team? What about Mike Reilly & Trevor Harris who are also free agents? There's a new start up league called the  AAFL & there are legit concerns that it'll draw star CFL players away or hamper free agent signings with CFL teams. Coaching changes in BC & Toronto. The continuing evolving story of the expansion Halifax Schooners & possible exhibition games in Mexico. 

Edited November 27, 20187 yr by SpeedFlex27

1 hour ago, Mr Dee said:

 

A KICKER!!!! Holy ****!!!!!

It will get lost in translation if it has to be explained..

1 hour ago, MOBomberFan said:

I really don't see the drawbacks to any of this.

My only gripe is the commissioner doesn't seem concerned with getting a new CBA signed.... this announcement is like painting your car when it needs a new transmission... sure, it looks nicer, but it still doesn't work.

PA does not want to start negotiating till March

41 minutes ago, Eternal optimist said:

My only gripe is the commissioner doesn't seem concerned with getting a new CBA signed.... this announcement is like painting your car when it needs a new transmission... sure, it looks nicer, but it still doesn't work.

These are all issues. That they want to be discussed in the new CBA. They need to be started first.

1 hour ago, Jpan85 said:

PA does not want to start negotiating till March

Dont we need a new agreement for this season though?  League has a lot more to lose by shutting down for a season than the players...

2 hours ago, Jpan85 said:

PA does not want to start negotiating till March

I am sure the CFL will be happy to delay it even longer. The longer it goes the more the league squeezes the players that have no money in the off season and are pressured into dealing. Historically this is the way it has been.

Remember last December when I voiced my concerns about the lack of talks & was told they shouldn't be expected to meet over the holidays ? That I was being unrealistic. Oh, they get together once a month. So, just relax, I was told. Oh, it's Christmas. They're going to start meetings in early February, they said. Now we've been told early March barely 2 months before training camps start... How absolutely STUPID is that? It's like both sides want a league strike or lockout. I just don't get it.  

8 minutes ago, DR. CFL said:

I am sure the CFL will be happy to delay it even longer. The longer it goes the more the league squeezes the players that have no money in the off season and are pressured into dealing. Historically this is the way it has been.

I’d agree the concept of the employer delaying discussions is not a bad strategy for one side. Ambrosie hasn’t necessarily been all bad for the players so far with more bye’s and less gruelling practices. Should the players association buy into Ambrosie’s vision which includes a larger amount of the players longer term health, his goodwill to date could go a long way to everyone agreeing to a new C.A. 

16 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

They're going to start meetings in early February, they said. Now we've been told early March barely 2 months before training camps start... How absolutely STUPID is that? It's like both sides want a league strike or lockout. I just don't get it.  

Relájese...

Entspannen Sie Sich...

Slap af..

Se détendre...

In other words..relax, we got you covered.

 

24 minutes ago, Mr Dee said:

Relájese...

Entspannen Sie Sich...

Slap af..

Se détendre...

In other words..relax, we got you covered.

 

16 hours ago, Noeller said:

NAR-sis or nar-SEESE?

Depends whether you're asking someone from Inwood or Chatfield.

Edited February 8, 20196 yr by gcn11

10 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Remember last December when I voiced my concerns about the lack of talks & was told they shouldn't be expected to meet over the holidays ? That I was being unrealistic. Oh, they get together once a month. So, just relax, I was told. Oh, it's Christmas. They're going to start meetings in early February, they said. Now we've been told early March barely 2 months before training camps start... How absolutely STUPID is that? It's like both sides want a league strike or lockout. I just don't get it.  

I think you are overestimating the amount of time this will take.

5 minutes ago, gcn11 said:

I think you are overestimating the amount of time this will take.

this x10000000.......it's not an NHL dispute. This might take a week or two...

4 minutes ago, Noeller said:

this x10000000.......it's not an NHL dispute. This might take a week or two...

Agreed. Its not as if there are buckets of money to be divvied up. Its going to be mostly about player movement and benefits.

53 minutes ago, Noeller said:

this x10000000.......it's not an NHL dispute. This might take a week or two...

The players simply can't afford a work stoppage and their union doesn't have buckets of cash. The players will get whatever morsels the league will give them and then sign on the dotted line. I am yet to see, in 40 years of following, the CFLPA dig in its heels on anything. Closest we came to a work stoppage was when the owners threatened to lock the players out over the guaranteed revenue sharing. Took all of a week for the CFLPA to give it up.

4 minutes ago, gcn11 said:

The players simply can't afford a work stoppage and their union doesn't have buckets of cash. The players will get whatever morsels the league will give them and then sign on the dotted line. I am yet to see, in 40 years of following, the CFLPA dig in its heels on anything. Closest we came to a work stoppage was when the owners threatened to lock the players out over the guaranteed revenue sharing. Took all of a week for the CFLPA to give it up.

Now, now....Iso's been a fan of this league since Dickety Ought 9, when they wore leather helmets and short pants.....so don't you tell him that there won't be a stoppage. He knows better than anyone..........................................

1 hour ago, Tracker said:

Agreed. Its not as if there are buckets of money to be divvied up. Its going to be mostly about player movement and benefits.

Exactly. Nothing has changed in terms of what the league can bring to the table when it comes to $$$. The players will not be getting a huge raise...they likely know this as well. The fact that the CFLPA are the ones suggesting to start AFTER free agency speaks volumes about what they are expecting if you ask me. It'll be a fairly quick negotiation. 

26 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Now, now....Iso's been a fan of this league since Dickety Ought 9, when they wore leather helmets and short pants.....so don't you tell him that there won't be a stoppage. He knows better than anyone..........................................

Well back in the 1918 he may have had a point. Nowadays, not so much. The big fights between unions and employers have all been fought already. Now it's just about maintaining for unions.

Edited February 8, 20196 yr by gcn11

34 minutes ago, Noeller said:

Now, now....Iso's been a fan of this league since Dickety Ought 9, when they wore leather helmets and short pants.....so don't you tell him that there won't be a stoppage. He knows better than anyone..........................................

Gimme five bees for a quarter!

13 minutes ago, MOBomberFan said:

Gimme five bees for a quarter!

which was the style at the time...

If it's so easy and the Union will just take whatever they are given, then why wasn't it done and dusted in January? It would be better for all involved to go into free agency knowing what the SMS number will be.

On 2019-02-07 at 10:17 AM, BBlink said:

"Fenner bender - restructuring his contract with the Bombers to free up $ is telling.."

Telling what exactly?  That he got beat out for the starting job?

Sorry, but who was it that beat him out again?

Just now, Dirty30 said:

Sorry, but who was it that beat him out again?

Gaitor

Just now, Dirty30 said:

Sorry, but who was it that beat him out again?

Gaitor...