Blue Bombers -- 2025/26 Offseason -- Discussion Thread

[Brandon]

7 hours ago, GCn20 said:

I did not know Tyson Philpot was a RB. You are comparing apples to oranges.  Might as well have said that Rourke makes 800k so BO's contract is a bargain.

Tyson might touch the ball 5 - 8 times per game.... Brady is touching the ball 20-30 times.... much more value in a RB then a WR.  

[BomberBall.]

2 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Heard via the grape vine that Thomas is likely to retire. Take it with a grain of salt, but a friend of mine connected to the Bomber's training staff seems pretty convinced he's hanging them up. Hope for the best on that one.

This would be the best news of the offseason.  The D line could be so much better with him gone.

[Colin Unger]

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

Would be nice but improbable given some of the contract numbers we have already. Unless we shed some salary elsewhere of course. BO was a gross overpay, ZC was already one, and if Kramdi gets what he got last year we are going to be in tough to not only sign talent but to retain what we already have. Unless, the SMS is up of course.

Have we adjusted the numbers based on the cap going up last year and this year ?  BO not getting that much of raise really based on cap percentage. 

[GCn20]

6 minutes ago, Colin Unger said:

Have we adjusted the numbers based on the cap going up last year and this year ?  BO not getting that much of raise really based on cap percentage. 

The SMS didn't go up last year according to Walters. No announcement for this coming year yet either. The CFLPA ultimately decides how this new money is spent, whether it is salary or not is unknown. Last year the extra 462k went directly to improved benefits etc. None to increased salary to players

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

Tyson might touch the ball 5 - 8 times per game.... Brady is touching the ball 20-30 times.... much more value in a RB then a WR.  

No there really is not. Supply and demand dictate salary not number of touches. Business 101

Edited 6 hours ago by GCn20

[Colin Unger]

12 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

The SMS didn't go up last year according to Walters. No announcement for this coming year yet either. The CFLPA ultimately decides how this new money is spent, whether it is salary or not is unknown. Last year the extra 462k went directly to improved benefits etc. None to increased salary to players

No there really is not. Supply and demand dictate salary not number of touches. Business 101

Teams need up using it in a specific way last year because it was announced so late. Can’t imagine it didn’t become apart of the normal cap going forward. 

[blue85gold]

22 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

No there really is not. Supply and demand dictate salary not number of touches. Business 101

Where the hell do you think demand comes from for a football player? How could that not be tied to number of touches and impact on the game?

[SpeedFlex27]

8 hours ago, wbbfan said:

100% agree that deal screwed the market big time. 

Won't argue with that as we know Demski will probably want more. 

[SpeedFlex27]

7 hours ago, Mike said:

The reality with Brady’s deal is that you really need to know what the cap hit is in order to talk about whether the deal is good or not. In the new CFL, with the marketing money, I don’t think we’re really going to know that early on after a signing so you have to play a bit of a wait and see.

That being said, there are two things that (imo) should be getting talked about more with regards to this deal.

1. This contract makes very little sense at the reported cost (even if you build in 100k of marketing money) if we still insist on playing more than the required amount of Canadians. We’re essentially paying him regardless of passport at that point, which makes this deal awful

2. Lots of people haven’t had their mindset catch up to the reality of the new CFL and the cap figures. The cap hasn’t just gone up, but teams are shifting more to youthful American OL which means less money is being tied up in unmentioned Canadian OL and more is being invested in big name splash Canadians.

Everyone talks about Brady and his big deal, but nobody blinked twice 10 years ago when guys like Tyson Pencer and Chris Kowalczuk were making six figures as middling (that’s generous) Canadian OL.

Canadian football is developing, which means more guys can play at premium positions, which means the “you gotta have 4-5 Canadian OL” mentality has kind of gone by the wayside. The money getting distributed has changed a bit as a result.

(one last thing, anyone who thinks Gauthier or Hallett make near league minimum are WAY off)

The Elks (Eskimos) were the ones that started playing Canadians on the OL back in the early 80's. It was done so their team could play Americans at the skill positions. I believe 10 Canadians were starting back then. Now, it's 7. Also back then, Canadian OL weren't making six figure salaries, the skill positions were making the money & of those they were skilled positions.B ut over time as other teams copied the Eskimos, the value of the Canadian OL went up.... way up. The American skill players didn't make as much & we evolved to where we are now. Where these guys are overpaid. Mike is right, the market is adjusting.

[bigg jay]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

Tyson might touch the ball 5 - 8 times per game.... Brady is touching the ball 20-30 times.... much more value in a RB then a WR.  

Brady might occasionally crack 20 touches but his career average is far less than 20-30 a game.

2021 - 7 carries & 0.6 receptions

2022 - 11.2 carries & 1.3 receptions

2023 - 14.4 carries & 2.1 receptions

2024 - 14 carries & 3.5 receptions  

2025 - 13.4 carries & 4.0 receptions

Also if RB's are so valuable - why is he the only one making that kind of coin?  There are other RB's who put up similar production but make a fraction of what Brady does. 

[Pete]

1 minute ago, bigg jay said:

Brady might occasionally crack 20 touches but his career average is far less than 20-30 a game.

2021 - 7 carries & 0.6 receptions

2022 - 11.2 carries & 1.3 receptions

2023 - 14.4 carries & 2.1 receptions

2024 - 14 carries & 3.5 receptions  

2025 - 13.4 carries & 4.0 receptions

Also if RB's are so valuable - why is he the only one making that kind of coin?  There are other RB's who put up similar production but make a fraction of what Brady does. 

How many have won MOP award?

Edited 5 hours ago by Pete

[SpeedFlex27]

55 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

The SMS didn't go up last year according to Walters. No announcement for this coming year yet either. The CFLPA ultimately decides how this new money is spent, whether it is salary or not is unknown. Last year the extra 462k went directly to improved benefits etc. None to increased salary to players

 

There is no SMS, that is a thing of the past. It's now called a salary cap & teams get nailed if they go over it. The salary cap did go up by 400,000 last season. However, it was a nnounced a couple of days after free agency started. Obviously Randy Ambrosie never told any GM about it coming as per the shocked reactions of most GMs. Walters said that while the announcement was made with Solomon Eliminian of the CFLPA, that he felt that the money may end going into pensions instead. Which it didn't. It was Walters decision not to use it but for players injured on the one game list as that counted towards the salary cap. Big mistake. Even 6 months later when it was clear that the money was staying for the cap, he kept insisting the CFLPA still might shift that money to pensions. As far as announcements go, the increase was announced. 

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/05/2025-cfl-salary-cap-limit-jumps-over-400000-due-to-increased-league-revenues/

[SpeedFlex27]

10 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

The Elks (Eskimos) were the ones that started playing Canadians on the OL back in the early 80's. It was done so their team could play Americans at the skill positions. I believe 10 Canadians were starting back then. Now, it's 7. Also back then, Canadian OL weren't making six figure salaries, the skill positions were making the money & of those they were skilled positions.B ut over time as other teams copied the Eskimos, the value of the Canadian OL went up.... way up. The American skill players didn't make as much & we evolved to where we are now. Where these guys are overpaid. Mike is right, the market is adjusting.

Just to add even into the mid 2010's teams tried to go with a minimum of 4 & if possible 5 Canadians on the OL. It became nearly impossible to build a cohesive line with Canadians as the kids coming out of U Sports with the exception of a couple every year were incapable of starting. Their level of training & experience in U Sports never prepared them for what was coming in the CFL as they never saw it in college. Yet, they demanded 6 figure salaries as they were important to coaches so they could play 5 on the line & 2 elsewhere on the starting day roster. Teams like the Bombers who struggled for years trying to build an All Canadian OL began to play more Americans. 

[TommyClements]

18 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Brady might occasionally crack 20 touches but his career average is far less than 20-30 a game.

2021 - 7 carries & 0.6 receptions

2022 - 11.2 carries & 1.3 receptions

2023 - 14.4 carries & 2.1 receptions

2024 - 14 carries & 3.5 receptions  

2025 - 13.4 carries & 4.0 receptions

Also if RB's are so valuable - why is he the only one making that kind of coin?  There are other RB's who put up similar production but make a fraction of what Brady does. 

It surprises me actually that RBs are undervalued compared to receivers, who get far fewer touches in a game.

i don’t like that the BB are paying such a premium for Brady over all other RBs but I’m more comfortable giving 300 k to a guy who can run block and pass at a high level than to a receiver.

[SpeedFlex27]

46 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Brady might occasionally crack 20 touches but his career average is far less than 20-30 a game.

2021 - 7 carries & 0.6 receptions

2022 - 11.2 carries & 1.3 receptions

2023 - 14.4 carries & 2.1 receptions

2024 - 14 carries & 3.5 receptions  

2025 - 13.4 carries & 4.0 receptions

Also if RB's are so valuable - why is he the only one making that kind of coin?  There are other RB's who put up similar production but make a fraction of what Brady does. 

Who said he touched the ball 30 times a game? 

[bigg jay]

1 minute ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Who said he touched the ball 30 times a game? 

Read the post I quoted - Brandon said "Brady is touching the ball 20-30 times".

[Booch]

3 hours ago, GCn20 said:

Lol

Kramdi is a player that you and most of the forum disagree on I think. I would rather see him at S though.

safety yeah...but after some other key guys signed first...and then see if he fits the SMS...If we lose a Nichols or Holm cause we overpay Kramdi again...is that a solid move?

People here rave about him but that's cause of Osh comments on him. then by extension Tait and his fluff pieces and then fans take it as gospel...And doesnt make it so

Is he needed for ratio...no....is he good in coverage...heck no....is he a solid open field tackler/tracker...again no, and as stated erlier needs to learn howto and not dive at ankles if he is making 140k+ per....is he good mucking in the box coming down on the run...that he is...hence why he could be useful in a safety role or situational play...but not at high end premium price tag

Do/did we have better option at SAM...yes we did...was he ever an all-star, league award/writers....or by his peers in CFLPA....nope....would he supplant any other starting SAM in the league....I can't see it....was he a key priority signing based on all that for likely 150k...hell no

Is 47 tackles....1 int ...2 special team tackles in 16 games....and 59 tackles...2 sacks...2 st tackles on 18 games Aas a SAM...where you see tons of action the last 2 yrs at already 29 next season worthy of top tier DB pay in the league??.....friggin hell no

Griffin had 47 tackles...8 on teams...a sack in 13 games...is one our best tacklers....had more impact plays you noticed...great in coverage, and a better athlete....plus 2 yrs younger....just as one example and could be re-upped for less and should be a priority

Heck already under contract Woodbey had 30 tackles in 8 games....and was very noticeable out there....

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Booch

[bigg jay]

28 minutes ago, TommyClements said:

It surprises me actually that RBs are undervalued compared to receivers, who get far fewer touches in a game.

i don’t like that the BB are paying such a premium for Brady over all other RBs but I’m more comfortable giving 300 k to a guy who can run block and pass at a high level than to a receiver.

I'm not - it's a numbers game.  There are so many RB's coming out of college or other leagues but so few spots so if someone wants too much, teams can move on fairly easy.  Brady has a lot of value to the club off the field which is why he can ask/get that kind of money and why they should be using a ton marketing money on him.

Would you take Mills or Butler over a guy like Hatcher for similar money?

54 minutes ago, Pete said:

How many have won MOP award?

There's no debate from me that Brady isn't the top RB in the league - I just don't think he's so much farther ahead than the rest that he should be paid double.  If he's getting a good chunk paid as marketing money then I think the contract is fair value.  We don't have that info yet so we don't really know how good (or bad) of a deal it is,

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

I'm not - it's a numbers game.  There are so many RB's coming out of college or other leagues but so few spots so if someone wants too much, teams can move on fairly easy.  Brady has a lot of value to the club off the field which is why he can ask/get that kind of money and why they should be using a ton marketing money on him.

Would you take Mills or Butler over a guy like Hatcher for similar money?

RB....DE....db....LB....easiest positions to fill in the CFL and continually reload at....and shouldnt eat up big gobs of cap space.....we spend excessively in all 4 spots...and for most part for aged out guys...or Canadians cause they require a premium....theron lies a lot of our crunch for cash issues loading up on difference maker players, where...well they would make a huge difference

It also effects the quality of your depth....just because you have guys behind others...doesnt mean it's "depth"....cause look how reluctant Osh has been to ise his depth...he would rather play injured and subpar guys who are his fav's

[Goalie]

Maybe they plan on going rookie at several spots saving money that way. They prob set aside cash for their own free agents and cash for others who might make it to free agency. I’d expect we do make some FA signings, probably Canadians and we rely on scouting to fill holes. Holm and Nichols are interesting cuz the one thing this regime has found are DBs. Is holm worth the 140? When dude brought in late last year is on a rookie deal. I’m not sure. Pay your Canadian starters. Find American ones. 

[HardCoreBlue]

7 hours ago, GCn20 said:

As it should be, maybe even to a far greater extent. We spent well below the SMS last year by my math so spending it now is the least he could do.

Heard via the grape vine that Thomas is likely to retire. Take it with a grain of salt, but a friend of mine connected to the Bomber's training staff seems pretty convinced he's hanging them up. Hope for the best on that one.

Being a bit skittish this grapevine of yours is sus to me until it’s formally announced.

3 hours ago, bigg jay said:

Brady might occasionally crack 20 touches but his career average is far less than 20-30 a game.

2021 - 7 carries & 0.6 receptions

2022 - 11.2 carries & 1.3 receptions

2023 - 14.4 carries & 2.1 receptions

2024 - 14 carries & 3.5 receptions  

2025 - 13.4 carries & 4.0 receptions

Also if RB's are so valuable - why is he the only one making that kind of coin?  There are other RB's who put up similar production but make a fraction of what Brady does. 

He saves puppies?

[Goalie]

1 minute ago, HardCoreBlue said:

Being a bit skittish this grapevine of yours is sus to me until it’s formally announced.

I’m curious if he’s the only one. Cuz Stan Neufeld kolo are others who I could see hanging em up also. 

[HardCoreBlue]

13 minutes ago, Goalie said:

I’m curious if he’s the only one. Cuz Stan Neufeld kolo are others who I could see hanging em up also. 

I think what makes me skittish is the phrase MOS has used for JT (don’t know about other players) when it comes to him hanging em up ie he goes out on his terms. So what does that mean if JT wants to play another year? Considering the play of our dline last year and the need for considerable upgrades, i’m very hyper sensitive to how this all plays out.

5 hours ago, BomberBall. said:

This would be the best news of the offseason.  The D line could be so much better with him gone.

And for the love of gawd, minimize using a three man front.

[Brandon]

5 hours ago, bigg jay said:

Brady might occasionally crack 20 touches but his career average is far less than 20-30 a game.

2021 - 7 carries & 0.6 receptions

2022 - 11.2 carries & 1.3 receptions

2023 - 14.4 carries & 2.1 receptions

2024 - 14 carries & 3.5 receptions  

2025 - 13.4 carries & 4.0 receptions

Also if RB's are so valuable - why is he the only one making that kind of coin?  There are other RB's who put up similar production but make a fraction of what Brady does. 

Last season he had 11 games with 19+ touches ,  5 games with less (including the two games where he was injured) one with 18 and another with 15.    30 might be a bit high,  but the 20 number is the average number assuming he doesn't leave the game injured.   

Tyson Philpot had 61 receptions and 2 carries ... Brady had 61 receptions and 201 carries.     Add in the intangibles of having to block and Brady is significantly more impactful then Philpot.     

It's easy to put an import in at RB when your team is loaded with talented Canadian players elsewhere.   This team is razor thin on Canadian talent (outside of Brady/Demski).    Dumping the best player in his prime who is Canadian simply to "hope" that you can land a talented Canadian oline/dline guy in free agency would be a terrible idea.   Pay Brady,   dump a guy like Neufeld who is over the hill and save money by replacing him with an American at a cheaper price.  American Olinemen are a dime a dozen.