OT: Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2019 Off Season Thread

[WPGChief]

Tough to lose Chungh after a really good year for the offensive line... shades of LaBatte leaving to go back to Saskatchewan. Granted, Geoff Gray was a shrewd pick and should hopefully fit in nicely. Santos-Knox is an even worse loss though, but Bombers slightly recovered with Jefferson on an already somewhat dangerous defensive line. Perhaps if they can get to the QB quicker, our pathetic zone coverage being carried on Bighill's back might look decent...

Tough to watch the rest of the West get into a massive offensive arms race and look at the Bombers watching from afar and missing out on most, though. We went from "Reilly and Bo Levi might be in the NFL, huzzah!" to "Oh shit, Harris just joined the QB Thunderdome in the West..." as they also upped their offensive line and WR strength while we got... Demski extended. Big oof. I hope the plan is to wait for NFL cuts or CFL releases once the league realizes there's no way the Lions or Eskimos are compliant with whatever the cap is.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Jennings join Saskatchewan in case Collaros craps out for another year. It's hard to judge for only one day of signings that won't make a massive difference in the end but... yuck.

 

[Trinity]

Tough to lose Chungh after a really good year for the offensive line... shades of LaBatte leaving to go back to Saskatchewan. Granted, Geoff Gray was a shrewd pick and should hopefully fit in nicely. Santos-Knox is an even worse loss though, but Bombers slightly recovered with Jefferson on an already somewhat dangerous defensive line. Perhaps if they can get to the QB quicker, our pathetic zone coverage being carried on Bighill's back might look decent...

Tough to watch the rest of the West get into a massive offensive arms race and look at the Bombers watching from afar and missing out on most, though. We went from "Reilly and Bo Levi might be in the NFL, huzzah!" to "Oh ****, Harris just joined the QB Thunderdome in the West..." as they also upped their offensive line and WR strength while we got... Demski extended. Big oof. I hope the plan is to wait for NFL cuts or CFL releases once the league realizes there's no way the Lions or Eskimos are compliant with whatever the cap is.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Jennings join Saskatchewan in case Collaros craps out for another year. It's hard to judge for only one day of signings that won't make a massive difference in the end but... yuck.

Santos-Knox is easily replaceable, especially playing along side Bighill. And I'm hearing Jennings might end up in Ottawa.

 

[jetsforever]

Chungh leaving really Sukhs

Jefferson is solid though, but Willie be enough?

 

[Trinity]

Kevin Fogg signed with the Argos.

 

[HannuJ]

Kevin Fogg signed with the Argos.

who cares. he was overrated.

 

[one other person]

Definitely thinner in National talent now and there doesn’t seem to be much worth pursuing at this point. Sign Walker tho and it’s an ok FA day for us.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

250k for a NI guard is maddening.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Definitely thinner in National talent now and there doesn’t seem to be much worth pursuing at this point. Sign Walker tho and it’s an ok FA day for us.

Or Holley or Roosevelt.. Normally the more value signings happen on day 2. Day 1 = overpay. Day 2 = value signings.

 

[one other person]

Or Holley or Roosevelt.. Normally the more value signings happen on day 2. Day 1 = overpay. Day 2 = value signings.

Wonder what Loffler will cost tomorrow...and I’d be good with either of those guys too.

 

[Trinity]

Or Holley or Roosevelt.. Normally the more value signings happen on day 2. Day 1 = overpay. Day 2 = value signings.

Roosevelt is always injured. Holley is interesting.

 

[one other person]

Roosevelt is always injured. Holley is interesting.

Or our scouts bring in a surefire stud receiver. Oh wait scratch that, I must be delusional

 

[Trinity]

Or our scouts bring in a surefire stud receiver. Oh wait scratch that, I must be delusional

Yep Bombers can't seem to find receivers on their own.

 

[snowkiddin]

Chungh leaving really Sukhs

Jefferson is solid though, but Willie be enough?

Nice puns. Thanks for making my day better

 

[WPGChief]

Remaining top 20 "free agent" receivers from 2018. Derel Walker really is the last obvious top receiver... but is seeking big bucks: Receiver Derel Walker flying around Canada taking team visits – 3DownNation

Pretty slim pickings IMO.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Getting a Walker + Matthew's would make the offense much more dangerous. Would love to see that. Wed still need help in secondary, a Will LB and another national player along the OLine, IMO. A national DT like Donny O or Eddie Steele to rotate at DT with Thomas wouldn't be a bad idea either. Hell we also dont have any proven PR/KR either.

Lots of work to do tmw.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

No to paying Walker 275000.

 

[bustamente]

Loffler signs with the Als.

 

[snowkiddin]

Loffler signs with the Als.

Clearly was about money for him and not winning in that case.

 

[JetsCameHome]

Our starting QB is still 200 yds Nichols. I still dont see how we got better. We can have the best defense in the league but unless we can get something better than a pop gun behind center this is 29 years and counting.

 

[snowkiddin]

Our starting QB is still 200 yds Nichols. I still dont see how we got better. We can have the best defense in the league but unless we can get something better than a pop gun behind center this is 29 years and counting.

I’m more concerned with how Nichols will look with a weaker oline. If he struggles and is given too long of a leash, we’re in trouble.

Losing JSK but signing Jefferson is almost a lateral move, IMO.

We need to get more Canadians on both sides of the ball and we need a legit #1 receiver. If we can get Walker and some decent Canadian pieces (not sure what’s left) then I’ll be okay.

Nice username, by the way.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Geoff Gray is twice the lineman Chungh was/is. I think our Oline will be better next year. Jefferson is a huge pick up. Best end in the league. Need to find a receiver, I am hoping Simonese can step up this year

 

[snowkiddin]

Geoff Gray is twice the lineman Chungh was/is. I think our Oline will be better next year. Jefferson is a huge pick up. Best end in the league. Need to find a receiver, I am hoping Simonese can step up this year

How can we be so sure on Gray? He’ll just be a rookie next year and Chungh was pretty outstanding. Agree with the rest.

 

[blueandgoldguy]

While Gray likely would have gone #1 overall in the 2017 draft (but didn't due to NFL interest), it is rather a boastful claim - probably not backed by anything substantive - to say he is better then Chungh. He might very well be of course, given his pedigree, but we don't really know yet. Going from the best centre in the league (Goosen) and top -2 Canadian guard in the league (Chungh) to presumably Couture and Gray can't be seen as anything but a step down for the o-line at this point. With the least evasive QB in the league who panics at the slightest sign of pressure as our starter, that makes me a bit nervous going into 2019.

 

[The Blue Baron]

I do like that the Jefferson deal is only a 1 year deal. His motor should running on high octane for another big contract.

Remainder of FA has got to be about filling NI talent depth including Oline and Dline , a deep threat WR of any kind.

Plus I believe we have a more than steady share of draft picks this year.

 

[Mbraunm]

Our starting QB is still 200 yds Nichols. I still dont see how we got better. We can have the best defense in the league but unless we can get something better than a pop gun behind center this is 29 years and counting.

This was very clear most of last year, and after the playoffs it was certain. We need a QB who has the talent to win games and not just “manage” them.