Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

[Nanookster]

According to RR they haven't even approached him yet. He wants to stay.

After that game in BC I say sign him. The turtle showed a lot of heart running and he took some big hits for the team.

[BUCK]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

I am curious -- what do you think that RR gets paid? What kind of contract would you offer him?

[Angelus]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

I'd sign him.

But only if it's at half the price of his previous contract.

[Hugoagogo]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

Well, last time he signed a contract was 2 months before he became a free agent, and I believe he's under contract until Feb 2012. Might as well wait and see what he does with the rebuilt Eskimos next year before locking him in. Personally, I don't think he wants to play anywhere else, so as long as the offer is respectable, he'll probably be an Eskie until he retires...

[griswold]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

Herein lies one of the main problems with Tillman......he cheaps guys out. I'm not saying RR is worth what we are currently paying him, but my guess is Sonic tries to lowball him. He did it in Wheatieville alot.

[Esks4ever]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

Why would I be surprised ? Lets see New GM, who know whos going to be our coaches next season, still hunting for a playoff spot, Why would they talk contract now ? I'd expect they'll touch up on it during the offseason.

[chirp]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

If no extension means he plays with that much heart and hunger, then leave it alone. RR seems like a good foundation. Not cheap but the QB never should be. I say if we go with plan Z we will see Ricky hold the grey cup a few more times before he retires. 33 is not old for a cfl QB.

[Hugoagogo]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

In a year where Ray's ability has been questioned more than ever before (right or wrong), we need to realize that the disaster of an offence is not all Ray's doing. It will be interesting to see how he and others adapt to things next season with possible new coaches all around. Next year will be the real test I believe. If he has an MVP year, than he should once again be the highest paid QB in the league, but I don't think either of those is going to happen...

[dealerd]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

Personally i think he is no where near what he is being paid 450,000 per year id ask him to take a paycut to be paid around 275-300 k per year if not than trade him to say montreal for a package including macpherson because i think ac will be retiring

[Oiler]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

I say resign him at 300K or less. This will allow them to sign maybe some better imports ofr free agents.

The Esks still need to groom a good young backup QB who is more mobile, has a strong arm, accurate and can read defenses. I see some good things in Zabransky, but with Maas maybe retiring, the door is open for competition for the successor.

[cmbuk]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

I say resign him at 300K or less. This will allow them to sign maybe some better imports ofr free agents.

The Esks still need to groom good young backup QB who is more mobile, has a strong arm, accurate and can read defenses. I see some god things in Zabransky, but with Maas maybe retiring, the door is open for competition for the successor.

agree....

[acura]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

I'd sign Ray as well and I think that 300K is the max.
That free's up a ton of cap space in which we can sign other players.
200K will keep a lot of good players quite happy if spread amongst themselves

[PDO]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

If you sell Ray on bringing in real NI offensive line talent, I think he takes a pay cut in a heart beat.

But you have to follow through with that.

[Rotor]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

If you sell Ray on bringing in real NI offensive line talent, I think he takes a pay cut in a heart beat.

But you have to follow through with that.

Ray needs to take a pay cut- i really do not see any team picking up his current salary

as for bringing in CDN OL talent - THAT CAN PLAY - that is of course dependent on who is available as a free agent - or who you can trade for - unfortunately the OL is a place where most teams Draft and Groom

I am sure you all would love to wave your magic wand and suddenly see guys like Tsompas and Gauthier on your line - how you going to make it happen? If you trade you must give up value. If you want to sign someone you need significant cap room

good thing you created some for next year

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Re: Anyone surprised the Eskimos haven't signed RR yet?

If you sell Ray on bringing in real NI offensive line talent, I think he takes a pay cut in a heart beat.

But you have to follow through with that.

Paycut, yes... but not down to the $300K range that some are suggesting.

You offer your marquee player a contract with a 35-40% paycut and expect him to come out and continue to give it everything he's got? Not a freakin' chance in my mind.

Ray's agent should know full well that the Esks have no one ready to step in behind him, and they'd be going down a very dangerous road playing chicken on that sort of a contract offer... especially with Winnipeg along with BC and Toronto and the deep pocketed Braley not fully sold on their pivot situation. A 10% cut might be saleable in terms of going out to get him a top-tier LT, but looking at some of the numbers thrown around in this thread would very likely see the end of Ray in Edmonton.