Blue Bomber Free Agent List

[sweep the leg]

3 hours ago, Atomic said:

An interesting darkhorse candidate could be Reggie Northrup who is a pending free agent from the Alouettes.  He only got into 4 games near the end of the season but had 22 tackles.  6'1", 231 lbs, 24 years old.  281 tackles in 49 games at FSU.

I was thinking of him too. Like those big school guys.

[Tracker]

It looks like Northrup's biggest liability may be his sideline to sideline speed. It was a concern for the NFL game and might be even moreso in the CFL.

 

Strengths

Built like inside backer with thick legs and compact frame. Will diagnose and go. Recognizes misdirection and reads zone-read mesh points quickly. Won't give second-level climbers a square angle on him very often. Plays with desired punch and arm extension when taking on linemen. Steps into the hole and leverages his gap with wide based and willing attitude. Scrapes to run with good angles and can finish with some thud in his pads.

Weaknesses

Average range from sideline to sideline. Forced into challenging tackle options due to average athleticism for the position. Was often pulled on third downs and lacks athleticism or cover skills to cover in the pros. Slow to get proper depth into his drops in pass coverage. Needs better conditioning. Fatigued against tempo offenses.

Draft Projection

Undrafted free agent

Bottom Line

Interchangeable piece in Seminoles defense that handled his job but wasn't much of a playmaker during his time there. Northrup is tough and plays with the hands and physicality needed for the interior in the NFL, but his lack of speed and ability to play on third downs could limit his draft opportunities and chances of making a roster.

[Mike]

JSK hardly got an opportunity in camp last year in the middle. 

[WBBFanWest]

9 minutes ago, Mike said:

JSK hardly got an opportunity in camp last year in the middle. 

Not to mention the fact that he might be a better/more prepared football player going into 2018 than he was in 2017.   Again, when I listened to Walter's interview, it was pretty clear to me that he was signalling that we've come to the end of the Sam Hurl experience.  He's happy with the crew he's got, but maybe they'll snag on more free agent should the price be right.

So I'm quite confident that Hurl is not coming back as anything but a special teamer.  I'm using a bit of deductive reasoning here, but this is what it looks like to me:  Where  else in the CFL would Hurl be a starting LB?  Who else would see him as an upgrade?   I can't think of a single team but  maybe there might be one.  So he has to know that his bargaining power is limited and yet, he still hasn't signed a contract with the Bombers.  Might that be because they've offered him a backup player's salary and he's desperately hoping that  there is that one team?  So I think that if the Bombers really believed he's the answer in the middle, the deal would already be done because he'd be offered starter level money by the only team in the league that would.   Ergo, he ain't coming back as a starting LB for us.

[Floyd]

53 minutes ago, WBBFanWest said:

Not to mention the fact that he might be a better/more prepared football player going into 2018 than he was in 2017.   Again, when I listened to Walter's interview, it was pretty clear to me that he was signalling that we've come to the end of the Sam Hurl experience.  He's happy with the crew he's got, but maybe they'll snag on more free agent should the price be right.

So I'm quite confident that Hurl is not coming back as anything but a special teamer.  I'm using a bit of deductive reasoning here, but this is what it looks like to me:  Where  else in the CFL would Hurl be a starting LB?  Who else would see him as an upgrade?   I can't think of a single team but  maybe there might be one.  So he has to know that his bargaining power is limited and yet, he still hasn't signed a contract with the Bombers.  Might that be because they've offered him a backup player's salary and he's desperately hoping that  there is that one team?  So I think that if the Bombers really believed he's the answer in the middle, the deal would already be done because he'd be offered starter level money by the only team in the league that would.   Ergo, he ain't coming back as a starting LB for us.

Did you copy this post from February 2017...?  I feel like I've read this before...

[WBBFanWest]

1 hour ago, Floyd said:

Did you copy this post from February 2017...?  I feel like I've read this before...

Here's an idea:  point out a flaw in my logic.  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Edited February 11, 2018 by WBBFanWest

[Floyd]

21 minutes ago, WBBFanWest said:

Here's an idea:  point out a flaw in my logic.  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Your logic is perfectly fine.  But this logic was also fine last winter...  

This same argument was made for bringing Hurl back in a massively reduced role (given he'd lost his starters job before).  Yet somehow by Day Three of TC he was basically the anointed starter...  and our D was hamstrung by his 'specialized' role all season

Now this winter, Walters says that no real position is to blame for the D's problems - except the rest of the D are all-stars...  meaning they still don't see a problem with Hurl and we might bring him back...

Hurl is not an ST all-star - if we want a specialist sign Shortill or just use that roster spot for a draft pick

I'd rather see Miles fill in during a game if need be...  re-signing Hurl is a slippery slope to the same problems as last year.

[rebusrankin]

There have to be younger, cheaper options than Hurl as a STer. As for filling a NI spot if need be, I'd rather see Miles at LB or Derek Jones at field corner.

[Atomic]

57 minutes ago, Floyd said:

Hurl is not an ST all-star - if we want a specialist sign Shortill or just use that roster spot for a draft pick

I think Shortill would be a great signing

[M.O.A.B.]

29 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

There have to be younger, cheaper options than Hurl as a STer. As for filling a NI spot if need be, I'd rather see Miles at LB or Derek Jones at field corner.

CO Prime will be a good pickup as a STer.

[WBBFanWest]

1 hour ago, Floyd said:

Your logic is perfectly fine.  But this logic was also fine last winter...  

This same argument was made for bringing Hurl back in a massively reduced role (given he'd lost his starters job before).  Yet somehow by Day Three of TC he was basically the anointed starter...  and our D was hamstrung by his 'specialized' role all season

Now this winter, Walters says that no real position is to blame for the D's problems - except the rest of the D are all-stars...  meaning they still don't see a problem with Hurl and we might bring him back...

Hurl is not an ST all-star - if we want a specialist sign Shortill or just use that roster spot for a draft pick

I'd rather see Miles fill in during a game if need be...  re-signing Hurl is a slippery slope to the same problems as last year.

I think that there is a difference between last year and this year that will prevent a repeat.  First of these is that we do now have people like Santos-Knox that have proven that they're ready to go, in a way that couldn't be said at this point last year.  Secondly, I think that O'Shea and Hall are feeling a certain level of pressure concerning the D that they didn't have at this point last year.  Last year, most people were happy that we had made the playoffs and expected that things would improve.  Well, clearly, the D didn't improve and I think that it's pretty obvious that more is expected of them this year.  I don't think that they're going to risk a repeat.  So I expect that the D will have a slightly different philosophy.  One that doesn't see Hurl as a starter.  I expect that privately, O'Shea will be in Walters' ear to make sure that if there are any doubts about the quality of players on the D, that they get addressed in free agency and in US recruiting.

[Floyd]

45 minutes ago, WBBFanWest said:

I think that there is a difference between last year and this year that will prevent a repeat.  First of these is that we do now have people like Santos-Knox that have proven that they're ready to go, in a way that couldn't be said at this point last year.  Secondly, I think that O'Shea and Hall are feeling a certain level of pressure concerning the D that they didn't have at this point last year.  Last year, most people were happy that we had made the playoffs and expected that things would improve.  Well, clearly, the D didn't improve and I think that it's pretty obvious that more is expected of them this year.  I don't think that they're going to risk a repeat.  So I expect that the D will have a slightly different philosophy.  One that doesn't see Hurl as a starter.  I expect that privately, O'Shea will be in Walters' ear to make sure that if there are any doubts about the quality of players on the D, that they get addressed in free agency and in US recruiting.

For the most part I agree...  I worry that both Osh and Hall still have a soft spot for Hurl though

[WBBFanWest]

1 minute ago, Floyd said:

For the most part I agree...  I worry that both Osh and Hall still have a soft spot for Hurl though

Maybe, but I'm thinking that they have an even softer spot for their paycheques!

[blue_gold_84]

 

[Stickem]

1 minute ago, blue_gold_84 said:

 

Always nice to pick up a first rounder...Demski has everything going for him IF he returns home (looks like)...He's young...all kinds of talent for Lapo to work with....I'm expecting big things from the kid and will be quite happy to see him come home..ala Andrew Harris...Ya gotta like it

[Tracker]

2 hours ago, blue_gold_84 said:

 

If true, its the best Bomber news for a week or more.

[Mark F]

 the problems last season were on defence, but  it seems as though (so far) other than a couple of DB signings, the defence is not getting much attention.

They can't possibly line Hurl up in the middle this next season, or whoever it is, and have him running uselessly into the teeth of the O line play after play.

It's great to be innovative, but that didn't work. and not for lack of trying it.

 

 

Edited February 11, 2018 by Mark F

[Rich]

Seems to be a lot of posts worried Hurl is going to be returning at MLB this year. 

Lets not forgot that as of right now, he isn’t even under contract and set to be a free agent.

Lets see what happens starting Tuesday before worrying about MLB. 

[Dirty30]

2 hours ago, Atomic said:

I think Shortill would be a great signing

I prefer Bighill myself

*** drinking non stop past two days. Pls delete. Even in my state I see how bad that was

Edited February 11, 2018 by Dirty30

[17to85]

1 hour ago, Rich said:

Seems to be a lot of posts worried Hurl is going to be returning at MLB this year. 

Lets not forgot that as of right now, he isn’t even under contract and set to be a free agent.

Lets see what happens starting Tuesday before worrying about MLB. 

Yeah I just don't get it, surely if Hurl was a consideration for MLB for the Bombers this year he'd have been signed a long time ago. The fact that he's not signed tells me they're going in a different direction. I think they have a pretty good idea what the ratio is going to look like and linebacker isn't going to be a Canadian position. 

[Floyd]

16 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Yeah I just don't get it, surely if Hurl was a consideration for MLB for the Bombers this year he'd have been signed a long time ago. The fact that he's not signed tells me they're going in a different direction. I think they have a pretty good idea what the ratio is going to look like and linebacker isn't going to be a Canadian position. 

He wasn't signed at this point last year either... and he wasn't even on the radar as our starter... 

I'll relax when we either Hurl walks, sign Westerman or Konar (for ratio) or sign a legit MLB

[Noeller]

1) Hurl lost the majority of his reps by the end of the year. He was not taking many snaps at MACK by the end. 

2) I am SO jacked about Demski. Hoping if happens and hoping he can stay healthy. Love that kid and want to see him in Blue and Gold where he belongs... 

[Mark H.]

9 minutes ago, Noeller said:

1) Hurl lost the majority of his reps by the end of the year. He was not taking many snaps at MACK by the end. 

That does not compute. They went all American on the DL, and Hurl was still getting significant reps at MLB. 

[Noeller]

9 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

That does not compute. They went all American on the DL, and Hurl was still getting significant reps at MLB. 

When I'll get home I'll do some digging, but I believe Daren Bauming was posting about it immediately after the season. Hurl had essentially lost his job by the end of the year. Can't remember what they were doing re: Ratio, but I distinctly remember reading that Hurl was getting very limited reps at MACK... 

[Mark H.]

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

When I'll get home I'll do some digging, but I believe Daren Bauming was posting about it immediately after the season. Hurl had essentially lost his job by the end of the year. Can't remember what they were doing re: Ratio, but I distinctly remember reading that Hurl was getting very limited reps at MACK... 

When they had Neufeld starting in place of Bond, it was 3 OL, Harris, NI receiver, Hurl, Loffler

IIRC Hurl was not on the field when Ekakitie or Thomas were, but the DL was all - American for a good chunk of most games