CFL 2024

[tardigrade81]

Fajardo went to Edmonton. Neat

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

K-Day hotdog vendors rejoice

 

[Heavy Dee]

Brilliant move from Hervey.

 

[Cerebral]

Brilliant move from Hervey.

Assuming Fajardo will rework his contract and be okay as a backup, this is a great move. This shouldn’t be an issue if they make it clear Ford is the starter.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Brilliant move from Hervey.

Isn't is sideways move unless Fajardo comes in a lot cheaper at a clear back up salary (and why would he do that)?

MBT is a far better passer than Fajardo, good running offense, reading plays. Only thing FAjardo does better, and not particularly well is scramble.

In anycase the mode here in the thread seems to be that any change is better than what we had. But I don't how accurate that is.

If anybody thinks MBT was boring Fajardo in Sask played whole months as if he's expecting the D to get the pts and sometimes they would. I don't love Fajardo.

 

[bone]

Assuming Fajardo will rework his contract and be okay as a backup, this is a great move. This shouldn’t be an issue if they make it clear Ford is the starter.

More intel coming that Ford's hit next year is only $265 as the bonus came out of our 2024 SMS, so that allows a lot more flexibility to sign Fajardo for reasonable money.

 

[bone]

Isn't is sideways move unless Fajardo comes in a lot cheaper at a clear back up salary (and why would he do that)?

MBT is a far better passer than Fajardo, good running offense, reading plays. Only thing FAjardo does better, and not particularly well is scramble.

In anycase the mode here in the thread seems to be that any change is better than what we had. But I don't how accurate that is.

If anybody thinks MBT was boring Fajardo in Sask played whole months as if he's expecting the D to get the pts and sometimes they would. I don't love Fajardo.

I'd agree this is likely a sideways move other than the fact that stylistically Fajardo and Ford are a closer match if you don't want to have two completely separate playbooks, but I've never really been a fan of Fajardo the player.

I also suspect MBT is more likely in the head space of saying "I'm already in my late 30s and so if I'm not coming as the starter, I can just go and live the high life in Florida living off my wife's Marvel money", whereas Fajardo is a bit younger still and may have the desire to compete for a couple more years in hopes of one more starters chance.

This in turn makes it more likely he's willing to entertain a few less bucks for the right situation, and there's no doubt to me that should he decide to play hardball, Edmonton will just release him and it would be doubtful Fajardo would get any more cash from someone else with every starter's spot filled in the league and Edmonton having the smallest amount of SMS committed to QBs at the moment.

I also don't think MBT was going to re-sign here no matter what as I doubt he's the type that was cool with the fans riding him the way we did.

Granted, this is just me spitballing, and maybe it's all wrong.

--

On a separate note, interesting that this is the 2nd year in a row Edmonton acquired a QB 1 year removed from being the starter for the Grey Cup winning team. This time it was even the Grey Cup MVP. Is Arbuckle coming next year...

--

Another separate note, Fajardo for all his warts, has won more playoff games than MBT has started, and both have 2 Grey Cups, but each of them earned their first by riding the bench to Ricky Ray's 2017 Grey Cup.

 

[brentashton]

K-Day hotdog vendors rejoice

Corn dogs for everyone!

Isn't is sideways move unless Fajardo comes in a lot cheaper at a clear back up salary (and why would he do that)?

MBT is a far better passer than Fajardo, good running offense, reading plays. Only thing FAjardo does better, and not particularly well is scramble.

In anycase the mode here in the thread seems to be that any change is better than what we had. But I don't how accurate that is.

If anybody thinks MBT was boring Fajardo in Sask played whole months as if he's expecting the D to get the pts and sometimes they would. I don't love Fajardo.

Fajardo is washed.

 

[timekeep]

Corn dogs for everyone!


Fajardo is washed.

Wasn't it Fajardo that threw blame to his teammates in SK? Or am I confusing him with another QB?

 

[bellagiobob]

Corn dogs for everyone!


Harris is washed. Wished we still had Fajardo.

Fixed.

 

[brentashton]

Fixed.

Harris is washed. So is Fajardo. And so is MBT.

f***, who is left?

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

Harris is washed. So is Fajardo. And so is MBT.

f***, who is left?

Maier

 

[bellagiobob]

Another separate note, Fajardo for all his warts, has won more playoff games than MBT has started, and both have 2 Grey Cups, but each of them earned their first by riding the bench to Ricky Ray's 2017 Grey Cup.

One of them was the GC MVP in the game he played in, and the other only got his ring because he got hurt and Kelly had to come in and win the game for them. For me it's not close, Fajardo is a proven winner, while MBT seems to wilt in big games. Much better veteran for Ford to learn from. No more weekly whining about how hard and unfair the schedule was, guy was defeated before he started most games.

 

[Heavy Dee]

Isn't is sideways move unless Fajardo comes in a lot cheaper at a clear back up salary (and why would he do that)?

MBT is a far better passer than Fajardo, good running offense, reading plays. Only thing FAjardo does better, and not particularly well is scramble.

In anycase the mode here in the thread seems to be that any change is better than what we had. But I don't how accurate that is.

If anybody thinks MBT was boring Fajardo in Sask played whole months as if he's expecting the D to get the pts and sometimes they would. I don't love Fajardo.

Hervey made the decision that MBT wasn't the fall back for Ford. It's obvious why.

 

[JustNapalmIt]

Hervey made the decision that MBT wasn't the fall back for Ford. It's obvious why.

I agree with you. But what is the obvious "why"?
I know what my why is. Its because Elks want a clear cut #1from a perception standpoint but want a competent backup.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Hervey made the decision that MBT wasn't the fall back for Ford. It's obvious why.

Its not obvious at all. Seen both QB's for a long time. Theres very little to choose between them and Statistically MBT was better this season and have been almost every season. So why obvious other than the org seemingly just wanting to change everything out?

 

[abootzky]

Its not obvious at all. Seen both QB's for a long time. Theres very little to choose between them and Statistically MBT was better this season and have been almost every season. So why obvious other than the org seemingly just wanting to change everything out?

The org needed to change everything out after the complete disaster that was the Chris Jones II era. Is it guaranteed that all of the changes will work? Of course not. The EE has my money for next season so I'm obviously voting for hope while choosing not to engage in pessimistic hindsight-based statistical nit-picking about every single move the new regime makes. My own eyes saw in person that MBT QB1/Ford QB2 was not a successful combo. Hopefully the fan-driven choice of Ford QB1/Fajardo QB2 can produce way more W's than Jones & Co. could muster the last 3 seasons.

 

[brentashton]

Wasn't it Fajardo that threw blame to his teammates in SK? Or am I confusing him with another QB?

Yup.

After a string of losses, he publicly sewered the receivers for their inability to catch his throws. He was partly right though. They were dropping very catchable balls at a high rate. However, he also was tossing a few ducks because he wasn’t getting pocket protection and was throwing in the run a lot. Both, QB and receivers, were to blame for the bad showing at the time and he should have just kept his corn dog hole shut about it. That was the 2021 season I think.

He was gone after that and the wandering aimlessly searching for a QB in Regina continues.

 

[abootzky]

He was gone after that and the wandering aimlessly searching for a QB in Regina continues.

Taylor Cornelius is available!

 

[brentashton]

Taylor Cornelius is available!

Hard pass.

 

[MoontoScott]

Harris is washed. So is Fajardo. And so is MBT.

f***, who is left?

Very few young capable QBs in the CFL. Maier was supposed to be an emergent talent but it didn't happen. There really isn't a QB in the league that I would call an elite talent. Mostly journeymen at this point.

Keef for Finance Minister!!

The way the dollar is headed, CFL players might be playing for free.

 

[MoontoScott]

Keef for Finance Minister!!

The way the dollar is headed, CFL players might be playing for free.

 

[brentashton]

The way the dollar is headed, CFL players might be playing for free.

You are so right. And it will end in them not willing to do so at such a heavy discount.

As someone whose income is all CAN$ based but I live part of the year in the US that’s a real thing for these players. Unless you have a contract that is in the upper 10% of the league and has some parts guaranteed, the other 90% of the league will continue to consist of entry level players who are hoping to extend their football career and after 1-3 years will leave for a construction job or some other vocation in the US. A constant revolving door.

I talked to a friend down south that is a recruiter for UPS and I was staggered by the comp package for a driver at say, 5 years experience. It was much better than what an average CFL player earns and it has a much longer term career trajectory with opportunities for further upward movement. He mentioned that college grads take these jobs because of the salary and benefits, including ex collegiate sports athletes who choose not to go pro. And they don’t have to relocate to a foreign country, traumatize their body etc…

Right now with exchange and fees (dependant on the amount of $ you are exchanging) it’s staggering between the two countries. Then on top of it the cost of living in the US is no better than here. We find that some stuff is slightly cheaper or at par, after exchange, but we also find a number of items that are priced the same Dollar price in both Canada and the US (ie food items are priced 5.99 in the US and then the same thing is 5.99 in Canada, so obviously 40% cheaper here, after the exchange.

 

[timekeep]

Yup.

After a string of losses, he publicly sewered the receivers for their inability to catch his throws. He was partly right though. They were dropping very catchable balls at a high rate. However, he also was tossing a few ducks because he wasn’t getting pocket protection and was throwing in the run a lot. Both, QB and receivers, were to blame for the bad showing at the time and he should have just kept his corn dog hole shut about it. That was the 2021 season I think.

He was gone after that and the wandering aimlessly searching for a QB in Regina continues.

Thought so, thanks for confirming, never really liked that kind of guy, especially at QB. But we will see how this plays out, maybe he has matured.

 

[timekeep]

You are so right. And it will end in them not willing to do so at such a heavy discount.

As someone whose income is all CAN$ based but I live part of the year in the US that’s a real thing for these players. Unless you have a contract that is in the upper 10% of the league and has some parts guaranteed, the other 90% of the league will continue to consist of entry level players who are hoping to extend their football career and after 1-3 years will leave for a construction job or some other vocation in the US. A constant revolving door.

I talked to a friend down south that is a recruiter for UPS and I was staggered by the comp package for a driver at say, 5 years experience. It was much better than what an average CFL player earns and it has a much longer term career trajectory with opportunities for further upward movement. He mentioned that college grads take these jobs because of the salary and benefits, including ex collegiate sports athletes who choose not to go pro. And they don’t have to relocate to a foreign country, traumatize their body etc…

Right now with exchange and fees (dependant on the amount of $ you are exchanging) it’s staggering between the two countries. Then on top of it the cost of living in the US is no better than here. We find that some stuff is slightly cheaper or at par, after exchange, but we also find a number of items that are priced the same Dollar price in both Canada and the US (ie food items are priced 5.99 in the US and then the same thing is 5.99 in Canada, so obviously 40% cheaper here, after the exchange.

UPS driver??? I could do that in Tucson or Laughlin or any college down in the south.