http://www.bluebombers.com/2015/12/30/bombers-release-dominic-picard/

Happy New Year everybody

Great move and obvious 

In before the obligatory "Why didn't they trade him for draft picks?"

Good release. One giant salary gone. Still need to pick up a FA NI OL for depth and draft one too.

Makes a lot of sense. A little surprised they didn't try to reduce his deal.

We thought he might've had 2 good seasons left when he didn't have one full season. Gigantic waste of money.

30 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Makes a lot of sense. A little surprised they didn't try to reduce his deal.

Even at a lower cost he would still be really bad.

<I'm of two minds on this one.

Good, he's gone. But, we're dreadfully thin at centre.

Good, that salary's gone. But, we're lacking in experience.>

So, we've lost 3 NI OL guys - Greaves, Griffiths, and now, Picard. We only have 3 NI guys left, with Goosen, Chungh and Neufeld.

And 3 Imp - Capers, Bryant and Daniels.

6 guys!    Hell, Calgary loses more guys than that in a couple of games.

I'd say we better have our eyes on a few prospects, a few FAs and possibly a miracle or two.

3 minutes ago, Mr Dee said:

<I'm of two minds on this one.

Good, he's gone. But, we're dreadfully thin at centre.

Good, that salary's gone. But, we're lacking in experience.>

So, we've lost 3 NI OL guys - Greaves, Griffiths, and now, Picard. We only have 3 NI guys left, with Goosen, Chungh and Neufeld.

And 3 Imp - Capers, Bryant and Daniels.

6 guys!    Hell, Calgary loses more guys than that in a couple of games.

I'd say we better have our eyes on a few prospects, a few FAs and possibly a miracle or two.

If only there was a draft and free agency right around the corner....

There wasn't a single reason to keep him around even at a reduced salary. 

Great move, he never should've been signed to begin with. But, I'm happy they corrected their mistake.

4 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

If only there was a draft and free agency right around the corner....

We gave up the second pick in the first round. Instead we pick 9th now... And considering how thin we always are at OL that is good, how???

It's good because we don't have to pay him 200 000 to suck. It's really that simple. Money better spent elsewhere. Maybe give it a few months and if we only go in to camp with 5 or 6 guys signed then have it but it's not even Jan 1st yet 

10 minutes ago, iso_55 said:

We gave up the second pick in the first round. Instead we pick 9th now... And considering how thin we always are at OL that is good, how???

You're right, nothing at all could change between now and then...nothing at all. We should just fold up now and wait for the draft in 2017.

"THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IF WE WERE THE STAMPS!!!!!!!!!!111!!!" -- Iso

Likely we draft a guy at 9 or 10 and they try like heck to sign a NI OL in Fa.

34 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

If only there was a draft and free agency right around the corner....

And here I thought I said exactly that...

Quote

I'd say we better have our eyes on a few prospects, a few FAs and possibly a miracle or two.

Dont you see a problem half counting on a draft that can produce iffy results? Or contemplating FAs that may not even make it to FAgency?

Hell, one of our 6 OL (Capers) hasn't even been announced as signed yet. 

No, I think Walters has a job ahead of him, although  I'm pretty sure Plan B is already underway.

I wonder if they know for example that Harris will sign with them?

Harris/Kolhert/Westerman/Bucknor/Hurl/Neufeld/Chung/Gossen gives them some options.

Good start, not to replace him.

2 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Makes a lot of sense. A little surprised they didn't try to reduce his deal.

Maybe they did. He refused to take a pay cut with the Riders. Maybe he did here as well.

Sure would be nice if Matte makes it to FA... don't see any other good NI OL out there

Watman might be a nice signing

Worst case scenario if the Bombers can't sign adequate replacements for the O-line they can always invite Picard back at a much lower pay rate.  That is unless another team signs him up at a lower rate first.  I don't think we've seen the last of Picard, the fact that he didn't choose retirement says that he still wants to play.

9 minutes ago, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

Worst case scenario if the Bombers can't sign adequate replacements for the O-line they can always invite Picard back at a much lower pay rate.  That is unless another team signs him up at a lower rate first.  I don't think we've seen the last of Picard, the fact that he didn't choose retirement says that he still wants to play.

Good grief! Can you imagine another season of Picard snapping those slow moving wounded ducks to Willy? <shudder>

27 minutes ago, J5V said:

Good grief! Can you imagine another season of Picard snapping those slow moving wounded ducks to Willy? <shudder>

Yer right, Picard can't play any other position so as a backup O-lineman he has little value.

5 minutes ago, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

Yer right, Picard can't play any other position so as a backup O-lineman he has little value.

The guy is a monster, unbelievably strong and plays with a nasty edge.