There is officially only 2 weeks remaining until free agency.  As we all know, there is still plenty of time to re-sign potential free agents but many who have waited this long will increasingly be tempted to test free agency.  So without further Apu, I present my authoritative list of the top 5 Canadian Free Agents (from a Blue Bomber perspective).  Here we go!

 

TOP 5 CANADIAN FREE AGENTS

 

1.  BEN HEENAN - This one is too easy.  Everyone knows he is going to be the number one target in free agency, and he may even get some NFL looks.  But with the right offer, maybe the Canadian Big Ben ends up in Winnipeg and moves our OL further towards respectability.  Heenan's value comes from his outstanding play but also his versatility.  Many believe that he would be best-suited as a guard, but his value as a proven starting tackle can't be ignored.  Even if the Bombers only made this one signing, the free agency period would have to be deemed a success.  A ratio changer, and likely even better than any of the American tackle options currently on the roster.  To borrow a term from soccer, this signing is a slam dunk home run.

 

2.  TYLER HOLMES - It should be no surprise that another offensive lineman heads up this list.  Holmes may not be as much of a big-name as Heenan, but he has the potential to make just as great an impact (and probably at a lower cap hit).  After being drafted 7th overall in 2011 (3 spots behind the immortal Jade Etienne), Holmes spent the 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings, suiting up at Guard in 4 pre-season games.  He played another 2 pre-season games for the Vikes before being cut during camp in 2013.  Shortly afterwards, Holmes signed with the Argos where he spent the last two seasons starting at left guard.  Although Holmes would appear to have settled in as a CFL guard, he was an OT in college and may still have the potential to play tackle.  He is only 26 years old.  The Redblacks are rumoured to have interest in his services, and I imagine many other teams will as well.  Holmes is the son of former CFL RB Richard Holmes, who played 3 seasons in Ottawa and one in Winnipeg.

 

3.  SPENCER WATT - My first non-OL pick in free agency goes to fifth year Argonaut Spencer Watt.  This pick is all about depth and versatility.  While Watt is certainly not a household star, he has been a consistent performer for the Argos at the wide-side receiver spot.  The Bombers only have three Canadian receivers under contract right now, and with the unreliable health of Cory Watson, depth is still needed here.  Adding Watt will give the Bombers a reliable player that coach O'Shea is already familiar with, and one who has five years under his belt while being the same age as Cory Watson was when he was first drafted.  Adding Watt would give the Bombers flexibility in the passing game, perhaps allowing Rory Kohlert to move inside and get more passes thrown his way, or to even have 3 Canadian receivers starting at times.

 

4.  GREG WOJT - We quickly shift our focus back to the offensive line.  If the Bombers whiff on their first two OL targets, Greg Wojt could at least be a decent consolation prize.  Wojt has started many games in the CFL for both Edmonton and Hamilton, mostly at guard but occasionally filling in at tackle.  Wojt could be valuable depth and present stiff competition to both Chris Greaves and Patrick Neufeld for their starting spots, which should not be guaranteed at this point.  Wojt was named a Western Division all star in 2011 but hasn't been able to attain that level of play since then.  However he is still just 29 and could be entering the prime of his career.  A date with Bob Wylie could be just what Wojt needs to rejuvenate his career.  Hell, we'd all love a date with Bob Wylie... did you know he's a magician?

 

5.  DON ORAMASIONWU - Could 2015 see the return of DONNY O to the Blue Bombers lineup?  The Bombers were already thin along the defensive line when DT Ryan Lucas announced his retirement, and they desperately need some help here.  Jake Thomas is a wonderful player but he could use some Canadian help in the middle.  The Bombers also have Louie Richardson and Ameet Pall on the defensive line, but both could be considered "tweeners" and might not fit into Richie Hall's schemes as well as they did for Gary Etcheverry.  Don missed most of last season but if healthy could be a great asset to the Bombers' DL, taking some rotational reps and possibly even starting if necessary.  I would still like to see the Bombers draft a strong DT but Donny O would be good insurance in case that is not possible.  And it's always nice to have a local guy on the roster.

 

So there's the list.  And if you're not down with that, I got two words for you....... WHY NOT???

Nice list. I think Stanley Bryant needs to be in the top 5 Bomber targets too.

Nice list. I think Stanley Bryant needs to be in the top 5 Bomber targets too.

 

Agreed, he ain't Canadian doe.  Was going to write up an American top 5 too but ran out of time.  Maybe tomorrow.

Nice list. I think Stanley Bryant needs to be in the top 5 Bomber targets too.

Agreed, he ain't Canadian doe. Was going to write up an American top 5 too but ran out of time. Maybe tomorrow.

Sorry I missed the Canadian part. I like the Watt pick too. I wonder what kind of relationship him and O'Shea had in TO.

Watt would be good. I'd say Sinopoli over Watt but I feel like him going to Ottawa is just a foregone conclusion.

I think I would like all 5 please.

Put January's, Hinse's, and Morley's contract against these 5

Throw in Richardson's or Pall or Kuale with Mr. Renaud' salaries and you have the deal of the century.

good thread, very entertaining

If we were to go crazy in FA, I don't think all 3 of Heenan, Wojt and Don O would be impossible.

 

Im not crazy about Watt, though I do respect his ability, and think its very possibly O'Shea and Walters are targeting him.... but we could be getting a good prospect in Groodrich, and I'm a firm believer that you should always build the foundation of your football team in the trenches... and that's our weakest link right now

Wait.....Don who?

If we were to go crazy in FA, I don't think all 3 of Heenan, Wojt and Don O would be impossible.

Im not crazy about Watt, though I do respect his ability, and think its very possibly O'Shea and Walters are targeting him.... but we could be getting a good prospect in Groodrich, and I'm a firm believer that you should always build the foundation of your football team in the trenches... and that's our weakest link right now

Anyone know the status of Goodrich? Thought I heard his first goal was to sign with the Bombers but if that didn't work out he'd consider entering this years CFL draft.

If Walters can sign Oramasionwu and Wojt, I would consider that a coup, and it ought to be doable.

If we were to go crazy in FA, I don't think all 3 of Heenan, Wojt and Don O would be impossible.

 

Im not crazy about Watt, though I do respect his ability, and think its very possibly O'Shea and Walters are targeting him.... but we could be getting a good prospect in Groodrich, and I'm a firm believer that you should always build the foundation of your football team in the trenches... and that's our weakest link right now

 

I think history has shown that going crazy in FA isn't always the best idea (see Hamilton). That said, if we could pick up Heenan, I would be pretty darn happy.

If Walters can sign Oramasionwu and Wojt, I would consider that a coup, and it ought to be doable.

Those guys are solid, and I'd definitely take them, but they aren't difference makers. I'm hoping for at least one big splash.

I would rather see if you can get Bryant and Heenan if you had a line of Bryant Greaves Picard Neufeld Heenan that would be big improvement.

If you had a choice between Bryant and Wojt.

I would rather see if you can get Bryant and Heenan if you had a line of Bryant Greaves Picard Neufeld Heenan that would be big improvement.

Yep that's my dream. That line would be dominant.

If you had a choice between Bryant and Wojt.

Bryant every day and twice on Sunday.

 

I would rather see if you can get Bryant and Heenan if you had a line of Bryant Greaves Picard Neufeld Heenan that would be big improvement.

Yep that's my dream. That line would be dominant.

 

Dominant's a stretch for sure... Neufeld and Greaves are far from dominant Gaurds...

 

Wojt would be a big upgrade if he's healthy. 

I would rather see if you can get Bryant and Heenan if you had a line of Bryant Greaves Picard Neufeld Heenan that would be big improvement.

Yep that's my dream. That line would be dominant.

Dominant's a stretch for sure... Neufeld and Greaves are far from dominant Gaurds...

Wojt would be a big upgrade if he's healthy.

You don't need 5 dominant OLs to have a dominant OL.

When he's healthy, I'd say Neufeld is pretty close to dominant. People are looking at "he's injured again" as "he's a bad OL"......

I'm looking at his play, not his injuries... He's a much better OT.. Not sure why anyone would call Neufeld dominant other than the fact that he's a winnipeg bluebomber and that they want it so bad to be true, that they believe it to be true

When was the last time Wojt was healthy?

2013, he was the Ticats nomination for Most outstanding OL

Wojt was a backup for most of last year...  stay away - the guy was a good signing when Mack was here, not now.

 

I would also take Sinopoli over Watt because of injury issues, surprised there's no love for Giguere - Ottawa can't sign both of them

Wojt was a backup for most of last year... stay away - the guy was a good signing when Mack was here, not now.

I would also take Sinopoli over Watt because of injury issues, surprised there's no love for Giguere - Ottawa can't sign both of them

Personally I just hate Giguere and would have a hell of a hard time cheering for him as a Bomber. And Ottawa certainly could sign both Sinopoli and Giguere... why not?

Oh yeah and Wojt was never a backup this season, he was injured. He only played in one game.