Bomber-Eskimo rumored trade

[Colin Unger]

Brock Ralph to Winnipeg for Jason Nugent.

[Saskfan in Winnipeg]

That would be a huge steal for Winnipeg. I don't think Nugent is even close to worth that much.

[Colin Unger]

The trade is official but there is also future consideration going to Edmonton.

[Hambone]

The trade is official but there is also future consideration going to Edmonton.

The Bombers 1st rounder for 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012? ;-)

[Colin Unger]

Please Hambone...  You're hitting a nerve.

[Green is the Colour]

The trade is official but there is also future consideration going to Edmonton.

The Bombers 1st rounder for 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012? ;-)

Dale, get serious.

The Bombers 1st round picks for those years were traded away a long time ago.  Now, had you said 2013 through 2016 you mighta been on to something.....

[GreatWhiteNorth]

That would be a huge steal for Winnipeg. I don't think Nugent is even close to worth that much.

I see this one as being a real win-win on the football side of things.

Edmonton is deep in NI receivers with Kamau Peterson, Andrew Nowacki, Kevin Challenger (07 draft) and Dante Luciani (08 draft).  With the first two on that list locked up to new contracts, Ralph wasn't likely to be much more of an impact player than he was last year... kind of a catch a game guy.  Ralph also was/is rumoured to be drawing a nice paycheque as it is still the same contract he had in Hamilton as a starter and I'd expect that's high 5 figures... too much for someone not likely to be an impact.

Winnipeg has Arjei Franklin and some depth in guys like Stoddard, Hargreaves, etc, but Ralph has a much greater chance to make a difference there.  Kelly saw him up close and personal for the past year, and obviously knows what he's getting, while LeFors will now have someone that he's worked with before and has some chemistry if he wins some playing time.

On the Nugent side, the Esks thought highly enough of him in his draft year to consider using their top pick to get him, but managed to see him fall in the second round.  I think him missing much of his senior year to injury made him somewhat of a wild card, but I presume that he hasn't regressed too much in the past few years of coaching.  As a supplement to special teams and a backup to newly signed Scott Gordon at Safety, it provides some value for the Esks... certainly more than they'd have got if they had to release Ralph to clear off his salary.  Throw in the futures, whatever they may be, and I'm happy with the deal.

The downside is Ralph's personal circumstances with a 4 year old autistic child and the unique care that they were able to get in Alberta as well as the family support.  He now faces a difficult decision whether to leave his family behind during the playing season or relocate to Winnipeg and hope to be able to access the resources he needs.  I wish him all the best in dealing with this side of things.

[Esk Reporter]

I like this trade as well.  What surprises me is the number of fans that are saying this is just 'vintage' Maciocia...trading for a player that they used to have before.  I think this move is meant to deal from a position of strength (just as you noted) when it comes to receiver to address an area that needs improving.

[Colin Unger]

Yeah and Nugent is likily a better player now then the last time the Eskimos had him.  He's got a real penchant for the big hit and likily benifited from the starts he got in Winnipeg last year.