Figured it would be nice to keep all the non-Bomber dealings of the offseason in one centralized thread ... I'm sure there are exceptions for the BIG stories having their own threads as they come up, but for all the daily tweets and information, we could keep it condensed to one thread.

 

One rumor I saw yesterday from Drew Edwards ... WR Greg Ellingson to Ottawa to reunite with Henry Burris - would be a good move for Ottawa

Panic is beginning in Alberta. Calgary housing sales are down 38% over January 2014 and Edmonton is almost as bad  with mortgage defaults rising rapidly. Cuts are being planned to healthcare and education as well. There is not going to be any play money for awhile.

The Flames will have to go this alone. For the third time the Province has axed a much needed new cancer centre in Calgary. They can't go to the Tories & say fund a third of this project without huge blow back from just about everyone. 

Panic is beginning in Alberta. 

Because oil companies like to panic at the first sign of trouble. Doesn't mean things are going to be doom and gloom. I was reading last week for example, an article saying that things weren't as bad as a lot of people in the industry expected. The economy out here was so over heated that a slow down is not the end of the world. What's happened is that spring break up is happening earlier than usual, most stuff will be shut down before March as opposed to April or May this year... but for me by the time I'm done the well I'm currently working on I'll still have had one of my busiest years in the last decade even with being finished a month earlier than usual. There's always layoffs and such in the spring in the oil field, wait and see how things look in the fall before we make any real judgement calls. Sitting idle during the spring/summer isn't all that unusual. 

 

People are just so envious of Alberta though that they are actively rooting for things to fall apart. Not going to happen. 

Anyone else think maybe Brett Jones is going to Sask? And that's one of the reasons Picard was expendable? 

 

Panic is beginning in Alberta. 

Because oil companies like to panic at the first sign of trouble. Doesn't mean things are going to be doom and gloom. I was reading last week for example, an article saying that things weren't as bad as a lot of people in the industry expected. The economy out here was so over heated that a slow down is not the end of the world. What's happened is that spring break up is happening earlier than usual, most stuff will be shut down before March as opposed to April or May this year... but for me by the time I'm done the well I'm currently working on I'll still have had one of my busiest years in the last decade even with being finished a month earlier than usual. There's always layoffs and such in the spring in the oil field, wait and see how things look in the fall before we make any real judgement calls. Sitting idle during the spring/summer isn't all that unusual. 

 

People are just so envious of Alberta though that they are actively rooting for things to fall apart. Not going to happen. 

 

Exactly right. Going to be a little leaner this year but the worst is already behind us. The loonie and oil have pretty much bottomed already. There will be a small bit of gain by the time breakup is over and life will go on. We are still drilling here in SE sask

Anyone else think maybe Brett Jones is going to Sask? And that's one of the reasons Picard was expendable? 

 

I've been having the same thought.  Unless an NFL offer comes in I could see this happening.  The Riders have lost two starters on their oline and I'm sure they would like to replace them with quality players, and I'm unsure how good their backups are.  Maybe they would be in on Bryant or Harrison from Calgary as well? I know those two are Americans but Heenan leaves a big hole at tackle for the Riders.  Gotta figure the Riders have some money freed up now with both Heenan and Picard gone.  And of course Jones is a Sask boy and we all know it's every Sask boy's dream to go home and play for the Riders at some point in their career  .

 

From Calgary's POV Jones is a fantastic player and tough to lose but they have Lavertu ready to step up if Jones moves on.  Calgary always seems to handle losing top end players just fine.  

 

I would be surprised if Taman wasn't active in free agency.  He rarely if ever sits it out.

I would be surprised if Jones didn't re-sign with the Stamps if he doesn't get an NFL offer.

Do the Rider even have enough cap room to sign Jones ?

Or any high profile type player for that matter ?

Do the Rider even have enough cap room to sign Jones ?

Or any high profile type player for that matter ?

I've wondered that also. Just a theory but I've been wondering if Taman is sitting back a bit on Dan Clark, Tristan Jackson, and Brian Peters in case he needs the money for Jones. The three above mentioned are people I'd like us to keep, but if we are going after Jones likely 2 of them have to go.

An extra $70,000 for Watson over Bastien. An extra $100,000 for Dressler (same salary as last year but a full season) = most of the $ you saved on cutting Picard. Doesn't seem like Taman will have a lot to spend, although I guess he could take Heenen's $ and give it to Jones.

An extra $70,000 for Watson over Bastien. An extra $100,000 for Dressler (same salary as last year but a full season) = most of the $ you saved on cutting Picard. Doesn't seem like Taman will have a lot to spend, although I guess he could take Heenen's $ and give it to Jones.

 

You are assuming that there were actually Heenan dollars to spend. Taman said in his interview after Heenan signed in the NFL, that he was going to outbid anyone for Heenan but that it would have had major effects on his current roster had he done so.

 

An extra $70,000 for Watson over Bastien. An extra $100,000 for Dressler (same salary as last year but a full season) = most of the $ you saved on cutting Picard. Doesn't seem like Taman will have a lot to spend, although I guess he could take Heenen's $ and give it to Jones.

 

You are assuming that there were actually Heenan dollars to spend. Taman said in his interview after Heenan signed in the NFL, that he was going to outbid anyone for Heenan but that it would have had major effects on his current roster had he done so.

 

I think you are probably right. Taman would have had Heenan's contract money from last year and additional money from sms going up but I believe if Jones comes here someone will have to go or not be resigned to make room for him. If nothing else, I hope Taman drives the price up for the stamps, they've done it to us in the past.

 

 

An extra $70,000 for Watson over Bastien. An extra $100,000 for Dressler (same salary as last year but a full season) = most of the $ you saved on cutting Picard. Doesn't seem like Taman will have a lot to spend, although I guess he could take Heenen's $ and give it to Jones.

 

You are assuming that there were actually Heenan dollars to spend. Taman said in his interview after Heenan signed in the NFL, that he was going to outbid anyone for Heenan but that it would have had major effects on his current roster had he done so.

 

I think you are probably right. Taman would have had Heenan's contract money from last year and additional money from sms going up but I believe if Jones comes here someone will have to go or not be resigned to make room for him. If nothing else, I hope Taman drives the price up for the stamps, they've done it to us in the past.

 

 

If Jones hits FA, Taman won't be the only one driving up the price.

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

He is a nice kid, he went to high school with my daughter. I hope he gets a great opportunity. He is 23 and will be a good player for a long time in this league. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love to see him come back home and play here. I have a feeling that he will stay in Calgary. Huff is anything but dumb, he can see what he has in Jones. I can see the Stamps being very aggressive in trying to keep him.

 

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

He is a nice kid, he went to high school with my daughter. I hope he gets a great opportunity. He is 23 and will be a good player for a long time in this league. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love to see him come back home and play here. I have a feeling that he will stay in Calgary. Huff is anything but dumb, he can see what he has in Jones. I can see the Stamps being very aggressive in trying to keep him.

 

 

I would think that Huf and the Stamps have the inside track for sure.

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

 Jones name didn't come up as often as Heenan because Taman announced that Heenan was testing the market and because it was widely assumed that Jones would either go NFL or re-sign with the Stamps prior to FA. However, there is little doubt that Jones is a HUGE fish in a small pond. He will be the highest paid OL in the league for whatever team signs him. 300k? Yea....that's a number that could be realistic.

 

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

 Jones name didn't come up as often as Heenan because Taman announced that Heenan was testing the market and because it was widely assumed that Jones would either go NFL or re-sign with the Stamps prior to FA. However, there is little doubt that Jones is a HUGE fish in a small pond. He will be the highest paid OL in the league for whatever team signs him. 300k? Yea....that's a number that could be realistic.

 

 

 

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

 Jones name didn't come up as often as Heenan because Taman announced that Heenan was testing the market and because it was widely assumed that Jones would either go NFL or re-sign with the Stamps prior to FA. However, there is little doubt that Jones is a HUGE fish in a small pond. He will be the highest paid OL in the league for whatever team signs him. 300k? Yea....that's a number that could be realistic.

 

Can't see 300, he is too young to get that high that fast. He'll have no where to go from there. But definitely agree he will be the highest paid Olineman in the league this year. I think 250-265 gets it done.

 

 

If he really explores free agency, he'll have offers from BC, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Edmonton, and Hamilton for sure.  That is five teams going after the guy who is basically the only Canadian offensive lineman on the market worth pursuing.  He will get 250k to start the bidding and it will only go up from there.

 

 

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

 Jones name didn't come up as often as Heenan because Taman announced that Heenan was testing the market and because it was widely assumed that Jones would either go NFL or re-sign with the Stamps prior to FA. However, there is little doubt that Jones is a HUGE fish in a small pond. He will be the highest paid OL in the league for whatever team signs him. 300k? Yea....that's a number that could be realistic.

 

Can't see 300, he is too young to get that high that fast. He'll have no where to go from there. But definitely agree he will be the highest paid Olineman in the league this year. I think 250-265 gets it done.

 

 

Why is he too young? By all accounts, he is the best offensive lineman in the league (I personally think Stanley Bryant is the best lineman in the league, but Jones' resume says Most Outstanding Lineman 2014 so he gets the nod) and he's got the right passport. If he wants to let offers flood in, he's going to be the highest paid non QB in the history of the SMS era. If anything, his age works in his favor. 250-265k was Heenan territory. I'm not saying Jones signs for 300k because I don't necessarily think he's a "I'm going to the highest bidder" kind of guy, but I would be shocked if he doesn't get at least one offer than starts with a 3.

 

Josh Bourke, at 31 years old, hit a contract of 215k annually last year. When he signed the deal, the salary cap was 4.4 million. His deal = 4.8% of annual cap max.

Brett Jones, at 24 years old, would be earning 5.9% of the annual cap max in 2015 if he signs for 300k. 1.1% difference for a guy who is 7 years younger, getting better and already has been declared the best OL in the league?

 

I don't think it's unreasonable at all.

Lawless tweeting that Jones is about to sign an NFL deal...

gary lawless        ✔ @garylawless

Hearing an announcement on Calgary OL Brett Jones signing with an NFL club is imminent #cfl

Sounds like he's NFL bound now.

 

 

 

Jones will get offers starting with a 3 if he hits free agency.

 Jones name didn't come up as often as Heenan because Taman announced that Heenan was testing the market and because it was widely assumed that Jones would either go NFL or re-sign with the Stamps prior to FA. However, there is little doubt that Jones is a HUGE fish in a small pond. He will be the highest paid OL in the league for whatever team signs him. 300k? Yea....that's a number that could be realistic.

 

Can't see 300, he is too young to get that high that fast. He'll have no where to go from there. But definitely agree he will be the highest paid Olineman in the league this year. I think 250-265 gets it done.

 

 

Why is he too young? By all accounts, he is the best offensive lineman in the league (I personally think Stanley Bryant is the best lineman in the league, but Jones' resume says Most Outstanding Lineman 2014 so he gets the nod) and he's got the right passport. If he wants to let offers flood in, he's going to be the highest paid non QB in the history of the SMS era. If anything, his age works in his favor. 250-265k was Heenan territory. I'm not saying Jones signs for 300k because I don't necessarily think he's a "I'm going to the highest bidder" kind of guy, but I would be shocked if he doesn't get at least one offer than starts with a 3.

 

Josh Bourke, at 31 years old, hit a contract of 215k annually last year. When he signed the deal, the salary cap was 4.4 million. His deal = 4.8% of annual cap max.

Brett Jones, at 24 years old, would be earning 5.9% of the annual cap max in 2015 if he signs for 300k. 1.1% difference for a guy who is 7 years younger, getting better and already has been declared the best OL in the league?

 

I don't think it's unreasonable at all.

 

I'm not completely disagreeing with what you are saying. I just think if he signs a 3 year deal and is making 300 plus the first year he is an awfully expensive player to have on your team. Labatte reportedly made 240k last year with the riders. I'll stick with my original estimate on salary numbers.

Do the Rider even have enough cap room to sign Jones ?

Or any high profile type player for that matter ?

Do they care? #justpaythefine