Lionbackers.com

Qman wrote:

Rodu wrote:So WIlliams potentially replaces Iannuzzi in the starting lineup, and we roll with Manny, Burnham, Moore, Gore and Williams? Wouldn't we need another Canadian somewhere for ratio purposes?

looking at going to 2 cdn DBs

NAT Menad needs to start at DE or the Lions can start 4 NATs on the Oline if they move Steward from guard to his normal position at tackle.

Ed Willes drops a bit of a bombshell on why the Lions might be pursuing Williams so hard.

There will likely be a battle for an offensive tackle spot. The secondary will likely feature two Canadian starters in safety Mike Edem and cornerback Keynan Parker. And the Lions are pursuing electric wide receiver Chris Williams, who would change a number of things for this team.

True, the Leos aren’t set in stone just yet. There is some thought that receiver Shawn Gore, who has a history of concussions, may retire. Offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye may have priced himself off the team. Ryan Phillips, who put in 12 seasons in the Leos’ secondary, has signed with Montreal. And linebacker Adam Bighill is off to the New Orleans Saints.

Not sure what exactly he means about Olafioye pricing himself off the team given he wasn't even a FA unless they think now his contract is too expensive.

SammyGreene wrote:Ed Willes drops a bit of a bombshell on why the Lions might be pursuing Williams so hard.

There will likely be a battle for an offensive tackle spot. The secondary will likely feature two Canadian starters in safety Mike Edem and cornerback Keynan Parker. And the Lions are pursuing electric wide receiver Chris Williams, who would change a number of things for this team.

True, the Leos aren’t set in stone just yet. There is some thought that receiver Shawn Gore, who has a history of concussions, may retire. Offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye may have priced himself off the team. Ryan Phillips, who put in 12 seasons in the Leos’ secondary, has signed with Montreal. And linebacker Adam Bighill is off to the New Orleans Saints.

Not sure what exactly he means about Olafioye pricing himself off the team given he wasn't even a FA unless they think now his contract is too expensive.

According to Loonie Cap.ca, Olafioye is getting $200k/season. It has been reported the the Riders signed D. Dennis for $170k plus $10k incentive. Maybe the Lions are looking to renegotiate with Olafioye.

DanoT wrote:According to Loonie Cap.ca, Olafioye is getting $200k/season. It has been reported the the Riders signed D. Dennis for $170k plus $10k incentive. Maybe the Lions are looking to renegotiate with Olafioye.

Not that anybody can take Lawless' tweets to the bank as fact but yesterday he was saying he was told Dennis' deal would put him amongst the highest paid OL in the CFL.

Hambone wrote:

DanoT wrote:According to Loonie Cap.ca, Olafioye is getting $200k/season. It has been reported the the Riders signed D. Dennis for $170k plus $10k incentive. Maybe the Lions are looking to renegotiate with Olafioye.

Not that anybody can take Lawless' tweets to the bank as fact but yesterday he was saying he was told Dennis' deal would put him amongst the highest paid OL in the CFL.

yes, American OLineman

All-star cdn lineman are making in 250k range. Chris Van zeyl - not an all-star anymore - just re-signed from 230k. Bourke was making over 300k a few years ago.

Do you can pay a Cdn T 250k, or cdn pay Dline/DB/WR 100k as your 7th cdn. And your screwed if the tackle gets hurt. No way wally goes to Cdn tackles again

Farhan Lalji is reporting former Montreal DE DeQuinn Evans has agreed to terms with the Lions. He is a potential replacement for Alex Bazzie.

Farhan Lalji ‏@FarhanLaljiTSN
Farhan Lalji Retweeted Matthew Scianitti
2 year deal for Evans w/ #BCLions. Will get a chance to compete for the spot vacated by Alex Bazzie

Matthew Scianitti @TSNScianitti
Hearing from #CFL sources DL DeQuinn Evans has agreed to join the #BCLions #CFLFA. Despite injuries he was highly thought of in MTL

Chris Williams has agreed to a 2-year deal with the Lions, pending a physical. Large increase in his salary in year 2.

With Yell, Lee, Clarke, Moore and Williams all coming off season-ending injuries, the success of the Lions' free-agent signings will be judged on how well those players bounce back. If they all return to form, the Lions will have scored big. If they don't, the Lions will have gambled and lost big.

Wally is killing this off-season.

Lion Guy wrote:Wally is killing this off-season.

I thought Wally did really well last year in the off-season as well.

Chris Jones is doing really well in free agency as well. Signing last season's MOP O lineman for a reasonable $ and also addressing the Riders lack of NATs by signing 4 on opening day of FA.

DanoT wrote:

Lion Guy wrote:Wally is killing this off-season.

I thought Wally did really well last year in the off-season as well.

Chris Jones is doing really well in free agency as well. Signing last season's MOP O lineman for a reasonable $ and also addressing the Riders lack of NATs by signing 4 on opening day of FA.

I think the consensus last year was the Wally had one of his best off seasons since he came here in 2003, in my opinion the moves he has made this year have surpassed those of last year. It all started by signing his own guys, and then highway robbery in free agency this year with Burnett at $85,000, as well as Buddy Jackson, Matt Buckor, and Chris Williams.
I can't wait for June

Wally has kind of changed his stripes. In times past, he disdained the free agent market to an extent. His preference was to grow his own players, to develop within. That still holds, but he has been much more active in acquiring CFL-experienced talent lately.

This year has seen a bumper crop of signings.

This fan is somewhat surprised at his level of activity, pleasantly so.

And also somewhat surprised at the level of success. Did it not seem at times that free agents were somewhat reluctant to sign here?

We have also seen success in signing our own guys, holdovers, just before free agency happens.

In any case, Wally and his staff are building interest and excitement for the coming year.

Jabar Westerman has signed in Montreal as expected.

WestCoastJoe wrote:DL On the roster ...

Ainsworth 6'3'' 247 Nat

Allen 6'3'' 240

Brooks 6'3'' 295

Forde 6'5' 262 Nat

Hudson 6'3'' 245

Menard 6'1'' 259 Nat

Perkins 6'2'' 233

Roh 6'5'' 265

Turner 6'2'' 279

Not a lot of size there, it seems to me. No nose tackle types, although Brooks can certainly play inside, and play it well. I get the impression that Mark W wants speed, not necessarily size up front. Turner has also shown he can play inside. Are we big enough there? And it seems we need depth behind those two inside guys.

Just IMO ...

According to Mike Beamish , there were more DL signed including 6'0 287 LBs Luther Maddy , who looks like a fairly stout DT.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/cfl ... story.html

pennw wrote:According to Mike Beamish , there were more DL signed including 6'0 287 LBs Luther Maddy , who looks like a fairly stout DT.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/cfl ... story.html

As discussed earlier in this thread, Maddy is an interesting prospect.

B.C.FAN wrote:

dawg3648 wrote: Dont think Lions have released this news but the Hokies have on their site. All ACC and S.I. All-American Honourable mention. Kid seems to have some game.

The Lions could use help in the interior of the D-line. He seems to have quickness to play 3-tech. He may be a bit undersized at 287 pounds to play nose tackle but he's bigger than anyone else under contract for 2017. Maddy was invited to the NFL Combine last year but was unable to compete in any field drills as he recovered from a left knee injury. He went undrafted and was later invited to minicamp in New Orleans. Here's what NFL scouts said about him in his draft year:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/ ... id=2555286

Maddy could well be a CFL nose tackle that many fans would like to see. Mic'hael Brooks has also said he prefers to play 3-tech and have someone else absorb the double teams in the middle. The Lions' recent track record isn't good for holding and developing sparkplug-type nose tackles, though. Zach Minter was hampered by injuries in 2015, playing a half season before he was cast aside. George Uko, who looked almost unblockable in training camp last year, languished in the practice roster all season before being dropped in the offseason.

I'd love to see Bryant Turner Jr. get more reps at defensive end, where he has had success in the past. He has the quickness and versatility to come off the edge and get to the QB.