The doors to the Canadian Football League’s free agent market officially swung open Tuesday morning, with the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers simultaneously landing a big receiver while taking some serious roster hits – including the departure of future hall-of-fame running back Andrew Harris.
And as all this unfolded in furious fashion, the club is still waiting on a decision from future hall of famer Andrew Harris, now officially a free agent.
Coming aboard as the day’s marquee addition is veteran receiver Greg Ellingson – a five-time 1,000-yard man last with the Edmonton Elks – but exiting were Harris (Toronto), receivers Kenny Lawler (Edmonton) and Darvin Adams (Ottawa), along with dime back Alden Darby (Ottawa), defensive tackle Steven Richardson (B.C.) and cornerback Mike Jones (Montreal). Also leaving was defensive end/linebacker Tobi Antigha (Edmonton).
Couple those exits with the NFL departures of guard Drew Desjarlais and cornerback DeAundre Alford, and the Blue Bombers have now lost eight starters from last year’s roster.
And even after all that, consider this: the Blue Bombers are still be considered Grey Cup favourites heading into 2022. Remember, that in the weeks leading up to today, management had already attacked its long list of pending free agents, which once numbered 41, by re-signing 22 players in quarterback Zach Collaros; defensive linemen Willie Jefferson, Jackson Jeffcoat, Jake Thomas, offensive linemen Stanley Bryant, Jermarcus Hardrick, Pat Neufeld, Michael Couture and Geoff Gray; receivers Rasheed Bailey, Drew Wolitarsky; running backs Brady Oliveira and Johnny Augustine; fullback Mike Miller; linebackers Adam Bighill, Jesse Briggs and Shayne Gauthier; defensive backs Winston Rose, Mercy Maston, Nick Taylor, Nick Hallett, and long-snapper Mike Benson.
The biggest change, though, sees Harris leave for the Argonauts after negotiations with his hometown team stalled. Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters, speaking to the media prior to the news of Harris leaving, indicated that Harris was representing himself in the discussions and that the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract.
“I know Andrew’s done nothing but good things for this organization, and the face of the franchise and the local guy and has been part of the success over the last few years as we built this up the way we did,” said Walters. “It’s obviously a very difficult situation.”
Walters added that the situation with Harris has been his most challenging as the Blue Bombers GM.
“I don’t recall being in a spot like this,” he said. “We’re talking about a Hall of Fame running back, the face of our franchise. No, I’ve never been in a situation like this.
“It’s tough on everybody. I mean, Andrew… everything he’s done, he’s a leader. It’s just at this point, it’s a shitty part of the business end of things. It’s impossible not to be saddened by it. As much as you try to take a business approach end of things, of course, we’ve been here together for this long. It’s a terrible situation.”
On signing Ellingson:
“Well, once we realized what was going on with the Kenny Lawler contract status, and his agent was very open and honest with me throughout the process that it was going to be very difficult – impossible – to re-sign Kenny at those numbers. We started looking at various other options last week and trying to get something worked out. Greg brings in a veteran presence, we know him, and Zach (Collaros) have a relationship (from their days in Hamilton) and we expect him to come in and provide some stability and play that slotback position.”
On what he expected the club to do today and the days ahead in free agency:
“I don’t anticipate us (making a big splash in free agency). We don’t have much left to spend. So, we’ll be looking quiet today. Maybe add some… if some players fall through the cracks over the next couple of days, just some depth pieces, at a price point that we can afford. But I don’t think there will be much from the Bombers today.
“ … we were so focused on the guys on our list trying to be re-signed that there really wasn’t a ton of room for high-price guys to come in here. There’s the standard (stuff), the agents all reach out and all kind of gauge interest and see what you can do, and then once you start hearing the price points that they’re looking for. So, again, Winnipeg is obviously a successful organization the past few years, and where people want to go, but at this time of the year, the agents certainly are looking into trying to get their clients the best deal possible. And guys just coming over here, not being in the building, they’re not going to leave their team to come to Winnipeg for less money, despite what they’re hearing about our organization.”
On the kicking situation, with Sergio Castillo unsigned:
“We’ve had some success bringing kickers into this league in years past. Sergio came in and obviously with the struggles we had last year were well documented, and Sergio came in and performed exactly like we thought he would when we traded for him. We’ll see. There’s a lot of time between now and training camp to sort that out.
“… We really haven’t had much talks with (Castillo). And someone’s going to, there’s got to be some give and take with this salary cap. As I’ve said all along, there’s no way everyone’s going to get fair market value. You just sort of have to look at your roster and figure out, through the depth on your current players, through the draft, through scouting, how on earth can you move on from some of them a little bit more easily than others is the reality.”
On negotiations with safety Brandon Alexander, who was injured on the last play of the Grey Cup:
“I’ve spoken with Brandon, I’ve spoken with his agent. Obviously, he’s injured, which adds an interesting layer to this. I expect Brandon to be back with us.”
On the back-up quarterback situation with Sean McGuire now a free agent:
“We were kind of kicking the tires. With the turnover at that position in this league, it’s tough to find one. Sean McGuire is currently maybe exploring options outside of football to move on with his life, so that adds a twist. He showed some good things the last couple of years, but again missing the pre-season game hurts and the one game he gets to play was terrible weather. And again, from the way our cap is, from a cost standpoint, we’d like to try to find somebody that has some CFL experience, but those are few and far between.”
And, related to that, on the possibility of a return of Chris Streveler:
“He certainly would fit into our team, I don’t know if he would fit into our salary cap. I guess that depends on how badly he would want to be in Winnipeg (chuckles). And again, his agent has made it perfectly clear to me: ‘I wouldn’t hold any money aside with the hopes of Streveler coming back anytime.’ Which works out well, because we certainly don’t have any money to hold aside.”
On losing ‘Stove’ Richardson:
“Steven… unbelievable. There’s another one where Steven’s going to get a nice, big payday. His agent was extremely grateful to us for giving him an opportunity and being able to show his talents and parlay this. We’ve got Casey Sayles and Ricky Walker who played last year when Steven was out and showed that they’re pretty good football players. It just seemed like that Plan B was viable, versus some other Plan Bs. No disrespect to Steven Richardson, because he’s an awesome player, awesome teammate. It’s just one of those things where you’re just trying to have the minimal post-damage to your roster.”
On the days ahead:
“Once the roster shakes down after the next couple of days we’ll see where we’re at, and then Ted (Goveia, Assistant GM), Danny (McManus, Assistant GM) and myself, we’ll get dialled in on exactly what needs to be added and where you’re going to need your young guys to come in and play.”
Here’s a position-by-position look at the Bombers current roster as they head into Tuesday’s free-agent market opening (*indicates Canadian; #indicates Global)
DEFENCE
Defensive line
Returning for ’22: DE Willie Jefferson, DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DT Jake Thomas*, DT Casey Sayles, DT Ricky Walker.
New faces: DE Cedric Wilcots II (attended camp in 2021), DT Jojo Wicker.
Remaining Bomber free agents: DE Thiadric Hanson#, DT Ezekiel Rose.
Moving on: DT Steven Richardson (B.C.); DL Tobi Antigha (Edm.). DE Jonathan Kongbo signed with the Denver Broncos in January.
Linebackers
Returning for ’22: Adam Bighill, Kyrie Wilson, Jesse Briggs*, Shayne Gauthier*, Tanner Cadwallader*, Robbie Lowes*, Les Maruo#
New faces: none as of yet.
Remaining Bomber free agents: Kevin Brown II
Moving on: none.
Secondary
Returning for ’22: DB Deatrick Nichols, CB Winston Rose, DB Nick Taylor; Dime Mercy Maston; S Nick Hallett*, S Noah Hallett *, DB Demerio Houston, DB Redha Kramdi*
New faces: Mike Hampton, Donovan Olumba, Malcolm Thompson
Remaining Bomber free agents: S Brandon Alexander, DB Josh Johnson, DB Josh Miller
Moving on: Dime Alden Darby (Ott.); CB Mike Jones (Mtl.). Rookie all-star cornerback DeAundre Alford signed with the Atlanta Falcons in January.
OFFENCE
Quarterbacks
Returning for ’22: Zach Collaros, Dru Brown
New faces: none as of yet.
Remaining Bomber free agents: Sean McGuire
Receivers
Returning for ’22: SB Nic Demski*, WR Drew Wolitarsky*, SB Rasheed Bailey, WR Brendan O’Leary-Orange*, SB Kelvin McKnight.
New faces: SB Greg Ellingson (Edm.); SB Blake Jackson (torn Achilles in training camp last year).
Remaining Bombers free agents: WR/KR Janarion Grant
Moving on: WR Kenny Lawler (Edm.); WR Darvin Adams (Ott.)
Running backs/Fullbacks
Returning for ’22: RB Brady Oliveira*, RB Johnny Augustine*, FB Mike Miller*, RB Kyle Borsa*
New faces: none as of yet.
Remaining Bomber free agents: RB Andrew Harris*
Offensive line
Returning for ’22: LT Stanley Bryant, C Michael Couture*, RG Pat Neufeld*, RT Jermarcus Hardrick, G Geoff Gray*, G Chris Kolankowski*, OT Drew Richmond, OT Jalen Burks (spent last year on practice roster)
New faces: none as of yet.
Remaining Bomber free agents: G/C Tui Eli*
Moving on: RG Drew Desjarlais* signed with the New England Patriots last month.
Specialists
Returning for ’22: P/PK Marc Liegghio*, PK Ali Mourtada, LS Mike Benson*
New faces: none as of yet.
Remaining Bomber free agents: PK Sergio Castillo, KR/WR Janarion Grant
