42 minutes ago, Atomic said:

Westerman will be 33 and coming off an injury that could potentially affect him long-term.  I like him and he was a huge addition when we got him but I'd be really careful about how much we are willing to spend.

 

41 minutes ago, Noeller said:

...the age difference, and the ability of both Ogopogo and Jeffcoat, make me think I'd rather keep Thomas over Busterman, if it was one or the other...

 

Give me just one more year with Westerman. Even if it's on a rotational basis, with the 'kids' getting a lot more reps. I like Westerman as a leader and (hopefully) a teacher.

1 hour ago, gcn11 said:

I think we will get Westerman back at a reduced rate.

From his perspective as a prime Natl. DE, I can't see why he would accept a discount after putting in two solid years of service and establishing himself as a team leader. 

3 minutes ago, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

From his perspective as a prime Natl. DE, I can't see why he would accept a discount after putting in two solid years of service and establishing himself as a team leader. 

Agreed - he can probably find work elsewhere.  The impact his injury had on the team cannot be overstated. 

Not sure where to post this, but: 

Jeff Hamilton
@jeffkhamilton
Hearing buzz that the #Bombers are about to add another member to their scouting staff. Stay tuned. #wfp

 

*edit*

 

https://www.bluebombers.com/2017/12/29/bombers-add-ryan-rigmaiden-scouting-staff/

WINNIPEG, MB., December 29, 2017 –  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the organization has named Ryan Rigmaiden a National Scout. Rigmaiden joins the Bombers after spending the past six seasons with the BC Lions, and the last four as the club’s Director of U.S. Scouting.

“We’re very pleased to add Ryan’s experience to our scouting staff,” said Blue Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters. “He has helped the Lions find some quality football players in the past number of seasons, and has an extensive history of finding football talent. I’m looking forward to working with him and adding him to our group.”

Rigmaiden previously held the position of director of player personnel for the Arena Football League’s Spokane Shock in 2007 and was promoted to General Manager in 2010.

Rigmaiden’s keen eye for talented players resulted in an 88-31 record for the Shock during his time there including three league championship appearances and two titles in 2009 and 2010.

Rigmaiden makes North Carolina his home, and in addition to his college and pro scouting, also coordinates the efforts of regional scouts.

Edited December 29, 20177 yr by Noeller

Nice add!  I like the experience.  BC always seems to bring in good young players from the US.

This position was held by Craig Smith before but I imagine his battle with leukemia makes it too difficult to continue in that role.  All the best to Craig.

This appears to be a very good hiring by the WFC.

Here's an article from June regarding Rigmaiden's role with the Lions (Director of US Scouting): http://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20170621/282256665494367

1 hour ago, blue_gold_84 said:

This appears to be a very good hiring by the WFC.

Here's an article from June regarding Rigmaiden's role with the Lions (Director of US Scouting): http://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20170621/282256665494367

I wonder if Rigmaiden was involved in drafting linebackers for the lions? 

9 minutes ago, Fan Boy said:

I wonder if Rigmaiden was involved in drafting linebackers for the lions? 

Elimimian and Bighill were there before this guy I think

Purifoy, Fenner, Burnham, Roh - that's some decent scouting

 

Glad we are adding another scout.  We have been borderline terrible at finding impact receivers/linebackers.

11 minutes ago, BBlink said:

Glad we are adding another scout.  We have been borderline terrible at finding impact receivers/linebackers.

and BC seemed to find a bunch of both.. heres hoping can re-create that magic here.

Micah Awe mentioned in the article.

Hiring this guy might be  more important/valuable than getting a new Defensive coordinator.

 

Edited December 29, 20177 yr by Mark F

3 minutes ago, Mark F said:

Micah Awe mentioned in the article.

Hiring this guy might be  more important/valueable than getting a new Defensive coordinator.

I'm not that excited about Awe - I didn't see anything special this year, almost seems like another Kuale...

 

Great add to the scouting staff......maybe get rid of some of the dead wood that scouting staff had accumulated.

This is fine I guess.  Based on their questionable recruiting of international talent, the team should probably hire another scout for that.

Bombers Re-Sign Wild.

 

 

l like Wild but my initial feeling is that those dollars could have been better used elsewhere. 

I honestly thought (and believed it'd be the right decision) that they'd move on from Wild and roll with JSK in that spot.

Wonder if they move JSK to the middle and have Wild and WIL

I doubt he signed for big time money, and probably took a bit of a cut. 

I remember Walters saying in his end of year press conference that Wild came to him and said he really wanted to come back, whatever it would take. He said he started here when the team was crap, and wanted to see it through.  

Hope the Nevis and Wild signings were for a reduced rate...  really like both of these guys but don't seem them as core pieces right now

If Wild can make a full season healthy, this is a nice move - must be looking at JSK in the middle

Actually if anything a good depth signing...and we generally use an extra import on the roster to sub in and on teams and he could fit that role very well, if he doesn't "earn" a starting spot...also we don't know if Legget will be available to start the season but my gut says he will be. 

We also did...and may migrate to a lot more 3-4 sets with a change in philosophy and he would slot in nicely there too...none the less he is great on teams...a leader...can long snap and leads by example too...

1 minute ago, Booch said:

Actually if anything a good depth signing...and we generally use an extra import on the roster to sub in and on teams and he could fit that role very well, if he doesn't "earn" a starting spot...also we don't know if Legget will be available to start the season but my gut says he will be. 

We also did...and may migrate to a lot more 3-4 sets with a change in philosophy and he would slot in nicely there too...none the less he is great on teams...a leader...can long snap and leads by example too...

Wild and Leggett are in the same boat, both are great when healthy but the last few seasons their participation has been sketchy.  There's not going to be much loose change left in the kitty when F.A. opens.

Leggett hasn't been sketchy games wise...played in  16 games..17 games..17 games and 13 games last year. Can't ask for much more than that playing the position he does which is one of the more physical ones on defense where you are involved in a lot of contact.

Also I think for most of the signings so far the majority of the increases went toward the 2017 SMS...so most likely there will be a fair amount left over for free-agency.

Also salaries from perhaps JFG..Hurl..Thomas..Bond will be off the books moving forward and the amounts above minimum can be relocated elsewhere