Blue Bombers - 2025 Regular Season - Discussion Thread

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

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. 

several on our roster are...but under Osh....many will never realize it playing here unless he shifts how he does things

I'd be shocked if Woodbey doesn't get looks....he basically debunked some of the negatives NFL teams/scouts placed on him prior to his draft, so he could be following the Ayers path as well....

6 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?

Smith could step into that role easily as well as WILL....or a role like Griffin held as well...freeing up a DA spot for another end or true NT...Griffin tho needs to be brought back...Shay as well I am sure could be a WILL candidate and good at it, but like to see him groomed at MAC. 

Bang for buck we can be better off without all 3 of those DB's truth be told, and able to focus funds elsewhere...No cfl team shoud have 2....let alone 3 giys in the secondary making 140k+....but getting Nichols back at a reduced price if possible...or the same is prob the best scenario of the 3....he is one the vet pieces you hold on to as he can ball still and is the best all around of the 3....

[wbbfan]

6 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

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

Good call, Powell would be a top target for me, along with Crum. If we bring in 1 of those 2, bring in Elgersma, and have Zach back, that is about as good as it can get for us. Personally, I would only give 1 of chase/wilson a rookie camp deal to compete with a couple new rookie arms. I'd give Crum/Powell a 180-200k base deal with heavy incentives if they take the qb1 spot and do well. 

Also, I neglected to mention the pest in Toronto. I expect him to be on the market this year. But I am firmly betting on Edmonton getting him. 

 

Just now, Booch said:

several on our roster are...but under Osh....many will never realize it playing here unless he shifts how he does things

I'd be shocked if Woodbey doesn't get looks....he basically debunked some of the negatives NFL teams/scouts placed on him prior to his draft, so he could be following the Ayers path as well....

Smith could step into that role easily as well as WILL....or a role like Griffin held as well...freeing up a DA spot for another end or true NT...Griffin tho needs to be brought back...Shay as well I am sure could be a WILL candidate and good at it, but like to see him groomed at MAC. 

Bang for buck we can be better off without all 3 of those DB's truth be told, and able to focus funds elsewhere...No cfl team shoud have 2....let alone 3 giys in the secondary making 140k+....but getting Nichols back at a reduced price if possible...or the same is prob the best scenario of the 3....he is one the vet pieces you hold on to as he can ball still and is the best all around of the 3....

That's a good point. I could see Woodbey in the NFL next year. I'd sure bring him in if I were them. He showed he can cover WRs from over the top very well, use his athleticism and size to make an impact coming downhill, and he's a good teams guy. I mean his ability to cover combined with his size alone is extremely valuable, quick like a db too. 

[Bigblue204]

44 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

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. 

All of that can be offset by vets leaving. Though I'm doubtful Wheatfall will be in Blue and Gold next year.

[wbbfan]

1 minute ago, Bigblue204 said:

All of that can be offset by vets leaving. Though I'm doubtful Wheatfall will be in Blue and Gold next year.

It could, but we need to make room to make significant additions to DL, OL, WR, and QB2. Which are the 4 most expensive positions. The club really need to shed a lot of dead weight this off season.

 I could see some one giving Wheatfall a nice deal to see if he can step up into a no1 role with their system. 

[CrazyCanuck89]

53 minutes ago, Booch said:

several on our roster are...but under Osh....many will never realize it playing here unless he shifts how he does things

I'd be shocked if Woodbey doesn't get looks....he basically debunked some of the negatives NFL teams/scouts placed on him prior to his draft, so he could be following the Ayers path as well....

Smith could step into that role easily as well as WILL....or a role like Griffin held as well...freeing up a DA spot for another end or true NT...Griffin tho needs to be brought back...Shay as well I am sure could be a WILL candidate and good at it, but like to see him groomed at MAC. 

Bang for buck we can be better off without all 3 of those DB's truth be told, and able to focus funds elsewhere...No cfl team shoud have 2....let alone 3 giys in the secondary making 140k+....but getting Nichols back at a reduced price if possible...or the same is prob the best scenario of the 3....he is one the vet pieces you hold on to as he can ball still and is the best all around of the 3....

I think they see Smith as a SAM, he spent the whole season backing up there. Kramdi might head to Montreal in free agency.

[M.Silverback]

1 hour 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.

Why is the debate between who is the better option between Eli and Kolo? Probably Eli, but the real issue is our Oline needs a serious upgrade. Center, one tackle and one guard at least. Whether it's through free agency, draft, trade or scouting, we're going nowhere with the current state of the Oline. 

[JuranBoldenRules]

2 hours 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.

Peterson gets basically nothing after contact.  If he's the starting RB you don't have a run game.

[Brandon]

It would have been nice to give Eli (and many other guys) play time to see if they could shake off rust and end up being a better player.   

The largest issue this club has is the refusal of giving guys a chance.   

I don't accept that they purely evaluate based on practices.  This is the same club a few years back who refused to give starters play time during the pre season which ended up having guys struggling for the first month come regular season.  

[JuranBoldenRules]

2 minutes ago, Brandon said:

It would have been nice to give Eli (and many other guys) play time to see if they could shake off rust and end up being a better player.   

The largest issue this club has is the refusal of giving guys a chance.   

I don't accept that they purely evaluate based on practices.  This is the same club a few years back who refused to give starters play time during the pre season which ended up having guys struggling for the first month come regular season.  

Eli has started and been the 6th OL for 5 seasons.  He's played a ton.  He played over half of the playoff game you just watched.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

It would have been nice to give Eli (and many other guys) play time to see if they could shake off rust and end up being a better player.   

The largest issue this club has is the refusal of giving guys a chance.   

I don't accept that they purely evaluate based on practices.  This is the same club a few years back who refused to give starters play time during the pre season which ended up having guys struggling for the first month come regular season.  

I don't think you can really do much evaluation in practice at all when it comes to non-vets. It's a little more than a warm-up before a game now. 

Rust isn't an issue, a chance to progress for sure that lots of guys need. Eli has played as much as a 6th OL can. I really think thats just a case of how we value the 6th ol and the love of kola for mos. 

[Bigblue204]

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Peterson gets basically nothing after contact.  If he's the starting RB you don't have a run game.

Yeah I'm not as impressed by him as some others. He's a very solid change of pace guy, but not someone I'd want to take over for Brady.

[Booch]

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Peterson gets basically nothing after contact.  If he's the starting RB you don't have a run game.

yes and no...He isnt as physical for sure....but he also hits line faster and has more explosive ability and likely would break longer runs at times....maybe home run hitter types...so 6 of this...half dozen of the other thing...But wouldn't wanna rely on him as a bell cow at this time....yet....A 2 headed deal tho with him and MCI could be workeable....as why they havnt been working him more and feeling out his b=value is been an utter waste

Uber athletic...prob one of the most in league really and great body type for CFL...Especially if they can implement him into the passing game more...He could be like a James Wilder type back minus the ****** if we put in the effort and could see the forest thru the tree's with guys on the roster

But nope...lets Pidgeon hole guys into roles and responsibilities that accentuate nothing about them or potential, and ride the "known" commodities until there's nothing left to ride...or we ride them into the dirt due to injury and then are scrambling with a lack of depth and trust in any backup guy....

35 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I don't think you can really do much evaluation in practice at all when it comes to non-vets. It's a little more than a warm-up before a game now. 

Rust isn't an issue, a chance to progress for sure that lots of guys need. Eli has played as much as a 6th OL can. I really think thats just a case of how we value the 6th ol and the love of kola for mos. 

nope...practice are a wasteland to prove anything...much less supplant a guy ahead of you...you have to use the ability to see and project talent/worth and roll with it....again...somethjing we dont do unless forced to cause a guy is literally in a body cast