Plenty of good conversation going on here in the last few days, and good on everyone for keeping most of it civil and open for debate.  I was going to post this in a couple of weeks but figured if members want to take the time before putting in their posts, might as well start the challenge now.

 

Our local writers will often put in a “You be the GM” article asking fans to pick from multiple choice answers to dictate what they would do in the off-season.  This off-season will be a particularly challenging/exciting off-season where a vast multitude of events can happen, and only the well prepared will survive with a good grade.

 

So I ask those who have the opportunity, to voice your tasks, in order, if you were named the permanent GM of this team tomorrow.  Please detail your plans throughout the time from now until at least after the Canadian draft.  This includes these key events:

 

-Hiring a head coach

-Transactions before the dispersal draft

-Players protected from the draft

-Transactions after the dispersal draft

-Free agency

-Canadian draft 

 

If you want to go into signings of rookies/players south of border, including the addition of players to the neg list, by all means.  The more detailed the better.

 

I only have two rules about this thread:

 

1) Try to be descriptive about your decisions.  For example, if you want to trade for Collaros prior to the dispersal draft, state who you are trading and why. Try your best to make these trades sound reasonable.

 

2) Members can discuss/challenge someone’s decisions, but it will be left at that.  This isn’t meant to be a pissing match, or about calling names to people who may not have a difference of opinions.  We’re all encouraged to take part in this. 

 

So take some time if you need to, or get right at it.  I’m excited to see what everyone thinks.

 

 

 

PS- I of course plan to contribute as well.  I need a few days to gather my thoughts, so expect something from me by the end of the week. 

Just out of curiosity ... why is nobody else interested in protecting Terrell Parker?

 

I understand he was hurt and we also have Ian Wild but Parker was a beast.

 

Big Parker fan here, I guess. I feel like if we could have both on the field in some capacity, that'd be a good thing for our D

Just out of curiosity ... why is nobody else interested in protecting Terrell Parker?

 

I understand he was hurt and we also have Ian Wild but Parker was a beast.

 

Big Parker fan here, I guess. I feel like if we could have both on the field in some capacity, that'd be a good thing for our D

I do like him, but didn't protect him because I'm willing to bet lots that Ottawa won't take a guy coming off ACL injury.

Could have a point.

 

I just think there's some stock in using your "protected" slots to show faith in guys who deserve it. And honestly, I struggled to find 10 imports worth protecting on talent alone.

Could have a point.

 

I just think there's some stock in using your "protected" slots to show faith in guys who deserve it. And honestly, I struggled to find 10 imports worth protecting on talent alone.

 

Thats where a strong GM talks to the player and explains why he is not being protected, even though the organization thinks very highly of him, so that no feeling are hurt.  A simple conversation like that can go a long way, something it appears Mack wasn't very good at. 

Do we know if protected lists become public knowledge?

-Hiring a head coach

My top 3 candidates for this position would have to be Dave Dickenson, Mike O'Shea, and Richie Hall.  Here is my reasoning.  Dave Dickenson is an obvious choice, as the top up-and-coming coordinator in the CFL.  If anyone can fix our offence, it would be him.  Mike O'Shea seems to be a strong leader, and I like the idea of a special teams coordinator getting the top job because he will be more likely to hire a strong OC and DC and just let them do their job.  He now has 4 years of CFL coaching experience... I think he is ready, if you get the right support for him.  And finally, Richie Hall.  His defences are solid, if unspectacular, every year, and he had a decent run in Edmonton going 16-20... I believe people can learn and improve and that experience will help him.  I think he deserves another shot.

 

-Transactions before the expansion draft

Just get Collaros or Burris in here.  IMO they are the only two real options.  But if I'M the GM, I'm putting out feelers for Ray, Lulay or Durant.  Maybe it takes a couple first-rounders and a good Canadian player to get one of those guys, but IMO it would be worth it.  We need a great QB here... gotta take that shot if it's available.  

 

Realistically though, I think it will come down to trading draft picks for Collaros... probably a second rounder and change.  I don't think we will be swapping any players because I'm not sure how interested anyone is in the guys we have.  But if we could use a guy like Stephan, West, Sherman, or Poblah to sweeten the deal, sure, make it happen.

 

-Players protected from the draft

QB:  Hall

Imports:  January, Denmark, Miles, Turner, Anderson, Wild, Parker, Dunn, Sears, Suber.

I'll put my top 13 non-imports to protect in order.  Likely we will lose one of them so it will only end up with 12 protected.

Non-Imports:  H. Muamba, Watson, Kohlert, Greaves, Neufeld, Pencer, Swiston, Sorensen, Poblah, Volny, Thomas, Labbe, Etienne.

 

Beyond the expansion draft, I don't know what's going to happen.  My obvious moves would be to get some veteran Canadian OL in here, and hopefully a couple veteran DBs.  If Andrew Harris is truly available, he needs to be a Blue Bomber.  Free agent kickers are tough to come by, but I'd get one in here if possible.  Saskatchewan has got great field position all year by employing an import punter.  Their deep pool of Canadian talent lets them do that, but we should do it too if it will help.

 

At the draft, I would focus on the OL, DL, and probably look at a couple safeties and linebackers (depending on what happens with Muamba and Labbe).

I was thinking about it this morning and I'd like to add Cortez to the HC list.  He is one of the best offensive minds in the league and his rookie mistake filled HC gig is already behind him.  He's probably a better choice than Jones because we need to fix the offense first and foremost.  (FTR: Cortez is who I wanted when we chose PLAP)

 

It surprises me how many people want to bring in rookie HC's like Dickenson, Chapdelaine or O'Shea.  It's almost like they haven't been watching the Bombers or Hamilton or Edmonton for the last 5 years.  IMO we will have a rookie CEO in Miller and a rookie GM in Walters.  They need some experienced people around them and that starts at the HC spot.

 

Mike... I like Parker and would like him to stay with the Bombers, but I doubt Ottawa will pick him due to his injury situation so I didn't see any need to protect him.  I too had a hard time coming up with enough imports to protect on talent alone.

It surprises me how many people want to bring in rookie HC's like Dickenson, Chapdelaine or O'Shea.

 

I agree with this to some extent, but then you take a look around the league and see guys like Benevides, Milanovich, and Chamblin all having success and they were rookie HC's when they arrived.  Even Hufnagel was a rookie CFL HC, although he had HC experience in the arena league.  But you also make a good point about the GM and CEO being rookies and how adding a rookie HC to the mix could be a bad idea.  However if Walters doesn't end up as GM, and we get a veteran guy like Higgins, then that is not as much of a concern.

I was thinking about it this morning and I'd like to add Cortez to the HC list.  He is one of the best offensive minds in the league and his rookie mistake filled HC gig is already behind him.  He's probably a better choice than Jones because we need to fix the offense first and foremost.  (FTR: Cortez is who I wanted when we chose PLAP)

 

It surprises me how many people want to bring in rookie HC's like Dickenson, Chapdelaine or O'Shea.  It's almost like they haven't been watching the Bombers or Hamilton or Edmonton for the last 5 years.  IMO we will have a rookie CEO in Miller and a rookie GM in Walters.  They need some experienced people around them and that starts at the HC spot.

 

Mike... I like Parker and would like him to stay with the Bombers, but I doubt Ottawa will pick him due to his injury situation so I didn't see any need to protect him.  I too had a hard time coming up with enough imports to protect on talent alone.

 

I would prefer to have experience in the GM seat and take more of a chance on the HC (provided there are experienced coordinators to keep him in check). 

 

HC needs to be a motivator. Cortez was a huge failure there and completely lost the team in only a season. He's like Burke -- great coordinator, not a great HC. 

 

That said, I would be all over him for OC, especially if paired with a defensive-minded HC like Chris Jones.

 

As for Richie Hall, 16-20 when you have Ricky Ray does not make my heart skip a beat. Pass. 

I still really feel like, based on where the franchise is at, we just can't be taking chances on unproven HC/GMs. We need some experience right now to get this thing outta the gutter and back on an even path. Once it's stable again, then we can take chances and promote unprovens...

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

I don't think Cortez was a huge failure in Hamilton and I don't have any idea if he lost the room.  He fixed the offence in his first season.  I expected him to fix the defense in his second season, had he been given a chance to.  Sure, he made some rookie HC mistakes.  Simply throwing the challenge flag at the right times would have probably netted two more wins.  

 

I know a lot of folks don't like Cortez because he is a 'my way or the highway' kind of guy.  I am too, so it doesn't bother me.  It's very important for a Head Coach to be a leader, but that's way more than just being a motivator.  The HC has to form the dream then get buy in from all the players or get rid of those who don't buy in.  They also have to provide a plan and put the players in the best position to be successful.   

 

Benevides had been in BC for a while, had a vet team, had Wally and a seasoned management team behind him.  

 

Chamblin was surrounded by vet coordinators in Hall and Cortez.  He had an experienced GM and Director of Player personnel above him and a vet team.

 

Milanovich learned from Trestman and had a vet management team above him.  He is the best example of a guy who was ready to take the next step to HC in the CFL, but getting Ricky Ray certainly made things a lot easier.

I really like Tom Burgess' approach with the exception of Doug Berry. I didn't like how poison the locker room became in Dougs last year. 

 

Higgins as GM, Worman & Walters in the office and DD as head coach. Get COllaros or WIlly. That's a really solid footing to start off on

 

Can you elaborate more on the "Get Collaros or Willy"?  You're the first one here to comment on Drew Willy.  Maybe you could explain why you would want Willy, and what you would do to get him here.  You're the GM, make it happen.

Chapdelaine HC

Walters AGM

Worman PP

 

My franchise QB is Drew Tate and my 2nd overall pick is as high as I go on that deal but really I would break the bank to get him to show him he's wanted.

 

I could care less about the expansion draft and protecting players with all the free agents on my roster, any combination of those already mentioned is fine.

 

Finally, I target other teams free agents with an eye for NI oline, dline and receivers, and import receivers, linebackers and db's. Ideally, I want 4 players from free agency, 2 on O and 2 on D all starters.

 

I really like Tom Burgess' approach with the exception of Doug Berry. I didn't like how poison the locker room became in Dougs last year. 

 

Higgins as GM, Worman & Walters in the office and DD as head coach. Get COllaros or WIlly. That's a really solid footing to start off on

 

Can you elaborate more on the "Get Collaros or Willy"?  You're the first one here to comment on Drew Willy.  Maybe you could explain why you would want Willy, and what you would do to get him here.  You're the GM, make it happen.

 

 

I thought Willy has shown as much promise as Collaros. Both are still very much "prospects."

 

He's a Free Agent next year is he not? Call his agent, or better yet call Willy at home.

 

"Tamper" with him through his friends or get his teammates to do it, as Milt used to do for us. 

 

A good GM can play within the blurred lines and get what he wants while still respecting the spirit of the cap and tampering. 

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

You mean guys like: Burke, PLAP, Kelly, Hawkins, Reed, Hall, Marshall, Cortez, Bellefeuille and Taffe?  All guys who were unproven, said to have the right qualities and failed at least in their first season.

If I'm the GM...

 

Fire Tim Burke ! ASAP

 

Hire a Head Coach (prior to Ottawa Draft)
- the top candidates (in order of preference):
    1. Tom Higgins  
    2. Dave Dickenson
- the new head coach will decide which of the current coaching staff he wants to go or keep

Bring Collaros (hopefully prior to Ottawa Draft)
- trade for Collaros and open the bank to sign him prior to the Ottawa draft
- for either of these:
    a. 2015 2nd and 2013 2nd OR
    b. 2015 1st and 2013 3rd

Sign Henoc (hopefully prior to Ottawa Draft)
- open the bank to sign him
- sign him as early as possible
    
Prepare for Ottawa Draft
- protect these players  
    QB: Collaros (if aqcuired prior to the draft) other wise Hall
    10 IMP: January, Jones, Turner, Anderson, McAdoo, Denmark, Wild, Sears
            Matthews (if he's signed otherwise any of Kelly, Woods or Miles)
            Washington (if he's signed otherwise any of any Dunn, Suber or Markett)
    1st 6 NI: H.Muamba, Watson, Greaves, Neufeld, Penser, Kohlert
    2nd 6 NI: sign any 6 of these guys ---> Labbe, Swiston, Parentau, Poblah, Volny, Thomas, Muamba

 

Sign Pipeline Players (after Ottawa Draft)

- sign these players after the Ottawa Draft

  1. Bilukidi

  2. Alli

  3. Aprile

  4. DiCroce

  5. Robertson

    
Plunge Free Agency waters:
- sign: OL Morley, Parentau and Sorensen
        RB Ford, Pontbriand
        R Matthews, Kholert, Foster and Etienne
        DB Stewart, Suber
        DL Gilmore
        LB Muamba, Labbe
- sign FAs from other club, giving importance on these positions
  1. vet NI OL
  2. NI S
  3. NI DL
  4. P/K
  5. IMP vet DB
    
Dont forget the CFL Draft:
- pick C Lavertu for our #2 overall
- remaining picks doesnt matter as this is a shallow draft

 

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

You mean guys like: Burke, PLAP, Kelly, Hawkins, Reed, Hall, Marshall, Cortez, Bellefeuille and Taffe?  All guys who were unproven, said to have the right qualities and failed at least in their first season.

 

Being said to have the right qualities and actually having them are entirely different things you know. 

 

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

You mean guys like: Burke, PLAP, Kelly, Hawkins, Reed, Hall, Marshall, Cortez, Bellefeuille and Taffe?  All guys who were unproven, said to have the right qualities and failed at least in their first season.

 

Sorry but your argument is terribly flawed. For every failure there is as an unproven head coach, there are success stories like Huffer, Chamblin, Benevides, Trestman, Milanovich, Austin. You're going to have to do better than that. You can also scratch Taffe from that list as his first HC job was in Montreal and he did very good things there. His time in Hamilton was marred by a clueless GM in Marcel Desjardins, and free agent busts like Josh Ranek and Casey Printers, and the failed Jason Maas trade. Also, since you mentioned "first season" in your post, if you're expecting this team to do a complete 180 in a single year, you will be terribly disappointed. It is going to take at least 2 years to make this team good, 3 years to make it elite, assuming the correction decisions are made by all involved.

 

...Did I just win the internet?

 

 

I really like Tom Burgess' approach with the exception of Doug Berry. I didn't like how poison the locker room became in Dougs last year. 

 

Higgins as GM, Worman & Walters in the office and DD as head coach. Get COllaros or WIlly. That's a really solid footing to start off on

 

Can you elaborate more on the "Get Collaros or Willy"?  You're the first one here to comment on Drew Willy.  Maybe you could explain why you would want Willy, and what you would do to get him here.  You're the GM, make it happen.

 

 

I thought Willy has shown as much promise as Collaros. Both are still very much "prospects."

 

He's a Free Agent next year is he not? Call his agent, or better yet call Willy at home.

 

"Tamper" with him through his friends or get his teammates to do it, as Milt used to do for us. 

 

A good GM can play within the blurred lines and get what he wants while still respecting the spirit of the cap and tampering. 

 

Don't agree with you often but yes, Willy IMO does have more promise. I also think he is a lot more polished at this stage currently.

I'd have to agree, Willy should be included in our list of go-afters.

One thing I forgot to mention in my GM posting - Another reason for my desire to go for Willy is that as a free agent signee, you save yourself needing to give up picks and possible players. Sure the draft isn't deep as has been said a number of times, but that doesn't mean that there won't be players that come in and perform well above expectations. Our CDN depth is not great, so if we can land an unexpected gem with a pick that we'd have to give away, and get a solid QB in the process, I think that's the route we should take.

 

 

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

You mean guys like: Burke, PLAP, Kelly, Hawkins, Reed, Hall, Marshall, Cortez, Bellefeuille and Taffe?  All guys who were unproven, said to have the right qualities and failed at least in their first season.

 

Being said to have the right qualities and actually having them are entirely different things you know. 

 

Of course I understand that.  The point is that we don't know if they have the right stuff until we give them a chance and if we are wrong, we are back to square one and we have to spin the rebuild wheel yet again.  Another point is that all the successful newbie HC's have vet staffs all around them.  We simply don't have the vet staff in place to support a newbie HC to give them the best chance to be successful.

 

 

 

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

You mean guys like: Burke, PLAP, Kelly, Hawkins, Reed, Hall, Marshall, Cortez, Bellefeuille and Taffe?  All guys who were unproven, said to have the right qualities and failed at least in their first season.

 

Being said to have the right qualities and actually having them are entirely different things you know. 

 

Of course I understand that.  The point is that we don't know if they have the right stuff until we give them a chance and if we are wrong, we are back to square one and we have to spin the rebuild wheel yet again.  Another point is that all the successful newbie HC's have vet staffs all around them.  We simply don't have the vet staff in place to support a newbie HC to give them the best chance to be successful.

 

And those newbie head coaches pick their assistants - they aren't picked for them.

 

 

proven or not is less concerning to me than whether or not they can actually do the job. Every great coach was unproven at one point, just hire someone with the right qualities. 

You mean guys like: Burke, PLAP, Kelly, Hawkins, Reed, Hall, Marshall, Cortez, Bellefeuille and Taffe?  All guys who were unproven, said to have the right qualities and failed at least in their first season.

 

Sorry but your argument is terribly flawed. For every failure there is as an unproven head coach, there are success stories like Huffer, Chamblin, Benevides, Trestman, Milanovich, Austin. You're going to have to do better than that. You can also scratch Taffe from that list as his first HC job was in Montreal and he did very good things there. His time in Hamilton was marred by a clueless GM in Marcel Desjardins, and free agent busts like Josh Ranek and Casey Printers, and the failed Jason Maas trade. Also, since you mentioned "first season" in your post, if you're expecting this team to do a complete 180 in a single year, you will be terribly disappointed. It is going to take at least 2 years to make this team good, 3 years to make it elite, assuming the correction decisions are made by all involved.

 

...Did I just win the internet?

 

You've got it wrong.  For every success there are 3 or more failures and most of the successes have a good to great vet support system around them, which we don't have.  

 

I do expect a turnaround next year.  The 2 or 3 year plan is just an excuse to be bad for a couple of years.  Drafting to become a winner doesn't work in the CFL where your best players can leave for the NFL or go to FA and play where they want to.  Didn't you learn anything from the Mack years?  Vet management, coaches and players speed up the rebuilding process.

 

An all rookie team of Miller, Walters, newbie HC, and newbie starting QB would pretty much guarantee a bad year filled with potential.  Fans would talk all day about how much better it will be when they have played together for a while.  Rookie HC mistakes will cost us some games, but 'He's just learning his job'.  Rookie QB mistakes will cost us other games, but 'He's just learning his job'.   It will get better soon.  After winning a couple of meaningless games at the end of the season folks will search for stats to show how we are 'on the cusp' of a good season next year.  We're just a couple of good players away from a competitive team they will say.  If all the newbies turn out to be good, they will be right.  If one or more of them don't have the right stuff, then blow it up and start over yet again.