Lions and League Free Agents?

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How are our Free agents this off-season and who else is available across the league?
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B.C.FAN
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According to LU, the Lions have seven pending free agents, and he has rated their chances of returning from best to worst, starting with Jason Arakgi, Kito Poblah, Ernest Jackson, Jabar Westerman, J.R. LaRose, Kevin Glenn and Jordan Matechuk.

Lions' McCallum would like to return, Glenn likely won’t get the chance
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MexicoLionFan
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Thanks so much BCFAN! Ernest Jackson and Westerman are absolute keys and Glenn should be resigned to backup money if he will take it. Lulay will NOT play again. As for McCallum, he's killing us...we need to find a CDN that can take care of ALL the kicking chores! We cannot afford an import as the punter and play the likes of JR LaRose at safety...Dumb, Dumber, DUMBEST!

It doesn't sound like Westerman will resign here though...that would be a HUGE loss for this team!

As WCJ has said for 2 years...not only has the on field coaching fallen behind the rest of the CFL, but our TEACHING has been deplorable...we are not developing any young CDNs to become starters who get better every year, with the exception of Andrew Harris and his phenomenal natural abilities. This is another HUGE reason why our coaching staff must be changed...we must bring in coaches who can teach and develop...like say the Als and their OLine success????
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TheLionKing
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Have not been impressed by the Canadian receiving corp. Poblah may have good speed but lacks good hands. It's no wonder the Bombers let him go.

Agree with MLF, time to let McCallum retire. With a limited roster, Lions can't afford to have a field goal specialist and a punter on the roster.
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The_Pauser
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MexicoLionFan wrote:Thanks so much BCFAN! Ernest Jackson and Westerman are absolute keys and Glenn should be resigned to backup money if he will take it. Lulay will NOT play again. As for McCallum, he's killing us...we need to find a CDN that can take care of ALL the kicking chores! We cannot afford an import as the punter and play the likes of JR LaRose at safety...Dumb, Dumber, DUMBEST!

It doesn't sound like Westerman will resign here though...that would be a HUGE loss for this team!

As WCJ has said for 2 years...not only has the on field coaching fallen behind the rest of the CFL, but our TEACHING has been deplorable...we are not developing any young CDNs to become starters who get better every year, with the exception of Andrew Harris and his phenomenal natural abilities. This is another HUGE reason why our coaching staff must be changed...we must bring in coaches who can teach and develop...like say the Als and their OLine success????
Gotta disagree with you regarding Glenn. I think his time here is done, and so it should be. He is immobile, and makes too many bad decisions that you would expect from a rookie but not a seasoned vet like Glenn. Lulay may not play again so we definitely do need someone who can be more reliable as a starter, but that is not Kevin Glenn. Drew Tate would be my top FA target.

McCallum has to go, and Schmitt is likely done too. While I would prefer a Canadian kicker who can do it all, I wouldn't be opposed to an import who can nail a 52 yarder. If we can find another Swayze Waters then I'm happy.

Not sure why the hate for LaRose. Sure he's not stellar and will never make anyone forget about Barron Miles, who is available that we can pick up? If an upgrade is available then we should go for it, but the same can be said for any position.

We definitely need to do what we can to re-sign Westerman. He became a beast during the back half of the season, and he's the right age where he will likely continue to improve. If he leaves he'll be sorely missed.
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B.C.FAN
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The_Pauser wrote:Gotta disagree with you regarding Glenn. I think his time here is done, and so it should be. He is immobile, and makes too many bad decisions that you would expect from a rookie but not a seasoned vet like Glenn. Lulay may not play again so we definitely do need someone who can be more reliable as a starter, but that is not Kevin Glenn. Drew Tate would be my top FA target.

McCallum has to go, and Schmitt is likely done too. While I would prefer a Canadian kicker who can do it all, I wouldn't be opposed to an import who can nail a 52 yarder. If we can find another Swayze Waters then I'm happy.

Not sure why the hate for LaRose. Sure he's not stellar and will never make anyone forget about Barron Miles, who is available that we can pick up? If an upgrade is available then we should go for it, but the same can be said for any position.

We definitely need to do what we can to re-sign Westerman. He became a beast during the back half of the season, and he's the right age where he will likely continue to improve. If he leaves he'll be sorely missed.
I agree on all points except targeting Drew Tate in free agency. I think he's too volatile and liable to disrupt team chemistry.

LaRose is much maligned but he has done exactly what was asked of him this year and has done it well, as reflected in the stats. B.C. gave up the fewest TDs and fewest passing TDs in the league and, until the wheels fell off in the last week of the season, had given up the fewest pass plays of 30 yards or more. You can't lead the league in those categories without a good safety. The only West Division safety whom I would rate ahead of LaRose is Tyron Brackenridge of Saskatchewan, and he's an international. I've seen too many balls fly over the heads of the other safeties.

How many deep balls to B.C. give up this year between the hash marks? I can think of only two, a 30-yard TD catch by LaVon Brazill of the Argos in Week 13 in which Cord Parks was in position for the interception in the end zone but lost track of the ball, and a 24-yarder to Calgary's Eric Rogers in the final week of the season in which Dante Marsh expected inside help but Larose's angle was too shallow and he was a step behind. That was a game in which everyone in the B.C. secondary was beaten.
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B.C.FAN wrote:
The_Pauser wrote:Gotta disagree with you regarding Glenn. I think his time here is done, and so it should be. He is immobile, and makes too many bad decisions that you would expect from a rookie but not a seasoned vet like Glenn. Lulay may not play again so we definitely do need someone who can be more reliable as a starter, but that is not Kevin Glenn. Drew Tate would be my top FA target.

McCallum has to go, and Schmitt is likely done too. While I would prefer a Canadian kicker who can do it all, I wouldn't be opposed to an import who can nail a 52 yarder. If we can find another Swayze Waters then I'm happy.

Not sure why the hate for LaRose. Sure he's not stellar and will never make anyone forget about Barron Miles, who is available that we can pick up? If an upgrade is available then we should go for it, but the same can be said for any position.

We definitely need to do what we can to re-sign Westerman. He became a beast during the back half of the season, and he's the right age where he will likely continue to improve. If he leaves he'll be sorely missed.
I agree on all points except targeting Drew Tate in free agency. I think he's too volatile and liable to disrupt team chemistry.

LaRose is much maligned but he has done exactly what was asked of him this year and has done it well, as reflected in the stats. B.C. gave up the fewest TDs and fewest passing TDs in the league and, until the wheels fell off in the last week of the season, had given up the fewest pass plays of 30 yards or more. You can't lead the league in those categories without a good safety. The only West Division safety whom I would rate ahead of LaRose is Tyron Brackenridge of Saskatchewan, and he's an international. I've seen too many balls fly over the heads of the other safeties.

How many deep balls to B.C. give up this year between the hash marks? I can think of only two, a 30-yard TD catch by LaVon Brazill of the Argos in Week 13 in which Cord Parks was in position for the interception in the end zone but lost track of the ball, and a 24-yarder to Calgary's Eric Rogers in the final week of the season in which Dante Marsh expected inside help but Larose's angle was too shallow and he was a step behind. That was a game in which everyone in the B.C. secondary was beaten.

This Lions team needs it's chemistry disrupted. :shock: Seriously though I think Tate if he is a free agent would be a good choice. Yeah he is a loose cannon, eccentric type, but when he is throwing for 1st downs and TDs he can run off at the mouth all he wants. I like his go deep gunslinger style.
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Drew Tate?

Seems to have a Lord it over every one attitude. Screaming in Jon Cornish's face.

His volatile body language is not about team play.

Needed to be talked down by Dave Dickenson on the sideline.

With a vulnerable coach, I could see him trying to take over the team, including running the locker room, for his own benefit.

Got some bad signs there ...

Any proof to defend this impression? Nah ... Not a bit. LOL

Ever been wrong about first impressions? Sure. Ever been right about first impressions? Yup.

Agree with BCFAN on Drew Tate.

Could I be wrong about Tate? Yes. But Bo moved past him in Calgary. How many coaches want a hot head for a QB?

I expect Hufnagel and Dickenson could replace him as easily as they replaced Burris and Glenn, and Tate (again).
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I doubt Wally will be pursuing Tate in the off season. How a player fits into a team concept is first and foremost in Wally's world.
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Ravi
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There is no point worrying about signing Drew Tate as he does not become a free agent until after the 2015 season.
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TheLionKing wrote:I doubt Wally will be pursuing Tate in the off season. How a player fits into a team concept is first and foremost in Wally's world.
Well that and joining the circle after the game.
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The_Pauser
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Ravi wrote:There is no point worrying about signing Drew Tate as he does not become a free agent until after the 2015 season.
Hmm I didn't realize this. My bad.

I'm honestly surprised by the negative reactions though. If you don't like Tate that's fine, but then who would you want to bring in at QB? I would be livid if we went into the season relying on Kevin Glenn again, who this year proved he's not good enough to be a starter in this league anymore. I would still bring Lulay back, but on a bonus laden contract based on games played. Relying on Lulay to be healthy for the entire season is a sucker play that's bound to get one burned. Relying on Lulay and Glenn? Did we not learn anything from this season?

So if we look outside the organization, who do you bring in?
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So if we look outside the organization, who do you bring in?[/quote]


My immediate thought would be current Ti-Cat Dan LeFevor providing he is healthy again. He is a young, mobile QB who would seem to fit into the Lions Offence. He showed flashes of brilliance and has some CFL experience - there was a lot of talk prior to his injury that he should be considered amongst those most likely to start somewhere soon. Moreover, he, I think, is a free agent and it is unlikely that Hamilton can keep him without losing Collaros which they will not do.

Other than that, there might be a chance at prying Nichols out of Edmonton given the emergence of Pat White.

The biggest thing will be the hire of a new OC, if they are going that way. It would seem more sensical to hire someone and let that person pick 'their guy' that fits the O they want to run.
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The_Pauser wrote:
Ravi wrote:There is no point worrying about signing Drew Tate as he does not become a free agent until after the 2015 season.
Hmm I didn't realize this. My bad.

I'm honestly surprised by the negative reactions though. If you don't like Tate that's fine, but then who would you want to bring in at QB? I would be livid if we went into the season relying on Kevin Glenn again, who this year proved he's not good enough to be a starter in this league anymore. I would still bring Lulay back, but on a bonus laden contract based on games played. Relying on Lulay to be healthy for the entire season is a sucker play that's bound to get one burned. Relying on Lulay and Glenn? Did we not learn anything from this season?

So if we look outside the organization, who do you bring in?

I think Beck will inherit the starting QB spot and agree about not counting on Lulay. I would like to see Lulay become the QB coach.

Travis Partridge needs to step up and show that he can be #2 and the future #1. Both Beck and Partridge were not given much in the way of opportunity. :bang: Hopefully there is a new HC, OC and O lineC that develop a package of plays for the backup QB like some other better coached teams have instituted. :cr:
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DanoT wrote:I think Beck will inherit the starting QB spot and agree about not counting on Lulay. I would like to see Lulay become the QB coach.
Boy, I hope you're wrong about that Dano. Beck will be 34 next season, and, as far as I'm concerned anyway, he hasn't shown anything this season with the Lions. It's true he's been money on 3rd and short, but beyond that, zilch. In the one game against the Redblacks, he went 4 for 7 and 33 yards. On the season, he's completed 46% of his passes. I haven't seen any indication that he could be the spark at QB that will make the team around him successful. I suppose it could be argued that his limited playing time didn't give him enough opportunity to show what he has, but his past history in the NFL and his time here make me think that he just doesn't have it.

In my opinion, the Lions should retain Glenn as the backup QB next season. Instead of hoping that Lulay will be back stronger than ever, I think we should beat the bushes for a young, talented guy who can be developed the way Lulay was when he came into the league. I'm not too high on Partridge; he didn't show much at the combine and is fairly slow. Perhaps with some serious playing time he could develop, but I'm not sure about his ever becoming a truly great QB or even a serviceable one, for that matter. Jordan Rodgers: maybe. But why not bring in several good-looking prospects to fight it out for the job? Maybe begin the season with Glenn starting and gradually blend in the new guy to grow into the No. 1 slot later in the season. Maybe we'll have to patient and wait until the new guy learns key aspects of the Canadian game before we can reasonably expect a championship. I for one would be content to see 2015 as a rebuilding year as long as we could see definite growth towards excellence.

All of this is based on the belief that we won't be able to pry away a legitimate starter or near-starter from another CFL team. If we could, great, but keep Glenn as his backup.
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