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)

                        

                        

                                          

                        

We need to revisit this thread August 1st. I am not sure we are going to like what we see at that point.

 

I'd be happy if we win 5 games and very surprised if we're still in the playoff race come October, but I think most (if not all) of the guys we've added will be good pieces as the team rebuilds, Banks probably being the exception but he'll help build the foundation.  Not like we signed a 39 year old quarterback or anything silly.

 

Redblacks will be fine... Maybe jj makes the team but I doubt that smith and lang do...

Ottawa has three ni starters on D with phillips, fraser and shologan... Lots of room for new import talent

Ottawa has god awful NI talent. Too much potential to break down.

 

 

I like to look at the glass half full.

 

Kind of like the way I'm pretending that Watson, Neufeld, Pencer, Stephan, Thomas, Swiston, Volny and Lucas will stay healthy and perform this season

 

Redblacks will be fine... Maybe jj makes the team but I doubt that smith and lang do...

Ottawa has three ni starters on D with phillips, fraser and shologan... Lots of room for new import talent

 

I'm assuming they'll use 3 NI spots on D with Fraser, a LB spot with Pottinger and a DL spot with Shologan, Evans and to a lesser extent Phillips and Capicciotti.  If Pottinger goes down they'll have to play 2 NI DL at all times.

 

Then 3 OL and 1 receiver/tight end/fullback.  Their OL isn't terrible if the guys coming off injury are all right, but it's below average, they basically got a bunch of guys that nobody wanted/are coming off serious injury other than Shologan and Eppele (who is also coming off an injury, 2  off-season surgeries).

 

 

Albright, KGroh and Barrette are pretty decent depth.  Plus MacMillan and this year's first pick aren't even in the picture yet.

 

At worst, they have eight NI starting positions... if an NI tackle works out, they have nine.

 

If we're relying on CK and Morely, I'm definitely not going to slag a team who has Hage and KGroh.

KGroh was handed to the Redblacks by a team who didn't have another option at centre and ended up signing Sorensen.

 

Has Albright even dressed for a game?

 

Montreal completely let Barrette walk after the season and they have no depth.

 

They have marginal prospects, failed prospects and injured guys.  It's an expansion team.

So the Bombers need a new defensive quarterback. The Hammer is someone who would probably fill that hole nicely.

The Hammer's real name is Robert McCune, and he finished third in the CFL last season with 99 tackles for the Toronto Argonauts. His agent, Donrich Young, said McCune is interested in the Bombers and the Bombers are interested in McCune. Talks are taking place, but no offers have been exchanged.

 

 

 

There has been a change in the Will Ford camp that could lead to his return to the Bombers.

Ford fired his U.S. agent on Thursday and replaced him with Canadian Rob Fry, who works for Gil Scott Sports.

The Bombers and Ford had been so far apart on money just before free agency began that there was little chance Ford, the team's special teams player of the year in 2013, would be returning to Winnipeg.

However, a change in representation signals a fresh start of sorts and there's now a chance a deal with the Bombers could be struck.

 

source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/2014/02/13/bombers-bringing-the-hammer

Hmmm...I don't know much about McCune. What's the story on him? I see he's 34 years old and had 99 tackles last season for the Argos.

McCune is a beast. He is an outstanding linebacker stopping the run but sometimes struggles with his pass responsibilities. He doesn't have the range of Henoc Muamba but he still would be a great pick up. Doesn't look like Walters is interested. He will either replace from within or bring in someone new. 

McCune is a beast. He is an outstanding linebacker stopping the run but sometimes struggles with his pass responsibilities. He doesn't have the range of Henoc Muamba but he still would be a great pick up. Doesn't look like Walters is interested. He will either replace from within or bring in someone new.

Why do you say that? Penton's article says the Bombers are interested.

KGroh was handed to the Redblacks by a team who didn't have another option at centre and ended up signing Sorensen.

 

Has Albright even dressed for a game?

 

Montreal completely let Barrette walk after the season and they have no depth.

 

They have marginal prospects, failed prospects and injured guys.  It's an expansion team.

 

So Ottawa is a bunch of hacks, Montreal has no depth...  hate to think what you have to say about Winnipeg...

 

I guess that leaves pretty much Sask as the only team with a good OL in the league?

 

McCune is a beast. He is an outstanding linebacker stopping the run but sometimes struggles with his pass responsibilities. He doesn't have the range of Henoc Muamba but he still would be a great pick up. Doesn't look like Walters is interested. He will either replace from within or bring in someone new.

Why do you say that? Penton's article says the Bombers are interested.

 

Media was saying yesterday that Walters was done signing free agents. 

McCune is a beast. He is an outstanding linebacker stopping the run but sometimes struggles with his pass responsibilities. He doesn't have the range of Henoc Muamba but he still would be a great pick up. Doesn't look like Walters is interested. He will either replace from within or bring in someone new.

Why do you say that? Penton's article says the Bombers are interested.

Media was saying yesterday that Walters was done signing free agents.

That's not what Walters said at his presser yesterday.

 

 

 

McCune is a beast. He is an outstanding linebacker stopping the run but sometimes struggles with his pass responsibilities. He doesn't have the range of Henoc Muamba but he still would be a great pick up. Doesn't look like Walters is interested. He will either replace from within or bring in someone new.

Why do you say that? Penton's article says the Bombers are interested.

Media was saying yesterday that Walters was done signing free agents.

That's not what Walters said at his presser yesterday.

 

Good, I'm glad. I want him to still sign a player or two.... There's still some players out there. 

McCune spent a few years in the US military so maybe is 34 but has a few less miles on him.

 

KGroh was handed to the Redblacks by a team who didn't have another option at centre and ended up signing Sorensen.

 

Has Albright even dressed for a game?

 

Montreal completely let Barrette walk after the season and they have no depth.

 

They have marginal prospects, failed prospects and injured guys.  It's an expansion team.

 

So Ottawa is a bunch of hacks, Montreal has no depth...  hate to think what you have to say about Winnipeg...

 

I guess that leaves pretty much Sask as the only team with a good OL in the league?

 

 

Saskatchewan and Calgary.  Toronto and BC both have a lot of high-end young guys.  Everyone else is pretty much in the same boat with Edmonton and Hamilton standing out as especially bad among the bad.

From the article on McCune ... 

 

The Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos are apparently both pursuing former Bombers offensive line coach Bob Wylie to fill that role with their respective clubs. 

Well, assistant coaches holding out. Wonders never cease.

Robert McCune: hell yeah.  Guy is an assassin out there.

 

Wil Ford: Sure, bring him back, but I think he's a DI-type specialist, not an every-down back.

Well, assistant coaches holding out. Wonders never cease.

 

Holding out? Where did it say anyone was holding out?

 

Well, assistant coaches holding out. Wonders never cease.

 

Holding out? Where did it say anyone was holding out?

 

Just relax, Jacquie. Holding out for a better deal. It also means not making a quick decision, waiting for a better offer, whatever. Letting 2 teams fight over you. Trying to finagle the best offer possible. 

I don't know what to make of McCune.

 

He's going to be 35 going into camp, but he also started football real late. He didn't even debut in college until he was 22 years old so it's not as if he's got as much wear and tear as your typical 35 year old. He got drafted by the Redskins as a 26 year old and joined the CFL as a 31 year old rookie. He's an absolute specimen on the field and if you want a guy who is going to punish people, I'd say he's one of the hardest hitters in the league.

 

 

That's a dude that makes you fear the middle of the field.

 

I'd take him but I'd only count on it being for a year.

That guy is on some serious 'supplements'. 

I wouldn't necessarily say so. I wouldn't be surprised either way.

McCune could be a good addition, just wonder how serious the shoulder injury was...

 

And, he has only ever played in a Chris Jones defence...  not sure how that translates to Etcheverry

I don't know what to make of McCune.

 

He's going to be 35 going into camp, but he also started football real late. He didn't even debut in college until he was 22 years old so it's not as if he's got as much wear and tear as your typical 35 year old. He got drafted by the Redskins as a 26 year old and joined the CFL as a 31 year old rookie. He's an absolute specimen on the field and if you want a guy who is going to punish people, I'd say he's one of the hardest hitters in the league.

 

 

That's a dude that makes you fear the middle of the field.

 

I'd take him but I'd only count on it being for a year.

Wow it's like looking in a mirror.  Size wise I mean.  Yup...pumped up...*makes muscle pose*

 

SHUT UP VOODOO I DO SO LOOK LIKE HIM!!

 

I don't know what to make of McCune.

 

He's going to be 35 going into camp, but he also started football real late. He didn't even debut in college until he was 22 years old so it's not as if he's got as much wear and tear as your typical 35 year old. He got drafted by the Redskins as a 26 year old and joined the CFL as a 31 year old rookie. He's an absolute specimen on the field and if you want a guy who is going to punish people, I'd say he's one of the hardest hitters in the league.

 

 

That's a dude that makes you fear the middle of the field.

 

I'd take him but I'd only count on it being for a year.

Wow it's like looking in a mirror.  Size wise I mean.  Yup...pumped up...*makes muscle pose*

 

SHUT UP VOODOO I DO SO LOOK LIKE HIM!!

 

 

Every day .. in the office .. it's like showing up to Muscle Beach .. ;-)