@SUNMitchell: The problem with trying to trade Jasper Simmons is there isn't much of a market for import linebackers. Even BC has depth they like. #CFL

@garrettbillan1: @SUNMitchell I'd like to see the Bombers move Hurl into a role player instead of starting. Move Bass to MLB and trade for Simmons.

@garrettbillan1: @SUNMitchell Would Huff do Greaves/Neufeld for Simmons and a 1st or 2nd rounder?

@SUNMitchell: @garrettbillan1 Funny you ask because the two teams I heard connected were Bombers and Riders.

@SUNMitchell: @garrettbillan1 I doubt they'd give up a high pick like that. They're looking for OL depth for sure though.

@garrettbillan1: @SUNMitchell have u heard what the Bombers might be offering?

@SUNMitchell: @garrettbillan1 Don't know if it even got to the point of an offer. Yet.

Grigsby was still dressing also no? Just wouldn't be starting.

Grigsby was still dressing also no? Just wouldn't be starting.

Yes,true. But the Stamps are paying Simmons his full salary not dressing. I empathize with him but he's going about this the wrong way. My understanding from what I heard on CHQR radio here in Calgary (Stamps play by play station) is that Huff has tried to trade Simmons the past 2 weeks but there's been no takers.

 

You keep saying full salary as if that means anything.

 

Full salary for Simmons likely means near league minimum. His coin is made by being on the field.

Grigsby was still dressing also no? Just wouldn't be starting.

Grigsby was still dressing also no? Just wouldn't be starting.

Yes,true. But the Stamps are paying Simmons his full salary not dressing. I empathize with him but he's going about this the wrong way. My understanding from what I heard on CHQR radio here in Calgary (Stamps play by play station) is that Huff has tried to trade Simmons the past 2 weeks but there's been no takers.

 

You keep saying full salary as if that means anything.

 

Full salary for Simmons likely means near league minimum. His coin is made by being on the field.

Mike, Simmons is being paid what he'd get if he was playing. That was the contract he signed in Ottawa. He's not better than any of the starting linebackers on the Stamps roster now so why should the Stamps sit any of the 3 starters down? Simmons is a depth player for the team. Insurance in case of injury like a lot of other guys on every team in the CFL are. As I said, Simmons looked good on a 2-14 team last year with little or no talent. Doesn't mean he can start anywhere else. If Ottawa thought he was that great at linebacker they'd never have traded him as he'd be the centre piece to build their defense around for many years to come. Obviously the redblacks didn't think of Simmons that much.

I think getting a receiving threat (or what they thought was a threat) was more valuable to them than at that point time in their inception than a linebacker...they were sooooo weak at receiver they needed a stud.

Are the Stampeders Organization and Simmons himself living up to the contractual obligations for each party?

Are the Stampeders Organization and Simmons himself living up to the contractual obligations for each party?

Are the Stampeders Organization and Simmons himself living up to the contractual obligations for each party?

As far as I know. After this weekend & what was said on twitter, who knows? If the Stamps can't trade him they just might suspend him & send him home.

Iso, I think what Mike's saying is that Simmons is losing out on bonuses b/c he's not playing.

I think getting a receiving threat (or what they thought was a threat) was more valuable to them than at that point time in their inception than a linebacker...they were sooooo weak at receiver they needed a stud.

Mo Price has been on the downslide production wise for a couple of years now. That is, when he played if he wasn't injured. If they gave up on Simmons but still thought highly of him for a guy like Price then Desjardins was a fool.

Oh for sure sweep the leg but he can't crack the lineup & the Stamps weren't about to release a guy who is there in case of injury which could happen anytime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do feel bad for the guy. The guy did not ask to be traded from the redblacks, and didn't sign in Calgary. He was one team's MOP candidate and not getting a chance to play now.

He misses out on bonus money, because he's not dressing and not collecting stats. I'm sure his NFL dreams aren't dead either. Now he's not getting the chance to put some action on film for teams to see, decreasing his odds to catch some attention.

He's tried to do things behind the scenes but no luck, now he's taking it public to hope fore a better result. I too would be pissed if my employer sent me to another company where I wasn't being used properly and am now earning less money because of it.

I don't know much about him, but he's got to do what he's got to do to put food in his family's mouths.

A bit different than Grigsby in my opinion. This guy can play on any team in the league, can't say the same for Grigsby.

Wow, poor guy. Can't beat out the starting linebackers in front of him. Didn't ask for a trade. He's a slave. Welcome to pro football.

Pretty harsh the guy just wants to play and if he is not good enough to even dress for Calgary let him play somewhere.These guys aren't making big bucks.

 

Lots of guys are in Jasper Simmons' place & don't do what he & his agent did. Not everyone can play & start.They don't run to twitter & start bitching. If he's being held "hostage" by the Stamps like he claims & doesn't like it then he should quit & do something else with his life. In a story yesterday it was reported that Simmons is getting his full salary whether he dresses or not. So, this stuff about not being able to take care of his family is rubbish.

Two years ago Sean Lemon was backing up Corderro Law & wasn't dressing for games like Simmons is now. John Hufnagel said he was in his office every week complaining & saying he wanted to play. At the time, Lemon was extremely upset. Huff told him to be patient & continue to work hard. Well, Law left for the NFL & Lemon got his chance with the Stamps last season & had a great year. Now he's getting a shot with the 49ers. Lemon never bitched publicly like Simmons did or had his agent call out the Stampeders. He just went about his business & acted like a pro even though he was unhappy. Things certainly worked out for Lemon since. 

 

 

I'm of the mind that you (nor I) are really in position to tell anyone else how they should or should not manage their life as it pertains to taking care of their family. Maybe he's getting his full salary - now what if he makes league minimum and his best way of making money is by being on the field, making plays?

 

Football is a fickle business and in a sport where contracts are not guaranteed, I don't ever criticize a player who decides to make a decision (whether I agree with it or not) to try and maximize their earning potential.

 

Mike, he's under contract to the Stamps & getting paid. Were you saying that last year when Nic Grigsby walked into Osh's office & gave him a "Play me or release me" ultimatum? Everyone on this board called the guy a quitter when he was released. I don't recall you or very many defending Grigsby. How is this different? And since when is pro football all about equal playing time? Stamps are exceptionally strong at linebacker. Simmons has to do what others did in the past when in a similar situation. Work hard, continue to work hard, be patient, wait for  the opportunity & then make the most of it. Not cry about it on twitter. 

 

If you're going to use a player to base your argument off of, Nic Grigsby is the last player I would use.

 

Why, he's the perfect example. So basically what you're saying is because you hate Grigsby, demanding to play or else was unacceptable. But it's okay for Simmons to do the same thing with the Stamps because you neither like or dislike him? 

 

No he's not.  Grigsby was starting.  Was asked to sit one game and he quit. 

Disagee. Both under contract. Both getting paid. Both want /wanted out. Grigsby's a ****** but hey...

Guys great discussion but I gotta go. Talk later.

Guys great discussion but I gotta go. Talk later.

 

Disagee. Both under contract. Both getting paid. Both want /wanted out. Grigsby's a ****** but hey...

Similarities end there.

 

Mike, Simmons is being paid what he'd get if he was playing. That was the contract he signed in Ottawa.

 

That's highly unlikely.

Simmons didn't tweet anything, his agent did...  of course guys complain behind the scenes about not playing

 

I do see his frustration - he's bounced around and then had a breakout season, now is back as a fringe player in his peak years.

 

Best thing he could do right now is fire his agent though...

Are the Stampeders Organization and Simmons himself living up to the contractual obligations for each party?

Are the Stampeders Organization and Simmons himself living up to the contractual obligations for each party?

As far as I know. After this weekend & what was said on twitter, who knows? If the Stamps can't trade him they just might suspend him & send him home.

Why would a player go outside of his contract to adjust his working conditions?

It seems there has been no complaint about the Employer adhering to the contract. So I'll presume that non compliance to a contractual right is not an issue. He has no contractual beef.

Any employer has a right to expect loyalty in a public forum. Simmons Twitter posts could be characterized as insubordination, a matter of degree can be discussed, and therefore subject to sanctions.

If the Stamps want to persue the matter with a trade, it is their prerogative. If they want to suspend him, that action would become an additional dispute.

Seems Simmons has become a disruption in the workplace. How much of a disruption is up to the stampeders to tolerate.

Simmons didn't tweet anything, his agent did... of course guys complain behind the scenes about not playing

I do see his frustration - he's bounced around and then had a breakout season, now is back as a fringe player in his peak years.

Best thing he could do right now is fire his agent though...

His agent tweeted, and not him? Lmao. That's creative!

An agent is expected to be his advocate.

Wouldn't mind seeing some combination of Simmons, Bass, and Randle playing together... Simmons played MLB in Ottawa?

Wouldn't mind seeing some combination of Simmons, Bass, and Randle playing together... Simmons played MLB in Ottawa?

 

Yes he played MLB with the RedBlacks.

 

Simmons didn't tweet anything, his agent did... of course guys complain behind the scenes about not playing

I do see his frustration - he's bounced around and then had a breakout season, now is back as a fringe player in his peak years.

Best thing he could do right now is fire his agent though...

His agent tweeted, and not him? Lmao. That's creative!

An agent is expected to be his advocate.

 

 

Just saying that we don't know the whole story... not that that's ever stopped us before

Will I be the first one to break the news??

 

http://www.stampeders.com/article/stamps-release-simmons

 

Stamps release Simmons

Should we be interested? Heck yeah!  

 

No trade needed.

So I wonder who signs him? He obviously doesn't want to be depth. I don't see the Bombers giving up on Hurl for an American like Simmons. Does anyone need a starting LB right now? Simmons is either going to be on the street or in the same situation he was in with the Stamps, IMO.

Not sure why Twitter is so quick to say this was terrible work by the agent. Maybe. Or maybe he just got his client a fresh start with a chance at a pay increase from the league minimum he might've been making.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Winnipeg signed Simmons.

I would be happy if he ended up here... 

Bombers Riders and Lions all rumored to be interested

Not sure why Twitter is so quick to say this was terrible work by the agent. Maybe. Or maybe he just got his client a fresh start with a chance at a pay increase from the league minimum he might've been making.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Winnipeg signed Simmons.

I'd be pretty sure the agent didn't make those tweets in a bubble without Simmons knowing the potential consequences. Being released I'm guessing, was an acceptable outcome to him.