Former Bombers in NFL (and spring leagues) news

[SpeedFlex27]

37 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

 

They get rid of Dunigan & keep Kate. Ridiculous. 

[HardCoreBlue]

1 minute ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

They get rid of Dunigan & keep her. Ridiculous. 

I’m assuming it’s been posted here but does anyone know the factual story of why he isn’t with TSN anymore? Budget cuts, other?

[SpeedFlex27]

 

31 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

I’m assuming it’s been posted here but does anyone know the factual story of why he isn’t with TSN anymore? Budget cuts, other?

Pretty obvious that he was fired.  

Jim Barker said on the Rod Pederson Show at Xmas time that he had a meeting with two producers from TSN before last season. That they wanted to go in a different direction. They fired him. 

[bigg jay]

13 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

I’m assuming it’s been posted here but does anyone know the factual story of why he isn’t with TSN anymore? Budget cuts, other?

"Barker has consistently worked as a panellist for TSN between CFL jobs, but that opportunity disappeared shortly before the 2025 season began. There was a shake-up at the network that resulted in multiple changes to the programming, including new graphics, music, special guest panellists, and the removal of some longtime analysts.

“(TSN producers) Chris Edwards and Arden (Doidge-Flynn) came in and they didn’t think I was what the station needed,” said Barker.

https://3downnation.com/2025/12/23/jim-barker-thrilled-to-be-with-toronto-argonauts-after-fearing-cfl-career-was-over/

 

[SpeedFlex27]

21 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

"Barker has consistently worked as a panellist for TSN between CFL jobs, but that opportunity disappeared shortly before the 2025 season began. There was a shake-up at the network that resulted in multiple changes to the programming, including new graphics, music, special guest panellists, and the removal of some longtime analysts.

“(TSN producers) Chris Edwards and Arden (Doidge-Flynn) came in and they didn’t think I was what the station needed,” said Barker.

https://3downnation.com/2025/12/23/jim-barker-thrilled-to-be-with-toronto-argonauts-after-fearing-cfl-career-was-over/

 

Barker may be old & irrelevant to some but the Argos think highly enough of him to rebuild the team the way he sees it. He said he'd be focusing on rebuilding the OL. He knows the league & has many contacts in the NFL & college. The Bombers should be so lucky to have the contacts Barker has in his network. I think he always kept in touch with his college & NFL scouts as well as kept current on CFL goings on as well. 

[Brandon]

TV is more so for personalities,  Barker was annoying.

I look forward to BLM retiring and joining the panel.

[GCn20]

9 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Barker may be old & irrelevant to some but the Argos think highly enough of him to rebuild the team the way he sees it. He said he'd be focusing on rebuilding the OL. He knows the league & has many contacts in the NFL & college. The Bombers should be so lucky to have the contacts Barker has in his network. I think he always kept in touch with his college & NFL scouts as well as kept current on CFL goings on as well. 

Say what you want about Barker, but the guy is a stud recruiter. I wish we would have hired him.

[Booch]

11 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Barker may be old & irrelevant to some but the Argos think highly enough of him to rebuild the team the way he sees it. He said he'd be focusing on rebuilding the OL. He knows the league & has many contacts in the NFL & college. The Bombers should be so lucky to have the contacts Barker has in his network. I think he always kept in touch with his college & NFL scouts as well as kept current on CFL goings on as well. 

Barker is a good football guy and is very connected....and well respected in football circles both sides of the norder...TSM just made him look like an unhinged at times freak...The Argo's are smart to put him in place to resurrect their team before it gets to dumpster fire territory

11 hours ago, bigg jay said:

"Barker has consistently worked as a panellist for TSN between CFL jobs, but that opportunity disappeared shortly before the 2025 season began. There was a shake-up at the network that resulted in multiple changes to the programming, including new graphics, music, special guest panellists, and the removal of some longtime analysts.

“(TSN producers) Chris Edwards and Arden (Doidge-Flynn) came in and they didn’t think I was what the station needed,” said Barker.

https://3downnation.com/2025/12/23/jim-barker-thrilled-to-be-with-toronto-argonauts-after-fearing-cfl-career-was-over/

 

TSN Dbags totally lost the feel of what football fans would want....keeping the wrong people  

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

Say what you want about Barker, but the guy is a stud recruiter. I wish we would have hired him.

yup!!...People shouldnt go by with how TSN had him act...The guy is moocho connected and respected...and he definately has a knack/talent for finding talented players who will thrive in CFL

[Stickem]

14 hours ago, Brandon said:

TV is more so for personalities,  Barker was annoying.

I look forward to BLM retiring and joining the panel.

Bo Levi has the gift of the gab and comes across very well on the tube....He'll be a good one....As far as Matty being let go...there were whispers about his imbibing ...Now I don't know if that was factual or just an excuse to dump him....Dunnigan had his share of noggin knockers in his time and maybe it was starting to tell in his speech...can't say for sure, but after listening to Kate over the past while, she is starting to make me year for the days of Matty....At any rate IF it wasn't his choice to move on, I think that was pretty piss poor treatment of one of the stars of this league....That still sticks in my craw

[HardCoreBlue]

15 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

 

Pretty obvious that he was fired.  

Jim Barker said on the Rod Pederson Show at Xmas time that he had a meeting with two producers from TSN before last season. That they wanted to go in a different direction. They fired him. 

I know but why? Different direction, what does that even mean?

Edited yesterday at 06:06 PM by HardCoreBlue

[rebusrankin]

Its TSN. They gave Luke Wilson a show and kept Kate. They are clearly going for a Maple ESPN vibe.

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, Stickem said:

.As far as Matty being let go...there were whispers about his imbibing 

I'd watch a show with Matty ,  Walby,  and 2 other drunks gabbing about the CFL.   Sign me up!!!  

[17to85]

16 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I'd watch a show with Matty ,  Walby,  and 2 other drunks gabbing about the CFL.   Sign me up!!!  

Noeller and I call dibs.

[GCn20]

1 hour ago, Stickem said:

Bo Levi has the gift of the gab and comes across very well on the tube....He'll be a good one....As far as Matty being let go...there were whispers about his imbibing ...Now I don't know if that was factual or just an excuse to dump him....Dunnigan had his share of noggin knockers in his time and maybe it was starting to tell in his speech...can't say for sure, but after listening to Kate over the past while, she is starting to make me year for the days of Matty....At any rate IF it wasn't his choice to move on, I think that was pretty piss poor treatment of one of the stars of this league....That still sticks in my craw

If they were going to fire Matty for imbibing they never would have hired him in the first place. Guy has liked his beers for many, many years.

[Noeller]

41 minutes ago, Brandon said:

I'd watch a show with Matty ,  Walby,  and 2 other drunks gabbing about the CFL.   Sign me up!!!  

Actual photo of 17to85, Coorsman and I with another one of our buddies at Tav U.....

[HardCoreBlue]

22 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Noeller and I call dibs.

Imagine this crew as the CFL panel. You could rotate the two drunks every week to ensure you're getting fan representation from all CFL teams.

The panel would be moderated by Bob Irving and Luke Wilson to help fuel the fireworks. 

TSN has no idea what it's doing.

[bigg jay]

23 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

Imagine this crew as the CFL panel. You could rotate the two drunks every week to ensure you're getting fan representation from all CFL teams.

The panel would be moderated by Bob Irving and Luke Wilson to help fuel the fireworks. 

TSN has no idea what it's doing.

[HardCoreBlue]

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

This or straight fire?

I know what I'd chose. 🙂

[Noeller]

6 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

 

[HardCoreBlue]

46 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

This helps me imagine Bob Irving with a right hook that clocks Luke Wilson. 🙂

[Tracker]

2 hours ago, GCn20 said:

If they were going to fire Matty for imbibing they never would have hired him in the first place. Guy has liked his beers for many, many years.

And Walby would pulp you into strawberry jam for suggesting he is a drunk if he learned of it.

Edited yesterday at 09:55 PM by Tracker

[SpeedFlex27]

19 hours ago, Brandon said:

TV is more so for personalities,  Barker was annoying.

I look forward to BLM retiring and joining the panel.

Barker did yell like Muamba but he knows the game better from a coaching & scouting perspective. barker knows U Sports & is much more knowledgeable overall about game prep as a coach. Muamba always states the obvious like. "Their defense has to play better". That's all he does. 

2 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

This helps me imagine Bob Irving with a right hook that clocks Luke Wilson. 🙂

I think Bob Irving thinks twice before swatting a mosquito saying it deserves to live, too.