OT: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2023 Season - Another terrible disappointment. NEXT: Tough Decisions on How to Rebuild.

[snowkiddin]

Showtime Sheed back too? Mama Mia.

I thought I heard he was signing in Calgary?

Oh well, glad to have him back. The WR room is stacked

 

[BobTheSolarsystem]

Bailey-Schoen/Grant-Demski-Lawler-Woli/Oleary

Bryant-Gray/Dobson-Kola/Eli-Neufeld/Machino-Hardrick

Collaros-Oliviera/Augustine

That's a nice looking offence... and covers six of our NI spots.

Just need a kicker.

 

[Huffer]

Wow.

Anyone have an idea where we are going to have to "scrimp" to afford our WR corp?

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Wow.

Anyone have an idea where we are going to have to "scrimp" to afford our WR corp?

The hope certainly was for me to get a solid rotational DE like an Obum Gwacham to compliment Jackson and Jefferson, but that seems unlikely now. I was also hoping they would get a DT, but that also seems unlikely now. Bombers have generally been pretty good at scouting and recruiting rookies for those spots, so I'm guessing thatll be the plan again this year.

I'm guessing the contract for Bailey will end up being very reasonable (for sure under 150K, likely in the 120-140K range). I guess there wasn't much interest league wide for him.

The one spot the almost assuredly rules out an upgrade that many wanted to see...kicker. Unless they find a magic bullet in a rookie (and would probably have to be Canadian or Global player due to ratio issues) there likely is not any money left to pay for a new kicker. Certainly rules out any chance of Lirim coming back to Winnipeg, but that was unlikely anyways as he's pretty committed to making the NFL work somehow.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Bailey-Schoen/Grant-Demski-Lawler-Woli/Oleary

Bryant-Gray/Dobson-Kola/Eli-Neufeld/Machino-Hardrick

Collaros-Oliviera/Augustine

That's a nice looking offence... and covers six of our NI spots.

Just need a kicker.

I doubt Agudosi makes it to the PR again this year (someone will scoop him up). It'll be hard, but I got a feeling they will try to find a way to keep him on the roster as well. Assuming he make it through TC without an injury (he's 0 for 2 staying healthy in Bombers training camps so far).

Past few years their backup Americans have generally been Returner (Grant), DT/DE (Roh, Adams, Walker, Sayles), ST LB (Brian Cole 2022, Kevin Brown 2021, Korey Jones 2019), and a backup DB (Jamal Parker most recently, but this has been a constant rotation).

Without Ford around to cover some DB spots, the backup DB spot for an American is vital. Grant as Returner is obviously locked. The ST American LB has been VERY VERY consistent in the Bombers plans for many years now. So that means to keep Agudosi we'd be talking about losing the DE/DT American backup. Depending on Hansen, Lawson, Adamson along with maybe a draft pick or two to handle all the rotational aspects of the DL. Hmm...

 

[Huffer]

The hope certainly was for me to get a solid rotational DE like an Obum Gwacham to compliment Jackson and Jefferson, but that seems unlikely now. I was also hoping they would get a DT, but that also seems unlikely now. Bombers have generally been pretty good at scouting and recruiting rookies for those spots, so I'm guessing thatll be the plan again this year.

I'm guessing the contract for Bailey will end up being very reasonable (for sure under 150K, likely in the 120-140K range). I guess there wasn't much interest league wide for him.

The one spot the almost assuredly rules out an upgrade that many wanted to see...kicker. Unless they find a magic bullet in a rookie (and would probably have to be Canadian or Global player due to ratio issues) there likely is not any money left to pay for a new kicker. Certainly rules out any chance of Lirim coming back to Winnipeg, but that was unlikely anyways as he's pretty committed to making the NFL work somehow.

Kind of what I was thinking as well. I don't want us to have to scrimp on the D, so I am thinking as well that hopefully the scouts can unearth a rookie or two that can rotate in and provide value. (Really looking forward to having Wilson back at LB as well so hopefully he can stay healthy).

I doubt Agudosi makes it to the PR again this year (someone will scoop him up). It'll be hard, but I got a feeling they will try to find a way to keep him on the roster as well. Assuming he make it through TC without an injury (he's 0 for 2 staying healthy in Bombers training camps so far).

Really hope he can stay healthy too. In his little bit of action he looked really good IMO.

 

[jokesondee]

Seriously though, that receiving corps.....

 

[snowkiddin]

The Bailey signing is nice for depth. Not sure we can go the whole year without losing Demski/Lawler/Wolitarsky for a significant time. And I had/have concerns on Agodusi staying healthy. Certainly a better backup plan than Kelvin McKnight or whatever his name was.

 

[bustamente]

The best receiving corps bar none, the only problem they will have is that there is not enough footballs to go around, who the hell do defensives cover.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

The Bailey signing is nice for depth. Not sure we can go the whole year without losing Demski/Lawler/Wolitarsky for a significant time. And I had/have concerns on Agodusi staying healthy. Certainly a better backup plan than Kelvin McKnight or whatever his name was.

Haha yeah McKnight is long gone. The emergency option right now is Tavaris Harrison (still signed for 2023 as of now). He dressed for 4/5 games last year but didn't really see any action. I'm sure there'll be a half dozen other rookies in camp as well. Wonder if they'll bring back that little speedy #76, can't recall his name at the moment though.

EDIT: Just looked it up and the guy I was thinking of was Whop Philyor. He is no longer an option as he's signed with the Michigan Panthers in the USFL for this year.

 

[rkp]

wonder if loading up on receivers means the BB s hope the offence wont have to rely on a kicker as much as have had to.

 

[bustamente]

This past season in the NFL I had never seen so many teams go for it on 4th down and do it for all parts of the field. Maybe we see more teams doing the same in the CFL this season resulting in less punts, FG attempts and 1 point converts.

 

[kylbaz]

I can't believe Schoen isn't getting signed down there.

Same. Thought it was no doubt

 

[Holden Caulfield]

McLeod Bethel-Thompson says he's signed with USFL, hopes to attract NFL opportunity - 3DownNation

It appears as though veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has played his last snap in the CFL. The 34-year-old took to his Instagram page on Wednesday morning to reveal that he has signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and is hoping to use the opportunity to garner another shot...

3downnation.com

MBT going to USFL to get an NFL shot...at 34 years old. Um..good luck? Haha.

Dane Evans to TOR basically confirmed now I would think.

 

[snowkiddin]

McLeod Bethel-Thompson says he's signed with USFL, hopes to attract NFL opportunity - 3DownNation

It appears as though veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has played his last snap in the CFL. The 34-year-old took to his Instagram page on Wednesday morning to reveal that he has signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and is hoping to use the opportunity to garner another shot...

3downnation.com

MBT going to USFL to get an NFL shot...at 34 years old. Um..good luck? Haha.

Dane Evans to TOR basically confirmed now I would think.

For a mediocre CFL QB, that’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off.

 

[bustamente]

MBT leaves the double blue high and dry

 

[jokesondee]

For a mediocre CFL QB, that’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off.

Yup. Its just a shame we injured him in the Grey Cup. If he plays the whole game we three-peat.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

For a mediocre CFL QB, that’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off.

Looked into it further. The reality is he's not actually expecting an NFL opportunity. He's moving leagues to be closer to his family. Money means little to him as his wife is the head writer for an upcoming MCU show (Ironheart). So they have all the money they will need. USFL has all their teams practicing/staying in a hub in Birmingham, right outside Atlanta. MCU films their shows primarily in...Atlanta. So yeah he's taking this opportunity to be close to the family, even though it's a big paycut and NFL is obviously unrealistic.

 

[snowkiddin]

Yup. Its just a shame we injured him in the Grey Cup. If he plays the whole game we three-peat.

Yeah, it’s a shame. MBT was absolutely pathetic against any semblance of pass rush. If the Argos get Evans, they’ll get more of the same.

Unfortunately their backup was able to scramble away from the pressure and Jeffcoat’s injury in the Grey Cup really hurt (no pun intended).

I’m pretty excited to see how teams defend Lawler/Schoen/Demski. That’s insane. Can’t wait for the season and hopefully the Bombers can win this year.

 

[BobTheSolarsystem]

Looked into it further. The reality is he's not actually expecting an NFL opportunity. He's moving leagues to be closer to his family. Money means little to him as his wife is the head writer for an upcoming MCU show (Ironheart). So they have all the money they will need. USFL has all their teams practicing/staying in a hub in Birmingham, right outside Atlanta. MCU films their shows primarily in...Atlanta. So yeah he's taking this opportunity to be close to the family, even though it's a big paycut and NFL is obviously unrealistic.

Honestly ive always like mbt's open and weird approach - plus he could easily be wolverine or sabretooths stunt double

 

[BigZ65]

I'd retire before I played QB in the third tier of North American pro football if I were a middle aged QB. The OL play is terrible. The D-linemen just tee off.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Bombers brought in 4 today.

2 rookie American DBs which yeah theyll have open competition at DB again as basically always.

Brought back a 2022 undrafted FA Canadian OL who attended 22 camp but couldn't make the roster last year.

Additionally a perhaps most unusually brought in an American punter. A former teammate of Schoen's. I can't recall the last time an American punter stuck on a roster, doubly so since the Global player thing started. I'm thinking it was a favour to Schoen to be honest, I'm hard pressed to see how an American punter sticks anywhere on a CFL roster.

 

[BobTheSolarsystem]

Bombers brought in 4 today.

2 rookie American DBs which yeah theyll have open competition at DB again as basically always.

Brought back a 2022 undrafted FA Canadian OL who attended 22 camp but couldn't make the roster last year.

Additionally a perhaps most unusually brought in an American punter. A former teammate of Schoen's. I can't recall the last time an American punter stuck on a roster, doubly so since the Global player thing started. I'm thinking it was a favour to Schoen to be honest, I'm hard pressed to see how an American punter sticks anywhere on a CFL roster.

Sure seem to be sticking with legghio... colour me skeptical

 

[BigZ65]

Bombers brought in 4 today.

2 rookie American DBs which yeah theyll have open competition at DB again as basically always.

Brought back a 2022 undrafted FA Canadian OL who attended 22 camp but couldn't make the roster last year.

Additionally a perhaps most unusually brought in an American punter. A former teammate of Schoen's. I can't recall the last time an American punter stuck on a roster, doubly so since the Global player thing started. I'm thinking it was a favour to Schoen to be honest, I'm hard pressed to see how an American punter sticks anywhere on a CFL roster.

The kicker can do all 3 jobs. He actually runs a kicking school and there's lots of videos of him placekicking out there. Holds a bunch of records in the Jayhawk JUCO football conference which is one of the top 2-3 leagues in the US for junior college.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

The kicker can do all 3 jobs. He actually runs a kicking school and there's lots of videos of him placekicking out there. Holds a bunch of records in the Jayhawk JUCO football conference which is one of the top 2-3 leagues in the US for junior college.

Looked like punting to me, but I just barely glanced at his page. Yeah well see. A kicker, or obviously someone who do all 3 you can make work with the ratio. There was no chance they'd enter camp without some competition at K/P. I expect they may take a kicker or punter again in the Global draft as well.