Not counting Sundays, there are 17 days left to sign our own FAs.

Do the Bombers have a say in all the FAs we have to sign or do circumstances exist where we have no chance?

 

For me, at least to get to TC:

 

Desirable signings - Some for obvious reasons, some for NI content, some for experience:

 

Henoc Muamba, Chris Matthews, Jade Etienne, Brandon Stewart, Will Ford, Jovon Johnson, Akeem Foster, Kenny Mainor, Justin Sorensen, Marc Parenteau.

 

Signings if it makes sense - Again, ratio-wise and depth, new signings:

 

JT Gilmore, , Ryan Lucas, Chris Cvetkovic, Chris Kowalczuk, Dan West.

 

Not a Priority - Injuries….

 

Chad Simpson, Andre Douglas.

 

For comparison: (not including retired, suspended or released)

 

BC - …………..0 - 5 signings

Edmonton…….4 - 11

Calgary……….10 - 17 

​Sask…………..3 - 17

​WBB…………..6 - 18

Hamilton………1 -6

​Toronto……….1 - 10

​Montreal………8 -17

 

The Bombers have 79 60 players listed on their roster page including all eligible FAs.

There are 34 imports and 32 26 NIs.

However, I can't imagine injured players like Sims-Walker will be back nor Bo Smith, nor Boltus (but that's just my wish)

                        

                        

                                          

                        

I hope we re-sign Foster and Matthews.

Some interesting tidbits from Penton in today's Winnipeg Sun:

Who will be protecting Willy remains to be seen. The Bombers lost two players on Tuesday, including starting centre Justin Sorensen to the Edmonton Eskimos. There is talk the Bombers will be moving Steve Morley to centre, but Sorensen’s departure leaves Winnipeg in need of even more Canadian O-line depth, and there’s not much left out there.

Meanwhile, Moore’s arrival could have an effect on veteran Bombers slotback Terrence Edwards, who until now has been Winnipeg’s No. 1 receiver. The Blue and Gold also have an offer on the table for free agent Chris Matthews, so Edwards’ future in Winnipeg could be up in the air.

 

Relax... Neufeld, Swiston, and Pencer are waiting in the wings.  A good O-Line coach (heck even a different one from Del Monaco) could very well make them into long-term starters.

 

Just because we don't have 5 bonafide 5-year starters on our line doesn't mean we're hooped.

Questions of the ratio aside .. we also have a guy in Jones who acquitted himself well when pressed into action late last season .. it's going to come down to coaching and establishing some continuity / familiarity as a unit ..

Then why not announce it?

My theory is that they are waiting on one of the other coaches and will announce them as a group.

Jovon has signed in Ottawa.

 

I love it.

 

First time he gets to play this year is in Winnipeg.

I look forward to him getting roasted continuously.

I think he still can play in the league, good move for Ottawa.

I also hope they overpaid for him

Wpg Blue Bombers ‏@Wpg_BlueBombers 2m

GM Kyle Walters: "We have made an offer to Will Ford but we are quite far apart (on money)." #Bombers

 

Wonder if Ford (his agent) thinks he has the Bombers over a barrel considering we don't have a starting tail back under contract ..

Wpg Blue Bombers ‏@Wpg_BlueBombers 2m

GM Kyle Walters: "We have made an offer to Will Ford but we are quite far apart (on money)." #Bombers

 

Wonder if Ford (his agent) thinks he has the Bombers over a barrel considering we don't have a starting tail back under contract ..

Let him walk. There is zero reason to overpay for a guy like Ford.

Wpg Blue Bombers ‏@Wpg_BlueBombers  4m

GM Kyle Walters: "On Chad Simpson, he had a 2nd foot surgery, which is a concern for a player in his 20s. Have to tip-toe carefully."

 Retweeted by Darrin Bauming

Paul Wiecek ‏@PaulWiecek  4m

Walters says Bombers not interested in pursuing FA RB Kory Sheets. #bn

http://globalnews.ca/news/1144531/bombers-to-face-questions-about-anti-gay-tweet/

 

 

Live video of press conference

Mini camp won't be in Winnipeg this year, it will be in Florida, more for prospects than veterans

Look, Kyle Walters has a sense of humour.

 

"Our big concern is it's going to be a long layoff when we finish first." -Kyle Walters on his team having a bye in the final week

Look, Kyle Walters has a sense of humour.

 

"Our big concern is it's going to be a long layoff when we finish first." -Kyle Walters on his team having a bye in the final week

 

To tell you the truth, that would be a concern for me.  Good thing it's likely not to happen.

Kirk Penton ‏@PentonKirk 2m

Kyle Walters said they have given an offer to Chris Matthews. The other eight FAs won't be back.

Wpg Blue Bombers ‏@Wpg_BlueBombers 2m

GM Kyle Walters: "We have made an offer to Will Ford but we are quite far apart (on money)." #Bombers

 

Wonder if Ford (his agent) thinks he has the Bombers over a barrel considering we don't have a starting tail back under contract ..

 

He'd have to be pretty unrealistic to think that.  There are 500 Will Ford's looking for a tryout in the US right now.

Only a contract out to Matthews the rest won't be back next year.

I'm thinking Dan West and JT Gilmore in Toronto, Akeem Foster might find work in Calgary and Mainor to Hamilton. Ford maybe to Ottawa?

 

Wpg Blue Bombers ‏@Wpg_BlueBombers 2m

GM Kyle Walters: "We have made an offer to Will Ford but we are quite far apart (on money)." #Bombers

 

Wonder if Ford (his agent) thinks he has the Bombers over a barrel considering we don't have a starting tail back under contract ..

 

He'd have to be pretty unrealistic to think that.  There are 500 Will Ford's looking for a tryout in the US right now.

 

 

 

Don't disagree but have to think who is setting the expectation (for the player) such that sides are so far apart .. that said ...

 

Kirk Penton ‏@PentonKirk 1m

That means no #Bombers offer for Chad Simpson. They are far apart with Will Ford, so he's gone, too.

Some interesting tidbits from Penton in today's Winnipeg Sun:

Who will be protecting Willy remains to be seen. The Bombers lost two players on Tuesday, including starting centre Justin Sorensen to the Edmonton Eskimos. There is talk the Bombers will be moving Steve Morley to centre, but Sorensen’s departure leaves Winnipeg in need of even more Canadian O-line depth, and there’s not much left out there.

Meanwhile, Moore’s arrival could have an effect on veteran Bombers slotback Terrence Edwards, who until now has been Winnipeg’s No. 1 receiver. The Blue and Gold also have an offer on the table for free agent Chris Matthews, so Edwards’ future in Winnipeg could be up in the air.

 

Relax... Neufeld, Swiston, and Pencer are waiting in the wings.  A good O-Line coach (heck even a different one from Del Monaco) could very well make them into long-term starters.

 

Just because we don't have 5 bonafide 5-year starters on our line doesn't mean we're hooped.

I was a fan of Jones' play last year...that could just be the relief at not seeing Boatman in there. I'd wouldn't mind if Jones was back to start the season.

Kirk Penton ‏@PentonKirk 2m

Kyle Walters said they have given an offer to Chris Matthews. The other eight FAs won't be back.

That's fine by me. I'm still scratching my head as to why we gave up both of Poblah and Etienne though. We need a third starting caliber Canadian receiver given Watson's injury history.

 

 Retweeted by Darrin Bauming

Paul Wiecek ‏@PaulWiecek  4m

Walters says Bombers not interested in pursuing FA RB Kory Sheets. #bn

 

 

 

Itsn't he an upgrade? Or am i thinking of soemone else?

 

edit - no.. Didn't he play lights out last season in sask? why no offer? or attempt to sign?

Of course Sheets is an upgrade.

 

There's no reason for us (or any team other than Saskatchewan) to pursue him though. He'd cost a bundle and there's just no sense in paying a RB proven in one system to come play in another.

Surprised that we're letting Gilmore walk.  A little bit surprised that we never made an offer to Foster either...

 

Did anyone ask him about Alex Hall?