Blue Bombers - 2025 Regular Season - Discussion Thread

[rebusrankin]

I get the money thing but honestly to lose Brady potentially because Walters is overpaying Collaros would be frustrating. Zach at 450,000, fine. Zach at 600,000 not fine.

I'd rather we get rid of Willie if they need to save money.

[SpeedFlex27]

15 hours ago, Booch said:

if osh is back....be more of the downward trend...poor roster...stupid decisions...same ol same ol

A HC has huge impact and say on the roster and who they retain and who/what they request....and the G.M and his team accomodate...hence why we are littered with garbage....The G.M and coach will always work together in a fluid and functioning system and are not gonna really but heads, and the G.M isnt gonna go against what the HC vision is....they hired him for a reason.....but there also comes a time when the G.M and or President need to step in...and lay down some law....or remove things from the equation....and this wasnt being done here, and if we bring back all the same cast of characters....it's just gonna continue on....plain and simple

This team is broken now at the top...they have no clue in the right way to get out of it and I can see several defections coming player wise with guys who want no more part of this, another season of big whooptydo FA signings and an even poorer roster...and how that's even possible is mind boggling but it's gonna unfold right in front of us....not even the real off-season yet but from sounds of all that in media reports...it's already disappointing and just gonna get worse

Osh needs to grow a pair and not worry about this mt nice guy image he wants to portray and yeah....rip some new arses and explicity say where things are not optimal....and actually have a plan to fix it...He's a pro football coach....not a babysitter of fragile egos and minds.....just gutless...season is over...was a pathetic excise of one at that....take some accountability for it....make others accountable....but nope...smug grin....like what we have....guys are awesome...blah blah....fuckingblah

Great summary. If what happened the past year is allowed to continue we'll be a 4 or 5 win season real fast. 

2 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

I get the money thing but honestly to lose Brady potentially because Walters is overpaying Collaros would be frustrating. Zach at 450,000, fine. Zach at 600,000 not fine.

I'd rather we get rid of Willie if they need to save money.

We'll lose Brady if we don't fire Hogan. 

[GCn20]

If Brady doesn't want to be here at a reasonable price I'm good with him moving on

[SpeedFlex27]

3 hours ago, GCn20 said:

If Brady doesn't want to be here at a reasonable price I'm good with him moving on

That's crazy. Brady's the heart & soul of this team. Someone is going to pay him $$$ to leave if we don't as he's in his prime. If he was 30 or 31, I'd agree but he's not. You want a 3-15 season? Then that's the way to do it. 

[rebusrankin]

The past two years, Brady has been the engine of the offense and often the only reason it has had success. I'd hate to lose him because we keep Hogan or decide not to pay him. Especially when Zach needs to take a cut of at least $100,000, Willie is overpaid, Vaughters is overpaid, Kola and Thomas are deadweight.

[bigg jay]

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

The past two years, Brady has been the engine of the offense and often the only reason it has had success. I'd hate to lose him because we keep Hogan or decide not to pay him. Especially when Zach needs to take a cut of at least $100,000, Willie is overpaid, Vaughters is overpaid, Kola and Thomas are deadweight.

I don't think it'll come down to money.  They can easily load him up with marketing money for all the work he does in the community and then the cap isn't even an issue.

[voodoochylde]

All I'll say is this:  where and how we've chosen to allocate our money is one of the reasons why we are in the situation we are right now. 

[M.Silverback]

1 hour ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

That's crazy. Brady's the heart & soul of this team. Someone is going to pay him $$$ to leave if we don't as he's in his prime. If he was 30 or 31, I'd agree but he's not. You want a 3-15 season? Then that's the way to do it. 

I like Brady. And I like the Winnipeg connection. But good teams, NFL and CFL, don't tend to overpay RB's any longer. Supply and demand. Decent RB's are plentiful. There were 5 other 1000 yard rushers in the CFL last year. I think all, or at least 4, made less $ than Brady. Plus there's Scott in Montreal who ran over our D in the semi final who looks like a 1000 yd rusher. Someone will pay him, I just wouldn't if I were a GM. I'd rely on my scouting department (if I had a decent one, not sure Bombers do now) to find me a new crop of American RB's every year to pick from and pay them accordingly. 

[Bigblue204]

6 minutes ago, M.Silverback said:

I like Brady. And I like the Winnipeg connection. But good teams, NFL and CFL, don't tend to overpay RB's any longer. Supply and demand. Decent RB's are plentiful. There were 5 other 1000 yard rushers in the CFL last year. I think all, or at least 4, made less $ than Brady. Plus there's Scott in Montreal who ran over our D in the semi final who looks like a 1000 yd rusher. Someone will pay him, I just wouldn't if I were a GM. I'd rely on my scouting department (if I had a decent one, not sure Bombers do now) to find me a new crop of American RB's every year to pick from and pay them accordingly. 

There were plenty of 1000 yrd runners. but only 1 lead the league in all purpose yards. Brady is more than just a runner. His ability out of the back field is just as good imo. Add in his ability to block and the only answer is to pay him. I also don't think this regime can afford to let another league leading all star player walk (like Lawler).

[Booch]

6 minutes ago, voodoochylde said:

All I'll say is this:  where and how we've chosen to allocate our money is one of the reasons why we are in the situation we are right now. 

Exactly this...as well as our ratio and how we use it and allot the money and the value you get from it, and how it rapes you elsewhere, compared to the lower price tag and actual better more impactful play from an American...I talking SAM.....Interior d-line.....even center.....Second Canadian receiver

Our flat out refusal to to never stray away from 3 oline...RB...2 receiver's and the pile of garbage that is JT Inside has just handcuffed us...allowed us to either miss out or not even consider an impact player in FA in any of those spots and made us weak....shallow in depth and just hanging onto garbage and never getting better.....because this "belief" we have that this is the winning template....cause it worked half a decade ago now

To be the best, and stay the best you need to be continually getting better...bringing guys in....looking forward, not at past success.....and if you find a guy thats better than who is starting currently....you plug them in and your depth guys continually are being better along with your frontline guys....worrying about bruised ego's and loyalty aint gonna keep you succesful 

When is the last time....almost anytime under Osh where we have adjusted how we run our ratio....or cut a vet...a 2 yr..3yr starter....for an up and comer? I can't think of once....Only time we replaced anyone of significance is due to a player leaving for better opportunity/money or a guy was so injured even Osh couldn't justify dressing them...and even then he has played guys who in now way shape or form should have been dressed...let alone starting.

And....hence....here we are and from sounds of some the soundbites from Osh....prepare for more BS nad from some personal discussions and chat I have had...expect some exodus cause of it...Sure the team is gonna spin it that "they are moving on from player X...PlaYer Y" and if you believe that get a hold of me cause I got some merchandise that I can sell you at a crazy wicked deal....it's awesome legit stuff 😁

We are a chaotic mess riht now....no real clue or plan and sounds like it's gonna fester into 2026..

[Booch]

8 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

There were plenty of 1000 yrd runners. but only 1 lead the league in all purpose yards. Brady is more than just a runner. His ability out of the back field is just as good imo. Add in his ability to block and the only answer is to pay him. I also don't think this regime can afford to let another league leading all star player walk (like Lawler).

true...but part of that is also we had next to nothing else for most of the season...and heavily leaned on him....and slap a Butler or Mills in that same role here and the touches....same result

Love BO....and all he offers...but if he looking for even more cash...plus what we already paying Demski...the dumb money ZC i sure is getting....I just dunno....mind you drop JT...KOLO...Kramdi and you just free'd up close to 500K....and you could replace kramdi and Thomas with already signed entry level Imports at half the cost...even Kolo...I'd love to see us use a import center

The balance left from dropping those 3 useless Canadian salaries for better use and bang for yur buck players who are import pays for any bump BO would be looking for...Lock him up for 2 yrs...and groom the replacement ...we already have 2 inhouse.... 

[TBURGESS]

Brady is already overpaid for his position. When we rested him at the end of the season, his backup looked pretty damn good at less than half the bucks. Good for him if he wants to chase the money. RB's careers are short, and they should make the most while they can, but we shouldn't be players at anything more than he's being paid right now. 

Re: Eli... Some folks seem to think that Eli has to be better than our starting centre, likely because he's suboptimal, but the coaches who see him every day disagree. Blame it on MOS they say.  The facts are Eli's been here 5 years. He's started a few games, and he's the extra OL. MOS says he lets his coaches do their jobs, so I'd say that means the OL coach is the one who isn't starting Eli, not MOS.

[Bigblue204]

14 minutes ago, Booch said:

true...but part of that is also we had next to nothing else for most of the season...and heavily leaned on him....and slap a Butler or Mills in that same role here and the touches....same result

Love BO....and all he offers...but if he looking for even more cash...plus what we already paying Demski...the dumb money ZC i sure is getting....I just dunno....mind you drop JT...KOLO...Kramdi and you just free'd up close to 500K....and you could replace kramdi and Thomas with already signed entry level Imports at half the cost...even Kolo...I'd love to see us use a import center

The balance left from dropping those 3 useless Canadian salaries for better use and bang for yur buck players who are import pays for any bump BO would be looking for...Lock him up for 2 yrs...and groom the replacement ...we already have 2 inhouse.... 

I don't think he'll be looking for MORE money on top of what he's already getting. That wouldn't make sense. He likely wants more, but I don't see how anyone would give that. I see him making the same or maybe a bit less depending on the situation. I think he's looking at the teams plan to getting back to winning championships more than anything.

[Booch]

1 minute ago, Bigblue204 said:

I don't think he'll be looking for MORE money on top of what he's already getting. That wouldn't make sense. He likely wants more, but I don't see how anyone would give that. I see him making the same or maybe a bit less depending on the situation. I think he's looking at the teams plan to getting back to winning championships more than anything.

oh I agree....similar money I am sure is the thing...what he looing for i think is competence in coaching...and an optimal roster to succeed....makes you think...If coach's and G.M brought back...is that his trigger to look elsewhere...I sure it is for others 

[17to85]

17 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Re: Eli... Some folks seem to think that Eli has to be better than our starting centre, likely because he's suboptimal, but the coaches who see him every day disagree. Blame it on MOS they say.  The facts are Eli's been here 5 years. He's started a few games, and he's the extra OL. MOS says he lets his coaches do their jobs, so I'd say that means the OL coach is the one who isn't starting Eli, not MOS.

Some folks seem to think kolankowski is a liability so let's give the backup they think enough of to keep for 5 years and use heavily in 6ol packages a chance and see if he an do any better.

 

[wbbfan]

22 minutes ago, voodoochylde said:

All I'll say is this:  where and how we've chosen to allocate our money is one of the reasons why we are in the situation we are right now. 

Yep.

Kramdi, 151k. Nichols 142k. Holm 141k. I believe 155k for Lawson. 183k for Bryant. 132k for Jones. 130k for Kyrie. 165k for vaughters. 200k for wj. Then you know for sure, guys like Kola and Neuf are in the 130-150k range.  Thats about 1.25m bucks, not including the other ol. Spending another 1.05-1.1m on Zach, Demki, and Brady.

 We can get rid of a few boat anchors, like wj maybe vaughters. But we can't get rid of all our canadians and we won't get rid of our DBs. 

It's crazy how we went from refusing to pay DBs having rose and BA play for peanuts to paying all our dbs a fortune. From what I've seen, a lot of Zach's money is locked in. I don't think we can save more than a minimum salary if he is willing to. 

 

We will likely have to spend more money on qb2 this coming year as well. Strevy took a bet on him self deal with a really low base, that did not work out for him at all. he got barely 100k, when most established back ups got around 180k with incentives to go up to 250-300. 

The following guys are FAs and will probably looking for raises as well

Ayers, Demski, Nichols, Randolph, Vanterpool, Wheatfall, Vaughters and Wilson. I don't see us getting many team friendly deals with the direction of the team.  

[bigg jay]

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

We will likely have to spend more money on qb2 this coming year as well. Strevy took a bet on him self deal with a really low base, that did not work out for him at all. he got barely 100k, when most established back ups got around 180k with incentives to go up to 250-300. 

Who's available that would be worth spending on though?  Last off-season had a ton of QB movement but I don't know how many are pending FA's?

[Bigblue204]

20 minutes ago, Booch said:

oh I agree....similar money I am sure is the thing...what he looing for i think is competence in coaching...and an optimal roster to succeed....makes you think...If coach's and G.M brought back...is that his trigger to look elsewhere...I sure it is for others 

Id bet Jackson is moved to OC next year and Hogan is moved on from. Everyone else is brought back

7 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Yep.

Kramdi, 151k. Nichols 142k. Holm 141k. I believe 155k for Lawson. 183k for Bryant. 132k for Jones. 130k for Kyrie. 165k for vaughters. 200k for wj. Then you know for sure, guys like Kola and Neuf are in the 130-150k range.  Thats about 1.25m bucks, not including the other ol. Spending another 1.05-1.1m on Zach, Demki, and Brady.

 We can get rid of a few boat anchors, like wj maybe vaughters. But we can't get rid of all our canadians and we won't get rid of our DBs. 

It's crazy how we went from refusing to pay DBs having rose and BA play for peanuts to paying all our dbs a fortune. From what I've seen, a lot of Zach's money is locked in. I don't think we can save more than a minimum salary if he is willing to. 

 

We will likely have to spend more money on qb2 this coming year as well. Strevy took a bet on him self deal with a really low base, that did not work out for him at all. he got barely 100k, when most established back ups got around 180k with incentives to go up to 250-300. 

The following guys are FAs and will probably looking for raises as well

Ayers, Demski, Nichols, Randolph, Vanterpool, Wheatfall, Vaughters and Wilson. I don't see us getting many team friendly deals with the direction of the team.  

Ayers, wheatfall vaughters and wilson will be hard pressed to get raises. They didnt do anything to get them. Randolph and Vanterpool i can see moving into full time roles, but that would be offset by the loss of the starters

[wbbfan]

28 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Brady is already overpaid for his position. When we rested him at the end of the season, his backup looked pretty damn good at less than half the bucks. Good for him if he wants to chase the money. RB's careers are short, and they should make the most while they can, but we shouldn't be players at anything more than he's being paid right now. 

Re: Eli... Some folks seem to think that Eli has to be better than our starting centre, likely because he's suboptimal, but the coaches who see him every day disagree. Blame it on MOS they say.  The facts are Eli's been here 5 years. He's started a few games, and he's the extra OL. MOS says he lets his coaches do their jobs, so I'd say that means the OL coach is the one who isn't starting Eli, not MOS.

I think both Peterson and MCI would top out at 80k if we signed them to the max. 70k on min. With Brady at 240k, we could draft another guy at the min, and run those 3 cheaper than Brady alone.

Again, I love Brady, but the deal doesn't make sense. We have a LOT of gaps that need to be filled in free agency. We have to be buyers, and we will likely have to overspend to get guys. MCIs blocking and power potential, combined with Peterson's ability to step in is too good. 

By that means, when we start 9-10 Canadians, is Jake Thomas the best DT on our roster, including the Americans? Why did Lawson jr start over Cam and Woodbey who are significantly better? We know Mos doesn't assign spots based on production or talent. This has happened at multiple positions every year he has been here. 

Eli may not be the ideal answer at C, but he is an answer at C. Having watched him play, I fully believe he is starter-calibre in the CFL. But we value the 6th OL the same way we value a starting OL. And Kola, is not even a fringe AR player in the CFL. 

[wbbfan]

5 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Who's available that would be worth spending on though?  Last off-season had a ton of QB movement but I don't know how many are pending FA's?

It is not a pretty list right now, thats for sure. But, I do think we will see teams cutting their vet back ups and trying to make moves. We can also see a trade for a back up with a higher salary.

The pending FA QB I would go after is Dustin Crum. I think the following guys will also be on the market one way or another this year. Faj, MBT, Ford, PJ walker, Shiltz, and Evans. I expect Masoli retires and maybe moves into coaching.  

[rebusrankin]

13 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Yep.

Kramdi, 151k. Nichols 142k. Holm 141k. I believe 155k for Lawson. 183k for Bryant. 132k for Jones. 130k for Kyrie. 165k for vaughters. 200k for wj. Then you know for sure, guys like Kola and Neuf are in the 130-150k range.  Thats about 1.25m bucks, not including the other ol. Spending another 1.05-1.1m on Zach, Demki, and Brady.

 We can get rid of a few boat anchors, like wj maybe vaughters. But we can't get rid of all our canadians and we won't get rid of our DBs. 

It's crazy how we went from refusing to pay DBs having rose and BA play for peanuts to paying all our dbs a fortune. From what I've seen, a lot of Zach's money is locked in. I don't think we can save more than a minimum salary if he is willing to. 

 

We will likely have to spend more money on qb2 this coming year as well. Strevy took a bet on him self deal with a really low base, that did not work out for him at all. he got barely 100k, when most established back ups got around 180k with incentives to go up to 250-300. 

The following guys are FAs and will probably looking for raises as well

Ayers, Demski, Nichols, Randolph, Vanterpool, Wheatfall, Vaughters and Wilson. I don't see us getting many team friendly deals with the direction of the team.  

Ayers-Don't bring back

Wheatfall-Does not deserve a large raise. Would be fine if he's not back

Wilson-Time to move on

Vaughters-Not worth the $165000, fine if he's not back

Demski-Really like him, not sure he's worth the 225000 he's currently getting

Nichols, Holm. Kramdi-I think you need to pick 2 out of 3. Could Smith step into the Kramdi role?

[wbbfan]

8 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

Id bet Jackson is moved to OC next year and Hogan is moved on from. Everyone else is brought back

Ayers, wheatfall vaughters and wilson will be hard pressed to get raises. They didnt do anything to get them. Randolph and Vanterpool i can see moving into full time roles, but that would be offset by the loss of the starters

Ayers got NFL interest as a cover guy, and that will very likely be the case again. The rookie deals for Ayers, Wheatfall, and Wilson are all really low. Moving up to vet deals will easily see them go up in the 30-40k range minimum each. 

I could see some one going after Ayers to make him a starter as well. He is a way better football player than his role here. 

[Booch]

plain in simple...our roster/ratio makeup...sms allotment vs value for the $ is an utter mess...we have massively excessive amount tied into 2 positions in the CFL where they should be your cheapest groups (DB and RB)

We value vet's and "intangibles" over talent...and that in itself comes at a cost, you don't need excessive vet's and limited role guys to succeed....a few on each side of the ball, along with coaches in tune with the room and the team will suffice

Our draft strategy as well effects our roster, and isn't surprising when the HC and G.M basically were ST coaches only and base their picks save for the typical 1st or second nobrainer picks on these guys who excel on ST and thats it...and will ever be...Great players with starter skill can play teams too....a lot of times better than the plugs

 

 

[bigg jay]

1 minute ago, wbbfan said:

It is not a pretty list right now, thats for sure. But, I do think we will see teams cutting their vet back ups and trying to make moves. We can also see a trade for a back up with a higher salary.

The pending FA QB I would go after is Dustin Crum. I think the following guys will also be on the market one way or another this year. Faj, MBT, Ford, PJ walker, Shiltz, and Evans. I expect Masoli retires and maybe moves into coaching.  

Powell in Hamilton is also a pending FA.  I would go after him if Hamilton lets him get the open market.

[wbbfan]

4 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Ayers-Don't bring back

Wheatfall-Does not deserve a large raise. Would be fine if he's not back

Wilson-Time to move on

Vaughters-Not worth the $165000, fine if he's not back

Demski-Really like him, not sure he's worth the 225000 he's currently getting

Nichols, Holm. Kramdi-I think you need to pick 2 out of 3. Could Smith step into the Kramdi role?

If we are willing to move forward with the Canadians, I can see moving on from Ayers. Even though I love the way that guy plays and his talent level is exceptional. 

I don't think much of wheatfall, wilson and vaughters would be nice to move on from. But I don't think any of that will happen. we paid them and they performed modestly better, and mos is married to wilson. 

225k was too much for demski, but then last year was his best year as a go to wr. and We have such a need at that position, he does soo much for our offence IDK how we move on from him. 

That would be ideal, but again I don't think that will happen unless Nichols leaves for greener pastures. Smith could play kramdis' role imo. But we could also use griffin or woodbey and slide smith into an even easier position if needed.