Who will be moving on?

[Hambone]

Ante Litre would be a nice NI depth addition too. He was reportedly released by Edmonton yesterday and is a local kid who is a good leader and special teamer.


DH

I was thinking exactly that too with Villamizar's departure. Even checked AML's stats defensive stats today to see if he's been recording special teams tackles which he has. We definitely need some depth for Mackie and he would be a huge upgrade in all aspects over Villamizar. Question though is he too expensive of an upgrade.

Cept that M-Litre has played more tailback than little used fullback or H-back in his CFL career; though he has the size & toughness to be just a blocker, plus can play STs. Doubt he signs for a CFL low wage now, but may be forced to if there is no immediate interest.

That's the big riddle. How expensive? With few exceptions a backup NAT TB will cost more than most starting American TBs although at 6' 230 he is built somewheres in between TB and FB. AML ranked 5th highest paid RB im 2022.

[Hambone]

One thing I've been wondering about is Stove. There were reports that he would have to retire due to his achilles setback. Yet I've yet to see anything confirming that from either the Lions or Richardson. Keep in mind I don't waste my time with Twitter or anything like that so if it's not linked here or showing on the Lions website, TSN or 3D then I won't see it.

[B.C.FAN]

I was thinking exactly that too with Villamizar's departure. Even checked AML's stats defensive stats today to see if he's been recording special teams tackles which he has. We definitely need some depth for Mackie and he would be a huge upgrade in all aspects over Villamizar. Question though is he too expensive of an upgrade.

Cept that M-Litre has played more tailback than little used fullback or H-back in his CFL career; though he has the size & toughness to be just a blocker, plus can play STs. Doubt he signs for a CFL low wage now, but may be forced to if there is no immediate interest.

That's the big riddle. How expensive? With few exceptions a backup NAT TB will cost more than most starting American TBs although at 6' 230 he is built somewheres in between TB and FB. AML ranked 5th highest paid RB im 2022.

Rick Campbell said Tuesday that the Lions have discussed Ante Litre and are interested. He didn’t
say whether they thought they could afford him.

[Hambone]

More depth for LB and special teams. Jordan Herdman-Reed has returned to tge Den.
https://www.bclions.com/2023/02/15/jord ... -to-lions/

[OV:54-40]

More depth for LB and special teams. Jordan Herdman-Reed has returned to tge Den.
https://www.bclions.com/2023/02/15/jord ... -to-lions/

Nice signing IMO - if the guy is still in shape (and mileage should not be a factor given he hasn't played much in the past few seasons). So - if draft pick Ryder Varga (coming off CanWest D player of the year recognition) pans out, him and Herdman backing Lokombo & Haldik at Mac & W-OLB is very nice Canadian LB talent/depth at 2 key positions - league best in that department IMO.

[DanoT]

More depth for LB and special teams. Jordan Herdman-Reed has returned to tge Den.
https://www.bclions.com/2023/02/15/jord ... -to-lions/

Nice signing IMO - if the guy is still in shape (and mileage should not be a factor given he hasn't played much in the past few seasons). So - if draft pick Ryder Varga (coming off CanWest D player of the year recognition) pans out, him and Herdman backing Lokombo & Haldik at Mac & W-OLB is very nice Canadian LB talent/depth at 2 key positions - league best in that department IMO.

Don't forget Messam who is an N and veteran Special Teams player who has also started on D at LB at times.

[OV:54-40]

More depth for LB and special teams. Jordan Herdman-Reed has returned to tge Den.
https://www.bclions.com/2023/02/15/jord ... -to-lions/

Nice signing IMO - if the guy is still in shape (and mileage should not be a factor given he hasn't played much in the past few seasons). So - if draft pick Ryder Varga (coming off CanWest D player of the year recognition) pans out, him and Herdman backing Lokombo & Haldik at Mac & W-OLB is very nice Canadian LB talent/depth at 2 key positions - league best in that department IMO.

Don't forget Messam who is an N and veteran Special Teams player who has also started on D at LB at times.

Yeah - another guy in the mix and a vet.

Not to mention the Lions' Canadian DE talent/depth - Betts & Menard backed by last year draft picks Archibald & Pickett (both have potential to be solid CFL DEs, IMO) = easily league best for Canucks at that position.

[Hambone]

Secondary depth add in American vet DB Mike Jones.

https://www.bclions.com/2023/02/16/lion ... ike-jones/

[B.C.FAN]

Cept that M-Litre has played more tailback than little used fullback or H-back in his CFL career; though he has the size & toughness to be just a blocker, plus can play STs. Doubt he signs for a CFL low wage now, but may be forced to if there is no immediate interest.

That's the big riddle. How expensive? With few exceptions a backup NAT TB will cost more than most starting American TBs although at 6' 230 he is built somewheres in between TB and FB. AML ranked 5th highest paid RB im 2022.

Rick Campbell said Tuesday that the Lions have discussed Ante Litre and are interested. He didn’t
say whether they thought they could afford him.

Litre has signed with Ottawa.

[B.C.FAN]

Hakeem Johnson has signed with Edmonton. He got a lot of reps at corner for the Lions in recent years but lost his place on the depth chart to Adrian Greene late last year.

https://3downnation.com/2023/02/17/what ... m-johnson/

[David]

Always great to hear Farhan's take on the Leos.

Thinks they're a "good roster" with young guys maturing. Didn't need to make a big splash in free agency and don't have as much room due to the starter's money they're paying VA over Rourke. Calls Justin McInnis the key acquisition (surprisingly, not Couture) which may allow the club ratio flexibility to go two Nationals at receiver.




DH

[OV:54-40]

Can't see 2 starting National receivers even with the addition of McInnis; who's going to sit from amongst Rhymes, Whitehead, Hatcher or that impressive new pass catcher Hollins?

Campbell won't need it to get to his 7 only: 3 interior O-Line + Cottoy = 4 on offence; Lokombo & Hladik + a D-Lineman (Betts, Menard, Cherry, maybe Archibald in the rotation) = 3 on defence

[Hambone]

Can't see 2 starting National receivers even with the addition of McInnis; who's going to sit from amongst Rhymes, Whitehead, Hatcher or that impressive new pass catcher Hollins?

Campbell won't need it to get to his 7 only: 3 interior O-Line + Cottoy = 4 on offence; Lokombo & Hladik + a D-Lineman (Betts, Menard, Cherry, maybe Archibald in the rotation) = 3 on defence

The only possible starting spot for McInnis is at wide side wide receiver if he can beat out Hollins, Pearson and Scarfone not to mention other recruits. They are also still very high on Jamarius Way who was impressive in camp and preseason games last year before an elbow injury sidelines him. They released him due to the injury then re-added him to the PR in August. Rhymes, Cottoy and Hatcher have locks on the inside positions and Whitehead on the other wide out spot.

And you're correct that they may not need a 2nd receiver to make ratio. If Knevel is 100% recovered he could well pick up right where he left off when he suffered that labrum injury, as starting LG, allowing a return to 3 NAT starters in the OL. Peirson, Zerr and Packer would seem to provide sufficient depth to easily support that. They will obviously have the 3 starters on D with Lokombo, Hladik and the Betts/Menard combo at DE.

Regardless Campbell and McEvoy continued to build on what was an obvious priority last offseason. They've done a great job adding quality depth that gives them flexibility and options should injuries occur to starters.

[B.C.FAN]

Can't see 2 starting National receivers even with the addition of McInnis; who's going to sit from amongst Rhymes, Whitehead, Hatcher or that impressive new pass catcher Hollins?

Campbell won't need it to get to his 7 only: 3 interior O-Line + Cottoy = 4 on offence; Lokombo & Hladik + a D-Lineman (Betts, Menard, Cherry, maybe Archibald in the rotation) = 3 on defence

Yes, that's the way I see it. McInnis is great depth if a receiver goes down or needs a breather.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have just 6 unsigned players on their free-agent list. QBs Michael O'Connor and Antonio Pipkin and WR Shai Ross are not believed to be in the team's plans for 2023. DE Obum Gwacham and DB Delvin Breaux are both said to be considering retirement.

That leaves long-snapper Tanner Doll as the most curious name on the list. B.C. and Ottawa are the only teams that don't have a long-snapper under contract. Doll started his career with the Redblacks, who were then coached by Rick Campbell. Doll signed a 2-year extension with the Lions when his contract last came up in 2021. I don't know what other options the Lions have. David Mackie was drafted as a fullback and long-snapper in 2018 but he has proved valuable in other roles on offence and special teams. Long-snapper isn't a high-profile player until he makes a bad snap. Off the top of my head I can't recall any bad snaps from Doll in his 3 years as a Lion.