2 Weeks to FA - Atomic Top 5 NI Free Agents

[M.O.A.B.]

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.

 

I wouldn't oppose on that four but Taylor Reed will definitely be a strong target for Walters.

 

EDIT... unless he signed already

[Jacquie]

 

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

I wouldn't oppose on that four but Taylor Reed will definitely be a strong target for Walters.

 

EDIT... unless he signed already

 

Drew Edwards has said it's pretty much a done deal.

[bigg jay]

Re-signed with Hamilton.

 

 

Drew Edwards @scratchingpost  ·  15h 15 hours ago

#Ticats LB @Tank_Reed1911 just favourited my Tweet about his re-signing. It's what passes for confirmation these days.

[Mike]

 

Re-signed with Hamilton.

 

 

Drew Edwards @scratchingpost  ·  15h 15 hours ago

#Ticats LB @Tank_Reed1911 just favourited my Tweet about his re-signing. It's what passes for confirmation these days.

 

 

I don't really think it passes for confirmation at all, seen as how he favorited my tweet about coming back to Winnipeg as well yesterday.

 

But that being said, he's clearly resigned there.

[gbill2004]

@sixbeamers: #BCLions GM Wally Buono not hopeful about re-signing pending FA Ernest Jackson. Winnipeg a fit, with Drew Willy, ex U. of Buffalo teammate?

[SPuDS]

Damnit reed! Where is the love! =p

[gbill2004]

VANCOUVER — If Wally Buono was looking for a bargain, he'd line up for the Target Canada liquidation sale. He knows he won't find one in the Canadian Football League free agency pool.

"It's never been a strong suit of mine," admitted the general manager of the B.C. Lions, looking toward the free-agent signing free-for-all that begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT.

"We have brought in guys who've been productive," he said. "Ben Archibald (from Calgary). Eric Taylor, Byron Parker, Lin-J Shell (all from Toronto). But when you look at the success we've had over the years, we've always believed in finding our own or signing the (pending) free agents we already have, showing respect for the guys in our locker room."

One of those players, however, is wide receiver Ernest Jackson, who will hit the open market Tuesday and seems destined to land elsewhere. Buono doesn't seem too concerned about it either.

"Right now, we have Manny Arceneaux, Courtney Taylor, Bryan Burnham and Lavasier Tuinei," he said. "I don't want to sound negative, but he (Jackson) is the big, physical receiver that Burnham is, that Tuinei is. You've gotta be careful you don't have too many of the same guy. Again, do we need to blow our brains out? If it costs you a ton of money against your (salary) cap, is that going to make your team better?"

Buono would suggest the Lions already have made a splash in free agency by signing Austin Collie, the former Indianapolis Colts' receiver who has the added bonus of being classified as a "non-import." (Buono still prefers that term over the CFL's chichi designation of "national.”)

"He's an accomplished professional receiver who has the right passport," Buono said. "He gives us options. According to our reports, he's in good shape physically. He's as strong as he's ever been."

Among the pending free agents, the most attractive (from a Lions' perspective) might be Calgary centre Brett Jones, the league's most outstanding lineman in 2014, one year after being named rookie of the year. Jones, though, is expected to re-sign in Calgary or with the Roughriders, in his home province of Saskatchewan. The Weyburn native played at the University of Regina.

After releasing punter Ricky Schmitt in the offseason (he signed with B.C. last year in the free agency period), the Lions are looking for a replacement. The Roughriders' Josh Bartel, a pending free agent, fits that criteria. But the Lions want a player who can handle all three kicking chores, not a single speciality.

B.C. believed Richie Leone, a member of their expanded practice roster in 2014, could be the man. But the 22-year-old import punter-kicker was signed last month by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We were excited about him," Buono said of Leone, who played at the University of Houston. "He showed very good promise. We have a number of kicking camp to go to, to try and find another like him."

[Noeller]

Sounds like what Walters had been saying,too. Build thru the draft, don't overpay in FA.

[Dirty30]

Sounds like what Walters had been saying,too. Build thru the draft, don't overpay in FA.

Funny I recall him also stating that the Bombers were going to be "agressive" during free agency.

[Jacquie]

Sounds like what Walters had been saying,too. Build thru the draft, don't overpay in FA.

Funny I recall him also stating that the Bombers were going to be "agressive" during free agency.

Aggressive doesn't necessarily mean over-paying.

[mbrg]

Walters is going to fly around the country punching other GMs in the nose.

 

Aggressive.

[Atomic]

Walters has specifically said he is okay with overpaying in free agency... but only for Canadians.

[Noeller]

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/maxwell-smart-99-top-agents-available-291141241.html?cx_navSource=d-top-story

 

Maxwell Smart, 99, top agents available Bombers won't get much stronger through free agency

By: Ed Tait

 

Kyle Walters looks at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers depth chart and -- alongside a few spots brimming with Grade-A talent -- sees some ginormous holes and areas in need of serious upgrade.

But the Bomber GM is hardly going to open the club's wallet and fill up a shopping cart when CFL free agency opens on Tuesday. Free agency seldom works that way in the salary-cap era, even with the pressures of building a contender in a year the organization is playing host to the Grey Cup.

 

This year's free-agent crop is hardly considered bumper by Bombers brass and other league executives, especially now that Saskatchewan Roughriders non-import offensive tackle Ben Heenan -- who was headed for free agency -- has landed with the Indianapolis Colts while others, such Hamilton Tiger-Cats dynamic receiver/returner Brandon Banks, have re-signed in recent weeks.

But there are some intriguing pieces out there that might pique the interest of Walters & Co.

"We're looking at offensive-line help and will still look in free agency to upgrade that position," said Walters on Friday. "You always look at Canadians in general and at any position along the offensive line.

"Still, you've got all these plans and you spend all this time watching film on free agents, punching in numbers and doing all this stuff and, in the end, you just don't know. You have no idea, no clue how things are going to shake down in these days before free agency.

"What I caution people is, be very careful thinking that free agency is going to be the plan to solve your roster deficiencies. You can't count on it, you just don't know what it's going to cost and it's a hard salary cap. There's a domino effect. You just can't go out and spend blindly across the board. There's a give and take."

Walters would not offer any specific hints as to who the club would target -- that would constitute tampering, after all -- but he did say the club has made offers to quarterback Brian Brohm and linebacker/defensive back Johnny Sears, Jr. (who is close to returning) -- two of the team's 11 prospective free agents.

The others, including offensive linemen Glenn January, Dan Knapp and Gord Hinse, receivers Romby Bryant, Aaron Kelly and Brett Carter, running back Carl Volny, defensive back Desia Dunn and linebacker Mike Cornell -- all seem destined to hit the open market next week.

The Bombers will likely start five Canadians on offence and two on defence, filling those spots with three interior offensive linemen and two receivers along with cornerback Matt Bucknor, defensive tackle Jake Thomas and -- depending on the package -- a couple ofother homegrown options on defence.

The departure of Ian Wild to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the fact Sears has yet to re-sign leaves big question marks in the linebacking corps.

Now, while the Bomber neg list is said to be loaded with American offensive tackles, the Bombers may have their interest piqued by some of the talent soon to be available and the team could use a consistent threat in the receiving corps to go alongside Clarence Denmark, Nick Moore and Canadians Rory Kohlert and Julian Feoli-Gudino.

Walters also raved about what will be available to all nine CFL teams in the upcoming draft.

"It's dynamite. Best it's been in a long time," said Walters. "It's loaded. A good, good, good draft."

Here's what the Bombers roster currently looks like and whether the team might chase free agents at certain positions:

 

WHAT THE BOMBERS HAVE

 

QUARTERBACK

Returning starter: Drew Willy

Reserves: Robert Marve, Josh Portis

Free agent: Brian Brohm

Synopsis: Brohm is still in the Bomber picture as the two sides are talking, but there is no need to chase anyone in free agency. Willy is the clear-cut No. 1 and the club likes the upside of Marve and Portis.

 

RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK

Returning starter: Paris Cotton

Reserves: Michel-Pierre Pontbriand*, Carl Fitzgerald*, Cameron Marshall, Sam McGuffie

New face: Tim Cronk*

Free agent: Carl Volny*

Synopsis: Finding rare talents such as Charles Roberts might be difficult, but unearthing challengers to Cotton from any free-agent camp or scouting trip down south isn't. Don't expect the Bombers to be in any sort of potential bidding war for Curtis Steele of Toronto or Edmonton's Kendial Lawrence.

 

RECEIVER

Returning starters: Nick Moore, Rory Kohlert*, Clarence Denmark

Reserves: Julian Feoli-Gudino*, Justin Wilson, Jerrell Jackson, Kurt Goodrich

New faces: Toney Clemons, Kris Bastien*

Free agents: Romby Bryant, Brett Carter*, Aaron Kelly

Synopsis: It's natural to draw a connection between Ernest Jackson of B.C. and the Bombers -- he was a college teammate of Drew Willy at Buffalo -- but he might be expensive. There are Canadians Sam Giguere (Hamilton), Spencer Watt (Toronto) and Brad Sinopoli (Calgary) but they, too, will command high dollars. A couple of intriguing imports are Greg Ellingson (Hamilton) and Darvin Adams (Toronto).

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

Returning starters: Chris Greaves*, Steve Morley*, Matthias Goossen*, Devin Tyler, Jace Daniels

Free agent signing: Dominic Picard* (projected starting centre).

Reserves: Patrick Neufeld*, Quinn Everett*

New face: David Mims

Free agents: Glenn January, Gord Hinse*, Dan Knapp

Synopsis: Landing Picard was huge to the Bombers plan to start their three best Canadians inside. With all signs pointing to January leaving, the Bombers could be looking at proven imports on the market -- even though they like both Tyler and Daniels. That might put SirVincent Rogers (Toronto) and Stanley Bryant and Edwin Harrison (both of Calgary) in their crosshairs.

The Stamps' Brett Jones, a Canadian who was the league's best rookie in 2013 and top lineman last year, is either likely to sign down south or return to Calgary for a lot more $$.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE Returning starters: Bryant Turner, Jr., Greg Peach, Jake Thomas*, Jason Vega

Reserves: Zach Anderson, Louie Richardson*, Ameet Pall*, Thaddeus Gibson, Greg Hickman, Kashawn Fraser. Marvin Booker, Deantre Harlan.

Synopsis: There's actually a lot more talent here than the Bombers -- so maligned a year ago for their work against the run -- might get credit for league-wide. A new scheme under new defensive boss Richie Hall will help here; ditto for the potential upside of players like Gibson and Harlan.

 

LINEBACKER

Returning starter: Don Unamba

Reserves: Jesse Briggs*, Craig Newman*, Dan West*

New faces: Shamari Benton,

NFL departure: Ian Wild (Pittsburgh)

Free agents: Johnny Sears, Jr., Mike Cornell*

Synopsis: A new deal for Sears, Jr. could be completed as early as this weekend and that would help. Losing Wild stings but just as at RB, the Bombers believe their scouting staff can find replacements down south. What might help is more Canadian depth to give them flexibility in who starts on defence. Keenan MacDougall (Calgary) and Sam Hurl (Saskatchewan) could be on the radar.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Returning starters: Bruce Johnson, Maurice Leggett, Chris Randle, Troy Stoudermire, Demond Washington, Matt Bucknor*

Reserves: Derek Jones*, Teague Sherman*, Shea Pierre*

New faces: Johnny Adams, Jarrid Bryant, Demetrius Wright

Free agent: Desia Dunn

Synopsis: Easily the most talented and deepest part of the Bomber roster. The additions of Johnson, Leggett, Randle, Bucknor and Stoudermire completely transformed the team's pass defence a year ago and has the team's secondary moving into the league's elite. Highly unlikely they'll spend on CFL free agents here, choosing instead to bolster depth from their neg list.

 

KICKER/SPECIALISTS

Plackekicker/punter: Lirim Hajrullahu

Long-snapper: Carl Fitzgerald, Tim Cronk

NFL departure: Wild

Retired: Mike Renaud

Synopsis: Hajrullahu was a revelation as a placekicker last year and his work as a punter will only improve. Wild was a solid long-snapper and that's why Cronk, who has had stints with B.C. and Saskatchewan, was brought in to challenge Fitzgerald and whoever might be lined up at that spot.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 7, 2015 C6