Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

[moontoscott]

The debate about KJ should really center on "how does he look for 100k?"

I am sure that the Esks are looking to cut some larger contracts because they have picked up some hefty ones in the last 2 years (Wiltshire, Sanchez,Ray, Maas, KJ, Hervey and Mitchell)

The Eskimos are wealthy but historically they are thrifty (that's how you get to be wealthy in the first place). Terry Vaughn was the beginning of that financial downsizing process and I think that they will look closely at guys in that 34-35 age range like Mitchell and Jones to see if they still warrant the money.

If I was the GM looking down the road I would want to sign Tucker to an extension (I believe that he is in his option year?) The bottom line is always money and in the CFL there are only so many big contracts to go around. Look at the fact that Fleming supposedly took a cut so they could keep Hervey.

Do you keep 35 year old guys around for bigger money if you feel that they are on the down side? It will be interesting to see what unfolds. Football is a business just like any other

[Oiler]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

The debate about KJ should really center on "how does he look for 100k?"

I am sure that the Esks are looking to cut some larger contracts because they have picked up some hefty ones in the last 2 years (Wiltshire, Sanchez,Ray, Maas, KJ, Hervey and Mitchell)

The Eskimos are wealthy but historically they are thrifty (that's how you get to be wealthy in the first place). Terry Vaughn was the beginning of that financial downsizing process and I think that they will look closely at guys in that 34-35 age range like Mitchell and Jones to see if they still warrant the money.

If I was the GM looking down the road I would want to sign Tucker to an extension (I believe that he is in his option year?) The bottom line is always money and in the CFL there are only so many big contracts to go around. Look at the fact that Fleming supposedly took a cut so they could keep Hervey.

Do you keep 35 year old guys around for bigger money if you feel that they are on the down side? It will be interesting to see what unfolds. Football is a business just like any other

I have a feeling Jones and Maas will not be around next year so they save money in that instance. Mitchell may be dropped but he is still playing as well or better than the rookies so how can you drop a guy like that even if he is getting older. The same applies to Malcom Frank and Garrett. Keep them all for this year as you never know when injuries will be the deciding factor.

[wildwest]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

I heard a report on the radio a week or so ago that was very interesting. It compared the spending habits of the Eskimo's and the Renegades. At the beginning of camp, the renegades had 7 of their 70 players signed to the league minimum. Edmonton had 23 players signed to the league minimum.

[Edmonton Fan]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

Signing Tucker long term is a must, and soon.

[Diesel]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

I heard a report on the radio a week or so ago that was very interesting. It compared the spending habits of the Eskimo's and the Renegades. At the beginning of camp, the renegades had 7 of their 70 players signed to the league minimum. Edmonton had 23 players signed to the league minimum.

That's the leverage the EE can use with new guys. Sign here for min money, get playoff money to top it up and be on a 1st class organization. Ottatwa would have to up their ante a bit more to get guys to go there.

[lloyd]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

Interesting comment from Barrett. He told the coached if there was a rookie who was close to a vets talent in that position to take the rookie.

[Opus]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

I heard a report on the radio a week or so ago that was very interesting. It compared the spending habits of the Eskimo's and the Renegades. At the beginning of camp, the renegades had 7 of their 70 players signed to the league minimum. Edmonton had 23 players signed to the league minimum.

that is very interesting....



*an aside - how do we know how much Mookie is actually making? Yes, he was on the expensive side when he was with the Argos, but so was Khari when he was with the Bummers and Stumps...

...as Khari is making now near the 100k range, who is to say that with a new contract Mookies price tag did not reduce as well....???

[moontoscott]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

that is very interesting....



*an aside - how do we know how much Mookie is actually making? Yes, he was on the expensive side when he was with the Argos, but so was Khari when he was with the Bummers and Stumps...

...as Khari is making now near the 100k range, who is to say that with a new contract Mookies price tag did not reduce as well....???

Yes that's true I am not sure what Mitchell signed for in Edmonton but I am sure that it is well North of the CFL minimum. I am going to guess that guys like Kelley and Gaylor are making the minimum so again it becomes a question of how much difference is performance for the extra dollars.

Having said that I still think Mookie will be around for another year and I love the guys talent. I threw his name out as an example. I want the Esks to hang on to the vets for at least one more year but I am sure that when Mitchell goes the extra money (even if its 25K a year) will go to Tucker.

[Andrew]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

Interesting comment from Barrett. He told the coached if there was a rookie who was close to a vets talent in that position to take the rookie.

This is how I'd work it too, I'd rather have a younger talented guy that I could lock up long term than an older guy who's still very talented.

[BeerfishAW]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

This is how I'd work it too, I'd rather have a younger talented guy that I could lock up long term than an older guy who's still very talented.

Most coaches don't see it that way, often the new guy has to outright beat out the vet. With the vet they know how the guy is going to play for a full year. (I agree with what you say) if the Esks felt that way last year Landry would still be here and Winston would have not been around for another year.

[56Parkies]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

if the Esks felt that way last year Landry would still be here and Winston would have not been around for another year.

I'm sure many people (especially Sean Fleming ) woulda been okay with that..

[Esk Reporter]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

that is very interesting....



*an aside - how do we know how much Mookie is actually making? Yes, he was on the expensive side when he was with the Argos, but so was Khari when he was with the Bummers and Stumps...

...as Khari is making now near the 100k range, who is to say that with a new contract Mookies price tag did not reduce as well....???

For what it is worth, Mitchell is in year 2 of a two year contract that was rumoured to be paying him $250,000 over that period of time. That same rumour stated that he earned $100,000 in the first year of that deal which means he is scheduled to earn $150,000 this year.

I am sure that there are others that heard the same story...

[griswold]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

Interesting comment from Barrett. He told the coached if there was a rookie who was close to a vets talent in that position to take the rookie.

Where did you hear that? Do you have a source?

[moontoscott]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

For what it is worth, Mitchell is in year 2 of a two year contract that was rumoured to be paying him $250,000 over that period of time. That same rumour stated that he earned $100,000 in the first year of that deal which means he is scheduled to earn $150,000 this year.

I am sure that there are others that heard the same story...

If true then that is big coin for a receiver. The next 2 weeks will tell. My guess is that he will stay because the Esks have already lost Vaughn and Ralph (at least temporarily). Don't want to lose too many in a single season.

[OldGreyMonkey]

Re: Esks carrying a lot of bigger contracts

The debate about KJ should really center on "how does he look for 100k?"
I am sure that the Esks are looking to cut some larger contracts because they have picked up some hefty ones in the last 2 years (Wiltshire, Sanchez,Ray, Maas, KJ, Hervey and Mitchell)
The Eskimos are wealthy but historically they are thrifty (that's how you get to be wealthy in the first place). Terry Vaughn was the beginning of that financial downsizing process and I think that they will look closely at guys in that 34-35 age range like Mitchell and Jones to see if they still warrant the money.

I think not having the contracts of long-time veterans such as Vaughn, Mike Pringle, Comiskey, Reinson, Mills, October, Groenewegen, & Panaro on the payroll will make a far larger dent on the overall picture than people think. Knock off Grant's coin & probably one or two others who will not be PR guys, and I think the payroll is likely in decent shape visa-vie '04 numbers.
Combine this with the newer players & rookies we brought to camp at or near league minimum ( 23 players or so?), and I wouldn't be surprised in the least that by the end of TC & us moving a QB (or possibly two), that we were actually lower than last year.