Free Agent Signings

[maxlion]

The league has released its official list of free agents. There are 17 Lions on the list. Matt Norman is the extra name that wasn't on Penton's list:

2016 Free Agent Tracker

Thanks for this list B.C.FAN. Here's my take:

B.C. (17)
WR Manny Arceneaux - Came on strong at end of the year. Premier receiver and recognizable, community-minded veteran. Lock him up.
CB Steven Clarke - Showed improvement and potential. Should be back.
LB Rennie Curran - Possible replacement if one of Solly/Bighill is traded. Otherwise, won't be back.
*OL Kirby Fabien - Can't lose NI OL. Servicable player. Lock him up.
*S Eric Fraser - Was okay. Would like him back to compete, especially if Safety is going to be a NI position.
*RB Andrew Harris - Would love him back, but likely not going to happen.
LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis - Decent player. May have more upside. Would like him back to compete, possible replacement if one of Solly/Bighill is traded.
LB Josh Johnson - Reduced the stupid penalties, high energy playmaker. Lock him up.
*RB Pascal Lochard - Not very noticeable. Has potential? Not sure.
QB Travis Lulay - Need to prioritze bringing him back as 2nd/3rd string QB, mentor, and potential future coach.
*OL Matt Norman - See Fabien.
OL Jovan Olafioye - Perennial all-star, shows leadership. Lock him up.
CB Cord Parks - Lost it. Cut him loose.
RB Chris Rainey - Most exciting BC returner...ever? Lock him up.
DE Khreem Smith - One more year? Probably not.
SB Courtney Taylor - One of my favourites, gets open and makes the catch. But would like to see the young guys get a chance. Could be a possible receiver's coach?
*OL Dean Valli - Below average at his peak. Cut him loose.
(* National)

[David]

There are a few "most likely won't be back" due to their choice:

Harris
Rainey
Valli (retiring)
Norman

Then there are a few "most likely won't be back" due to the club's choice:

Parks
Taylor
Smith
Curran - not sure they need more linebacking help with Solly back next year, especially with the emergence of Lokombo

The rest come down to working out the right deal, the toughest to lock up being Arceneaux who seems determined to shop his wares to the highest bidder. Others like Lulay and Olafioye should be easier as both parties want a deal to stay here.


DH

[CardiacKid]

You include Rainey as not coming back. Has he expressed dissatisfaction with his time with the Leo's? Or are you doing thinking another club will have an easy time prying him away?

[David]

This is based on things I've read. Wants another crack at the NFL, didn't seem to particularly enjoy his time here and wasn't thrilled with the way he was deployed.


DH

[aklawitter]

You can sell the fact that there will be no more McMann when trying to re-sign Rainey.

Explosive home-run specialist with breakaway speed that we haven't really had since Aaron Lockett.

[The_Pauser]

You can sell the fact that there will be no more McMann when trying to re-sign Rainey.

Explosive home-run specialist with breakaway speed that we haven't really had since Aaron Lockett.

Yonus Davis?

[The_Pauser]

Free agents I would be interested in signing:

Manny Arceneaux
Kirby Fabien
Eric Fraser
Alex Hoffman-Ellis
Josh Johnson
Travis Lulay
Jovan Olafioye
Courtney Taylor

Freddie Bishop
Joe Burnett
Ben D'Aguilar
Micah Johnson
Eric Rogers
Almondo Sewell
Mike Edem
Justin Hickman
Ted Laurant
Courtney Stephen
Kristian Matte
Justin Capicciotti
Chris Williams
Alex Hall
Trevor Harris (hey if he's available why not?)
Cleyon Laing
Tristan Okpalaugo
Swayze Waters
John Bowman

[B.C.FAN]

Justin Capicciotti is the only target on my free-agent wish list. A national defensive end with local ties who produces 12 sacks a year is worth his weight in gold.

[TheLionKing]

Ricky Ray signed a 2 year extension with the Argos

[CardiacKid]

This is based on things I've read. Wants another crack at the NFL, didn't seem to particularly enjoy his time here and wasn't thrilled with the way he was deployed.


DH

He might need to give his head a shake. He was cut by the Steelers because he was charged with assaulting his partner, cut by the Colts for breaking team rules and cut by the Als. Now maybe he isn't yet untouchable according to the NFL but they might just draw the line at bringing back in the fold.
He is obviously talented but it took a truly desperate Lions team to give him a chance to shine. A dose of reality might be in order.

[CardiacKid]

I've mentioned a few times I think the Lions should pursue Willie Jefferson, defensive end with the Esks who is an upcoming free agent. Seems the NFL is also interested. From the Edmonton Journal.....

"Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson, who covers the Houston Texans for the Houston Chronicle, tweeted Wednesday that Eskimos free agent defensive end Willie Jefferson is drawing lots of interest in the U.S. and already has two tryouts with NFL teams lined up in January. Jefferson played six games with the Texans in 2013 before joining the Eskimos in 2014."

Anyone have the skinny on Christian Covington's time with the Texans?

[B.C.FAN]

Eric Fraser is the latest potential free agent to re-sign with the Lions, joining Kirby Fabien and Manny Arceneaux. I thought Fraser had a great start with the Lions, breaking up some deep balls, making big hits and returning a pick-six but he was neutralized late in the season as teams found other ways to exploit the secondary.

ERIC FRASER RE-SIGNS IN BC

KADIE SMITH

The BC Lions Football Club announced today that Canadian defensive back Eric Fraser has re-signed with the team through the 2017 season. Fraser was set to become a free agent in February.

“Eric is a disciplined defender who brought stability and experience to the safety position last season,” said GM and head coach Wally Buono. “He’s a big part of the core Canadian talent on our team and it’s good to have him returning.”

The BC native signed with the Lions as a free agent early on in the 2015 campaign and appeared in 15 regular season games, 10 as the club’s starting safety notching 36 defensive stops with another six on special teams.

“It’s an honour to play in front of family and friends here in BC and I’m thrilled to be back with the Lions,” said the Burnaby resident. “We have a great blend of youth and experience on this team and I believe we’re going to be a very tough team to play against this coming season.”

Fraser was originally a first-round CFL Draft selection of the Calgary Stampeders in 2010. Over four seasons with the Stamps, he appeared in 70 regular-season games making 31 starts at the safety position recording 107 tackles and another 37 stops on special teams. Following the 2013 season, Fraser was taken in the Ottawa REDBLACKS Expansion Draft and appeared in 17 regular-season games in 2014 recording 15 defensive tackles and adding another 12 on special teams.

[David]

“It’s an honour to play in front of family and friends here in BC and I’m thrilled to be back with the Lions,”

Oh my. I know that Lions' attendance has been on a downward spiral, but I didn't realize it has gotten that bad.




DH

[TheLionKing]

Darian Durant re signs with Riders

http://www.tsn.ca/qb-durant-inks-new-co ... s-1.425925

[Hambone]

Darian Durant re signs with Riders

http://www.tsn.ca/qb-durant-inks-new-co ... s-1.425925

Really not related to FAs as he was still under contract for 2016. This was a reworking of the final year of his contract, no doubt a negotiated paycut.