How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

[wildwest]

If I were Edmonton, this is how I would handle the Ricky Ray situation, considering the present climate.

I would offer RR a 4 year $200 000 contract with a $600 000 signing bonus. This would serve the following advantages.

#1 - Ray would be getting guaranteed money which is a big thing in the CFL, so he would likely take a little less (he is virtually guaranteed 800 000 )

#2 - We would lock up his services long term.

#3 - Edmonton has the money now

#4 - With Tom Wright posturing the way he is, he likely wants to make a hard push on a salary cap, at which point, Ray will count for relatively little against the cap.

Next I would offer Maas and Glen Carson to Hamilton for Wayne Smith and the rights to Tim Cheatwood. (We may have to sweeten the deal). I might also settle for the rights to Cheatwood and Troy Davis straight up for Maas.

[MoneyGuy]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

Good ideas, obviously well thought out. However, a first-string QB like Maas is worth more than what you see Hamilton giving up. Good post.

[earl2]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

If the Esks were to deal a QB (any QB) they probably wouldn't get much in return, because everybody knows it's "trade him or cut him". The Esks wouldn't be dealing from a position of strength.

[gizmo fan 2]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

Not a bad proposal .

Good point on the cap.

You sure you don't have that reversed?
I would think Maas for the rights and Davis would be a lot better trade for us than Maas and Carson for the rights and Smith. Is Smith worth that much more, or is Davis worth that much less?
Although Davis is having a bit of a contract dispute right now...so I don't know.

[eskiez]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

Smith is a HUGE prospect and has over ten years left in his tank, I dont think that this plan is bad at all wild, if this deal went through we would get help on the Oline and young help at that and we would get Dline help potentially too not to mention a HEALTHY YOUNG QB with the mentality of a vet.

[eskiez]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

It would also be nice if Hugh could get some corporate support (i.e 50k endorcments like ford dealerships and such)
If thats legal.

[wildwest]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

As much as I like Davis, I think the difference for us between Smith and Carson is better than the difference between Davis and whoever we think will fill the spot for us this year.

Smith is a stud, and a young one at that. Our offence would immediately improve with the addition of two 26 year olds like Smith and Ray. Cheatwood in my opinion won't make the NFL, and we will suddenly be left with only 1 defensive question mark (Defensive tackle). In my opinion, those moves would make Edmonton the Grey Cup favorite in my book.

[wearsy]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

I have a feeling if the Esks did sign Ray, everyone in the league would know they would have to get rid of Maas or Jones. Not sure if they would get much for them knowing that they could be released. Right now most teams are set at qb. I would think they would be lucky to get a draft pick for Maas IF Ray did sign.

[earl2]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

I have a feeling if the Esks did sign Ray, everyone in the league would know they would have to get rid of Maas or Jones. Not sure if they would get much for them knowing that they could be released. Right now most teams are set at qb. I would think they would be lucky to get a draft pick for Maas IF Ray did sign.

I agree. A high draft pick or possibly someone from the negotiation list.

[Beerfish]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

If I were Edmonton, this is how I would handle the Ricky Ray situation, considering the present climate.

I would offer RR a 4 year $200 000 contract with a $600 000 signing bonus. This would serve the following advantages.

#1 - Ray would be getting guaranteed money which is a big thing in the CFL, so he would likely take a little less (he is virtually guaranteed 800 000 )

#2 - We would lock up his services long term.

#3 - Edmonton has the money now

#4 - With Tom Wright posturing the way he is, he likely wants to make a hard push on a salary cap, at which point, Ray will count for relatively little against the cap.

Next I would offer Maas and Glen Carson to Hamilton for Wayne Smith and the rights to Tim Cheatwood. (We may have to sweeten the deal). I might also settle for the rights to Cheatwood and Troy Davis straight up for Maas.

I like Ray but there is no way in the whole wide wide wide world that the Esks give him a $600,000 signing bonus....nooo wayyyyyy noooo how.

The CFL just do not give out that kind of up front money no matter what. (The odd rich owner for other teams in the past had personal service contracts.)

If they go after him hard which I assume they will a long term deal is a good idea somewhere in $350,000 to $400,000 range. I wouldn't go much further than that. I also would not trade Maas this year unless we were offered a monster deal and history shows teams do not offer as much for QB's as the team dealing him thinks he's worth.

[Esks4ever]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

Wow there are some really good thoughts here


I could see the Esks giving him a lower base salary *than what he was searching for * and a bigger signing bonus.. we have the cash




I'm ricky Ray'd out. I wish i could add my imput on what they could offer him to get him to sign - but all I'm going to say is Just Sign him.

[eskimojones]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

[QUOTE=Beerfish]I like Ray but there is no way in the whole wide wide wide world that the Esks give him a $600,000 signing bonus....nooo wayyyyyy noooo how.[QUOTE=Beerfish]

I respectfully disagree. If you do the math the salary and bonus average out to $350,000 a season. That is a steal! And with the impending new salary cap, the esks would be very wise to sign Ray to some sort of high bonus contract.

The Esks are one of the richest teams in the league, and if Ray comes back you will see attendance and merchandise sales increase. And if Ray leads the team to victory, you can expect much of the same for the next season. Essentially, he will pay for himself, and then some.

And if we do sign Ray I would expect the Eskimos to just outright release Khari Jones. We won't get anything for him if we try to trade him, and we would need to free up the salary. Maas would be an excellent backup.

[wildwest]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

A couple of things:

The proposal I have made amounts to 350 a season, but 40% of it is guaranteed, and the advantage of it will be status against the cap.

Secondly, I would beg to differ with people who think we have no leverage andwill get no return for a QB. First of all, we would never release Maas. If one had to go, it would be Jones who does not fit the bill of what Hamilton and Toronto need. Also, what makes you think QB's don't command a significant return. Look at what the Esks got for Dunnigan, Ham, and even Nealon (Darren Davis and Dan Comiskey). Heck, even Jason Gesser warranted a first round pick and he hasn't played a down yet. Maas is young and ha thrown for 5000 yards last year behind what many feel was a suspect line, and neither Hamilton or Toronto wants the other to get him so there will be a market.

[Evil Dr. Len]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

My take on what the Esks should do for Ray...

the team should look like they are pursuing him but lose out on the sweepstakes D'OH

IMO Ray is overrated, will get overpayed and will underperform.

[Adam.R]

Re: How Edmonton should handle the Ricky Ray situation.

My take on what the Esks should do for Ray...

the team should look like they are pursuing him but lose out on the sweepstakes D'OH

IMO Ray is overrated, will get overpayed and will underperform.

Finally someone agrees with me!