2 Weeks to FA - Atomic Top 5 NI Free Agents

[Mike]

An offensive line of Bryant / Greaves / Picard / Wojt / Daniels next year would be a big improvement.

[Mike]

That said, as the season goes on the crop of young guys we have will get trial-by-fire opportunities, and if they handle those well, making 3 on D a full time thing may happen.

 

If all of a sudden Bilukidi or Mulumba fall in our lap, we're laughing.

[Noeller]

 

That said, as the season goes on the crop of young guys we have will get trial-by-fire opportunities, and if they handle those well, making 3 on D a full time thing may happen.

 

If all of a sudden Bilukidi or Mulumba fall in our lap, we're laughing.

 

Anybody know how likely that might be? I haven't heard much, but wasn't one of them outta PR time...?

[mbrg]

 

That said, as the season goes on the crop of young guys we have will get trial-by-fire opportunities, and if they handle those well, making 3 on D a full time thing may happen.

 

If all of a sudden Bilukidi or Mulumba fall in our lap, we're laughing.

 

 

If Bilukidi falls in my lap, I'll probably wince.

[Booch]

yeah those two are a bonus for sure and if they arrive, the ratio flexability and the use of imports will be crazy! I have a sneaking suspicion that Bilukidi may be here sooner than many think.

 

I truly believe as well we could go only with an import tackle if all pieces fall together and Neufeld isn't a wounded soul all year, allowing that extra import receiver, especially if we go with a hybrid 3-4 type defence where we use Buknor as he was, a Canadian be it Teague, Newman, Briggs, Hurl (if we land him) as one of the outside linebackers, very doable if you ask me. A line of Turner/Anderson/Fraser/ and Booker (as your kind of outside backer/rush end/Stand up along the line guy) with Vega as the rotational import (as I believe injuries hampered his play last year) would be a formidable front. 

 

I have faith that we will turn up some linebackers to make that work as we have the staff and brain trust to run and staff that type of defence. 

 

Now if the two mack draftees ( Mulumba and Bilukidi) get added to that mixture and some point down the road...wow

[Mike]

 

 

That said, as the season goes on the crop of young guys we have will get trial-by-fire opportunities, and if they handle those well, making 3 on D a full time thing may happen.

 

If all of a sudden Bilukidi or Mulumba fall in our lap, we're laughing.

 

Anybody know how likely that might be? I haven't heard much, but wasn't one of them outta PR time...?

 

 

They both are, which means the clock is ticking. The odds are in our favor of them being on our roster (both of them) by 2016 for sure. Bilukidi probably first.

 

His games played numbers have dropped every year - from 13 to 7 to 4 and he's recorded 10 tackles in 3 years. His PR time is gone. He's going to be a fourth year player, which means he's roughly 200k more expensive than a rookie who can probably offer a similar impact.

[Atomic]

Not to mention that both ended the season on injured reserve.  Sometimes those players get squeezed out due to the number crunch when they get healthy again.  Especially fringe players like Bilukidi.  I'd be shocked to see either one here next year, and if we do it won't be until mid-season... and that is only if Bilukidi gets cut before the NFL season begins.  If he gets cut mid-season I believe he will wait until at least 2016 to see if more offers come in. 

[M.O.A.B.]

An offensive line of Bryant / Greaves / Picard / Wojt / Daniels next year would be a big improvement.

 

I would like Bryant / Greaves / Picard / Wojt / Rogers ... w/ Goossen as the 6th.

[Goalie]

Jace Daniels seemed like he was a pretty capable tackle when he got his chance to play, Devin Tyler ain't no slouch either.. Bryant would be nice but i really see no need to go after another Import/International Tackle if we were to sign Bryant.

 

Bryant takes one side and Tyler/Daniels and the other Recruits battle it out for the other spot.  Is Sir Vincent Rogers really that much better than a Tyler or Daniels at this point in time? I dunno.

[gbill2004]

Lawless keeps pimping Rodgers, as a possible target for the Bombers, but he never mentions Bryant.  Either Lawless has some inside information, or he has no idea who Bryant is. 

[gbill2004]

@CFL_News: RT .@News1130Sports: Been told the #BCLions will be in the mix for @speedybanks16. Banks says he's buddies with Manny Arceneaux. #CFL

[sweep the leg]

Lawless keeps pimping Rodgers, as a possible target for the Bombers, but he never mentions Bryant.  Either Lawless has some inside information, or he has no idea who Bryant is. 

He's named Jarriel King from the Argos as a potential target of ours more than once and he re-signed a month ago. Your second option is a definite possibility.

[gbill2004]

From TSN:

With CFL free agency set to open up on February 10th, here is a list of 10 of the best free agents and where they could end up.

Editor’s note: Some of these players might end up signing with their teams before February 10th.

Brett Jones – Two-year Stampeder has already won a Most Outstanding offensive lineman award, was a Western All-Star both years, and a CFL all-star in 2014. He could command $200 thousand-plus due to his National status. Look for him to stay with Calgary, sign an NFL contract, or maybe end up in his hometown province of Saskatchewan. The Roughriders saved on salary by releasing centre Dominic Picard and letting go Ben Heenan so that he could sign in the NFL. If the Stampeders lose Jones they have last year’s first overall draft pick Pierre Lavertu waiting in the wings.

My prediction: Re-signs with the Stampeders.

Stanley Bryant - Five-year Stampeder who was named to the CFL All-Star team in 2013 and 2014. He has played both left tackle and right tackle.

My prediction: Look for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos and Ottawa Redblacks to make a strong pitch for this International veteran. Ottawa has the most money to spend.

Brandon “Speedy” Banks – Two-year Ticat who was a CFL All-Star last season as a returner and was hoping to sign with an NFL club. Banks is a player that Kent Austin wants back dearly, but look for the Redblacks to bid large. He would be a great addition and an immediate fan favorite. Ottawa has money to spend and GM Marcel Desjardins can make a splash with this signing.

My prediction: Banks re-signs with Hamilton and makes north of $200,000 per year.

SirVincent Rogers – Argonauts starting left tackle for the past two seasons. If the Blue Bombers can’t sign Bryant they will look to SV to improve a poor offensive line. Winnipeg has the Grey Cup this year and they would like to ignite their fans with a quality o-line and to help second-year starter Drew Willy. Picking up Picard earlier this season will help and with Rogers at tackle the Bombers will have a shot at the playoffs.

My prediction: Signs with Winnipeg.

Dan LeFevour – Played well for the Tiger-Cats when Zach Collaros went down early in the season. He is coming off a torn knee ligament but should be good to go for training camp. Look for BC, Ottawa and possibly Montreal to make a bid. LeFevour wants to start and can’t do that with Collaros in the Hammer.

My prediction: LeFevour would look good in a Lions uniform. Travis Lulay is always going to be a question mark with his shoulder issues.

Brian Peters – Had a terrific season with the Roughriders. Richie Hall, who coached Peters in Regina last season, would love to have him in a Blue Bombers uniform. Peters is a stand-out on special teams and would be a great replacement for Ian Wild who signed last week with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

My prediction: It will be hard to leave Saskatchewan but Winnipeg is his next best option.

Greg Ellingson – Why he fell out of favour in Hamilton is anyone’s guess. Ellingson was brought to the Hammer by former Ticats great Danny McManus who is now with Winnipeg. The Blue Bombers could be interested. Ottawa will also look to the 6’3 receiver who had chemistry with Henry Burris.

My prediction: Ottawa will prevail if they can’t snag Brandon Banks.

Samuel Giguere – Going into his fourth CFL season, a change in scenery might be nice for this Sherbrooke native. Montreal would seem like a logical choice but Jim Popp very seldom delves into free agency. Toronto needs a National receiver if Spencer Watt leaves, as does Winnipeg with the trade of Cory Watson.

My prediction: Popp roles the dice and hopes it doesn’t come back to bite him like the Corey Grant free agent signing in 2002.

Rennie Curran – If Curran decides to test free agency and leaves, Edmonton will be fine with JC Sherritt in the middle. Curran would look good in a Winnipeg uniform. The Bombers just released Ejiro Kuale who played in the middle last season. Curran would be a great locker-room addition and a favourite of head coach Mike O’Shea.

My Prediction: Signs with Winnipeg.

Ernest Jackson – Was amazing down the stretch for the BC Lions. He caught over 450 yards and three TDs in his last four games. He played four seasons at the University of Buffalo with current Blue Bomber QB Willy. Interesting!

My prediction: Winnipeg will be a busy team in free agency.

[kelownabomberfan]

I'd be interested in bringing in Jackson for the Willy chemistry. And we'll need a go-to receiver when Nick Moore gets injured in week 3.

[kelownabomberfan]

@CFL_News: RT .@News1130Sports: Been told the #BCLions will be in the mix for @speedybanks16. Banks says he's buddies with Manny Arceneaux. #CFL

You gotta love the CFL. Players make their decisions on where they want to play because they want to hang out with their friends. It's like the CFL is one big play-date.

[SPuDS]

If I was Walters my first and foremost priority is to take the serious run at Bryant and Sir Vinnie and whomever we land is a win win. Get that done right off the hop as soon as he can. Let them battle it out with Tyler and Daniels and the best two are a starter and the other on the 46.

Kick Wojt's tires, see if he healthy and if he can come here for around 200 000 then I would maybe pull the trigger on that...I believe the O-line would become a strong point with the dominant American LT with Picard centering the best of Goosin/Greaves/Neufeld/Morley/Everett and our top OL pick from draft and Wojt if we land him as he is probably the best Canadian O-lineman who is more than serviceable left in free agency. That's a far cry from January/Greaves/Morley/and the mish mash of guys in and out last year in these spots.

I would also run take a run at Jackson and if market allows us to get him in an incentive laden deal with a base in the 120-130 range then a corps of Moore/Denmark/Jackson/Kohlert and insert new import phenom is a strong cast for Willy to chuck to, and save for the one new guy he has chemistry with all of them. Heck if nobody leaps out of TC then A Kelly is a more than adequate 4th receiver option when he doesn't have to be the go to guy.

As for Canadian depth and rotational guys I would seriously try to grab Hurl and that be it. I would trust in our scouting and use the draft to fill the Canadian foot soldier depth and then scour waiver wire once training camps end as there will more than likely be a few good Canadians dumped for various reasons. Ayear of seasoning for guys like Jones, Sherman, Briggs etc is only going to make them better for our depth and when you look at it Newman returning this year is almost like another solid Canadian free agent signing as he never played a down last year and will be very versatile, and very good in that versatility. Something I think a lot of people are over looking, as he is automatically going to be replacing a game day National from last year only making us stronger.

If it fits into our SMS as well toss a nice offer to Reed out of Hamilton, He has the makings of a good one, and if he doesn't beat out a new comer can always be released, or 46 manned, or ratio allowing depth or a DI.

If we can manage that, along with the already signed Picard, and a good draft from a full year of the new regime in place I would be more than happy

Unless something major happens over the next few months we'll be starting 2 NI's at receiver - I just don't think we'll end up with the horses to start 3 on D.

Between Thomas, Newman, Bucknor and the others on the roster, running them thru as 2 starters in a situational rotation and having JFG as the 7th starter just seems like the better all-around 24 package we could put on the field.

Not that a similar rotation with 3 starters on D can't be done in nearly the same way, I just don't think we have all the pieces to that puzzle yet.

Just one hobo's opinion, of course.

Man, yer such a hobo.

But one with a good theory here. I concur.. Not scared by the idea as I feel Kohlert and JFG are both decent enough receivers..

[gbill2004]

Love seeing the Bombers strongly linked to 5 of the top 10 free agents by TSN!

[gbill2004]

@scratchingpost: Hearing a new deal between the #Ticats & @Tank_Reed1911 is all but done. Another pending FA off the board. #CFL

[iso_55]

I sure have egg on my face for my "Heenan or Holmes or bust" posts earlier in this thread.  Had no idea Heenan was generating NFL interest, and happy for him he's a Colt.  Would have been happier with him a Bomber, but them be the breaks.

 

Okay, with the 2 marquee CDN OL's off the board... have at it with Ellingson, Wojt, Bryant, and Rodgers.  Please nab a couple of them.  This isn't the bottom of the barrel by far... my posts were more geared towards us not accepting "2nd place" or worse, which is as Bomber fans we've been accustomed to seeing over the years.

None of us knew he was tring the NFL. So it's all good. Holmes should have went FA. He'd have cashed in.

[iso_55]

Rene Curran in Winnipeg? The guy's a stud a MLB. That would be unbelievable. As would Rogers & Jackson. Me be very happy fan if all that happens. 

[iso_55]

Jordan Sisco gives me the "no feeling".

He's a friend of mine. 

[gbill2004]

Jordan Sisco gives me the "no feeling".

He's a friend of mine.

Cool! Then you can tell him for me.

[iso_55]

 

 

Jordan Sisco gives me the "no feeling".

He's a friend of mine.

Cool! Then you can tell him for me.

 

LOL!

[rebusrankin]

If we landed one of Bryant or Rodgers to play tackle, Curran to play MLB and Jackson to play receiver, I'd call it a fantastic free agency period.

 

Spencer Watt as a 3rd NI receiver, Hurl as another NI LB would be nice too.

[bearpants]

Assuming we don't break the bank... Rogers, Curran, and Jackson would be a phenomenally successful FA period, IMO... We'll need to improve our Canadian talent through the draft...